Notes
Note N84 Index
SAMPSON BRASWELL 1763-?
SAMUEL's son Sampson, who was born about 1763, was reared on his father's farm, which had belonged to his grandfather WILLIAM BRASWELL (1707-1785). The farm had been given to Sampson in the will of SAMUEL BRASWELL in 1794 (see page 184).
This Sampson served in the Revolutionary War and received land for his services. (Research is currently being conducted to confirm this. There is a record of a Lucretia BRASSWELL filing a widow's pension claim on a Sampson BRASSWELL, but at this time there is no way to know if it is our Sampson. There is also evidence that a widow of Samson BRASWELL filed a widow's claim in both the twenty- seventh and twenty- eighth Congress and that her first petition was tabled and the second petition wasn't acted upon.) Sampson spent from about 1791-1810 in the corners of North and South Carolina and Georgia which was known as Cherokee Land. He later migrated to DeKalb County, Tennessee, where he settled before 1815.
The children of Sampson BRASWELL: Benjamin "Bennett" born about 1798, SAMUEL born 1800, Reuben, Mahalia, and Elizabeth (BRASWELL) Starnes.
(It is possible that Sampson and Polly, the grandchildren of SAMUEL BRASWELL mentioned in his will of 1794, could be the children of Sampson. However, as Sampson's brother Micajah was also married at the time of Samuel's will, they could be his children as well. It is impossible at this time to tell whose children they were or whether or not they were brother or sister. Hopefully, more research will determine where they belong on the family tree.)
Notes
Note N85 Index
SAMUEL BRASWELL 1738-1795
Samuel BRASWELL, who was born about 1738 in the vicinity of Edgecombe County, North Carolina, was the son of WILLIAM BRASWELL, who was born in 1707 in the Isle of Wight County, Virginia as he is listed in Susannah Bracewell's Will as grandson in 1714.
Samuel BRASWELL, son of William BRASWELL (1707-1785), was born around 1738, married about 1762 and had a son William born about 1762 and a son Sampson born about 1763. This Sampson served in the American Revolution and continued to serve in the militia. He along with his brothers, nephews, and cousins (Brittian, Valentine, James, William, Jacob, and Druery) were sent to South Carolina (1789) and served there.
Samuel whose wife was Sarah, had a brother William whose wife was Martha, and a brother Jacob. His sisters were: Dorcus (BRASWELL) Hooks; Patience (BRASWELL) West; and Patty (BRASWELL) Bridgers. Samuel was born on his father's farm and married Sarah.
The children of Samuel and Sarah BRASWELL: Micajah, Wilson, SAMPSON, Elizabeth (BRASWELL) Woodward, Sallie, Margaret, Queenie. Two possible sons were John and William although they were not mentioned in the will. In Samuel's will he mentions two grandchildren- Sampson and Polly BRASWELL, but does not indicate which son was their father or if they had different fathers.
Samuel's will clearly shows his wife's name to be Sarah and there is nothing yet to indicate that Samuel was married more than once.
THE WILL OF SAMUEL BRASWELL (1738-1794)
In the name of God- Amen
I, Samuel Braswell of the County of Nash and State of North Carolina, being of sound and perfect mind and memory (blessed be God) do this 30th day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-four, make and publish this my last will and testament in manner following that is to say:
First I give and bequeath to my beloved wife- Sarah Braswell- one negro woman named Mary Ann and one mare called Jenny to her, her heirs and assign forever.
Item, I lend to my said wife Sarah the land and plantation where I now dwell and the land and plantation where my father lived and died containing on the whole my estimation two hundred and ninety-six acres it being two parcels of land that was given me by my father also one still for and during her life or widowhood, and at her marriage or death I give the two parcels and plantation and also my still to my son Sampson Braswell to him and his heirs and assign forever.
Item, I give and bequeath to my son Micajah Braswell all the cattle that he has in his possession belonging to me. One colt called Sam and my part of a ---- to him and his heirs and assign.
Item, I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Woodard one negro man named Jack and three head of sheep to her, her heirs and assign. (They had to have wool for their cloth making.)
Item, I give and bequeath to my daughter Margaret Braswell one feather bed and furniture and young horse Jolly. The horse to be sold and the money applied to her use, and two cows and calves to her, her heirs and assign.
Item, I give and bequeath to my son Sampson Braswell one hundred acres of land I purchased of William Hunt also two hundred acres of land more of a new survey adjoining the other tract I purchased of William Hunt to him, his heirs and assign forever.
Item, I give and bequeath to my son Wilson Braswell all my land that is not bequeathed in this will to my other sons, one feather bed and furniture, two cows and calves, two sows, one rifle, one chest, one pocket compass, and the colt that his mother's mare Jinny is now with foal with to him, his heirs and assign forever.
I give and bequeath to daughter Queenie Braswell one negro man named Simon, one feather bed and furniture to her, her heirs, and assign forever.
Item, I lend to my wife Sarah one negro man named Peter, and the rest and residue of my estate of all kinds whatsoever for and during her life or widowhood and at her marriage of death I give my negro man Peter to my daughter Sallie Braswell to her, her heirs, and assign forever.
And after paying my just debts I leave to my wife Sarah all the residue of my estate during her life or widowhood, and at her marriage or death, to be equally divided between my two grandchildren to wit, Sampson and Polly Braswell, to them, their heirs, and assign forever.
And I do hereby constitute and appoint make or ordain my worthy friends Howell Ellin and Fredrick Hines executors of this my last will and testament. I witness, whereof I the said Samuel Braswell have to this my last and will and testament set my hand and seal the day and year first above written signed, sealed, published, and declared by the Samuel Braswell, the testator, as his last will and testament in the presence of us, who were present at the time of signing and sealing thereof.
James Williams; Jesse Hunt; Martha Thomas.
February Court 1795, Nash County. The foregoing will was duly proven in open court by James William.
This will of Samuel BRASWELL is an exact copy from Nash County Wills Part II, Samuel BRASWELL, 1795.
Photostat copy in the files of Dr. Roy Bennett BRASWELL.
From the department of Archives and History, Raleigh, North Carolina.