The Brakefields and Breakfields of America can trace their origins to a group of German and Swiss Protestants who settled in Pennsylvania in the early 1700's. The family name was originally spelled Brachbuhl or Brechbuhl in Switzerland. In colonial America it was variously recorded as Brechbiel, Brakebill, Brackpiel, Braighbille, Brackfield, and Braikfield. Eventually, Brakefield and Breakfield became the dominant spellings. One of these early immigrants was Isaac Brechbiel, who settled in New Hanover Township of Philadelphia County, PA (modern Montgomery County) sometime before 1748. Isaac's wife was named Maria Catharine and they had three sons and three daughters: Elizabeth, Christophel (Christopher), Jacob, Catharine, Barbary and Isaac. The oldest daughter, Elizabeth, was married in PA and remained there. Around 1760, Isaac, Catharine and the other five children moved down to the Brock's Gap area of Augusta County, VA (today located in Rockingham County), where Isaac died in early 1769. After Isaac's death, the remaining family members began moving down to the Craig's Creek area of Botetourt County (modern Craig County), VA. During the American Revolution, Christopher and Jacob both served in the Botetourt County militia. Around 1785, Christopher, Jacob and their sisters migrated to Chester County, SC and settled on the headwaters of Sandy River near the modern town of Lowrys.
My 5th-great-grandfather, Christopher Brakefield (1748-c.1817) and his wife Mary, had six sons and two daughters. His brother Jacob Brakefield (1750-1793, m. Elizabeth Smith) lived nearby and had two sons and five daughters. It is possible that their sister Catharine married Peter Coonrod, a neighbor who moved from VA to SC along with the Brakefields. Barbary may have married James McGriff, another neighbor and acquaintance from VA who also moved to SC in the 1780's. The fate of younger brother Isaac is at this time unknown. In the early decades of the nineteenth century, many of the Brakefield children moved from SC to Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and points farther west, while others remained in Chester County and spread to neighboring York County and Union County, SC. One of Christopher's sons who remained in Chester County was John Brakefield (1776-1843, m. Mary ---), my 4th-great-grandfather. John had four daughters and five sons, one of whom, Isaac McGriff Brakefield (1807-1879, m. Sarah "Sally" Thomas), was my 3rd-great-grandfather. Most of the present-day Brakefields in South Carolina are descended from Isaac and Sally Brakefield, who had seven sons and three daughters.
Isaac's second son was my great-great-grandfather, John Marion Brakefield of Chester County (1833-1904, m. Mary Susan Lee). During the Civil War, John Marion served in the 4th SC Cavalry Regiment (part of Butler's Brigade, Hampton's Cavalry Corps) from 1862 until 1865 along with his brothers Henry Alexander Brakefield and Thomas C. Brakefield. They fought at the battles of Hawe's Shop, Cold Harbor, Trevilian Station and Ream's Station in northern Virginia in the summer of 1864, some of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War. John Marion's brother George Washington Brakefield served in the 6th SC Infantry Regiment and was killed at the Battle of Dranesville, VA, in Dec. 1861. His oldest brother, William B. Brakefield, served in the 5th SC Infantry Regiment and died during the Chickamauga Campaign in Sept. 1863. Richard Amaziah Brakefield, one of John's younger brothers, was part of the migration to Alabama in the 1850's, along with other Brakefields and related families from SC. Better known as Dick, he served in the Alabama Partisan Rangers during the Civil War.
|
- John Marion Brakefield's grave (115 KB)
The gravestone of my gg-grandfather, John Marion Brakefield (1833-1904) of the 4th SC Cavalry, at Armenia United Methodist Church, Chester County, SC. This photo was taken on Confederate Memorial Day, 1997. The inscription reads, "Sleep, Soldier, Sleep, Thy Warfare's O'er." The broken gravestone to the right is John Marion's father, Isaac McGriff Brakefield.
- William Henry Brakefield (145 KB)
My great-grandfather, William Henry Brakefield (1869-1943), aka "Pa Bill," of Chester County, SC.
- Mary Susan Lee Brakefield (93 KB)
My gg-grandmother, Mary Susan Lee (1839-1914), wife of John Marion Brakefield. Susan was the daughter of Johnnie Lee and Mary Preslar of Chester County.
- Pa Bill Brakefield (72 KB)
Another photo of my great-grandfather William Henry Brakefield. I would guess that this photo was taken about ten years earlier than the one above.
