According to NSDAR #523976, this Joseph Brittain was born in 1723.  We do not have proof of this, but it seems logical, since Joseph was still fathering children in the 1760's.  We do not know the parents of Joseph Brittain.  Much has been written on a James Brittain, born between 1699-1710 (various records give different dates), in Wales, married Mary Witty.  If Mary Witty was near the age of her husband, then she would not be the mother of children born in the mid-1750's.  This compiler has many genealogies of the "James from Wales," and each record has a different version, or list for his children.  We do accept Joseph Brittain as our ancestor, for his Will names all of his children, and we have traced all of these up to ca 1849, by deeds, court minutes and other records.

     Joseph Brittain, living in Orange Co, NC, in 1764 when he sold land in Hampshire Co, Virginia; Joseph also appears in the Court Minutes of Orange Co. His Will mentions land in Orange Co, NC.  His widow, Jemima Brittain, is listed in the court minutes of Orange Co, and some of his sons are there early.

The children as listed in the Will, probated August 1774, Rowan Co, NC, Will Blk., A., page #183:

1. Mary Elrod.  (We find many mentions of Elrods in early Burke Co, NC, records connected to the Brittains.)

2. "My Eldest Son, James Brittain, one improvement joining the place I now live on."

3. Phoebe Brittain.  (We find a Phoebe Poteet, wife of John Poteet, Sr., who is on the 1850 census of Burke Co, born in NC ca 1772.  There was also a Brittain Poteet born soon after 1800 in Burke Co, NC.) Jemima Brittain, the widow.
    She is on the 1790 census of Burke County with young males in her household.) "I give and bequeath unto my six youngest sons" (Indicating that they are minors, as they shall get their part when they come of age and have their ducation.)

4. Phillip Brittain, born ca 1760.  (He was in Burke Co, NC 60 1816 [sic] when he sold his land to John Smith.  Phillip Brittain was a musician in the Revolutionary War.  He was living in Bedford Co, Tenn. in 1818 when he applied for a Rev. Pension.  It is believed that his first wife was Mary Walker, daughter of George Walker of Burke Co.  There are many deeds in Burke Co. between Phillip and Mary Brittain and the Walker family.)

5. William Brittain, born 1762 in Orange Co, NC; died 12 March 1846 in Buncombe Co, NC; married Rachel Brank, a daughter of Peter Brank.  William Brittain was a Sgt. in the Revolutionary War.  He was living in Burke Co. in 1790, then his land was located in what was Buncombe Co. in 1792.

6. Joseph Brittain Jr., born ca 1756 in NC, died 1823 in Bedford, now Marshall Co,NC.  Married in Orange Co, NC, 1786 to Dorothy Herner.  Joseph Jr. appears on Court Minutes of Burke Co. early.

7. Benjamin Brittain.  We do not know when he was born, and he is gone from the Burke Co, NC Court Records after 1820.  One source gives Benjamin Brittain's age as born ca 1759/60 in Orange Co, NC, married there 30 July 1785 to ComfortDunnigan, dau of William and Sarah Dunnigan.

8. Aaron Brittain, born between 1765/67, according to the 1800 through 1840 census for Burke Co, NC.  He is not on the 1850 census of Burke Co, and the last mention of him on the Burke Co. Court Minutes is 1849.9. Samuel Brittain was under age 16 on the 1790 census of Burke Co, living with hismother.  Samuel is on the Court Minutes of Burke Co, beginning in 1793 when he was on road work, up to Jan. 1813.  In Oct. 1801, Zachariah Downs deeded 51 acres to Samuel Brittain.  This is probably when Samuel married.

 

Sources: Will Bk of Rowan Co, NC & Court Minutes of Rowan Co. Burke Co, NC Court Minutes and Deeds. Burke Co, NC census from 1790 through 1900. Orange Co, NC records NSDAR records. Correspondence with descendants of the Burke Co. Brittains.

