This research was originally written as a letter to well-known individuals who have studied the Brantley family in depth and to The Brantley Association members.

Flora Brantley,  Knightdale, NC 

Annie Pearl Brantley,  Spring Hope, NC 

William T. Brantley, Augusta, GA 

cc: All Brantley Association Members

June 6th, 2000 

rev June 15th

Dear Researchers,

I started this study about May 12, 2000.  At that time, I was just going to update you. However, since then and after an extensive search of our records collection and comparison of data, I have reached a conclusion as to the origin and ancestry of John Brantley who died in 1785 in Nash county. We first discussed him, I believe, about 30 years ago. He has always been a mystery. His unknown ancestry has plagued me for years because he was a key progenitor of the 1700s.  He is the ancestor to countless Americans today. As I have explained before, the Nash County Brantley family was second in size only to our Washington County, Georgia family in the mid 1800s.   Ironically, I will show that these two large families were very closely tied. This may be one of my final quests, but I think I have about finally unraveled the mystery after all these years. We can give much credit to the automation age in which we live. Since I was able to gather so many Virginia records, deeds grants, census, wills & administrations, and enter them into a word processing program, I have been able to do a much deeper analysis. By searching names of witnesses, adjoining land owners, creeks, branches, and rivers, I have been able to see ties that I would never have seen otherwise. I feel particularly appreciative and want to give credit to the many authors who have abstracted records, indexed them and put them in book form for our study. Having done some of these myself, I know that they never make money from this. It is their love of this work and service to others that inspires them. We owe them a true debt of gratitude. I particularly want to recognize Flo Brantley, Annie Pearl Brantley, William T. Brantley, the late Gene Brantley and the some 430 association membership families throughout the nation who have paid dues and purchased items so that I could justify the reconstruction of some 60 wills, several early letters, a video documentary and the publication of some 2500 pages of genealogy data and history on the Brantley family in America.

Below is my research work accompanied by nearly 40 exhibits. The findings may not be easy to explain to the novice researcher or, to one not well acquainted with the early movements of this family. To you and other professional researchers and those somewhat aware of our kindred's movement in the 18th century from Virginia to North Carolina, I think you will find that there is a preponderance of evidence that establishes John's lineage back to Edward, who I still maintain, perhaps more than ever before, is the progenitor of most of the white Brantleys in America. With this study, we can now claim a direct line back to Edward for at least 60% of the white surname Brantleys in America today.

I believe that John was the son of James Brantley who died in Nottoway Parish in 1741 and it was he (John) who is first seen there in 1762, again there with wife, Elizabeth, in 1764 (sold land), and Halifax County, NC the same year (purchased land) and 1771 (sold the land) and 1772 in Edgecombe Co [later Nash], (he bought land) and last when he died there in 1785.     {See Exhibits 1,  2, 3, and 24}

My leading hypothesis became more and more clear as I continued the study, that is; that John, Edward, Phillip, James, William and, likely Brittain, were all sons of James Brantley who died in Nottoway Parish in 1741. Remember, we have Brittain tied to him in an earlier study.  As far as I am concerned, Brittain even if not their son, descended from James and Ruth. I have shown reluctance to declare him as James' son.  He would have been an unusually old solider (38) to be fighting in the Revolution. That did happened sometimes: some men like warring. I personally believe that he was another son and was a professional soldier.  We saw him re-enlist repeatedly during the war period. As you know, Brittain is tied to Nash County also. Some have suggested that he was a son of John. In fact, one researcher believed, at one time, that there were two Brittains.  I do not think so, but do not completely rule either of these out. In any case we will show that, John is still tied to the earlier James (d1741) via records of Brittain and others.  Let us see the tie of these, first, to each other.

