HIGLEY: The Higleys and their Ancestry 1896By Mary Coffin Johnson This book delves into the Higley family and their ancestry, beginning with Captain John Higley, the first American ancestor. He was born in England in 1649 to Jonathan and Katherine Brewster Higley. The Brewster family is of ancient origin. His father died about 1644 at the age of forty. Afterward, as was custom, John apprenticed to a trade of manufacturing gloves at the age of fifteen. His master proved severe and overearing.