Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: Genealogy Report: Descendants of Father '1st Gen' McBrayer

[ Home Page | First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page ]

Descendants of Father '1st Gen' McBrayer

Generation No. 2

2. WILLIAM² MCBRAYER (FATHER '1ST GEN'¹) was born 1696 in Scotland or Northern Ireland, and died October 1795 in Hamilton Twp, Franklin Co., PA ¹. He married REBECCA ? Abt. 1729 in Ireland ². She was born Abt. 1704 in Ireland ?, and died August 12, 1805 in Hamilton Twp, Franklin Co., PA.

Notes for WILLIAM MCBRAYER:
Some researchers show William's origin as Dumfries or Galloway, Scotland. Although strong evidence points to his birth place as Scotland, there are indications he could have been of Irish birth, but most definitely of Scottish parentage. It is possible he was born at Killyleagh in County Down, Northern Ireland. WWW.familysearch.org, an internet site devoted to genealogy, has a submitter that indicated William McBrayer was christened on 7 June 1716 in County Down, Ireland. (see info in hard files) This is unverified information.

He came to America about 1734-1735. He migrated westward and settled in the Cumberland Valley of old Lancaster County, PA (now Franklin Co.) His farm was located near the junction of Back Creek and the Conococheague River, which flows through the present town of Chambersburg.

When registering his land he was required to name the farm. He chose "Williamsburg".

He was taxed during the years of 1779-80-81-82 on 50-50-50-60 acres of land. (Pa. Archives, Vol XX, 3rd Ser., pp 178,314,440,584)

It wasn't until after the American Revolution and the foundation of Franklin County that William had his land surveyed, (26 Apr 1785), and a warrant or patent was finally issued to him on 8 Nov 1785. The parcel of land contained 137 1/4 acres. As was the custom and the law in those days, William was required to name his property. According to the grant, he chose to call it "Williamsburg". (ed note: The present town of Williamson, PA, is situated in the approximate area of his "Williamsburg". It isn't known if the two names are related, but due to the proximity, it can safely be assumed they are.) The following page is the first land grant issued to William in America:

William was a farmer by trade and a man of modest means. He was also active in public and community affairs in the Cumberland Valley and at the January term of the Court in 1772, 'William McBrier' was among the viewers of the road site between Fort Louden, Chambersburg, and Gettysburg. (This is practically the same route as the present Highway 30.)
      ________________________________________________________

      The Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of       Pennsylvania.

      To ALL to whom these presents shall come, Greetings: Know ye that in consideration of the Monies paid by William McBrayer into the Receiver Generals Office of this Commonwealth at The granting of the Warrant here-in after mentioned, there is granted by the said commonwealth unto the said William McBrayer a certain tract of land called "WILLIAMSBURG" Situate in Hamilton township, Franklin County, beginning at a corner white oak of David McBrayers land, thence by the same North twenty nine degrees East ninety perches to a post, North fifty six degrees West twenty perches to a white oak, North sixty degrees West forty perches to a black oak grub, North sixty one degrees West seventy six perches to a Pine, North forty two degrees West twenty eight perches to a post and North eighty two degrees West thirty perches to a white oak, thence by land of William Wittney South twenty degrees West eighty three perches to an Hickory, thence by land of James McBride, south thirty five degrees East thirty perches and a quarter to a whiteoak, South sixteen degrees West forty nine perches to a pine, thence by land of Andrew Gibsons heirs, South seventy two degrees East eighty seven perches to a white oak and North eighty one degrees East seventy one perches to the place of beginning, containing one hundred and thirty seven acres and a quarter and allowance of 6 percent for roads, &c. with the Appurtenances which said tract was surveyed in pursuance of a warrant granted to the said William McBrayer dated the 8th November 1785.
      To have and to hold the said tract or Parcel of land with the Appurtenances, unto the said William McBrayer and his heirs to the use of him, the said William McBrayer, his heirs and assigns forever, free and clear of all restrictions and reservations as to mines, Royalties, Quit-rents or otherwise, excepting and reserving only the fifth part of all Gold and Silver Ore for the use of this Commonwealth to be delivered at the Pitt's mouth clear of all charges.

      In witness whereof THE HON PETER MUHLENBERG, ESQ., Vice President of the Supreme Executive Council hath hereunto set his hand and caused the State Seal to be hereto affixed in Council the Fifteenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty eight, and the Commonwealth, the Thirteenth.

      Attest /s/ CHA. BIDDLE, SECT.

      /s/ P. Muhlenberg (seal)
      Enrolled Sept 20th, 1788
___________________________________________________

William McBrayer, 1st generation, died intestate in October of 1795 and on 19 Oct of the same year, his widow,"Rebecca McBrier", of Hamilton Township, renounces her right to administer on the estate of her husband and requests that letters of administration be granted her son, David.

