BRASWELL BRANCHES Nona Williams, PO Box 3793, Santa Cruz, CA 95063 Volume I, Issue 1 Winter 1991/92 SUBSCRIPTION POLICY: $15.00 per year includes unlimited queries. * * * * * THE BRASWELL / BRACEWELL NAME The name BRASWELL commonly appears as BRACEWELL in early records in Virginia and England. In A Dictionary of Surnames by Patrick Hanks and Flavia Hodges the following definition appears: BRACEWELL, North English, habitation name from a place in West Yorkshire, so called from the genitive case of the Old Norse personal name Breior 'Broad' (which possibly replaced earlier Old English Broegd 'Trick') plus Old English well, spring, stream. WELL, English, topographic name for someone who lived near a spring or stream. Many names are incorrectly spelled in early records and it can be difficult to determine which names should be interpreted as BRASWELL. Surnames such as BRAZIL, BRESSIE, BRAZEALE, may or may not be alternate spellings of the BRASWELL / BRACEWELL name. * * * * * BRASWELL ORIGINS Based on the above mentioned definition of the name, it seems likely that our early BRASWELL ancestors resided in the Northern English shire of York. Some traditions suggest that they were originally from Scotland, but moved south because of political unrest. If this is true, it would be interesting to discover their clan affiliation. I have found mention of a Bracewell Hall in Yorkshire which was occupied by the TEMPEST family in the 14th and 15th century (Ancestral Roots of Sixty Colonists: Who Came to New England between 1623 and 1650 compiled by Frederick Lewis Weis). It would be interesting to discover whether Bracewell Hall is still standing and what information remains about its founding family. Coats of arms have been found for various English branches of the BRACEWELL family. In The Lineage of Jacob Thomas Braswell by Viola Vick Braswell, the author states that the name BRASWELL is Scottish in origin. She identifies 'brae' as meaning a hill or sloping bank. She found the named spelled BRAISNELLE in the Doomesday Book (1140-1159) and found it spelled BRAYCEWELL in the Yorkshire Charters (1471). She cited The Braswell Family, by Elizabeth Braswell Pearsall as her source of information. ROBERT AND REBECCA BRASWELL Researchers agree that all BRASWELL descendants in the U.S. are descended from Robert and Rebecca BRASWELL, of 17th century Isle of Wight County, Virginia. John Bennett Boddie, in Southside Virginia Families, Vol. I, identifies Robert, born 1613, as the son of Richard BRACEWELL or BRASWELL, gentleman, of London. Boddie's source for Robert's age and the identity of his father was the Alumni Oxoniensis. Robert BRASWELL was an alumnus of Oxford University where he was admitted to Hart Hall at age 15 (February 22, 1627/8). He graduated with a B.A. degree on 3 Nov., 1631. A correspondent sent undocumented information to me about the ancestry of Richard BRASWELL, but it should be used with caution until it can be verified. I mention it here in the hope that others will have access to materials which will allow us to determine its accuracy. This unverified lineage is as follows: Rev. Robert BRACEWELL b. 1613; d. 1668; md. Rebecca _____? Gentleman Richard BRACEWELL, d. 13 Dec. 1641, London, Eng. Robert BRACEWELL b. 1553, London, Eng.; d. 23 Sept. 1613; md. Jane ROBERTS Edmund BRACEWELL b. 1530; d. 27 Mar. 1560; md. Alice _____? This same correspondent recommended microfilm from the LDS Family History Library. I haven't had the opportunity to view any of them, but perhaps the ancestry of Robert BRASWELL is documented in one of them. Those microfilms are: #0928078 Following the Braswells on the Move Westward in America #1036150 Braswell Family and Kimmon Family The following is a microfiche: #6018155 The Bracewell or Braswell Family Boddie states that Robert BRASWELL arrived in Isle of Wight Co., Virginia about 1651, but Viola Braswell says that he was here before 1649. Her first mention of him was as a witness to an agreement between Ambrose BENNETT and Thomas WEBB on April 29, 1650 (Deed Book 1, p. 426). Dr. R.B Braswell in Following the Braswells in America 1600 - 1983 states that Robert owned a plantation on Blackwater River in Virginia as early as 10 Nov. 1635, but he didn't mention his source. An undated record appears between entries dated 8 May 1652 and 24 June 1652 in Isle of Wight Co., Book A: Whereas, I, Lieut. John UPTON, patented 1600 acres of land 10 Nov. 1638, under Gov. HARVEY; with consent of my wife, Margaret sell unto William UNDERWOOD of Isle of Wight, 400 acres part of said patent adj. 300 acres sold to Robert BRASWELL, Clerke. Test, Isaac CAVALIER, Thos. SCOTT. This record establishes that Robert BRASWELL, cleric, owned land in Isle of Wight Co. before the spring of 1652, but it is difficult to determine how much earlier he arrived. When CROMWELL came into power in England in 1640 many Royalists left the country and came to the American colonies (between 1640 and 1660). Robert BRASWELL, an Episcopalian minister, probably came to Virginia during this period of unrest in England. Robert's pastorate was known as Lawne's Creek Parish and was located in an area that is now near the separating lines of Surry and Isle of Wight Co., VA (Surry Co. was formed in 1652 from James City Co.) In 1737 the name of Lawne's Creek was changed to Southwark Parish. Robert BRASWELL was elected to the House of Burgesses in 1653, but was removed from the position after serving for only a few days, presumably because of regulations about the separation between church and state. In Hening 1. p. 378, "It is ordered that Mr. Robert BRACEWELL, clark, (sic) be suspended since it is unpresidential and may produce bad consequences." The BRASWELLs resided on Blackwater River which was located a few miles south of the James River and the colonial town of Jamestown which is located a few miles northwest of the present-day town of Smithfield, Virginia. The will of Robert BRASWELL reveals that he was a wealthy man, by the standards of the day. It's likely that he was born into a wealthy family because his father is identified as a gentleman which was a title of distinction in those days. Robert made his will 15 Feb. 1667/68 and it was probated 1 Mar. 1668. The total value of his estate was 35,800 pounds of tobacco (Will and Deed Book 1, p. 55) An inventory was filed 9 June 1668 by Giles DRIVER. It listed a 700 acre home plantation, 600 acres on the Nansemond River, a mill under construction, 63 head of livestock, indentured servants, a library, a sloop, silverware, and other household articles. To his daughter, Jane STOKES and her children, he gave 3 cows; to daughter Rebecca WEST cows and calves; 1000 acres to be equally divided between sons Robert and Richard; to servant Elizabeth HALL a heifer when she earned her freedom, to daughter Ann BAGNALL, a cow; to friends Richard IZARD and George WILLIAMS 40 shillings each with which to buy rings. He named the latter two as guardians of his minor sons and left instructions that the boys be educated (Will Book 2, p. 52). JANE, DAUGHTER OF ROBERT AND REBECCA BRASWELL It seems likely that the daughters were older than the sons, because the boys were placed under guardianship and the daughters were all married women in 1667/68 when Robert drafted his will. The order of their births is uncertain, but Jane may be the first born since she was mentioned first in the will. She had married Robert STOKES and they already had children in 1667/68. I've estimated that she was born before 1651. Her first husband, Robert STOKES, was captured during Bacon's Rebellion by Governor BERKELEY and was hanged. His estate was inventoried for sale in October 1677. Boddie states that they were married for more than 10 years (Southside Virginia Families, Vol. 1). Jane married second to Robert ELEY ca. 1677 (Boddie), but they were only married for about three years. She was married to her third husband, John ROBERTS, by 1680. He died by 4 Oct. 1706 when their son, John ROBERTS of Lower Parish, deeded 400 acres on the western branch of Nansemond to his brother, Thomas ROBERTS. It was part of 1450 acres granted to John ROBERTS, deceased. This land transaction was witnessed by Robert SCOTT, Jr., Elizabeth SCOTT and Robert SCOTT (Boddie). Jane made a will on 25 June 1711 which was proved 14 Aug. 1713. In it she named six children. Robert ELEY received 100 acres which was part of a patent of 1450 acres granted to John and Jane ROBERTS on 20 July 1680. This was land on the lower side of the branch called Long Branch on the south side of Beaver Dam Swamp. The following each received 100 acres on the west side of Beaver Dam Swamp: Grandson, Robert SCOTT, daughter, Mary PARKER (widow of William PARKER), and granddaughter, Martha SANDERS. Thomas JONES (no relationship mentioned) was bequeathed "the land he now lives on according to the boundaries that he bought of my brother, Richard BRASWELL." Daughter, Rebecca BRINKLEY, received five shillings; and daughter, Jane SCOTT, only 1 shilling. Sons, John and Thomas ROBERTS, were appointed executors. Jane's daughter, Mary, married William PARKER of Nansemond County. He died before 26 June 1711 when Jane BRASWELL ROBERTS mentioned him in her will as the deceased husband of her daughter, Mary. Mary was in North Carolina by Dec. of 1738 when she deeded her inheritance to Robert ELEY. The record reads, "Mary PARKER, Precinct of North Carolina, deeded Robert ELEY part of a patent to Jane STOKES, widow, Isle of Wight Co., land on Nansemond Indian Creek, 100 acres, July 20, 1680, part patented by John ROBERTS and his wife granted by Sir Henry CHICHELEY 1450 acres, and was given to Mary PARKER by Jane ROBERTS, deceased, Aug. 24, 1713, on the west side of Beaver Dam Swamp....down the line to Mr. Edmund GODWIN's, etc...and boundary of former deed made to John ROBERTS and his wife." (Isle of Wight Deed Book 5, p. 310.) Mary PARKER died in Edgecombe Co., NC; her will was probated in Aug. of 1754. She left all to her grandson, Edmund GODWIN. Rebecca, daughter of Jane BRASWELL, married an unknown man named BRINKLEY of Nansemond Co. It isn't clear which of Jane's three husbands was the father of Rebecca. Jane BRASWELL and Robert ELEY had a son named after his father. Robert ELEY, Jr., born ca. 1679, married Martha DAUGHTIE, and died ca. 1707. His will mentioned land he had inherited from his grandfather, Robert ELEY. Robert's wife, Martha, was identified as follows: "Martha ELEY of the Upper Parish of Nansemond appoints her father, James DAUGHTIE, attorney, to surrender her dower rights to Colonel BAKER (Deed Book 2, p. 56). In his will, Robert ELEY, gave his son, Robert (Robert Eley the fourth) "100 acres on Long Branch, adjoining John ROBERTS to Henry SAUNDERS' line to White Oak in Little Poquoson and down to Main Swamp adjoining John LEAR." His son, James ELEY, received "150 acres along John ROBERTS' line and Long Branch between Jeremiah EXUM and myself." Son, Edward ELEY, was bequeathed 80 acres "lying in what was formerly called Samuel WATSON's to the Main Swamp." Michael ELEY, son, was given the home plantation and daughters, Christian and Mourning ELEY were to live there until they married. Also mentioned were a son, William ELEY, a daughter Martha WILLIAMS, granddaughter Martha ELEY, son Eley, daughter Rebecca WILLIAMS; and daughter Mourning ELEY. Michael and Robert ELEY were the executors. The will, dated 5 Apr. 1738, was probated 23 July 1739 and witnessed by Joseph WHITE, William DENSON, and George ARMSTRONG. Robert ELEY, the fourth, (who purchased land on Beaver Dam Swamp from Mary PARKER) married Alice GALE; Martha married an unknown man named WILLIAMS; Rebecca married William WILLIAMS; Edward married Ann LAWRENCE; Ann married 2nd to William JOYNER; and William married Elizabeth DENSON. Jane ROBERTS, daughter of Jane BRASWELL and John ROBERTS, married Robert SCOTT who died by 24 Aug. 1711. In his will be mentioned his son, Robert SCOTT, a cousin Catherine SCOTT, and wife Jane. He appointed his cousin, William SCOTT, and his brother-in-law, John ROBERTS, executors. The will was witnessed by Thos. GALE and John DENSON. An unknown daughter of Jane BRASWELL married a Mr. SANDERS. (Jane mentioned a granddaughter, Martha SANDERS, in her will). REBECCA, DAUGHTER OF ROBERT AND REBECCA BRASWELL Rebecca married William WEST, who was very active in Bacon's Rebellion. He led a rebel force to attack a loyal fort, but was captured on 16 Jan. 1677. Like his brother-in-law, Robert STOKES, he was sentenced to death. He escaped from prison and a petition for his reprieve was circulated by his brother, Henry WEST, in Oct. of 1677. It was signed by 88 people (almost half the inhabitants of Isle of Wight Co.). Among the signers were his brothers-in-law, James BAGNALL and Richard BRASWELL. Henry WEST, in the petition, stated: "Petition of His Majesties most loyal and obedient subjects of Isle of Wight to his Majesties Commissioners, in behalf of William WEST, a rebel absconding, who took up arms against the Indians by whom his father had been most barbarously murdered, was taken prisoner and carried aboard a ship, from hence to prison and was condemned to death, but has made his escape and as yet has not been found. We pray for his life and the restitution of his estate to his wife and children." (Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight County Virginia by John Bennett Boddie.) The petition apparently was granted. William WEST made his will 2 Oct. 1708, pr. 9 Feb. 1708/09. He gave to sons William and Richard "all land between William GREEN and Robert BAGNALL's"; to William, land purchased from Capt. William OLDIS and William WESTRY; to son Robert, land "where he now lives"; to daughter, Mary GREEN, an Indian girl; to daughter Rebecca, an Indian woman; his second wife, Martha, and daughter Rebecca, were bequeathed the rest of the estate. ANN, DAUGHTER OF ROBERT AND REBECCA BRASWELL Ann, born between 1632 and 1656, married James BAGNALL, son of Roger and Rebecca BAGNALL. James BAGNALL, Jr. was born ca. 1630. In 1680, James "escheats (forfeits) a parcel of 300 acres which formerly belonged to Robert BRASWELL, parson, of the Lower Parish, and by him given to his eldest son, Robert BRASWELL and 2 acres adjacent the mill, which mill and acres Mr. Robert BRASWELL gave to his son Richard BRASWELL, now in possession of William WEST. Now I, James BAGNALL sell my interest in the two acres to William WEST." James' mother, Rebecca, married second to Richard IZARD, one of the guardians appointed by Robert BRASWELL for his minor sons. Ann BRASWELL BAGNALL died before 29 May 1683 when a patent was issued to Thomas PARKER and James BAGNALL for 470 acres of land. In this patent is stated that Thomas PARKER had married the widow of Peter MONTAGUE, who left two daughters, Dorothy and Sarah. The latter had recently married James BAGNALL. Peter MONTAGUE was a member of the House of Burgesses for Nansemond Co. in 1652. James BAGNALL's nuncupative will was proved by John BATHY on 9 Apr. 1702 and was witnessed by Francis PARKER. He mentioned daughters Rebecca, Sarah, and Mary BAGNALL; sister Martha RUTTER; son Robert BAGNALL; and sons Nathan and Joseph BAGNALL. Boddie states that the children of James BAGNALL and Ann BRASWELL were probably Rebecca, Mary, Joseph and Robert BAGNALL and children of his second wife, Sarah MONTAGUE, appear to be Sarah and Nathan. Nathan BAGNALL married Ann, daughter of Richard WILKINSON, and inherited land from his mother, Sarah, 2nd wife of James BAGNALL. On 26 Oct. 1709 he sold the land to Daniel BATTEN. In the deed it was described as part of a patent of 470 acres obtained by James BAGNALL from Thomas PARKER. The 50 acres sold by Nathan was on Great Swamp adjacent to William and Nicholas SMITH. On 5 Apr. 1710 Nathan BAGNALL and Francis PARKER witnessed the will of Michel ROGERS and in 1734, he witnessed the will of George PARKER, father of Francis; and he witnessed the will of Thomas PARKER on 30 Jan. 1735. Nathan's father-in-law, Richard WILKINSON, made his will on 13 Apr. 1741 in which he mentioned his daughter and her deceased husband Nathan BAGNALL. Nathan's will was dated 20 Feb. 1735/36, pr. 26 Apr. 1736. He mentioned children: Mary, who married Henry PITT; Easter who married a NORSWORTHY; Nathan, Richard, William, Samuel, Joseph, James, and Ann. In her will dated 30 Mar. 1754, pr. 7 Nov. 1754, Ann WILKINSON BAGNALL named the same children as her husband, with the exception of Joseph and Joshua. ROBERT, SON OF ROBERT AND REBECCA BRASWELL Robert, Jr., born ca. 1650, was the older of the two sons. He married Susannah, daughter of John and Mary BURGESS before 1680 (Boddie). Susannah is identified by Joyce CRIPPS in her will probated in 1679 as "my sister's daughter." (Will Book 2, p. 202) The three youngest children of Susannah BRASWELL were mentioned in the will of Roger TOWLE on 5 Nov. 1692. They were Richard, William, and Elizabeth and were each to receive land when they reached the age of 17 years (Viola Vick Braswell). Robert BRASWELL last appears in records of Isle of Wight Co. on 9 Apr. 1702 when he witnessed a deed for Owen BOURN. He had appointed his wife, Susannah, to act as his attorney on 27 Mar. 1696 (Deed Book 1, p. 627). A will has not been discovered for Robert, but, Susannah made hers on 