Robert Bracewell/Braswell, Isle of Wight, Virginia, (1611 - 1668), Burgess, Anglican Minister4/20/2020 The Reverend Robert Bracewell, son of Richard Bracewell, Gentleman, of London, was christened 13 Oct 1611 at St. Andrew Holborn, London and matriculated at Hart Hall, Oxford University on 22 February, 1628. On 3 November 1631, aged twenty, he was graduated from Oxford.
He came to Isle of Wight, Virginia before 29 April 1650, when he was a documented witness to an agreement between Ambrose Bennett and Thomas Webb. He became Rector of St. Luke’s, Lower Parish, Smithfield, Isle of Wight. In July 1653, he was chosen Burgess from Isle of Wight County, but was asked to resign because of concerns for separation of church and state. St. Luke’s, built in 1632, is the oldest brick church in Virginia (now known as the Old Brick Church) and British North America. It is the nation’s only original Gothic church and a National Historic Landmark and Patriotic Shrine. It was used as a model for Jamestown’s 1907 Memorial Church. Rev. Bracewell made his will 15 Feb 1667/8, which was probated May 1668 and proved that he had a least five children, saying that, “…daughter Jane Stokes, Rebeca West - my daughter, my two sons, Robert and Richard, daughter Ann Bagnall… His Loveinge friends, Mr. Richard Izard and George Gwillim to be gaurdians unto my children, in the time of their Minoritie.” Jane was born ca. 1645 and was married three times; first to Robert Stokes in 1667 (who participated in Bacon’s rebellion and was hung by the royal governor in 1677 for his involvement) and subsequently to Robert Eely and John Roberts. Her will was probated 24 Aug 1713 in Isle of Wight County. Rebecca was born ca. 1645, married by 15 Feb 1667 to William West and then to (unknown) Brinkley. She died ca. 1700 in Isle of Wight County (William also participated in Bacon’s rebellion but was pardoned.) Ann, born ca. 1647, married James Bagnall by 15 Feb 1667. Richard, born ca. 1649, married Sarah (unknown), 1672. He left a will dated 28 Jan 1724/5 in Isle of Wight County. Robert, born ca 1651, married Susannah Burgess. The Reverend Robert Bracewell died in Isle of Wight county before 1 May 1668. The Reverend Robert Bracewell is the paternal seventh great grandfather of Ella Margaret Cron, Member of the First Colorado Company
24 Comments
8/12/2020 03:17:06 pm
It has been determined that the brick church St. Luke's was not built in 1632, but likely much later. It is possible that a wooden church could have first been built in 1632; however, no records remain to substantiate a date and other evidence points to a date of 1682. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Luke%27s_Church_(Smithfield,_Virginia) for details about the dating of St. Luke's.
Reply
Trudi Beard
2/10/2021 11:27:57 am
This would be my maternal 11th Great grandfather.....
Reply
ROBERT EARL LONG JR
3/7/2021 03:42:42 pm
An 8th great grandfather, he has descendants located in many states on several genelogy services, thanks owed to all the researchers.
Reply
Amanda Braswell
7/14/2021 10:39:44 pm
I am a dependent of Robert Bracewell also through Jefferson Davis Braswell ,his father was Jesse L Braswell
Reply
Evelyn Ann Stone
5/6/2021 11:21:06 am
Rev Robert Bracewell is my 8th great grandfather.
Reply
David Boyett
5/23/2021 12:32:14 pm
Does anyone have information about Robert Stokes family?
Reply
David Boyett
7/8/2021 08:55:10 pm
Looking for information on Jane's first husband, Robert Stokes. Robert Stokes in 1667 (who participated in Bacon’s rebellion and was hung by the royal governor in 1677 for his involvement).
Reply
Laura McComb
3/10/2023 12:42:59 am
The reverend is my 10x great grandpa. Via son Richard I - Richard V, Urvine/Irvine, Thomas Mabry, Thomas Jasper, Jasper Emory sr & Jr then my mama Katherine. I also traced tge Reverend back to Tempest who were knights. Taken tge name Bracewell (braswell) from the town, bc King Henry 8th killed the Tempest (who were knights) brothers bc tgey didnt want to denounced Catholicism. In my line their is only one mail hire (a 1st cousin once removed) from Thomas Jasper down.
Reply
Michael Braswell
6/26/2021 12:55:41 pm
Robert is my 8th or 9x grandfather. Bracewell was changed to Braswell. This is interesting to see so many people directly related!
Reply
Tessa Rowe
7/8/2021 07:44:48 pm
My 8th great grandfather
Reply
Larry Tice
7/8/2021 08:31:50 pm
Richard Braswell V (1755-1839) was my 5 times great grandfather. My great grandmother was Addie Allen Lee and James Hyatt Lee was my great grandfather.
Reply
Amanda Braswell
7/14/2021 10:41:45 pm
I related to the Rev.Robert Bracewell through the Braswell
Reply
Tamara Shinko
1/2/2022 01:21:19 am
Reverend Robert Bracewell is my 11th great-grandfather. ;)
Reply
Killian Ellis
3/4/2022 10:43:28 am
After taking a y-dna (paternal) test the results came out interesting results. Other male cousins with surname Braswell, Bracewell, and Norton appear in results. Most of them claim Robert Bracewell and George Norton (both born in England 1609-16011) as their male ancestors. Both reverends settled in Isle of Wight, VA. at the same time. There are other male surnames in test results with male ancestors that were residing in Isle of Wight during same decade.
Reply
SHARON WHEELEY
7/28/2022 08:24:04 pm
Robert Bracewell is my founding ancestor on my maternal side. I am descended from Jesse Braswell and grew up on the Braswell farm in South Brunswick Va.
Reply
I have been able to trace my heritage to Rev. Robert Bracewell. I also traced his heritage back to 1455 to Edmund Bracewell(I think he took the name of the village of Bracewell). His father's name was (get ready for this) Sir John Tempest. I have found this info to be consistent. So my dear cousin's many times removed we were once Tempest's. You can trace them back to around 980AD. BTW they were Knights!
Reply
beth braswell fulford
9/19/2022 02:13:32 am
that is a lot of work you've accomplished. Thank you! Fun to read and motivating to do more myself.
Reply
Kacie Braswell
11/3/2022 09:25:10 pm
My Daddy was James Edwin Bracewell and Grandfather Dozier.
Reply
Kacie
11/3/2022 09:29:18 pm
Sorry, Daddy was Braswell, not Bracewell. I trace my ancestry back to the Tempest of Bracewell. Does anyone know who these knights were and what team they fought on? Cromwell? or the Irish?
CAPT Paul Samuel Gagliano
9/11/2022 09:47:19 pm
Rev Robert Bracewell is my 9th great grandfather.
Reply
L_O
3/4/2023 07:17:27 pm
Where is his gravesite?
Reply
Tammy Jordan
3/16/2023 10:27:48 am
This man was my long lost great grandfather through his daughter Sara.
Reply
Veronica Myers
4/27/2023 12:57:17 pm
My 8th great-grandfather
Reply
Roman Braswell
5/2/2023 01:30:00 pm
my i dont know how many greats grandfather
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
To Our ContributorsWe welcome properly researched contributions of ancestor profiles, vignettes and comments from members that focus on their ancestors’ roles in Jamestown’s history, plus other aspects of their lives, events and experiences in the colony. PLEASE NOTE that all information must be documented and backed up by primary source documents, and not unverifiable information and family and urban legends. Submissions without this backup may be rejected. Please limit contributions and blog entries solely to the ancestors themselves, and do not include subsequent lineage information. Entries should be no more than 400 words. Archives
August 2022
Categories |