Introduction.  JOHN BRACEWELL was the youngest son of RICHARD and SARAH BRACEWELL. He stayed behind in Virginia with  his aged parents long after his brothers "Filed off to North Carolina " after the Tuscarora War (1713) opened the Albemarle Sound region to settlement.   Consequently JOHN is mentioned prominently in both parents' wills. The following documents pertaining to JOHN's family have survived to the present. Note that the deed transactions of this period were in the peculiar form of "lease and release" instruments. 

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October 13, 1727. Royal Grant:  King George II to JOHN BRASWELL of Isle of Wight County, Va; for 35 shillings, a 345‑acre tract in I of W on the south side of Nottoway River, beginning at a white oak on the north side of Doctors Branch...to a lightwood post in the line of JOSEPH WEST...and down the various courses of the run of Doctors Branch to the beginning.  Virginia State Library, Richmond: Land Office Records, Microfilm Reel 12, Volume 13, page 239.

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 JOHN (J) BRASWELL & ALICE (A) his wife

 

To:                       Consideration: Five pounds

 

JAMES TURNER

 

LEASE:  Begining at a Pine in the Doctors Branch thence S. 40o W. 10 Pole to a Pine thence S. by E. 186 pole to a lightwood post on a line of JOSEPH WESTs thence by WESTs Line N. 60o 117 pole to a black Oak thence E. 76 pole to a Pine by Doctors Branch aforesd  So up the Run of the said Branch to a Pine the first station for 100 acres. Term: 1 year .  Dated April 20, 1730. Witnesses: OLIVER WOODWARD, ROGER WOODWARD, NICHOLAS (N) GURLEY.

 

RELEASE DEED: Consideration: valuable sum already received. Dated April 22, 1730. Both recorded September 28, 1730. Same witnesses.

 

DEED BOOK 4, pp. 40‑41

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JOHN (J) BRASWELL and ALICE (A) his wife

 

To:                       Consideration: Twenty_______

 

ROGER WOODWARD

 

LEASE: Begining at a White oak on the North side of the Doctors Branch thence N. 5o W. 173 pole to a black Oak thence N. 7o W. 77 pole to a white Oak thence W. by S. 180 pole to a Pine in the Doctors Branch so down the various courses of the Run of tyhe sd Branch to ye begining white Oak for 245 acres.  Term: 1 year. Dated July 18, 1730.  Witnesses: J. TURNER, OLIVER WOODWARD, NICHOLAS (N) GURLEY.   RELEASE DEED:  Dated July 20, 1730. Consideration: 20 pounds.  Witnesses: same as Lease. Both recorded Septembert 28, 1730.

  

DEED BOOK 4, pp. 43‑44  

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September 28, 1732.  Royal Grant:  King George II to JOHN BRASSWELL of Isle of Wight County. For 40 shillings, a 395‑acre tract  in I of W County on the south side of Nottoway River, beginning at a pine on the south side of Beaverdam Swamp just below the mouth of a small branch...to a lightwood saplin, "a line of said BRASSWELLs...."  ( Va Land Grants, R. 11, Vol. 14, p. 527) 

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JOHN (J) BRASWELL & ALICE (B) BRASWELL, his wife

 

To:                       Consideration: Twelve pounds

 

WILLIAM WOOD

 

LEASE:  The Lands, etc. in Isle of Wight Co. on the S. side of Nottoway River Begining at a Pine on the S. side of a small Branch of the Beaver Dam Swamp just below the mouth of a small Branch and along the said Line to a Line that was made by the said BRASWELL and the said WOOD so along that Line to a great pine at the Head of School House Branch and down the said Branch to a Line that was made by the said BRASWELL and NICHOLAS GURLEY and along the said Line to the Meadow that SARAH BRASWELL now lives upon near the Head of the same so up the Meadow to a white Oak a corner Tree by JAMES FORRESTERs ffence so along the said Line to the Beaver Dam Swamp so up the said Swamp to the Begining for 195 acres.  Term: 1 year. Dated July 14, 1733. Witnesses: J: TURNER, JAMES (J) FORRESTER, ANN (A) FORRESTER.  RELEASE DEED:  Dated July 16, 1733; same consideration and witnesses, both

recorded December 23, 1734.

