James Brumfield

All I have been able to prove so far is that a James Brumfield came to Virginia in March 1672, transported here by Robert Taliaferro.
Yesterday I went to the Tennessee State Archives to look for the Vestry Book of Abingdon Parrish.  I was extremely disappointed that they did not have a copy.  I had read in several family genealogies that referred to a vestry record of Abingdon Parrish Church in Gloucester County where James Brumfield lived and in which James II and several other siblings births were recorded.
So I am going to have to search for these records.
The internet.
The internet archives has a book "Colonial Churches in the Original Colony of Virginia" in which he describes the early colonial Gloucester and Abingdon Parish. According to this book on page 190, the Abingdon Parish had 570 residents from 1677 to 1761.  On page 190 and 191, they alphabetical list resident's surnames and among those residents is a Bromfield.

James Brumfield

It has been quite a long while since I last wrote, but it is my intention to write three posts a week for the next few months and hopefully more.  I began searching my Brumfield relatives this spring.  In my past posts I was working my way backwards, but now I would like to begin with my first direct Brumfield relative James Brumfield that settled in the New World.  Now this does not mean that there were no Brumfields before he came.  This only is the only that I believe to be a direct descendant.  There was a young James Brumfield that came to Jamestown in 1607, but there is no positive proof as to what happened to him.

1.  James Brumfield married to Peshee Sutton.  Immigrants from England to Virginia on March 17, 1672.  They were transported here by Robert Taliaferro to Old Rappahannock County.  
Lived in Gloucester County.
Possible Children:
Robert, Martha, Isabel, James, Ann, William

Can I prove these facts, I don't know.  

First I went to the Library of Virginia in their Digital Memory Collection.  I found the land patent given to Robert Taliaferro March 17, 1672 conveying acreage to him for transporting colonist to the new world.  Lo and behold, they named  the colonist and in it was the name Peshee Sutton and below her name was James Brumfield.  Another Brumfield is also listed.  I could not distinquish the first name, though.
You can find this patent in the Digital Memory Collection Virginia Land Patents.

So here we have proof that James Brumfield and Peshee Sutton knew each other and they were here in 1672.
The Land was located in Rappahannock County.  There is a possibility that James and Peshee lived in Old Rappahannock when they first arrived.  That county is now extinct and the records are held at Essex County, Virginia.  Old Rappahanock was formed from Lancaster County in 1656 and became extinct in 1692

https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/(Old)_Rappahannock_County,_Virginia_Genealogy
I looked on this page for information about the Brumfield family and did not find their name listed.

While searching for family ancestry I also looked for the history of the era.  I have attached a link for 1672 below.
http://www.brainyhistory.com/years/1672.html
During that year England and France declared War on the Netherlands.

More Mystery Pictures

These are more of the pictures that may be a part of the Ramsey or Clack Stone family.  As before, if anyone knows the identity of these people, please write.

 There is a date on this picture of 1894.  It isn't a tintype.  The back of the picture says send your cabinet and get 12 miniatures for 25 cent posted note.  They said no tintypes copied.  F. J. Walsh, No. 353 Perry Street, Trenton, NJ.

There was no zip code, of course.  Zip codes did not come into existence until 1963.    It looks like this young fellow was dressed in a sailor suit or it could be a girl, but my first impression was of a boy.

 This picture was on a tintype.  I don't know what kind of outfit the little boy is wearing.  Looking at it a little more closely I believe this may be a little girl with her hair pulled back.

 This picture was taken by C.A. Pugh Photographer of Chatham, VA.    This is a handsome young fellow with a spiffy outfit.  It would be a shame for him to remain anonymous.

This is unknown woman on a tintype.

George W Dove

This is a picture of George W. Dove.  He was married to Cornelia V. Ward Walden.  Cornelia was married to Littleton Tazewell Walden until his death due to a riding accident before the War Between the States.  George W. Dove met his untimely death in 1895 so this picture would have to have been taken before then.  Their daughter was Rose/Rosa Lee Dove who was married to Albert Lee Dalton.

Above is a picture of Albert Lee Dalton and Rosa Lee Dove.


If anyone has a picture of Cornelia Ward Dove, I would really like to have a copy.

Pictures from the Past Possibly Ramsey or Stone Family

 I have no information on this man other than that it was taken on a tintype.  This process of photography was used between 1856 and 1940, but mainly during the nineteenth century.

The Photography studio for the above young ladies picture was C.R. & A. H. Blunt located in Danville, Va.  I have been searching for a date for the picture.  I already found where the photographer A. H. Blunt committed suicide on June 13, 1912. They also said that he was a photographer in Danville, Va.  I found that in the Magazine Bulletin of Photography Volume 11.

 This picture was taken by the Edwards Excelior Photograph Gallery  804 Main Street Lynchburg, VA.  By the fashion of his clothes I would say this was taken during the 1880s.

Someone kindly wrote this fellow's name on the back of the picture.  His name is Samuel Stone.  They also said that he was Aunt Chappies' youngest brother.  Oldest brothers were Eddie Stone, Jimmy Stone, Clack Stone.  This was also taken by A. H. Blunt.


About a month ago my brother gave me these pictures.  His mother in law gave them to him.  I don't know the exact particulars, but they supposedly are people that have a relation to the Ramseys or the Bennetts of Pittsylvania County, Virginia.  Above are the first four photos.  As before, if anyone has any idea about the relationship of these people, please write.  There was a Clack Stone in the ancestry.com that had a brother named Jimmy.  They served in the Civil War and someone used this Stone to apply to be in the SAR.

Jefferson Genealogy

For the past few months I have been jumping from my Jefferson family genealogy to my Brumfield family genealogy and not getting anything completed.  I think one of the most important aspects of a good genealogist is sticking to one family tree and completing before beginning another.  So don't do as I do, but do as I say.  I have a Jefferson tree that I know is correct, but I am not satisfied with all my evidence.  I need to shore up my tree from William Thomas Jefferson 1834 to 1912 to Eros Gray Bailey born from 1901 to 1974.

