Mary Ella Brashears

xi. Mary E. Brittain was born ABT. 1866 in Wood County, Texas. She married Thomas P. Bradberry 14 JUN 1883 in Hunt County, Texas. He was born ABT. 1859 in Tennessee.

I think this is wrong.. but need research

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In 1792 Gabriel Ragsdale and Wm. Brittain were Buncombe's first representatives in the North Carolina House of Commons and they continued to hold those places in 1793, 1794 and 1795, by reelections.

James Brittain was the representative of Buncombe County in the State Senate in 1796, 1797, 1802, 1804, 1805 and 1807.

MORRISTOWN

"Asheville and Buncombe County" by F. A. Sondley, LL.D and "Genesis of Buncombe County" by Hon. Theodore F. Davidson were printed in one volume in 1922 by The Citizen Company in Asheville and is now out of print.

"...Immediately upon obtaining his grant John Burton began to sell off his town lots as they had been laid out. His first sale was of Lot No. 4 to Thomas Burton for "twenty shillings" on July 28, 1794. This sale was made in the same month in which the grant was issued, and was for the land now occupied [1922] by the southern portion of the Swannanoa-Berkley hotel building. Town lots do not appear to have been in much demand at this time, for it was not until the 15th day of October following than another sale was made. Then John Burton sold to Ann Gash for five pounds lot No. 2, describing it as the lot the "Joins John Patons, Nomber First on the west side of the street" and the "lot whereon Ann Gash's house now stands." This lot was very near what was then the most improved part of the town. The first court house, if we may credit tradition, was a log structure one story high and containing a single room, and was covered with boards held to their places by the weight of large pieces of timber laid horizontally across them. It is said to have stood one hundred feet south of Sycamore Street and on the eastern side of South Main Street, as this lot seems to have been left vacant for the purpose; but more probably it stood on the Public Square in the centre of Main Street. Apparently the lot opposite the vacant lot just mentioned was intended for "the Stocks and prison to be convenient to the court house." This court house appears to have been used as such for many years.

The next lot sold was No. 7. This was bought on October 21, 1794, by Thomas Foster for "twenty shillings" and is the land on which stands [1922] the old brick building on the western side of South Main Street long known as the old Rankin & Pulliam store. Five dollars was not a high price for a half-acre lot near the centre of the town and fronting 82 ½ feet on the main street, although we are so often assured that real estate has always been ridiculously high in Asheville.

John Burton continued to sell town lots until he had disposed of or contracted to dispose of thirty-one or thirty-two of them. Then, seemingly, he grew tired of the business of building a town, and on April 20, 1795, sold to Zebulon and BedentBaird for two hundred pounds all his tracts of land "including the Town all except what lots is sold and maid over." Many of the deeds were made by him for lots which he had theretofore contracted to sell were not, however, executed until after this conveyance to the Bairds.

A list of those sales made by John Burton, interesting as showing the order in which the town grew and who were its first inhabitants, is here given:

Thomas Burton, lot 4, for 20 shillings, July 28, 1794, record book 2, page 53.

Ann Gash, half of lot 2, for 5 pounds, October 15, 1794, record book 2, page 82.

Thomas Foster, lot 7, for 20 shillings, October 21, 1794, record book 2, page 56.

Thomas Forster, lot 11, for 4 pounds, October 21, 1794, record book 2, page 107.

Sarah Hamilton, lot 5, for "10 silver dollars," October 22, 1794, record book 2, page 59.

William Wilson, lots 34 and 35 for 10 pounds, October 23, 1794, record book 2, page 58.

Thomas Forster, lot 3, for 25 pounds, October 24, 1794, record book, 2 page 56.

Zebulon & Bedent Baird, lot --, for 4 pounds, October 24, 1794, record book 2, page 56.

John Hawkins, lot 20, for 4 pounds, January 19, 1795, record book 2, page 55.

Harris Hutchison, lot 9, for 4 pounds, January 22, 1795, record book 2, page 51.

John Street, lot 6, for 5 pounds, January 22, 1795, record book 2, page 230.

James Hughey, lot 18, for 4 pounds, April 22, 1795, record book 2, page 236.

John Craig, lot 20, for 4 pounds, April 22, 1795, record book 3, page 11.

Joseph Hughey, lot 5, two for 4 pounds, April 22, 1795, record book 4, page 176.

Joseph Hughey, lots 29 and 30, for 4 pounds, April 22, 1795, record book 3, page 17.

William Forster, lot 12, for 4 pounds, April 23, 1795, record book 3, page 45.

Ephraim D. Harris, lot 17, for 4 pounds, April 23, 1795, record book 2, page 174.

Samuel Lusk, lot 13, for 2 pounds, April 23, 1795, record book 2, page 231.

Edward McFarling, half of lot 27, for 2 pounds, April 23, 1795, record book 2, page 237.

William Wilson, lot south of town for 10 pounds, April 23, 1795, record book 3, page 27.

Robert Branks, lot 39, for 4 pounds, April 23, 1795, record book 3, page 67.

William Lax, 8 ½ acres, for 40 pounds, April 23, 1795, record book 3, page 92.

James Brittain, lot 14, for 100 pounds, April 23, 1795, record book 3, page 144.

Col. William Davidson, lot 21, for -- pounds, April 24, 1795, record book 2, page 69.

Johhn [sic] Patton, lots 16, 2, and 10, for 20 pounds, October 15, 1795, record book 2, page 84.

James Davidson, lot 26, for 6 pounds, April 21, 1796, record book 2, page 381.

Benjamin Hall, lot 23, for 4 pounds, April 24, 1796, record book 3, page 142.