 

 DEED BOOK 4, pp. 385‑386

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JOHN (J) BRASWELL and ALICE (X) his wife

 

To:                    Consideration: Five shillings

 

JOSEPH COBB, Junr

 

LEASE:  Begining at a Pine a Corner Tree upon JOHN BRASWELL Line then S. 25o E. 260 pole to a lightwood post in a Line of the said BRASWELLs other Land  thence by his own Line E. by N. 164 pole to a white Oak then N. 15o W. 168 pole to a pine then along the said BRASWELLs Line to a small pine in a Meadow a Corner Tree along a Line of markt Trees to a great pine in the mouth of a small Branch then along a Line of markt Trees to the beginning place the said Land containing 200 acres and being granted to JOHN BRASWELL by the Honourable William Gooch his Majesties Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of this Colony & Dominion of Virginia and the patent bearing date September the 28th 1732.  Term: 1 year. Dated November 20, 1734.  Witnesses: THOMAS JARRELL, WILLIAM (W) NEWSOM, SAMUEL (X) BOZMAN.

 

RELEASE DEED:  Consideration:  Valuable sum already received. Dated November 20, 1734, both recorded November 25, 1734; same witnesses.   "ALICE BRASWELL appoints well beloved friend THOMAS JARRELL to acknowledge the deed in her stead"‑‑November 22, 1734.

 

DEED BOOK 4, pp. 379‑380

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                                           SARAH BRASWELL

 

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN.  The 20th day of March in the Year of our Lord 1733/4.  I SARAH BRASWELL of the Isle of Wight County being very sick & weak of Body but of perfect Mind & Memory thanks be to God for the same ffirst & cheifest I Give & Bequeath my Soul to the Hand of Almighty God who gave it me. Secondly my Body to be decently Buried at the Discretion of my Executors, and as for my Worldly Estate as it pleased God to endew {sic} me with I Give & Bequeath in manner and form as followeth.  I Give & Bequeath my whole Estate in General to my Grandson JOHN BRASWELL junr that's Cattle Hoggs household‑ Goods and all manner of Implements whatsoever to me belonging EXCEPT one Negro Man named Limehouse I give him the said Negro to my Daughter JANE, and him to be hers any person or persons after my decease AND I make & ordain my son JOHN BRASWELL and my said Grandson JOHN BRASWELL junr my whole Executors of my aforesd Estate, and my Son JOHN BRASWELL to have the Care of look after the said Estate 'till the said JOHN BRASWELL junr shall come to the Years of Twenty one my said Grandson to have the aforesd Estate in his own possession and my Son JOHN BRASWELL to sell such Cattle & Hoggs out of the same as shall be necessary And for what is Sold out of the said Esate my Son JOHN to have to have the one Half  for his Trouble and the other half to be laid out for the Use of my said Grandson And BENJAMIN BRASWELL my Grandson shall have the first Mare Colt that a Mare shall bring which said Mare is part of the said Estate and given to my Grandson JOHN BRASWELL junr as aforesd but if in Case the said JOHN BRASWELL junr should decease without Heir the same shall be equaly divided amongst the other of my said Son JOHN's Children namely MARY BENJAMIN WILLIAM & SAMPSON BRASWELL and to either of them if in case the other deceaseth without Heir And I own this to be my last Will & Testament denying all other Wills & Testaments ever made before by me and this to stand and no others.  AS WITNESS whereof I have hereunto put my Hand & Seal the Day and Year above written.

 

 

                                                                   SARAH  (X) BRASWELL    (Seal)

 

RICHARD BLOW junr  SAMUEL (X) SMITH   

SAMUEL (X) WILLIS

 

At a Court held for Isle of Wight  County May the 26: 1735

THE last Will & Testament of SARAH BRASWELL deceased was Proved by the Oath of SAMUEL WILLIS one of the Witnesses thereto and it is admitted to Record.

 

                                                   Teste  James Baker  CC: Cur

                                    Vera Recordatur Teste. Ja:s Baker Cl: Cur:

 

Will Book 4, p. 64

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At one time Carey believed the following was the son of John, but this Richard is Susannah's son. See correction below:

The following power of attorney  appears to identify a RICHARD BRASWELL, son of JOHN,   not mentioned "amongst the other of my said Son JOHN's Children..." in SARAH's will. Whether the 150‑acre Nottoway River tract that is the subject of this instrument was identical with the one purchased by RICHARD BRACEWELL, Sr. August 22, 1720, is uncertain. What is certain is that it was part of the same 1714 grant to RICHARD WASHINGTON that follows the power of attorney and deed. Equally uncertain‑‑albeit quite likely‑‑is whether the SUSANNAH PENNY mentioned therein  was the same SUSANNAH BRASWELL who was bequeathed  a cow and calf in her Grandfather RICHARD's 1725 will.