22 Oct. 1714, probated 26 June 1732. She left the home plantation to son, Richard. To William she gave the old plantation house and 40 acres of land. She also mentioned her daughter Ann; granddaughter, Elizabeth BRASWELL; grandson John RIGGS; and son James BRASWELL. No mention was made of a daughter named Elizabeth, who may have predeceased her mother. Ann BRASWELL, daughter of Robert and Susannah, married John RIGGS. James, born before 1680, is identified as the oldest son (Viola Vick Braswell). He moved to Edgecombe Co., NC. In 1760 he purchased a lot in the town of Tarboro (Deed Book O, p. 294). Richard, son of Robert and Susannah, was born ca. 1672 and died ca. 1731. An undocumented source states that Richard married a woman named Elizabeth or Eleanor and that they resided in Bertie Co., NC as early as 1724/25. Apparently, both Robert, Jr. and his brother, Richard BRASWELL, named sons, William, and it becomes tricky to sort them out. One William BRASWELL witnessed a deed for the other in Chowan Co., NC in 1714 (Deed Book B, p. 179). William, son of Robert, was born ca. 1680, one of the youngest children mentioned in the will of Roger TOWLE. RICHARD, SON OF ROBERT AND REBECCA BRASWELL Richard was born ca. 1651 and died ca. 1725. He identified himself as the son of Robert BRASWELL, "Clerk," in a deed of 9 Oct. 1674. He and wife, Sarah, sold to Thomas GREEN 300 of the 400 acres he received by deed of gift from his father on 16 Jan. 1660. On 9 Aug. 1681, Richard and Sarah sold 2 acres to William WEST. They were in Nansemond Co. to acknowledge the deed which was witnessed by Arthur JONES, John PITT, and Thomas PITT. Richard's will was dated 28 Jan. 1724/25 and witnessed by Edward POWERS, Sr. and Edward POWERS, Jr. He gave 10 sheep to each of his sons and daughters: Richard, Robert, Valentine, Jacob, John, Mariah MURPHY, Ann STRICKLAND, and Jane WILLIAMS. His granddaughter, Susannah BRASWELL received a cow and the rest of the estate was left to wife, Sarah. An undocumented article in Dr. R.B. Braswell's book, Following the Braswells in America 1600-1983 identifies Richard's wife as Sarah SAMPSON and gives their wedding date as 16 Jan. 1673. No source was given and Boddie didn't identify her by surname. If she was, indeed, a SAMPSON she might have been a daughter of James SAMPSON and Elizabeth BARCROFT of Isle of Wight Co. He is the only man named SAMPSON in that area who was of the correct age to be her father. Elizabeth immigrated in 1647 with Charles BARCROFT who may have been her brother. Other SAMPSONs in the Isle of Wight area were Elizabeth who married Thomas CLARK and Ann who married Edward MOSELEY. Edward MOSELEY was very wealthy. He died in New Hanover Co., NC and owned land in Edgecombe Co., NC. Sarah's will was dated 20 Mar. 1733/34, probated 26 May 1735. Most of the estate went to her grandson, John BRASWELL. Negroes were given to daughter Jane, grandson Benjamin BRASWELL and to "other children of my son John" who were identified by name: Mary, William, and Sampson. She appointed her son, John, and her grandson, John BRASWELL, as executors (Will Book 4, p. 65). An IGI entry states that Ann, daughter of Richard and Sarah, was born ca. 1674-76. She married Matthew STRICKLAND. Robert, son of Richard and Sarah, was born ca. 1678. He appeared on the tax list in Chowan Co., NC in 1721 along with William and Val. Robert was living in Bertie Co., NC when he made his will which was probated at the Nov. Court in 1736. Valentine was born ca. 1680 and died ca. 1721 to 1728 in N.C. He married Jane POPE and was probably the Val BRASWELL who appeared on the Chowan Co., NC tax list in 1721. He appeared as Val BRASSEL on the Roanoke, NC tax list in 1720. Also on that list were Jacob BRASSEL, John GRIFFIN, George WILLIAMS, Sr., George WILLIAMS, Jr., and Samuel WILLIAMS who were probably friends and relatives of his. Richard was born before 1682 and was in Chowan Precinct, NC by 1725 and in Bertie Precinct, NC by 1725/26. Information about this family appears on page 13 of Dr. R.B. Braswell's book, but it should be used with caution because of lack of documentation. Richard's wife is identified as Elizabeth BRYANT. They settled on White Oak Swamp which is now located in the southern part of Nash Co., NC (formed from Edgecombe Co. in 1777). When Richard died in 1747, in what