I don't have to prove that William Thomas Jefferson existed because that has already been proven and I wrote about those proofs in prior blogs, but I have to prove that Henrietta Jefferson that was married to Robert L Bailey is William Thomas Jefferson's daughter.  I have a marriage license in my possession that has Henrietta marrying Robert L. Bailey and it states that she is the daughter of William Jefferson and Matilda J Jefferson.  That I think should be proof enough for that generation.  I found that marriage license in Pittsylvania County Circuit Court.  Now Henrietta and Robert had eight children and one of them was my grandfather Eros Gray.  I have a death certificate for Eros Gray, but it has no mother listed.  I don't know why.  I do have a 1910 census listing Robert S Bailey and Henrietta Bailey with Eros listed as their child.  I also have Eros Gray Bailey and Kizze Mae Crawley's Marriage license.  Eros listed his mother as Henrietta Bailey.  I believe that to be enough to prove everything.  I do have some other problems.  I do not know the dates of birth for Henrietta and Robert.  Now I have found Robert's tombstone in Tosh's, Virginia, but it is not legible as you can see.  It looks like he was born on September 26, 1863 and died on January 6, 1921 or 1924.  I do have a marriage license which says that Robert was 23 on at the date of his marriage and that date was October 26, 1885.  That would mean that either Robert didn't know the exact date of his birth or the tombstone is correct.  As I stated before I found the 1910 census and Robert has his age as 47.  I looked at the census and it was taken in April of 1910.  If this census is correct, then he turned 47 in 1909 making his birth year 1862.   I would certainly like to find more information about his age and maybe I can find more accurate information.  I just spent an half hour looking at the Danville Bee on Ancestry.com for an obituary so either he died before 1922 or I just couldn't find it in an half hour.  In all probability it is 1921.  I have also looked under family history and mocavo.  I will try again tomorrow.

Continuing with the Brumfields

Last year a member of the Brumfield family passed away.  He was George William Brumfield 93.  A native of Jessamine County, Kentucky.  Below is his obituary.

 http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/kentucky/obituary.aspx?n=george-william-brumfield&pid=153134358&fhid=7344

He use to write my Aunt Judy all the time and he would always talk about the Brumfield Genealogy.  She has generously given me his letters and I am going to transcribe them to the best of my ability.

From George Brumfield Letter

John born 1740 son of William left Virginia in 1789 and came to Fayette County, Kentucky with him was the balance of his and Elizabeth Morton's(Elizabeth Morton was the daugher of Samuel and Delphia Morton that lived near Farmville, Va, somewhere around Round Pond.   children:  Obediah  1774,  Sarah Elizabeth 1777, Moses 1783, and John Jr. 1786.  Their two older sons William 1769 and Joel 1771 had already come to Fayette County, Kentucky in 1787.  Only two of the family died here Joel died 1850 and Moses died 1860.  Sarah had married J Gritton.  She died 1806 in Mercer County, Kentucky.

Only Moses' grave is known all the others are buried in unknown graves.

Mercer County, Kentucky

Robert Brumfield's family and descendants.

Obediah b 1785 and wife Nancy Crowe bried in old union graved at Doctor's Fork   near Perryville.  His son James born 1806 buried in Perryville, Kentucky.  These are the cousins to Abraham Lincoln the President the the William 1778 and Nancy Lincoln marriage 1780   of 1801 in Mercer County, Kentucky.

It is believed that Thomas Brumfield came to Jamestown, Virginia in search of his uncle James Brumfield born 1592, who stole his way on Capt John Smith's boat in 1609.  This James(1592) is known as the Cabin Boy and in Jamestown, Capt. John and James applied  for a land grant.  James(1592) was killed by an Indian in 1640

In another letter he stated that the family started in 1672 in Jamestown, Virginia.  James Brumfield born 1647 married Patience Sutton born 1651 in Jamestown and Thomas Brumfield was their only witness to the wedding.  There is no date of death or location.  Robert Brumfield married Susannah Coatran and  James Brumfield married Elizabeth Watson.  Daughter of John watson of Virginia.   John Watson died 1742 and Robt. Brumfield died 1745.  James Brumfield died 1755 near Farmville, Virginia on Sailor Creek.

James and Elizabeth Watson Brumfield had four sons William  (1718-1799) James (1722-1803)  West Virginia, Robert (1724-1794) in Mercer Kentucky and Major Brumfield (1730-1815) Virginia.

More Next Week

More about the Brumfields

Well, I have been searching for Vincent Brumfield in the Civil War and I have got to say that we probably have already found him
http://www.53rdvacompanyh.org/

I found a Vincent Broomfield in the following site http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/soldiers.cfm and I have been
researching the 53rd at the following sites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/53rd_Virginia_Infantry
http://www.victorianvilla.com/sims-mitchell/local/war/cw/roster/53/g/01/  This is Company G.  There is no mention of a Brumfield or Broomfield in this list.
http://www.victorianvilla.com/sims-mitchell/local/articles/phsp/012/  This article refers to Company I and a notebook kept by Robert Ferguson and some information on Chatham Greys.
http://www.victorianvilla.com/sims-mitchell/local/war/cw/53/I/
While looking for the 53rd information, I found a list of the dead from Pittsylvania County and Danville, Va.  It a terrible long list. http://www.victorianvilla.com/sims-mitchell/local/war/cw/cas/index.htm

I must admit that I may be spending too much time on this.  If anyone should know for certain what confederate   regiment Vincent Brumfield served, please write.

Also, I am attaching a photo of James Brumfield and his wife.  He went to Ohio and returned, but she did not.

More about the Brumfields

Vincent H Brumfield was the son of Isaac Brumfield.  He was born around 1834 and he married Millie Bobbitt.  During the 1850's Vincent and his wife moved to Indiana where they lived until 1860.  In 1860, they moved back to Pittsylvania County and there they lived and died.

He served in the Confederacy, but I am having a problem finding him.  I believe that his name could be misspelled.  I have tried Brumfield, but I have not found a Vincent in the list.  I have also tried Bromfield and Broomfield.  The only Vincent I found was Vincent Broomfield that enlisted in the 53rd Virginia Regiment.  I found him at this link http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/soldiers.cfm.  I also looked in this website http://www.victorianvilla.com/sims-mitchell/local/war/cw/roster/53/g/01/.  He wasn't in Company G of the 53rd.  There were many men from Pittsylvania County in that regiment, but he wasn't on the website list.
I also looked at http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/genealogy/ancestorcomments.aspx?id=708&state=Virginia&type=4&rid=2689.  No mention on that website either.  As I keep plodding through different websites, I keep getting shot down.  I looked up the Pittsylvania County, Virginia genealogy website and it had nothing about a Brumfield in the Civil War.  http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~vapittsy/civilwar.html

Could I have been mistaken about their residence during the Civil War.  Everyone said that he fought in the war.  Could it be that he fought for the North?  I really don't think so.  It was told to me that he was back in Virginia before 1861.  However, the 1860 census has him living in Ohio.

