Notes for Robert Brashear

Notes for Robert Brashear

***Living next door to Daughter Elizabeth in 1860 Census***
!US Census 1860 (28 June) Tennessee, Lawrence Co., District 3, Sugar Creek PO, Roll M653_1260, Sheet 58, Page 411, House No. 483, Line 4: Sarah Brashear (b. 1791 - 69 - in SC - Occ: Farming - Property Value $2500 + $3500)

Robert B. Brashears was born 5 Jan 1787 in Guilford Co, North Carolina, just before the family moved to the North of Holston settlements of Sullivan Co, TN. He grew up on the banks of the Clinch River in Roane Co, TN, where his father lived after 1794. About 1817 or 18, he moved to a homestead southeast of Leoma, in Lawrence Co., Tennessee, where he made his home, raised his family, and died on 26 Aug 1852. He and his wife are buried in the Richardson Cemetery, alongside their son, Jesse, who died of wounds received in the Mexican War. To get to the cemetery from Leoma, go south through Center Point, turn left at the first road, take the left fork and go (eastward) 4 miles to the old Richardson farm. Cemetery is on north side of the road. (Ref: a book about Lawrence Co, Cemeteries: At Rest, by Alexander & Grecham, p.354) On Sarah Brashears' tombstone: "Sarah, wife of R. B. Brashears..."

!Lawrence Co, Deeds, Book A, p.163: Soon after he arrived in Lawrence Co, Robert Brashears began acquiring land. On 28 Sep 1821, a State of Tennessee grant of 160 acres was made to Robert Brashears, he being the assignee of John C. McLemore, Jesse Blackman, and Matthew Barrons. The land was situated between Sugar Creek and the road, in the 7th District of Lawrence Co., Range 3, Sections 1 & 2. /signed/ Joseph McMinn, Governor, at Murfreesboro.

!Lawrence Co Deeds, Book A, p.74: In July 1822, Robert bought from Alex McDonald and John McDonald of Giles Co, TN, another 73 acres on Sugar Creek, being land granted by the State of Tennessee to McDonald, plus other parcels. The land is described as being several small tracts, amounting to 160 acres, in "Sugar Creek three forks." Consideration: $1. /signed/ Alexndr. McDonald, John McDonald.

Over the years, Robert was involved in quite a number of land transfers, including a number of deeds of gift to his children. It seems they used land deeds in those days almost as currency, which was in short supply. It is not at all uncommon to find a particular piece of land deeded from one person to another, and a few years later, the same land deeded in return to the first person. Hard cash seems to have seldom changed hands; but land, in small and large parcels, was their unit of barter. By the time he died in 1852, he had amassed an estate of 1700 acres and 15 slaves.

On 1 Jun 1827, Robert Brashears was appointed Justice of the Peace, and confirmed on 2 Oct 1827

!Lawrence Co. Court Minutes Book, 1827-1828, p.7, p.167: About the same time, he was made guardian of the minor heirs of William Basham (p.36); part of this duty, however, was soon turned over to James Basham: "Johnston, Susan, and Wm. Basham, minor heirs of Wm. Basham, Dec'd. The two boys to have two years of schooling and learn lacksmith trade. The girl to be taught to read and write. To be bound until she comes of free age." (p.52) Another part of the duty: Ezekial and Malinda Basham, also minor heirs of Wm. Basham, were assigned to Nathan Basham, "boy to become a carpenter, girl to learn to read and write." (p.53)

!Information from Charles Brashear Book - A Brashear(s) Family History and from web site:
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/j/o/h/Jerry-W-Johnson/GENE2-000 2.html