We see James Brantley witnesses the deed to John Brantley when he bought the land in Edgecomb county in 1772 {Exb 2b} and that a James and Brittain Brantley of Nash County, are witnesses to a deed in 1775 on the south side of the Sapony Swamp {Exb 4}. John Brantley's will (1785) identifies his land on the south side of the of the Sapony Creek. {Exb 3}. Don't forget Nash came from Edgecombe Co in 1777. Further, Brittain and Jacob Brantley (son of John) are found together on another document in 1775. {Exb 9}

Edward Brantley was shown as a small tie to John in a deed of 1751 in what was then Edgecombe Co., where John Renfroe had lands adjoining him, and a greater one in his own will where John Brantley signed as a witness in 1765.{Exb 5} Edward, William and James are tied together by entries with the Renfroe Good, and Lamon families and a joint record of 1762. {See exhibits 5,6,7 & 29}. Edward and Phillip are tied by their grants both dated Dec 10, 1760 in Halifax Co and both joining Thomas Good. {See Exhibits 10 & 11} See also the tie of William to John in {Exb 2a}.

Now, thus far in our study, all we have done is establish that these men; Edward, Phillip, James, John, William and Brittian were very close kindred and came from Nottoway Parish, Virginia. This is good, but we must realize that no one has ever established the exact area of Nottoway Parish. It may have included much of SoHampton County. There were several lines of Edward in the Parish by the mid and late 1700s.  What we need to do, is to tie them to a specific point in the Parish.

If this claim by the author of this record below {Exb 18}is true, the Phillip of Nottoway Parish is the same Phillip of Halifax County, NC. This seems probable, as neither are seen in transactions after the death of Phillip in Halifax Co in 1775. It is somewhat confusing that  he was of Nottoway Parish, VA and of Halifax County, NC at the same time. It would seem that he is the same Phillip, but is seen in repeated land transactions in both places and identified as "of" these places in the mid 1700s.  Other records show Brittain engaging in transactions in Edgecombe/Nash Counties one month then back on the Meherrine River in Va the next. The same was seen of Edward, Phillip and John. This has been a unusual and almost crippling effect on our research. The properties may be much closer together than we think, but that being true or not, it is the same men who owned land and continue to deal in both states.  Perhaps the tie to their mother, who may have remarried a neighbor and remained in VA, and the final inheritance of the lands once owned by their father and left to her are key elements here.

One of our leading researchers of our early Brantley family for the last 35 years is William T. (Tim) Brantley of Augusta, Georgia. It was the work of Tim and his brother, Gene Brantley, which inspired the establishment of the association in 1987. Tim has said for years, that he kept seeing connections to these in Halifax County to our kindred from Chatham County, N.C. We saw, after their movement to Georgia for example, several associations among descendants of both lines. One example being the deeds in Hancock County, Ga between Amos Brantley & Thomas Gay. {Exb. 31} and Jeffrey Barksdale and Thomas Gay. Jeffery's wife was Pheby Brantley, proven daughter of John Brantley of Chatham County, NC., yet a close neighbor to Amos. Other similar records in Hancock County involving Malachi formerly of Halifax County and Thomas Brantley formerly of Chatham County were also seen. There were many others.

So let us look, and see if we can make the tie. If they were all that closely tied, it would be hard to explain a connection beyond the generation of Edward Brantley {died 1736}.

First we must understand the movements of the sons of this Edward. He mentioned in his will of 1736, his four sons: James, Lewis, Joseph and John Brantley {Exb 20}. We know from the extensive work of Tim and Gene, that three of these sons; Lewis, Joseph and John, went in 1745-1751 to what would later become Chatham County, N.C. Lewis and Joseph both died there (then Orange Co) in 1760 & 1761 respectively and John, the youngest, died there in 1782.  It is clear after decades of research that all the Brantleys seen in Chatham County for generations were all descendants of these three men You may want to refer to my study of John & Hannah in my 15th report. It clearly identified this line through this Edward of the Nottoway Parish who resided along the Meherrine River.

