Descendants of Rev. Robert Bracewell of England

Union Flag of England and
Scotland (1606-1801)

Generation #3

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

Richard (2Robert, 1Robert) Braswell (Conjecture)

Research Notes

a. This branch of the Braswell family (who married into the Farmer family in Virginia and then the Overstreet family in Georgia) is important for later research. From the many records, we find that the Braswell Family was from the part of Virginia which would become Bertie Co NC after the boundary shift in 1728.
b. Then we find that the Farmer family (who married into the Braswell and the Lee families in Virginia) was from the part of Virginia which would also become Bertie Co but then split and become Edgecombe Co NC in 1741.
c. Then we find that the Lee family (who married into the Farmer family in Virginia and the Overstreet family in Mississippi) was from the part of Virginia which would become Bertie Co but then split and become Edgecombe Co NC in 1741.
d. Then we find that the Overstreet family (who married into the Braswell family back in Georgia and then the Lee family in Mississippi) was from the part of Virginia which would become Bertie Co NC after the boundary shift in 1728.
e. From these adjacent locales, we come to understand that the Braswell/Overstreet family of Georgia ( who would marry into the Lee family of Mississippi in the 1820s and 1830s) was originally connected through intermarriage with the Farmer family way back in 1740 Virginia.

In two generations, we find three families:
a. Elizabeth Braswell b. c. 1714 Isle of Wight Co VA married c. 1740 in Virginia to Isaac Farmer b. 1711 Surry Co NC. . .
b. Then Isaac's son, Thomas Farmer b. c. 1741 Edgecombe Co NC married 1760 in North Carolina to Elizabeth Lee (sister of Zachariah Lee), b. 1746 Bertie Co NC. . .
c. Then, Isaac's daughter, Lucy Farmer b. c. 1745 in Halifax Co NC married 1763 in Edgecombe Co NC to Zachariah Lee b. c. 1745 in Edgecombe Co NC.

Richard Braswell was born about 1675 in Isle of Wight Co VA. In about 1708, he married Elizabeth Bryant???

Note on change of spelling: 

About this time (1688) William and Mary went to England as sovereigns to replace the deposed James II. This posed a grave problem for the Loyalists, because the colonists had named their children for the English rulers Elizabeth, James, or others. There were many Elizabeths. This had been done to gain more favors from the Crown. Now with William and Mary the name William became more popular. William BRASWELLs were found all up and down the swampy creeks, and this made a problem for each one to retain his own identity. So the BRASWELLs, like many others, changed the spelling of their last name to be distinguished from cousins, uncles, nephews, and fathers. So BRACEWELL became BRASWELL, BRAZILL, BRAZEL, BRASUEL, and other spellings, but an effort was made to keep the sound of BRACEWELL.

Richard is believed to have lived his life in Isle of Wight Co VA, dying before 8/26/1745 when his will was probated.

1744-21 Apr. WILL OF RICHARD BRASWELL
IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN, The 21st day of April 1744 
I RICHARD BRASWELL of the County of Isle of Wight, being very Sick & Weak in Body; but of perfect Mind and Memory: Thanks be given unto God therefore. Calling unto Mind, the Mortality of my Body and knowing that it is appointed for all Men Once to Die' Do make and Ordain this my last Will & Testament. (That is to say) Principally and first of all, I Give and Recommend my Soul into the Hands of God that gave; it and for my Body, I Recommend it to the Earth to be Buried in a Christian like and Decent Manner at the Discretion of my Ex:rs nothing Doubting but at the General Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God. And as touching such Worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to Bless me in this life I give Devise and Dispose of the same in the following manner and Form. 
ITEM. I do hereby Give full power and Authority unto my Son WILLIAM BRASWELL (whom I likewise make {sic} and Ordain to be my only & sol Extor of this my last Will & Testament) to set up and sell the Land whereon I now live at publick Sale for ready Money to the Highest bider and after so done I give the Money to him and my Son JOSEPH BRASWELL whom I likewise Ordain to be Extor with him to be Equally Divided between them, 
ITEM, I give & Bequeath to my well beloved Daughter EZLIZABETH BRASWELL, One feather Bed and Furniture & a Horse Colt a small Pott & frying pan & one short Chest, & two Cows & Calves, one small pewter Bason & two flat Dishes, & one pr of fire Tongs by her freely possessed & Enjoyed by herm her Heires & assigns forever after the death of my loving Wife. 
ITEM. I Give and Bequeath to my well beloved Son JOHN BRASWELL after the Death of my loving Wife, one small feather Bed & Furniture one large pewter Dish.
ITEM. I give & Bequeath to my well beloved Son WILLIAM BRASWELL after the Death of my lovin Wife one small pewter Bason. 
ITEM. I give & Bequeath to my well beloved Son JOSEPH BRASWELL, after the Death of my Loving Wife two Cows one Yearling & a Calf One Breeding Mare and her Increase, and all the Hoggs that he has now in possession & my own proper mark & one feather Bed & Furniture One large pewter Bason, & a small one, & a pewter Dish, & one large Iron pott & Urib Wrack and a small Chest. 
And the Rest of my moveable Estate I give unto my loving Wife to dispose of the same or to Use as she shall see fit. 
And I do hereby Utterly disallow Revoke & Disanull all and every other former Testaments WIlls & Legacies & Extors by me in any Ways before this Time nam'd, Willed & Bequeath'd, Ratifying & Confirming this & no other to be my last Will & Testament 
IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal the day & Year above Written.