- William Jasper Brakefield (250 KB)
William Jasper Brakefield (b. 1897) was the oldest son of Alvin Jasper and Susan Brakefield of Walker County, Alabama. Photo submitted by Lavon Brown.
- George and Ida Brakefield (82 KB)
This is my great-great-uncle John George Brakefield (1872-1959) and his wife Ida White Brakefield (1876-1944). George was a younger brother of my great-grandfather William Henry Brakefield, and Ida was the sister of Pa Bill's wife, my great-grandmother Eva White. Submitted by George and Ida's great-granddaughter, Janet Tillman of St. Augustine, FL.
- David Austin Brakefield (10 KB)
David Austin Brakefield (1913-1993) on his farm in Stanton County, Kansas, probably in the 1950's. (I'm basing that estimate on the appearance of the Jeep to David's right.) He was the great-grandson of Christopher Brakefield III. Submitted by his granddaughter, Susan Swan of Knoxville, Tennessee.
- Grave of Richard Amaziah Brakefield (45 KB)
Richard Amaziah Brakefield (1834-1899) was born in Chester County, SC, and moved to Walker County, Alabama in the 1850's. He is buried in New Prospect Baptist Church cemetery, Jasper, Walker Co., AL. Photo submitted by Peggy Gilbert of Birmingham, AL, a Brakefield descendant.
- Eva Estelle White Brakefield (76 KB)
Eva Estelle White (1879-1908) was my great-grandmother, the wife of William Henry "Pa Bill" Brakefield and sister of Ida White Brakefield, the wife of Pa Bill's brother George.
- June and Purlina Breakfield (811 KB)
June Porterman Breakfield (1882-1960) and his wife Purlina Becky Prine, of Marion County, MS. June was the great-grandson of Isaac N. Brakefield, who moved from Chester County, SC, to Marion County, MS. Submitted by their granddaughter, Elizabeth Breakfield Wade of Petal, MS.
- Botetourt County marriage agreement, part 1 (122 KB)
On Jan. 2, 1783, a marriage agreement was recorded between John McGriff and Catharine Brakefield in Botetourt County. From Botetourt Deed Book, 3, page 177.
- Grave of Mary Brown Brakefield (54 KB)
Mary Brown Brakefield (1826-1907) was the wife of Richard Amaziah Brakefield of Walker County, AL. She is buried beside her husband in New Prospect Baptist Church cemetery, Jasper, AL. Photo submitted by Peggy Gilbert.
- June and Purlina Breakfield Family (57 KB)
This photo shows June and Purlina Breakfield of Marion County, MS, circa 1950, with their children. Front row, left to right, Mary Ruth Breakfield; June; Purlina; Ivy Breakfield; and Ruby Breakfield. Back row, left to right, Rex Breakfield (father of Liz Wade), Roy Breakfield, Glen Breakfield, and Ray Breakfield. Submitted by Linda M. Breakfield, daughter of Roy and first cousin of Liz Wade who submitted the other photo of June and Purlina.
- Martha Brakefield Riley (182 KB)
Martha Brakefield Riley (1838-1888), daughter of George and Mary Brakefield of York County, SC, was born in Carolina and moved to Talledaga, AL, while still a young girl. Submitted by Martha's great-granddaughter, Gary Williams of Comanche, TX.
- Botetourt County marriage agreement, part 2 (48 KB)
This is the rest of the marriage agreement between John McGriff and Catharine Brakefield. Botetourt County Deed Book 3, page 178.
- Grave of Thomas C. Brakefield (150 KB)
Thomas C. Brakefield (1839-1922) served with his older brothers John Marion and Henry Alexander Brakefield in the 4th SC Cavalry from 1862 until 1865. His grave at Armenia Methodist Church cemetery is distinguished by a Confederate military marker, placed there by the Daughters of the Confederacy.
- Margaret Ruth and John Richard Brakefield (199 KB)
This picture, taken about 1930, shows two of the children of William Boyd and Annie Mae Brakefield of Chester County, SC. The house in the background was the home of Boyd's parents, John George and Ida Brakefield, and is still standing today, occupied by one of my cousins. Submitted by Janet Tillman, daughter of Margaret Ruth Brakefield.