The letter of administration on the estate of 'W. McBrire, yoeman, was granted unto David McBrire'. Surities were: David McBrire and William Nesbit. (Will Bk 'B', p 2, Franklin Co., PA)

David assumed the responsibilities requested by his mother and on the 29th of October, 1795, appointed Oliver V. Dawl and Adam Casmer to appraise William's estate and personal property. The following page is a transcript of that appraisal.
      ________________________________________________________

      Personally before me appeared Oliver V. Dawl and (?) Adam Casmer who are appointed by David Briar to appraise the personal estate of Wm Brier dec.
      And on their solume oaths do swear that they will appraise all the goods and chattles of said dec. that is shown them by said David or that comes
to their knowledge to the best of their skills and knowledge. Drawn and
      subscribed before me his 29th day of Oct. 1795.
/s/ John Scott
/s/ Oliver Dawl
/s/ Adam Casmer
      ________________________________________________________
The appraisal shown on the following page is the list submitted by David as the final estate of his father. The value is in English pound, shilling and pence.

During the following years David continued to administer to the estate as witnessed by the following receipts.
      ________________________________________________________

      January the 6, 1796. Then received of David McBrier five shillings and one penny of county Tax for the year 1795 for William McBrier of -ay. Received by me,
      /s/ Tho. Wilson, Col.

      Received of David Brier the sum of seven shillings and three pence tax for Christina Wiland By me for William Brier. Feby 2, 1796
      /s/ James Ferguson

      August 11th 1796, recv of David Brier thirteen shillings and four pence in full of tax charged against the heirs of William Brier. In my duplicate for the present year.
      /s/ Joseph Mitchell
      ________________________________________________________

The distribution of the estate of William McBrayer (McBriar) is covered in Orphan's Court records of Franklin County, PA (Vol. A, p 89, dtd 4 Sept 1797). The record recites that his heirs were his widow, Rebecca, and his children, James, Samuel, William, David, and Sarah, who married to Andrew Taylor, all of full age. The deed shows that in 1796 Samuel and William McBrayer, both of Rutherford County, North Carolina, sold their interest in this property to David McBrayer for 69 pounds, 10 shillings. It further states that James had died, unmarried and intestate in May 1796.

An inquest was held under the direction of the sheriff to determine the possibility of fair division among the beneficiaries. As the land "would not divide to and among the widow and children", it was to be sold at the value of 332 pounds, 7 shillings "lawful money of Pennsylvania". The court awarded the property to David at the valuation set, decreeing that he must pay the widow and Andrew Taylor and Sarah, his wife, their respective shares.

APPRAISAL

L S P
(Pound, Sterling, Pence)

One horse at 2 0 0
A red cow at 4 10 0
A white Cow at 5 10 0
Hay by the tun 2 0 0
one plow and a
double tree 1 0 0
a three horse tree 0 2 0
a mawl and wedges 0 5 0
two broad axes 0 5 0
one hilling hoe 0 5 0
sixteen horow teeth 0 8 0
one ax 0 2 0
a crook and tongs 0 8 0
a ---frow and cuting
knife 0 5 0
two drawing knifes 0 1 0
a number of plains 0 2 0
one foot edge 0 3 9
two saws 0 1 0
a number of sycles 0 2 6
four augers 0 4 0
sythe hengings 0 1 0
one larg pott 0 10 0
a small pott and hooks 0 4 0
a sten cettle 0 6 0
three pewter dishes 0 18 0
six pewter plates 0 7 6
two quarts and
five tins 0 2 0
three pales 0 1 6
a cupboard 0 5 0
a table 0 3 0
a bed and a bedstead 2 0 0
one bedstead 0 2 0
one chest 0 3 9
four chairs 0 2 6
two saddles 0 15 0
one barrell
and two ceggs 0 3 9
a griddle 0 1 0
four flower barrels 0 1 0
a bell 0 3 9
Wheat by the bushel
- 15 bushels at 8/4 6 5 0
Rye by the bushel
- 5 bushels at 5/ 1 5 0
Corn by the bushel
- 22 bushels at 3/ 3 6 0
Wheat by the acre 7/6
for 4 acres 1 6 4
/s/
DAVID BRAYER

      ________________________________________________________

      Died in Hamilton Township, on Monday, the 12th inst., one of the first settlers, and it is supposed the oldest inhabitant of the County. Mrs Rebecca M'Brier, aged 101, relict of the late William M'Brier. Mrs M'Brier was a native of Ireland, and emigrated to this country about the year 1737, soon after which her husband purchased and settled on a tract of land within about 7 miles of town, where they spent the remainder of their days. She was a woman of athletic habit, even temper, and as the poet expresses it, "with a little pleat'd", and possessed to the day of her death a degree of mental and bodily strength, unusual to persons of her advanced years. She was a firm believer in, and practicer of, the doctrines of the New Testament. Being deprived sometime before her death, (by failure of her eyesight) of her favorite amusement of reading, she seemed to wish for that final change from mortality to immortality, in which the righteous are at rest. On Tuesday her remains were deposited by the side of her husband in the old burial ground near Brown's Mill.
      ________________________________________________________
William was listed in only one U.S. Census - the 1790 - and was carried as 'William Brier'. Only he and Rebecca were recorded. All of his sons and his daughter had by this time married and were leading their own lives; David had land adjoining; James was thought to have been in York Co., PA. (see PA. Archives, Vol. XXI, 3 ser., pp 140,285, Transcript of taxables, County of York, Hamilton Bann Township, 1781); William and Samuel had moved to the Carolinas.
      ________________________________________________________

