Adam Broyles Jr (1781 - 1863)

Born 7 Oct 1781 in Randolph County, North Carolina, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Rosannah Broyles — married 22 Jun 1798 in Washington County, Tennessee [uncertain]

Husband of Nancy (Doak) Mitchell — married 13 Apr 1838 in Washington County, Tenn.

Descendants

Died 15 Sep 1863 at age 81 in Washington County, Tennessee, United States

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Biography

Adam was born in 1781. He is the son of Adam Broyles and Elizabeth Walker. He passed away in 1863.

Adam was something of a character. He was a very successful businessman, founding the Broylesville Inn on Little Limestone Creek in Washington Co., Tenn., a popular stopping place for the east-west coach traffic in the mid-1800's. The hamlet of Broylesville, which developed around the Inn, included several outbuildings and the Broyles mill. The name still exists but unfortunately the inn burned to the ground in 2004. Adam is said to have entertained three U.S. presidents: Andrew Jackson and James K. Polk once each, and Andrew Johnson on many occasions. Andrew Johnson was from Greeneville, and thus had many opportunities to stay with Adam.^[1]

Adam's first wife was 12 years his senior. His second was the daughter of the Reverend Samuel Doak, a prominent figure in early East Tennessee history. Rev. Doak was a founder of Washington College in 1783, and the founder of Salem Presbyterian Church in 1780.^[1]

Adam was strongly for the Union side during the Civil War, and this position was at odds with that of some of his children, whom he practically disinherited. When he died he was wrapped in a U.S. flag presented by Col. Robert Johnson, son of the then Vice President Andrew Johnson. It is said he had pronounced features, Indian - like powerful jaws and cheekbones, yet with a kindly look in his eyes.^[1]

By 1850 it appears that his son Adam Alexander Broyles is running the Inn.

U.S. Census

c. 1788 - Adam was about 7 years old when his father moved the family from Randolph Co., N.C., to Washington Co., N.C. (now Tennessee).

22 Jun 1798 - License is issued for the marriage of Adam Broyles to (widow) Rosannah Broyles with Nathan Gann as security. Washington Co.^[6] Adam is 16 years old and Rosannah is 28!

24 Mar 1809 - Adam Broyles witnesses a sale of 162 acres from Solomon Yeager to Adam Gann.

1 Jul 1809 - Tobias Broyles sells to Adam Broyles, 100 acres on the Little Limestone, with the reservation that Adam Broyles is not to have possession until the death of Cyrus Broyles, Senr. and his wife Jean.^[7]

30 Apr 1810 - Cyrus Broyles sells to Adam Broyles a negro girl, daughter of Esther, now in Cyrus' possession, heretofore sold to John Stout, but not to be delivered until the death of Cyrus. wit: Ira Green, Joseph H. Green.^[7]

3 Jul 1810 - Daniel Broyles, Tobias Broyles, and Adam Broyles, Jr., sell to Thomas Telford land on the Little Limestone, including the Broyles mill and a set of saw mill irons.^[7] Note that Adam came into this through his wife Rosannah, widow of Reuben.

1814...1819 - Adam Broyles is taxed for 210 acres in Washington Co., Tenn.

6 Mar 1824 - Adam lends $17.50 to Cyrus.^[7]

28 Feb 1826 - He again lends $75.00 to Cyrus.^[7]

16 Jun 1829 - William Vaught and wife Lean Vaught, formerly Lean Broyls, of Jackson Co., Ala, sell to Adam Broyls in Washington Co., Tenn. wit: Selina Broyles and Samuel Mauk. Lean was Adam's stepdaughter by his first wife.

13 Apr 1838 - Adam marries Nancy (Doak) Mitchell.

21 Dec 1847 - The will of Ira Green asks for legal action against Adam Broyles, Senior, if Adam's will doesn't have provision in agreement with a bond entered into by Adam and the heirs of Reuben Broyles.^[8] This is an interesting case. Ira's wife was Mary Broyles, Adam's stepdaughter by his first wife. Adam undoubtedly raised Rosannah's children, and it seems Ira was concerned that his wife be dealt into Adam's estate on an equal footing with Adam's natural heirs.

1850 - He is listed in the Washington Co., Tenn, census. Given as a farmer with $5300 worth of property, which makes him rather well off.

24 Mar 1862 - He writes his will. Washington Co. Wife Nancy to receive interest on $1000 and her wearing clothes-- levity and justice be extended to her. Daughter Mary, wife of Ira Green who brought suit against me in Chancery Court-- 1/2 share. Daughter Elizabeth Bacon formerly Elizabeth Collett whose husband A. Collett was connected to the lawsuit-- 1/2 share. Rosannah Prater and her heirs-- 1 share. Children of Leann Vaught-- 1 share. Malinda Tral?-- 1 share. John Bowman and his children-- 1 share. Isaac Broyles-- 1 share. Executors: son Isaac Broyles and William J. Strain. Witnesses: E.L. Mathes, Daniel Moore, John H. Greenway.^[9] The 1/2 share he gave his two stepdaughters are punishment for the suit -- he gave the other children full shares!

December Term 1863 - The will is proven.

25 Sep 1868 - Nancy Broyles, formerly Nancy Mitchell, writes her will in Washington Co., Tenn. She mentions her sons by her first marriage to William Mitchell. Probated in December 1874.^[10]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Keith, Prof. Arthur Leslie, The Broyles Family, c. 1940, typescript, Rosina Broyles, id#52
2. ↑ Roll 175, Page 237
3. ↑ Roll 535, Page 243
4. ↑ 1850 census, page 161
5. ↑ District 3, Page 44
6. ↑ Burgner, Goldene Fillers, Washington Co., Tenn., Marriages 1780-1870, Southern Historical Press, 1985, p5
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4} Keith, Prof. Arthur Leslie, The Broyles Family, c. 1940, typescript, Cyrus Broyles, id#8
8. ↑ Burgner, Goldene Fillers, Washington Co., Tenn., Wills 1777-1872, Southern Historical Press, 1983, p46
9. ↑ Burgner, Wills, p68
10. ↑ Burgner, Wills, p87

• The Germanna Record, No. 13 - The Blankenbaker, Weaver, and Wilhoit Families, The Memorial Foundation of the Germanna Colonies, Inc., Publishers, 2006

• Wilhite/Wilhoit & Allied Descendants of Johann Michael and Anna Maria (Hengsteler) Wilheit 1671-1994 Compiled by Mary F. Mickey

• "Tennessee, Marriages, 1796-1950," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XDS9-G52 : accessed 17 January 2015), Adam Broyles and Rosannah Broyles, 22 Jun 1798; citing , Washington, Tennessee, reference 2:1TPK5JF; FHL microfilm 825,507.