Okay.  So I went to the Library of Virginia Digital Collection and looked under the confederate disability pension collection.  I found no Vincent Brumfield, Broomfield or Bromfield located in that collection either.
http://lva1.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/F/9CVL5DP7H524CPPLF8FR1HD8BRNA8PQN24Y16JVH59UTSIMLJC-52539?func=scan&scan_start=bromfield&scan_code=SUB&x=14&y=13. http://lva1.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/F/PNYH6NDNV6H8JH8JFIFFFFNI48B8QEVXQGJ6RVAB8RNVYFULK9-65938?func=scan&scan_start=bromfield&scan_code=SUB&x=23&y=10
And for good measure I also searched the Digital Collection and came up empty.

Now I must move on the Ancestor.com.  Someone else may have found something that I have been unable to locate.  Now remember I have found a Vincent Bromfield in the 53rd Va Regiment.  This could be our relative, but I am not sure.  So far I have had no luck finding anyone that has Vincent Brumfield's military record in their tree.

I suppose I should try Fold 3 and Mocavo next.  More tomorrow.

More Brumfield Grave Markers

These Graves are located at Weatherford Primitive Baptist Church in Sycamore, Va

 John Foreman Brumfield and Eliza Dalton Brumfield

 David McDowell Brumfield  sond of John Foreman and Eliza Brumfield

Annie M Brumfield  daughter of John Foreman and Eliza Brumfield

Ollie R  and Ruby D Brumfield . Ollie is the son of John and Eliza Brumfield.

The Brumfield Story Continues

 Carrie Brumfield Pillow and Opie Pillow.

 Velma Brumfield Dalton with one of her brothers.  This was taken at the American Legion Center in Gretna, Virginia.  This place has been the center of many reunions, wedding receptions and parties over the years.

 John Foreman Brumfield and one of his grandchildren

 Velma Brumfield and two of her sisters.  I am sorry that the picture is a little wavy.  I will try to get a better picture when I go home again.

Last month I went home and my Aunt Judy provided me with the above pictures.  She knows the name for every person and I wrote them down, and then left them at someone else's home.  I am going to post them and I will tell you who they are, if I can.  I will be calling Aunt Judy for the other names later on.  If you know who they are and would like to add any comments, please feel free to do so.

President Andrew Jackson Gravesite

Last weekend I attended a wreath dedication ceremony for Rachel Jackson by the DAR.  While I was there, I 

took some pictures.

The two pictures above are of President Andrew Jackson and Rachel Jackson gravesite.

This is the gravesite of Sadie Lawrence wife of Dr. C. W. Winn and daughter of Dr. J. M. and R.J. Lawrence.  She was born at the Hermitage on March 15, 

1854 and died in Maury County, Tn on May 6, 1882.

R.J. Lawrence is Rachel Jackson daughter of Andrew Jackson II and Sarah (Yorke) Jackson.

The monument boxes of Andrew Jackson, Jr. and his wife Sarah along with the monument of R.E.H. Earl have been covered while they are being restored.  Ralph E. H. Earl was the friend, artist and companion of President Andrew Jackson.

More Brumfield Information

I am checking out the Pension Applications for the Revolutionary War for any Brumfields that I might find and abstracting them.

Robert Brumfield of King William County, Virginia   National Archives Catalogue No. 300022
He was eighty years old at the time of the application on January 28, 1832
He first enlisted in 1776 or 1777.  He doesn't remember exactly which year.  The first time he enlisted at Major Burheel's Mill under Captain William Quarles of King William County, Virginia.  They started out a Little York, then New Kent County, Virginia and then Hillsborough, NC.  He was present at Gate's defeat and marched back to Little York.  He was discharged after that and he returned home, but he was drafted again in to the militia under Captain Richard Dabney on January 5, 1781.  They marched to Holt's Ferry, Williamsburg and then Portsmouth.  He returned home after a few months and was drafted again on May 5, 1781 under Captain William Quarles.  They marched to Four Mile Creek below Richmond City, Malvern Hills on the James River then Charles City.  He then went home again and was drafted again under Captain Abrahams.  They met at Frazier's Ferry went on to New Kent County and then Ware Church in Gloucester County.  He served under the following Major and Colonels.  Major Armistead, Colonel Holt Richeson, Colonel Taylor, Colonel Ennis and Colonel Dabney.
He states that his brother William enlisted before he did, but they served in the same regiment together.  Robert was born in Cumberland County, Virginia and moved to King William County, Virginia when he was six years old.
Pension Application witnessed and notarized by Richard Willeroy who was also the Justice of the Peace of King William County, Thomas W. S. Gregory and Robert Myrick.

Brumfield marriages

I found in the book Marriages of Pittsylvania County, Virginia  1806-1830 compiled and published by Kathleen Booth Williams the following:

December 5, 1818 Isaac Brumfield and Letty Mayhue.  Sur.  Henry Mayhue.  Married by the Reverend Griffith Dickinson. page 65

July 8, 1823 James W Brumfield and Tallithecum Hoskins, who writes her own consent.  Sur.  Isaac Brumfield.  Married July 10 by the Reverend Griffith Dickinson.  page 77

June 21 1827  Thomas H. Brumfield and Ludey Mayhew.  Sur.  Henry Mayhew. page 87

May 27, 1817  William B. Brumfield and Susanna Oakes.  Sur.  John Williams.  Page 62.


In the book Marriages of Amelia County, Virginia  1735-1815  compiled and published by Kathleen Booth Williams the following:

November 27, 1792  Brumfield, William and Polly Butler, Sur.  William Butler.  P. B-6

Possible Isacc Brumfield Service in War of 1812

Isacc Brumfield was born in Halifax County, Virginia.  He married Letitia Mayhew on December 5, 1818 in Chatham, Virginia by Griffin Dickinson.  She was the daughter of Henry Mayhew Sr. and Sallie Mayhew.
Isaac Brumfield was five feet eight inches tall with blue eyes, black hair and dark complexion.  He served in the War of 1812.  He was a private under Captain Edward Holt's command of the Sixth Regiment, Virginia Militia of the U. S. Army commanded by Henry E. Coleman.  He was drafted on June 18, 1812 and received an honorable discharge on October 18, 1814.
Source:  Military Records, Pittsylvania County, Virginia, Marriage Bonds in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.

