BILL FIELDS: IN MEMORIAM

By Carey H. Bracewell

My dear friend and cousin, the late William C. Fields of Fayetteville,
North Carolina, would be the first to applaud this plan to memorialize his
life and contributions to Braswell research by quoting none other than--
himself. Why? Because 'accuracy', was Bill's obsession in all things. And
Bill nudged all of us--his younger contemporaries--to share that obsession.
Therefore I'm more comfortable memorializing Bill with his own accurate
and well-chosen words.


Bill advanced Braswell research tremendously not only by his many
important discoveries in North Carolina collections but even more by
his uncompromising adherence to the rules of evidence in both logic and
genealogy. Here are some passages from my forty years' correspondence
with that remarkable man that will at least hint at his legacy =



TO EUNICE YOUNG ON HER ENGLISH BRACEWELL RESEARCH
(25 May 2000)

"....My opinion is that these London/Grantham Bracewells were indeed
probably one family but that the precise relationships among them are
not yet proven."



ON PERSONAL MATTERS (23 April 1974)

"....My mother died on 19 February, her 86th birthday, after a two
months' illness. Work and everything else were neglected during that time so
I've now become inordinately busy, also with the extra burden of decisions
to make, added responsibilities and, it would seem, bizarre occurrences
that only a Russian novelist could dream up.

The latest and by far the most dramatic of these was my yard-handyman's
attempt a couple of weeks ago to murder me. Winston Churchill is
supposed to have said that the most exhilarating thing in life was to be shot
at without result but if that's anything like being charged by an axe-wielding
maniac he's all wet. It was terrifying. The poor man just went berserk
over imagined wrongs. He's had a couple of temper tantrums before but I was
able to calm him and it never occurred to me that he was crazy....

...the renters next door came to my rescue. They also took him to the
Mental Health Centerlater in the day after I'd collected my wits and figured
out what to do. The doctors there seem to think he can be controlled with
drugs....

I'm at work on eight portraits and, among other activities I'm
involved in supervising the abstracting for publication of the Cumberland
Court Minutes, 1755-1791, as one of our contributions to the Bicentennial.
(And don't think it didn't take some leg work to pry the money for doing it
loose from the County Commissioners.) Genealogy has gotten scarcely a nod
for some time now." {Bill was able to see that important work to completion
before his death. CB}



MORE PERSONAL MATTERS (3 August 1973)

"Congratulations on legitimizing your name. {"Brazil" changed to
"Bracewell" CB} I recall your saying that you contemplated doing it
and I'm pleased that you have.


Certainly you may quote from my correspondence if you wish....."



AND MORE PERSONAL MATTERS (22 Jul 1971)


"I don't recall whether I told you I'm active in the North Carolina
Symphony, a V-P and member of the executive committee. The symphony
is now involved in some serious internal problems.... the net result will
probably mean that the executive committee will probably run the symphony
for the next few years."



ON OUR RALEIGH GET-TOGETHERS (25 July 1972)

"It was good to see you in Raleigh but I'm sorry you departed for the
day without a few final words. I hope you'll be able to get there again
before long...and let me know in advance and I'll make every effort to
meet you....



ON HIMSELF (14 Feb 1973)

"...I must quote a line from the obituary of my g-g-g-grandfather, the
rather noted Baptist divine, Elder JOSHUA LAWRENCE, as it may
explain a great deal. In other words certain of my traits are inherited and
there's nothing I can do about that; so when I wax critical of what I
consider to be ERROR you will understand which set of genes has gone into
gear and that the reaction is practically Pavlovian. The line: 'he had
the courage at first sight to expose error wherever and whenever he
detected it'. You can imagine the affection this engendered in the bosoms
of others and the obit goes on to say that 'his enemies attempted to trample
him down...(in) many portions of the United States ...(and) even his life was
threatened.'



ON HIS BRASWELL-CARVER EXHIBIT AT THE NORTH CAROLINA
ARCHIVES (4 Oct 1971)

"The genealogical display utilizing BRACEWELL-CARVER documents was
designed by George Stevenson of the Archives staff, but of course the
documents from a 'private collection' were provided by me as was the chart
and suggestions as to kinds of public records that had proved the progeny
of ANN and RICHARD and their descendants. Almost every type of record
that could be found in Archives was used so they felt that from that point
of view it was highly successful."



ON VALENTINE BRACEWELL'S DESCENDANTS (5 Sept 1972)

"....I agree that your Braswells came from Orange though of course the
precise lineage of any of that tribe is as yet not traced. However I
would not rule out RICHARD, will 1761, because we really know nothing
about his age. He listed a son as a poll on the 1755 tax list, Orange, which
means that said son was at least 16 years old. RICHARD may well have
been born early in the century...."

"....don't you think it odd that the name VALENTINE was completely
abandoned by the members of the family who remained in the eastern
part of the state?....right...offhand I can't think of a single one after that
one who was named in ROBERT's 1736 will...."

"I think the theory that VAL SENr moved to the vicinity of present
Chatham...in the 1720's is perfectly plausible....No one knows how long
people were squatting on land waiting for the Granville line to be run
but we do know that when it was run a BRASWELL was there waiting and
that was in 1746....Meanwhile, back in Johnston County a VALENTINE was
on Middle Creek from 1746 to 1751, the chances being pretty good that he
had been there for several years before he got the survey...."

"I looked at Moseley's 1733 map...to see what things were like up
country at that point and it was mostly Indians and wild animals.
HOWEVER, at the very place where the BRASWELLS set up housekeeping
there was a tract of some 30,000 acres designated as 'Ge Burrington's'. This,
I presume, was another tract such as the one Burrington purchased in the
Wilmington-Brunswick area to which he induced settlers to migrate. If
you look at the map you'll see the approximate location of VAL on Bridgers
Creek on the Roanoke, adjacent to THOMAS BRYANT. All he had to do was
go up the river to intersect the Indian trading path at the Virginia line
and then follow it down to Burrington's property....I still question,
though, whether this was the same VAL who appeared to be plodding
methodically west through Johnston in the late 40's and early 50's.

Then there is the assignment to VALENTINE BRASWELL by JOSHUA GINN
of GINN's 350 acres on Deep River in then Bladen County. The date on this
is 1746, presumably the date of the assignment. Since this is clipped to
the survey of VAL's 200 acres on Middle Creek in Johnston one supposes that
these two items refer to the same man but then I don't know who clipped
the papers together or when. However it probably was and perhaps VAL was
already contemplating this move when TOM DAVIS came along and relieved
him of the Middle Creek tract....All GINN seems to have had was an entry,
for which VAL paid ten pounds. MOSES GINN had a survey for 200 acres just
above JOSHUA on Deep River.....

Speaking of these GINNs reminds me of something. I suppose that in
your travels in these swamps you have no doubt encountered Boddie's
Mythology. A copy of his 'Southside Virginia Families' was recently lent
me so I could see what he had done with the BELL and NORFLEET families,
which to my astonishment he had worked out accurately, i.e. in agreement
with what I had already deduced. However in these cases there was ample
documentary evidence on which to base firm conclusions, unhappily not the
case in many instances. Also to my astonishment I noted the elaborate and
garbled BRASWELL lineages given in the same volume and wonder that such a
fantasy could be spun from such poor material. It's a textbook example of
drawing complicated - and erroneous - conclusions from such poor material.
But then that was Boddie's great gift: he has been known to strain at two
and two until it went as high as forty four...

Anyway I had often wondered who originated that nonsense about
JAMES and BENJAMIN being sons of WILLIAM I and now I see but what
is even more amazing is the 'evidence' offered to back up the theory:
that JAMES had bought his first piece of land in Edgecombe in 1741 from
CHRISTOPHER GINN 'probably his step-brother or relative by marriage.'
because the widow of WILLIAM I, MARY BRASWELL, had married as her
second husband MOSES GINN; also that JAMES and BENJAMIN witnessed
CHRISTOPHER GINN's will. That's the first time I ever heard of postulating
a relationship between a grantor and grantee unless of course the deed
was one of gift which this one was definitely not.

Much more to the point would be to speculate on the significance,
if any, of the connection between VALENTINE and the GINNs over on DEEP
RIVER, though at the moment I don't know what could be made of it. Boddie
has WILLIAM I as a son of ROBERT, will 1736, predeceased, but I don't
agree. There is no way of proving any provenance for WILLIAM but the
most reasonable theory, in my opinion, is that he was a predeceased son of
RICHARD of Isle of Wight. His son, WILLIAM II, was simply too old to
have been a grandson of ROBERT. On the other hand I do think it quite
possible that one of these VALENTINEs we see roaming over the landscape
was the son of ROBERT, named in ROBERT's will of 1736, though how one
could ever prove it is beyond me at this point...."

"....(I think BENJAMIN was JAMES' son, not his brother, incidentally.)
There is only one proven son of WILLIAM I, namely WILLIAM II, who seems
to have succeeded to all his father's land except the widow's dower,
according to the law of primogeniture, so several people have had a lot of
fun speculating as to which other Braswells were also fathered by WILLIAM
I....I've often thought that it was possible, if not likely, that RICHARD
II, father of RICHARD III and the CARVERs, may have had other legitimate
children but if so there is no indication as to who they were.

One is naturally tempted to speculate but it's when these speculations
are published, especially in something that is circulated as widely as
Boddie, that the trouble starts. Of course, as you observed anent our
friend from Gilmer, Texas {ROY B. BRASWELL, who had just mimeographed
his pamphlet, "Following the Braswells on the Move Westward..." CB} no
great harm is done for, viewed in a larger context, this is not that serious a
matter. I recognize that despite all my ranting and snorting about bogus
genealogies that purport to trace a lineage to Adam and Eve. However my
own personal view is that, even in pursuing the minor arts, it is preferable
to stick to proven facts."



ON ORANGE-CHATHAM BRASWELLS AND SPECULATION (4 Oct 1971)

"I regard the evidence extant on the Orange-Chatham BRASWELLs as
much too fragmentary to warrant hypothesizing with any hope of accuracy and
am chary of willy-nilly arrangements on the basis of what looks like a
good bet. Too many of these wild guesses have gotten transliterated into
gospel and only muddy the water. An example is JAMES, will 1760-1765,
Edgecombe. He has been pegged variously as a son of WILLIAM and MARY and
of ROBERT and SUSANNA. The former allegation is even supported by one
claimant (Viola Vick Braswell in her 'Lineage of Jacob Thomas Braswell')
by reference to Halifax DB 5, 51. The deed itself is erroneously designed
by her as 'Edgecombe'. incidentally. These early Edgecombe deeds, abstracted
by Hoffman, although literally dealing with what was then Edgecombe,
actually comprise the first six books of Halifax deeds. To designate them
as 'Edgecombe' is confusing because there is also an Edgecombe Book Five
and, since the Edgecombe books begin with the year 1759, by the time you get
to Five you're in 1789. But the point is that there is no hint whatever
as to the paternity of JAMES BRASWELL in HALIFAX DB 5, 41, and the fact
is that there is no evidence anywhere to support any allegations as to said
paternity. JAMES simply appeared in Edgecombe records about 1740.
Period."

(Ann Braswell and colleague have since found evidence that proves that
JAMES was the son of SUSANNA BURGESS BRACEWELL by an unknown father.
Economic distress in the Southern colonies around 1740 accounts for the
displacement of many families at that time. CB)


".... I believe there is ...a misunderstanding of what Malcolm Fowler
said....what he meant was that RICHARD who married OBEDIENCE was
a son of RICHARD...will of 1761. I believe too that you are wrong in your
estimate of the age of RICHARD. Remember that he was listed on the Orange
1755 tax list with a son. Unfortunately the son was not named but the point is
that, to be on the list, said son would have had to be at least 16, therefore
born 1738 or earlier. {RICHARD m. OBEDIENCE was born c. 1732 CB} This
places the birth of RICHARD, his father, in the very early part of the century
at latest (and IF he was the RICHARD son of VALENTINE SENr named in that
land entry of 1753 then VALENTINE must have been the original of that name,
one of the sons of RICHARD of Isle of Wight, Virginia....

Another thought occurs to me: could the WILLIAM who showed up in Orange
in the 1760's with the ferry, ordinary, etc. have been RICHARD WILLIAM
using his middle name to distinguish himself from RICHARD? As to {his father}
RICHARD's age at death in 1761, I see no evidence in the will to suggest whether
he was young or old. The fact that he gave four pet BRASWELL names to two
sons leads one to believe that this was the earliest instance on record of planned
parenthood. On the other hand he may have had and lost other sons who had
been given those names and simply added the names in order to preserve them
to surviving sons. There is no way of telling how many children he may have had
and lost or what the ages of those named in the will may have been. The 'son' on
the 1755 tax list may have been one of those named in the will or he may have
died after 1755. The daughters were unmarried but there is no suggestion that
they were minors and for all we know they may have been hard-bitten old
spinster's like ARTHUR BRASWELL's daughters. JOYCE may have been a
second or even third wife which would account for her name and that of her
daughter TABITHA not having been perpetuated among descendants. In any
case this 'name pattern' business can be overworked. Certainly when names
recur one can take this as a clue but I think it's a bit extreme to get worked up
over a lack of recurrence.



ON DOCUMENTARY 'SIGNATURES' (4 Oct 1971)

"....I'll jump to your letter to Cousin Pal of 17 September and say
that I couldn't agree more with your observation about the signatures on
depositions, etc. bearing the signatory's own handwriting.... the Granville
grants were all signed by the patentees; and all wills up to about 1775
and many later ones as well are the originals and are in bound volumes in
Archives. Those in the county court houses are, of course, clerks' copies.
However even in the copied records I believe there are some clues
endemic. I don't believe that, if a man could sign his name, the clerk would
have gone to the trouble of signifying that he'd made a mark and, in some
instances, of trying to duplicate said mark. Conversely I do know of
instances wherein the signatory could not write yet the clerk simply
wrote the name as if it had been signed.

Such was the case for RICHARD BRASWELL, SENr and JUNr....there are
deeds for each in which the clerks made no marks but on most of them they
indulged a wide range of artistic license, particularly in the case of RICHARD
SENr, in evident attempts to duplicate the original. Only one, however,
really bears any resemblance to the original.... most of these deeds have
been recopied at least once, the calligraphy being early 19th century at the
earliest. This compounds the possibility of error, too--another item
to bear in mind.


ON THE RESTLESS BRASWELLS AND PROPER ANALYSES (27 Mar 1971)

"Moreover I take strong exception to several of your 'Findings and
Conclusions'....Paragraph 5: the observations as to why some Braswells
got farther away from the {Edgecombe} 'cradle' than others I find
interesting but not especially germane to our central problem. Nor do I
see that the distance in itself warrants any particular conclusions. Even a
cursory glance at early Braswell records reveals that these people stayed on
the move, whether from one county to another or by hundreds of miles.
Those were restless times and the Braswells were evidently among the more
restless denizens thereof. They were in Georgia, for example, in the
early 1760's. The primary concern of the genealogist is who they were; why
they moved is of secondary interest though in any case it is my opinion that
ninety per cent of that hectic moving around was for economic reasons."

Enclosed are the results of my study of Johnston County {NC}
records and I submit that only this kind of thorough research and assessment
of records can lead to any sound conclusions. Here we have a perfect example of
the old truism that 'the microcosm reflects the macrocosm': For, even with
a plethora of records, as with the Braswells of earlier generations to
the east, precisely the same mysteries obtain as to the origins of the
individuals in question, some moving on so rapidly as to be mere
wraiths, some staying long enough to be identifiable as specific individuals
and some few even traceable as to their origins. It is my intention eventually
to collect all Braswell records in each locality and study them in the
same way, the only means I can see whereby there is the slightest hope of
identifying some of the individual members of this clan and their
connections with each other.

I already have, I might add, the great majority of the eastern North Carolina
Braswell records and while I have not yet put them together in this
concise fashion I have studied them sufficiently to feel confident that
no proof can yet be adduced as to the relationships obtaining among most
of these people. Therefore I strongly counsel against any over-sanguine
attempts at ASSUMING what these relationships might have been."

{N.B. Ann Braswell and her colleague have since sorted out the main
Johnston Braswell lines, a mix of RICHARD II's descendants and Virginia
TOWLE Braswells. CB}



ON HIS CARVER CONNECTIONS AND THE RULES OF EVIDENCE
(2 Nov 1970)


"....Thank you for your laudatory comment on my literary style. Instead,
however, I should have preferred having you concede the accuracy of its
content for I see we are in basic and irreconcilable disagreement. I
still maintain that a pedigree not only can but must be proven by direct
evidence and if not so proven has no validity whatever.

Your parable of the trout in the milk is amusing but in reality is
more of a red herring. I should call the trout's presence in the milk
direct evidence up to that point, how it got there then being our chief
concern. To determine that, since there obviously could be several
possibilities, we would indeed need the dairyman's signed confession
or other equally valid evidence in order to place the blame on the proper
culprit. Too often in the pursuit of genealogy the evidence consists only of
a fishy smell and yet many people will still persist in fabricating neat plots
out of it.

It is true that records diminish as one goes back in time and if
the necessary records cannot be found the story must of necessity bog down
in a morass of uncertainty. One the other hand, in a good many cases,
records can be found to prove a pedigree. As an example I enclose my
documentation on the Braswell-Carver branch of the family, which records I
believe are more than sufficient to prove the identities of the individuals in
question, viz that WILLIAM and ROBERT CARVER, who died testate in
Cumberland County, N.C. in 1767, were two of the four children born to
RICHARD BRASWELL SENr and ANN CARVER, formerly of Edgecombe
County, and that said RICHARD had at least one other son, RICHARD
BRASWELL, JUNr, presumably legitimate.

Of course one has to assume that RICHARD SENr had some evidence
that he alone had access to the favors of the fair ANN but he obviously made
that assumption and in any case it is one that must be made even when a
marriage is proven unless there is evidence to the contrary, as in the notorious
ROBERT - SUSANNA BRASWELL - RICHARD TOWLE case. As to the
descendants of ROBERT and WILLIAM CARVER there already existed more
than adequate proof of numerous lines of descent from them.

In this case we were fortunate in finding a substantial quantity of
conclusive evidence that proved the identities and relationships of
these particular individuals. Sometimes they can be proven with far fewer
documents; sometimes, on the other hand, as with most of the
BRASWELLS, a surfeit of documents still proves virtually nothing.....Ironically,
however, every new record that has turned up on the BRASWELLS only adds
to the confusion instead of, as with the CARVERS, confirming or further
illuminating the case.....

Finally, by way of further emphasizing my skepticism of circumstantial
evidence, I'll tell you a true story, not a parable. Three EVANS
brothers in Bladen-Cumberland married, in the latter 18th century, three
CARVERS. I am descended from two of these couples and all my kin in this
part of the world are descended from one or more of the combinations. The
EVANSES had come here from Pennsylvania in 1737 (well documented), the
CARVERS supposedly likewise, somewhat earlier, though not so well
documented. Nevertheless, despite the decimation of Bladen records by fire,
enough remained to put together quite a respectable pedigree for these
ex-Pennsylvania CARVERS and the fact that WILLIAM and ROBERT could
not be fitted into it was explained away as due to the paucity of records.
Family tradition held that this was all one family and what more reasonable
assumption could one make? Until, of course, we got curious about the
references in 'Colonial Records' to DAVID's estate and some obvious
connection with some BRASWELLS. That led to Edgecombe and soon the
whole sordid story came out. I cut my genealogical eye teeth on this mess
and consequently no longer pay any attention to anybody's assumptions,
family traditions OR circumstantial evidence.

In case you are interested I might add that one EVANS brother
married a Bladen, or genuine, CARVER and the other two married
BRASWELL-CARVERS. I am descended from one of each brand of CARVER
and the thought has now occurred to me that, since discovering the identities
of the latter, we have assumed that RICHARD BRASWELL's paramour was
MISS Ann Carver but there is not a reason in the world for supposing this.
She may well have been a widow but even so the mystery could hardly be any
deeper as there are no records of any CARVERS in eastern Carolina of her period
and no palpable link between her and the few CARVERS who show up in Virginia
records of that time.

So, until I see documentary proof of any allegations, I shall continue
in my present happy condition of ardent disbelief."



ON THE RULES OF EVIDENCE (15 Sep 1970)


" From your observations in your letter of 22 August I am led to
infer that you are, perhaps, confusing genealogy with social history. The
latter is a fascinating study in itself and an inevitable adjunct to genealogy
but the positive identification of individuals, which is the only way to
prove a lineage of descent, requires much harder evidence than name
patterns, proximity clues, and 'lifestyle' clues.

Precisely because of the quantities of records pertaining to the
Braswells are they such a frustrating family to research. At first
glance one would suppose that the lineages would fall into place almost
automatically. Although quite the opposite turns out to be the case
when the evidence is studied objectively many 'researchers' have predicated
various lineages on the basis of conjecture. I still contend that not one
of these can be proven back to the Rev. Robert. Conjectured, yes;
proven, no.

I accept the generally held belief that the four early eastern
North Carolina Braswells--Richard, Robert, Valentine, and Jacob--
are the same four named in the will of Richard, Isle of Wight, 1725, and
therefore grandsons of the Rev. Robert.
{Since proved through DNA evidence. CB} There even
exist tenuous bits of evidence to support this belief aside from the
fact that it strains credulity to consider their location there together as
mere coincidence. From there on, however, they are a shambles. No record
whatever is at present known to exist that would prove what became of
either Valentine or Jacob, whether they left progeny and, if so, who they
were and where they went...

I do not intentionally imply that our ancestors were fugitives from
justice, deliberately obliterating their tracks, though I have been
tempted to consider that possibility. The fact is that the great majority of
these people were not particularly important and unless they owned land,
acquisition and disposition of which was recorded, it is extremely
difficult to sort them out as individuals.

I supposed it could be said that courage is warranted for a pursuit
of this kind but I should say that prudence would be the more applicable
commodity. Genealogy is as exact a science as any other and, like any
other, is worthless if inexact....Historical evidence and logic play
little part in this fort the simple reason that we are dealing with
people as individuals."

Beckwith, Amos, Will Nash Co., NC 1818

In the name of God, Amen. I Amos Beckwith of the County of Nash, State of North Carolina, being weak of body but sound mind and memory and understanding considering the certainty of death and the uncertainty of the time thereof and being desirous to settle my worldly affairs in such manner that I may be prepared to die when it please God to call me hence do make and publish and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner following, viz:
First: I lend to my beloved wife all the land I now possess during her lifetime and at the expiration thereof to go to my son Dempsey Beckwith and his heirs forever.

Item: I gave to son Henry Beckwith one dollar.

Item: I gave to my daughter Polley Braswell, one dollar.

Item: I gaveto my daughter Mourning Sneed, one dollar.

Item: I gave to my son Thomas Beckwith, one dollar.

Item: I gave to my son Willis Beckwith, one dollar.

Item: I gave to my son Sion Beckwith, one dollar.

Item: I gave to my daughter Rhoda Hunt, one dollar.

Item: I gave to my beloved wife Rhoda Beckwith, one bed and furniture to her and her heirs forever. Also my wil and desire is for my son Dempsey Beckwith to have all my stock of horses, cattle, hogs and sheep after paying my just debts to him and his heirs forever.

Item: I also gave to my beloved wife Rodah Beckwith and my son Dempsey Beckwith all my household and kitchen furniture to them and their heirs forever. And lastly I nominate and appoint my son Dempsey Beckwith and my friend Philander Tisdale my executors of this my last Will and Testament.

Witness my hand and seal this 20th day of May 1818, acknowledged to be his last Will and testament in the presence of L. F. Ellen, Henry Edwards. Amos Beckwith (Seal).

Nash County, August Session 1818: The foregoing Will was exhibited in open court for probate and proven by the oath Ld. F. Ellen and Henry Edwards two subscribing witnesses thereto and on motion ordered to be recorded. attest, Wm. Hall, CC. And is registered in obedience to the above order.

Attest, Wm. Hall. CC.

William Braswell Heirs (Wife Anny)

Petition of Solomon Braswell stating that his father, William
Braswell died possessed of a tract of containing about 700 acres
adjoining the lands of John Sherrod, Jacob Braswell, James Braswell,
and John Pender in Edge. Co. and that he died intestate in the month of
January last leaving seven children and a grandchild whose father your
petitioners brother died in the said Williams lifetime, but your
petitioner charges that all the children of said William were advanced
by him in his lifetime with parts of the said Williams real estate
fully equal to their respective legal shares thereof except your
petitioner his brother Isaac and one infant son Alexander who were not
advanced at all by their father in his lifetime and petitioner asks for
five freeholders to divide appropriate the said land between your
petitioner and his said two brothers last mentioned. Petition not
dated. Signed by Blake Baker for (petitioner). Estates file for
William Braswell, NC State Archives file CR.037.508.18.


Edge. Co Db 8, page 596, date of deed Nov 1796, date recorded Nov Ct.
1796, commissioners met and divided the lands of William Bracewell,
dec'd among the lawful claimants, viz. Jacob Bracewell, Joseph
Armstrong, William Clark, William Bracewell, the orphans of James
Bracewell, dec'd, Isaac Bracewell, Solomon Bracewell, and Alexander
Bracewell, orphan of William Bracewell, dec'd, containing 797 acres,
beginning at a poplar in Hatcher's Swamp at or near the run of said
swamp in John Sherrod's line then along said line south 85 west 38
poles to his corner a pine then along his other line south 43 west 54
poles to a pine Sherrod's other corner in a small branch then along his
other line west 101 poles to a pine then along his other line south 51
poles to his other corner a pine then along his line west 86 poles to a
lightwood then south 33 poles to a red oak then west 78 poles to a
small maple in a branch Jackson's corner then along his line south 80
poles to Jacob Bracewell's line then along his line east 192 poles to
his corner a pine then along his other line south 127 poles to the
corner a pine in Toole's line then along said line & Humphrey's line
east 292 poles to the corner supposed to be a red oak then north 22
poles to the corner pine in James Bracewell, dec'd line course
continued along line 159 poles to the corner a black gum in Hatcher's
swamp at or near the swamp north 11 west 45 poles then north 62 west
16 poles to John Pender's corner a water oak at or near the run of said
swamp then along Pender's line east 85 poles to the corner a pine then
along his other line north (?5) east 88 poles to a pine Pender's corner
then north 87 east 20 poles to a pine in the old patent line of William
Bracewell dec'd then along said patent line north 65 poles to a pine
Isaac Bracewell's line then along his line south (55) west 36 poles to
a gum in the Turkey Pen Branch at or near the run of said Branch then
down the Branch north 30 west 28 poles to the
( )Branch then down the various courses of
the said branch to a black gum in (Hatchers) swamp and down the swamp
20 poles to the beginning poplar, the dividing line between # 1 and # 2
begins at a corner white oak in John Sherrod's line and runs south 336
poles to the back line, the dividing line between #2 and # 3 begins at
the corner gum in Hatcher's Swamp at the mouth of Buck Meadow Branch
and runs the course of the swamp 204 poles to a corner gum, lot # 1 to
Isaac Bracewell, containing 322 acres, # 2 to Alexander Bracewell,
containing 322 acres, # 3 to Solomon Bracewell containing 157
acres, # 4 to Jacob Bracewell containing 255 acres given out before the
death of William, #5 to Joseph Armstrong, who married the daughter of
William and given while he was still alive, containing 223 acres, lot #
6 to William Clark who married the daughter of William and containing
( ) acres, given during the life time of William, lot # 7 to
William Bracewell, containing 225 acres, # 8 to the orphans of James
Bracewell, dec'd containing 169 3/4 acres, signed Edward Hall, Starling
Waller, James Waller (X). Have on file copy of deed with plat. Tract
no. 1 to Isaac Braswell, containing 322 acres valued at 209.5 pounds
and pay to lot # 3, Solomon Bracewell, 27.6.3, total of 181.18.9.
Tract # 2 containing 322 acres to Alexander Bracewell, orphan, valued
at 309.5 paid to lot 4, Jacob Bracewell 14.3.9 and to #5 Joseph
Armstrong 14.3.9 and to #6, William Clark 14.3.9 and to # 7, William
Bracewell 8.3.9 and to #8 James Bracewell's orphans 33.13..9 and to
Solomon Bracewell 113.6.3, total 181.18.9. Tract # 3 to Solomon
Bracewell, containing 157 acres valued at 113.5 and receives from # 3
41.7.6 and from # 1 (Isaac) 27.6.(?) total 181.18.9. Tract #4 to Jacob
Bracewell containing 255 acres, given before the decease of William
Bracewell, valued at 167.5 and receive from #2 14.13.9, total
181.13.9. Tract # 5 to Joseph Armstrong, who married a daughter of
William Bracewell, containing 223 acres, valued at 167.5 and receive
from # 2 14.3.5 and receive from # 2 14.3.4, total 181.18.9. Tract # 6
to William Clark, who married a daughter of William Bracewell,
containing 223 acres, valued at 167.5 and receive from #2 14.13.9,
total 181.18.9. Tract # 7 to William Bracewell containing 235 acres
valued at 173.15 and received from #2 14.13.9, total 181.18.9. Tract
#8 to the orphans of James Bracewell, deceased, containing 169 & 3/4
acres valued at 148.5 and receive from #2 33.13.9, total 181.18.9.
#Abstracted 8-17, Edge. Co. courthouse, CTC. Abstracted 8-17, Edge.
Co. courthouse, CTC.

Transcribed by Tommy Colbert

* Jacob Braswell & Nancy Cotten

JACOB BRASWELL FAMILY BIBLE RECORD
From the collection of Hugh b. Johnston, Jr., Wilson, NC.

Jacob Braswell, s. of William and Anna Braswell, b. in Edgecombe Co., Mar. 7, 1763, d. July 25, 1837. Served in Revolutionary War under Lt. William Hall, Capt. Edward Clinch, Lt. Col. Joseph Clinch in Col. Thomas Eaton's Regiment. He m. July 9, 1789, Nancy Cotten, b. Dec. 3, 1772, and living at the time of the 1850 Census.

Children
Elizabeth b. Dec. 22, 1791
Micajah b. July 26, 1793
Jacob, Jr., b. Dec 6, 1795
Priscilla Mason Braswell b. Nov. 18. 1797
Sally b. Mr. 6, 1800
Wilie b. Nov. 27, 1801
Peggy b. Nov. 1, 1803
Tempy b. Aug. 14, 1805
Alexander Cotten Braswell b. Oct. 3, 1807
Nancy Mariah b. Sept. 29, 1810
Micajah Thomas Cotten Braswell b. Oct. 12, 1811
Rhoda b. Nov. 20, 1813

From Foy Braswell's Library

Jacob Braswell Pension Application

Pension application of Jacob Braswell W3933

State of North Carolina, Edgecombe County: Edgecombe Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions August Term 1832

On the 28th day of August personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, now sitting Jacob Braswell aged 69 years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of June 7th 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.

He was drafted in the Revolutionary service and was attached to a company commanded by Captain Edward Clinch, of which company William Hale was lieutenant. This company was at of the Regiment of Colonel Thomas Eaton who was assisted in command by Lieutenant Colonel [illegible first name] Clinch. The company having organized proceeded to Elizabeth Town on Cape Fear [River] where they were placed under command of General Ashe [John Ashe]. From Elizabeth Town they proceeded to the neighborhood of Charleston and were ordered to Augusta Georgia and after some irregular marches met the enemy at Briar Creek. He was in the battle at Briar Creek and after the defeat returned to South Carolina and was discharged upon the Savannah River and reached North Carolina in the beginning of May. He entered the service some time before Christmas – so that his service embraced a period of at least five months.

Having remained at home until the following February, he was again drafted and could in a company commanded by Captain [name obliterated]. The company belonged to the Regiment of Colonel Linton. Having organized at Halifax he proceeded to Guilford and was in the battle at Guilford Court House with General Greene [Nathanael Greene]. After the battle he went to Camden in South Carolina – and was in the battle near that place. He was taken sick at that place or near it and having remained there two or three weeks returned home. This embraced a period of three months. The facts set forth in this declaration he proves by the oath of Burrel Bradley who served with him.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency of any State.

Sworn to and subscribed. S/ Jacob Braswell, X his mark

I Burrell Bradley of the County of Edgecombe North Carolina, as hereby certify that I was with Jacob Braswell in the service of the United States and believe the facts set forth in the declaration to be correct to the best of my knowledge & believe.

Sworn to and subscribed. S/ Burrel Bradley, X his mark

State of North Carolina, Edgecombe County: May 27, 1833

Personally appeared before me Henry Austin a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, Jacob Braswell, who being duly sworn deposes and saith --

That he was born in the County of Edgecombe State of North Carolina in the year 1763. He has a record of his age in his possession which was left by his father. He was living in the County aforesaid when called into the service and continues to reside in same County. He received a discharge from Captain Madry: but lost it, having no idea he should ever be able to make it useful to him.

He has been unable to recollect the year in which he entered the Service – the battles in which he was engaged and other leading circumstances embodied in the declaration he thought would be sufficient to justify the Department in allowing his application. He is confident of the fact, that his tours of service embraced eight months. He did not procure the certificate of a clergyman, because none is resident in Tarboro and his age and infirmities put it out of applicant's power to encounter much fatigue in procuring one and he hoped that the positive testimony of Bradley who served with him would have obviated its necessity.

Sworn to and subscribed. S/ Jacob Braswell, X his mark

S/ Henry Austin, JP

-----------------------------------------------------------

State of North Carolina, Edgecombe County: Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions November Term 1845

On this 26th day of November (1845), personally appeared before the Court of Pleas & quarter
Sessions in and for the County and state aforesaid, Nancy Braswell, a resident of said County and state, aged seventy two years (72) who being first duly sworn according to Law doth make on her oath, the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows," also the act of March 3, 1843 granting one years pension to certain widows, and the act of June 17, 1844; continuing the pensions of certain widows.

That she is the widow of Jacob Braswell a resident of the County and state aforesaid who was a private soldier of the North Carolina Militia, and a pensioner of the United States at the rate of $26.66 per annum; who was placed on the pension roll (as well as she can recollect) sometime in the year 1833. That she further declares that she was married to the said Jacob Braswell on the 9th day of July (1789), and that her husband the said Jacob Braswell died on the 25th day of July 1837. That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place, previous to first day of January 1794, viz.: at the time above stated, which will more fully appear by reference to the family record a written instrument showing the ages of her children by the aforesaid Jacob Braswell, which record, or instrument, she hereby declares to be genuine, and that she found among the papers of her deceased husband. And she further declares that her husband the aforesaid Jacob Braswell being an illiterate man, inscribed (in her presence as he could not write his name) the initials of his name (JB) on the back of the aforesaid family record or written instrument, which is herewith appended. She further declares that she was married to the aforesaid Jacob Braswell on the day and year above mentioned, in the County of Edgecombe and state aforesaid by Robert Diggs, who was an acting magistrate in and for the County aforesaid. Sworn to and subscribed on the day and date above written, in open Court.

Sworn to and subscribed in open Court. S/ Nancy Braswell, X her mark

Transcribed by Will Graves

Related Link: Jacob Braswell & Nancy Cotten Bible Record

Jacob Braswell VA to NC

1777 - September 13, JOHN BEAL Will: To son Drury land adjoining Dr. Browne and Howell Whittington; son Burwell; son Burwell; son John; wife Liddia. Ex., Joseph Johnson. Wit: GEORGE GURLEY, THOMAS EDWARDS, JACOB BRASWELL. (Southampton Co., VA WB III Pg. 199) R. Feb 12, 1778

1778 – February 21, JACOB BRACEWELL from JOEL GURLEY, both of Johnston County, NC, for 20 pounds, 200 acres on north side of Neuse River and south side of Little River and south side of Moccoson Swamp and on both sides of Elvinton Branch, beginning at NATHAN GURLEY’s second corner. . .” Witnesses: GEORGE EDWARDS, JAMES HOLT (p. 9) (from Carey Bracewell)

1781 – November 26, JACOB BRASWELL from JOHN EDWARDS of Johnston County, 200 acres on Neuse River on east side of Quiocoson Swamp to NICHOLAS TYNER’s survey. . . granted to DAVID DAVIS April 29, 1768. Witness: EDWARD GURLEY. (p.9) (from Carey Bracewell)

NOTE the EDWARDS & GURLEY connection from SOUTHAMPTON Co., VA:

1768 - August 12, GEORGE GURLEY Sr . of St. Luke Parish. Leg: loving wife; son GEORGE; son JOHN; daughter MARY WEST; daughter FATHEY SELLERS; GRANDSON GEORGE EDWARDS; residue of estate to GEORGE GURLEY Jr. and ANN EDWARDS. Ex., son GEORGE GURLEY. R. Jan 10, 1771. Wit: WILLIAM THOMAS, JESSE BRASWELL, JAMES PEDING. (Southampton Co., VA WB II P. 362)

1773 - February 23, JOHN GURLEY & wife ELIZABETH of JOHNSTON Co. to GEORGE EDWARDS of SOUTHAMPTON Co., VA, 33 lbs 6S8d proclamation money, 640 acres in Johnston Co on Neuse River..SS of little River...Mocoson Swamp... Wit: BENJAMIN CRAWFORD, HENRY GURLEY, LAZARUS CRAWFORD. Signed JOHN GURLEY & ELIZABETH GURLEY. (H-1:80 Item 53 Abstracts v.III)

Jacob Braswell's descendants fall within the S/H DNA Group

Related Link: Jacob Braswells in Johnston Co., NC

Samuel Braswell Robertson Co., TN 1827-1833 Deeds

Samuel Braswell from Elisha Fykes Sept 10, 1833 This indenture made this tenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three between Elisha Fykes of the County of Hopkins and state of Kentucky of the one part and Samuel Braswell of the County of Robertson and state of Tennessee of the other part witnesseth that the said Elisha Fykes for due in consideration of the sum of sixty dollars to him in hand paid by the said Samuel Braswell the receipt and payment whereof is hereby acknowledges hath given granted bargained Sold conveyed and confirmed by the said Fykes by these presents unto the said Braswell his heirs and ---- for--- a certain tract or parcel of land ---lying and being in the county and state last aforesaid on little Buzzard ---- bounded as follows to wit, Beginning at a white oak on the South boundary line Known by the name of James Webb thence East With Said line forty poles to a black Jack thence South one hundred and sixty poles to a Spanish oak then West eighty poles to a Stake then East forty poles to a Stake then north eighty poles to the Beginning Containing Sixty acres being a tract of land deeded to said Fykes by Graves Gunn by deed bearing date 28 of Feby 1829. To have and to hold Said land and premises with the ------and -------thereunto belonging or in any wise of pertaining to the said Samuel Braswell his heirs and asignees forever and the said Fykes for himself his heirs Extr and Administrators doth agree to forever Warrant and defend the right of said land from all persons Whatsoever In Testimony Whereof the said Elisha Fykes hath hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year first aforesaid Written. This deed is given in ------of our hereto for given Which is lost or destroyed it bring forth ---consideration Signed and acknowledged............................

Elisha Fykes Seal in presence of Rich R P Powell seal State of Tennessee Robertson County Personally appeared before me William Leal Clk of the court of please and Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid Elisha Fykes the above bargained with whom I am personally acquainted and who acknowledged that he witnessed the same for the promises therin contained witness my hand at ---- this 10th day of September 1833 ..........................................W Leal

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Samuel Braswell from Richard Qualls Oct 28 1829

This indenture made this twenty third day of November in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven Between Richard Qualls of the county of Henry and State of Tennessee on the one part and Samuel Brasil of the County of Robertson and State aforesaid on the other part witnesseth that the said Richard Qualls for and in consideration of the sum of Two hundred dollars to him in hand paid by the said Samuel Brasel the-------whereof is hereby acknowledge and------hath bargained and sold and by these presents doth bargain and sell and confirm with the said Samuel Brasel all that tract and parcel of land lying and being in the County of Robertson and State aforesaid Containing Sixty acres in the fork of Buzzard Creek and----and bounding as follows to wit Beginning at a red oak in the North boundary line of a one hundred Acre tract in the name of Joseph Perry near the northwest corner running East one hundred twenty/seventy seven poles to a hickory thence north Seventy poles to a hickory thence West one hundred and Thirty seven poles to a red oak thence South Seventy poles to the Beginning to have and to hold the said bargained land and Premises with all the rights------and------thereof and to warrant and defend the same against the claim of all and every person or persons-----unto the said Samuel Brasel to his own proper use and behalf forever in witness whereof have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal the day and year first above written. Signed Sealed and delivered in the presence of

Isaac Mason.......................................Richard Qualls seal
Nicholas Thompson
State of Tennessee
Robertson County Court November Term 1828

This indenture from Rich Qualls to Samuel Brasull was acknowledged in open Court by said Qualls to be his act and deed and ordered to be registered.

Test W Leal Clk

NOTE: Samuel Braswell is my 3rd great grandfather. He married Sarah J. Hart, daughter of Barnaby Hart , whose wife's name is currently unknown.

Jane Bracewell Stokes Eley Roberts Will 1711

Contributed by Carey H. Bracewell

Introduction by Carey Bracewell: JANE (c.1646-c.1711) was the eldest child of Rev. ROBERT BRACEWELL and like her sister REBECCA, was probably born in England. She was married to ROBERT STOKES by June 9, 1664, on which date STOKES witnessed his Father-in-Law’s power of attorney to WILLIAM THOMPSON. Two years later, Rev. BRACEWELL bequeathed ôunto my daughter JANE STOKES her children three cowesö in his will of February 15, 1668 (Will & Deed Book I, Vol. a, p.52). That she received more dairy cattle than her sisters, and received them first, implies her status as the eldest, and the one with the most children. The inventory of May 11 following showed that JANE and ROBERT STOKES were in possession of the largest number of cattle (21) of any of the heirs (Ibid., Vol. 2, p.55).

Mention has already been made of STOKES role in the abortive rebellion of Nathaniel Bacon and his execution by hanging in 1677. His estate, together with that of his more fortunate Brother-in-Law WILLIAM WEST, was inventoried for sale in October, 1677. (Boddie, John B. Southside Virginia Families) On July 10, 1680, "JANE STOAKES. Widdowe," was granted by escheat the 800 acres in the Upper Parish of Nansemond County adjacent ROBERT BRASWELL and JAMES LONG which was granted said BRASWELL April 22, 1670, but was deserted and now granted, &cö to JANE. (Nugent’s Cavaliers & Pioneers, Vol. II, p. 210). According to Boddie (Ibid.), JANE had already remarried by 1678 to ROBERT ELEY, Jr., son of ROBERT ELEY, Sr. who is thought to have sailed from Gravesend, England, on the "Primrose" bound for Virginia on July 27. 1635. JANE’s marriage to ELEY lasted only about three years and produced only one known son, ROBERT ELEY III. A number of eminent descendants came through the latter, including President Lyndon Johnson and James MacLamroch, prominent North Carolina attorney and benefactor of St. Luke’s Church who placed the brass plaque on the rood screen honoring JANE’s father, Rev. ROBERT BRACEWELL. An Isle of Wight deed of July 20, 1680 (Will & Deed Book II, p. 567) proves that JANE was married by this date to JOHN ROBERTS.

JANE bore children to all three of her husbands. Which husband fathered which daughter is difficult to determine from the surviving evidence, owing to the fact that all Nansemond County records before 1866 were destroyed by fire. Of sons, we know that, besides ROBERT ELEY III, she bore JOHN ROBERTS two more, JOHN ROBERTS, Jr. and THOMAS ROBERTS. Her known daughters by the three marriages were MARY, wife of WILIAM PARKER of Nansemond, who died in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, in 1754; JANE ROBERTS ("Jr."), wife of ROBERT SCOTT; REBECCA, who married a Mr. BRINKLEY, a resident of Nansemond County; and a daughter whose name is unknown, and evidently predeceased her mother, who married a Mr. SANDERS.

Fortunately JANE BRACEWELL ROBERTS, like her brother RICHARD BRACEWELL, had returned to Isle of Wight County toward the end of her life and thus her will was saved from the documentary oblivion that was Nansemond County:

---

Blessed and praissed be the Lord for his Mercies Endureth for Ever by wch I have continued to this Day tho Weak of Body Yett of a Sound mind and prfect memory, doo if it shall please God to take me out of this life make this my last Will and testament first I comitt my Soul to God that gave itt and my Body to be Buried in a Christian Manner att the Discfetion of my Exrs hereafter Nominated---

firstly-- I doe give unto my son ROBt. ELY one hundred Acres of Land more or less it being part of a pattent of fourteen hundred and fifty acres granted to JOHN ROBERTS and JANE his Wife the 20th of July 1680 Bounded as followeth that is to say all the Land on the Lower side of the Branch Called the Long Branch on the south side of the Beaver Dam swamp belonging to that patten to him and his heires for Ever---

Secondly-- I doe give unto my Grandson ROB:t SCOTT one hundred Acres of Land more or less beginning on the White Oake Branch on the West side of the Beaver Dam Swamp and so to the head of the said Branch and from thence a N:o W:t Course to the head line to him and his heires for Ever the said land lyeing between the White Oake Branch and the Cabbing Neck Branch---

thirdly-- I do give unto my Daughter MARY PARKER one hundred Acres of Land More or less lying on West side of the Beaver Dam Swamp Bound as the former Deed Directs that was to her Husband WILLIAM PARKER deced to her and heires for Ever---

fourthly-- I give to my grandaugher MARTHEW {sic} SANDERS one hundred acres of land more or less lyeing on West side of the Beaver Dam swamp Bounded as the former Deed Directs that was to her father and mother to her and her heires for Ever---

fifthly-- I do give unto THOMAS JONES that land he now lives on according to the Bounds he bought of my Brother RICH:d BRASSWELL to him and his heires for Ever---

Sixthly-- I: do give unto my {sic} REBECKAH BRINCKLY the sum of five shillings Currant money of Virginia

Severnthly-- I: do give unto my Daughter JANE SCOTT one shilling Currant money of Virginia---

Eighthly-- I do give ounto my Son JOHN ROBERTS all my land on the uper side of the great Reedy Branch to him and his heires for Ever

Ninthly-- I do give to my Son THOMAS ROBERTS all my land on the Lower side

of the Reedy Branch to the Long Branch to him and his heires for Ever

tenthly-- I do give all the Remaining part of my Removeable Estate to my two Sons Namely JOHN ROBERTS and THOMAS ROBERTS to be Equally Divided between them and do appoint them two my full and Whole Exrs to See this my last will and testament prformed as Witness my {sic} and Seal this 26th of June 1711

Signed and sealed in the JANE J ROBERTS (seal)

prsence of us--- her mark

WILLIAM SCOTT Junr

ROBERT SCOTT

JOHN J SELLAWAY

his mark

At a Court held for Isle of Wight County

the 24th Day of August 1713

The Last Will and testament of JANE ROBERTS was presented in Court By JOHN and THOs ROBERTS her Exrs who made Oath thereto and being proved in Court by the Solemn affirmation of Wm SCOTT Junr and the Oath of JOHN SELLAWAY two of the Wittnesses is admitted to Record

Test J C Lightfoot Cl Cur

Record of Wills, Deeds, Etc. Vol. 2, 1661-1719, page 567

Tomlin, Matthew, Will 1686

Contributed by Carey H. Bracewell

Signed March 7, 1684. To JOHN TURNER, ". . . one parcell of Land which I have formerly marked for him biginninge at the mouth of a branch at a marked Beech and Soe along the said branch to the mouth of another Small Branch; and soe alonge the said little branch to a line of marked trees and Soe along the sd line of trees to a white oak being a Corner tree from thence North 320 pole to a marked pine and then beginning at the said beech again: running Eastward to the said pine; all the land lying on the South side of the Swamp to be for him and his heyres for Ever, and all that lyeth on the north side to be for his daughter MARY TURNER my grand Child: also I doe give to the said MARY TURNER . . . a black Cow of about fower years ould: the other a browne Cow of about the same age, and a Couple of Stages both alike to buy her a mare to be delivered her after my decease . . . .

Item I doe give and bequeath all of my lands and all my moveables estate to be equally divided betwixt my Sonne MATHEW TOMLIN & my grandson MATHEW TOMLIN, all the land lyenge on the north Side of the Swamp next to JOHN FULGHAM to be for my grand SONNE, and all on the South side to be my Sonns.

Item I do give and bequeath unto my Sonne MATHEW TOMLIN, the plantation whereon RICHARD BRACEWELL (265) now liveth . . . ."

The executor to be MATHEW TOMLIN, Jr.
Witnesses: RICHARD SHARPE and JENKIN DORMAN, the latter of whom proved the will on December 9, 1986.

RECORD OF WILLS, DEEDS, ETC., VOLUME 2, 1661-1719, PAGES 264 & 265

---

MATTHEW TOMLIN of the Lower Parish of Isle of Wight County to JOHN JOHNSON of the same parish, "for a valuable consideration", a 225-acre tract "commonly called Pigneck", bounded by "THOMAS HARRIS'S Corner Tree in the Head of a Branch by the Edge of a Pocosson . . . . MARY TURNERS Corner Tree . . . . to . . . . the very Bottom of the Neck . . . .

Signed by MATTHEW TOMLIN and MARY (mark) TOMLIN.

Witnessed by JOHN DAVIS and WILLIAM RIVERS. Date made: August 13, 1687

RECORD OF WILLS, DEEDS, ETC., VOLUME 1, 1662-1715, PAGES 570-571

Richard & Sarah Braswell to Thomas Mandew 1709

Contributed by Carey H. Bracewell

Richard (mark) Braswell, planter & Sarah (mark) his wife

TO Tho: Mandew, planter

Consideration: 6600 pounds good Sound Merchantable tobo & Caske

100 acres of land lying and being upon ye Maine Blackwater in ye aforesd County of Isle of Wight begining att a marked Beach Standing upon ye banks of ye Maine blacke water: Runing thence 33⁰ Easterly to ye mouth of a Branch then up ye sd Branch by Various Courses to a Red Oak standing by ye Branch side yn North 92 chaine to a Locust stake thence South West and by West 8 chain Joyning upon JNo LAWRENCES line to ye first station being part of a patten of Gyles Linscott for fourteen hundres acres Land.

Dated: March 5, 1708/9 Recorded: October 9, 1709

Witnesses: WM. PAGE, ARCHd DAVIS (mark)

DEED BOOK 2, PAGE 131

Richard Bracewell from Henry Baker 1697

Contributed by Carey H. Bracewell

Know all men by these prnts that I Henry Baker & Mary my wife doe assigne over unto Richard Bracewell & to his Heires forever, all or right Tytle & interest to ye wth in Conveyance & doe hereby bind orselves, or heires Exrs & admrs for the true performance hereof, As witness or hands & seales this seaventh day of Augt 1697.

Henry Baker (Seal)

Mary Baker (Seal)

Witnesses: Thomas Clerke, Henry Tooker

This assignemt of Giles Linscotts Deed to Mr. Baker was acknowledged in open Cort held for the Isle of Wight County by Mr. Baker & Mr George Moore attorney of Mrs Baker Augt ye 9th 1697 Mr Hugh Davis then Clerk & Recorded.

DEED BOOK 2, PAGE 5.

Richard & Sarah Bracewell to William West 1681

Contributed by Carey H. Bracewell

Richard (no mark) Bracewell & Sarah (mark) his wife, have formerly given a Conveyance of ye Mill Dam pool & two acres of Land adjoyning to ye Mill until William West of ye Isle of Wight County having received a full & valluable consideration for ye same, the whch former Conveyance was acknowledged by Mr Richard Bracewell & Sarah my Wife in ye Cort of Nansemond & there entered on ye Records since wch the Records are burnt & ye Conveyance lost. Wherefore now Know yee that I the abovesd Richd Bracewell & Sarah my Wife do convey unto ye abovesd Richd Bracewell & Sarah my Wife do convey unto ye abovesd William West, all my right Tytle & interest of ye Mill dam & pool wth the two acres of Land all other appertenances & prviledges belonging to ye same as it was given to me by my deced ffather Mr Robt Bracewell the sd Mill being now in ye possession of the sd William West.

Dated: August 9, 1681 Recorded: August 9, 1681

Witnesses: Arthur Jones, Jno Pitt, Tho Pitt

WILL & DEED BOOK I, VOL. 1, PAGE 466

Richard & Sarah Bracewell to William West 1673

Contributed by Carey H. Bracewell

Richard (mark) Bracewell, planter & Sarah Bracewell, his wife

TO: William West, plant Consideration: Valuable sum of Tob. & Cask

100 acres of Land situate lying & being in the foresd County of Isle of Wight & bounded as followeth Vizt. Runing upon the West side of the ffreshett upon Robert Bracewells Land & bounding upon the sd Robt Bracewell, his Land, unto the woods for length according to ye ancient pattent & running for breadth up the sd West side of the ffreshett untill ye sd Complement of one hundred Acres of Land be compleated, wch sd Land is now in ye tenure of Anthony Hosier dureing his natural life it being part of a divident of four hundred Acres by Mr Robt Bracewell deceased given to ye sd Hosier for his life Tyme.

Dated: March 14, 1673 Recorded: April 9, 1674

Witnesses: Robt Ruffin, George (mark) Pierce.

WILL & DEED BOOK 1, PAGE 304

Richard & Sarah Bracewell to Thomas Green 1673

Contributed by Carey H. Bracewell

Richard (mark) Bracwell, planter, & Sara (mark) Bracewell, his wife

TO: Thomas Green Valuable consideration already received

All our rights Tytles & interest, of A parcell of Land lying on ye ffreshett side between Mr Izards & Thomas pool by estimacon the one halfe of A Conveyance of four hundred Acres of Land from A pattent of Capt John Uptons to Mr Bracewell my ffather, and by him given me by A Deed of Guift bearing date ye 16th day of Janry 1660 as appears by the Records of ye Isle of Wight County.
. . . . . & promise for me my heairs & Assignes to prmit the sd Green his heires & Assignes to have Timber of any of my Land for to build houseing on the sd Greens Land aforesd not makeing any wast thereof.

Dated: ffebry 7, 1673/74 Recorded: April 9, 1674

Witnesses: Tymothy Walker, Benja Collins, Jere: Martin.

WILL & DEED BOOK I, VOL. 1, PAGE 307

---

It is further concluded and agreed upon by Richard (mark) Bracewell & Sarah (mark) his Wife, for them their heires, etc. forever, that if there be more than two hundred Acres of Land Belonging to them on that side of Mr Bracewells Mill Runn that Mr Izard & Thomas pool now liveth on wch wee have sould & doe by these prsents confirme unto the said Green, his heires, etc. forever, That then the sd Green shall have the sd parcell, more than two hundred Acres, payeing the same unto pporconable as is pd for ye two hundres Acres of Land wch is Six thousand pounds of Tob & Cask. Ad if it shall happen when surveyed that there be not on that side Mr Bracewell's Mill Runn between Mr Izards & Thomas pool two hundred Acres of Land as aforesd that ye the sd Richard Bracewell & Sarah his wife doe by these prsents bind ymselves their heires, etc. to make good the said two hundred Acres of Land on the other side of Mr Bracewells Mill Runn & adjoyning to it, out of ye forementioned Conveyance of four hundred acres expressed on the other side of this Conveyance.

(at end of deed: Onely Excepting Timber for ye building of Richd Bracewell soe long as ye sd mill remaines in his Custody.)

Dated: ffebry Seventh 1674 Recorded: April 9, 1674

Witnesses: Tymothy Walker, Benja Collins, Jere: Martin

WILL 7 DEED BOOK I, VOL. 1, PAGE 308

Richard & Sarah Bracewell IOW Co., VA 1673

Contributed by Carey H. Bracewell

WHEREAS my ffather Robt Bracewell Clerk did in his life tyme by deed of Guift dated ye 16th of Janry 1660 give unto me Richd Bracewell his Sonne, one pcell of Land conteining about 400 acres, being pte of A tract of Land conteining 1600 Acres lyeing in ye Isle of Wight County granted unto Lt Col Jno Upton by pattent dated ye 16th of Novr 1638 & by ye sd Upton sold to Wm Underwood & by severall more Conveyances upon Record derived to my ffather RobtBracewell & from him to me his Sonne, of wch four hundred Acres I ye sd Richd & Sarah my wife have by deet dated ye 7th of ffebry 1673 Sould unto Thomas Green two hundred Acres lyeing on ye ffreshett between Mr Izards & Thomas Pooles Land, And have alsoe by another deed sould unto Wm West One hundred Acres lyeing on ye other side ye Runn adjoyning to another tract of Land lately belonging to my sd ffather Robert Bracewell.

Now in considertion of 3000 pounds of good Merchantable tob & cask paid by sd Thomas Green... 100 acres of Land more adjoyning to that hundred sould Wm West being all ye remaining part of ye prmntioned 400 Acres sold by ye aforesd Lt Col Jno Upton wch sd 100 Acres now by us sold is in the tenure or Occupation of Anthony Ogier or his assignes dureing his life.

Dated: 9th day of Xber 1674. Recorded: Janry 9, 1674

Witnesses: Michaell Bland, George (O) May.

WILL 7 DEED BOOK I, VOL. 1, PAGE 325

Mr. Robert Bracewell - Land Grant

Contributed by Carey H. Bracewell

To all pr.ns Whereas &c Now know yee that I . . . William Berkeley Knt Govern &c give and grant unto Mr. ROBERT BRACEWELL Eight hundred Acres of Land in ye upper parrish of Nansimond County, begining at a marked white oake, and so Runing West North West 320 pools to a mkd pine Standing in a pocosson, and soe South South West 400 pools to a marked white oake and soe East South East 320 pools to a marked red oake and soe north north East 400 pools (on ye mile end of ?) his owne Land & JAMES LONGS Land to ye first Station the said Land being due by and for ye Transport of Sixteen prsons &c to have and to hold & yeilding and paying &c Provided &c Dated this 22nd day of Aprill 1670

MARY GREENE THO. MEKINS WM. CROACH HUMP. THORNE WM. MINGAY

PETER GREGORY RICH. ROBERTS CHARLES GRIGSON MARG. RAYSON

JNO. THORNAPE (?) WM. JONES ROBT. BEST HUGH GREEN ABR. KIMBERLY

JNO. DAYVES DOROT. PARSONS

VIRGINIA LAND GRANTS, VOLUME 6, PAGE 310

VIRGINIA STATE LIBRARY, RICHMOND: LAND OFFICE RECORDS,

MICROFILM REEL 6

COMMENT: Rev. Robert Bracewell (1611-1668) received this grant in Nansemond County (VA) posthumously.

“… which grants shall be made respectively to such persons and their heirs at whose charges the said persons going to inhabite in Virginia shall be transported…”