Subj: Susannah Burgess Bracewell (c.1652‑c.1714)

Date: 97‑06‑22 08:00:50 EDT

From: CBracewell@aol.com

Resent‑from: braswell‑l@emcee.com

To: Braswell‑L@genealogy.org

 

Doc 6  (SUSANNAH BURGESS BRACEWELL, c.1652‑c.1714)

  

Introduction.  SUSANNAH BRACEWELL, wife of ROBERT BRACEWELL, Jr.,  is easily the most enigmatic figure  in our original American family.  Those who would claim descent from her  are cautioned that her descendants are Braswell in name only.

 

   She was born in Surry County, Virginia, about 1652 to MARY and JOHN BURGESS, members of the wealthy planter class.  Proof of her identity begins with  that April 20, 1669  Surry deed ( Surry DB I, p. 332) in which MARY SKINNER, wife of RICHARD SKINNER, acknowledged receipt of all the estate that her late husband, JOHN BURGESS gave to her daughter, SUSANNAH BURGESS.  A second confirming  Surry document, bearing date of May 15, 1672  (Surry DB 2, p. 14) contains the testimony of RICHARD SKINNER, aged 46, and MARY SKINNER, 40, mentioning the orphan of JOHN BURGESS.  RICHARD SKINNER  died in Isle of  Wight County in 1677, as administration was granted his relict MARY SKINNER on April 9, 1677  (Chapman’s Wills and Administrations, Vol. l, p. 104).  MARY SKINNER was married to JOHN COLLINS, Sr., by September 9, 1680, for on that date, GEORGE CRIPPS, widower  of JOYCE CRIPPS {MARY’s sister} made an agreement with MARY SKINNER, widow, now wife of JOHN COLLINS regarding  MARY’s inheritance in 1300 acres of land from her sister, JOYCE CRIPPS (I of W Deeds and Wills, 1662‑1715, Vol. l, pp. 439‑444).  MARY also had a sister, SUSANNAH. wife of THOMAS ATKINSON, who was no doubt SUSANNAH BURGESS namesake.  Various Isle of Wight records prove that SUSANNAH’s mother, MARY, and her Aunts JOYCE and SUSANNAH were all daughters of KATHERINE FLAKE, wife of ROBERT FLAKE, from an unidentified previous marriage of KATHERINE’s.

 

   The  April 18, 1679  will of SUSANNAH’s Aunt JOYCE CRIPPS (Will & Deed Book I, Vol. 2, p.262) is the first clue we have to SUSANNAH’s character and personality.  Aunt JOYCE is generous to everyone but her, bequeathing  Unto my Sister SKINNER fifty Acres of Land that doth joyne Unto that Plantation whereon she doth now live during her Naturall life....., to NICHOLAS DAVIS (her Overseer?) that Plantation whereon he now liveth during his naturall life without paying of Rent only a Capon a Yeare for an Acknowledgem:tö‑‑even a generous bequest to ....that Orphant boy that now liveth with me by name of ANTHONY LEWIS. . .

two Suites of Apparell

Three Barrells of Corne,

One heifer with Calve,

 One Couch bed

a Small Iron Pot

One Pewter dish

One Tray and One Spoone....

 but to

...SHUSAN BRASWELL my Sisters Daughter, she gave only One Shilling of English money. Cut off with a shilling!

 

   Further clues to the tempestuous natures of these colonial ladies‑‑and counter‑ evidence for the saying that the third time’s the charm‑‑ are these four consecutive entries from October, 1694 (Deed Book 1, Orders 1693‑1695, pp. 50‑51):

 

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Octob.r 1694

 

Upon the petn of BRIDGET LEWIS, she has order ag.st JN. COLLINS sen.r for 500.lb of tobo: for the care & pains taken by the sd LEWIS in the cure of the sd COLLINS his wife with Costs   ats Ex.o

 

Octob.r 1694

 

Order is granted SUSANNA BRASEWELL ag.st JOHN COLLINS sen.r for foure hundred pounds of tobo: for looking after the sd COLLINS his wife in  her late extemity when she was beaten by the sd COLLINS with costs  ats Ex.o

 

It appearing to this Courte that JOHN COLLINS SENr hath lately most desperately beaten, bruised, & wounded MARY his wife, insomuch that it was expected she would have lost her life thereby  (as alsoe between whom former strife & contention hath been) for  prevention whereof for the future, It is ordered that the sd COLLINS pay & allow his sd Wife five hundred pounds of tobo: forthwith, & one thousand pounds of tobo: in October yearly for the tyme to come, for the sd MARY her mainteynance (if she finde cause) To live separate & aparte from her husband, wth Costs  ats Exo

 

Mr. THO: TABORER agst. Jno COLLINS SENr   Defendant appearing & standing mute at the bar, Order is granted plaintiff agst. the present sheriff for 3585 lbs. of tobacco due by bill denied by  defendant & proved by oath of Mr. THO: MOOR

 