James Chambers, lot 19, for $100, July 20, 1797, record book 2, page 480.

Hugh Tate, half lote 13, for $50, July 18, 1798, record book 4, page 160.

Patton & Erwin, lot 4, for $40, March 15, 1805, record book 10, page 239.

The lots are described as being, sometimes in Morriston, sometimes in Morristown, sometimes in Morris Town and once in the Town of Morris, except the last two, which were stated to be in the town of Asheville.

7 October 1803 - JOSEPH DOBSON, JOSEPH TURNER, and AARON BRITTAIN, do bind

ourselves, our heirs, & executors, unto each other, to comply with the

agreement which is as follows: The said DOBSON, TURNER and BRITTAIN in

partnership, and TURNER a Purchaser from Phillip HOODENPYLE in a conveyance of

which TURNER had a Fort, and recover a judgment on HOODENPYLE for the sum of

L1000. Which sum TURNER agrees to divide equally between DOBSON and BRITTAIN

as soon as collected. DOBSON pays TURNER the worth of the land wherein ANDREW

WELCH now lives on, which DOBSON sold to Welch & TURNER has an older title.

DOBSON has the privilege of paying in land in Burke or Buncombe to the value

aforesaid without improvements. Witness JOHN WELCH, JOHN COLVARD. JOSEPH

TURNER {Seal} JOSEPH DOBSON {Seal} A. BRITTAIN {Seal}. (Haywood County Deed

Book A, page 154). [Note: [AARON BRITTAIN is a brother of BENJAMIN BRITTAIN,

the son of JOSEPH and JEMIMA BRITTAIN, ancestors of MARSHALL STYLES]

Rees(e)

Edwards September 8, 2000 I am seeking information about John REES(E) born Dec.

11, 1813, in SC and died Aug. 30, 1899, Etowah Co. AL. he married Narcissus EDWARDS, daughter of Mary BRITTAIN and Thomas EDWARDS of Buncombe Co., before 1834 in NC. Narcissus was born Feb. 22, 1819, Buncombe Co.,NC, and died May 1888 in Etowah Co. AL. John and Narcissus moved to northeast AL between 1836 and 1838; there was a large migration from Buncombe Co. Their children:

1. David Varon b 1834 NC (my gr-gr-grandfather who died in Atlanta May 14, 1863, and buried Oakland Cemetery, ATlanta)

2. Thomas b May 12, 1836 NC

3. Matilda b 1838 AL

4. Nancy C. b 1840 AL

5. William b 1843 AL

6. Ewing Brittain b Nov.1, 1845 AL

7. Malvina b 1846 AL

8. Naomi J. b 1848 AL

9. Celia Landonia b 1850 AL

10.Laura M. bJan. 10, 1853 AL

I have data on this family which I will be willing to share. I slso know tht John was a miller in Etowah Co. and probably was in Buncombe. Sydney H. Lolley

BRITTAIN

Jan 24, 2003  STEPP, Jane Catherine, b.1795 in Buncombe County.  Believe Father was William STEPP.  Jane married William Jr. (Billie) BRITTAIN, b.29 May 1783 in Buncombe County.  They were married in 1815 in Buncombe County.  This union produced six children, all born in Buncombe county.  These were Milton James BRITTAIN, b. abt 1820, John BRITTAIN, b. abt 1822, William Pinkney BRITTAIN, b. 1816, Margaret Caroline BRITTAIN, b. 11 Feb 1822, Jane Catherine BRITTAIN, b.11 Feb 1822 (Margaret Caroline and Jane Catherine were twins), and Joseph Marshall BRITTAIN.  Searching for info on Jane Catherine Stepp and her alleged father William to prove whether or not William was in fact Jane's father, precisely where she was born, who were her siblings, and who were her uncles and aunts.  Also, her ethnic background would be appreciated; that is, English, Irish, Scot, etc. Geoffrey Brittain Young

Charlie Powell - July 2008 - Found online

Brittain, A B			11 Feb 1838	15 Dec 1894	w/o M J Brittain

Brittain, Joseph T 1 Mar 1852 24 May 1872

Brittain, Little Bettie 23 Jan 1873 1 Sep 1873

Brittain, M J 8 Jul 1820 2 Jun 1885 same stone as A B Brittain

Jane Catherine Brittain - married Author Collins, Carol Cameron

Title The Alexander Cameron and Permelia Adelyne Spradling family of Hunt County, Texas

Description Alexander Cameron was born 17 June 1833 in Hendersonville, North Carolina. His parents were Neill Cameron (1800-1869) and Elizabeth Campbell (1797-1878). He married Permelia Adelyne Spradling (1843-1914), daughter of Oliver William Spradling (1818-1905) and Jane Catherine Brittain (1822-1869), 22 February 1860 in Greenville, Texas. They had seven children. He died in 1899 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Ancestors, descendants and relatives lived mainly in Scotland and Texas. Includes Collins, Craddock, Kilpatrick, Ogden, Olive, Ringgold, Robert, Sinclair, Tanner, Wilson and related families. This printing is limited to thirty copies. This copy is number 29.

Brittain, Milton James

Born: July 8, 1820 in Buncombe County, NC

Married: Sept 16, 1856

Spouse: Amanda Booker Rhoads

Date of Death: June 2, 1885 in Bosque County

Burial:

Biography: Milton James Brittain, b. July 8, 1820 in Buncombe County, NC, d. June 2, 1885 in Bosque County, buried in Lebonan cemetery in Hill County just across the Brazos River from Bosque County. He came to Texas in 1852, first to Wolf City, Hunt County with three brothers. He lived for awhile in Fall County and Hill County before going to Parker County. His means of earning a living in Parker County are unknown (by me). I assumed he farmed, but have not as yet found that information.