JAMES, SR. & DELILAH (STRINGFIELD) BRITTAIN
submitted by Shirley (Brittain) Cawyer  P.O. Box 164, 
Stephenville, TX 76401

     Buncombe Co, Court Min. Bk. 6, page 14; 6 Jan. 1832.  Court ordered James D. Justice, David McCarson and Charles Greer, Esqurs., to be appointed a com- mittee to settle with Philip Brittain and John Y. Murray, admrs. of the estate of James Brittain, Sr., dec'd., and that they report the results of the proceedings to next term of court.  Bk. 6, page 12, Saturday, Jan. 12, 1833.  Buncombe Minute Dockets for 1833.  The estate inventory of James Brittain, Sr. was submitted to Court by the Admrs., Philip Brittain and John Murray.  Among those owing money to the estate were P. Brittain; Wm. B. Lenoir; John Williams; John Osburn; Thomas Edwards; Benj. S. Brittain; and David McCarson.

     James Brittain was "the eldest son" of Joseph Brittain whose Will was written 12th August 1773, and probated August 1774 in Rowan Co, NC.  It is believed that the mother of James was a first wife of Joseph's, as the Will provides for three children, then goes on to mention six younger sons.

     James Brittain, Sr. was in Burke Co, NC, as early as 20 Feb. 1778 when he is mentioned in a land transaction. #260, p. 87.  He remains in what was then Burke Co, until shortly before 1790 census when he is on the census of Rutherford Co, NC, not far from his father-in-law, James Stringfield.  He is listed on the 1800 census of Buncombe Co, NC, page 162.

    We find James Stringfield, Sr. as a witness to the Will of Joseph Brittain in 1774 in Rowan Co, NC, then James Stringfield appears on the earliest land records of Burke Co, along with James Brittain, Sr., and then the two are neighbors on the 1789 census.  James Stringfield moved to Barren Co, Ky, ca 1795 and before 1800.  There are deeds in Barren Co, Ky, where James Stringfield mentions James Brittain, Sr. of Buncombe Co.  (No relation is listed, but it is tradition that a daughter, Delilah Stringfield married "Col" James Brittain.)

     James Brittain, Sr. was on the first court records, deeds, etc. of Buncombe Co. and he served in the Senate from Buncombe Co, from 1796 through 1807.

     It is not known when Delilah Stringfield Brittain was born, but we have the birth dates for her brothers, and they were born in the 1760's.  It is likely that Delilah was the youngest child.  She is not on the 1820 census of Buncombe with James.  James is listed as over 45; one male is under 10 (this would be Horation Nelson Brittain), and one female under 10 (this would be Delilah, the sister to Horatio N.).

     Henderson Co, NC, Deed Bk. 2, page 138, Grant #3195; entered 28th day of December 1821.  State of NC to James Brittain, 100 acres on Crab Creek to be granted to:  Mary Edwards; Jos. Brittain (this could be another son, or perhaps the son Philip was given both the names Joseph Philip ?); Amelia Edwards; Keziah Pace; Benj. S. Brittain; Nancy Stevens (no record of this daughter); Comfort Bell (wife of Montgomery Bell); William Brittain; Susannah M. Wilson (m. in Haywood Co, NC, 5 Feb. 1822 to Asaph Wilson); Jas Brittain, Jr.; Lorenzo Dow Brittain; Horatio Nelson Brittain; and Delilah Brittain, heirs of said James Brittain.  (This is the only record, or proof of the names of the children of James Brittain, Sr.)

     The above deed was not recorded until 28 Feb. 1842, and since the land was in Henderson Co, the deed was recorded there.  Henderson Co, NC, Deed Bk. 3, page 397; date of deed was 1843.  Phillip, James Jr., and William Brittain, sold to Boyd McCrary, 100 acres on Crab Creek.  The deed does not mention the other heirs.

     James Brittain, Sr. served in the Revolutionary War from 1 Dec. 1776 to 1 Feb. 1780.  He was in the 9th Regt., Col. John Williams, Cook's Co.  He appears on many deeds, court minutes, and other records for Burke, Rutherford, Buncombe, and Haywood Counties, NC.

     In the book, Lost Links, by Eliz. Francis and Ethel S. Moore, and reprinted in 1975 by The Genealogical Publishing Co. of Baltimore, MD, we find the following mention of James Brittain Sr.:

     Veterans Administration, Bureau of Pensions, Burke Co, NC, 22 Oct. 1832, Joseph Dobson, resident of Burke Co, aged about 76 yrs old, his age was recorded in a large family Bible which said Dobson states that he has, states that Joseph Dobson was born 4 June 1756....that he entered the service in March 1776....under Captain John Haiden?, Lt. James Brittain's own regiment was commanded by Cols. Beakman (or Bateman), and Charles McDowell....(the article goes on to describe the battles Joseph Dobson was in during his service.)  Joseph Dobson of Burke Co, was closely connected to the brothers of James Brittain in deeds, court minutes, etc.