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The real destruction of SUSANNAH’s reputation, however, was the November 5, 1692, will  of {her Overseer?} RICHARD TOWLE(Y):

 

         RICHARD TOWLE

 

In the name of God Amen  I RICHd  TOWLE of the Isle of Wight County being very sicke & weake, but thanks be to almighty God of Sound & perfect memory doe make & ordaine This my last will & Testamt first I give my soule to God my maker in sure & certain hope thro the merrits of Jesus Christ my Redeemer the forgivenesse of all my sins & my body to the earth from whence it Came, and as for my worldly goods I give as followeth.  Impris.  I give & bequeath unto my three youngest Children of SUSANNA BRASWELL, RICHARD, WILLIAM and ELIZABETH BRASWELL all my whole & sole estate to be equally divided between them & to be possessed of their Parte as they Shall  attain to the age of seaventeen yeares of age.  Item I do request &  appointe my loving friend JOHN RIGGS my Exor.r in trust to see that the estate soe given by me to the aforesaid children be duly & truly delivered to them at the yeares above exprest, & that he see my debts & funeral charges payd, soe revoking all former Wills I have hereunto sett my hand & seale this 5th day of 9ber 1692.

 

Signed sealed & delivered in      his

presence of us    RICHARD  T  TOWLE,    ( seal)

       mark

THO: MOORE

 

ROB.t  R  HORNER

 

SARAH  E  WAKEFIELD

          their marke

         ffebr: the 9th 1682 proved in Courte by the

oaths of THO: MOORE & SARAH WAKEFIELD to be the last will & Testamt

of RICHd TOWLE deced & a probate granted the Exor.ex.

      Test: Hugh Davis Cl.

 

Will & Deed Book 1, Vol. 2, p. 323.

 

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Isle of Wight County

 

In obedience to an ordr of Court bearing Date the 10th day of ffebry 1692/3 we the Subscribers being Sworne by Cap.t  Jo:n Goodrich to  Appraze the estate of RICHARD TOWLE deceased doe appraze  the said Estate ‑ Viz

   lb       s       d       

3 Cows at 03  ‑  05  ‑ 00      03‑05‑00

1 Steare 4 years ould and one yearelen   02‑10‑00

one hors and ould saddell    03‑00‑00

9 shoats and piggs    01‑00‑00

one ould bead and blankett    01‑10‑00

a parsell of ould Iron an ould pott frie pan   01‑00‑00

a  small parsell of ould Puter   00‑    ‑00

a parsell of ould wooding Lumber    00‑72‑00

      ________

   in all   13‑05‑00

 

To the above Sd Apprazemt we have sett our hands this 20.th day of ffebry 1692/3       THO: MOORE

   THO: THORPP

 

Recorded Test:  H Davis  Cl.

 

Deed Book 1, page 133.

 

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The next‑‑and final‑‑‑Isle of Wight record made by ROBERT BRACEWELL, Jr. after he left the county in 1674 is the following power of attorney.  The reader may draw his or her own conclusions about its significance:

 

These prsents wittnis that I ROB:t BRASWELL of the Isle of Wight County in verginia doe Constitute & appointe my Loving wife SUSANA BRASWELL to be my lawfull attorney for me and in my name to procecute and sue all such persones as are in debt to me and to answer to all suites which I have Depending in the Isle of Wight Courte in wittnis heare unto I Sett my hand this 27 day of march 1696.

 

Wittnes  JHO: MOORE   ROBERT BR_CELL

EDW.d  EC  CHAMPION

         his mark

 

DEED BOOK 1, 1688‑1704, page 202

 

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The final enigma surrounding the life of SUSANNAH BURGESS BRACEWELL is why her will was not probated until 18 years after she sugned it.  Also, some researchers have suggested that ANN BRASWELL RIGGS, who with her son, JOHN RIGGS are cut off with a shilling in  this  will, was actually  the child of ROBERT BRACEWELL, Jr., but supporting evidence for that  is lacking.

 

    SUSANNA BRASWELL

 

October: the 22:o 1714  IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN  I SUSANNAH BRASWELL in the Upper Parish of the Isle of Wight County in Virginia being Sick &  Weak in Body but in perfect Memory thanks be to God I do therefore make this my last Will & Testament as followeth ffirst I commit my Soul to Almighty God our Heavenly ffather trusting to be saved by the Merits  of Jesus Christ our Lord and my Body to the Earth untill the Resurrection and for my Worldly Goods I bestow as followeth.  I GIVE & Bequeath  unto my Son RICHARD BRASWELL and to his Heirs the plantation I now live upon with Sixty Acre of Land I say to him and to his Heirs for ever & ever I Give and bequeath unto my Son WILLIAM BRASWELL my Old  Plantation House with fforty Acres of Land joining to it out of the Hundred Acres  in all, I say to him and to his Heirs for Ever & Ever.  I Give & Bequeath to ELIZABETH BRASWELL my Grandughter {sic} a Heifer of three Years Old, and one brass Kettle, one pewter Dish, one pewter plate and four Spoons, one Box Iron and ffire Tongs.  I GIVE and Bequeath to my Son WILLIAM BRASWELL a Chest of ffeathers, s small Iron Pot one pewter Dish and one plate, and one Quart Pot and a Cup and four Spoons.  I GIVE to my Daughter ANN One Shilling,  I GIVE to my Grandson JOHN RIGGS One Shilling and for rest  of my worldly Goods within Doors and Without I Give and Bequeath unto  my Son JAMES BRASWELL to him and his Heirs leaving my Son RICHARD  BRASWELL and my Son WILLIAM BRASWELL my true and lawful Ececutors to pay my Debts and to receive what is oweing me and I desire you my trusty ffriends  RICHARD JONES & RICHARD JORDAN to see this my last Will and Testament performed.  IN WITNESS hereof I set to my Hand.