He married Amanda Booker Rhoads, b. Feb 11, 1838 in Henry County, TN on Sept 16, 1856.She was the daughter of William Rhoads and Sara Jane Flemeng of Jacksboro and the brother of a Texas Ranger stationed in Jacksboro named Abner Rhoads who fought in several Indian Conflicts within that region. They purchased a large farm at Prairie Point, Wise County about early 1860 for he and Amanda appear on 1860 census of Wise County taken in July of that year.

In 1879, he sold his large holdings in Wise County and Moved to Bosque County where he bought another large land holding. He remained in Bosque County until his death on June 24, 1885 There were 14 children to this union

Milton James Brittain, b. July 8, 1820 in Buncombe County, NC, d. June 2, 1885 in Bosque County, buried in Lebonan cemetery in Hill County just across the Brazos River from Bosque County. He came to Texas in 1852, first to Wolfe City, Hunt County with three brothers. He lived for awhile in Fall County and Hill County before going to Parker County. His means of earning a living in Parker County are unknown (by me). After living in Parker County, he purchased a large farm at Prairie Point, Wise County about early 1860.

From Lantz - 2008

BRITTAIN Family, according to tradition goes back to Sir William Brittain, Alfred The Great and The House Of Orange.

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Houston Married Mary Ella Brittain in Crawford County, Texas.

Her daughter Effie could not remember if Mary Ella's father's name was Tom or Frank

We have memory that she insisted that her grandfathers? name was Lafayette

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There is some question about the correct: Brittian, Britian, Britan, Brittan, Brittain. Also she is noted that her name was Mary Ella Bradbury Brittain. We have not been able to find where the name Bradbury came from. Effie Brashears Powell insisted that the correct spelling was "Brittain"

Mary Ella was supposed to have had a twin sister who had died earlier.

From Charles Powell - 2008

When I was 8 years old Mary Ella would take her cane and hook it around my neck and pull me towards her for a kiss. As she dipped snuff - it was a little scary. She would tell me a story of when her family came to Texas in a covered wagon they got stuck in the Red River and an Indian came upon the scene and watched them as the girls went crazy and she said her dad kept telling them to keep calm. I asked her what happened and she said the Indian soon went away and was probably laughing at them. Her dad got the wagon unstuck and they came to Texas. She loved chocolate bars and hamburgers more than anyone I know.

She said they they all knew about the "Cynthia Parker Indian Kidnapping Story".

Cynthia Ann Parker, or Naduah (also sometimes spelled "Nadua" and "Nauta"), was an Anglo-Texas woman of Scots-Irish descent who suffered being kidnapped twice in her lifetime - once from her natural family at the age of nine by a Native American raiding party, and once from her Indian family at the age of 34 by Texas Rangers. Cynthia Ann was a member of the large Parker frontier family that settled in east Texas in the 1830s. She was captured in 1836 by Comanches during the raid of Fort Parker near present-day Groesbeck, Texas.

In December 1860, Cynthia Ann and her daughter were among a Native American party captured at the Battle of Pease River by Texas Rangers led by "Sul" Ross.[1] After fierce fighting, the Comanche realized they were losing and fled. Ross and several of his men pursued the chief who had been giving orders. The chief was fleeing alongside another rider. As Ross and his men neared, the other rider held a child over her head; the men did not shoot, but instead surrounded and stopped her. Ross continued to follow the chief, eventually shooting him three times. Although the chief fell from his horse, he was still alive, and refused to surrender. Ross's cook, Antonio Martinez, who had been taken captive in Mexico after Nocona killed his family, identified the captured chief as Nocona. With Ross's permission, Martinez fired the shot that took Nocona's life.[2] There is some dispute whether the man killed was actually Nocona or someone else.

When Ross arrived back at the campground, he discovered that the woman his men had captured had blue eyes. He assured her that no young boys had been killed in the battle, so her sons, Quanah and Pecos were safe.[3] The woman could not speak English, and did not know her name or where she came from. After much questioning, she remembered a few details of her capture as a child. The details matched what Ross knew of the Fort Parker Massacre of 1836.[4]

Though some of the Rangers urged Ross to set her free to return to the Comanches, he considered it best to try to return her to her white family. Ross knew many settlers had lost children to the Indians, and many of them might feel this was their child or relative.[citation needed] Ross sent the woman to Camp Cooper and sent a message to Colonel Isaac Parker, the uncle of a young girl kidnapped in the raid. When Parker mentioned that his niece's name was Cynthia Ann Parker, the woman slapped her chest and said "Me Cincee Ann."[4] Isaac Parker took her to his home near Birdville. In 1861, the Texas legislature granted her a league (about 4,400 acres) of land, a pension of $100 per year for the next five years, and made her cousins, Isaac Duke Parker and Benjamin F. Parker, her legal guardians.

Cynthia Ann never adapted to her new life among the whites, and attempted to escape on several occasions. Her brother, Silas Jr., was appointed her guardian in 1862, and took her to his home in Van Zandt County. When Silas was mustered into the Confederate Army, Cynthia Ann went to live with her sister, Orlena. According to some accounts, the Parker family was negotiating to return her to west Texas and her adopted people when the American Civil War broke out. The chief cause of Cynthia Ann's unhappiness was that she missed her sons and never knew what had happened to them. In 1863, her daughter, Prairie Flower, caught influenza and died from pneumonia.