More Brumfield Information

Children of Vincent and Millie Brumfield

William Henry Brumfield     Age:  4
Thomas A. Brumfield          Age:  3
Isaiah Jake Brumfield          Age:  2
Herbert Brumfield               Age:  2 months
The above children were born in Ohio.
I found them in the 1860 census.

In the 1870 census we find William Henry, Thomas A, Isaiah Jake, but there is no mention of Herbert.
The next child in the 1870 census is:
John Foreman Brumfield     Age:  8
Robert:                               Age:  6
James G                             Age:  4
Samuel H.                          Age:  3

One of the family stories that I have heard is that John Foreman was born in a covered wagon on their way back to Virginia.  So if he is 8 in the 1870 census, then they must have returned around 1862.

In the 1880 census, William Henry, Thomas A and Isaiah are no longer living in the household.  At this time I do not know whether they have died or moved.  I hope to know more later.
The following children are added in this census.
Virginia Frances                Age:  9
Sarah Alice                       Age:  8
Martha E                          Age:  6
Manta                               Age: 2

Now I don't know about the name Manta, but that is what it looks like in the census and that is how they spelled it also.  Manta is a son.

There is no 1890 census so for 20 years there is no record.  In the 1900 census all the above children are no longer  in the household with Vincent and Millie and there is a  George Walton age 21.  Also Millie states in the census that she has had fourteen children, but only nine survived.  I found names for thirteen children, but that twenty year gap could have had one more at some time.
So to recap here are the following children I have found in the 1860,1870,1880 and 1900 census.
William Henry
Thomas A
Isaiah Jake
Herbert
John Foreman
Robert
James G
Samuel H
Virginia Francis
Sarah A
Martha E
Manta
George Walton

Brumfield Information Children of John Foreman and Eliza Dalton

Children of John Foreman Brumfield and Eliza Dalton

David McDowell Brumfield born February 19, 1885  Died September 27, 1945

His grave marker is on my site the Brumfield Grave Matters.  He was married to Mary Dalton.

 James Morgan  Brumfield born September 16, 1889 Died January 4, 1963.  He was married to Cecil Dove.  She was the daughter of George Dove and Lelia Forlines Dove.  Lelia Forlines Dove was George Dove’s second wife.  His first wife was Cornelia Ward.  One of George and Cornelia’s children was Rose Dove.   She married Albert Lee Dalton.  Rose and Albert had a son Ira Lee.   Ira Lee married James Morgan Brumfield’s sister Velma. In the 1900 census  Henry Ward, Daniel Dalton and Jarratt Dalton family were neighbors of John Brumfield.

Annie Mildred Brumfield born November 6,1892 Died April 17, 1960.  Her grave marker is on the Brumfield Grave Matters site.   She was married to Robert Ward.  He was one of the son’s of Henry Ward and Susie Adams Ward.  Henry Ward was the son of Elizabeth Adams Ward and the brother to the above Cornelia Ward.  In the 1900 census the Henry Ward family are neighbors to the John Brumfield family.  Annie Mildred was named for both of her grandmothers.  Mildred Bobbitt Brumfield, John Foreman’s Brumfield’s mother and  Anne Dalton, Eliza Dalton’s mother.

Carrie Brumfield born June or January, 1895.  In the 1900 census she is five years old and the census was taken on June 16, 1900.  The census says that her birthday was June or January, 1895.  I could not decipher  the month except to say that it was June or January.  She died on October 11, 1964.  She married Opie Pillow.  They lived in Roanoke, Virginia.   They were married for forty nine years. I do not remember Carrie, but I do remember Uncle Opie.  He was always nice and friendly.  He would do this little trick where he kicked his back side with his foot.

Lundy  Brumfield born May, 1888 according to the 1900 census.  He died on May 3, 1960.  He was married to Janie Worley.  They lived in several places, but mainly in Richmond, Virginia.

Albert Clyde Brumfield born September 29,1900.  Died March 24, 1966.  I do not have a picture of his grave site, but he is buried at Weatherford Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Sycamore, Virginia.  His grave is also mentioned in Find a grave.  He was married to Ruth Vassar.

Dewey Winchester Brumfield born March 30, 1903 Died April 1, 1961.  His grave site is at the Weatherford Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.  You can find this gravesite at Findagrave.com.  He was married to Roberta Worley.

Ollie R. (Doc) Brumfield born July 3, 1905 and died March 29, 1979.  You can find his grave site at Brumfield Genealogy Astounding Past Brumfield Grave Matters.  He was married to Ruby Dalton.   They were married for fifty three years.

Oscar Brumfield born possibly 1908.  According to 1910 census he was 2 years old at the time.  He died on January 19, 1964.  He was married to Ethel Dalton.  She was the daughter of Albert Lee Dalton and Rose Dove.  Her brother Ira Dalton married Velma Brumfield, Oscar’s sister.

Odell Brumfield  born February 22, 1911 Died November 19, 1984.  He married Adell Dove.  They were married for forty nine years.  She was the daughter of Charles Dove.  Charles Dove was the brother of Rose Dove.

Velma Olvis Brumfield born August 6, 1913.  Died November 3, 2001.  She was married to Ira Lee Dalton for 69 years.  She was a wonderful wife and mother.  

So these are all of the children of John Foreman Brumfield and Eliza C. Dalton.  According to the 1900 census, they had six children, but one of them did not survive.  All total they had eleven children to survive out of twelve.   As before, if anyone has any corrections or additions, please let me know.   

All of my information comes from the following sources:

Atha Bailey

Judy Dalton 

Billy Wayne Brumfield

Ancestry.com

Findagrave.com

My research at grave sites.

Brumfield Marriage Licenses

Brumfield Marriage License Information

Vincent and Milly Brumfield

To the Clerk of the County Court of Pittsylvania County in the State of Virginia

I hereby certify that the following is a correct statement of a marriage solemnized by me in the county afore. 

Date of Marriage 25 day of January, 1855

Place of Marriage  Thomas Bobbett Pittsylvania

Names of Parties married Vincent Harris or Hans( actually not readable)  Brumfield , Millie Bobbett.