 

 KNOW ALL MEN by these presents that I JOHN PENNEY and SUSANNAH his wife in North Carolina have made Constituted and appointed RICHARD BRASSWELL of the Upper parrish of the Isle of Wight County my true and lawfull Attorney Irrevoakable for me and in my name & stead to Acknowledge Ratifie Record & Confirm in Open Court held for the Isle of Wight County and in due form of Law a certain parcel of Land as by me sold unto DANIEL STOREY of the Isle of Wight County as by a Deed of Sale bearing even date with these presents which Land is in the upper parrish of the Isle of Wight County and Joyning upon Nottoway River and Containing One hundred and fifty Acres of Land more or less and I do by these presents Acknowledge Ratifie and Confirm all and Whatsoever my said Attorney Shall Act and do in the premises to be as Authentick to all intent and purposes as if I had bin there my self to make my Right of the said Land and premisses sure  to the said DANIEL STOREY his heirs and Assigns for ever as Witness my hand and Seal   December Anno: Dominini 1735‑‑‑‑‑ 

 

Sign'd Seal'd & Deliver'd by                               JOHN (J) PENNY

(Seal)

the said JOHN PENNY in the

pressence of us‑‑‑‑                                           SUSANNAH (X) PENNY  (Seal)

 

JOHN BRASSWELL   Wm (X) BRASSWELL

 

Deed Book 5, 1736‑1741, Part 1, p. 17

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THIS INDENTURE Made this fifteenth day of December...Anno: Dom 1735 Between

JOHN PENNY and SUSANNAH his Wife of North Carolina...and DANIEL STOREY of the Lower parrish of the Isle of Wight County in Virginia   WITNESSETH that the said JOHN PENNY for and in Consideration of the Sum of Seven pounds Ten Shillings Curr{ent}  money of Virginia...hath...sold...unto the said DANIEL STOREY in his Actual possession now being...all that parcel of Land Scituate lying & {18} being in the upper parrish of the Isle of Wight County Joyning upon Nottoway River on the North side & being part of a Tract of Land in a pattent granted to Mr RICHARD WASHINGTON bearing date the Sixteenth day of December 1714 and by the said WASHINGTON Demised {sic} unto JOHN HOWELL by Deeds of Leaseand Release and Released by Power of Attorney bearing date the 4th day of October 1717 and after by the said JOHN HOWELL Sold Demis'd to JOHN PENNY by deeds of Lease and Release now by the said JOHN PENNY for ever Sold to DANIEL STOREY the said Tract of Land Containing One hundred & fifty Acres more or less and bounded as followeth (to witt)  BEGINNING at a Cypress Standing by Nottoway River side then along a line of mark'd trees a dividing line between WASHINGTON and the said PENNEY to a forked poplar standing in the side of Nottoway Swamp then up the Run of the said Swamp to the mouth of BARDINGs branch then up the Run of the said branch to a marked Gum a Corner tree of the aforesaid pattent then turning a line of marked trees between the said HENRY {sic} and JOHN JENT to the place called the hollow Root on Nottoway River side...."

 

(Signed by JOHN & SUSANNAH PENNY and witnessed by JOHN & WILLIAM "BRASSWELL", exactly as in the power of attorney. RICHARD BRASWELL presented both instruments in the Isle of Wight Court August 23, 1736.)

 

