Descendants of Rev. Robert Bracewell of England

Union Flag of England and
Scotland (1606-1801)

Generation #1

Note: Information on the Braswell Family before Jane Braswell b. 1741 in Bertie Co NC comes from assumptions based on multiple sources. Therefore, the information on this page is not reliable for genealogical purposes.

Rev. Robert Bracewell, Sr. of England (Conjecture)

Robert Bracewell is one immigrant who's migration to America can be attributed to a purpose higher than economics or necessity; as he was a Priest of the Church of England. Robert was born 1611 in London, England. He entered Oxford University on 2/22/1627 and graduated with a BA in Divinity on 11/3/1631. Questions for investigation concern whether Robert was recruited; and if so, by whom?

Colonial Virginia Records:
Robert Bracewell, son of Richard Bracewell of London, Gentleman, entered Hart Hall, Oxford University, February 22, 1627, at the age of fifteen and graduated with an A.B. degree on November 3, 1631.

In about 1645, probably in England, Robert married Rebecca Bracewell b. c. 1625 in England; as few marriageable women were to be found in the early Virginia Colony. Robert and Rebecca immigrated to Isle of Wight Co VA in 1650 where he assumed the Parish of Lawne's Creek, Isle of Wight Co VA.

In 1652 Robert served as Pastor of St. Luke's Church, Smithfield VA. Constructed in 1634, St. Luke's (known affectionately as Old Brick) is the oldest original Protestant church in America. In 1653, Robert was elected to the House of Burgesses; however, his status as clergy was deemed to set an undesirable precedent. And, he was dismissed.

Robert wrote his will on 2/15/1667, naming Richard Izard as an executor. And, Robert died shortly thereafter. The next year, Rebecca married the same Richard Izard b. 1615 in England, and they had two daughters. Richard Izard died before 9/1670. 

1669 Isle of Wight Co Records:
Will of Richard Izard, X his mark: Daus. Mary and Martha Izard, wife Rebecca; legacy to James Bagnall, son of James Bagnall, my son-in-law.

And, Rebecca died 1675 in Isle of Wight Co VA when her will was written and probated. Note, Rebecca names in her will her natural children with Robert Bracewell, Richard Izard's children, and her sons-in-law as sons and daughters.

Will of Rebecca Izard: Dau. Rebecca Bagnall, dau. Martha Izard, legacies to Rebecca Bagnall and Mary Bennett, Martha Izard, James Bagnall, son of James Bagnall, Nehemiah Hunt, son of Godfrey Hunt, and Elizabeth Reeves. Son James Bagnall, Henry Reeves, and Ambrose Bennett overseers.
Dated 15 Oct., 1675, proved 20 Oct., 1675.
13 Oct 1611. Baptized in St. Andrew's Church, Holborn, London, England
1641. Robert Bracewell served as Executor for his father's noncuputative will.
Isle of Wight Co VA Deed Book I, p. 426:
29 April 1650. There was a witness to an agreement between Ambrose Bennett and Thomas Webb for the use of a mill and adjacent land.
Wit: Robert Bracewell
Hening 1. p. 378:
"It is ordered that Mr. Robert BRACEWELL, clark, [Cleric/Reverend] be suspended since it is unpresidential and may produce bad consequences."
Isle of Wight Co., VA Will & Deed Book 1, Vol. 1, p. 325:
WHEREAS my father ROBERT BRASWELL Clerk did in his life tyme by deed of Guift dated the 16th of January 1660 give unto me RICHARD BRASWELL his Sonne, one p(ar)cell of Land conteining about 400 acres, being p(ar)te of a Tract of Land conteining 1600 Acres lyeing in the Isle of Wight County granted unto Lt Col JOHN UPTON by patten dated the 16th of Novr 1638 & by the s(ai)d UPTON sold to WM UNDERWOOD & be several more Conveyances upon Record derived to my father ROBERT BRASWELL & from him to me his Sonne. . . .

