Johann Michael Braun (1721 - 1807)

Born 19 Oct 1721 in Ruschberg, Birkenfeld, Germany

Ancestors

Husband of Margareta Catereni (Shamback) Braun — married about 1750 in Rowan, North Carolina

Husband of Rosanna (Fisher) Braun — married 1772 in Rowan County, North Carolina

Husband of Eleanor (Wakefield) Braun — married 22 Mar 1804 in Salisbury, Rowan Co NC

Descendants

Died 1 Dec 1807 in Salisbury, Rowan, North Carolina, United States

Profile managers: Cynthia Denise Griffin [send private message] and Paul Carson [send private message]

Categories: German Roots | Palatine Migrants | Salisbury, North Carolina | Rowan County, North Carolina, Early Settlers.

Michael Braun has German ancestry. Join: German Roots Project Discuss: german_roots

Michael Braun was a Palatine Migrant. Join: Palatine Migration Project Discuss: palatine_migration

Biography

Old Stone House from Visit NC Rowan County website. Granite Quarry, Rowan, North Carolina, USA built by Michael Braun Brown.

The “Old Stone House,” built for Michael Braun (Brown) in 1766, is a significant reminder of the influence of German immigrants in the Yadkin River valley. Described by architectural historian Thomas T. Waterman as the “noblest of the North Carolina stone houses,” the building remained the home of the Braun family until 1911 when it was sold to Benjamin Sumner. In 1959 the Rowan Museum purchased it, and the former domicile became a museum honoring the Brauns.

Old Stone House Historical Marker Rowan North Carolina USA. Source North Carolina Highway Historical Marker Program http://www.ncmarkers.com/Markers.aspx?sp=Markers&k=Markers&sv=L-79

Set on a high water table and covered by a gable roof, the two-story stone structure has a four-bay front facing south and a one-story frame kitchen on the east elevation. Just above and to the right of the main entrance is a stone slab inscribed with the names of Michael Braun and his wife and the lettering, “10-Pe-Me-Be-Mi-Ch-Da-1766”. This appears to be an abbreviation of the German phrase, “Pensum Meines Bendigem Mit Christim Dank” meaning “My undertaking completed thanks to God.” The 10 and 1766 refer to the date of completion, October 1766.

Old Stone House celebrating 250th anniversary this year By Amanda Raymond Salisbury Post 25 Aug 2016. Submitted photo This Theo Beurbaum Postcard from the late 1800s shows the original Old Stone House near Granite Quarry, built in 1766. http://www.salisbu

Born in 1721 in Hesse-Darmstadt, Michael Braun immigrated to the American colonies, arriving in Philadelphia aboard the vessel St. Andrew Galley in September 1737. He remained in Pennsylvania for twenty years, becoming a wheelwright and printer. In the 1750s, Braun moved his wife Margaureta and two young sons to Rowan County along the Great Wagon Road. He purchased several acres from John Dunn. Braun bought and speculated on property in and around Salisbury before finally settling near present-day Granite Falls.

In 1761, Braun served as a county constable and magistrate, followed in 1765 by service as an overseer of roads. He owned and operated several businesses, amassing a sizable income off of an ordinary, tannery, and the renting out of at least two other houses. By 1790 Braun owned fifteen slaves.

Braun served as a justice of the peace for the county in 1777. There remains no record of his activities during the Revolution, and it is unknown what his allegiances were. Tradition states that Cornwallis’s army camped in front of Braun’s stone house on February 2, 1781, during the Guilford Courthouse campaign.

Braun married three times and had at least ten children, several of whom died in childhood. Braun wrote his will on October 12, 1807, and died the following February. In his will, he left the house to his third wife Eleanor, who was pregnant, appointing Montford Stokes the guardian of the unborn child.

