Person Page - 130

     Thomas Brown Jr., son of Thomas Brown Sr., was born circa 1745.¹ In 1768 Thomas Brown Jr. appeared on a tax list in Archibald McKissack's District, Bladen County, North Carolina, with Thomas Brown Sr. and Edmund BROWN. "Thomas Brown and two sons, Edmond and Thomas," were taxed for three white polls.¹

Thomas Brown Jr. and Thomas Brown Sr. appeared on a tax list in 1770 in Bladen County, North Carolina. Recorded by Abram Barnes, Esq. was "Thomas Brown, Senr., Thos. Brown [Jr.] and Richd. King", three white polls. Also listed nearby were "Edmond Brown", Dempsey Barefield, Charles Barefield, Rodger Barefield, and Jonathan Taylor, all listed as 1 white poll each.²

Thomas Brown Jr. and Thomas Brown Sr. were included on a tax list in 1771 in Archibald McKissack's District, Bladen County, North Carolina. It was recorded as "Thos. Brown Senr. & son Thos.' 2 whites and 1 "Negroe wench Pender."³

Thomas Brown Jr. and Edmund BROWN were included on a tax list in 1772 in Capt. Cain's District, Bladen County, North Carolina. Both "Edmond Brown" and Thomas Brown Junr." were listed separately for one white poll each. Also listed were William Taylor, Dempsey and Miles Barefield.⁴

Thomas Brown Jr. and Thomas Brown Sr. were included on a tax list in 1772 in Archibald McKissack's District, Bladen County, North Carolina. They were listed as "Thomas Brown Senr & Son Thomas." 2 white polls and 1 female slave.⁵

Thomas Brown Jr. and Edmund BROWN appeared on a tax list in 1774 in Archibald McKissack's District on Drowning Creek, Bladen County, North Carolina. Each was taxed for his "self" or one white poll. In this same district were Charles Barefield, "Miles and James Barefield and Ezekiah Cowart," "David Barefield and Thomas Low," and Dempsey Barefield.⁶

Thomas Brown Jr. and Edmund BROWN appeared on a tax list in 1776 in Abraham Barnes' District, Bladen County, North Carolina.⁷

Thomas saw military service on 27 February 1776 in Bladen County, North Carolina, as a private under Capt. Nathaniel Richardson and Col. Thomas Robeson, Jr. in the Bladen County Regiment. He fought at Moore's Creek Bridge.

Charles Barefield bought warrant #356 issued 10 Nov 1778 by Thomas Robeson to Zachariah McDaniel for 150 acres on south side of Ashpole Swamp which joins Thomas Brown's upper line, includes own improvements and entered 3 Aug 1778.

Thomas Brown Jr. was granted land 21 January 1785 in Marlboro County, South Carolina. He was granted 400 acres by his excellency Benjamin Guirard. He sold the land to William Lyster 7 Feb 1791 who later sold it to Lamuel Boykin and from him to Hartwell Ayer in 1813. The land was on Cottingham's Branch.⁸

Two Criminal Actions took place in Richmond County in December 1785, in the first State vs.Jno. Leverett it was alleged that John Leverett, late of the county of Richmond, in that county on 27 Dec 1785 did "with force and arms" assault Thomas Brown did "beat and wound" him seriously.

The second case was State vs. Thomas Brown, alleging that Thomas Brown late of Richmond county, a day later, 28 Dec 1785, did "with force and arms" assault John Leverett and did "beat and ill treat" him seriously.

Thomas was involved in a third Criminal Action in April 1786, State vs. Thos. Brown, Misdemeaner. It was said that Thomas Brown, late of Richmond county, now resident of South Carolina, on 20 Mar 1786 did "undertake to execute the office of constable and did execute a ____ to the great damage" of Benjamin Arnold.

