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ROBERT BRACEWELL
1612-1667
The first Bracewell to have emigrated to the Colonies is believed to have been Robert Bracewell, minister, parson, or clerk. Robert Bracewell I was born 1612 in England, the son of Richard Bracewell of London. Robert I entered Hart Hall of Oxford College on February 22, 1627/28 at age 15. He received his A.B. degree on November 3, 1631. (The Colonial Church in Virginia by Goodwin, page 253).)
Why Robert Bracewell I came to Virginia is not known but he must have come to Isle of Wight Virginia prior to 1650. Records show that he was a witness to an agreement between Ambrose Bennett and Thomas Webb for the use of a mill and adjacent land, April 29, 1650. (Deed Book I, p. 426). He is also mentioned in Captain John Upton's will, dated January 16, 1651 as having 300 acres of land. (Wm. & Mary College Quarterly Series I, Vol. 7, 1899, p. 220.)
Robert Bracewell I had a plantation located on the Blackwater River, some miles south of the James River and the colonial town of Jamestown, a few miles northwest of where the town of Smithfield, Virginia now stands. (Lineage of Jacob Braswell by Viola Vick Braswell)
In many of the early records of Isle of Wight county, Virginia, the name Robert Bracewell is followed by Parson, minister, or clerk. It is believed that all of these titles indicate the same person. The word "clerk" is derived from the Latin "clericus"or priest.
In 1634 Warrosquyoake county Virginia was formed and in 1637 Isle of Wight county was formed from Warrosquyoake. Until March, 1643, Isle of Wight had but one parish. At that time the county was divided into two parishes, Upper and Lower.
The upper parish to extend from Lawnes Creek to the eastern side of the Bay, the creeke
Divideing the plantation of Sam. Davis and Joseph Cobbs to be the extent and division of the said upper parish.
The lower parish to extend from the Pagan-poynt upon the river side to the plantation of Rich. Hayes, from the Pagan-poynt upon the bay including all the southerly side to the plantation of the said Cobbs, and that all the inhabitants alreadie resideing or that hereafter shall reside on that side to belong to the said lower parish. (Parish Lines-Diocese of Southern VA-Cocke. Cocke's reference is 1 Henning 279)
Unoffically, the Upper Parish became known as Warrosquyoake Parish, and the Lower Parish as Newport Parish. Robert Bracewell's pastorate may have been known as Lawne's Creek Parish and was in the vicinity of the present boundary line between Surry and Isle of Wight Counties. (Viola Vick Braswell)
In discussing early ministers for the parishes, a statement is made on page 11, Wm & Mary College Quarterly, Vol. 7, July 1898 April 1899, which says, "to the list of Ministers might be added the name of Robert Bracewell, who died in Isle of Wight in 1667." The parish served by Robert was probably in the Lower Parish, because he is mentioned as "Parson of L.P." in a land transaction involving his son-in-law, James Bagnall, husband of daughter Ann. (17th Century Isle of Wight County, VA by Boddie, p. 599.)
Robert Bracewell I was chosen to the House of Burgess, Colony of Virginia, Isle of Wight county, in 1653 but was not allowed to serve. The record (Colonial Church in VA by Goodwin) says that he was suspended because he "is not in a capacitie of serving as a Burgesse, since it is unpresidentiall and may produce bad consequence." This same information is found in Statutes At Large, Vol. 1, 1629-60, p. 378, by Henning. Henning also has a note beside the information saying "Minister of the Gospel suspended and declared ineligible to a seat in the House of Burgesses." It appears that Robert's ineligibility was based strictly upon his being a minister.
When minister Robert Bracewell died in 1667 he was the owner of considerable property. At present it is not known if he was wealthy when he came to Virginia or accumulated his wealth after settling in the Isle of Wight.
The will of Robert Bracewell, minister, dated February 15, 1667, and probated May 1, 1667, indicates his death in early 1667. The will is found in Deed and Will Book 1, p. 9, of the Isle of Wight county records in Virginia. An abstract of the will shows the following:
Will of Robert Bracewell, date Feb. 1667, pr. May 1, 1667. Daus. Jane Stokes, Rebecca; Sons: Richard, Robert. Legacy to servant Eliz. Hall; Mr. Richard Izard and George Gwillin to be guardians, and c. 40 shillings to each for a ring. Dau. Ann Bagnall. Sons Robert and Richard "shall be putt to schoole until they can both write and read." Teste, John Jennings, Cl Court.
(Wm & Mary College Quarterly, p. 235-236, Vol. 7.
An appraisal of the estate of Robert I was conducted May 11, 1668 and recorded June 9, 1668. An account of the estate was in the hands of Richa4rd Izard, neighbor and friend, and presented by his wife Rebecca Izard, recorded January 10, 1669. (Will and Deed Book 1, p. 28.) The inventory of property shows that the total value of his estate was given at 35,800 pounds of tobacco with a library worth 500 pounds of tobacco. (Will & Deed Book 1, p. 55) The bulk of the estate went to his two sons, Robert, Jr. and Richard.
Robert's three married daughters, Ann, Jane, and Rebecca, received 3 cows each. The servant, Elizabeth Hall, received a heifer when her indenture w as complete.
The name of Robert Bracewell's wife is listed as Rebecca in "The Lineage of Jacob Thomas Braswell" traced and recorded by Viola Vick Braswell." However, she list no reference to support this information.
The children of Robert I (minister) Bracewell and wife Rebecca (?) follows:
- 1. Ann, b. ca. 1650, m. James Bagnall in 1667. She was listed as daughter of Robert,
Minister. (Marriages of Isle of Wight, 1628-1800)
2. Jane, b. ca. 1649, m. first Robert Stoikes 1667 and listed as daughter of Robert, minister. Marriages of Isle of Wight, 1628-1800) Robert Stoikes was executed in March, 1676 by order of Gov. Berkeley for having taken part in Bacon's Rebellion. (Henning, Vol. 2, p. 550) Jane may have married a second time to Robert Eley because she list a son Robert Eley in her will. Another marriage (3rd ?) was listed for Jane to John Roberts in 1680. Here she was listed as sister of Richard Bracewell. This was probably due to the fact that her father, Robert I, minister, was deceased at this time. (Marriages in Isle of Wight) Jane's will is on page 77, Wills and Administration Isle of Wight county VA, Book 1, 1647-1800 as follows:
Jane Roberts; Leg. Son Robert Eley, part of a patent granted to John Roberts and his wife Jane, grandson Robert Scott, daughter Mary Parker and her husband William Parker, dec'd; granddaughter Martha Sanders; to Thomas Jones the land he bought of my brother Robert Bracewell; my ______Rebececkae Brinkley; daughter Jane Scott, son John Roberts, son Thomas Roberts. D. June 26, 1711, R. Aug. 24, 1713 Wit. Willis Scott, Jr., Robert Scott, John Sellaway.
- 3. Rebecca, b. ca. 1650, m. William West 1668. Listed as daughter of Robert,
minister. (Marriages of Isle of Wight) Rebecca may have died in the late 1600s because William's will, dated 1708, has his wife as "Martha". The children in William West's will were daughters, Rebecca West, Mary, wife of William Green, and sons, Richard, William, and Robert. (Wills and Administration Isle of Wight, Book 1, 1647-1800, p. 67)
- 4. Robert II (Jr.), b. ca. 1650. A more detailed account of this son is given later.
5. Richard IIA (Sr.), b. ca. 1655, d. ca. 1724/25. The number identification IIA is used so as not to confuse this Richard with the son of Robert, Jr. A more detailed account of Richard IIA is given later.
Copied from the files of Joe Taylor.
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