Deed Book 5, 1736‑1741, Part 1, pp. 17‑19 

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GEORGE et al TO ALL et al KNOW YE that for diverse good Causes & Considerations but more especilly for & in Consideration of the Importatacon of three persons to dwell within our Colony of Virginia whose names are Thomas Jackson, John Provin, abd Dennis Jack as also for and in Consideration of the Sum of three pounds for Shillings of good & Lawful money for our use paid to our Receiver General of our Revenues in this our said Colony & Dominon of Virginia We have Given Granted and Confirmed and by these presents for us our heirs & Successors do Give Grant & Confirm unto RICHARD WASHINGTON of the County of Surry one certain Tract or parcel of Land containing Eight hundred & fifty acres Lying & being on the South Side of the mmain black Water Swamp in the County of Isle of Wight and bounded as followeth, to wit, begining at the mouth of a branch on the West Side of Nottoway Swamp (which branch divides his Land from the Land of EDWARD GOODSON & MATTHEW RUFFIN) then up the run of that branche to their Corner white oak then South five degrees East twenty three pole to a pine then north South fourty nine degrees West too hundred & nineteen pole to a Pine then north thirty eight degrees West sixty one pole to a White oak then north twenty six degrees West thirty one pole to a Pine then East by North Sixty pole to a pine then north forty degree West fifty nine pole to a white oak then northe fifty three degrees West forty six poles to a red oak then north sixty five degrees West thirty two pole to a hickory then north thirty three degrees West sixty eight pole to a pine then north fourty four degrees West fifty nine pole to a white oak then north sixty four degrees West Sixty one pole ti a hickory a Line tree of Capt RICHARD EXUMs Land then by EXUM's Line South fourteen degrees West Eighty six poles to a red oak by Nottoway River & down the various courses of the River to the mouth of Nottoway Swamp & up the run of that swamp to the first station  WITH ALL etal TO HAVE HOLD &c  TO BE HELD &c YIELDING & PAYING &c PROVIDED &c IN WITNESS &c WITNESS our Trusty and Wellbeloved Alexander Spotswood our Lt Governor etcetera  att Wm'sburgh under the Seal of our sd Colony the Sixteenth day of December one thousand seven hundred & fourteen in the first year of our Reign

 

                                                                    A. Spotswood

 

 

Virginia Land Grants, Vol.10, p. 202

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THIS INDENTURE Made the twenty Second day of June Anno: Dommini One thousand Seven hundred and thirty six between MOSSES FAIRCLOTH of the Isle of Wight County of the One part and RICHARD BRASSELL of the same County of the other part Witnesseth that the said MOSES FAIRCLOTH for and in Consideration of the Sum of five Shillings lawfull money to him in hand paid {by} the sd RICHd BRASSELL...hath...sold...lease & to farm let unto the said RICHd BRASSELL...all that tract of Land Containing One Hundred Acres be the same more or less in the said County and bounded as followeth (that is to say) begining at a Gum Stand in Nottoway Swamp at the mouth of BARDENs Branch so up the branch to a pine standing in THOMAS CRAFORDs line then along a line of mark'd trees to a pine standing by the side of a Branch so down that branch to a white Oak standing in Notoway Swamp so down the Various Courses of the Run of the Swamp to the first Station the said Divident of Land being part of a pattent for four hundred and Seventy five acres Granted by the Honourable Alexander Spotswood his Majesty's Lieut: Governor of the Colony aforesaid the Sixteenth day of June One thoussand Seven Hundred & fourteen to MATTHEW RUFHEN and EDWARD GOODSON & by the said RUFHEN & GOODSON devis'd unto WILLIAM FAIRCLOTH SENr by deeds of lease and Release & Released by a power of Attorney bearing date the twenty fifth day of March One Thousand Seven Hundred and twenty One and by the said Wm FAIRCLOTH Willed to his Son MOSES FAIRCLOTH and now by the said MOSES FAIRCLOTH for ever Sold to RICHd BRASSELL with all Mesuages Tenements houses Orchards Fields Woods meadows Swamps waters water courses together with all the Royalties of hunting Hawking fishing & fowling and Mines Minerals and Quarries & all other priveledges Advantages profits and Appurtenances whatsoever to the said Demis'd premisses...unto the said RICHd BRASSELL his Executors Adminst: & Assigns from the day of the date hereof for and during the term and time of three years fully to be compleated and ended yielding & paying thereof Yearly on the tenth day of December to the said MOSES FAIRCLOTH...One Grain of Indian Corn if it be demanded to the intent & purpose that by Virtue of these presents &  for the Statute for transfering uses into possession the said RICHd BRASSELL may be in Actual & peaceable possession of the premises before granted & may be thereby the better enabled to Accept of a Grant or Conveyance of the Revertion & Inheritance thereof to him and his heirs for ever....

 

Sign'd Seal'd & Deliver'd                                 MOSES (X) FAIRCLOTH

(Seal)

in the presents of us

JOHN BRASSELL, GILES SMELLY  Wm (X) BRASSELL

 

 {Immediately following was the release deed, dated June 23, 1736, signed and witnessed by the same parties. The consideration: BRASSELL to pay FAIRCLOTH "fifteen hundred pounds of poork."  Acknowledged by FAIRCLOTH in county court on September 27, 1736.}

 

Deed Book 5, 1736‑1741, pp. 36‑39

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ZEBULON LEWIS signed his will in Isle of Wight County August 6, 1739. By November 23, 1741, his widow, JANE, had married JOHN "BRASSELL".  Although it has been often stated that she wed JOHN BRASWELL, SENIOR, proof is lacking. Indeed, since LEWIS' children were all minors‑‑and LEWIS  himself seemed to expect his widow  to remarry‑‑my guess is that she married JOHN, JUNIOR.

