Kirby Higgins was born in Ashe County, North Carolina on December 19, 1823.  He married Nancy Woodrow in North Carolina. 

According the the Federal Census of 1870, Kirby Higgins was 46, a farmer, living in Glade Creek Township in Alleghany County, North Carolina, raising sons Marshall, age 12, and Jackson, age 6.  His wife appears to be dead by this time.

He had 6 children with Nancy Woodrow: