1756 - August 17, AQUILLA SUGG, Edge. Co for the natural love and affection which I have and bear unto my grandson WM MACE III the first born of my dafter KEZIAH MACE and also for other good causes and consideration me hereunto moving give to him the said WM MACE then name given at his baptism being born out of time one Negro girl named ROSE born of Negro wench MAUD BECK now in my own custody and possession, signed AQUILLA SUGG, acknowledged in open court. Recorded Nov Ct 1756 (Edge. Co (Halifax) Db 6, page 105) CTC
1757 - May 10, WILLIAM MACE I - Son: WILLIAM. Brothers: BENJAMIN MACE (30 pounds in Irish Money), JONAS MACE (40 pounds Proclamation Money). Nephews: WILLIAM MACE and WILLIAM MORRISON. Wife and Executrix: ANNE. Witnesses: ARTHUR WILLIAMS, BENJAMIN ELLIS, WILLIAM TEEL, WILLIAM PRESCOTT. The foregoing is made from a copy of the original will, and no probate appears. Provision is made for shipping a cargo of indigo. (Source: Abstracts of North Carolina Wills, By: J. Bryan Grimes, Secretary of State, 1910, Page 230)
1780 - April 13, WILLIAM MACE - 794 acres joining MACES Line, both sides of Hatchers Swamp, WILLIAM BRASSWELL, the edge of a Branch, SOLOMON BRASWELL, JACOB FORT, JAMES BRASWELL, WILLIAM SUGGS, NOAH SUGGS, ELIAS FORT, and the sd Swamp (Grant Book 37 Edgecombe County Pg 223) 1649
1778 - December 10, NC to WILLIAM BRASWELL, SEN, a tract of 200 acres on the south side of Tar River on both sides of Hatchers Swamp beginning at a pine his own corner in WILLIAM (MACE's) line then along his line east 56 poles to a red oak then north 148 poles to a stake by a small branch then up said branch east 54 ½ poles to a stake in the edge of said branch then north 206 poles to a pine in SOLOMON BRASWELL's line then along said line west 146 ½ poles to a stake in said line then south 29 poles to a pine on Buck Meadow Branch in JACOB FORT's line then along said line east 36 poles to a white oak his corner then along his other line south 324 poles to the first station, signed Richard Caswell, wit (J.G.) Glasgow, Secy. Recorded Aug Ct 1779 (Edge. Co Db 3, page 430) (NC Grant #13) CTC.
1778 - December 10, NC to WILLIAM BRASWELL, a tract of 300 acres on the north side of Hatchers Swamp beginning at a pine WILLIAM (MACE's) corner in said BRASWELL's line then along (MACE's) line south 24 poles to a red oak ROBERT HUMPHREYS' corner then along his line west 223 poles to a pine in said line then north 324 poles to WILLIAM SHERROD's line then along said line east 138 poles to a poplar said BRASWELL's corner then along his line south 300 poles to a pine his other corner then along his other line east 135 poles to the first station, signed Richard Caswell, wit (J.G.) Glasgow, Secy. Grant # 15. Recorded Aug Ct 1779 (Edge. Co Db 3, page 431) CTC.
1781 - February 16, WILLIAM BRACEWELL, Sr, Edge. Co to WILLIAM BRACEWELL, Jr, same county for good will love and affection, a tract beginning at a gum and holly bush in Hatchers Swamp then (north) 62 poles to a stake by a small branch then east 54 & 1/2 poles to a sake then north 206 poles to a pine in SOLOMON BRACEWELL line then west 146
& ½ poles to a stake in said line then south 29 poles to a pine then east 36 poles to JACOB FORT's line a corner white oak then south along said line 186 poles to a gum in the aforesaid Hatchers Swamp then up the various courses of the said swamp to the first station, including
163 acres, signed WILLIAM BRACEWELL, wit HENRY HART, ROBT DEGGES, (JAS BRACEWELL). Recorded Aug Ct 1781 (Edge. Co. Db E, page 94) CTC.