 

BY THE GRACE OF GOD this my last Will and testament being in perfect  memory I first leave to my three sons my Land to be equally divided between them (viz) the Indian old field for my Son BENJAMIN LEWIS this old plantation for my Son NATHAN LEWIS and this where I now live for my Son ZEBULON LEWIS  I desire if my wife should marry that my sons should be at age at eighteen but if not to serve their mother till they are at the age of One & Twenty  I give to my Son BENJAMIN LEWIS my Gun and my chest when he comes of age and a Cow & Calf when he is of age and a feather bed for BENJAMIN LEWIS  I give to my Son NATHAN LEWIS a Cow and Calf and a feather bed and furniture when he is of age  I give to my Son ZEBULON LEWIS a Cow and Calf and feather bed and furniture when he is of age  I give to my Daughter PATIENCE LEWIS a Cow and Calf and feather Bed and furniture when she is of age  I give and bequeath to my loving wife the Negro wench all the rest of my Estate as along as she remains a Widow and if she should marry for the Negro to be sold and the money to be Divided amongst the Children

 

August the 6th day 1739

 

Tesstes this my last Will & Testament                          ZEBULON LEWIS

THO. KILLBEE  JOHN (X) HARRIS  BENJ: (O) COOPER

 

                   At a Court held for Isle of Wight County October the 23d 1739

 

The Last Will and testament of ZEBULON LEWIS was presented in Court &  being prov'd by the Oaths of JOHN HARRIS and BENJAMIN COOPER two of the Witnesses thereto it is thereupon Admitted to Record‑‑‑‑

 

Wills and Accounts, Vol. 4, 1733‑1745, pp.215‑216

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(The following inventory of LEWIS' estate is rendered in more compact form than the original, otherwise a true copy.  Note that the amounts are given in the currency of the day, pounds‑‑shillings‑‑pence:

 

 

April the 6th Day 1739 {sic}  The Appraisement of ZEBULON LEWIS Deceased Estate and a true Inventory of all‑‑‑

 

Hoggs thirty five head (7‑7‑6), five Cows (5‑0‑0), four heifers (3‑12‑0), Six Small Cattle (5‑2‑0), Three year olds {yearlings} (1‑2‑6), two stears (2‑15‑0), one horse bridle and Saddle (3‑10‑0), one Mare (10‑0‑0), pewter (1‑17‑11), another lot of pewter (0‑9‑0), porringer & Tankard (0‑2‑9), five Books (0‑7‑0), pair of Stilyard & pea (0‑12‑0), Sheep shears (0‑1‑3), one Chest (0‑8‑0), another Chest (0‑9‑0), one Butter pott (0‑2‑0), half a quire of paper (0‑0‑7), feathers fifteen pounds (0‑15‑0), l brass Candle stick (0‑0‑7 1/2), 1 young horse (2‑10‑0), cloathing (2‑14‑0). Linnen price (0‑4‑10 1/2), one Coat sold price (0‑10‑0), unpickt cotten (2‑10‑0), a Jacket  Looking glass & candle stick (0‑3‑0), small nails  mohair Thread  buttons  (0‑2‑0), 2 hides (0‑6‑0), Virginia cloth & pillows (0‑7‑7 1/2), two Bedsteds and Cord (0‑13‑0), one ox cut saw (1‑7‑0), one handsaw (0‑3‑0), a Case of Pistols & Sword (0‑10‑0), one Spitt (0‑6‑0), leather & bed Cord (0‑6‑0), Shoe makers Tools & Carpenters Tools (0‑9‑0), Hay & harnes (0‑10‑0), a Loomb (0‑2‑0), an ads (0‑1‑6), nailes & Compasses (0‑2‑6), box Iron and heaters (0‑6‑0), five glass Bottles  Two Juggs  a frying pan  fire Tongs  flesh fork (0‑10‑9), one pott (0‑3‑3), two Iron  hooks (0‑2‑0), Meal Sifter  homony sifter and Leather wakket and other Lumber (0‑4‑0), Iron (0‑10‑6), one Iron pott (0‑7‑6), a pair Cart wheels & horse harnis (0‑10‑0), old Cotten & old Lumber (0‑4‑0), wasshing tubs & water pails & other Lumber (0‑6‑0), one Negro wench (10‑0‑0),four sides of Leather (0‑12‑0), a Saddle & bridle (0‑9‑0), Cash (9‑5‑10 1/2), money Scails (0‑4‑0)

 

JOHN BRASSELL    CHRISTOPHER FOSTER    THOMAS WESBROOK

JOHN FORT

                                                       JANE LEWIS, Admx.

