Martha Brawley

Sources and Additional Information:

Benjamin Rogers born 29 Jan 1756 is believed to be the second son of Benjamin (the Immigrant). From his Revolutionary War pension application copied below, we know that he was born in Culpeper County, Virginia. During the Revolution, he lived in what is now Wythe County, Virginia (then Montgomery County). He moved to Blount County, Tennessee and then later to Campbell County, Tennessee near where is brother, John (the Powder Maker) settled in Claiborne, County, Tennessee.

Since middle names were not allowed for commoners until after the colonial period it is difficult at best to keep records for Benjamin, the father, and Benjamin, the son, separate. It is certainly possible that some events recorded for the father were actually for the son and the opposite is also very possible. In some cases, entries have been made by current and earlier researchers using "Sr. and Jr." to keep the two separate although these terms were not official part of their names.

Until Ray set us straight, the year of Benjamin's birth was very unclear. On his Revolutionary War Pension documents, 1754, 1755, and 1756 all appear. Ray provided us with a copy of the New Testament in which Benjamin's correct birth date was recorded as 29 January 1756. See the document Life of Fletcher under Bits & Pieces.

Benjamin married Martha Brawley (b. 26 April 1766) at Ft. Chiswell, Virginia according to Revolutionary War Pension Documents. (See Ft. Chiswell, the lead mines and gunpowder under Bits & Pieces). A Methodist preacher named Masten or Marten did the ceremony. Note that Benjamin’s brother’s, John (the Powder Maker), second wife was Mary (Polly) Brawley, the younger sister of Martha.

The following document was typed as it appeared in the Revolutionary War Pension file in the National Archives. I attempted to keep the original spelling, sentence structure, and punctuation. The italicized notes within the parentheses have been added for clarification. Note that this document not only gives evidence of his service during the Revolution, but also his service in Dunmore’s War. For more information about this period and Dunmore’s War, see:

http://www.ls.net/~newriver/va/varev3.htm

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832

State of Tennessee

Campbell County

On this eleventh day of December 1832 personally appeared before the Justices of the Court of Pleas and quarters ........ for said County it being a court of record Benjamin Rogers a resident of the County and State aforesaid aged 77 years who being first duly sworn according to law, duth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the acts of Congress passed June 7th 1832.

He states that he was born in Culpeper County in the state of Virginia in the year 1755 the record of which he has in his Bible and moved from said, and from the County aforesaid to Wythe County in the state aforesaid, and from there, to the County of Blount in the state that of aforesaid, where he now resides.

He states that he was living when called in to the service in the County of Wythe in the State of Virginia and lived there all the time of the war. He states that he entered the service of the United States a volunteer under Captain (William) Herbert, Col. (William) Christian and General (Andrew) Lewis and served in that tour more than three months.

He sates that his second tour of duty was something over three weeks, and that he was also a volunteer in that tour, the names of the officers he does not at this time recollect.

He sates that his third tour was something over three weeks, that he recollects serving under Capt. (Arthur) Campbell and Capt. Tracy(?) and Colonel Preston tho' he does not at this time recollect what tour it was he served under them, nor whether he served more than one tour or not under the last named officers.

He sates that his fourth tour was something over three weeks, and that the exact time and names of the officers he does not at this time recollect.

He sates that his fifth tour was something over three weeks, and that the exact time and names of the officers he does not at this time recollect.

He sates that his sixth tour was something over three weeks, and that the exact time and names of the officers he does not at this time recollect.

He sates that his seventh and eighth tour was something over three weeks, but he does not recollect the exact time nor the names of the officers at this time.

He states that he served the eight tours above named, and he is confident that he served each one as long as he has stated but how much longer he cannot at this time tell.

He states that he marched in his first tour through Green Brier and to Canaway (Kanawah River between WV and Ohio) and was there dismissed. (NOTE: This is clearly the Battle at Point Pleasant which was part of Dunmore's War and took place Sep-Oct 1774 and although very important was not part of the Revolution. Capt Herbert's company arrived at Point Pleasant a few hours after the battle took place. The force was discharged immediately because Lord Dunmore was concerned for his safety after making an "early" peace with the Indians.)