In her grief, Cynthia Ann stopped eating. She became sick and died in 1870. She was buried in Fosterville Cemetery in Anderson County near Frankston. Her son, Quanah, moved her body in 1910 to the Post Oak Cemetery near Cache, Oklahoma. He was buried there in 1911. She and her son were moved in 1957 to the Fort Sill military cemetery in Oklahoma. Thanks to her son, Cynthia Ann Parker was finally reunited with her Comanche family

The city of Crowell, Texas holds the Cynthia Ann Parker Festival annually - a two day celebration to honor the memory of Cynthia Ann Parker. They advertise the event as "a fun and educational weekend showcasing both Native American and European settlers history of the region."

The town of Groesbeck, Texas holds an annual Christmas Festival at the site of old Fort Parker every December. The original fort has been re-built on the original site to exact specifications.

Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas has named one of its colleges in her honor, the "Cynthia Ann Parker College of Liberal Arts."

The 1956 movie The Searchers, which was based on an Alan Le May novel, directed by John Ford, and featured John Wayne as an obsessed frontiersman searching for years for his kidnapped niece, is widely believed to have been principally based on Cynthia Ann Parker's story; Natalie Wood and her younger sister Lana Wood portray the kidnapped woman at different ages.

1. There is some confusion about the correct birth and death dates for Cynthia Ann Parker. Different sources place her birth from 1825 to 1827 in Coles, Clark or Crawford counties of Illinois, and her death from 1864 to 1871 in Anderson County, Texas. However, her presence in the 1870 Anderson County census makes an earlier death date unlikely.

2. Writing in the Crowell Index on October 8, 1909, Tom Champion opined, "...I am convinced that the white people did more harm by keeping her away from them than the Indians did by taking her at first."

1. ^ Pease River from the Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved 30 October 2006.

2. ^ Benner (1984), p. 54.

3. ^ Benner (1984), p. 56.

4. ^ Benner (1984), p. 57.

	References: Benner, Judith Ann (1983), Sul Ross, Soldier, Statesman, Educator, College Station, Texas: Texas A&M University Press 

	Exley, Jo Ella Powell (2001), Frontier Blood: Saga of the Parker Family, Texas A&M University Press, ISBN 978-1585441365 

	Hacker (1990), Cynthia Ann Parker: The Life and the Legend, Texas Western Press, ISBN 978-0874041873 

Census 1880 Precinct 1, Eastland, Texas

FHC Film 1255300

NA Film Number T9_1300

Page Number 287C

L. B. BRITTAN Self M Male W 31 TX Farmer TN MO

L. A. BRITTAN Wife M Female W 32 GA Keeps House SC SC

M. C. BRITTAN Son S Male W 16 TX Farm Hand TX GA

V. J. BRITTAN Dau S Female W 14 TX At School TX GA ** THIS MATCHS MARY AGE

T. J. BRITTAN Son S Male W 4 TX TX GA

S. R. BRITTAN Dau S Female W 2 TX TX GA

T. C. MC GOUGH Other W Male W 81 SC IRE IRE

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Mary Ella was said to have a twin sister -- if VJ Brittan above is not her could it be the twin?

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THE BRITTAIN FAMILY

ARTICLES

JOSEPH BRITTAIN

JAMES, SR. & DELILAH (STRINGFIELD) BRITTAIN

WILLIAM & RACHAEL (BRANK) BRITTAIN

ANCESTRY OF DELIAH STRINGFIELD

JAMES BRITTAIN, Jr.

MARY BRITTAIN married THOMAS EDWARDS

PHILLIP and SOPHIA MELINDA (LEWIS) BRITTAIN

AMELIA BRITTAIN married ELLIS EDWARDS

KEZIAH BRITTAIN married JEREMIAH R. PACE

BENJAMIN STRINGFIELD BRITTAIN married CELIA VANCE

WILLIAM & RACHEL (CLAYTON) BRITTAIN

LORENZO DOW BRITTAIN & ARMINTA RUSSELL

HORATIO NELSON & ELIZABETH (MORROW) BRITTAIN

LUCIAN HOLT FELMET, JR.'s BRITTAIN ANCESTRY

JOSEPH BRITTAIN

Shirley (Brittain) Cawyer, P.O. Box 164, Stephenville, TX 76401

  Although Joseph Brittain was dead long before Buncombe County was formed, we submit this sketch as Joseph Brittain was the progenitor of all the Brittain descendants in western North Carolina.

    According to NSDAR #523976, this Joseph Brittain was born in 1723.  We do not have proof of this, but it seems logical, since Joseph was still fathering children in the 1760's.  We do not know the parents of Joseph Brittain.  Much has been written on a James Brittain, born between 1699-1710 (various records give different dates), in Wales, married Mary Witty.  If Mary Witty was near the age of her husband, then she would not be the mother of children born in the mid-1750's.  This compiler has many genealogies of the "James from Wales," and each record has a different version, or list for his children.  We do accept Joseph Brittain as our ancestor, for his Will names all of his children, and we have traced all of these up to ca 1849, by deeds, court minutes and other records.

    Joseph Brittain, living in Orange Co, NC, in 1764 when he sold land in Hampshire Co, Virginia; Joseph also appears in the Court Minutes of Orange Co. His Will mentions land in Orange Co, NC.  His widow, Jemima Brittain, is listed in the court minutes of Orange Co, and some of his sons are there early.

The children as listed in the Will, probated August 1774, Rowan Co, NC, Will Blk., A., page #183:

     1. Mary Elrod.  (We find many mentions of Elrods in early Burke Co, NC, records connected to the Brittains.)

     2. "My Eldest Son, James Brittain, one improvement joining the place I now live on."

     3. Phoebe Brittain.  (We find a Phoebe Poteet, wife of John Poteet, Sr., who is on the 1850 census of Burke Co, born in NC ca 1772.  There was also a Brittain Poteet born soon after 1800 in Burke Co, NC.) Jemima Brittain, the widow.

