Woodward Co. OK - History Riggs USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. Submitted by: VELDA SALDANA velda_saldana@hp.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------- My name is Velda and my Mother's Mother's people settled in Woodward County Oklahoma in 1894. This family had the surname of Riggs. My Mother's Fathers family also came to Oklahoma territory but it was later - like 1904 or so - and they were the Hurst Family. Their story is below. I want to post to the surname communities but have only listed under Queries. ......................................................... Samuel Riggs and his wife Sarah Ellen Waldrip-Riggs came to the Oklahoma Territory in April of 1894 to stake a claim for Lucy Riggs. On this claim near Mutual Oklahoma lived two Riggs families; Samuel & Sarah and Lucy. Along with them came John Riggs (Samuel's youngest brother) and Aaron & Mary Margaret Connelly-Riggs. Mary and Aaron are said to be buried in Moscow Flats Cemetery in Woodward County. Sanuel and Sarah eventually moved to Hutchinson Kansas where they are both buried. The following is a query that I posted to your Woodward County Board: Posted by Velda Saldana on Mon, 07 Aug 2000 Surname: Hurst, Riggs I am researching the Hurst/Riggs families who both moved to the Oklahoma Territories in the late 1880's Ellen Sarah Riggs born 23NOV1893 daughter of Samuel Riggs and Sarah Ellen Waldrip-Riggs came to the Oklahoma Territories with her parents in 1894 - the following is a transcript of notes written in her own hand about 1937 or so: Sarah Ellen Waldrip & Samuel Riggs were married Sept. 27, 1877 in Orange County, Indiana. They came to Couley County Kansas in 1885, then in 1888 they came to Grant County, Kansas near Ulysses Kansas then in 1893 Daddy came to Oklahoma in the race to stake a farm for Aunt Lucy. (Riggs) Daddy had used his claim rights in Kansas. Mother & Daddy had no children, they adopted Claude, his mother died when he was born, Claude's name was Fielder. These were the names of our family: (Riggs) Claude (Fielder) he was born Feb. 2, 1880 Hattie Oct. 12, 1880 Andrew Oct 25, 1882 Mary July 5, 1885 Bill (William) Aug. 1, 1889 Lute (Lucy) Apr. 28, 1891 *** Ellen Nov. 23, 1893 Ed (Edgar) Mar. 6, 1896 Hamilton Oct. 12, 1900 ***I think this child was named after the sister of Samuel, Lucy Margaret Riggs who Sam staked a farm for... When Daddy & Mother came to Oklahoma it was Indian Territory, 1894. I don't remember much about the trip from Kansas to Oklahoma - only what they told me, but they arrived on the farm that Daddy had staked for Aunt Lucy on her birthday, April 28, 1894. She would tell me about coming in the covered wagon and living in a tent that first summer. Grandpa, Grandma (Aaron 1826-1907 & Mary Margaret 1830-? Connelly-Riggs)& Uncle John Riggs (1873 - 1960) came to Oklahoma with us. Uncle John had a farm about 2 miles south of our place. He raised cattle & farmed a little - he had running water on his place. **This farm is located near Woodward and the old Chisholm Trail. ** I am trying to do the family genealogy tree and get as much information on them as possible. If anyone out there is connected to this family and would like to share info please email me at velda_saldana@hp.com