He states that he marched twice to the Moravian Towns in the State of North Carolina and marched once to Ready Creek and once to How (Haw) River in the State of North Carolina but what towns it was that he was at those places he does not at this time recollect.

He states that they were drawn up in a line of battle on Flaw (Haw) River to fight the army of Lord Cornwallis and that the regulars were also at that place. It was commanded by General Greene and the militia was commanded by General Preston, Greene's aide-de-camp, Greene's aide-de-camp came to the commander of the militia upon which there was an arrangement made that the horses of the militia should be given to the care of a few men that is to say six horses to one man. (Note: This is clearly the battles at Whitzell's Mills on Reedy Creek and Guilford Court House which took place on 6 Mar and 15 Mar 1781 respectively. For more information on these battles, see: Battle at Guilford Court House)

He states that he served all the tours above named a volunteer, and that they all amounted to more than eight months tho' the precise time he cannot recollect. He states that he received a discharge in writing at the end of ever tour, that the most of them was given by General Preston but that he had ...... ....... for time to have copies ...... ....... some time since, but when or where he cannot tell.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except to the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the ....... of any state he says that William Chambers and Abraham Hayter can testify to their belief as to his service as a soldier of the United States.

Sworn to and subscribed this day of year forsaid.

(his mark)

Benjamin Rogers

Below are sightings that we believe refer to Benjamin (Jr.):

29 Jun 1756 - Born in Culpeper Co. Benjamin (Sr.)'s 2nd son. Source: Copy of page from family Bible dated 1764 and his Revolutionary War Pension Declaration, 11 Dec 1832.

1772 - Listed as a tithable by John Montgomery. Source: Early Adventures on the Western Waters Vol III, p.340.

1774 - Dunmore's War: Capt. William Herbert's Company. Source: Fncastle Co DW p.266 and Dunmore's War Card Index at Library of VA, indx p.xiv.

1774 - Auditors paid Benjamin for 104 days of service with Capt. Wm Herbert's Co. Early Adventures on the Western Waters Vol III, p.340.

1774 - Took up 107 acres on Baber's Mill Creek, a branch of Cripple Creek. Land adjoined Benjamin Rogers Sr's land. Source: Early Adventures on the Western Waters Vol III, p.340 and Montgomery Co Plat Book D, p.179.

1774 - Took up a tract of 107 acres on Cripple Creek, the grant issuing to George Buckalew in 1806. Source: Early Adventures on the Western Waters Vol III, p.340

27 Aug 1778 - Washington Co (TN) NC Court: Benjamin Rogers vs. Peter Ford. Source: The King's Mountain Men, p.15.

6 Mar 1781 – Member of the Montgomery Co, VA militia at the Battle at Whitzell's Mills on Reedy Creek, Revolutionary War. Source: Annals of SW VA, Montgomery Co, p.771 & Kings Mt & Heros, p.391-393.

15 Mar 1781 – Took part in the Battle at Guilford Courthouse, Revolutionary War. Source: Annals of SW VA, p.1405 & Rev War Declaration 1832.

5 April 1781 - Member of Captain James Newell's Company of Montgomery Co. Militia. Source: Montgomery Co, VA, The First Hundred Years, p.94-95.

8 May 1782 – Appeared with his brothers John, David, James, and Joseph in Montgomery Co, VA Court to claim reimbursement for equipment lost in action at Reedy Fork. Source: Annals of SW VA, Montgomery Co, p.771.

1782 - Member of Captain James Newell's Company of Montgomery Co. Militia. Source: Montgomery Co, VA, The First Hundred Years, p.108.

1782 - Survey of land on same cert. As Wm Babers at Mill branch of Cripple Creek. Source: Montgomery Co VA Plat Book C, p.126.

1782-84 – Benjamin appears on a list of Recruits for Lieut. William Gleaves' Company. Source: Montgomery Co, VA, The First Hundred Years, p.120.

1784 Benjamin appears on list of Tithable in Captain Newell's Company. Source: Montgomery Co, VA, The First Hundred Years, p.117.

