Category: Individual Deaths

BIGGS Jr., Asa (d. 1883)

New York Times
13 Nov 1883

Death of Asa Biggs

Petersburg, Va., Nov 12 — Asa Biggs, the young man who was burned in his residence, in Southampton, as reported in The Times today, was a son of the late Judge Biggs, of Norfolk, and his wife, who narrowly escaped burning to death, represented one of the oldest families in this section of Virginia.  She is a highly accomplished lady, but took a fancy to young Biggs, who was very dissipated; and finally married him against the wishes of relatives on both sides.

After the marriage Biggs left Norfolk and settled at the old family residence in Southampton.  The old house is built of colonial brick , and is an old landmark in the county.  Dr. Massenburg, the owner, died several years ago, leaving a widow and two daughters, who kept one of the grandest old homes in the country, and entertained handsomely.  The other daughter married and left home, and the mother had lived with her daughters alternately.  Biggs continued to drink after his marriage, and on Saturday night upset a lamp, set the building on fire, and perished in the flames.  It is one of the saddest affairs in the history of the county.

BIGGS, Asa (d. 1878)

New York Times
7 Mar 1878

Yesterday morning about 11 o’clock Mr. Asa Biggs, of the firm of K. Biggs & Col, commision merchantes, of Norfolk, Va., died suddenly from rehumatism of the heart.  The deceased was 68 years of age, and was a native of North Carolina.  In antebellum days he had a national reputation as a jurist and politiican.  Previous to his departure from North Carolina he had been in public life for fully 35 years, having been a member of the Convention of 1835, which framed a State Constitution.  He represented his district in Congress during the administration of President Polk.  Subsequently he was elected by the Legislature to the United States Senate, but resigned his seat in that body to accept the appointment for the District of North Carolina under Mr. Buchanan’s Administration.  After the breaking out of the late war he recevied the appointment from the Confederate Government of District Judge for the same district.  He removed to Norfolk in 1869, becoming a partner with his brother in the house of K. Biggs & Co.  He also engaged in the practice of law, being associated with the Hon. W.N.H. Smith, who is the present Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina.  Judge Biggs was an earnest Christian, and was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church.  He leaves a large family.