Biographical/historical information

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.

Scope and arrangement

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.

Administrative information

Custodial History

May 24, 2005 (unprocessed) 2 items, 0.15 cubic feet; Journal (1832, 1858-1872) of North Carolina Democratic attorney, politician and judge Asa Biggs, 1811-1878, who served as U. S. Representative, 1845-1847, U. S. Senator, 1855-1858, U. S. District Judge, NC, 1858-1861, Confederate judge, 1861-1865, including lists of acquaintances, newspaper clippings of items written by the Biggs, including Biography of Hon. David S. Reid, Sketch of Martin County, Journal of a trip to and from Williamston, NC to New York, in 1932, and Biggs' autobiography, written March - July 1865; Photocopy of transcript of Autobiography of Asa Biggs including a journal of a Trip from NC to New York in 1832 (Bulletin No. 19, Publications of the NC Historical Commission.) Holograph, Typescript. Photocopies. Digital reproductions. Loaned by Ann P. Phelps, Branch Librarian, Martin Memorial Library, Williamston, NC

Source of acquisition

Loaned by Ann P. Phelps, Branch Librarian, Martin Memorial Library, Williamston, NC

Processing information

Encoded by Mark Custer, January 3, 2008

Copyright notice

Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.

Key terms

Personal Names

Biggs, Asa, 1811-1878
Reid, David Settle, 1813-1891

Topical

Politicians--North Carolina

Places

Atlantic States--Description and travel
Martin County (N.C.)--Description and travel
North Carolina--Politics and government--1775-1865
United States--Politics and government--1815-1861

Container list