Andersons of Colonial N. Carolina

There is an old saying… “Don’t believe anything you hear and only half of what you see”.  The more I play “genealogist”, the more I ponder that old saying.

Danny Brown, one of my commenters, keeps me on my toes with these guys… I say that with respect because I value criticism with what in many cases are clashes of theories.  His theory goes somewhat like this…

Immigrant William Boddie (Body) arrives in Isle of Wight and shortly thereafter imports a John Browne who shortly thereafter marries Boddie’s daughter.  In Boddie’s will he names two grandsons- William and Thomas Browne.  All this is a PROVEN FACT.

Some researchers have chosen to extrapolate those facts and declare that the above mentioned William and Thomas Browne were the two men who left wills in North Carolina in 1718.  There are scads of family histories online merrily stitching the NC Brownes to the Boddies and on down the line to Aunt Agnes in Cleveland.

Undaunted by mere facts, I have a problem with those two NC Brownes… I think they may have been sons of another John Browne… the Indian Trader.

It can be proven, beyond a reasonable doubt in my opinion, that William Browne (of NC, d.1719) married Martha Braswell of IOW (granddaughter of Robert Braswell the minister).  Braswell researchers have done an admirable job of establishing those, dare I say,  facts.

Now prepare to get confused… my commenting bud Danny Brown has some impressive facts to back up his theory-

“It is to be noted that JohnBrowne, Shipwright,[son-in-law of Boddie] was also a headright of Captain Anthony Fulgham in 1664 and was his nearby neighbor on Pagan’s shore.On 23 Nov 1675 Robert Smyth, Mariner, paid John Browne, Shipwright, 10,000 lbs. of tobacco for the hull of a new Bark lately built called “Isabella” of 40 tons then riding at PaganCreek. Robert Smyth, here listed, appears to have been a Robt.Smyth, Sr., and was noted in John Fulgham’s quit claim deed to Anthony Fulgham in 1669 as being his deceased father, Capt.Anthony’s, tenant on Pagan’s shore. Isle of Wight Countyrecords document that the bark Isabella, belonging the Robert Smyth, aged about 22 years, was pressed into his Majesties service 9 April 1677 (during Bacon’s Rebellion) and was castaway.”

The minister Robert Braswell lived nearby.  It seems almost certain that the granddaughter of Braswell and the son of John Browne would have known each other.  Ponder some Braswell notes here…  https://sites.google.com/site/braswellgenealogy/1719—william-browne-s-will

To date, I have not found a “smoking gun” proof to back up my theory… but then, I’m half blind and can’t hear.

Note the signature “mark” of a John Browne who appears to be the son-in-law of William Boddie:

Note the sig mark of Jown Browne of IOW (Nansemond) (the Indian Trader):

I’m still trying to dig up a signature for William Browne of NC… in the meantime here is his brother Thomas while still in Isle of Wight…

Like father, like son?  Chip off the old T, er block? What do you think?     A nagging question I have… if a skilled tradesman like a shipwright had sons, wouldn’t it make sense to pass on the trade to the boys….  and, like, hang around shipyards?

The dirty details are here…

https://andersonnc.wordpress.com/john-browne-of-kingsale-1639-1713-indian-trader/

———————————-

Some thoughts on who and where the son-in-law of William Boddie may have wound up…

William Boddie, father-in-law of John Browne, patented land in 1661 in Isle of Wight.  John Browne probably arrived in Virginia about that time.

This is my guess of where that property was … on the Blackwater River in Surry County…

Seems reasonable to me a man with a trade of “shipwright” would be comfortable living by a river… hell, he might even make a living building boats to haul tobacco and such up and down said river?