- Plat showing Peter Coonrod's old house (176 KB)
This is an SC state plat for Col. Thomas Williams, 693 acres, on McNeel's Branch of Susy Bole Creek, on the York-Chester District line, surveyed Aug. 15, 1827, from SC State Plats Book, Vol. 49, Page 34. The plat shows "P. Conrad's old house" and "J. Conrad's old house," in the lower part of the picture (Chester District); the houses are marked with astericks in pencil. Roads are in purple, creeks in blue, and the York-Chester District line is in green. J. Coonrod could be Jacob Coonrod, Peter's brother, or Joseph Coonrod, Peter's son.
- Grave of Mary E. Brakefield (173 KB)
Mary E. Brakefield (1838-1917) was the wife of Thomas C. Brakefield of Chester County, SC. She is buried beside her husband at Armenia Methodist Church cemetery.
- Annie Mae Bailey Brakefield and family (478 KB)
Children and grandchildren of George and Ida Brakefield of Chester County, circa 1925. Left to right, Annie Mae Bailey Brakefield, wife of William Boyd Brakefield; Margaret Ruth Brakefield; Annie Boyd Brakefield (on hood of car); Elizabeth "Lib" Brakefield; Doris Brakefield; Jeanette Brakefield; Margaret Brakefield; and Richard Cliff Bailey, father of Annie Mae. Submitted by Janet Tillman.
- Craig's Creek area, Craig County, Virginia (265 KB)
Another view of the area where Christopher and Jacob Brakefield lived before moving to SC.
- William Henry Brakefield home (37 KB)
This was the home of my gg-grandfather William Henry Brakefield and is the house where my grandfather Cecil Brakefield was born. It is located in northern Chester County, not far from Armenia Methodist Church.
- Henry Alexander Brakefield (149 KB)
My gg-grandfather's brother, Henry Alexander Brakefield (1838-1924) of Chester County, SC. Alex was a corporal in the 4th SC Cavalry during the Civil War.
- Family of Sarah Breakfield Carmack (278 KB)
This 1931 photo shows Sarah Breakfield Carmack and her family. Sarah is third from the left on the front row. Photo submitted by Susie Sequera.
- John George Brakefield home (34 KB)
This was the home of John George Brakefield and is located very near to the home of my gg-grandfather William Henry Brakefield, in Chester County, SC.
- Jasper and Mary Breakfield (63 KB)
Jasper Eaton Breakfield (1868-1928) and his wife Mary Eugene Garrison (1873-c.1909). Jasper was born in Robertson County, TN, and was the great-grandson of William Brakefield who moved from SC to TN in 1816. Photo submitted by Brenda Stewart of Madison, IN, granddaughter of Jasper and Mary.
- Brakefield Country I: Northern Chester County, SC (764 KB)
This is the area of Chester County, SC, where the Brakefield families have lived since Christopher and Jacob Brakefield settled here about 1785. The brothers originally settled along Quinn Road or Turkey Creek Road, on the headwaters of Sandy River. Later Brakefield families lived and farmed the area to the northwest of Armenia United Methodist Church, on the headwaters of Susy Bole Creek. Many Brakefield descendants still live in this area. My home is about 4 miles due north of Armenia Church, just over the county line in York County. This image is from a 1997 Chester County road map.
- Isaac Brechbiel/Brackfield's 1767 will, page 1 (171 KB)
This is the first page of the probate copy of Isaac Brechbiel's will, dated May 10, 1767, from Augusta County Will Book No. 4. The will was probated on Nov. 15, 1768. Note that the will begins at the bottom of the page, "In the name of God, Amen...," and that the family name is spelled "Brackpeil" and "Brackfield." See below for a complete transcription of the will.
- Isaac Brackfield's 1767 will, page 2 (158 KB)
The second page of Isaac Brackfield's will. See below for a complete transcription of the will.
- The Best Birthday Present Ever (198 KB)
Yours truly on my 38th birthday, in the cockpit of a World War II bomber, the B-17 "Memphis Belle" (from the movie of the same name) at the Charlotte Airport. (I fixed a broken switch on the plane's intercom.)
- Craig's Creek area of Craig County, Virginia (70 KB)
The remains of an old stone bridge on Craig's Creek, in Craig County, Virginia. Jacob and Christopher Brakefield lived in this area in the 1770's and 1780's, when it was still part of Botetourt County.
- Citation of Jacob Brakefield (171 KB)
Jacob Brakefield died in early August 1793. His citation, dated August 17, 1793, is on file in the Chester County, SC, Probate Office, File No. 3, Package No. 49.
