1767 - TWO HENRY BRASWELLS

The following deed proves that there were two Henry Braswells in the Braswell family of Orange County, North Carolina. Henry the grantor below used an (H) when he signed his documents. He is the Henry who had an illegitimate son with Anna Yarborough. He was also married to Sarah Blake and had two children with her, Blake William Braswell and Cynthia. This Henry (H) Brassell is sometimes purported to be the son of Valentine Braswell and Jane Pope, but when you study the records you find two Henry Braswells in the following deed, and it seems very unlikely Valentine and Jane's grandchildren would be born in the late 1770's, about a hundred years later.

Henry (H) Brassell, the grantor must sign his deed, but he cannot be a witness for himself. Henry (X) Brassell, the witness in the deed cannot be the son of Henry the grantor because Henry (H) used the same mark on his 1784 Chatham County North Carolina Will wherein he named his daughter Cynthia, and his son Blake William Braswell, and provided 20 pounds for the education of Eli Yarborough. It is quite likely that Jane Pope would name a son Henry after her father. And it is also quite likely that this Henry Braswell might name a son after himself. In the absence of records we are left to speculate, but let it be after the surviving records are thoroughly examined and studied.

This Indenture Made this 12th day of March in the year of Our Lord 1767 Between Henry Brassell & James Stringfield of Orange County and Province of North Carolina both of one one part & Abraham Granheron of the County & Province aforesaid of the other part. Witnesseth that they the said Henry Brassell & James Stringfield for & in consideration of the sum of 30 pounds Proclamamtion Money to them in hand paid by the said Abraham Granheron before the ensealing & delivery of thes presents the receipt whereof the said Henry Brassell & James Stringfield doth hereby acknowledge & therewith fully satisfied

Contented & paid and doth hereby acquit & discharge the said Abraham Heron his heirs executors & administrators forever by these presents hath given granted bargained sold enfeoffed & confirmed unto the said Abraham Heron his heirs executors administrators & assigns forever all the Estate right & title to a certain tract or parcel of land by istimation 200 acres be the same more or less lying & being in Cumberland County in the Province of North Carolina on the South Side of Cape Fear beginning at a pine on Bush Creek thence running East to a Stake thence South to a Stake thence West to a Stake thence North to the first Station together with all Houses Edifices Orchards buildings & all other the profits commodities heraditaments & appurtenanus to the same belonging or in any wise appertaining & the Reversion or Reversions Remainder & Remainders Thereof. To have & to hold the said land & premises & all & singular the appartenances hereby given or intended to be given granted bargained sold enfeoffed conveyed & confirmed to the said Abraham Heron & to his heirs & assigns forever sufficiently saved 7 indimnified of & from all other gifts grants bargains sales leases or any other incumberances whatsoever done made or consented done or suffired done by them the said Henry Brassell & James Stringfield or any other person or persons whatsoever & they do hereby warrant & forever defend the said land & bargained premises

with all & singular the appertinances thereto belonging or in any ways appertaining unto him the said Abraham Heron his heirs executors administrators & assigns forever against the lawful claim or claims of any person or persons whatsoever In Witness whereof have hereunto set

our hands & fixed our Seals the day & date above written.

Henry his H mark Brassell {Seal}

James his X mark Stringfield {Seal}

Signed Sealed & delivered in presence of}

John Nicholson}

Susannah her X mark Nicholson} North Carolina Cumberland County

Henry his X mark Brassell} July Term 1768

Then was the execution of this Deed in Open Court in due form of Law proved by th (cut off)

Oath of Henry Brassell & Ordered to be Recorded. Registered in Registers Office

of Said County in Book C Folio 229. Thomas Rutherford C.C.