Career
By 1855, she had six children. Their income was from a confectionery and bakery business. The business was established on the corner of High Street and Market Street.
The building was replaced around 1890 but it still stands on the same plot and a plaque on the corner of the building records the 1853 date of establishment of the original business.
In 1870 Edward became a partner in the company and he also set out on a political career. An early success was to become the chairman of the Fremantle Roads Board at a meeting at his mother"s house in 1871.
This committee was to become important in time and is seen today as the early start of the City of Cockburn. (That committee became the Cockburn Districts Road Board in 1955 and population growth meant that a new town was both demanded and justifiable)
Higham"s business thrived and the bakery, confectionery, clothing and furnishing created an emporium.
The retail business created profits that allowed diversification into pearling and fishing.
In 1875 the business was taking delivery of a 20-metre locally built schooner, Brothers, which they had ordered for pearl fishing. However it was never used for this as it was used for salvage for a year and shortly afterwards it was lost. Higham died in Fremantle in 1883 and was buried in Fremantle Cemetery.
The book written to guide visitors around the cemetery include her amongst the other 35 notables recommended for attention by visitors.
Higham was said to have four children at the time of her death, who were all left a substantial inheritance. The site of the shop on the High Street and Market Street corner was developed and is now the location of listed buildings called the Higham"s Buildings.
These buildings remained in the Higham family until 1974.