The final Richmond county Criminal Action involving Thomas. took place In the court of December 1788, Officer vs. River Jordan, Thomas Brown, Bail of Robert Speed, it was commanded that the Sheriff of Richmond county collect two pounds seven and a penny specie from the "goods and chattels, lands and tenements" of River Jordan and Thomas Brown which the Inferior Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions the Officer found against them for debts and cost of the suit of the State against Robert Speed. Thomas Brown and River Jordan were convicted and liable for the money.⁹

There was a Thomas Brown of the McColl, South Carolina area who was a Baptist minister. In 1788 he and a Benjamin Moseley went to Robeson county, North Carolina and established the first Baptist church in that county. [Note: Robeson formed from Bladen in 1787[. This was the old Saddletree Baptist Church. He and Moseley were missionaries out of the old Beauty Spot Church, now First Baptist of McColl.

The History of the Kehukee Baptist Association, 1803, gave the information about Thomas Brown and Benjamin Moseley coming from South Carolina and organizing the Saddletree Church. History of First Baptist defines them being from First Baptist McColl/Beauty Spot. Also from Beauty Spot, John Hawthorn and family migrated to south central Robeson county about the time of the Revolutionary War. He was captain of a lighthorse company in that place. Shortly after 1788, John's son William Hawthorn began a member of the old Saddletree Church. He was ordained to the ministry from that church in 1798. He later went to Georgia in 1806 and became a primitive preacher there.¹⁰

Thomas Brown Jr. appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1790 in Richmond County, North Carolina. The household was listed as Two males of 16 or older, two males under 16 and one female.¹¹

Thomas Brown Jr. appeared on the 1800 Federal Census of Capt. Ashford's District, Bladen County, North Carolina, Thomas Brown, Jr., 1 male 16-25, 1 male 45 up Thomas, 1 female under 10, 1 female 10-15, 1 female 16-25, and i female 45 or older. It might have been Sr. rather than Jr., it was hard to read.

Thomas married Jennet McPherson on 21 October 1815 in Richmond County, North Carolina. Daniel Snead was the bondsman. They married "late in life". Her parents immigrated from"Glenurcha" (Glen Orchy in Argyllshire) in 1774 aboard the ship Ulysses and landed at Wilmington with their two young children, William aged 9 and Janet aged 10. They bought land and settled next to Alexander McPherson on Beaver Creek in Cumberland county.

Thomas Brown Jr. died in 1816 in Richmond County, North Carolina.

His estate was probated on 26 December 1816 in Richmond County, North Carolina. We the under assigners being appointed a committee to lay off an allowance to JENNET BROWN, widder of THOMAS BROWN deceased, do report as follows. Nineteen and one half bushels corn, 250 lbs. of good pork, one bushel of salt, six lbs. of coffee and twenty five of sugar thirty lbs. of neat cotton, twenty five lbs. soap, one prime cow and calf, one large top-stack and shucks, one small pot and skillett, one washing tub and washing pale, one bread tray and sifter & two knives and forks, two plates, two cups and saucers, one tin cup and coffee pot, one spinning wheel and cards, one small tin pan & pitcher, two teaspoons, one small pewter dish, two tablespoons, a wether, & two hoggs, year olds. This is 26 Dec. 1816. THOMAS PATE, D. SNEAD & ISAAC WILLIAMSON.¹²