 

WITNESSED By us

 

WILLIAM: ALLEN   RICHd  R  JONES                 SUSANNA   B   BRASWELL

   (seal)

         mark     mark

RICHd  R  JORDAN

          mark

 

At a Court held for Isle of Wight County  June 26: 1732

THE last Will & Testament of SUSANNAH BRASWELL deceased was presented in Court by WILLIAM BRASWELL Executor therein named who made Oath thereto and being likewise proved by the Oaths of WILLIAM ALLEN & RICHARD JORDAN two of the Witnesses thereto It is admitted to Record.

 

     Teste. James Ingles  Clk Curt

 

       Vera Recordatur Test: Ja:s Ingles  Cl Curt

 

Will Book 3, page 304  

 

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Some concluding remarks by Katerine E. Edwards, Genealogist and former Deputy  Clerk of Circuit Court, Isle of Wight County, are now offered with the understanding that her comments are unofficial and intended solely for the use of Braswell researchers. They are not to be published under her name, for many of SUSANNAH’s descendants still live in Isle of Wight County:

 CONJECTURABLE THOUGHT ON SUSANNA BURGESS BRASWELL:

If ROBERT BRASWELL, son of Rev. ROBERT BRASWELL, married  SUSANNA BURGESS as has been stated, the SUSANNA who had children by RICHARD TOWLE must have been his wife.

 

We have no indication of any Braswell living here before  or after Rev. ROBERT BRASWELL’s arrival in Virginia, until his children appear in the records.  Since Rev. ROBERT BRASWELL  left only two sons, ROBERT and RICHARD, and RICHARD  married SARAH (VALENTINE?) {sic}, I believe it is safe to assume that Rev. ROBERT BRASWEL's son, ROBERT, married SUSANNA BURGESS.  SUSANNA definitely appears to be a contemporary....

 The fact that Rev. ROBERT BRASWELL’s sons were his youngest  children and his daughters {were} married with children of their own {at the time of his will} . . .seems to indicate that he was married more than once. . . .It does not seem feasible that a graduate of Oxford University would wait until his  sons were nearly grown to attend to their education. This seems to be proof of their tender years when he died.

 RICHARD BRASWELL died about 1725.  He had a daughter, JANE, which could mean. . .JANE was named for his sister.  A study of the deeds signed by RICHARD and SARAH BRASWELL seems to point even more strongly  to his being Rev. ROBERT BRASWELL’s son. . . . The only question is the granddaughter SUSANNA BRASWELL.  Would he or one of his sons be so tolerant of a relative by marriage that they would name a child for her after she had so shamed the family?  Of course we must bear in mind that there may have been a favored relative in RICHARD’s wife’s family who bore the name “Susanna”,  not an uncommon name.. ..

 SUSANNAH, if she was the wife of ROBERT BRASWELL, Jr., could have quite readily given her children BRASWELL names.  ROBERT may not have been aware of her duplicity for quite some time. The husband is always the last to know. Knowing the apparent affluence and  prominence of this family, it may have seemed inconceivable to all concerned that she could be such a faithless wife.  Certainly the very fact of their position in society would have made her most cautious in her behavior, so that it could have been a well kept secret.  Her husband, as well as relatives and friends may not have been aware of her actions until RICHARD TOWLE’s will was put to record and once this was done, she probably found herself alone in the world with her small “TOWLE” children to raise.  If her mother was as prosperous as was her sister JOYCE, I feel sure she had no financial problems.  It appears that SUSANNA was MARY’s only child and thus her sole heir.  Once SUSANNA’s sons reached  manhood, they too could contribute to her support.  Also, we must remember that she had received some estate from her father.

 A study of some of the old records shows that the people of that day were not as proper as we might think.  They apparently lived a rather risque life and when they wrote their wills, used half the will to praise God for His blessings and ask for forgiveness of all my sins, etc.  So perhaps the BRASWELL family was not as rigidly unforgiving as the people of today might think.  Perhaps a lot of the gossip had died out by the time RICHARD BRASWELL’s grand‑ children were born.  Certainly SUSANNA must have been quite old when she died. . . .