We now turn to son, James Brantley, who with brother, Lewis, was executor of Edward's estate. This James clearly died abt 1741.  His estate was not completely settled until 1756 {See Exb 21 & 22}  James, we assume, was the oldest child of Edward, being (1) named first in his father's will and (2) as executor, which usually is reserved for the eldest. His youngest brother, John, we know had sons born in the early 1730s.  We would think James should have had children born in the early 1720's. What happened to his children and where exactly did the family reside in the Nottoway Parish. To that we look first at the grant to Edward Brantley in 1717 to lands in then Isle of Wight County, along the Meherrine River {Exb 32}. He may not have kept these particular tracts, but it is clear that he did in fact reside there along the river as will be shown. {Exb 34}

While there are many Brantleys tied to the Nottoway Parish, there are few tied also to the Meherrine River.  With this study we now have no have no record of any Brantley along the Meherrine River that we cannot seemingly tie to Edward's sons or that of his apparent grandsons through his son James. We should now review again the tie of Brittain to James.  His unusual name has been helpful in bringing this study together.  There is not one piece of evidence alone that ties Brittain to James, but a collection of evidence. It surely cannot be disputed that James is the son of Edward and brothers to Lewis, Joseph and John Brantley. {Exbs 20 & 21} The first big clue of the connection of Brittain to James, came when we learned that Brittain named his son James and his daughter Ruth or Rutha {Exb 17}.  While James is common enough, nowhere had we seen the name Ruth before or, in fact for several decades afterward, except as the wife of James.  It should be noted at this point that among the first Ruths to be seen after the death of the younger Ruth was Ruth Brantley born 1854, granddaughter of Sherwood Brantley. Further, we learned from the letter of Brittain in 1777, to his wife Elizabeth, that her maiden name was Bass {Exb 19}. We observed that in the will of Edward Brantley (1736) that not one, but two witnesses were surnamed Bass. (See Exb 20). What is added now, is a record that I just found recently. That is one that shows Ruth in 1756 as living the Meherrine River along and adjoining Joshua Claud. Joshua Claud was another witness to Edward Brantley's will (Exb 20).  Note also a record of a transaction involving both Joshua Claud and Brittain Brantley in SoHampton County VA in 1775. {Exb 19a}. Because of the sight of Brittian in Nash County before this date, it has made us wonder if there were two Brittains.  What is now obvious is that several of these men were seen back and forth in their first homes in Va and their new homes in NC. Again, this is supported even by previous book authors unrelated to our Brantley kinsmen.  {See again Exb 18}

So now we have Brittain tied to the Bass family, to Ruth (wdo of James) and to Joshua Claud and above all, the Meherrine River. {Exbs 19,20, 22 & 23} If you look at this, it is overwhelming evidence that at least Brittain was a descendant of Edward.  He, of course was not a son, being too young.  He could not have been a son of James' brothers Lewis, Joseph, or John, since they all left Virginia (1749-1751) when Brittain was but a young man.  What else do we need here. 

Now, this is not all.  While I was in Raleigh recently, I discovered other entries that support and even add to our recent study. We have Ruth as the widow of James, tied by our study to Brittain and now tied herself to the Meherrine River and to Joshua Claud. Further, through two other deeds {Exb 24 & 25}, we have a younger James and John Brantley tied to her. Review these related exhibits closely. I have no reservation at all in declaring this John mentioned in this record here in 1762 as the John Brantley who sold his land there in 1764, the same year he bought in Halifax Co, NC., who left there in 1771 and went into what would become, Nash County, dying there in 1785. Even more has come at this very writing. We have tied also, Edward and Phillip to the Meherrine River before their move to Halifax County {Exb22a}.  We have now Ruth, wdo of James, John, James Jr, Edward, Phillip and Brittain who were clearly, not only once residents of SoHampton County, Virginia, and the Nottoway Parish, but as residents and property owners along the Meherrine River.  (See also the three deeds mentioning Harberts/Herberts branch. {Exb 23/23a, 30 &34}). All these would later reside in Halifax Co., NC. Since these are all closely tied to William and now to a Thomas, also once of the Nottoway Parish, we have established that they too are almost certain to be descendants and likely grandsons of Edward of 1736.

One other fact has become clear in this study: that is, that the apparent brother William is almost certain, to be he who was the father of Amos, Malachi, Benjamin, Marmaduke and perhaps John and James. All these were in Edgecombe County and all, except Marmaduke, later went to Hancock County, GA. This William had repeated dealings with the Gay family {Exb 26,27, & 28}. Amos' daughter we learned recently, married Thomas Gay. One thing that I believe has confused us in years past, is that there seem to be two early William Brantleys, one in Halifax County and the other in Edgecombe. Surely one was the reported father of these men, but which one. What is now somewhat evident, is that William may have owned land in Edgecombe County which by the creation of Halifax in 1754 actually split his properties, leaving part in Halifax and the other in Edgecombe County. Thus we see why the same man could have land dealings in both counties. This explains why Amos Brantley said in his revolutionary war pension application that he "was raised in Halifax County", but is seen with his brothers in Edgecombe throughout the1780s.