SIGNED, Sealed, published, pronounc'd & RICHARD (R) BRASWELL

Declared by the sd RICHARD BRASWELL as his last, Will and Testament, In the psence of Us the Subscribers Vizt. Test BENJa JOHNSON Junr, JOSEPH WOODWARD, ARTHUR EDWARDS

At a Court held for Isle of Wight County August 26:th 1745 The last Will & Testament of RICHARD BRASWELL Deceased was presented in Court by WILLIAM BRASWELL & JOSEPH BRASWELL the Extors therein named who made Oath thereto, And being proved by the Oaths of BENJAMIN JOHNSON Junr & ARTHUR EDWARDS two of the Witnesses thereto, is Ordered to be Recorded.
Test Ja:s Baker ClCur,
Will Book 4, p. 540
October: the 22nd 1714 IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN
I SUSANNAH BRASWELL in the Upper Parish of the Isle of Wight County in Virginia. . .
I bestow as followeth. I GIVE & Beqeath unto my Son RICHARD BRASWELL and to his Heirs the plantation I now live upon with Sicty Acre of Land I say to him and to __ ever & ever. . .leaving my Son RICHARD BRASWELL and my Son WILLIAM BRASWELL my true and lawful Executors to pay my Debts and to receive what is oweing me
and I desire you my trust __ RICHARD JONES & RICHARD JORDAN to see this my last Will and Testament performed.

    Children

    1. William Braswell

4/21/1744. 8/26/1745. Will of Richard Braswell.:
ITEM. I do hereby Give full power and Authority unto my Son WILLIAM BRASWELL (whom I likewise make {sic} and Ordain to be my only & sol Extor of this my last Will & Testament) to set up and sell the Land whereon I now live at publick Sale for ready Money to the Highest bider and after so done I give the Money to him and my Son JOSEPH BRASWELL whom I likewise Ordain to be Extor with him to be Equally Divided between them. . .& Bequeath to my well beloved Son WILLIAM BRASWELL after the Death of my lovin Wife one small pewter Bason. . . .
Joseph Braswell and wife, Sarah Braswell, and William Braswell and wife, Sarah Braswell, to Richard Vick....100 acres (being part of a patent granted Edward GOODSON and Matthew Ruskin on 16 Jun 1714) adjoining Nottoway Swamp and Thomas Cafford.  Wit:  John Darden, William Bidgood and Matthew Griffin. Rec:  12 Mar 1746. Joseph (X) Braswell, William (X) Braswell.

    2. Joseph Braswell b. c. 1710 Isle of Wight Co VA

    3. John Braswell

4/21/1744. 8/26/1745. Will of Richard Braswell.:
ITEM. I Give and Bequeath to my well beloved Son JOHN BRASWELL after the Death of my loving Wife, one small feather Bed & Furniture one large pewter Dish.

    4. Elizabeth Braswell

4/21/1744. 8/26/1745. Will of Richard Braswell.:
ITEM, I give & Bequeath to my well beloved Daughter ELIZABETH BRASWELL, One feather Bed and Furniture & a Horse Colt a small Pott & frying pan & one short Chest, & two Cows & Calves, one small pewter Bason & two flat Dishes, & one pr of fire Tongs by her freely possessed & Enjoyed by herm her Heires & assigns forever after the death of my loving Wife. 

Generation #4

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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