Rent Roll of all the Lands held of her Majtie In Surry County Anno Domini 1704

B

Baker Henry Coll 850

Bruton James 500

Bennett James 200

Bland Sarah 1455

Browne Jno 600

Benbridge George 200

Bighton Richard 590

John Bell 180

Berham Robert 650

Blake Wm 200

Browne Edward 200

Bincham Jno 100

Bennett Richard 200

Baker Sarah 50

Briggs Sarah 300

Baxter Joell 100

Briggs Samuel 300

Blico Christopher 50

Brigs Charles 331

Brigs Henry 100

Bentley 180

Blackbun Wm 150

Blunt Thomas 1355

Bookey, Edward 180

Browne Wm Coll 2510

Browne Wm Capt 398

Bineham James 157

Bullock Mary 100

Barker Jno 1160

Bagley Peter 100

Barker Jery 420

Bunell Hezichiah 150

Bougher Phill 100

Baile Jno 250

Bagley Edward 350

——————

A List of her Majtys Qt Rents For the Isle Wighte County in the Year 1704

Wm Brown 150

Jno Browne 100

——————

misc note of a John Browne of Surry County…1695ish… (note all the folks involved in this case)

source of notes:   http://www.lamartin.com/genealogy/nicholas_sessoms.htm

Source: Surry County, Virginia Order Book 1671-1691 p: 453. 7br. 2d. 1684:
“Nicholas Sessums bringing to this Court agt. Tho. Mather for severall abusive words he had spoaken agt. the said Sessums & his wife, and the said Mather appearing in Court and acknowledomg a wrighting under his hand whereby it appeares what he had spoaken was false and that he was sorry for it, with which the said Sessums being satisfied, with his Consent the accon. is dismist the said Mather paying costs als. Excn.”

Source: Surry County, Virginia Order Book 1691-1713 p: 20:

“Judgment is granted Ni. Sessums against Thomas MATHARS for seven hundred & Eighty pds of tobo. being the ballance of a bond dated the 28th. of 8br. 1687, It is therefore Ordered that the said MATHARS (sic) pay the same with Costs als Exo.”

p: 31: Mar 1691: “Nicho. Sessums and John Hold Churchwardens of Lawnes Creeke Pish haveing Caused Jno. Phillips to be sumoned to give security to save the said Pish harmless from any Charge should arise by reason of his Entertaineing Roger Puliston & his wife in his house, and the said Phillip makeing it appeare he hath sent them out of the Pish, he is discharged from the sd. Sumons pay all Costs als. Exo.”

p: 76: July 1693: “Nicho Sessums and Tho. Smith presenting themselves security for Tho. Floods payment of the Estate of Geo. Avery deced. to John Avery they are accepted and Ordered to give bond accordingly.”

p: 77: July 1693: “Exit. Corp. Jnry. 1st. 93. Nicholas Sessums haveing brought his accon to this Court against Joseph Rogers set forth that the said Rogers in the moneth of June last in this County did most Maliciously falsely and Scandalously report publish declare in the heareing of severall that he burnt Wm. Cockerhams house thereby endeavouring what in him lyeth to ruine the petr. in his good name fame and reputation and to cause him to loose (sic) that good repute and Esteem he hath hither to alwaies had amongst all his Neighbours and others to his damage at least 10000 lbs of tobe. He therefore prayed Judgment against the said Rogers for the said tenn thousand pounds of tobo., with Costs & c. to which the said Rogers appeared & pleaded not Gilty (sic) and for tryal put himselfe upon his Country soe likewise the plt. who vizt: Mr. Thompson, Mr. Wm. Pittman, Mr. Thomas Davis, Mr. Wm. Handcock, Mr. Jos. Seate, Mr. Cha. Savage, Mr. Wm. Goodman, Mr. Wm. Chambers, Mr. Tho. Jarrell, Mr. Edward Moreland, Mr. Henry Norton & Mr. Thomas Flood return for Virdt. We finde for the defdt. upon the defdts. Motion the Jurys Virdt. is Confirmed and a Nonsuite is granted him against the plt. It is therefore Ordered that the said Sessums pay damage according to Law with Costs als Exn.”