A List of THOMAS BROWN's estate calculated each article showing its own amount. JENNET BROWN purchased two beds and furniture, one lot of books, one pepper box and one chest, one horse and bridle and saddleand two bushels of wheat. TOBIAS CALDER purchased one dish and four plates, one sitting chair, one club axe and one loom. WILLIAM WALLACE bought two pans. DANIEL BEESELY purchased four cups and four saucers, one boll and tin tumbler and one bee gum. AARON WALLACE took home four knives and forks, three spoons and four teaspoons, one pair of plow gears and one sitting chair. WILLIAM JOHNSON bought one bedstead, cords and map. ARCHIBALD COLHOUN needed one pair of cotton cards, and HENLY BROWN purchased one sythe & cradle, a small wheat patch and two bushels of peas and two padlocks. JOHN McLAUCHLIN wanted one small box, DANIEL CARMICHAEL (Maj.) purchased one cup-board, DANIEL McDONALD bought two baskets, while MATTHEW NORTON paid $2.50 for one table. ALEXANDER McNAIR purchased two benches & DANIEL McNAIR left the sale with one cutter plow for which he paid $2.40. DANIEL SNEED purchased one side of tanned leather for $2.52½ and 465 lbs. blade fodder. DUNCAN McLAURIN bougnt one cow and steer, and a one year old steer. WILLIAM McPHERSON purchased one cow and calf. BURFORD BROWN paid four dollars for one hog, and one lot of rotten corn. PETER JOHNSON wanted three head of sheep. JOHN WILLIAMSON bought two bushels of wheat. WILLIAM BROWN purchased three head of hogs. Total amount of the sale was $205.23. This sale was on the 28th day of Dec. 1816. JENNET BROWN, Administrator. [Note: Henly Brown was a son of Daniel Buford Brown who married Rebecca Williamson, daugther of Isaac Williamson]¹²

     J. D. WHETSTONE, son of Lewis Myers WHETSTONE and Sophia Murph, was born on 10 April 1836 in Autauga County, Alabama.¹

J. saw military service between 1861 and 1865 in the "Autauga Rifles," Co. G, 6th Alabama Infantry regiment. The regiment preceded to Mississippi before going to Virginia. During the early part of the war, J. D. served as an orderly in Camp Winder Hospital, Richmond. A patient with several problems, he served as a nurse during his confinement. He was released from the hospital and present at the Battle of the Wilderness 12 May 1864. He was captured upon the enemy works at the Battle of the Bloody Angle and imprisoned at Camp Lookout, Maryland, then transferred to Elmira Prison in New York. He was paroled under General Order 109 dated 9 June 1865. His actual date of release was June 27th at Elmira. His physical description was eyes-- blue, height 5' 8", complexion and hair, dark. After the war he returned to his farm in Autauga county and later moved to Eclectic where he was active in the the United Confederate Veterans (UCV) camp in Robinson Springs.^1,2

J. D. WHETSTONE died on 11 August 1901 in Eclectic, Elmore County, Alabama, at age 65.³ He was buried in Pleasant Grove Cemetery.

     Mary C. (?) was born in February 1862 in Georgia.¹

Mary married Mardis L. WOOD, son of Pleasant Green WOOD and Catherine Webb, in 1895.¹

Mary C. (?) died before 1920.

     John D'ABNEY, son of Thomas De ABNEY, was born circa 1341 in Derbyshire, England.¹

John D'ABNEY witnessed the Black Death or bubonic plague, a pandemic that ravaged Europe between 1347 and 1351. It is the most fatal pandemic recorded in human history, causing the death of 75–200 million people in Eurasia and North Africa. A ship from Calais carried the plague to Melcombe Regis, Dorset, in August 1348. It reached Bristol almost immediately and spread rapidly throughout the southwestern counties of England. London suffered most violently between February and May 1349, East Anglia and Yorkshire during that summer. The Black Death reached the extreme north of England, Scotland, Scandinavia, and the Baltic countries in 1350. There were recurrences of the plague in 1361–63, 1369–71, 1374–75, 1390, and 1400.

William De ABNEY, John D'ABNEY, Robert D'ABNEY and Arabella D'ABNEY were included on a tax list in 1380 in the Peak District, Derbyshire, England. The Poll Tax of 1379-80 (which caused the Peasants Revolt of 1381) included William Abney and his grandsons Robert and John. Arabella was probably also a granddaughter. The Poll Tax of 4 Richard II [1380] includes William de Alboney and his wife, Robert and Arabella Abbony of Castleton, and John de Abbeny and his wife of Eyam (probably including Stoke.)