         She is on the 1790 census of Burke County with young males in her household.) "I give and bequeath unto my six youngest sons" (Indicating that they are minors, as they shall get their part when they come of age and have their ducation.)

     4. Phillip Brittain, born ca 1760.  (He was in Burke Co, NC 60 1816 [sic] when he sold his land to John Smith.  Phillip Brittain was a musician in the Revolutionary War.  He was living in Bedford Co, Tenn. in 1818 when he applied for a Rev. Pension.  It is believed that his first wife was Mary Walker, daughter of George Walker of Burke Co.  There are many deeds in Burke Co. between Phillip and Mary Brittain and the Walker family.)

     5. William Brittain, born 1762 in Orange Co, NC; died 12 March 1846 in Buncombe Co, NC; married Rachel Brank, a daughter of Peter Brank.  William Brittain was a Sgt. in the Revolutionary War.  He was living in Burke Co. in 1790, then his land was located in what was Buncombe Co. in 1792.

     6. Joseph Brittain Jr., born ca 1756 in NC, died 1823 in Bedford, now Marshall Co,NC.  Married in Orange Co, NC, 1786 to Dorothy Herner.  Joseph Jr. appears on Court Minutes of Burke Co. early.

     7. Benjamin Brittain.  We do not know when he was born, and he is gone from the Burke Co, NC Court Records after 1820.  One source gives Benjamin Brittain's age as born ca 1759/60 in Orange Co, NC, married there 30 July 1785 to ComfortDunnigan, dau of William and Sarah Dunnigan.

     8. Aaron Brittain, born between 1765/67, according to the 1800 through 1840 census for Burke Co, NC.  He is not on the 1850 census of Burke Co, and the last mention of him on the Burke Co. Court Minutes is 1849.9. Samuel Brittain was under age 16 on the 1790 census of Burke Co, living with hismother.  Samuel is on the Court Minutes of Burke Co, beginning in 1793 when he was on road work, up to Jan. 1813.  In Oct. 1801, Zachariah Downs deeded 51 acres to Samuel Brittain.  This is probably when Samuel married.

     Sources: Will Bk of Rowan Co, NC & Court Minutes of Rowan Co.

     Burke Co, NC Court Minutes and Deeds.

     Burke Co, NC census from 1790 through 1900.

     Orange Co, NC records

     NSDAR records.

     Correspondence with descendants of the Burke Co. Brittains.

--ALOB, May 1984, Vol. V, #5, p. 84-41 thru 45

     JAMES, SR. & DELILAH (STRINGFIELD) BRITTAIN

     submitted by Shirley (Brittain) Cawyer  P.O. Box 164, 

     Stephenville, TX 76401

   According to the 1880 census of Greenville Co, SC, James Brittain Jr. gave both his parents' birthplaces as Virginia.  James Brittain Sr. was born ca 1750/55 in Va.  He died between 26 Jan. 1831 and the 6th of Jan. 1832. Buncombe Co, Court Minutes and Quarter Pleas, Bk. 6; Jan. 7, 1832 term of Court.  "In the inventory of notes in favor of Thomas Jones, dec'd., now in the hands of William D. and Russell L. Jones...one note made 26 Jan. 1831 to James Brittain, Sr. for $280.00.

    Buncombe Co, Court Min. Bk. 6, page 14; 6 Jan. 1832.  Court ordered James D. Justice, David McCarson and Charles Greer, Esqurs., to be appointed a com- mittee to settle with Philip Brittain and John Y. Murray, admrs. of the estate of James Brittain, Sr., dec'd., and that they report the results of the proceedings to next term of court.  Bk. 6, page 12, Saturday, Jan. 12, 1833.  Buncombe Minute Dockets for 1833.  The estate inventory of James Brittain, Sr. was submitted to Court by the Admrs., Philip Brittain and John Murray.  Among those owing money to the estate were P. Brittain; Wm. B. Lenoir; John Williams; John Osburn; Thomas Edwards; Benj. S. Brittain; and David McCarson.

    James Brittain was "the eldest son" of Joseph Brittain whose Will was written 12th August 1773, and probated August 1774 in Rowan Co, NC.  It is believed that the mother of James was a first wife of Joseph's, as the Will provides for three children, then goes on to mention six younger sons.

    James Brittain, Sr. was in Burke Co, NC, as early as 20 Feb. 1778 when he is mentioned in a land transaction. #260, p. 87.  He remains in what was then Burke Co, until shortly before 1790 census when he is on the census of Rutherford Co, NC, not far from his father-in-law, James Stringfield.  He is listed on the 1800 census of Buncombe Co, NC, page 162.

   We find James Stringfield, Sr. as a witness to the Will of Joseph Brittain in 1774 in Rowan Co, NC, then James Stringfield appears on the earliest land records of Burke Co, along with James Brittain, Sr., and then the two are neighbors on the 1789 census.  James Stringfield moved to Barren Co, Ky, ca 1795 and before 1800.  There are deeds in Barren Co, Ky, where James Stringfield mentions James Brittain, Sr. of Buncombe Co.  (No relation is listed, but it is tradition that a daughter, Delilah Stringfield married "Col" James Brittain.)

    James Brittain, Sr. was on the first court records, deeds, etc. of Buncombe Co. and he served in the Senate from Buncombe Co, from 1796 through 1807.

    It is not known when Delilah Stringfield Brittain was born, but we have the birth dates for her brothers, and they were born in the 1760's.  It is likely that Delilah was the youngest child.  She is not on the 1820 census of Buncombe with James.  James is listed as over 45; one male is under 10 (this would be Horation Nelson Brittain), and one female under 10 (this would be Delilah, the sister to Horatio N.).

