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From:  Lori Bragg
Original Date:  August 4, 2000

Re:  Matthew Bragg of Wilkinson County, Georgia
To:  All known Bragg researchers

I have attempted to gather all available references to Matthew Bragg of Wilkinson County, Georgia into one report in order to determine his birthplace and his parents.  In this search I have used the following parameters: 

Summary and Conclusions

There seem to have been three Matthews born in the same time frame in Virginia, Maine and Devon, England.  While the data is inconclusive and in some cases obviously in error, it looks like the most likely place Matthew could have been from is Lunenburg Parish, Richmond County, Virginia.  That conclusion is entirely circumstantial:  the data for the Matthew in Virginia comes to a halt with the sale of his land to his brother, William in 1797 and the data on the Matthew in Georgia begins with a tax record in 1798.  In Virginia, Matthew’s father, mother and brother had died, perhaps leaving him with a desire to move on.  Others have come to this same conclusion, but I hope this report will help others as it helped me.

There are other Braggs in Georgia in this time period that I cannot tie directly to Matthew.  I hope that anyone with data will come forward and add it so that we can sort out all the Bragg lines and have better evidence to support our conclusions.  For example, Sarah Kelly Bragg’s first husband was William Bailey, by whom she had at least one half-brother to Matthew.  Are these Baileys related to those in the Dozier Bragg line?

Matthew/Mathew Bragg in Georgia

Known facts in chronological order:

• 1795 - Nov 23, Mathew Bragg witnessed a deed from Edmond Daniel, Esq to Richard Asbery.  Other witnesses were Daniel Roberts and Philip J Stark.  "Oglethorpe Co, Ga. Deed Book B, 1795-1798” from abstracts by Michal Martin Farmer.
• 1798 - Georgia Tax Digest, Oglethorpe County
• 1799 - April 1, Matthew Bragg witnessed a deed from William Ragsdale to Redman Thorton both of Oglethorpe County.  Other witnesses were John Heard and Jesse Lacy, JP.  Recorded in deed book P, page 59.  "Green County, Georgia Land Records Deeds 1785-1810" by Freda R. Turner.
• 1801 - Georgia Tax Digest, Greene County (Part of Oglethorpe Co was given to Greene Co in 1799)
• 1804 - Married Anna Chunning (Chewning or Cheney in some records) in Greene Co, GA, Jan 6, 1804; sometimes shown as Jan 2, 1804; Anna was the daughter of Samuel Chunning (“Wilkinson County, Georgia Historical Collections” by Joseph Maddox).
• 1805 – First child born, Samuel Chunning Bragg, b. January 10, 1805, Wilkinson County, Georgia; d. February 6, 1852, Wilkinson County, Georgia.
• 1805 - Had two blank draws in Land Lottery of 1805 from Greene Co, GA
• 1807 – Second child born, Sara K Bragg, b. 1807
• 1813 - Joined Ramah Primitive Church in Wilkinson Co, GA
• 1820 - Wilkinson Co, GA Federal Census - listed as over age 45
• 1824 – son Samuel married Drucilla Jenkins February 5, 1824 in Wilkinson County, Georgia (Source: "Early Records of Wilkinson County, Georgia" by Harold Heard).  She died in 1827.
• 1828 – son Samuel married Sarah Love Herndon February 21, 1828 in Wilkinson County, Georgia (Source: "Early Records of Wilkinson County, Georgia" by Harold Heard), daughter of George Herndon and Magdalene Barnett. 
• 1830 - Wilkinson Co, GA Federal Census - list as over age 50 but under age 60
• 1830? - died before October 10, 1830 in Wilkinson County, Georgia. [Estimated from wife's second marriage date.] No will is listed in the index, 1733 – 1860.
• 1830 – widow Anna Bragg married Samuel Cannon in Wilkinson County, GA, October 10, 1830. Sometime after 1830 they moved to Meriwether County, GA.  There is a reference to Samuel Cannon being in Jones County, GA as late as 1832 in Land Lottery Book A. There is also a reference to Samuel in Meriwether County census in 1850 but on a Coweta County Deed as early as February 18, 1836.  His will was dated August 8, 1854 in Coweta County.  (Source: email forwarded from Sarah Chewning-Harman, originally from wpcannon@bellsouth.net)
• 1838 - Georgia Cherokee Land Lottery, 1838, Fourth District, Second Section, Anna Bragg, Young's [Residence], Wilkinson, widow; granted previous to the first day of January, 1838. [Note:  why is Anna using her name from her first marriage?]

