Thomas Brownfield (abt. 1740 - 1815)

Born about 1740 in Winchester City, Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Mary Catherine (McCoy) Brownfield — married about 1760 in Pennsylvania

Descendants

Died 1815 at about age 75 in Fayette, Pennsylvania, United States

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Biography

Thomas Brownfield was an early settler in Pennsylvania.

"Genealogical and Personal History of Fayette County Pennsylvania"^[1] - states - "He married Miss McCoy, and had sons Ewing, John, Isaac and others."

In Isaac Brownfield vs. John Brownfield ^[2] heard by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court during the September term of 1849 we find the following information:

"The whole tract, containing 263 acres, was patented by Thomas Brownfield in 1773. In 1796, he conveyed to his son John, the plaintiff, in consideration of natural love and affection, the part A, and afterwards, on 25th April, 1814, he further conveyed to him for $300, some two acres of C, at the point E, with saw-mill, water-right, &c. By his will, proved October, 1815, he devised as follows: 'I give and devise to my youngest son Isaac and his male heirs, the south side of my home place by a line of division as follows: Beginning at the saw-mill race, four perches south of the dwelling-house,near said saw-mill, and thence supposed nearly an east course to a post, a corner of John Brownfield's and my home-place and the other part of my home-place, I give and devise to my eldest son John and his male heirs, him yielding and paying to my son William $500. The above devise to take effect at the decease of my wife and Elizabeth and Ann Brownfield'. "

This portion of the Court Opinion would seem to indicate that Thomas's oldest son was John Brownfield and his youngest son was Isaac Brownfield, the litigants in this case. Another son William Brownfield, is also mentioned in this passage. It is later stated in the Opinion: "James Brownfield a son of testator, and executor of his will, testified, that he was the scrivener of the will..." seems to indicate there was a fourth son named James. who was the executor of his father's (Thomas Brownfield) estate. Elizabeth and Ann Brownfield are both daughters, both apparently unmarried, who were both, along with Thomas's widow, deceased by the time the Court wrote its Opinion in this case. We can assume that Elizabeth was still alive at some point during the litigation between her oldest and youngest brothers since mention is made to her deposition, it must have been given before she died, presumably before the appeal reached the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

"Mary McCoy married Thomas Brownfield, son of Charles Brownfield.^[3] Their children were:

1. Anna Brownfield 1768–1842 •
2. Elizabeth Brownfield 1768–1834 •
3. Sarah Brownfield 1768–Deceased •
4. John Thomas Brownfield 1771–1854 •
5. Rev. William Brownfield 1773–1859 •
6. Nathan Brownfield 1775–1861 •
7. James Brownfield 1778–1866 •
8. Enoch William Brownfield 1780–1872 •
9. Isaac Brownfield 1782–1859 •
10. Lydia Brownfield 1785–1836 •
11. Thomas Brownfield Jr. 1804-1861

He died in 1815 and was buried in Mount Moriah Baptist Cemetery, Smithfield, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, USA ^[4]

Research

Needs more work on first name and birth source.

Sources

1. ↑ Genealogical and Personal History of Fayette County Pennsylvania, Volume 2, By James Hadden pp 344-347
2. ↑ Pennsylvania State Reports, Volume 12, By Pennsylvania. Supreme Court "Isaac Brownfield v John Brownfield", pp 136-146
3. ↑ History of Fayette County, PA Pub 1882 Pg. 682
4. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #190462872

See also:

• History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885 Philadelphia: L.H. Everts & Co, 1882, Page 681-2
• FamilySearch Person: LKMW-4WD