    Henderson Co, NC, Deed Bk. 2, page 138, Grant #3195; entered 28th day of December 1821.  State of NC to James Brittain, 100 acres on Crab Creek to be granted to:  Mary Edwards; Jos. Brittain (this could be another son, or perhaps the son Philip was given both the names Joseph Philip ?); Amelia Edwards; Keziah Pace; Benj. S. Brittain; Nancy Stevens (no record of this daughter); Comfort Bell (wife of Montgomery Bell); William Brittain; Susannah M. Wilson (m. in Haywood Co, NC, 5 Feb. 1822 to Asaph Wilson); Jas Brittain, Jr.; Lorenzo Dow Brittain; Horatio Nelson Brittain; and Delilah Brittain, heirs of said James Brittain.  (This is the only record, or proof of the names of the children of James Brittain, Sr.)

    The above deed was not recorded until 28 Feb. 1842, and since the land was in Henderson Co, the deed was recorded there.  Henderson Co, NC, Deed Bk. 3, page 397; date of deed was 1843.  Phillip, James Jr., and William Brittain, sold to Boyd McCrary, 100 acres on Crab Creek.  The deed does not mention the other heirs.

    James Brittain, Sr. served in the Revolutionary War from 1 Dec. 1776 to 1 Feb. 1780.  He was in the 9th Regt., Col. John Williams, Cook's Co.  He appears on many deeds, court minutes, and other records for Burke, Rutherford, Buncombe, and Haywood Counties, NC.

    In the book, Lost Links, by Eliz. Francis and Ethel S. Moore, and reprinted in 1975 by The Genealogical Publishing Co. of Baltimore, MD, we find the following mention of James Brittain Sr.:

    Veterans Administration, Bureau of Pensions, Burke Co, NC, 22 Oct. 1832, Joseph Dobson, resident of Burke Co, aged about 76 yrs old, his age was recorded in a large family Bible which said Dobson states that he has, states that Joseph Dobson was born 4 June 1756....that he entered the service in March 1776....under Captain John Haiden?, Lt. James Brittain's own regiment was commanded by Cols. Beakman (or Bateman), and Charles McDowell....(the article goes on to describe the battles Joseph Dobson was in during his service.)  Joseph Dobson of Burke Co, was closely connected to the brothers of James Brittain in deeds, court minutes, etc.

    We have submitted sketches of most of the children of James Brittain, Sr. and wife Delilah Stringfield.  Yet nothing has been found on the daughters, Nancy (Brittain) Stevens, and the youngest daughter Delilah Brittain.

   We have traced Asaph Wilson on Haywood Co. deeds and Court Minutes up to ca 1840.  He did not leave an estate in Haywood Co, and we do not know the names of his children, if any.

    This compiler has located eighty-four grandchildren of James and Delilah (Stringfield) Brittain, to date.  We have located by actual count, three hundred and sixty-seven great-grandchildren, and not all have been found.

Editors note: The following list of the Brittain children is better organized, and easier to follow:

      1. Mary Brittain married Thomas Edwards

      2. Joseph (this is Phillip (Joseph?) Brittain, b. 1787; d. 1849; married Melinda Lewis, 2 May 1823.

      3. Amelia Brittain (1785-1851) m. Ellis Edwards

      4. Keziah Brittain (1786-1843) m. Jeremiah R. Pace

      5. Benjamin Stringfield Brittain (1793-1864) m. Celia Vance

      6.  Nancy Brittain.  No further information other than that she married a Stevens.

      7. Comfort Brittain (1796-1873) m. Montgomery Bell

             (see sketch in Vol. I, Heritage of Old Buncombe Co.)

      8. William Brittain (1797-1867) m. Rachel Clayton

      9.  Susannah M. Brittain.  No data except her marriage in 1822 in Haywood Co, NC, to Asaph Wilson.

     10.  James Brittain, Jr. b. 8 May 1803, Buncombe Co.

     11.  Lorenzo Dow Brittain, b. 1805; d. 1832.

     12.  Horatio Nelson Brittain, b. ca 1815; d. ca 1865.

     13.  Delilah Brittain.  No further data except that she was not married in December 1823 when she  was deeded land in Buncombe Co. with her brother Horatio Nelson Brittain, by James Ruthledge, paid for "in hand," by James Brittain, Sr.

     --ALOB, May 1984, Vol. V, #5, p. 84-41 thru 45

JAMES BRITTAIN, Jr.

   James Brittain, Jr., son of James Brittain, Sr. and Delilah Stringfield, was born 8 May 1803, Buncombe Co, NC.  His death date and place are not know, yet he was on the 1870 and 1880 census of Greenville Co, SC, and we assume he died there.  (His birth date is recorded in an old Bible in the possession of Mrs. Velma Sumrell of Asheville, NC.)

    James Brittain, Jr. married (1) Rachel R. (probably daughter of James McConnell Smith and "Polly" Patton of Buncombe Co.  This is only tradition and not documented as yet.)  Rachel R. Brittain was b. 12 July 1812, Buncombe Co, NC; d. 31 Dec. 1853; bur. Mills River Methodist Cemetery, Henderson Co, NC.

   There are many deeds, court minutes, and other records of James Brittain Jr. recorded in both Buncombe and Henderson Counties.  He is listed with his father, brothers and some brothers-in-law on some deeds.

