Benjamin Brain (abt. 1767 - 1849)

Born about 1767 in Preston, Virginia [uncertain]

Husband of Susannah Alicinda (Howell) Brain — married 1807 in Alleghany County. Md

Descendants

Died 7 May 1849 at about age 82 in Marion, Virginia, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Louis Erthal [send private message]

Biography

Benjamin was captured by the Indians in 1779 and was adopted by the chief of the tribe and escaped at the age of 18 after 6 years of living with the Indians. His father James was tomahawked and scalped. This happened in April 11, 1779 at Snowy Creek. now county of Preston. He emigrated from England at the age of 10 years old. Written in family Bible. It also says he was a Jr. and his father was Benjamin Sr. Something does not add up. More research needed to confirm this.

Born ABT 1767 probably Preston County, Virginia.

Died ABT MAY 1849. Marion County, Virginia. Note: will proved 7 May 1849. Buried at Pleasant Dale Cemetery Selbyville W.V. Find a grave says he is a Jr. unsure about this.

Notes

From The History of Upshur County, West Virginia: From its Earliest Exploration, by W. B. Cutright, 1907, p. 397-98: "Benjamin Brain, the ancestor of the family in this part of the state emigrated from England to the United States when a mere boy, and after wandering several years from settlement to settlement, he married and lived at a fort on the frontier on the waters of Snowy Creek [now Preston County]. In 1779, he and his two sons had an encounter with the vindictive savages, who frequented the neighborhood about the fort, which protected his family. Benjamin was killed and the two sons, Benjamin, Jr., twelve years of age, and Isaac, nine years of age were taken into captivity. Benjamin, Jr., was carried into the Northwestern territory across the Ohio river and was there adopted into the family of the chief of the tribe which had captured him. Isaac was carried South by the Indians and contracted a fever, which caused his death. Benjamin, Jr., escaped from the Indians after living with them six years, returned home and married at the age of twenty-nine. His children were: Elijah H., James, Rachel, Annie, Miriam."

A more detailed version of this story is in Chronicles of Border Warfare: Or, a History of the Settlement by the Whites, of Northwestern Virginia, and of the Indian Wars and Massacres, in that Section of the State, Alexander Scott Withers (Stewart & Kidd Company, 1895), chapter XII, pp. 202 - 204, which says Benjamin's father's name was James, not Benjamin.

I cannot find the family in the 1800 census.

Census

1810 Monongalia County, Virginia. ^[1]

Benjamin Brain - males: one under 10, one 10 to 16, one over 45; females: three under 10, one 10 to 16, one 26 to 45

1820 Monongalia County, Virginia. ^[2]

Benjamin Brain - males: one 10 to 16, one 16 to 26, one over 45; females: two under 10, two 10 to 16, one over 45

1830 Monongalia County, Virginia. ^[3]

Benjamin Brain - males: one 20 to 30, one 60 to 70; females: one under 5, one 10 to 15, one 15 to 20, one 20 to 30, one 50 to 60

1840 Monongalia County, Virginia. ^[4]

Benjamin Brain - males: one 70 to 80; females: one 10 to 15, one 40 to 50, one 60 to 70

Probate: Marion County, Virginia. Will dated 7 Apr 1849 and proved 7 May 1849. Some excerpts: I Benjamin Brain of the County of Marion and State of Virginia being weak and infirm in body but of sound mind and disposing memory ... to my son Elijah H. Brain the tract of land on which I now reside containing one hundred acres, together with the appurtenances thereunto belonging, subject to the following conditions and reservations: 1st he is to pay my daughter Rachel Brain the sum of fifteen dollars annually after my decease toward her support and to pay all my just debts and funeral expenses; 2nd the land etc to remain under my control until my death; 3rd he is to maintain and support my dearly beloved wife, Susannah during her natural life, should she survive my death, comfortably; 4th he is hereby required to pay my two daughters, Ann Vincent and Mariam Swisher the sum of Twenty five dollars each which I hereby bequeath to them as legatees, within three years after my decease. I hereby bequeath to my three daughters, Rachel, Ann and Mariam all my personal estate to be equally divided between them after my decease. I hereby bequeath to my son James Brain the iron wedge that was given to me by my father, and one dollar to be paid to him by my son Elijah, having already given him what I consider he is entitled to out of my estate. I hereby bequeath to my daughter Sarah Maxfield and her husband ten dollars to be paid to them by my son Elijah H. Brain. I hereby appoint Alpheus F. Haymond executor. Witnesses Hillery Boggys and Lindsay Boggys Jr. ^[5]

Marriage Husband Benjamin Brain. Wife Susannah Howell. SAY 1794. Note: date based on birth of first known child about 1795. The story above suggests he married at 29, which would be about 1796.

Sources

1. ↑ Source: #S9 p. 486
2. ↑ Source: #S9 Eastern Division, p. 204
3. ↑ Source: #S9 Eastern Division, p. 340
4. ↑ Source: #S9 Eastern Division, p. 33
5. ↑ Source: #S40 Name: Benjamin Brain Event Type: Will Event Place: Marion , West Virginia, United States Page: 108 Volume: Will book, v. 01 1842-1863 GS Film Number: 0834447 , Digital Folder Number: 004713629 , Image Number: 00071

• Source: S40 West Virginia Will Books, 1756 - 1971 at familysearch.org

• Source: S9 census