p: 78: July 1693: “Exied ___ Janry 1st. 93

Nicholas Sessums haveing brought his accon. to this Court against Will. Cockerham and Hannah his wife set forth that the said Hannah in the Moneth of June last in this County, did most Maliciously falsely and Scandalously report and declare in the heareing of severall people that he burnt her husbands house, thereby indeavouring what in he lyeth to Ruine him in his good Name Fame and Reputation and to cuase him to loose that good repute and Esteeme he hath hitherto alwaies had among all his Neighbours & others to his damage at least tenn thousand pounds of tobo. he therefore prayed Judgment against the said Will Ceckerham and Hannah his wife for the said tenn thousand pounds of tobo. with Costs &c. to which the deFdts. appeared and pleaded not Gilty and for tryal put themselves upon their County so likewise the plt. who vizt: (same jury as on p:77). Return for Virdt. we Finde For the defdts upon the defdts. Motion the Jurys Virdict is Confirmed and A Nonsuite granted them against the plt. It is therefore Ordered that the said Sessums pay damage according to law with Costs als. Exo.”

p: 110: Sept 1694: “Nicholas Sessums haveing caused Roger Squire to be arrested to this Court & set Forth that notwithstanding his wife Catherine hath alwaies demeaned and behaved herselfe Civilly Orderly & Modestly & never was accounted a Whore nor ever gave the least occasion to be subjected, but hath lived in good name & reputation all her days, yet ye sd. Squire ye. deFdt. hath made it his endeavour to take away her good Name Fame & reputation & to cause her to be disesteemed & slighted & to Effect his Malicious Intentions had at divers places before several p:sons as he more P:ticularly did at the house oF John Browne in Lawnes Creeke P:ish the beginning of August last before a great many people there mett on an Invitation utter publish & declare these Malicious Falce & scandilous Words Vizt: that shee was a Whore & he would prove her a Whore & he would prove her a Whore & to make the same as publick as he could thereby to render her as Odious as possible very often said Kate (speaking to ye. plts. sd. wife) you are a Whore & I will prove you a Whore which was to his damage at least one hundred pds. Sterl. For which he prayed Judgment with Costs to which the Oefdt. appeared & pleaded not Guilty a Jury was therefore sworne to try the same, who Vizt: Walter Flood, Tho.Warren, Tho. Orew, Jno. Browne. Robert Hart, Jos. Wall, Augt Hunicutt, Roger Potter, Edwd. Rowell, Robt. Lancaster & Cha. Savage returne for Virdt. we findefFor the defdt. upon ye. defdts. motion the Jurys Virdt. is Confirmed and an Nonsuite granted him agt. the plt. It is therefore Ordered that the plt. pay damage according to Law with Costs als. exon.”

p: 143: Xbr. 1695: “Joseph Rogers haveing caused Nicholas Sessums to be arrested to this Court set forth that the sd. Sessums did this Sumer to sundry people in many places more p:ticulerly in Lawnes Creek P:ish in this County report that ye. sd. Rogers starved his apprentices & Jornymen feeding them with nothing but bull beefe & bores, & broath made of tripes & such likes & yt. by such & other his Wicked & malce scandilous & Malicious words diswaded severall Jornymen shoemakers from workeing with him & several P:sons from bindeing their sons apprentices which was to his damage fifty pounds sterl. for which he prayed Judgment with Costs, to which ye defendt appeared & pleaded not guilty a Jury was therefore Impanelled to trye the same who vizt: Jer. Ellis, James Stanton, Wm. Chambers, Wm. Pettway Anthony Evans, Thomas Edwards, Wm. Newsom, Wm. Rose, David Andrews, John Browne, Tho. Collier & Saml. Alsobrooke returne for Virdt. wee finde for the defendt. upon the defendts. motion ye. Jurys Virdt. is ConFirmed & a Nonsuite is granted him against the plaintiff. It is therefore ordered that the said Joseph Rogers pay damage according to Law with Costs Exon.

