Susannah Burgess Braswell & son James

Contributed & researched by Ann Braswell with the assistance of anonymous researchers Documented Corrections Welcome

Due to the fact that:

James Braswell Sr. was NOT identified in a deed as the son of William Braswell in the Edgecombe Co., NC 1741 Christopher Guin to James Braswell deed, as has been erroneously published in books,


and that William Cain Sr. owned land on Tarrarro Creek in 1722 which was near to Whitewood Swamp where James Braswell's path was mentioned in the 1728/9 Isle of Wight Co., VA will of Samuel Kindred,


and that Susannah Braswell's cousin Samuel Atkinson & her son James Braswell were both involved witnessing the will & the appraisal of Kindred's estate,


and that Susannah Braswell named a son James in her 1714 IOW Co., VA will,


it is logical to conclude circumstantially that the above James Braswell's daughter Sarah married her neighbor, William Cain Jr.


1715 – March 13, WILLIAM CAIN grant for 82 acres on the south side of Nottaway River and east on Tarracoe Creek, Isle of Wight County. (Virginia State Library)


William Cain sells the 82 acres on Sep 16, 1722:


1722 – September 16, WILLIAM CAINE to SIMON EVERITT...82(85?) acres on the south side of Nottoway River and the east side of Tarraroe Creek adjoining Sweat House Swamp. Wit: THOMAS (X) UNDERWOOD, THOMAS (X) GALE and THOMAS GALE, Jr. WILLIAM (X) CAINE Rec: 24 Sep 1722 (page 493, IOW Deeds, Wills – Great Book Vol 2 1715-1726)


On the SAME DAY William Cain Sr. is buying in Chowan:
Chowan deed Cl-319 #1521 Henry Sims of Albemarle Co. & wife Grace to William Caine (no residence given) 16 Sep 1722 8 pds 170 ac on northside of a branch of Yourah Swamp, part of 360 grant to Henry Sims 1 Mar 1719. Wit. Barnaby McKinne, Robert Sims. (BOOK CAIN)


Sarah Braswell Cain's bro in laws sell 150 acres of the 170 which belonged to their father William Sr: Compare with above deed.


Bertie Deed F-190 James Cain and Hardy Cain of Edg. to John Bass 16 Dec 1740 for 30 pds 150 ac on north side Roanock in Uraha woods; adj. William Thomas but now Edward Arpe, pat to Henry Sims for 360 ac 1 May 1719. Wit. Samuel Peete (Peek), John Edwards. (BOOK CAIN)


The will of William Cain Sr. in 1732/3 in Bertie Co., NC names wife Elizabeth, children William , Hardy, James, Patience, Unis, Sary, Rachel. Wm Sr. bequeathed unto Wm Jr. 290 acres in his will.


Here is when he bought it:


Bertie Deed B-198 William Whitehead and wife Rachel to William Cain 6 Nov 1726 for 15 Pd:' 290 ac, part of pat. of 490 ac 16 Aug 1720 adj Thomas Bryant, sd Whitehead, William Benet (Bennet) . Wit. John Speir, George Powell. (BOOK CAIN)


He gives it to Wm Jr. in his will:


Sixthly It is my will and desire that my son William Cain should have a certain tract or parcel of land and plantation containing two hundred & ninety acres that I purchased of William Whitehead that my son William lately lived upon by him freely to be possed and enjoyed and his heirs or assigns forever.


William Cain Jr. sells it:


Vol III Bertie Co., NC Deeds (Bell) 1730-1739D-168 May 12, 1735 William Cain to Thomas Taylor "of Western Br of Elisabeth Riv, Virginia" for 18 pds., 290 AC Adj. William Bennett. Wts: J. Edwards, William Thomas May Crt, 1735. John Wynns, D.C/C


Most researchers acknowledge that William Cain Jr. married Sarah Braswell due to a match in the wills of William Cain Jr. & James Braswell.

The paper trail and DNA evidence seem to suggest that Susannah's son James Braswell was not fathered by Robert Braswell Jr.  See sub group 4. at FTDNA Braswell Project, haplogroup R-L21.