Age of Husband 21 years Age of Wife 21 years.  They were both single.  Both born in Pittsylvania County.

He was the son of Isaac and Leticia Brumfield.

She was the daughter of Thomas and Mildred Bobbett.

He is a farmer and both reside in Pittsylvania.

Given under my hand as a minister legally authorized to solemnize marriages.  This lst day of February, 1855.  Samuel F. Shelton

John and Eliza Brumfield

Marriage License

Virginia Pittsylvania County, to Wit

You are hereby authorized to join in the Holy State of Marriage according to the rites and ceremonies of your Church or denomination and the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia John Brumfield and Eliza Dalton.

Given under my hand a Clerk of the County Court of Pittsylvania, this the 15^th day of October, 1883.

Certificate to Obtain a Marriage License

Time of Marriage:  1883  October 18^th

Place of Marriage:

Full Names of Parties Married:  John Brumfield and Eliza Dalton

Color:  White

Age of Husband:  22 years old

Age of Wife:  14

Condition of Husband widowed or single:  single

Condition of wife widowed or single:  single

Place of Husband’s birth:  Pittsylvania County, Virginia

Place of Wife’s birth:  Pittsylvania County, Virginia

Place of Husband’s Residence:  Pittsylvania County, Virginia

Place of Wife’s Residence:  Pittsylvania County, Virginia

Name of Husband’s Parents:  Vincent and Milly Brumfield

Name of Wife’s Parents:  Winchester and Annie Dalton

Occupation of Husband:  Farmer

Given under my hand this 15^th day of October, 1885.  W. B. Shepherd, Clerk

Ira and Velma Brumfield Dalton

Marriage License

Virginia Campbell County, to Wit

You are hereby authorized to join in the Holy State of Marriage according to the rites and ceremonies of your Church or denomination and the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia Ira L. Dalton and Velma O. Brumfield

Given under my hand a Clerk of the County Court of Campbell.

Certificate to Obtain a Marriage License

Time of Marriage:  August 31, 1929

Place of Marriage:  Rustburt, Va

Full Names of Parties Married:  Ira L Dalton and Velma O. Brumfield

Color:  White

Age of Husband:  23    single

Age of Wife:  16  single

Husband’s place of Birth:  Pittsylvania County  Mailing Address:  Altavista, Virginia

Wife’s place of Birth:  Pittsylvania County  Mailing Address:  Altavista, Virginia

Names of Parents:  Husband:  Albert L. Dalton and Rosa L. Dove

                                   Wife:  John Brumfield and Eliza Dalton

Occupation of Husband:  Public Work

Given under my hand this 31^st day of August 1929.  C. W. Woodson, Clerk

I Cecil L. Boggs, a minister of the M.E. South Church a religious order of that name, do certify that on the 31^st day of August, 1929 at Rustburg, Virginia, under authority of the above license, I joined together in the Holy State of Matrimony the persons named and described therein.  I qualified and gave bond according to law authorizing me to celebrate the rights of marriage in the County of Campbell, State of Virginia.  Cecil L. Boggs.

More Brumfield Information

More Brumfield Information

Last week my Aunt Judy sent me Brumfield information that she had collected.  It’s a lot of good stuff.  I now have my mother’s marriage license, Ira Dalton and Velma Brumfield Dalton’s license,  John Foreman Brumfield and Eliza Dalton Brumfields license and Vincent Henry Brumfield  and Matilda Bobbitt Brumfield’s statement from the minister that was also recorded in Pittsylvania County.  Counting me that makes five generations of proof, but that is still not good enough to get me to the Revolution.  I have two more to get me to that  which is Isaac Brumfield and his wife and William Brumfield and his wife.  Can I do it?  I sure hope so.

Now back to Aunt Judy’s information.  She sent me John Foreman Brumfield’s marriage license and she also sent me his death notice which was in the paper.  Now if you will notice, I posted Vincent and Millie’s gravestone   in Brumfield Grave Matters on February 9, 2012.   They both have the same birth year which is probably wrong, but we will examine that further on, but the date of death is March 30^th for Millie and March 31^st for Vincent.  For years I have heard the story about Millie dying and then Vincent dropping dead while he shaved himself for the funeral on the next day.    Below is what was reported in the Times Dispatch on April 3, 1905.

Chatham, Va.,   April 3, 1905 Obituary

Vincent Brumfield of Brights, this county, died suddenly Saturday night from heart disease.  He retired for the night. In a short while his daughter was aroused by his peculiar breathing and going to his bed found him in a dying condition, death resulting in a few minutes.  Mr. Brumfield was a farmer and seventy-three years old.  On Friday, his wife, who was of the same age, died of pneumonia.  Six sons and two daughters survive them.

Now let’s examine this obituary.  First of all the tombstones  are inscribed with the following:  V.H. Brumfield born 1836 died March 31, 1894.  Millie Brumfield born 1836 died March 30, 1894.  If these dates are correct then why did they put the obituary in the Times Dispatch eleven  years later.  I looked at the calendar for 1905 and March 31^st falls on a Friday and April 1^st is a Saturday.  I also looked at the calendar for 1894 and Friday is the 30^th of March and Saturday is the 31^st.   Now I have a statement  from the Minister Samuel L. Shelton stating the he solemnized a wedding between Vincent and Millie Bobbitt in 1855 and that they were both 21 years old.  That would make their birthdate 1834.  Well, the tombstones were not far off or they could have lied about their age.   The obituary states that they were 73 years old at the date of their death.    I have also gone back to look at the census.  I didn’t look for a 1900 census because I thought they had already been dead for six years, but I went back and found a 1900 census report for Vincent H. Brumfield age 66 born January, 1834 living with his wife Mildred 65 years old born November 1834 in the Pigg River District, Pittsylvania County, Virginia.  They had been married 45 years.  They had had fourteen children and nine of them were still surviving in 1900.  They also had a son George W living with them.  He was 21 years old and he was born June, 1878.  I also went back and checked other census years.  In 1850 Vincent’s birth year would have been 1834; in 1860 it would have been 1837; in 1870 it would be 1834 and in 1880 it would have been 1835.