LAND GRANTS TO MICHAEL BRAUN IN ROWAN NORTH CAROLINA

The records in the Department of State, at Raleigh, show that four grants were issued to Michael Brown himself, that two others were issued to him and John Dunn jointly and a seventh was issued to Michael Brown and Frederick Fisher in trust of the congregation of the Dutch Pine Meeting House. We herewith publish these grants, copies of which were furnished from the office of the Secretary of State. Supposing that he and John Dunn equally shared in the grants issued to them jointly, these grants alone make him the possessor of more than one thousand acres. This does not include property which he purchased, records of which are to be found in the office of the Register of Deeds at Salisbury.

Book 80, page 482. File 3022. State of North Carolina. No. 2202.

Know Ye That We have granted unto Michael Brown and Frederick Fisher in trust of the congregation of the Dutch Pine Meeting House One hundred and eighteen acres of land in our County of Rowan On the West side of the South fork of Crane creek beginning at a large White Oak near the meeting house Conrad Breams comer and running South sixty-two degrees West fifty chains to a black jack oak thence South twenty-two degrees East fifteen chains to a white oak thence East thirty-seven chains to a black oak then North twenty-one chains to a hickory then East ten chains and fifty links to an oak then eight chains and seventy-five links to a post oak then to the Beginning. To hold to the said Brown and Fisher and their survivors and successors forever dated 26th of November, 1773.

Richard Dobbs Spaight. J. Glasgow, Secretary.

Book 67, page 113. File 2155. State of North Carolina. No. 1370.

Know Ye That We have given and granted unto John Dunn & Michael Brown a Tract of Land in our County of Rowan containing Three hundred Acres on the South side of Dunns Mountain and on the Waters of Crane creek and Beginning at a post oak South of a branch runs North fifteen chains to a small hickory East fifteen chains to a small red oak thence North thirty-five chains to a post oak thence West sixty-five chains to a hickory South fifty chains to a small red oak thence East to the Beginning. To Hold unto the said John Dunn & Michael Brown their Heirs and Assigns forever dated the 25th of October, 1786.

R. CasweI/I/. J. GiyASGow, Secretary,

Book 67, page 191. File 2359. State of North Carolina. No. 1574.

Know ye that We have given and granted unto Michael Brown a Tract of land Containing Thirty Acres lying and being in our County of Rowan On the East side of Crane creek — Beginning at a black oak on the line of said Browns of another Tract and corner to another Tract that said Brown bought of John Dunn and runs North fifteen chains to a black oak by the head of a spring his Corner then along his line East twenty chains to a Maple then South fifteen chains to a stake on Jacob Browns line then along his line West to the Beginning. To hold to the said Michael Brown his Heirs and Assigns forever dated the 9th day of August, 1787.

R. Caswell. J. Glasgow, Secretary,

Book 67, page 146. File 2246. State of North Carolina. No. 1461.

Know ye that We have given and granted unto Michael Brown a Tract of land in Our County of Rowan containing Three hundred and seventy- four Acres On the Waters of the middle fork of Crane creek and the waters of the South fork of said Creek including a part of Dunns Mountain. Beginning at a black oak Charles Dunns comer and runs West thirty-five chains to a Lightwood stake in Jacob Browns field and on said Brown line thence along his line South fifty-three chains to the centre between the black oak in an old road then West twenty-eight chains to a hickory said Browns comer then South along Michael Browns line thirty chains to a stake on the line of another tract then along that line East sixty-three chains to a stake Charles Dunns comer thence along his line North to the Beginning. To' Hold unto the said Michael Brown His Heirs and Assigns forever dated the 9th day of August, 1787.

R. Caswell. J. Glasgow, Secretary.

Book 114, page 32. File 3594. State of North Carolina. No. 2764.

Know ye that We have granted unto Michael Brown & John Dunn Five hundred and forty- seven Acres of Land in Rowan County lying on the Waters of Crane Creek Beginning at a White Oak in their West line of another tract, and runs South fifteen chains to a black Oak Sapling, thence West thirty chains to a black oak Sapling, South twenty-five chains to a Post Oak, West thirty-five chains to a black oak on William McBrides line, North four and a half chains to a White Oak said McBrides comer West forty chains to a post oak said McBrides comer North forty chains to a post Oak on Michael Brown's line. East twelve and a half chains to a black oak, North forty-five chains to a black jack on Jacob Browns line and Michael Brown's comer. East fifty chains to a Hickory comer to their former survey. South forty-nine chains and fifty links to a small red Oak said Dunn's & Brown's comer, thence East to the Beginning. To Hold to the said Michael Brown & John Dunn their Heirs and Assigns forever. Dated the 12th of December, 1801.