John D'ABNEY was given possession at Eyam in a poll tax of Richard II (1377-1399) in 1388.²

On 9 Jul 1397 a pardon was granted in York county to John de Abbenay of Offerston,for noit appearing to answer John, duke of Lancaster, touching a debt of 500 marks.³

John D'ABNEY of Castleton on 23 April 1398 released to John Wylde of Abney, all of his lands and tenements which were of Robert del Cloghe in the village and fields of Abney. Note: John releases the lands of his ancestors in Abney, inherited from his grandfather William de Abney in Abney, Derbyshire, England.^4,5

From the Plea Rolls of Derby, in 1 Henry V [1413], John Sherwvnd, the elder; John Sherwynd, the younger; William Sherwynd; John de Nedeham; William Fox, of Banmford [Baumford], the younger; Richard Fox, of Hathersegge; James Fox; and John de Abbeney, the younger, were attached at the suit of Nicholas Longford, knight, for breaking into his free warren at Hethersegge on the Morrow of St. Martin, 3 Henry IV [1401], and taking 4 stags, 3 bucks and 6 does, 100 hares, 40 rabbits, 20 pleasants, and 40 partridges, and for continuing the trespass from the above date up to the date of the writ, viz. 6th May, 1 Henry V [1413], and for which he claimed £100 as damages.

The defendants appeared by attorney, and denied that Nicholas held either warren or chace within the village of Hethersegge, or that they had taken the number of hares, etc., as stated; and they also pleaded that Nicholas held warren and chace conjointly with Stephen Thorp, chivaler, and Robert Eyr, who were living and were not named in the writ.

Nicholas replied, that at the date of the writ he was the sole tenant of the warren and chace, and appealed to a jury, which was to be summoned for the Octaves of St. Michael. A postscript shows the suit was adjourned to the Octaves of St. Hillary.⁶

     William De ABNEY, son of William De ABNEY, was born circa 1293 in Derbyshire, England.¹

William De ABNEY witnessed the grant, on 1 August 1329, from Alexander de Leyum to Richard de Leyum, his brother, of two bovates of land and one plot of waste under Leyum [Eyam] Sey, containing 6 acres of land, which Roger le Rous onetime held in the village of Eyam; and also two messuages and one bovate of land and one culture called Byrchyene Fiatt which Walter the clerk once held in the village of Eyam in Derbyshire, England. Witnesses were: Richard de Paddeley, William de Abbeney, Roger de Stafford, Grevase Rankell, Nicholas del Hope, Henry de Geldacre, William Andreu clerk, Richard le Chapman, and Richard son of Richard son of Henry del Foulowe.^2,3

William De ABNEY and Alexander De ABNEY were witnesses to a quitclaim 29 September 1333 in Offerton, Derbyshire, England, from Richard del Strindes to William, son of John Fox and Joan his wife, of 16 acres of land in Offerton. Witnesses: John Foleiumbe of Tiddleswelle, William de Abbeneye, and Alexander de Abbeneye.⁴

William De ABNEY was witnessed a grant of land 24 August 1335 in Offerton, Derbyshire, England, from Richard Fox to Thomas Fox, his son, of a messuage and nine acres of land at Le Storthe in Over Offerton. Witnesses were William de Abbeneye, Thomas del Clogh and Richard del Clogh.⁵

William De ABNEY, John D'ABNEY, Robert D'ABNEY and Arabella D'ABNEY were included on a tax list in 1380 in the Peak District, Derbyshire, England. The Poll Tax of 1379-80 (which caused the Peasants Revolt of 1381) included William Abney and his grandsons Robert and John. Arabella was probably also a granddaughter. The Poll Tax of 4 Richard II [1380] includes William de Alboney and his wife, Robert and Arabella Abbony of Castleton, and John de Abbeny and his wife of Eyam (probably including Stoke.)

     William De ABNEY, son of William D'Abbeney, was born circa 1265 in Derbyshire, England.

William De ABNEY witness of a suit of Nicholas de Ingwardby in 1314.