I believe that I can say with certainty that Vincent and Mildred were probably born sometime between 1832 and 1834.  His birth month in January and hers in November.  They married in 1855 and both of them died within a day of each other in 1905.  I was wrong about their birth years not being the same year.  It looks like they may have been separated in age only by ten months, but the same year.   I still am baffled about why they put 1894 on the tombstone.  

More Census Records

Isaac Brumfield Census Records in Pittsylvania County, Virginia

1820 Census Pittsylvania County

Head of Household   Isaac Brumfield

Males under the age of 10: one

Males 16-25:      one

Females 16-25:   one

Number of people living in household:  three

Number of the above three people engaged in Agriculture  - one

1830 Census Pittsylvania County

Head of Household  Isaac Brumfield

Males from 10-14:  one

Males from 30-39: one

Females under  5:  two

Females 5 to 9: one

Females 20 to 29: one

Number of people living in household:  six

1840 Census Pittsylvania County

Head of Household  Isaac Brumfield

Male under the age of 5:  one

Male 5 to 9:  one

Male 15-19:one

Male 20-29: one

Male 40-49:one

Female 5-9: one

Female 10-14: two

Female 30to39: one

One male slave from 24-35: one

Number of people in the household:  ten

Number of people employed in agriculture: three

1850 Pittsylvania County Census

Head of Household  Letty Brumfield  45

Martha    20

Polly   18

Vincent  16

Thomas  14

Susan  8

Brumfield Grave Matters

As I find pictures of the Brumfield grave sites I will be posting them right here.  This should help someone trying to prove the descendants for revolutionary, confederacy and union.

These two grave sites are located at Weatherford Primitive Baptist Church in Gretna, Va.
Millie Brumfield  Born 1836  Died March 30, 1894 and V. H. Brumfield Born 1836 and Died March 31, 1894.

Brumfield Census

Brumfield Census  for 1870  Pittsylvania County, Virginia Subdivision North of Dan River

August 30, 1870

Vincent Brumfield     36    Farmer

Mildred      37

William H.  14

Thomas A   12

Isaah   10

John  8

Robbert  6

James  4

Samuel H. 3

The census taker recorded that everyone was born in Virginia.  I don't believe this to be correct.  I think that William, Thomas and Isaah were born in Ohio and John was born on the return trip to Virginia.  Something must have happened to Hubert as he was only two months old in 1860 and there is no mention of him in the 1870 census.

In 1870 they were living only a short distance from Jarratt Dalton.  Jarrat Dalton was the grandfather of Velma Brumfield's husband Ira. 

Brumfield Census 1880 Pittsylvania County, Virginia Pigg River District

Vincent H. Brumfield  45

Mildred  45

John  20

Robert V  18

James G  15

Samuel H  13

Jennie F   9

Sarah A  8

Martha E  6

Manta  2

There is no 1890 census.  By the census we find that John Foreman Brumfield was the son of Vincent H. Brumfield and Mildred Brumfield.  According to family lore he was born in a covered wagon on the return trip to Virginia.  He married Eliza Dalton and they had eleven children.  John Foreman Brumfield did not serve in the military.

Some Rememberances by Billy Brumfield

Billy Brumfield was the son of Ollie R. Brumfield and his wife Ruby Dalton Brumfield.  Over ten years ago he wrote down some memories and stories about the Brumfield family which he shared with family members.

Remembrances by Billy Brumfield

Irene Brumfield Lumpkins, who was the first granddaughter  of Grandpa John, talked fondly of her relationship with him.  He called her "Cotton Top"  because of her blond hair.  She told me about Grandpa geting up very early some mornings and coming to their place and she would build a fire in the wood cookstove, fix breakfast and she and Grandpa would sit there and have breakfast long before any of the others were up.
Irene told Bobby about an incident that took place when she was the only child of Uncle Morgan.  She was about two years old and someone put her on the one-horse wagon.  Something scared the mule and he ran away with Irene still on board.  Luckily a closed gate stopped the run-away mule and she was not hurt.  Grandpa later told her that as the run-away wagon bounced her up and down she was laughing and having a big time, never realizing the danger of the situation.
Irene Lumpkins had known "Annie Dalton" the mother of Eliza Brumfied.  She remembered her sitting over in the corner, wearing a black dress and smoking a little old pipe.

Brumfield census

1850 Census Pittsylvania County, Virginia
Letty Brumfield  45
Martha    20
Polly   18
Vincent  16
Thomas  14
Susan  8


Vincent Brumfield 1860 Census  Green Township  County of Clinton, Ohio

Vincent Bromfield  head of household  23 farm laborer
Millie  26  Keeping house
William 4  Born in Ohio
Thomas  3 Born in Ohio
Isaah 2  Born in Ohio
Hubert 2 months Born in Ohio

Few small facts.  Clinton County was formed from Highland County and Warren County on February 19,1810.  It was named after George Clinton former Governor of New York and Vice President of the United States.  The Courthouse for Clinton is in Wilmington, Ohio.  Ohio did not become a state until February 19,1803.

More Dividing Line

Well I have just finished reading the Dividing Line by William Berkley.  I suggest this book for anyone that is interesting in American History in the 18th century.  It is wonderful book of descriptions of the area of about 200 miles between North Carolina and Virginia.  There are stories about the people that live in the area, the animals and foliage.  It's just a wonderful book.

When I left you yesterday I said that they had ended their journey at Col. Henry Harrison's house, but I meant that they had stopped there and so had I for the day.  They left Col. Henry Harrison's house and traveled to Mr. Kinchins.  Later in their journey they crossed Fountain Creek which runs into the Meherrin River named after an Indian Trader that drowned in it.  Nearby was the Plantation of John Hill.  Southside of the Roanoke River was one of the plantations of Col. Mumford.

