…looking for the preachers house…
The preacher would be the Rev. Robert Bracewell
I do not know if the good Reverend Bracewell ever actually preached at the “Old Brick Church” but it seems rather obvious since the church is reputed to date to 1732. Rather, I am just looking for the preacher’s house, since the church is well,… still there. It probably had a dirt floor.
While I am looking for the preacher’s house, a commenter asks a question: do I know about a certain WRIGHT that may have lived around… “the area that I am currently studying”.
Well…yes I do…
I keep stumbling over this guy in my research… one William Wright… as early as 1644…
75 years later…
One can’t help but notice that in 1719 a John Wright purchased from Rebecca Bagnall 60 acres … that 60 acres seems to be nigh the Old Brick Church. see file above
But, lest you get too excited and think I have figured out the details of this “Herring Branch” business, note that this was a very popular area evidently… also note a “Thomas Wright” in 1713…
All of which are on the same land (seemingly).
As I try to sum up clues… it is apparent to me that a Mill was established on Herring Branch (which is the head of Pagan Creek now Jones Creek). The Rev. Robert Bracewell may have set up the first mill. (I am looking for evidence). From the deed above these names for the same Mill emerge:
Webbs Mill…..Tullagh Mil…..Wests Mill
I do have a Mill question…. it is also obvious at this Mill (from the deed descriptions) that an active Spring was “boiling” from one of the ponds. This seems to be very advantageous to a pond since the pond will forever be full… like a bath tub with the faucet left on. It seems to me that with a magic pond so close to the mill it could allow it to run pretty much 24/7.
If that spring is still active, I would love to fish that little pond.
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