B. WiLLIAMS. Will, White, Secretary.

Book 121, Page 104. File 3699. State of North Carolina. No. 2877.

Know Ye, that we, have granted unto Michael Brown eighty acres of land in Rowan County lying on the branches of Crane Creek. Beginning at a black oak bush John Brown's comer in the said Michael Browns old line on the East side of the Pee dee road and running thence with Johns line South thirty-four chains to a black oak David Gamers Comer on the top of a hill, thence with his line East twenty-three chains and fifty links crossing the road to a black jack in said Brown's old line, thence with the same North thirty-four chains to a stake his comer, thence with the same again West to the Beginning. Entered 19th January, 1802. To Hold to the said Michael Brown his heirs and assigns forever, dated 28th November, 1805.

J. Turner. Will White, Secretary.

Book 121, page 102. File 3696. State of North Carolina. No. 2874.

Know Ye, that we, have granted unto Michael Brown Senr. one hundred and three acres of land in Rowan County on the Waters of Crane creek, Beginning at a hickory formerly supposed to be the North East comer of his old tract and is a comer of a tract of three hundred and seventy- four acres of which includes Dunns Mountain, thence with the line of the said tract South three degrees East one hundred and twenty poles to a stake its corner, thence with its line East thirty- six poles to a black Jack a comer to a tract of five hundred and forty-seven acres, thence with its line South one hundred and ninety-eight poles to a Small black Jack, thence West fifty pole to a small dead post oak On the line of an eighty acre tract thence North twenty-two pole to a black Jack, thence West nine pole to a dead black oak a comer of the old tract thence North three degrees West two hundred and ninety-six pole to a small black oak and white oak thence East thirty- four pole to the beginning. Entered 14th March, 1804. To Hold to the said Michael Brown his heirs and assigns forever dated 28th November, 1805.

J. Turner. Will White, Secretary.

Note

Note: Michael Braun house

http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=image&guid=e7d3bada-4f5d-4e63-a95c-0235b8efce41&tid=47674996&pid=392

Note: Android Photo

http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=image&guid=8b1ddd6e-f0fe-44a0-95cb-1ea86b2c650c&tid=47674996&pid=392

Note: Michael Braun's Old Stone House

http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=image&guid=752bb463-d7c2-41b6-8406-33cc1d3c1a01&tid=47674996&pid=392

Note: Android Photo

http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=image&guid=844f1630-82bd-4404-b4a6-4591dcc14eae&tid=47674996&pid=392

Note: Android Photo

http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=image&guid=93a62128-8ab6-454e-b296-7faa36a25f6a&tid=47674996&pid=392

Note: Android Photo

http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=image&guid=15832207-f06f-4569-8a55-9bfa19753e91&tid=47674996&pid=392

Note: Android Photo

http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=image&guid=d388cfbd-7065-41fa-b117-d5c271436665&tid=47674996&pid=392

Note: Michael Braun historical grave marker

http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=image&guid=3a176319-bab8-44ce-aea9-dc70e428d2b5&tid=47674996&pid=392

Note: Android Photo

http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=image&guid=2ed1ef63-e6a0-40f2-94b6-e07e383518ad&tid=47674996&pid=392

Sources

• https://archive.org/stream/ahistorymichael00browgoog/ahistorymichael00browgoog_djvu.txt

• https://www.visitnc.com/listing/old-stone-house

• http://www.ncpedia.org/biography/braun-or-brown-Michael

• Richard L. Brown, A History of the Michael Brown Family (1921). https://archive.org/details/historyofmichael00brow

• Roscoe Brown Fisher, Michael Braun (Brown) of the Old Stone House, His Influence and Descendants (1975).

• McCubbins Collection, Rowan Public Library (Salisbury).

