Notes from Rocky Strickland: (Uploaded with Flo Brantley's file on
Edward Brantley to Family Histories.com)
In March 1810, Sherrod Brantley and Tabitha Stokes were charged by the
Grand Jury in Nash County with "cohabitating together and living in a
state of fornication." The witnesses against them were Jesse Hammons
and Hardy Pridgen. On September 10, 1810, the Nash County Superior Court
issued a summons for them to appear before the court the following March.
See court documents.
According to the NC Genealogical Society Journal, May 1983, Milbry and
Charlotte Stokes changed their last name to Brantley. Their parents were
listed as Sherrod and Tabitha Brantley. See
court document.
Nash County Guardian Bonds and Returns 1777-1859 list the following
orphans of Sherwood Brantley:
Allen Brantley, bond 1842, returns 1845 , 1846, 1848, 1849;
Eliza Brantley, bond 1841;
Green Brantley, bond 1841;
Handy Brantley, bond 1841, return 1845;
Jacob Brantley, bond 1841, returns 1845, 1846, 1848, 1849;
Jordan Brantley, bond 1841;
Mack Brantley, bond 1841, returns 1845, 1846, 1848, 1849;
Sherrod Brantley, bond 1841, returns 1845, 1846.
Edwin Brantley was named as guardian in all of these records.
A petition for a year's support was filed by Martha Brantley. She was
the widow of Sherrod Brantley, who died in testate with George R. Bell as
admr. Feb Term 1841. (This must mean Tabitha, instead of Martha, his first
wife???)
The gravestones for Sherrod and Tabitha were originally located
behind the home of
Martha Brantley Whitley, but they were plowed into the woods during
land clearing. Annie
Pearl Brantley found what pieces she could of the broken head markers and they are now in the back of her
house in Spring Hope, Nash County. Behind Martha Whitley's house, Marian
Gray Brantley Neese erected a tombstone in memory to all the Brantleys
buried there. Old and new grave marker
photos.
NOTE Jacob served in 24th Regiment in Civil War and was discharged
with 75% disability per Annie Pearl Brantley.
NOTE Some say that Martha's maiden name was Whitfield, but I have never
found a record of this.