24 Mar 1788 - Married to Martha Brawley at Ft Chiswell, Montgomery (Wythe) Co. Source: Application for Rev War Pension - National Archives and Early Adventures on the Western Waters Vol III, p.340.

25 Sep 1795 - Will of John Brally (Brawley) mentions daughters: Martha (Benjamin Jr's wife), Barbara, & Polly (John TPM’s 2^nd wife). Witnesses: William Rogers, John Britton, & Wm Lockett. Exec: Richard Muse & Daniel Lockett. Source: Wythe Co, VA Will Book 1, p.7.

Dec 1796 - Benjamin Rogers is on a jury in Blount County. Source: Blount County Court Minutes, 1795-1804, Pg. 42.

Mar 1797 - Benjamin Rogers is on a jury in Blount County. Source: Blount County Court Minutes, 1795-1804, Pg. 55.

May 1800 - At the Court of Pleas and Quarterly Sessions - Ordered that John White, an orphan child now 3 years old be bound to Benjamin Rogers. Source: Blount County Court Minutes, 1795-1804, Pg. 195.

Dec 1803 - Ordered that Benjamin Rogers be overseer of road from Little River at Caldwells Ford to the top of the ridge near Ahimas Reagan's field. Source: Blount County Court Minutes, 1795-1804, Pg. 454.

Feb 1808 - Benjamin Rogers is on a Grand Jury for Blount County. Source: Blount County Court Minutes, 1808-1811, Pg. 1.

23 Mar 1813 - Deed made from John Gibson to Archable Murphy for 358 Acres on Little River in Blount County adjoining Benjamin Rogers. Source: Blount County Deed Book 1, 1795-1819. Deed #464, Pg. 342.

1814 - Benjamin Rogers, 222 acres failed to pay taxes but had good reason not to ……Capt. Campbell's Company. Source: Blount County Court Minute Book 2, 1814-1818, pg. 36.

1 Oct 1814 - Jury summons for next court - Benjamin Rogers. Source: Blount County Court Minute Book 2, 1814-1818, pg. 38.

26 Dec 1814 - Ordered that Benjamin’s son Stephen Rogers be overseer of the road from John Reagan's to the fork of Little River on the road leading from Maryville to Sevierville. Source: Blount County Court Minute Book 2, 1814-1818, pg. 45.

26 Dec 1814 - Ordered that ... Benjamin Rogers ... jury to view nearest and best way from William McCamys farm so as the least injure to said farm. Source: Blount County Court Minute Book 2, 1814-1818, pg. 45.

28 Feb 1817 - Deed from Benjamin Rogers to Uriah Sherrell for 100 acres on the Little River in Blount County for $400.00. Signed Benjamin (X)Rogers. Wit: James Slone and Stephen Rogers. Source: Blount County Deed Book 1, 1795-1819. Deed #613, Pg. 456. [Note Benjamin's daughter Polly married a man named Sherrill.

11 Jan 1822 - Sold two tracks of land on Big Creek adj. to Henderson and Co., James McCracking and Samuel Curtis to Edward Wylie. Wit: David Rogers, R.B. (Reuben Brawley) Rogers, & John Mullins. Price: $500. Source: Campbell County, Tennessee Register's Book 1820-1826, p.188.

11 Dec 1832 - Appeared in open court at Campbell Co ,TN to make a declaration for his Revolutionary War Pension Declaration IAW Congressional Act. Source: Revolutionary War pension.

27 Jun 1834 - Died, Campbell County, Tennessee. Source: Martha Brawley Rogers Pension Declaration.

3 Mar 1835 – "Living" in Campbell Co TN. Source: TN Roll of Rev War Pensioners from the Sec of War. This was an obvious error since he died the previous summer.

Will of Benjamin Rogers
From Campbell County Tennessee Wills, Bonds, and Inventories, Vol. 6, 1807-1841. pg. 310.

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN
I, Benjamin Rogers, of the County of Campbell and State of Tennessee, being of sound disposing mind and memory, do make and ordain as follows to be my last Will and Testament, that is to say. It is my will that at my death my soul be recommended to God who brought me into existence, and my body surrendered up to its mother earth.

It is my will that my beloved wife, Martha Rogers, have and enjoy the sole right to the tract of land whereon I now live and which I purchased of Evan Heatherly, during her natural life, provided she remains my widow, but if she should marry after my death, she forfeits all claim to any interest in the tract of land whereon I now live. It is my will at the death of my wife, if she remains until her death unmarried, that William Wright, a young man who I have raised, be entitled to one half of the tract of land whereon I now live, provided said William Wright provides for me and my wife Martha in the same way that he has done during the natural life time of myself and my wife, Martha, then and not until then said Wright shall have one equal half of said tract forever. Should my wife marry, the above and last mentioned decree shall operate as tho she were dead. It is furthermore my will that at the death of my wife, Martha, that the remaining half of the tract of land whereon I now live shall and is hereby given unto the first heir from the body of the wife of William Wright that lives for an inheritance forever. It is my will that at the death of my wife Martha, that William Wright have a decent bed and bedding and one cupboard, and one case of drawers, with a bookcase and clock which I now own and possess and a small filey with the end of one ear cropped off.

It is my will that my wife Martha have use and enjoy all my personal property, such as stock of cattle, hogs and horses, and household furniture of every description during her natural life.

It is my will that all my property of a perishable nature be sold at the death of my wife and out of the proceeds of the sale to pay and discharge all debts against my estate if any there be and the balance of the money arising from the sale of my personal property to be equally divided, my son Stephen Rogers, Sarah Coats, Polly Sherrill and Margaret Heavely, they being my son and daughters.

I do hereby revoke all wills at any time heretofore by me made and declare this only my last Will and Testament.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this Thirtieth day of June, in the year of our Lord, one thousand, eight hundred and thirty three.

It is my will that John Rogers of Claibourne County as my executors of this my last Will and Testament.

Signed, sealed, and acknowledged before us this day and date above written.

His

Benjamin X Rogers

Mark

F. H. Bratcher }

Abr'm Hayter }

State of Tennessee }

Campbell County } County Court, September Term, 1836.

The last Will and Testament of Benjamin Rogers, deceased, late of this County, was produced for probate. Whereupon came Abraham Hayter and F. H. Bratcher, subscribing witnesses thereto, and made oath that they saw the said Benjamin Rogers sign, seal or publish and endorse this to be his last Will and Testament and that he was at the time of signing, sealing, publishing and declaring this same of sound mind and memory to the best of his skill, and knowledge, and ordered to be certified, let it be entered on Will Book at full length.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF I, William Carey, Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the said County, have herewith set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at office this 8th day of September A. D. 1834 and of the Independence of the United States the 59th year.

William Carey, Clk.

STATE OF TENNESSEE }

CAMPBELL COUNTY } A true inventory of the Estate of Benjamin Rogers,

2 Cows and one Calf, two hogs, two sheep, eleven geese, one Cupboard, one book case, one desk, one table, five chairs, two beds and furniture for them, two bedsteads and cord, one P.R. Clock, one Chest, One Cotton Wheel and One Flax Wheel, One Check REAL, One Rifle Gun, One flax hackle, one flat iron, one pair of fire tongs, one pair dog irons, three pewter dishes, three basins, twelve plates, four spoons and one bread waiter, eight delph plates and one dish, one pitcher and one teapot, one set of cups and caucers, 2 bottles and three crocks and two bowls, two glasses and sugar bolle, one coffee mill and one brass teakettle, six knives and four forks, 7 books and pair of cotton cords, one pair of steelyards, three pots, two ovens, two lids, three skillets, two lids, two pair of pot hooks, one pail, two piggins, one churn, one cog, one washing tub, one pickling tub, one pair of drawing chains, one sidesaddle, one loom, two slags and two pair harnesses. One sprouting hoe, one log chain, one pair stretchers, one argue, one shaving knife, and two chissels, one meal sifter and pot hanger, one half bushel measure.

I do certify the above to be a true inventory of the estate of Benjamin Rogers, deceased, October 1st, 1836.  

Her Mark X
Martha Rogers