     We have submitted sketches of most of the children of James Brittain, Sr. and wife Delilah Stringfield.  Yet nothing has been found on the daughters, Nancy (Brittain) Stevens, and the youngest daughter Delilah Brittain.

    We have traced Asaph Wilson on Haywood Co. deeds and Court Minutes up to ca 1840.  He did not leave an estate in Haywood Co, and we do not know the names of his children, if any.

     This compiler has located eighty-four grandchildren of James and Delilah (Stringfield) Brittain, to date.  We have located by actual count, three hundred and sixty-seven great-grandchildren, and not all have been found.

Editors note:  The following list of the Brittain children is better organized, and easier to follow: 

 1. Mary Brittain married Thomas Edwards
 2. Joseph (this is Phillip (Joseph?) Brittain, b. 1787; d. 1849; married Melinda Lewis, 2 May 1823.
 3. Amelia Brittain (1785-1851) m. Ellis Edwards
 4. Keziah Brittain (1786-1843) m. Jeremiah R. Pace
 5. Benjamin Stringfield Brittain (1793-1864) m. Celia Vance
 6.  Nancy Brittain.  No further information other than that she married a Stevens.
 7. Comfort Brittain (1796-1873) m. Montgomery Bell
        (see sketch in Vol. I, Heritage of Old Buncombe Co.)
 8. William Brittain (1797-1867) m. Rachel Clayton
 9.  Susannah M. Brittain.  No data except her marriage in 1822 in Haywood Co, NC, to Asaph Wilson.
10.  James Brittain, Jr. b. 8 May 1803, Buncombe Co.
11.  Lorenzo Dow Brittain, b. 1805; d. 1832.
12.  Horatio Nelson Brittain, b. ca 1815; d. ca 1865.
13.  Delilah Brittain.  No further data except that she was not married in December 1823 when she  was deeded land in Buncombe Co. with her brother Horatio Nelson Brittain, by James Ruthledge, paid for "in hand," by James Brittain, Sr.
--ALOB, May 1984, Vol. V, #5, p. 84-41 thru 45

     James Brittain, Jr. married (1) Rachel R. (probably daughter of James McConnell Smith and "Polly" Patton of Buncombe Co.  This is only tradition and not documented as yet.)  Rachel R. Brittain was b. 12 July 1812, Buncombe Co, NC; d. 31 Dec. 1853; bur. Mills River Methodist Cemetery, Henderson Co, NC.

    There are many deeds, court minutes, and other records of James Brittain Jr. recorded in both Buncombe and Henderson Counties.  He is listed with his father, brothers and some brothers-in-law on some deeds.

Children of James Brittain Jr. and Rachel R. (Smith?) were:

1.  Samuel P. Brittain, b. 30 Jan. 1834, Buncombe Co, NC.  Married in Rutherford Co, 27 March 1855 to Sarah Ursula Harris, b. 7 Oct. 1834, Rutherford Co; d. 31 May 1904.  She was the daughter of John Washington Harris and his wife Sarah Whiteside. Their children:

a.  John Washington Brittain, died young
b.  J.W. Brittain, again
c.  Rachel Lanna Brittain
d.  Leila Chichosa Brittain
e.  Mary T. Brittain
f.  William C. Brittain

a.  Rachel [Harrison], b. Feb. 20, 1857; d. Sept 3, 1952; bur. Roanoke, VA; m.
    Thomas Stansill.
b.  John M. Harris [sic], who moved to Russellville, Ala; married twice.
c.  Cornelia Alein Harris [sic], b. ca 1864; d. ca 1897, Henderson Co; m. Walter C. Harris who d. 1904, Henderson Co.
d.  Ella Swannono Harris [sic], b. Aug. 9, 1866; d. 1950, Buncombe Co, NC.
    Married (1) Lewis Tunstill, train engineer, killed on Saluda Mountain; m.(2) July
    28, 1897 to Robert Franklin Cline, b. Dec. 12, 1870, Catawba Co, NC; d. Dec 31,
    1949, Buncombe Co, NC.
e.  William Nelson Harris [sic], Jr., b. after 1870.  No further information. Note:     There is a 1919 marriage record in Henderson Co. for Willian N. Harris and Eva Phyllis Stevens.  It is not known if this is a son of the above family or not.

PHILLIP  & SOPHIA MELINDA (LEWIS) BRITTAIN
Shirley (Brittain) Cawyer, P.O. Box 164, Stephenville, TX 76401

    Phillip Brittain was called "General" but he was appointed Captain in the War of 1812.  Sophia M. Brittain submitted her Bible record when she applied for a land patent in 1853.  This record lists the children with the birthdates.  Another old Bible was located in Greenville, SC, that lists the death dates.  Also, see The Lewis Genealogy in America, pub. 1893 by William Terrell Lewis of Winston Co, Miss.
Issue:

 1.  Phillip Stanhope Brittain, b. 21 Nov. 1824, Buncombe Co; d. 31 Dec. 1895; bur. Oakdale Cem, Henderson Co; m. at age 64 to Addie Livingston, age 24, on 1 Nov. 1887.  No issue.
 2.  Eliza Mourning Brittain, b. 21 May 1826, Buncombe Co; d. 7 Apr 1877, in Arkansas or Idaho; m. 10 Dec. 1857 to Dr. James G. (or Joseph) Blackstock as his second wife.
 3.  Attilla Delilah Brittain, b. 28 Feb. 1828, Buncombe Co; d. 27 July 1889; bur. Henderson Co; m. 10 Dec 1857 to William B. Henry.
 4.  James H. Brittain, b. 15 May 1829, Buncombe Co; d. 28 June 1848.
 5.  Benjamin C. Brittain, b. 11 Oct. 1831, Buncombe Co; d. 25 July 1893. Not married.
 6.  Sophia D. Brittain, b. 20 Feb. 1834; d. 17 Sept. 1835.
 7.  William Gaston Brittain, b. 4 Sept. 1835; d. 3 July 1900, Spartanburg, SC.  He was called "Judge" as he had served as a member of the House of Representatives.  He married Permelia McDowell, b. Nov. 1842 in SC, dau of  John Y. and Mary McDowell of Spartanburg, SC.  Served in the Civil War, enlisting from Polk Co, NC.
 8.  Laura L. Brittain, b. 3 March 1837; d. 22 May 1921; bur. Boyleston Cemetery, Henderson Co, NC.  She married William Henry Cairnes (1845-1901).
 9.  Annie Eugenia Brittain, b. 7 Sept. 1838, Henderson Co; d. 6 July 1891, Henderson Co; m. Norris Allison on 28 Sept. 1865.  No issue.
10.  Rebecca Tippaconoe "Tip" Brittain, b. 29 Apr. 1840, Henderson Co, NC; d. 20 Sept. 1919 at Mills River.  She did not marry until she was 47 years old - to Mr. Solomon Franklin Young, age 50 years, Henderson Co, NC, 23 July 1887.
-- ALOB, July 1984, Vol. V, #7, p. 84-62 
                             ALOB, September 1984, Vo. V, #9, p. 84-85

Children of Benjamin Stringfield and Celia (Vance) Brittain:
 

II. James Brittain married Delia Stringfield

III. William Brittain married Rachel Clayton

IV. Attilla Brittan b. 12 Aug 1837 Buncombe Co., NC,* d. 7 June 1910 Buncombe Co., NC* *; married William B. Moore, b. 7 Mar 1834;d. 9 Nov 1922.

V. Lillian Estelle Moore b. 15 Sept 1875 Henderson Co., NC, d. 3 Dec 1956 Burke Co., NC; married  Claude Lucian Felmet b. 16 Apr 1874, Buncombe Co., NC; d. 5 Apr 1946, Buncombe Co., NC.

VI. Lucian Holt Felmet, Sr. b. 11 Apr 1907 Buncombe Co., NC, d. 7 Sept. 1983 Wake Co. NC married Mary Louise Roberson b. 16 Apr 1909 Buncombe Co., NC.

VII. Lucian Holt Felmet, Jr. b. 8 Mar 1946 Wake Co., NC; mar. 16 June 1973 Harnett Co.NC