1781 - November 22, JOHN (x) MACE deed of gift to his three brothers, AQUILA MACE, JOSIAH MACE, and JONAS MACE, for love and affection, as well as ten hard dollars.....the following plantations: (1) to brother AQUILA MACE a tract of 40 (?) acres in Coneto adjoining JAMES WILLIAMSON and JAMES LAURENCE; (2) to brother JOSIAH MACE that plantation on the south side of Hatcher's Swamp, acres unknown; (3) to brother JONAS MACE the plantation "whereon my father did dwell at the time of his death…..situated on the north side of Hatcher's Swamp. It was a new survey taken up by a deed from the State of North Carolina, as well as all that part of the old tract taken up by his father by deed from Lord Granville on the North side of said swamp. Said JOHN MACE reserved the use of the house and plantation whereon he then dwelled until his brother JONAS reached age of seventeen years. Wit: NOAH SUGG, FRANCIS MACE, ANN UMFREY. (Edgecombe Co., N. C. Deed Book E, page 121) [Danny A. McBee].
1789 - November 4, WILLIAM BRASWELL, Sr, Edge. Co to WILLIAM BRASWELL, Jr, same county, for good will love and affection, a tract of land beginning at a gum in Hatchers Swamp and running north 3 east (146) poles to a pine then south (87) west 70 poles to a pine then south 95 west 74 poles to a pine then west 85 poles to a water oak in the said swamp then down the various courses of said swamp to the first station, containing 72 acres, signed WM. BRASWELL (B), wit BENJA DICKENS, BENJA RUFFIN. Recorded Nov Ct 1789 (Edge Co., NC DB 5 Pg 235) CTC.
1793 - January 31, WILLIAM BRASWELL (Bracewell), Edge. Co to (JOHN PENDER), Edge. Co for 150 pounds, the first tract beginning at two gums and a holly bush in Hatchers Swamp then north (65) poles to a stake by a small branch then east 54 ½ poles to a stake then north 106 poles to a pine in SOLOMON BRASWELL's line then west 146 ½ poles to a stake in the said line then south 29 poles to a pine then east 36 poles to JACOB FORT's corner white oak then so along the said FORT's line 196 poles to a gum in the aforesaid Hatchers Swamp then up the various courses of said swamp to the first station, containing 163 acres; the other tract beginning at Hatchers Swamp and running north 3 east 146 poles to a pine then south 87 west 20 poles to a pine then south 25 west 74 poles to a pine then eight five poles to a water oak in the said swamp then down the various courses of the said swamp to the first station, containing 72 acres, signed WILLIAM BRACEWELL, wit GILES RANDOLPH, EDWARD HALL. Recorded Feb Ct 1793 (Edge. Co. Db 7, page 100) CTC.
1794 - September 21, WILLIAM BRASSELL from JOHN "X" MORGAN, both of Johnston County, for 50 pounds, 150 acres in Johnston County. . .beginning on the swamp at the head of STATON's Mill Pond. . . to Stoney Fork. Witnesses: LOVERD BRYAN, MOSES JOHNSON (p. 15)
1796 - November, Division of the land of WILLIAM BRACEWELL, decd among the lawful claimants as follows: (1) ISAAC BRACEWELL; (2) ALEXANDER BRACEWELL; (3) SOLOMON BRACEWELL; (4) JACOB BRACEWELL; (5) JOSEPH ARMSTRONG who married a daughter of said deceased; (6) WILLIAM CLARK who married a daughter of said deceased; (7) WILLIAM BRACEWELL; (8) orphans of JAMES BRACEWELL, decd. (DB 8 Pg 596)
1797 - February 19, WILLIAM BRACEWELL - 63 acres in Johnston County on north side of Stoney Fork, both sides of Spring Branch, beginning at his own corner. . . WILLIAM POOLE's line. State Grant #1354 (p. 15)
1797 - February 22, WILLIAM BRACEWELL - 100 acres in Johnston County, beginning at JOHN MORGAN's corner on the run of Stoney Fork. . . to WILLIAM POOLE's line. State Grant #1366 (p. 15)
1798 - May 19, WILLIAM "BRANWELL" and NANCY HUMPHRIES, Bondsmen: ROBT. GULLEY, Jr. (Marriages of Johnston County, North Carolina, 1762-1868)
1800 Census: William Brassel Johnston, North Carolina; Roll: 31; Page: 773;
Image: 728; Family History Library Film: 337907
1800 Census: Aquilla Mace Johnston, North Carolina; Roll: 31; Page: 772;
Image: 727; Family History Library Film: 337907
1800 Census: Jonas Mace Johnston, North Carolina; Roll: 31; Page: 772;
Image: 727; Family History Library Film: 337907
NOTE: William Braswell & Nancy Humphries married mid year, 1798. According to the 1800 census, William & Nancy were both 45 or older. Below, look at the children in the home in 1800. IF Nancy was still in her child bearing years in May of 1798, she might have been able to give birth to 1 child, 2 at the most, between 1798 and 1800. It appears that William & Nancy both had children before the marriage, probably some of them grown.