William De ABNEY was a witness to a quitclaim 11 June 1314 in Offerton, Derbyshire, England, from Alice, daughter of Robert le Hore, to John Fox of Offerton of all the lands he holds and which William Fox his father held in Offerton. Witnesses: William de Abbeney, William Hally, and Robert le Heyr.¹

     William D'Abbeney, son of Robert D'Abbeneye and Eustacia De Fancourt, was born circa 1242 in Derbyshire, England.¹

William D'Abbeney witnessed the land grant of his brother,Robert D'Abbeney the Parson of Bamford, 8 September 1317 in Offerton, Derbyshire, England. To William, son of John Fox, of those two acres of land which he had by grant of his father in Offerton. Witnesses: William Hally, William de Abbeney, and Robert de Edinsour.²

William D'Abbeney witnessed the following transaction involving his sisters Matilda D'Abney and Elena D'Abney, daughters of Robert and Eustacia de Abbeney, between 1216 and 1272 in Offerton, Derbyshire, England. Deed whereby Matilda and Elena D'Abbeney "sorores de Offerton cum consensu bonorum nostrorum Eustachi et Roberti" [Deed whereby sisters Matilda and Elena of Offerston with the support of their parents Eustacia and Robert] withdraw from a suit against John Fox of Offerton. Witnesses: Robert le Eyr, Willliam de Abbeney, etc. Temp. Henry III [in the time of Henry IIi -- reigned 1216-1272].³

William D'Abbeney died after 1329.

     Willliam D'Aubigny "Brito", son of William D'Aubigny, was born circa 1090 in Dol de Bretagne, Brittany, France.

Willliam married Cecelia Bigod circa 1107 in England. Cecelia was the daughter of Roger Bigod and Adelisa de Tosny. Robert de Tosny was the lord of Belvoir, built about 1088. All three of his sons died without issue leaving his three daughters as heirs. The eldest daughter, Albreta, died without issue leaving her younger sister, Adelisa, wife of Roger Bigod, to inherit. Belvoir passed from Adelisa to her youngest daughter, Cecily, and from her to William D'Albini upon their marriage. The castle's name means beautiful view. The name "Belvoir", is in fact, a Norman import by the French-speaking conquerors, though the native Anglo-Saxon population was unable to pronounce such a foreign word, preferring to pronouncel it "Beever Castle". Belvoir Castle is still pronounced "Beever" -- despite its spelling -- to this very day, which may actually go a long way to explaining the age-long animosity between the insulted French and the traditionalist English..¹ He was Lord of Stackhorne (Stathern) and Belvoir in Leicestershire.. Called "the Brito" or the Briton, because he had been born in Brittany, to distinquish him from his cousin, William of Arundel. This feudal Baron was a soldier of distinction, and acquired great renown in the celebrated battle of Tenercheby in Normandy when he commanded the calvary, for "by a charge of much spirit, he determined at once the fate of the day." The monk Matthew Paris records "in this encounter chiefly deserveth honour the most heroic William d'Albini, the Briton, who with his sword broke through the enemy and terminated the battle."

The battle of Tinchebray (or Tinchebrai) was fought September 28, 1106, in the town of Tinchebray, Normandy, south of Bayeux, between an invading force led by Henry I of England, and his older brother Robert Curthose, the Duke of Normandy. Henry's knights won a decisive victory, capturing Robert and imprisoning him in England and then Wales until Robert's death in Cardiff Castle. England and Normandy remained under a single ruler until 1204.

From the Pipe Roll of 1130 we know that William was one of a small group of itinerate justices who traveled through certain counties to hold pleas-- mainly crown and forest pleas-- and to supervise and suppliment the local courts. The country was not yet divided into circuits as to completely encompass its mission, and the number of justices were few, but this system, began by Henry I was the birth of the English Common Law.

