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Richard Bracewell II (also spelled Braswell) was born between 1672 and 1678 in Isle of Wight, Virginia to Richard Bracewell and Sarah (unknown). He is the grandson of the Reverend Robert Bracewell of London, England.
He married Eleanor Bryant also spelled Elinor, (some say perhaps Eleanor Wimbley) the mother of Richard III and possibly other children.
He moved to Chowan Co., North Carolina about 1712 (called later Bertie Co.).
One of the last times we have a record of Elinor is her signing off on a sale of property deed dated 1727. Richard Senr. sold property in 1728 and Elinor did not sign off. Elinor also was a witness to Thomas Wimberly's will in Feb. 1732."[1]
Several Braswell's appeared in Edgecombe Co. that could have been offspring of Richard II and brothers to Richard III. The name Jacob that appears in Wimberly’s will along with "young Rich" who we believe is Richard III is a strong possibility. There is no way of being sure there were others or how many.
He also had children with his paramour Ann Carver but they were never married. He was still married to Elinor while living with Ann Carver.
Some researchers have this Richard taking up with Ann Carver by 1720. Ann's children are illegitimate as proven by later court records.
Richard II moved to Edgecombe Co. North Carolina about 1730.
About 20 May 1745 (in Edgecombe County, North Carolina), he was arrested for counterfeiting.
He claimed land in the extreme southern part of Nash Co, NC, on White Oak Swamp. When he divided his property among his sons in 1747 he had over a thousand acres of land and 30 slaves.[2]
Spouse and Children:
"Spouse" #2 and Children:
In 1747 Richard made deeds of gifts to his four children by Ann Carver. He distributed his estate in 1747 by deed of gift to his four Braswell/Carver children: William, Robert, David and Sarah. This is recorded in Halifax Deed Book 3, pages 177-180. If so, then he distributed his property twice, once in 1747 to Anne Carver's children and earlier in a will dated 1744 to Eleanor's children.
1747 - November 18, Richard Braswell Sr. of Edgecombe County to Robert born of the body of Ann Carver and commonly known by the name of Robert Braswell 5 pounds lawfull sterling money of Great Britain and the natural love and affection I bear the said Robert 444 acres being the plantation whereon I now dwell, all houses etc. and also 9 negroes and 1 still Wit: Thomas Barker, William Magee Reg Edgecombe County Nov Court 1747 Robert Forster C. Ct. (Edgecombe Co., NC BK 3 Pg 177) CTC
18th November 1747 - Richard Bracewell of Edgecombe County deeded for 5 pound Sterling money of Great Britain to Robert born of the body of Ann Carver and commonly known by the name Robert Braswell and for and in consideration of the natural love and affection I have & bear to the said Robert Braswell nine slaves, one still and the plantation whereon I now dwell and all the land belonging to the same in Edgecombe County containing in the whole four hundred & forty acres. Witness: Thomas Barker, William Magee (Halifax County Deed Book 3, p 178) Robert then deeded this property to William Bryant sometime later.
- Robert Carver alias "Braswell" of Bladen sold to William Bryant 445 acres in Edgecombe, granted to Richard Braswell 24 Feb. 1728. This land was given by Richard Bracewell, Senr. to his son Robert commonly called Robert Braswell in 1747. (Hal. DB 4, p. 399)
1747 - November 18, Richard Braswell Sr. of Edgecombe County to William my son, the son of Anne Carver commonly known by the name William Braswell 5 pounds sterling money of Great Britain and the natural love and affection I bear the said William 300 acres a plantation at White Oak Swamp whereon my negro Jack now lives, 10 negroes and household goods. Wit: Thomas Barker, William Magee Reg. Edgecombe County Nov Court 1747 R. Forster C. Ct. (Edgecombe Co., NC DB 3 Pg 178) CTC
1747 - November 18, Richard Braswell Sr. of Edgecombe County to David Braswell for the love and affection I bear my son and pounds sterling money of Great Britain 200 acres a plantation at maple Swamp and 9 negroes, stock and furniture. wit: Thomas Barker, William Magee Reg. Edgecombe County Nov Court 1747 R. Forster C. Ct. (Edgecombe Co., NC DB 3 Pg 179) David is later referred to as "an illegitimate son of Richard Braswell Deceased."
1747 - November 18, Richard Braswell Sr. of Edgecombe County to Sarah Braswell for the love and affection I bear my daughter, slaves and goods Wit: Thomas Barker, William Magee Reg. Edgecombe County Nov Court 1747 C. Ct. (Edgecombe Co., NC DB 3 Pg 180)
He moved to Bladen Co. (later Cumberland Co.) about 1750 where he died in 1758 without will while his estate was in dispute due to lands questioned by children of Elinor Braswell and Ann Carver.
Ann Carver, David, Sarah, Robert, William – Richard Braswell II fathered four children by Ann Carver as he so stated in Halifax County Deed Book 3, pp. 177/178: on the date of 18 November 1747. No record of a marriage between Ann and Richard has been found. On some later documents she is styled as his wife or widow. No will or estate papers for this Richard II has been found. It appears he died suddenly and probably intestate. There is also a strong probability that he had deeded all of his property to his children well in advance his death.
See also:
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edited by David Douglass
edited by Karen Brubaker