1800 - WILLIAM BRASSEL - Johnston Co., NC Census Info: 1 male 45+, 1 female 45+,
1 male 10-16, 2 females 10-16, 3 males under 10.
1803 July 30, WILLIAM BRACEWELL - 150 acres in Johnston County on Stoney Fork. . . . beginning at CLEMENT BRYAN's corner. . . . to JAMES WOODAL's corner. . . to JOHN MORGAN's corner. . to one of BRACEWELL's own corners. State Grant #1850 (p. 15)
1807 - January 1, WILLIAM "X" BRASWELL of Johnston County to JAMES LONG of Edgecombe County for $70, 107 acres on north side of Stoney Fork beginning on JOHN MORGAN's corner. . . . to WILLIAM POOLE's line. Witnesses: JONAS MASS, MASTIN WOODALL (p. 16) NOTE: MASS must be MACE.
1808 - July 20, WILLIAM "X" BRASWELL of Johnston County to ALEXANDER AVERIT Sr. for 6 pounds 10 shillings, 5 acres on Stoney Fork, a branch of Mill Creek...to AVERIT's own line. Witnesses: B. INGRAM, JOHN JONES. Acknowledged by WILLIAM BRASWELL on February __, 1814 (p. 16)
1809 - March 20, WILLIAM "X" BRASWELL to JONAH MACE, for 50 pounds, the 107 acre tract granted to WILLIAM BRASWELL on February 22, 1797. Witnesses: ROBERT BRASWELL, SAMPSON BRASWELL. Acknowledged by WILLIAM BRASWELL in February 1811 (p. 16) NOTE: ROBERT was the eldest son (b. 25 March 1782) of SAMPSON and LUCRETIA who moved to Wayne, then Anson Co., NC.
1810 Census: WILLIAM BRASWELL - Johnston, North Carolina; Roll: 40; Page: 220; Family History Number: 0337913; Image: 00523.
1810 - WILLIAM BRASWELL, Johnston Co., NC Census Info: 1 male 45+, 1 female 45+,
1 female 10-15, 2 males 10-15, 1 male under 10.
NOTE: William "Jonas" Braswell died before the 1820 census. The following William Brazell is the family he left behind.
1820 Census: Jonas Mace - Burke, North Carolina, Page: 83; NARA Roll:
M33_83; Image: 55
1820 Census: Aquilla Mace - Burke, North Carolina, Page: 69; NARA Roll:
M33_83; Image: 48
1820 Census: William Brazell - Burke, North Carolina, Page: 33; NARA Roll:
M33_83; Image: 29
1820 - WILLIAM BRAZELL, Burke Co., NC Census Info: 3 males 16-26, 1 female 45+, 1 female under 10, 2 females 16-26, 1 female 26-45. (Difficult to tell if last female was a slash mark crossed off)
1827 - March 8, WILLIAM BRASWELL's 200 acre tract adjacent lands of REUBEN BARBER, ALLEN JOHNSON and others on the south side of Black Creek sold by the Sheriff of Johnston County at a public sale in Smithfield on August 27, 1826, to REUBEN BARBER for $75 to satisfy an execution obtained by said BARBER against said BRASWELL in the sum of
$146.76. The transfer took place this date. Witness: THOMAS LOCKART. (p. 16) NOTE: at least two of WILLIAM's children married BARBERs.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It's interesting to recall that William Sr. & Anney Braswell had sons named Isaac, William & James, and a son in law named William Clarke when reading the following record:
1781 - [illegible] do Certify that Isaac Brassell Wm Brassell James Brassell hath serv'd neare all there time out & now being sick hath Leave to return home April 14th 1781 S/Wm Clarke, Capt. (Pension application of Isaac Braswell R1165)
Name: William Braswell
Cemetery: Three Mile Creek
Location: Avery Co NC 49
Reference: Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots, Vol.1, p.