was then Edgecombe Co., NC, he owned more than 1,000 acres of land and 30 slaves. Richard's will appears in Edgecombe Co., Will Book 4, p. 193. Jacob was born ca. 1684, married Elizabeth RUFFIN and died ca. 1747 in Edgecombe Co., NC. On 8 Aug. 1727 they sold 278 acres on the south side of Morattock River in Usary Meadow and Hog Pen Meadow in Bertie Co., NC to William RUFFIN. Their land was adjacent to John COTTEN and Richard BRASWELL and was part of a tract of 528 acres that had been granted to Jacob on 1 Apr. 1723. Witnesses were Thomas and John HART (Bertie Co., NC Deed Book C, p. 360). On 20 Apr. 1728, Jacob settled on Swift Creek north of Tar River (Edgecombe Co., NC Deed Book 3, p. 286). On 27 Oct. 1740, Jacob sold 284 acres on the north side of Tar River adjoining Swift Creek to Robert BRACEWELL. This deed was witnessed by Richard BRACEWELL and Richard SESSUMS (Edgecombe Co., NC Deed Book 1, p. 391). John was born ca. 1686. He married a woman named Alice and they had five children by 1733/34 (Boddie). William was born before 1693. It is difficult to distinguish between William, son of Robert, and William, son of Richard. This will be discussed in a subsequent issue of the newsletter. Richard and Sarah had a daughter named Mariah or Martha. Some sources list her one way, and others another. I haven't seen the original records and don't have an opinion about her identity at this time. Apparently she married a man named MURPHY. Jane married a man named WILLIAMS and nothing further is known about her. * * * * * A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR In future issues of the newsletter, I will abstract BRASWELL records from my collection of deed books and court records. In addition, I'll provide additional information about the grandchildren of Richard and Sarah BRASWELL and Robert and Sarah BRASWELL. Queries of any length are welcome. I intend to maintain a file of charts on BRASWELLs and if the response warrants it, I will attempt to put researchers in touch with someone who is working on the same BRASWELL line. Any BRASWELL records will be gratefully received and printed in the newsletter, so that others can share in the knowledge. Please notify other BRASWELL researchers about this newsletter. We have an unusual name and there may not be a lot of us researching these families, but we have a very rich heritage to explore and I hope that enough people will participate in this effort to make it a successful venture. * * * * * The Thomas Hackney Braswell Memorial Library, 344 Falls Road, Ricky Mount, N.C. 27801 has the following books: Following the Braswells on the Move Westward in America, 1600 - 1973 by Roy Bennett Braswell and Lineage of Jacob Thomas Braswell by Jacob Thomas Braswell. Both books are for in-house use only. The first mentioned book is available on microfilm from the LDS Family History Library, however (see reference on page 2 of this newsletter). QUERY Mahala BRASWELL was born about 1788 in NC (1850 & 1860 census) and died 10 Mar. 1865 in DeKalb Co., TN (her grandson's bible). Her husband was William SNOW (1784 NC - 1868 TN), who came with his parents to upper Dry Creek in present DeKalb Co. (formerly Smith Co., TN) in 1806. When and where they married is uncertain; their oldest known child was born about 1816. Because of Mahala's age and the fact that she lived near Sampson BRASWELL b. 1782 and Aaron BRASWELL b. 1787, I thought it likely that she was a sister or cousin of them. Any information about Mahala will be appreciated. Please contact the following and send copies of the letter to the newsletter (so that we can all benefit from the information). Thomas Webb, 835 South College St., Smithville, TN 37166 NOTICES Don Simpson is doing research for clients on their family history. He was educated at the Universities of Idaho and Washington having received three degrees in the field of botany and had many years experience in scholarly research before entering the field of genealogy and family history. Many subscribers to this newsletter have benefited from his knowledge of history and his unique ability to solve tough genealogical problems. He has my highest recommendations. For information on rates, send SASE to Don Simpson, PO Box 1468, Salt Lake City, UT 84110-1468 The Braswell Family http://www.pbmo.net/suburb/braswell/