There are other records involving Bakers Branch, Herberts Branch, the name Francis Exum {See Exbs 22, 24 & 30}, the Vick family {were later seen all around our John in Nash Co.} {Exb 22a & 33} These and the name Simmons and others will support my study. I will nevertheless stop here. There is already overwhelming evidence to a tie of these men to James Brantley, son of Edward. No other Brantleys were ever seen in this area of Nottaway Parish. Again with this study, we have no record of any Brantley persons residing along the Meherrine River that we cannot now seemingly tie to Edward’s sons or that of his apparent grandsons through his son James. James is the only one who did not live to go to Chatham County, NC. He died there on the Meherrine, intestate. It would be nice if we could find one single record some day that spelled it all out in one entry. I would give a fortune for his bible which he mentioned in his will of 1736. No doubt there are still valuable records from early Va which are undiscovered. One Association member became totally disillusioned with us because we were not aware of many unpublished records pertinent to our early Va Brantleys. In this case it took sifting through volumes of records, comparing and weighing them to others and to the land boundaries present during different transactions. Perhaps most of the problem was because James died fairly young. Most, if not all his children, were likely under age at his death. They stayed with the mother who would have had guardianship of all his property, until their exodus to Edgecombe/later Halifax county in North Carolina.

In conclusion, I do not assure anyone that every piece of this study is exact and every exhibit is what it seemingly now represents. It could be possible, for example, that one or more of these here were actually grandsons of James. Further, I have not been able, so far, to identify the Thomas Brantley also mentioned in exhibit 29 who is obviously tied to them. He, apparently disappearing from Halifax county after 1765, could have been a son of James or perhaps a grandson. We must realize too, that some of James descendants may have remained in SoHampton County. A future discovery of their transactions could bring about more questions. Whether or not, I am certain that the basic hypothesis is correct, that the John of Nash county was the son of James Brantley, and these others are also his descendants and most too were his sons. One of the factors that led me away from any connection to Phillip was the absence from his line of the given name "Lewis". It has been usually found in the different lines of Phillip Brantley and his wife Joyce Lewis. In this case there may have indeed been a Lewis, perhaps a son of John who manage to defile his name in some way. In those days an interracial or mulatto marriage could have done it. 

I want you to review this and comment. I do not need your supporting endorsement to make the declaration but, I am hopeful that you will see this clearly now as I do. This discovery is the most significant find since I established the association in 1987. It has a far reaching effect on future research. I said many years ago, if we could ever unravel the Halifax family ties, we could go much further in tying our first Edward to his progeny. It has happened and big things lie ahead. It is like a puzzle, as you get toward the end of the project it becomes easier, since you have fewer pieces to look at for placement. So it is here. We are now able to separate these from other "unidentified" kinsmen, so we can expect an acceleration in the work in the coming years. Having eliminated these from other relatives in Virginia, I am already seeing things in connection with the descendants of John, son of Edward, and the other children of his brother Phillip that now, for the first time, make sense. We have come a long way in this discovery.

Sincerely,

Kenneth Brantley

Copyright 2000 Brantley Association.  No part of this study may be electronically transmitted or reproduced without the written consent of the author.

EXHIBITS

{Exb 1} Jun 10 1764 _ JOHN BRANTLEY & wife ELIZABETH, sell to Wm Williams, all of plantation or tract of land whereon the said John Brantley now lives in the Parish of Nottaway and County of Southampton, containing by estimate 370 acres, formerly granted to by divers deeds and conveyances transferred to the said Brantley.

