The Last of the Bighams
I'm not directly related to this family, but they are quite interesting.



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James Bigham, Sr (born? - died1815) settled in northeastern South Carolina just before the start of the American Revolution. James was probably one of several sons of Robert Bigham, an Irishman who immigrated with his family to South Carolina in 1768, ultimately settling in North Carolina. Most of Robert Bigham's sons chose SC land near Rocky Creek to start their own farms, but James Bigham, Sr moved further east to Jeffries Creek, near the Pee Dee river. This James proved to be a successful farmer, but he was also known to move land markers on his own accord. He married twice having at least five sons and three daughters. One daughter married a Frierson and moved to Tennessee and the other two may have died Ole Maids. The sons were: James Jr (also moved to Tennessee), William (married Margaret Gregg, then moved out of state), David (married a Jennet Gregg, and then?), Samuel (moved to Alabama but only after his father's death), and...

John Bigham, who continued to run the large family farm on the east side of the Pee Dee River. He was a Captain in the War of 1812 and one of the more kinder souls in this particular line of kin. He had several children, including Joshua who went to Georgia, and a James C. who joined the Navy and died at sea. Unfortunately, the following son chose to remain along the Pee Dee:

Leonard Smiley Bigham I (1810-1879) moved his family to a modest, but still substantial home on the west side of the Pee Dee river. He taught his own children many of his 'own kind' of endearing lessons including to shoot slaves because one felt like it and to use cyanide on their worthless farm animals. More ominously, he was accused, but never convicted, of murdering his twelve year old nephew who stood in the way of some of his inheritance.

Leonard Smiley Bigham II (1850-1908) continued the family's reign on the west side of the Pee Dee near present day Pamplico. He built what at the time was considered the massive Bigham Mansion and went on to become a member of the SC House of Representatives. However, he also accomplished things more infamous in nature including the placing of cyanide in his father's evening glass of milk. Years later this Leonard Bigham, II was ironically poisoned the same way by his wife. He had five children including three sons who carried on the shocking Bigham ways:

Leonard Smiley Bigham III was not the kind who would poison his father, but in 1921 he did committ suicide.

Grover Cleveland Bigham shot and killed his wife saying he thought she was a ghost.

Edmund Bigham murdered 'at least' four family members including his mother, sister and two nephews. (Edmund's daughter, Louise, moved to Chicago and never married).

Thus ended this Bigham Clan along the Great Pee Dee.

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