Family History

The Higgins line of the family is one with deep roots in Kentucky's past. The first known Higgins was William Higgins, who was living in Virginia before the Revolutionary War. William and his wife, whose name is unknown had at least eight children together, seven of which were sons. More than one of these sons fought in the Revolutionary War. In 1783 though, the seven Higgins brothers left Virginia, and struck on to make their way in the frontier of Kentucky. Together they traveled down the Ohio River to Cynthiana, Kentucky, where they built a fort known as Higgins Blockhouse.

The brother that continues the Higgins line is Joel Higgins, born around 1748 in Virginia. He married Drucilla Winn, and together they would have four children, Mildred, Mary, William and Richard. Drucilla passed away in Virginia long before the family moved to Kentucky. Joel first lived with his children in Cynthiana before eventually moving to Lexington, where he passed away in 1807. In Cynthiana, his daughter Mildred married John Chinn, son of Charles and Sythe Chinn.

Joel and Drucilla's son Richard was born on September 7, 1770 in Virginia and at the age of 18 in 1788, he moved to the area that would become the state of Kentucky. He most likely came after his father and uncles so that he could stay in Virginia and complete his education. Richard's wife was Sarah Allen who was born in Spotsylvania, Virginia on January 16, 1772. She and her family had come to in 1786 and settled in Fayette County. 

Sally and Richard were the parents of Joel Higgins who was born on November 27, 1803 in Lexington, Kentucky. Joel married Ann Louise Gibson and together they four children, the youngest of which was John Allen Higgins. Joel and Ann built the Higgins Mansion in Lexington, an elaborate Greek Revival mansion. John Allen was born on October 24, 1831 in Lexington. He married Bettie Chinn Webb, and the couple had eight children, including a daughter named Alline. Alline married Joseph Carter Headley, and together had two daughters, Elisabeth Higgins and Frances Carter Headley. Elisabeth married Charles Crain Garr and had two daughters, Elisabeth Headley and Charlotte Russell Garr. Frances married B.F. Carruth and had two children, Frances Carruth Kerr and Allen Higgins Carruth.

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