{Exb 2} [date omitted]1764. JACOB RENTFROE of Dobbs Co. to JOHN BRANTLEY of Halifax Co. 40 pounds proclamation money.  100 acres which was part of a patent to EDWARD SIMMONS 17 Oct 1735, joining JOSEPH LANE, Bakers Branch. JACOB RENTFROW (x), PRISCILLA RENTFROW (x).  Wit: WILLIAM HOOD, WILLIAM PHILLIPS (x), REUBEN HAY. Apr Ct. 1764 CC: Jos. Montfort          {He buys}

{Exb 2a} 11 Jan 1771.JOHN BRANTLEY and ELIZABETH his wife of Halifax Co. to WM. BRANTLEY of same. 60 pounds proclamation money.  100 acres which was part of a patent to EDWARD SIMMONS 17 Oct 1735 and given by him to his daughter TAMZIE(?) wife of WILLIAM REGION, and by them to JACOB RENTFROE 1764, and from JACOB RENTFROE and PRISCILLA his wife to JOHN BRANTLEY 1764, joining JOS. LANE, Baker Branch(or BAKER BRANCH?).  JOHN BRANTLEY(X), ELIZABETH BRANTLEY(x). Wit:  SAML. PITTMAN, JESSE HAYNES. Feb Ct 1771.  Examined by Wm. Branch Esq, ELIZA. BRANTLEY relinquished her right of dower.  CC: Jos. Montfort                                {He sells}

{Exb 2 b} 5, May 1772  _ JOHN BRANTLEY buys land in Edgecombe/Nash County_ JAMES BRANTLEY is witness  (Entry from researcher Scarlet Wilkerson)

{Exb 3} JOHN BRANTLEY, Will _ Nash County June 18, 1785 _ May Ct. 1786.  Wife: ELIZABETH. Sons: JACOB _ 112 A. on south side SAPONY CREEK.  Remainder estate divided among "all my children." Ex: Son JACOB BRANTLEY, WILLIAM LONGBOTTOMS.  Wit: JESSE JOINER, JOHN JOINER.

{Exb 4} March 15, 1775  WILLIAM LEWIS of Edgecombe Co. to THOMAS LEWIS of same, for 30 pds.  Virginia money, a tract of 150 acres on the south bank of Sapony Swamp at the mouth of the Great Branch, it being part of a tract that said Lewis bought from Thomas Lewis.  Wit: James Brantley, Brittian Brantley.

{Exb 5}  MATHEW MCKINNIE of Edge, Co. to EDWARD BRANTLEY of Edgecombe, Co. 22 Apr. 1751 for a valuable consideration 290 acres more or less, joining NATHANIEL HOLLY, JOHN RENFRO, COL. WHITEHEAD and land formerly belonging to JOHN HOOD Wit: JOSEPH LANE, JOHN LAMON Reg. Edge. Co. May Ct. 1751 Benjamin Wynns C. Ct.

{Exb 5b} Will #136 EDWARD BRANTLEY Sr. 2 June 1765  May ct. 1768 son Edward Brantley, son Benjamin Brantley, son Lewis Brantley, son William Brantley, wife Martha Brantley, 3 daughters:  Mary Brantley, Patty Brantley and Anna Brantley Wit.:  Samuel Pitman, John Brantley   X his mark

Extrs.:  wife Martha Brantley and my 2 sons Robert and James Brantley

{Exb 6} GRANT to Richard Gay 5 Aug 1761 693 acres in Edgecombe Co on W. side of Words run on a small Marsh OR: /s/ (mark) Wits: Dun Lamon, Geo Brown, surveyed 31 Oct 1760 SCC: Abraham Bagedge, WILLIAM BRANTLY, W Haywood Surveyor

{Exb 6b} DUNCAN LAMONof Nash Co to WILLIAM BRANTLEYof HALIFAX Co.  3 Aug 1779.  60 pds proc money, 137 acres which was part of land acquired by THOMAS GOOD 20 Feb 1761, on No side of Bakers Branch (also called Plant Batch Branch) Wit: ARCHD LAMON, NATHAN ATKINSON.  Aug Ct 1779.  CC Nem McCullugh  {We realize this could be a younger William}

{Exb 7} JAMES BRANTLEY and his wifeBETHETHLAM to Duncan Lamon ofEdgecombe Co 20 Jun 1774.  40 pounds proclamation money.  137 acres which was part of land acquired by Thomas Good, on north side of Beach Swamp, joining Baker's Branch, Plant Patch Branch.  Wit: Archibald Laman, Wilson Taylor. Reg. 30 Apr 1793 by N. Long.  {This could be a younger James}

{Exb 9}_ In 1775 Brittain Brantley and Jacob Brantleysigned the petition for the dividing of Edgecombe Co into 2 counties to create a new, Nash County.   Research from records of Annie Pearl Brantley.