Isle of Wight Deed & Will Book 1, p. 9:
Will of Robert Bracewell. Written 15 Feb 1667, Probated 1 May 1668

- to my daughter Jane Stokes her children three cowes
- to Rebecca West my daughter one cow and Calfe and one cowe and calfe to the next child she may have
- and the rest of all my estate unto my two sonnes Robert and Richard whome I make my full and sole executors of this my will, and the Mill I desire shall be finished with what speed my bee and to be let out, only reserving corner for themselves, and the p.duce of the mill to be equally divided between them both, and reserved to build a new mill hereafter and when built to be left wholly to my sonne Richard likewise I give seven hundred acres of land where I now live and six hundered acres at the western Branch of Nancemond County to be equall divided between my two sonnes Robert and Richard likewise it is my desire that no part of parcell of the estate shall be disposed of nor none of the land until they both are of full age nor no wayes divided but if it shall please God that either of them shall depart this life before he comes of age that then the survivior shall enjoye the whole
- likewise I give unto my servant Elizabeth Hall when she shall be free one heiffer of two years of age
- and likewise it is my desire that my loving friends Mr. Richard Izard and George Gwillim to be guardians unto my children in the time of their minoritie and to see this my will performed likewise I give unto the said Richard Izard and George Gwillim fortie shillings to each of them to buy them each one ring,
- likewise I give unto my daughter Ann Bagnall one cow and calf and one cow and calf to her first child, if it please God she have any
- and likewise it is my desire that my two sonnes Robert and Richard shall be put to scholle until they can both read and write.

And this being my will I testifie it with my hand this 15th of February 1667.
Rob Bracell
In Wittness of George Gwillim Richard Izard
This will was proved in open court helf for the Isle of Wight County this
first day of May 1668 and then recorded Teste John Jenings Clr: Recordes
Rebecca Izard signed the account of the estate of the late Robert Braswell
Mistris Rebecca Izard, in the behalf of her two daughters, Mary & Martha Izard, Sep. 14, 1670, 250 acres Escheat land, Formerly granted unto Richard Izard, decd.
Isle of Wight VA Probate:
The will of Rebeccah Izard. Recorded Oct 15 1675.
Legatees: daughter Rebecca (prob. Ann) Bagnall; daughter Martha; Mary Bennett; James Bagnall the son of James Bagnall; Nehemiah Hunt the son of Godfrey Hunt; Elizabeth Rieves the daughter of Henry Rieves.
Overseers, my sons James Bagnall, Henry Rieves and Ambrose Bennett
Witnesses: John Burnell & William Westar

    Children

Note: Robert Stokes who married Jane Bracewell and William West who married Rebecca Bracewell participated in Bacon's Rebellion. Robert Stokes was hanged by the Colony of Virginia. William West escaped captivity and was later pardoned.

    1. Jane Bracewell

Isle of Wight Co VA Will of Robert Bracewell
Written 15 Feb 1667, Probated 1 May 1668
- to my daughter Jane Stokes her children three cowes

    2. Rebecca Bracewell

Isle of Wight Co VA Will of Robert Bracewell
Written 15 Feb 1667, Probated 1 May 1668
- to Rebecca West my daughter one cow and Calfe and one cowe and calfe to the next child she may have
Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight County Virginia by John Bennett Boddie:
Oct. of 1677. "Petition of His Majesties most loyal and obedient subjects of Isle of Wight to his Majesties Commissioners, in behalf of William WEST, a rebel absconding, who took up arms against the Indians by whom his father had been most barbarously murdered, was taken prisoner and carried aboard a ship, from hence to prison and was condemned to death, but has made his escape and as yet has not been found. We pray for his life and the restitution of his estate to his wife and children."
Signed by James BAGNALL and Richard BRASWELL. Henry WEST
Isle of Wight Co VA Deed Book 1, p. 1030:
9 Feb 1694: RICHARD BRACEWELL, along with his brother-in-law, WILLIAM WEST, were witnesses for JAMES & ELIZABETH CORLEY for their assignment of their Blackwater patent to THOMAS KIRBY. RICHARD signed with his usual reverse capital "R".

    3. Ann Bracewell

Isle of Wight Co VA Will of Robert Bracewell
Written 15 Feb 1667, Probated 1 May 1668
- likewise I give unto my daughter Ann Bagnall one cow and calf and one cow and calf to her first child, if it please God she have any
Isle of Wight VA Probate:
The will of Rebeccah Izard. Recorded Oct 15 1675.
Legatees: daughter Rebecca (prob. Ann) Bagnall; 
Overseers, my sons James Bagnall
Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight County Virginia by John Bennett Boddie:
Oct. of 1677. Petition of His Majesties most loyal and obedient subjects of Isle of Wight to his Majesties Commissioners, in behalf of William WEST. . .
Signed by James BAGNALL and Richard BRASWELL. Henry WEST

    4. Robert Bracewell b. 1650 Isle of Wight Co VA

    5. Richard Bracewell b. 1652 in Isle of Wight Co VA

Generation #2

Caveat
This site is provided for reference only. Except where specifically cited, information contained is conjecture and should not be considered as fact.
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