Person:Joel Higley (5)

BIOGRAPHY: Lieutenant Joel Higley, the second son of Ensign Brewster Higley, 2d, was born in Higley-town, Simsbury, January 1, 1739.

  The precise date when he was united in marriage with Eunice Haskins is not know. It was, however, when he was about twenty-one years of age.
  The young couple settled in Granby (now North Granby), Conn., probably on land belonging to Joel's father, to which he received a "Deed of Gift" given by Brewster Higley, 2d, June 17, 1765, described as " a part of the land which I inherited from my honored father," Brewster Higley, 1st. In addition to this parcel of land, Joel purchased in the following October land ajoining.
  By his father's will, executed June 21, 1793, he receives the following bequest:
    " A lot of land lying in Granby, where he [Joel] now lives, containing about sixty acres, also a quarter of the lot of land lying in Pine-Plains, lying on the east side of the road that leads to Salmon-Brook near the old Fort so called."
  He is named in the will in the disposal of movable estate, and is the first named son, whom his father appoints in connection with his brother Enoch, as executor of this estate.
  The manual of the First Congregational Church in North Granby shows that Joel Higley became a member of church when fifteen years of age, 1754, but he appears afterward to have joined the Simsbury parish for a time. The bent of character of Deacon Brewster Higley, 2d's, sons was decidedly of a religious nature, wrought into them, no doubt, by the precept and example of their father, to whose faith and teachings they strictly adhered. They were all prominent laymen in the church.