- Brakefield Country II: Southern York County (930 KB)
After 1820, Brakefield family members began moving across the county line into southern York County. New Bethel Baptist Church, at the bottom of the map, was the church of many area families on both sides of the county line, including Brakefields, Thomases, Sanders, and others. The community was called Sandersville and also the New Bethel Section. My home is about 1/4 mile due east of New Bethel Church. This image is part of a 1910 map of York County.
- Plat for Christopher Brakefield (154 KB)
On October 6, 1797, my 5th-great-grandfather Christopher Brakefield purchased 100 acres of land in Chester County, SC. The deed was recorded in Chester County Deed Book F, page 47. The plat was surveyed for 150 acres, so presumably Christopher had purchased the other 50 acres at some earlier time, probably about 1785. Note "Turkey Creek Road" crossing the northwest corner of the property.
- Botetourt County Tithables List, 1773 (471 KB)
This tithables list from Botetourt County, VA, circa 1773, shows the name "Jacob Brackfield" at the bottom of the page, after William Barefield, a neighbor who is also mentioned in the auction of Jacob's estate in 1769. From Botetourt County Tithables Books, Vol.1, page 91, "upper Craig's Creek and Catawba Creek area."
- Isaac Brackfield's 1767 will, page 3 (166 KB)
This is the third page of Isaac Brackfield's will. See below for a complete transcription.
- Augusta County Tithables List, 1760 (182 KB)
The earliest known record of my 6th-great grandfather Isaac Brackfield from colonial Virginia, the tithable list from Augusta County, VA, Order Book No. 6, page 432, dated November 19, 1760. Isaac's name is about 2/3 of the way down the page, and is underlined.
- Obituary for Isaac McGriff Brakefield (599 KB)
My great-great-great grandfather, Isaac McGriff Brakefield, died in Chester County, SC, on August 29, 1879. His obituary appeared in The Chester Reporter, Thursday, September 4, 1879 (Vol. 9, No. 15, page 2).
- 1790 census, Chester County, SC (225 KB)
The first page of the 1790 census for Chester County, SC, shows Christopher Brakefield and Jacob Brakefield.
- Robert K. Brakefield (99 KB)
Robert K. Brakefield (1825-1882), the son of Christopher Brakefield Jr., was born in Chester County, SC, and moved to Alabama about 1856. Submitted by his great-great-granddaughter, Judy Lavon Brown of Jacksonville, Alabama.
- Botetourt County Tithables List, 1781 (764 KB)
"A List of Tithables taken in Capt. Houlston's Cumpany on Cragescreek." This 1781 tithables list includes the names of "Jacob Breakfield" and "Chris Breakfield." Capt. Houlston's Company was the local Botetourt Co. militia company to which Jacob and Christopher belonged. They served in this company from 1780 until late 1784, when they sold their land and moved to SC. From Botetourt County Tithables Books, Vol. 1, page 211.
- Grave of Sarah Luvina Brakefield (283 KB)
Sarah Luvina Brakefield (1851-1860) was the daughter of William and Margaret A. Brakefield of Chester County, SC. Sarah died at the age of 9 and is buried in the old Meek-Egger family cemetery in northern Chester County, very close to where her family lived before the Civil War. Her grave is the oldest marked Brakefield grave that I know of, and the only one I have seen that pre-dates the Civil War. Her father William was killed while serving with the 5th SC Infantry in 1863.
- Eliza Snoddy Brakefield (120 KB)
Eliza M. Snoddy (1830-1907) was the wife of Robert K. Brakefield. Submitted by Lavon Brown.
- Probate Summons for Isaac M. Brakefield's Will (726 KB)
This summons appeared in The Chester Reporter for Thursday, December 11, 1879, page 2. One of Isaac 's sons, Richard Amaziah Brakefield, had moved to Alabama in the 1850's, and he was required to answer a petition filed by the executor of the estate.
- Pvt. John T. Scoggins, CSA (43 KB)
My great-great-grandfather John T. Scoggins (1848-1875) of York County, SC, in his homemade Confederate uniform. He enlisted in the 5th SC Infantry Regiment in 1864 at age 16, served in the Army of Northern Virginia and later in the 3rd SC Reserve Battalion.
- Nathaniel Madison Collins (61 KB)
Nathaniel Madison Collins (1846-1913) was the son of Melinda Brakefield and grandson of Isaac N. Brakefield of Marion County, MS. Submitted by Ruth Lewis of Houston, TX.
- Second Obituary for John Marion Brakefield (114 KB)
This obituary for John Marion Brakefield appeared in The Chester Reporter, Thursday, January 5, 1905 (Vol. 36, No. 49, page 3).