(Note) Nash County was in the Halifax Military Dist and Corp Brittain Brantley of Bakers Co enlisted July 1778 and served 9 months.  John Brantley's record is identical, except he was not a Corp.

{Exb 10}  EDWARD BRANTLEY: of Halifax County., planter 10 Dec. 1760 630 acres joining other lands of Edward Brantley Henning Tembte, William Whitehead, John Evans and Thomas Good Wit: Wm. Lucas, Jos. Montfort Reg. Hal. Co., June Ct. 1761 Joseph Montfort C. Ct.

{Exb 11} PHILLIP BRANTLEY: of Halifax Co., planter 10 Dec. 1760 640 acres joining Thomas Good, Elias Fort and Nathan Pitman.

{Exb 17} Revolution War Record on File Claim 6686 _ James Brantley, (and Rutha Mason formerly Rutha Brantley and who are the only surviving children and heirs of Britain Brantley, decd.)  Pvt   3 years 

{Exb 18 }Mar or May 15 1775 _Phillip Brantly of Parish of Nottoway, to John Brantly for 32 pounds, 15 shillings, current money of Va, the land where Phillip now lives, which he bought of John Lewis in 1752, containing 100 acres___ (Writer's remarks _ Phillip left will in Halifax County, NC 1775, wife Mary and sons Lewis and William)   (My remarks reference sons _ No, he said them two brothers they were likely sons of Edward

{Exb 19} March 1778 _ letter to wife Elizabeth. …."Before when your brother, Thomas Bass"……… signed Brittain Brantley

{Exb 19a}Transaction of Joshua Claud, dated Saturday Nov. 4, 1775, witnessed by John Pierce, Britain Brantley and John Blake.  R. Dec. 22, 1775.       Will &Adm  I of W Co VA      Page 141.

{Exb 20}Edward Brantley, of Nottoway Parish. Leg._wife Elizabeth; son James; son Lewis; son Joseph; son John.    Exs., sons Lewis and James Brantley         D.  January 26, 1736          R. April 25, 1737

Wit.  Joseph Claud, James Bass, William Spence,  Charles  Bass.

{Exb 21} James Brantley,.  SoHampton County, Account estate, examined by H. Edmonds, John Person and David Edmonds. Among items, to Lewis Brantley, judgement recovered by Francis Myrick against them as surviving executors of Edward Brantley, decd..   R. December 2, 1756      Page 180/244

{Exb 22} Apr 1 1742 James Brantley _ Est appraised by Francis Exum, Simon Turner, Thomas Clark. Signed by Ruth Brantley.  Ordered, rec Jul 1 1756.                        Page 178

{Exb 22a} Feb 27 1745_ Edward Brantley to Simon Vickboth of Isle of Wight 100 Acres for 10 pounds
Tract on the Northside of Meherine River on the eastside of the Stoney Branch part of a patent granted to Samual Davis by his Honorable Wm Gooch bering date of March 1 1743
Beginning at a pine by the Stoney Branch and along a of line marked trees to a red oak and thence along marked trees to a white oak thence to the Stoney Branch and up the course of the run of the Branch to the beginning." Witness: Issac Vick, Phillip Brantley, William Vick

{Exb 23} Mar 24. 1725_ EDWARD BRANTLEY, 140 acs. (N.L.), Is. of Wight Co; on N. side of the Flatt Sw; cor. of Anthony Frankoes land; on a Mill pond by the gr Reedy Br., just above mouth of Herbert's Br; p. 467. 15 Shill.

{Exb 23a} Aug 16, 1756 _ Nathaniel Morrell, 200 acres Sohampton County on the N side of Meherrin River down Herberts Branch & Down it's SW fork, up the Pasture Br; adj Joshua Claud,  Ruth Brantley, John Thomas, & Valentine White.