Serial: 11393; Volume: 3
1841 - Caldwell County was formed from Burke and Wilkes (usgenweb)
1849 - Watauga was formed from Ashe, Wilkes, Caldwell and Yancey (usgenweb)
1911 - Avery County formed from portions of Mitchell, Watauga, and Caldwell. (usgenweb)
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
The first Braswell family to settle in the Caldwell County area was the family of William Barjonah Braswell. William Barjonah was born ca 1755 in Edgecombe Co, NC. Perhaps this is where he became known as “Jonas” Braswell to distinguish him from the many other William Braswells in that area. After serving with the NC Militia in the American Revolution, Jonas lived in Johnston County, NC.
Between 1810 - 1815, Jonas Braswell and his family settled in the Lower Creek Section of Burke County, NC. He and his sons hunted in the northwestern mountains of Burke County. Late one fall, Jonas became ill when caught in a sudden snowstorm. He had to spend the night camped under a rock on a high ridge. When morning dawned, Jonas was taken to a nearby settlement where he died after having revived for a short time. He was buried near Linville Falls. The mountain or ridge where he became ill has been called “Jonas’ Ridge: or “Jonas" Ridge since that time. In 1913, the DAR placed a Revolutionary Soldier marker on his grave.
A HISTORY OF WATAUGA COUNTY
William Jonas Braswell, Hero.----- In a lonely field now owned by W.H. and Harstin Ollis, under two hickory trees, a third of a mile above the old Gen. Albertus Childs’ place on Three Mile Creek, is another one of those “monuments” at the unveiling or dedication of which our great government occasionally invites its citizens to be present. It contains an even more economical inscription than that of poor Edward Moody. It follows:
WM. BRASWELL
N.C. MIL.
REV. WAR.
“That’s the crap,” as our farmers say in derision of a small offering. This was unveiled to the light of day and to the indignation of all right-thinking people in 1913, the crowd in attendance numbering nearly five hundred. That seems to be all this great and powerful government could find out about this dead hero, now without a vote. But others remember something else of him. John Wise, born May 9, 1835, relating that Braswell lived on Lower Creek in Burke County, and hunted through the country lying between that locality and Black Mountain, in what is now Yancey. He had relatives in Pensacola, near Big Tom Wilson’s old home, “under the Black.” When a very old man, Braswell, his wife and a girl named Yarber, started late one fall from
Lower Creek to Pensacola to visit people named Mace, relatives to his wife, probably. They had to spend the night in camp under a rock on a high ridge leading up from Burke to Linville country, then and now a much used highway for local travel, a wagon road now replacing the former trail. They could not procure fire, and a cold-snap coming on, the old man “froze down,” to use Captain Wise’s forceful phrase. When the chill morning dawned, his wife and the Yarber girl met Jacob and William Carpenter at the ford of Linville River, to which point they hastened through the darkness, seeking aid. The women went on to Carpenter’s house in “the meadow in front of Captain Wise’s present residence, while the two Carpenter men hastened on to the camp rock, where Braswell was found, very low, but still alive. Placing him on a horse, they managed to keep him there by walking on each side of him and holding him in the saddle till they reached home. There he died after having revived for a short time, and was buried where the so-called “monument” now stands. His name was William Jonas Braswell, but to have spelled all that out on a tomb-stone would have required, at five cents a letter, at least fifty cents more! Hence, etc. The present wagon road does not pass very near the old camp rocks, but they are still remembered, while the high ridge on which they stand have preserved that part of a hero’s name which a niggard nation consigned to oblivion, for it has been called
ever since “Jonas Ridge.”
NOTE: Pensacola is in present day Yancey County. In December 1833, Yancey County was formed from Burke & Buncombe. (usgenweb)
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