• Rowan County wills, deeds, inferior court minutes (North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh).

• Jethro Rumple, A History of Rowan County(1881). https://archive.org/details/historyofrowanco00rump

• Carl Hammer Jr., Rhinelanders on the Yadkin: the Story of the Pennsylvania Germans in Rowan and Cabarrus Counties North Carolina (1965)

• William S. Powell, ed., Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, I, 215—sketch by Michael Braun by Jo White Linn

• Davyd Foard Hood, The Architecture of Rowan County (1983)

• https://www.ourstate.com/old-stone-house-rowan-county/

• https://youtu.be/DuMCtej6An8

• Old Stone House celebrating 250th anniversary this year By Amanda Raymond http://www.salisburypost.com/2016/08/25/old-stone-house-celebrating-250th-anniversary/

• http://www.visitsalisburync.com/things-to-do/historic-attractions/?id=68

• https://www.facebook.com/pages/Old-Stone-House-Michael-Braun-House/682825505122310

• https://www.stoppingpoints.com/north-carolina/sights.cgi?marker=Old+Stone+House&cnty=rowan

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Braun_House

• National Park Service (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.

• John B. Wells, III (May 1971). "Michael Braun House". National Register of Historic Places - Nomination and Inventory. North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office. Retrieved 2015-02-01.

• Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) No. NC-149, "Michael Braun House, State Route 2308, Granite Quarry, Rowan County, NC".

• US Census, 1790, Rowan County, North Carolina

• Source: S-1734746729 Repository: #R-1782501651 Title: Family Data Collection - Deaths Author: Edmund West, comp. Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2001. Note: APID: 1,5771::0
• Repository: R-1782501651 Name: Ancestry.com Address: http://www.Ancestry.com Note:

• Source: S-1734903621 Repository: #R-1782501651 Title: U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 Author: Yates Publishing Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.Original data - This unique collection of records was extracted from a variety of sources including family group sheets and electronic databases. Originally, the information was derived Note: APID: 1,7836::0

• Source: S-1734903644 Repository: #R-1782501651 Title: Family Data Collection - Births Author: Edmund West, comp. Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2001. Note: APID: 1,5769::0

• Source: S-1738591264 Repository: #R-1782501651 Title: U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970 Author: Ancestry.com Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.Original data - Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970. Louisville, Kentucky: National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Microfilm, 508 rolls Note: APID: 1,2204::0

• Source: S-1739022970 Repository: #R-1782501651 Title: Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s Author: Gale Research Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, 2010.Original data - Filby, P. William, ed. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s. Farmington Hills, MI, USA: Gale Research, 2010.Original data: Filby, P. William, ed. Passenge Note: APID: 1,7486::0

• Source: S-1739023034 Repository: #R-1782501651 Title: Pennsylvania Census, 1772-1890 Author: Jackson, Ronald V., Accelerated Indexing Systems, comp. Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1999.Original data - Compiled and digitized by Mr. Jackson and AIS from microfilmed schedules of the U.S. Federal Decennial Census, territorial/state censuses, and/or census substitutes.Orig Note: APID: 1,3570::0

• Source: S-1739074994 Repository: #R-1782501651 Title: Ancestry Family Trees Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members. Note: This information comes from 1 or more individual Ancestry Family Tree files. This source citation points you to a current version of those files. Note: The owners of these tree files may have removed or changed information since this source citation was created. Page: Ancestry Family Trees Data: Text: http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=47674996&pid=392

• http://www.ourfamtree.org/browse.php/Johann-Michael-Braun/f244764

• http://www.tribalpages.com/family-tree/familypearls

• http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/b/a/g/Holly-N-Bagshaw/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0933.html

• http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/g/u/t/Donald-Guthrie/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0318.html

• http://www.fmoran.com/motsinger.html

• “The Ancestors and Descendants of Abraham (Braun) Brown, the Miller - the Ancestors and Descendants of Jacob (Braun) Brown, the Wagonmaker,” 1983, compiled and edited by John Burgess Fisher, Dorothy Brown Koller, Margaret Brown Anderson. https://familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=84277&disp

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