p: 144: Xbr. 1695: “Joseph Rogers haveing caused Nicholas Sessums to be arrested to this Court set forth that the said Sessums did at the house of Gea. Morell in Lawnes Creek P:ish in County in June or July last on a Sabbath day most maliciously scandelously & Falcely report that ye. said Rogers was a hog-stealer & that he would prove it, that he was an old Rogue and that he would prove him one with many other Malicious falce and scandilous words which was to his damage fifty pounds Sterl. for which he prayed judgment with Costs to which ye. defendt. appeared & pleaded not guilty, A Jury was therefore Impanelled to try the same who Vizt: (same jury as p. 143). returne for virdt. wee finde for ye. Plaintiff fifty pounds of tobo. upon the plantiffs motion the jurys verdict is Confirmed & said Sessums ordered to pay him the said fifty pounds of tobo. with Costs als. Exon.”

p: 224: May 1702: “Nicholas Sessums and Sarah Backer (Barker?) being presented by the grand jury for Adultery Ordered that they bee sumoned to appeare at the next Court to answr. the same.”

p: 233: Jan 1702: “Sarah Barker appeareing in Court and confessing herself guilty of adultery for wch. shee is now presented by the grandiury is fined according to Law.

“Nicholas Sessums being presented by the grandjury for adultery but not sufficient proofs appeareing agt. him hee is discharged payeing Fees.”

————–

Is this a son of the above John Browne?

Isle of Wight Co., VA, Deed Book 1 (1688-1704)

1721: Browne, John. Leg. son James, my land on Timothy Walker’s road in Surry County; son Thomas land on the same road; daughter Elizabeth; daughter Mary; daughter Ann Camerine, daughter Bridgett Wresbury. Exs. sons James and Thomas Browne, D. January 1720/21 R. July 24, 1721. Wit: Thomas Nickson, Geroge Goodson, Peter Green [ Wills and Administrations of Isle of Wight County, Virginia 1647-1800 by Blanche Adams Chapman page 90]

 Well CRAP! (sorry)… I just found another John Brown that throws a monkey wrench into all this…

http://image.lva.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/GetLONN.pl?first=447&last=&g_p=P7&collection=LO Patent

Williams, John. grantee.

Land grant 20 April 1685.

Surry County.

Grantee(s): Williams, John and Browne, John.

Description: 1200 acres on and amongst black water branches adjoins land of Nicholas Sessum, Robert Savage, Charles Savage, and extending.

(deed too faded to read online)

WILL ABSTRACT: John Williams Sr., Isle of Wight Co., VA, March 9,

1691-92:WILL ABSTRACT: Isle of Wight Co., VA, March 9, 1691-92:

Eldest sonn John, youngest son, Theophilus Williams…son, William

Williams, Thomas, Richard, Nicholas Williams…daughters, Mary and

Jane Williams, granddaughters, Ann Bridgett and Mary Browne…

BROWN, JOHN AND _______WILLIAMS. daughter of John Williams,

Sr. 1692, W & D. B. 2. p. 318. G.B. 2. p.90

Marriages of Isle of Wight County, Virginia, 1628-1800:   By Blanche A. Chapman

According to the Chapman book the above Browne is marrying his wife only ten years after Browne married the daughter of William Boddie… and his property adjoined Nicholas Sessums, so he could be the one referred to in the court case…     I need a drink…

BROWN, JOHN and MARY BODDIE, daughter of William Boddie.

1682.  W.&D. B. 2, p. 231

Marriages of Isle of Wight County, Virginia, 1628-1800:   By Blanche A. Chapman

—————–

Wills and Administrations of Isle of Wight County Virginia 1647-1800

JOHN BROWN

28Jan1715

Estate appraised by ROBERT BROCK, JOHN FRISSELL (FRIZZELL), THOMAS SUMMERELL, and THOMAS CALCOTE.

Wills and Administrations of Isle of Wight County Virginia 1647-1800

THOMAS DANIEL

ca1710

Estate appraised by ROBERT BROCK, JOHN BROWNE, JOHN FRIZZELL, and THOMAS CALCOTE.

I think all the folks above were in Newport Parish (Isle of Wight, near the Surry County border)

https://andersonnc.wordpress.com/notes-on-surry-co-va/

——————————–

It is significant that if John Browne married Mary Boddie in 1682 then common sense dictates that any sons would not be 21 years of age until 1703.  The William and Thomas Browne who died 1718/19 in North Carolina were obviously much older than a birth date of 1682.