Children of James Brittain Jr. and Rachel R. (Smith?) were:

1. Samuel P. Brittain, b. 30 Jan. 1834, Buncombe Co, NC. Married in Rutherford Co, 27 March 1855 to Sarah Ursula Harris, b. 7 Oct. 1834, Rutherford Co; d. 31 May 1904. She was the daughter of John Washington Harris and his wife Sarah Whiteside. Their children:

     a.  John Washington Brittain, died young

     b.  J.W. Brittain, again

     c.  Rachel Lanna Brittain

     d.  Leila Chichosa Brittain

     e.  Mary T. Brittain

     f.  William C. Brittain

2. Mary Salome Brittain, b. ca 1839, Henderson Co, NC. She married William Nelson Harrison on 16 April 1856. They separated, and Mary managed the "Florence Crittendon Home for Girls" in Knoxville, TN. William was on the 1900 census of Henderson Co. living alone, and listed as a widower. She died April 7, 1912 in Henderson Co.

Their children:

     a.  Rachel [Harrison], b. Feb. 20, 1857; d. Sept 3, 1952; bur. Roanoke, VA; m.

         Thomas Stansill.

     b.  John M. Harris [sic], who moved to Russellville, Ala; married twice.

     c.  Cornelia Alein Harris [sic], b. ca 1864; d. ca 1897, Henderson Co; m. Walter C. Harris who d. 1904, Henderson Co.

     d.  Ella Swannono Harris [sic], b. Aug. 9, 1866; d. 1950, Buncombe Co, NC.

         Married (1) Lewis Tunstill, train engineer, killed on Saluda Mountain; m.(2) July

         28, 1897 to Robert Franklin Cline, b. Dec. 12, 1870, Catawba Co, NC; d. Dec 31,

         1949, Buncombe Co, NC.

     e.  William Nelson Harris [sic], Jr., b. after 1870.  No further information. Note:     There is a 1919 marriage record in Henderson Co. for Willian N. Harris and Eva Phyllis Stevens.  It is not known if this is a son of the above family or not.

-- ALOB, February 1985, Vol. VI, #2, p. 85-10

     PHILLIP  & SOPHIA MELINDA (LEWIS) BRITTAIN

     Shirley (Brittain) Cawyer, P.O. Box 164, Stephenville, TX 76401

    Phillip Brittain, son of James and Delilah (Stringfield) Brittain, was born 15 July 1787 in what was then Burke Co, NC.  (Tombstone recording by Sadie Patton.)  No record has been found of his first marriage.  He married in Buncombe Co. 2 May 1823 to Miss Sophia Melinda Lewis, b. 9 Sept. 1802; d. 16 Feb. 1887.  She was a daughter of Henry Grady Lewis and Mourning Mills.

   Phillip Brittain was called "General" but he was appointed Captain in the War of 1812.  Sophia M. Brittain submitted her Bible record when she applied for a land patent in 1853.  This record lists the children with the birthdates.  Another old Bible was located in Greenville, SC, that lists the death dates.  Also, see The Lewis Genealogy in America, pub. 1893 by William Terrell Lewis of Winston Co, Miss.

Issue:

      1.  Phillip Stanhope Brittain, b. 21 Nov. 1824, Buncombe Co; d. 31 Dec. 1895; bur. Oakdale Cem, Henderson Co; m. at age 64 to Addie Livingston, age 24, on 1 Nov. 1887.  No issue.

      2.  Eliza Mourning Brittain, b. 21 May 1826, Buncombe Co; d. 7 Apr 1877, in Arkansas or Idaho; m. 10 Dec. 1857 to Dr. James G. (or Joseph) Blackstock as his second wife.

      3.  Attilla Delilah Brittain, b. 28 Feb. 1828, Buncombe Co; d. 27 July 1889; bur. Henderson Co; m. 10 Dec 1857 to William B. Henry.

      4.  James H. Brittain, b. 15 May 1829, Buncombe Co; d. 28 June 1848.

      5.  Benjamin C. Brittain, b. 11 Oct. 1831, Buncombe Co; d. 25 July 1893. Not married.

      6.  Sophia D. Brittain, b. 20 Feb. 1834; d. 17 Sept. 1835.

      7.  William Gaston Brittain, b. 4 Sept. 1835; d. 3 July 1900, Spartanburg, SC.  He was called "Judge" as he had served as a member of the House of Representatives.  He married Permelia McDowell, b. Nov. 1842 in SC, dau of  John Y. and Mary McDowell of Spartanburg, SC.  Served in the Civil War, enlisting from Polk Co, NC.

      8.  Laura L. Brittain, b. 3 March 1837; d. 22 May 1921; bur. Boyleston Cemetery, Henderson Co, NC.  She married William Henry Cairnes (1845-1901).

      9.  Annie Eugenia Brittain, b. 7 Sept. 1838, Henderson Co; d. 6 July 1891, Henderson Co; m. Norris Allison on 28 Sept. 1865.  No issue.

     10.  Rebecca Tippaconoe "Tip" Brittain, b. 29 Apr. 1840, Henderson Co, NC; d. 20 Sept. 1919 at Mills River.  She did not marry until she was 47 years old - to Mr. Solomon Franklin Young, age 50 years, Henderson Co, NC, 23 July 1887.

     -- ALOB, July 1984, Vol. V, #7, p. 84-62 

                                  ALOB, September 1984, Vo. V, #9, p. 84-85

BENJAMIN STRINGFIELD BRITTAIN and his wife CELIA VANCE

submitted by Shirley (Brittain) Cawyer

   Benjamin Stringfield Brittain, son of James Brittain, Sr. and Delilah Stringfield, was born 1793 in Buncombe Co, NC, and died 19 Aug. 1864 in Cherokee Co, NC.  He married 20 May 1817, Buncombe Co. to Celia Vance, born 1795, Buncombe Co. and died 22 May, 1879, Cherokee Co, NC.  She was a daughter of Col. David Vance and his wife, Priscilla Brank of Buncombe Co.  Both Benj. S. and Celia (Vance) Brittain are buried in the Harshaw Chapel Cemetery, Cherokee Co, NC.