 

At a Court held for Isle of Wight County April the 23d 1739

 

The above appraisement of the Estate of ZEBULON LEWIS deced was returned into Court by the Admx. and is Ordered to be Recorded‑‑‑‑‑

 

                           Test.   James Baker  Cl Cur

 

Wills and Accounts, Vol. 4, 1733‑1745, p. 129 

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The Estate of ZEBULON LEWIS  Deceased Dr.....Contd

 

To JAMES RIDLEY (1‑13‑2), To PATRICK ADAMS (1‑10‑0), to HARRALD BLY (2‑3‑4),

To ROBERT RICKS 81 Tob: a 12/4 (0‑10‑12), To THOMAS GALE (0‑2‑4), To same 16

Tob: a 12/6 (0‑2‑0), To MAJOR JAMES BAKER 120 To: a 12/6 (0‑13‑0),

To Mr THOMAS JARRELL 194 To: a 14/7 (1‑8‑3), To same (0‑4‑8), To _, 148 To: a

14/ (1‑0‑8 1/2), To Carting 2 hogsheads tobacco (0‑12‑0), To the Funeral Expences (1‑5‑0) Total: 10‑8‑7  {Signed by JOHN BRASSELL)

 

By the first Appt. return'd      L 80‑2‑7

 

By the appt of the Legacies given by ZEBULON LEWIS to his children                        11‑3‑0

 

By Tob: Sold Capt THOMAS BREWER                              12‑13‑2

                                            ________

                                           103‑10‑9

JANE BRASSELL

 

In Obediance to an order of Court the 27th of April 1741 We the Subscribers have Auditted Stated and Settled an Account Current of the Estate of ZEBULON LEWIS Deceased and find Vouchsafe for the  whole Accounts Except the Funeral Charges    November 23 1741

 

J SIMMONS   TIMOTHY SHARP   JAMES RIDLEY

 

At a Court held for Isle of Wight County

 

February 22. 1741

 

The above Account Current of the Estate of ZEBULON LEWIS Deced  having been Audited is Ordered to be Recorded‑‑

 

                                            Test James Baker  ClCur

 

Wills & Accounts, Vol. 4, 1733‑1745, p. 398

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RICHARD (R) BRASSWELL, GEORGE WHITLEY, and ROGER WOODWARD witnessed the will of THOMAS (T) ALLEN, April 12, 1741, wherein ALLEN  names his minor children as sons ARTHUR and THOMAS and daughters ANN and HONOUR, the latter to divide their mother's clothes. Obviously the mother died first.  The executors were ROGER ALLEN and GEORGE BELL. ROGER WOODARD and RICHARD BRASSWELL proved the will in Isle of Wight Court April 27, 1741. The estate inventoried at L 52‑11‑0. The account current, recorded January 24, 1742, showed that one ELIZABETH BRASWELL received 0‑1‑3 out of the estate. Others receiving payment included RICHARD VICK, SAMUEL WOODWARD, JAMES TALLALGH, GEORGE BELL, SAMUEL & ARTHUR WOODWARD, ARTHUR WASHINGTON, and JOHN SELLAWAY.  

 

Wills & Accounts, Vol. 4, 1733‑1745, pp. 333‑334; 453‑454

 

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                                        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 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 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. 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 WILIAM 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

 

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Royal Grant:  King George II to JOHN BRASSILL, January 12, 1747: for 40 shillings, a 400‑acre tract in Isle of Wight County on the north side of Meherrin River beginning at two pines, a corner of SAMUEL WESTBROOKs...to a stake in JOSHUA CLANDs{?} Line...to a red oak in THOMAS HARRISs line. 

Virginia Land Grants, Roll 26, Vol. 28, p. 307

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The final extant Isle of Wight document before 1750  referring to the descendants of the original American JOHN BRASWELL follows: