Journal written by Judge Asa Biggs from 1858-1872.
Asa Biggs was born in Williamston, Martin County, on February 4, 1811. He was the son of Joseph Biggs, a merchant and preacher, and Chloe Daniel. At the age of fifteen Biggs joined the mercantile working class and by seventeen was managing a mercantile firm in Williamston with Henry Williams. Biggs committed himself to reading law and was admitted to the bar in 1831. In 1832, Asa married Martha Elizabeth Andrews, and together they had ten children, six surviving to adulthood. Biggs was elected to the House of Commons in 1840 and reelected in 1842 after leaving the Whig Party. In 1844 he was elected a seat in the House of Representatives and in 1854 he was elected to the U.S. Senate. Later in his career, he became a federal district judge and was a strong advocate for slavery, having enslaved ca. 14 people himself, and states' rights. Before his death in 1878, he was supported the separation of judicial matters and political control. Biggs participated in the protesting of improper interference in political matters by the state Supreme Court justices. Biggs died on March 6, 1878, leaving behind an autobiography written for his children.
The physical collection contains a single journal written by Judge Asa Biggs. The journal includes a list of acquaintances, newspaper clippings, biographies, trips, and his autobiography.
The collection also contains digital materials such as letters and pictures.
Loaned by Ann P. Phelps, Branch Librarian, Martin Memorial Library, Williamston, NC
Encoded by Mark Custer, January 3, 2008
Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.