    Benjamin S. Brittain was sheriff of Buncombe Co. from 1817-1822.  He moved to Haywood Co. in 1823 and bought land from his brother-in-law Ellis Edwards.  This land was located on Pigeon River.  Benjamin served in the House of Commons from Haywood County from 1827-1829, and in the Senate from Macon Co. from 1832-1835.  He served in the Mexican War.  Many deeds are recorded in Buncombe, Haywood, Macon and Cherokee Counties, NC for him.

Children of Benjamin Stringfield and Celia (Vance) Brittain:

1. Ann Catherine Brittain, b. 20 March 1819, Buncombe Co, NC; d. 4 Feb.

    1905, Cherokee Co.  Married in Cherokee Co, 4 April 1843 to Ambrose 

    Mauney, b. 23 Oct 1817, Lincoln Co, NC; d. 3 July 1874.  Both are 

    buried in the Harshaw Chapel Cemetery, Cherokee Co, NC.

2. Priscilla A. Brittain, b. 20 March 1821, Buncombe Co; m. 14 Nov. 1843

    to G.N. Bean.

3. Benjamin Franklin Brittain, b. 24 Feb. 1825, Haywood Co, NC; d. 22

    Sept. 1847 in the Mexican War.

4. Marcus Lafayette Brittain, b. 1 April 1827, Haywood Co; d. 25 Feb.

    1904, Cherokee Co.  He married in 1854 to Sarah Catherine 

    Tennessee, b. 27  May 1835, Burke Co, NC; d. after 1900, Cherokee 

    Co, NC.  Catherine was a daughter of David and Catherine 

    Hennessee of Cherokee Co.

5. Julius Wilson Brittain, b. 9 May 1829, Macon Co, NC; d. 8 April 1899,

    Cherokee Co.  He served in the Civil War.  He married 1st to 

    Elizabeth (?) and had issue.  He married 2nd to Nancy Taylor, age 35, 

    in Cherokee Co, NC, 17 Feb. 1887.

6. Celia D. (Delilah?) Brittain, b. 29 April 1835, Macon Co, NC; d. 26 Sept.

    1865, Cherokee Co, NC.

7. Weldon E. Brittain, b. 24 Feb. 1837, Macon Co, NC; d. 27 May 186_? at

     Lynchburg, VA.  C.S.A.

8. William Thomas Brittain, b. 3 December 1839, Cherokee Co, NC; d. 8

     January 1850, Cherokee Co, NC.

--ALOB, September 1984, Vol. V, #9, p. 84-83 thru 85

BRITTAINBRITTAINBRITTAIN I. Joseph Brittain

II. James Brittain married Delia Stringfield

III. William Brittain married Rachel Clayton

IV. Attilla Brittan b. 12 Aug 1837 Buncombe Co., NC,* d. 7 June 1910 Buncombe Co., NC* *; married William B. Moore, b. 7 Mar 1834;d. 9 Nov 1922.

V. Lillian Estelle Moore b. 15 Sept 1875 Henderson Co., NC, d. 3 Dec 1956 Burke Co., NC; married Claude Lucian Felmet b. 16 Apr 1874, Buncombe Co., NC; d. 5 Apr 1946, Buncombe Co., NC.

VI. Lucian Holt Felmet, Sr. b. 11 Apr 1907 Buncombe Co., NC, d. 7 Sept. 1983 Wake Co. NC married Mary Louise Roberson b. 16 Apr 1909 Buncombe Co., NC.

VII. Lucian Holt Felmet, Jr. b. 8 Mar 1946 Wake Co., NC; mar. 16 June 1973 Harnett Co.NC

• now Clay County, **now Henderson County

BRITTAIN

BUNCOMBE CO., NC MARRIAGES BRITAIN, EMLYN J, 39 - WASHINGTON-DC LEE, ROSINA M, 31 - WASHINGTON-DC 12-25-1921

BRITTAIN, HARVEY, 26 TIPTON, DELIA, 25 08-21-1931

BRITTAIN, J., 28 - TENNESSEE WALTON, MATTIE ( MRS), 30 11-21-1905

BRITTAIN, J. H., 23 ANDERSON, AVALINE F., 19 12-20-1886

BRITTAIN, J. V., 32 CHEROKEE CO-NC McKOY, MARY A., 30 12-30-1897

BRITTAIN, JULIUS L., 33 GILLESPIE, ELLA E., 28 09-11-1930

BRITTIAN, LEONARD, 23 WILLIAMS, LUCY, 22 - HELENA-SC 08-13-1921

BRITTAIN, MONTERVILLE G., 31 - BREVARD-NC WELCH, NANCY E., 28 06-27-1936

BRITTAIN, POWELL, 51 KNIGHT, MANDY, 45 12-05-1892

BRITTAIN, R. P., 25 WALTON, LULIA H., 18 12-25-1872

BRITTAIN, T. D. JONES, LAURA 02-03-1870

BRITTAIN, ZACK, 21 COUNCIL, LOU, 20 02-08-1893

BRITTON, ROSWELL S., 24 - VA McCONNELL, EMILY B., 23 07-30-1921

BRITTON, THOMAS J. JR, 24 MERRILL, ELSIE M., 22 - DOZIER-AL 07-19-1936

BRITTON, W. T. HEMPHILL, M.E. 09-17-1860

This page has been updated: 09/29/2000 15:42:23