- Grave of Capt. Richard Lucas and his wife Mary (70 KB)
Capt. Richard Lucas (1773-1845) and his wife Mary Lucas (1773-1851) of Chester County, SC, were the great-grandparents of Eva Estelle White Brakefield, and they are my 4th-great-grandparents. This is the bottom half of the tombstone.
- Simpson Brakefield and family (100 KB)
Simpson D. Brakefield (1846-1905), his wife Sarah, and their nine sons. Simpson was a son of Richard Amaziah Brakefield, my gg-grandfather's brother, who moved from Chester County to Walker County, AL, about 1856. Submitted by Tom Myers of Fullerton, CA.
- First Obituary for John Marion Brakefield (558 KB)
This obituary for my great-great grandfather John Marion Brakefield appeared in The Chester Lantern, Thursday, December 23, 1904 (Vol. 8, No. 3, page 3). The New Bethel Section was named after New Bethel Baptist Church, but also became known as the Armenia Section after Armenia Church was established in 1843.
- Another view of Richard and Mary Lucas' tombstone (140 KB)
This is the broken top of the tombstone of Richard and Mary Lucas, my 4th-great-grandparents. They are buried in the Meek-Egger family cemetery in northern Chester County, SC.
- Sarah Breakfield Carmack (24 KB)
Sarah Elizabeth Breakfield (1868-1946) was the daughter of Jesse and Melissa Breakfield of Robertson County, TN, and the wife of Moses Ezekiel Carmack of Competition, MO. Submitted by her great-great granddaughter Susan Black Sequera of Kemmerer, WY.
- Alvin Jasper Brakefield (27 KB)
Alvin Jasper Brakefield (b. 1866) was the fifth son of Robert K. and Eliza Brakefield of Walker County, Alabama. Photo submitted by Lavon Brown.
- Birth record of Isaac Brachbuhl, Switzerland (89 KB)
This birth record is from the Reformed Church of Langnau im Emmental, Canton Berne, Switzerland. It describes Isaac Brachbuhl, son of Abraham Brachbuhl and Elsbeth Burki, born April 4, 1721. Is this our Isaac Brechbiel who emigrated to Pennsylvania? The birthdate fits well with the fact that our Isaac's oldest son Christophel was born in 1748. There are apparently no marriage or death records for this Isaac Brachbuhl in Switzerland, reinforcing the belief that he emigrated. Further, we know that Isaac Brechbiel's oldest daughter was named Elizabeth, the English version of Elsbeth. The evidence is circumstantial at this time, but tantalizing. Photo courtesy of Brenda Stewart of Madison, Indiana, and the Family History Library of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah.
- Julia Mae Brakefield and husband James Gentle (216 KB)
Julia Mae Brakefield (1863-1934) was the second daughter of Robert K. and Eliza Brakefield of Walker County, Alabama. She is shown here with her husband, James Balius Gentle. Photo submitted by Lavon Brown.
- Rockingham County, VA, Deed Records, August 1780 (77 KB)
Rockingham County was formed from Augusta County, Virginia, in 1778, and it included the old Brakefield homeplace near Brock's Gap. The minutes of the Rockingham Court reveal that Christopher and Jacob "Braighbile," and their wives, sold their property in Rockingham Co. to Jacob and Samuel Parrot in August 1780. It is known that Jacob Brakefield moved down to Botetourt County as early as 1773, and presumably the rest of the family did as well. From the Minutes of Rockingham County Circuit Court, 1778-1786.
- Jane Brakefield (239 KB)
Jane was a daughter of Robert K. and Eliza Brakefield of Walker County, Alabama. Photo submitted by Lavon Brown.
- Grave of Isaac McGriff Brakefield (464 KB)
My ggg-grandfather Isaac McGriff Brakefield (1807-1879) of Chester County, SC, is buried at Armenia United Methodist Church. He was the son of John Brakefield and Mary McGriff. "A kind father, an indulgent husband, a good neighbor and a true friend. He confessed religion, joined Armenia Methodist Church and lived a consistent life until he passed away."
- Grave of Sarah Thomas Brakefield (215 KB)
My ggg-grandmother, Sarah Thomas Brakefield (1804-1879), was the wife of Isaac McGriff Brakefield. She is also buried at Armenia Methodist Church. "Sally Thomas, wife of I. M. Brakefield, 80 years old."
|