The following information was extracted from THE MCBRAIR HERITAGE JOURNAL AND NEWSLETTER, published by Ethel Brier Koller, Vol. 1 #2, May 1985.

      We are indeed indebted to Mrs. Joyce Spencer of Springfield, Missouri, for sending us the Traditions by David Brier Smyth.
      "The family traditions as handed down to me by Aunt Lou (Louisa Brier Stephens) of Marion, Iowa, and Uncle John (Col. John Brier) Topeka, Kansas, are here set down for the benefit of my son and daughters, their children, and any other Brier descendants interested.
      "According to these traditions, three brothers by the name of McBrayer immigrated from the North of Ireland to this country. One brother is said to have settled in Kentucky and became famous for a brand of whiskey produced on his place. Another brother I know nothing about, except that he bore the family name of David. The third brother was William, whose wife was Rebecca. Among their sons and daughters was David who married Agnes Dickson.
      Uncle Billy as the original William was familiarly called, lived to be over a hundred. It is said that he was out mowing the fence corners, when about the middle of the forenoon he said to his son, David, I guess I'll go to the house and lie down a bit. When they went in to call him to their mid-day dinner, they found him dead.
      Same with his widow Rebecca, some years later. In fact there is a record of her death, on August 12, 1805, at or near Mercersburg, Pa. She was 101, and was buried near Mr. Brown's Mill in the burial grounds, beside the remains of her husband. They came to Pennsylvania about 1737. She had been blind for some years. She was helping her daughter-in-law, Agnes, with the household duties when she remarked, "I guess I'll go lie down a bit" and when they went to her she had passed away without a struggle."
      In the year of 1941, James Brier Smyth, who was born in Iowa in 1859, dictated the Brier Traditions to a public secretary as had been handed down by his Aunt and Uncle. What makes this especially interesting, is that his Aunt Lou was 29 years of age when Rebecca died so her recollection, as well as that of her brother was no doubt very accurate and they were in a good position to recall incidents relating to Aunt Becky and Uncle Billy. (EBK)
      "See data in Jan, 1998 issue of ID - Rev. War Soldiers"


More About WILLIAM MCBRAYER:
Burial: Brown's Mill Cem., Chambersburg, PA
Christening: June 07, 1716, Killyleagh, County Down, Ireland²
Fact 2: Bet. 1751 - 1752, Taxed on land - Rolls for Hopewell Twp
Fact 3: November 08, 1785, Warrent or Patent issued for farm
Fact 4: April 26, 1785, Land surveyed - 137 1/4 acres
Fact 6: May 22, 1769, entered a contest against a neighbor, Andrew Gibson - land boundary dispute
Fact 7: October 29, 1795, Appraisal of property by David Brier
Fact 8: September 20, 1788, Land grant was enrolled

More About REBECCA ?:
Date born 2: 1704, Ireland
Burial: Brown's Mill Cem., Chambersburg, PA

More About WILLIAM MCBRAYER and REBECCA ?:
Marriage: Abt. 1729, Ireland²

Children of WILLIAM MCBRAYER and REBECCA ? are:

JAMES³ MCBRAYER, b. Bet. 1730 - 1735, Northern Ireland ?; d. May 1796, Franklin Co., PA ?.

Notes for JAMES MCBRAYER:
He was thought to have been the oldest of the children. He never married, and died 'intestate' in May 1796. He was buried at Brown's Mill Cemetery, Chambersburg, PA.

5.	ii.	SAMUEL MCBRAYER, b. Abt. 1736, Pennsylvania, Northern Ireland, or on the ship over; d. May 02, 1814, Shaw's Creek, Buncombe Co., NC.
6.	iii.	DAVID MCBRAYER, b. 1745, Williamsburg, Hamilton Twp, Lancaster Co., PA; d. October 19, 1816, Mt. Pleasant Twp, Westmoreland Co., PA.
	iv.	SARAH MCBRAYER, b. Abt. 1746, 'Williamsburg, Cumberland Co., PA; m. ANDREW TAYLOR.
7.	v.	WILLIAM MCBRAYER, b. Abt. 1734, Northern Ireland ?; d. Bet. 1805 - 1812, York Co., SC.

[ Home Page | First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page ]