{Exb 24} Jul 12 1762 _ Jesse Harris and his wife and James Womack and his wife 255 acres Sohampton Co on the N side Meherrin River adj John Brantley, John Mundall, James Ramsey, Francis Exum, & James Brantley  p, 1023

{Exb 25} Jul 12 1762 _ James Womack and his wife and Jesse Harris and his wife 100 acres Sohampton Co on the N side Meherrin River adj Joseph Franks, John Gladis, Joshua Claud, Thomas Harris, & James Brantley  p, 1025

{Exb 26}  GRANT to WILLIAM BRANTLEY 4 August 1761 520 acres in Edgecombe County, joining Words run Richard Gay OR: /s/ (mark) Wits: Thos Cavvenah, John Spendlow, surveyed 1 Nov 1760 SCC: Richd Gay, Henry Gay, W Haywood

{Exb 27}  GRANT to Richard Gay 5 Aug 1761 693 acres in Edgecombe Co on W. side of Words run on a small Marsh OR: /s/ (mark) Wits: Dun Lamon, Geo Brown, surveyed 31 Oct 1760 SCC: Abraham Bagedge, William Brantly, W Haywood Surveyor  {Same as 6}

{Exb 28} William Brantley of Edgecombe Co to Jacob Dunn of same Dec 21 1765 520 acres lying at the head of Ward's Swamp adjoining Richard Gay.  Wit Cornelius Autery, Isom Autery

{Exb 29}  TOBIAS WHITEHEAD of Halifax Co. to THOMAS BRANTLEY of Southampton Co. Virginia. 3 Dec 1762.  9 pounds 6 shillings 8 pence proclamation money.  305 acres which was the remainder of the land where GEORGE HOOPER lived and which had contained 640 acres deeded to d TOBIAS WHITEHEAD 10 Dec 1760, on north side of Deep Creek, joining ELIAS FORT.  TOBIAS WHITEHEAD. Wt: EDWARD BRANTLEY(x), WILLIAM BRANTLEY, LEWIS BRANTLEY. Apr Ct 1763. CC: Jos. Montfort

{Exb 29a} Jan 18 1759 _ Robert Williams and wife Sarah to Thomas Brantley of _____  County in Virginia 190 acres on the So_side of the Meheron River adjoining the Cyprus Swamp; land now in possession of said Thomas Brantley  DOC on File.

{Exb 30} At court Isle of Wright Co, James Brantley petitioned court for an acre of land belonging to John Brantley for the building a Water Grist Mill he having land on one side of Harbert's Branch. 
March 28 1743 Pursuant to order 1 acre of John Brantley's granted to James Brantley
Joshua Claud Francis Exum    [Note: This dispute is seemingly between the sons of Edward.]   This does not necessarily imply that this James is alive.  It stated "pursuant to order."  The application for this order may have been made before. Even if this is not the James, son of Edward, it is not discrediting to our hypothesis.

{Exb 31}   1820  Hancock Co, Ga    Deed    Amos Brantley    to         Thomas Gay       pp 286

{Exb 31a} 1820   Hancock Co, Ga    Deed     Jeffrey Barksdale  fr          Thomas Gay       pp 287

{Exb 32}  Mar 18 1717  Grant to EDWARD BRANTLEY of Isle of Wight County _ 400 acres _new settlement for the saponie Indains _ on the south side of the Meherrene River and being part of that tract of Land whereon the said Indians lately dwelt T & C Beg.g on the rivers bank       Patent 10 Page 372

{Exb 33} Sep 21 1744...  Samuel Davis to Edward Brantley.. 100 acres (being the northern most part of 200 acres granted to said Samuel Davis on Mar 1 1743).  Wit:  Richard Vick Jr., and William Pope.   REC: Sep 24 1744

{Exb 34} 24 Mar 1725 _ Thomas Harris, 290 acres (N.L.) Isle of Wight County; north side of Meherin River, & on both sides of Herbert's Branch; adjacent Edward Brantley; & William Simmons' line;.  pg 440  30 schillings.
 

Update 2006