J. BELL BIGGER,
Born in the city of Richmond, March 3, 1829, was educated in that
city. In 1852 he was appointed clerk to Capt. Thomas Crabbe of the
U. S. war steamer San Jacinto, and sailed in her on her first trip to the
Mediterranean; was afterwards clerk to Commodore Morgan of the U.
S. war flag-ship Independence, and returned on her from Gibralter. In
1855 he was elected clerk of the committees of finance and of claims,
of the House of Delegates, and continued in that service until 1865.
In 1860 was appointed by Governor Wise special messenger to obtain
election returns from Gilmer county; was secretary of the Southern
Rights Association prior to the war; was elected clerk of the auditing
board of Virginia, which Board audited and settled all war expenses
of Virginia prior to her joining the Confederacy; was commissioned
lieutenant in the Letcher Battery, but, owing to physical disability,
was unable for field service. In 1865, on December 4th, he was
elected clerk of the House of Delegates, and served until 1879, with
two interruptions caused by his being twice removed by military authorities.
In December, 1883, was again elected to this office, and is
the present incumbent, clerk of the House of Delegates and keeper of
the Rolls of Virginia.
Mr. Bigger also served as secretary of the Virginia Electoral college
in 1880, and again in 1884, and was the messenger to carry the vote
for Hancock and English and Cleveland and Hendricks respectively to
Washington.
Thomas B. Bigger, his father, was born in Prince Edward county,
Virginia, February 22, 1795. In 1812 he enlisted in Capt. Richard McRae's
company, known as the "Petersburg Volunteers." This company
marched from Richmond city to Detroit, Michigan, and was at the
siege of Fort Meigs, where Private Bigger was cut off from his command
by Indians, and escaped with his life with great difficulty. He
declined promotion, but shared all the fortunes of the company, which
Gen. Wm. Henry Harrison specially commended in general orders, for
"their conduct on the field and example in the camp." Thomas B.
Bigger was later captain of the "Richmond Light Infantry Blues," and
afterwards colonel of a military organization. In 1844 he was appointed
postmaster of the city of Richmond by President Polk, and
continued in that office more than eighteen years. In 1863 he was
elected and served as a member of the House of Delegates from Richmond
city. After the war, until 1880, he was clerk in the office of the
Auditor of Public Accounts. He died on May 5, 1880. His wife,
mother of J. Bell, was Elizabeth Meredith Russell, born in New Kent
county, Virginia, in 1807, died in Richmond in 1875.
In Essex county, Virginia, August 16, 1853, J. Bell Bigger married
Annie B. Muse, who was born in that county. Her parents were born
in Westmoreland county, Virginia, Samuel Muse and Elizabeth Y.
(Banks) Muse, her father served in the war of 1812 with rank of major.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Bigger number twelve, born in the order
named: Lizzie M. (deceased); Lucy A., Peggie S., Carrie R., Thos. H.,
John B. and Mary A. twins, Elvira M. (deceased), Samuel W., Hunter
McGuire, Sallie M.
