Notes
Note N96 Index
Notes
Note N97 Index
THE ORIGIN OF THE BRASWELL NAME
The BRASWELL name, according to records, is of Scottish origin. Webster's dictionary states the word "brae" means a hill or slopping bank. The word "well" means a spring or source of water.
Some writers have deduced that the original BRASWELL clan lived on the banks of a stream and thus acquired the name. This idea cannot be justified for all early people tried to live on the waterways of the earth. The land was more fertile and transportation was much easier than by land.
Through the centuries the name BRASWELL has been spelled in many ways, beginning with the BRAISNELLE in the Doomsday Book (1140-1159). Where it is found in Yorkshire Charters it is spelled BRAYCEWILL (1471). All BRACEWELLs and BRASWELLs of England and the United States are descendants of this original stock.
(From the BRASWELL FAMILY, by Elizabeth Braswell Pearsall of Rocky Mount, NC.)
***
The BRASWELL story, as it is presently known, began in the city of London, England, over three-hundred years ago. There, a certain Richard BRACEWELL, Gentleman, lived in the year 1612 when a son Robert was born. (The word "Gentleman", as a designation following a proper name, means that the person belonged to an armorial family.) Little is known of the family prior to this date except that they and others of this same name in England were said to have fled from Scotland during the rebellion against the tyrannical rule of the kings.
March 31, 2003 A question has been raised about the title Gent. shown above. We got in touch with a friend in England, Brigadier General Holtom, CBE, Ret. and we feel it will be helpful to add the American and English definitions.
Oxford English Dictionary (From the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, a huge book that weighs 10 lbs.)
"Gent Latin - genitum born, hence, well-born, noble etc. 1. Noble, high-born; having the qualities attaching to high-birth - 1672"
Brig. Holtom further explains: "During the period, which was at the time of Henry VIII, a gentleman was definitely someone of high birth. Later the term became attached to anyone of means and could include people in trade - (you mean you actually work for money dear boy?) By the early 20th century the term was attached to anyone and could even be a disparaging comment. The term genteel derives from Gentleman meaning polite, polished, well bred, etc.
In Sam's case (Rev. Robert's ancestors) because it is a 16th Century reference, the title Gentleman really means his ancestors were people of considerable reputation and substance (a real gentleman) and living in the centre of the capital city. It is important that you include the title (because that is what it is) as presented."
American Webster Dictionary:
"gentleman n., pl. men. 1. a man of good family, breeding, or social position.2. (used as a polite term) a man: the gentleman in the tweed suit. 3. gentlemen, (used as a form of address): Gentlemen, please come this way. 4. a civilized, educated, sensitive, or well-mannered man. 5. a male personal servant; valet. 6. a male attendant upon a king, queen, or other royal person, who is himself of high birth or rank. 7. a man with an independent income who does not work for a living. 8. a male member of the U.S. Congress: The chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts. 9. (formerly) a man above the rank of yeoman. gentlemanlike, adj."
And the definition for yeoman from American Webster Dictionary:
"yeoman n., pl. men, adj. -n. 1. an enlisted person in the U.S. Navy whose duties are chiefly clerical. 2. Brit. a farmer who cultivates his own land. 3. (formerly, in England)a. one of a class of lesser freeholders, below the gentry, who cultivated their own land. b. an attendant in a royal or other great household. c. an assistant, as of a sheriff or other official. "
In our new world the term is used as a sign of respect the majority of the time. We hope this clears up any question about the title used with the Bracewell family ancestors.
[Brøderbund Family Archive #17, Ed. 1, Birth Records: United States/Europe, Birth Records AAI Birth Records Extraction, Date of Import: Apr 14, 2003, Internal Ref. #1.17.1.3881.20]
Individual: Bracewell, Richard
Birth date: 1588
Birth place: England
CD# 102 Discontinued
Notes
Note N108 Index
The information about the Alfred Sloan branch was sent by Phyllis Borden, direct decedent of Alfred. Most of her information came from sketches of Daniel and Alfred Sloan from the "South Florida Pioneers" books, edited by Richard Livingston. Also a sketch of John Sloan from "Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia", from the Huxford Genealogy Society. There are complete military records for Elbert Sloan (1842-1914) at the USGenWeb Archives, Polk county, Fla.
Notes
Note N109 Index
Post Office Sumterville, Sumter Co., Florida Census 1870, page 39
340/292 Sloan Owen 35 M W Farmer / / 100 Georgia // // // // // // // // 1
Jane 35 F W Keeping house__ __ Georgia
Edward 14 M W At home __ __ Georgia
James 11 M W At home __ __ Georgia // // // // // 1 1 // //
Jane 9 F W At home __ __ Georgia