The Archie Scott Higgins Family

From Our Island Heritage, Vol. 3, 1978, compiled by Sophie Haley and Mickie Smith:

(Editor's note:  information has been updated for accuracy by Gayle Price Evans, a direct descendant of Archie Scott Higgins)

John Higgins, Sr., of Irish descent, was born about 1816 in New Jersey.  Family history states that he and a brother (unknown) traveled from New Jersey to Louisiana, where they arrived in New Orleans.  John ended up in Catahoula Parish.  He met Sarah Tovery who was born in 1828 in Mississippi.  They married in Sicily Island, Louisiana on May 23, 1848.  Their marriage ceremony was performed by John P. Heard and the witnesses were Samuel Whatley, W. W. Whatley and C. M. Riley.  

John and Sarah were prominent landowners, farming and raising cattle along the Leland/Hill road area.  John died April 2, 1871, leaving Sarah with five children: John, Jr., Thomas George, William (who died at about 2 yrs of age), Henry, Elizabeth (Bettie), and Walter.  

John Higgins, Sr. and Sarah Tovery Higgins are both buried in the Old Pine Hill Cemetery in Sicily Island.

John Higgins, Jr. was born on November 17, 1850 in Sicily Island.  On January 17, 1877, he married Mary Scott of Plaquemine, Iberville Parish, Louisiana.  They were married in Sicily Island at the residence of Dr. Henry Doniphan.  

Mary was born in Kentucky on January 2, 1855 to Archibald W. Scott (born in 1829 in Scotland) and Elvira Berry Taylor (born in 1835 in Kentucky). Archibald and Elvira had moved to Plaquemine, Louisiana in the 1850's.  

Mary, at the age of seventeen, came by riverboat from New Orleans, arriving in Harrisonburg, Louisiana.  Arrangements had been made for her to come to Sicily Island to work and reside in the Doniphan home.  

John and Mary were farmers and Mary served as post mistress for Florence, now known as Sicily Island.  

John Higgins, Jr. died on December 11, 1934 and Mary Scott Higgins died on December 4, 1931.  Both are buried in the Old Pine Hill Cemetery in Sicily Island.  (Editor's note:  tombstone photographs are courtesy of Gayle Price Evans through FindAGrave.com)

One of the six children born to John Higgins, Jr. and Mary Scott Higgins was Archie Scott Higgins. 

Archie Scott Higgins was born in Leland (near Sicily Island) on December 6, 1877.  As a young man, Archie worked in his Uncle Tom Higgins' store which was located in Sicily Island.  He was also employed at a lumber mill at Goodpine and later became a farmer.  

Archie first married Carrie Watson in 1900.

Archie and Carrie (Courtesy of Gayle Price Evans)

The following children were born to the marriage of Archie and Carrie Watson Higgins:

Watson Walter, 1901-1969 (m. Rosa Lee Moss, 1906-1959); Both are buried in the Highland Park Cemetery in Sicily Island.  (Editor's note:  tombstone photographs are courtesy of Karen Klemm Pinckard at FindAGrave.com)

Harold Scott, 1903-1988 (m. Mamie Passman, 1906-1981); Both are buried in Sandy Hook Cemetery in Marion County, Mississippi.  (Editor's note:  tombstone photograph is courtesy of Janine McQuiston at FindAGrave.com)

 

John Archie, 1905-1971

Thelma, 1908

After the death on his first wife, Archie married Rosetta Edwards on April 18, 1919.  The marriage was performed by Reverend J. W. Porter.  Witnesses were H. B. DeWitt, H. J. Disch and Sadie Higgins.  

Archie and Rosetta (Courtesy of Gayle Price Evans)

Rosetta was born in Catahoula Parish around the Aimwell area on February 11, 1895.  She was the daughter of George Washington Edwards and Clara Alice Roberts.  

Following their marriage, Archie and Rosetta lived for many years on the "Old Higgins Place," located off Guice Road on Black Bayou, where they farmed and raised cattle.  

After their children finished high school they retired from farming and moved into Sicily Island.  

Archie was an avid fan of square dances which were often held in the various homes in the area.  He especially enjoyed the violin music provided by Mr. Tom Watson and often recalled the square dance socials held on the Island.  

Archie Scott Higgins (Courtesy of Gayle Price Evans)

Archie Scott Higgins died on July 22, 1962 and Rosetta Edwards Higgins died on February 28, 1980.  Both are buried in the Old Pine Hill Cemetery in Sicily Island.  (Editor's note:  tombstone photographs are courtesy of Gayle Price Evans through FindAGrave.com)

The following children were born to the marriage of Archie and Rosetta Edwards Higgins:

Charles Gordon, 1920-1983 (m. Mary Nell Benge, 1927-2007); Both are buried in the Highland Park Cemetery in Sicily Island.  (Editor's note:  tombstone photograph is courtesy of Karen Klemm Pinckard at FindAGrave.com)

Mary Alice, 1923-2012 (m. Andrew Angelle; d. 1992)

Ruth Lenore, 1925-1952 (m. Tillar); Buried in the Old Pine Hill Cemetery in Sicily Island. 

Juanita, 1928

Allene Edwards, 1929-2011 (m. James Calvin Price, 1928-2006)

 Record of birth for Allene:

Allene and James are both buried in the Highland Park Cemetery in Sicily Island.  (Editor's note:  tombstone photograph is courtesy of Gayle Price Evans)