After living Col. Mumford's plantation they met no human being for miles.   After many miles they met no Indians on their travels, but they killed bears, deer, turkey and snakes. At their journey's end they had traveled 241 miles and they turned back so they could arrive home before winter arrived.  After traveling many days they passed the Roanoke River at Monisep Ford where they found the plantation of Cornelius Keith.  They left his plantation and moved on to Colonel Mumford's other plantation which was in the care of Miles Riley.  While at this plantation they took their leave of their Indian Hunter Mr. Bearskin.  Traveling back home they stopped at the plantation of George Hix on the Southside of the Meherrin River.  Past the Meherrin River and two miles past the Wicc-quoi creek they arrived at the plantation of Capt. Embry.  Leaving the home of Captain Embry they traveled thirty more miles crossing the Nottoway River which separates the counties of Prince George and Brunswick. They arrived at the home of Col. Bolling that is near the Falls of the Appamatuck River.   After leaving Col. Bolling's house hey traveled to their last destination Colonel Mumford's home.  Here the weary travelers disbanded.,

Commissioners from North Carolina were:  Edward Moseley, Will Little, C. Gale and J. Lovick
Commissioners from Virginia were:  William Byrd, Richard FitzWilliam, William Dandridge
Surveyors from Virginia:  Alexander Irvin and William Mayo
Surveyors from North Carolina:  Edward Moseley and Samuel Swan
Chaplain:  Reverend Peter Fountain
Men Employed for the lst half of the Expedition were:
Peter Jones
Thomas Jones
Thomas Short
Robert Hix
John Evans
Stephen Evans
John Ellis
John Ellis Jr
Thomas Wilson
George Tilmon
Charles Kimbal
George Hamilton
Robert Allan
Thomas Jones Jr
James Petillo
Richard Smith
John Rice

2nd Expedition
All the men above except for John Rice.
and the following:
Abraham Jones
Edward Powell
William Pool
William Calvert
James Whitlock
Thomas Page

Brumfields and more dividing line

This is a picture of my Grandmother Velma Brumfield Dalton's mother and father.  Eliza Dalton Brumfield born Febuary 12, 1867 died October 22, 1941 and John Foreman Brumfield born April 9, 1860 died February 12, 1934.

More information about their family.

Their oldest son's name was David McDowell Brumfield.  He was born February19, 1885 and died September 27, 1945.  Eliza Brumfield had just turned eighteen a week before he was born. John Foreman  Brumfield was 24.  Eliza Brumfield gave birth to her last child Velma on August 6, 1913.  She was the last of eleven children.
In 1913 a war was beginning to brew in Europe.  The lst and 2nd Balkan Wars began and ended in 1913.  The 16th Amendment for Federal Income Tax took effect on March 1st, 1913.  Woodrow Wilson began his presidency.  The 17th Amendment to elect senators by popular vote was ratified in 1913.  The Panama Canal opened in this year and Stainless Steel was invented.  The lst drive up gasoline station opened and the lst movie serial debuted in Chicago, "The Adventures of Kathlyn".  Velma Brumfield was born in the beginning of the century and the world was beginning to change.  She would live through World War I, World War II, Korean Conflict, Vietnam, and the lst Gulf War.  The automobile would replace the horse and buggy and air travel would change the way we travel across the world.
More birthdates for the children:
David McDowell  Born  February 9, 1885  Died  Septempber  27, 1945
Wife:  Mary Dalton
James Morgan died January 4, 1963  He married a Dove.
Annie Mildred married a Ward.  She died on April 17, 1960.
Carrie died on October 11, 1964.  Her husband's name was Opie.
Lundy died on May 3, 1960.  He married a Worley.
Albert Clyde died on March 24, 1966.
Dewey Winchester died on April 1, 1961.   He was marrried to Roberta Worley.
Ollie R. (Doc) died on March 29, 1979. He was married to Ruby Dalton.
Oscar died on January 19,1964.  He was married to Ethel Dalton.  Ethel was the sister of Ira Dalton.
Odell died on November 19, 1984.  He was married to Adell Dove.
Velma was born on August 6, 1913.  She died on November 3, 2001.  She was married to Ira Lee Dalton.


I searched through ancestry.com, but I didn't find anything that I didn't already know or that Billie Brumfield hadn't provided.

I searched for names and read through more of the History of the Dividing Line.  They were still in the Dismal Swamp when I left last time and they were still measuring.  They stopped at Peter Brinkley's home which was about 5 miles from the Dismal.  They needed to stop there because they were out of provisions and very hungry.  The dog that was traveling with them was starting to look like dinner rather than a traveling companion.  I must say that William Byrd did not think a lot of the men of North Carolina.  He accused them of being lazy and left most of the work for the women.  Many of the people of the Dividing Line were also worried that their property would be found to be in Virginia.  They did not want that because the Virginians had laws and standards to be followed and the North Carolina natives lived like savages.

The other people that they met on the way besides Peter Brinkley were.
Mr.Parker living further down the Dismal.
Charles Anderson lived on the western banks of the Meherin River.  Further down the Meherin River was Mr. Kinchin and ten miles from Mr. Kinchin was Mr. Kindred.

They finished measuring the Dismal Swamp and stopped their adventure for later in the fall.  They visited the Notoway Indian Town and crossed the Blackwater Bridge to Colonel Henry Harrison's house and ended their journey.

Brumfield family and more dividing line

1900 census for John and Liza C Brumfield
John  40 years old
Liza   33
Lizzie M  14
James M 10
Millie A  8
Carry E  5
Naum S  2
Pittsylvania County, Virginia  Pigg River
They were married in 1883
Liza was born in Virginia, but John was born in Ohio.  His parents were born in Virginia.

1910 census for John and Liza C Brumfield
John 50
Liza 42
Annie 17
Carrie L 14
Landy 11
Albert C  9
Dewey  7
Ollie R  4
Oscar  2

1920 census for John and Liza C Brumfield
John 69
Eliza K  52
Clide   19
Doug W  16
Ollie R  14
Oscar 12
Odell 8
Velma O 6

1930 census
John  69
Eliza  62,
Dorine  granddaughter  15
Curtis  grandson 14

Grandmama's Daddy John Foreman Brumfield married his wife Eliza Dalton in 1883 in Virginia.  According to the census he was born around 1860 in Ohio.  My grandmother told us that his parents had traveled on a covered wagon to Ohio, but didn't like it there so they moved back to Virginia.

During the twentieth century John Brumfield lived in Pittsylvania County, Virginia with his wife Eliza Dalton.  To my knowledge they lived just a few miles from the Daltons and the Wards near Old Woman's Creek.  I have never been to the house, but it is still standing and I could see it when I went to the Dalton Cemetery which is located between Brights and Old Woman's Creek.  According to the 1900 census the next residence after John Brumfields was Henry Wards and also Jarratt Dalton lived in the area also.  Velma Brumfield is not born yet but these people were her husband's family.
on a
The census can be very helpful, but it can also be confusing.  For instance, the 1900 census had their first child as Lizzie Mc, a daughter.  Now, I don't know what the census taker was trying to write, but it should be a son.  This is Mack.  Their first born.