William acquired the honor of Belvoir Castle, which became the center of the family estates, as marriage portion from his wife, Cecily, daughter of Roger Bigod. When he became a supporter of the Empress Maud, his castle at Belvoir with all its great possessions, were seized by King Stephen who presented them to Ranulph de Meschines, the Earl of Chester.

Willliam D'Aubigny "Brito" died in 1155 in Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire, England.

     Cecelia married Willliam D'Aubigny "Brito", son of William D'Aubigny, circa 1107 in England. Cecelia was the daughter of Roger Bigod and Adelisa de Tosny. Robert de Tosny was the lord of Belvoir, built about 1088. All three of his sons died without issue leaving his three daughters as heirs. The eldest daughter, Albreta, died without issue leaving her younger sister, Adelisa, wife of Roger Bigod, to inherit. Belvoir passed from Adelisa to her youngest daughter, Cecily, and from her to William D'Albini upon their marriage. The castle's name means beautiful view. The name "Belvoir", is in fact, a Norman import by the French-speaking conquerors, though the native Anglo-Saxon population was unable to pronounce such a foreign word, preferring to pronouncel it "Beever Castle". Belvoir Castle is still pronounced "Beever" -- despite its spelling -- to this very day, which may actually go a long way to explaining the age-long animosity between the insulted French and the traditionalist English..¹

Cecelia Bigod died after 1164.

     William D'Aubigny was born circa 1050 in Saint-Aubin-d'Aubigne, Ille-et-Vitaine, Brittany, France.¹

William D'Aubigny acquired lands in England after the Conquest, including lands in hamlets of Muston and "Stockhorne" (Stathern, Leicestershire). He was not among the companions of William during the invasion, being in disgrace in Normandy at the time and having fled to Brittany. He was not restored to favour, or allowed to enter England before the reign of William II "Rufus" (1087-1100), or maybe Henry I (1100-1135.)²

William D'Aubigny died in November 1168.

     William D'Aubigny, son of Neil III d'St. Sauveur and Adela d'Ecu, was born circa 1010 in St. Sauveur, Manche, Normandy, France.

William married Albreda du Plessis circa 1031 in England. Her brother was Grimoult du Plessis, the traitor of Valognes and Val-es-Dunes, who died in his dungeion in 1047. He was Pincerna or "Le Botellier" of King William I, the Duke of Normandy known as "William the Conqueror". The Pincerna was the king's cupbearer and one of his most loyal confidants. He settled at Dol, in Brittany, France.

William D'Aubigny, his son, Roger D'Aubigny, and Neil III d'St. Sauveur fought underWilliam the Conqueror on 14 October 1066 in the Battle of Hastings. The Battle of Hastings was the decisive Norman victory in the Norman Conquest of England. It was fought between the Norman army of William the Conqueror, and the English army led by Harold Godwinson. The battle took place at Senlac Hill, approximately 6 miles (10 km) north-west of Hastings.

The Norman army was estimated to number as many as 8,400 and consisted of at the most 2,200 cavalry, 4,500 infantry and 1,700 archers and crossbowmen. William's strategy relied on archers to soften the enemy, followed by a general advance of the infantry, and then a cavalry charge. The Norman army was composed of nobles, mercenaries, and troops from France and Europe, including some from southern Italy. The English army is usually thought to have numbered roughly 7,500 and consisted entirely of infantry. It is most probable that all the members of the army rode to battle, but once at the appointed place they dismounted to fight on foot.

The battle was a decisive Norman victory. Harold II was killed; traditionally, it is believed he was shot through the eye with an arrow. Although there was further English resistance, this battle is seen as the point at which William gained control of England.

The names of Neil de St. Sauveur, William d'Aubigney and Roger d'Aubigney appear in the Battle Abbey Rolls, a record of the commanions of Duke William of Normandy. These were the commanders. The elite who provided ships, horses, men and supplies for the venture. They were granted the lordships.These nobles would have commanded their own private forces composed of archers, infantry and men-at-arms.¹

William D'Aubigny died in 1068.