They had eleven children.
Mack, James Morgan, Mildred Annie, Carrie, Lundy, Albert Clyde, Dewey Winchester, Ollie R. (Doc), Oscar, Odell and Velma.

My information for the above came from ancestry.com, Billy Brumfield and Atha Bailey.



THE HISTORY OF THE DIVIDING LINE

When we left William Byrd and his frontiersmen they were slogging through swamp being attacked by huge mosquitoes.  By page 29, they were in Princess Anne County.  They stopped at the Plantation of John Heath while in Princess Anne County.  Many of the people that lived in the nearby areas came down to see them and marvelled that they were going through the Dismal Swamp.  It was such a awful job that some of them had to be convinced that they were not criminals because who would do this job willingly.  They also passed through a Mr.Merchant's Plantation and Mr.Ballanc near NW river.
Other residents that they met on their journey were William Wilkins that lived on the dividing line near the great Dismal Swamp, Timothy Ivy's plantation which was eighteen miles into their rtip.  At the Nansimond River the group stopped at the plantation of Mr. Andrew Mead and eight miles beyond the cypress swamp at the waters of Coropeak was the plantation of Mr. Thomas Spight.

John Heath - Princess Anne County Plantation
Mr. Merchant and Mr. Ballanc near NW river
William Wilkins  at the dividing line near the great Dismal Swamp
Timothy Ivy plantation eighteen miles into the journey
Andrew Mead   Nansimond River
Thomas Spight at the waters of Coropeak

The importance of family in discovering your ancestors

I have started working on separate family blogs and I have started one for my grandmother Velma O Brumfield Dalton.  While looking through some papers I found remembrances written by Billy W. Brumfield.  In my blog I will mingle my memories, Mr. Brumfield's memories and historical information to tell the stories of the Brumfields.
So far I have the
1900 census, 1910 census, 1920 census, my grandmother and grandfather's marriage license and that's about it.  It looks like I have a long way to go.

The History of The Dividing Line

I believe that it is important to learn about the past to discover more about our descendants.  So I am reading through books and articles to understand the people and their environment. I will also be naming the individuals that meet on their quest.  I will be beginning with The History of The Dividing Line by William Byrd II.  William Byrd II was a member of the prominent Byrd family in Virginia.  He was the founder of Richmond and  his home was called Westover.  If you have never been to that area, it is well worth the visit.  William Byrd II was educated in England and was an author of History of the Dividing Line, A Journey To The Land of Eden and A Progress to the Mines.  There is also a book that I think would be well worth reading the Secret Diaries of William Byrd of Westover.  For more information about William Byrd you may want to go the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation website and there are many more at your fingertips.
The History of the Dividing Line is about an expedition in 1728 which was comprised of Mr Byrd, commissioners, surveyors, ministers, Indian traders and expert woodsmen.  They had been given the task of surveying the boundary line between North Carolina and Virginia.  There was some controversy about a previous survey that was completed so Lt. Governor Spottswood of Virginia and Governor Eden of North Carolina commissioned a new team to survey the area.  The group of commissioners, surveyors, chaplain and seventeen frontiersman started on their journey on February 27, 1728 near Surry County, Virginia.  Two of the Surveyors from Virginia were Mr. Mayo and Mr. Irvin. Mr. Irvin was a mathematician from William and Mary.  Two other commissioners were Mr. Moseley and Mr. Swan who was also a surveyor.
There first stop was Mr. Allen's home and they proceeded through Surrey County to the Widow Allen's home. Mr. Bryd mentions that Widow Allen is a good housewife.  They do not tarry along and they make their way to the South Branch of the Nansemond River at Mr. Godwin's abode where they were treated hospitably, but it was primitive.  He ferried them across the river and they crossed the dismal swamp.  There they found trees covered with moss,berried evergreens, myrtle trees covered with candleberries and desolation.After crossing the north end of the Dismal Swamp they arrived at Mr. Crafords which was located on the south branch of the Elizabeth River over against Norfolk.  There they met up with two more commissioners.  The town was close to the sea which made it easy for vessels to come into port.  It was a rowdy place with debauchery and drinking.  They attempted to recruit more men for the journey, but no one wanted  to travel over rough bogs, marshes and swamps not fit for humans to live.
They finally found someone to draw them a rough sketch of the area so they could begin their journey to Curituck Inlet to begin surveying.  Eventually they left and on their way to the inlet they met a Parson of the Parish near Powder Point called Mr, Marston.
Arriving at Curituck inlet they  began surveying the dividing line.  While there, they were told of a hermit living on the south side.  They found him there living with a woman.  They lived in a little shelter and fed off the oysters of the sea and clothed themselves only with their hair.
The Surveying line cut through Dosier's Island and into Knot's Island the dwelling place or plantation of William Harding was located on that Island and close by a Mr. White ran an open house for travelers.

Tomorrow I will post more about the Dividing Line.

Characters So far met:
Lt Governor or Virginia.  Colonel Spottswood
Governor of North Carolina Governor Eden
Surveyors-Mr William Mayo, Mr. Alexander Irvin, Mr Samuel Swann
Commissioners:  Mr. Edward Moseley
Residents:  Surry County:  Mr. Allen, Widow Allen
South Branch of Nansemond River: Mr. Godwin
South branch of the Elizabeth River over against Norfolk: Mr. Craford
Powder Point:  Reverend Marston
Knot's Island:  William Harding and Mr. White

References:
http://www.jamesriverplantations.org/Westover.html
You can find The History of the Dividing Line at Google Books for free

Research and New Year

A Happy New Year to all of you out there.  I have started a new blog called Genealogy:  Our Astounding Brumfield Past.  In the next few months I will be separating all of my blogs and also my blogs out of this blog.  I am going to separate the names.  Hopefully, this will be easier to read and each of them will be named Our Astounding Ward Past, Our Astounding Brumfield Past, etc.  I guess you get the drift.  I have been neglecting my blogs lately, but it will start getting better soon.  I am now reading History of the Dividing Line by William Byrd and I will be looking for names to connect families to the past and to educate myself and the reader about the areas around Pittsylvania County.  Who lived there and what was it like to live there?

Here is to a successful New Year.

Janice