Other notes on Samuel Chunning Bragg:

• Buried At:  Bragg Family Cemetery, Wilkinson County, Georgia (Source: "Wills and Cemeteries, Wilkinson County, Georgia" by Joseph Maddox)

•  Veteran:  "The History of Jones County, Georgia" by Williams claims Revolutionary War but he was born after!!!

Matthew/Mathew Bragg in Virginia

Several websites online show Matthew Bragg from Richmond County, Virginia as the same Matthew as our ancestor in Georgia.  However, none shows any evidence leading to this conclusion.

• http://www.familytreemaker.com/users/a/u/s/John-J-Austin/GENE5-0006.html
• http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/7203/fam00869.htm
• http://www.familytreemaker.com/users/l/o/w/Lydia-S-Lowe/index.html

Two sources show this Matthew dying in 1804.  However, the date is the same day the Matthew in Georgia married Anna.  I think this is probably a mistake, or an amazing coincidence, and no evidence or reference is shown as proof of the death.

·         http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~damon/Bragg/Bragg003.htm#i144

o        iii. Matthew Bragg (12024) was born circa 1762 at Ross Co., Ohio.63 He died on 6 January 1804. [Note:  This birth record is also unlikely as Ross County, Ohio was formed in 1798 from Adams and Washington Counties, and the latter was formed as an original county in 1788.  No records could be found for Ohio before 1767, per websites: http://www.ohiohistory.org/resource/archlib/brthdth1.html#early and http://Scioto.Org/OHGenWeb/statedocs/vital.html]

·         http://www.familysearch.org/Search/PRF/pedresource_file_frame.asp?recid=50098590

o        Matthew Bragg, Compact Disc #5   Pin #98590, Sex: M, Event(s):  Death:  6 Jan 1804   Place:  [blank], Father:  Moore Bragg Disc #5 Pin #98561, Mother: Sarah Kelly Disc #5 Pin #98562; Submitter: Veda Bragg Mendoza, 2703 Prairie Ave., Pasadena, TX 77506-5226

Known facts of Matthew Bragg, Virginia:

·         1770 - about.  He was the son of Moore Bragg and Sarah Kelly, marriage: 1755, Lunenburg Parish, Richmond County, Virginia.

·         1792 – his father, Moore Bragg, died May 1792 in Lunenburg Parrish, Richmond County, Virginia.  In 1784 he had given his Richmond county land to his son William:  On 1 September 1784 at Lunenburg Parish, Richmond Co., Virginia, Moore Bragg gave for the love and affection which I have for my son William Bragg, grant him all that parcel of land in the county of Richmond whereon I now live containing 150 acres, "... except he said Moore Bragg retains the possession of the said tract of land during his life without any consideration ever to be made for the rent thereof to the said William Bragg.

·         1794 – his brother, James died.

·         1797 – 28 October 1797 at Richmond Co., Virginia, his mother made a deed giving Matthew land she had. 

o        Sarah Kelley (10147) married William Bailey (12021) circa 1750. She left a will on 5 June 1772 at Lunenburg Parish, Richmond Co., Virginia, mentions daughters, Sarah Bragg (w/o Moore Bragg); Elizabeth Bragg. Executors were son, John, son-in-law, Moor Bragg and Fauntleroy Dye. On 28 October 1797 at Richmond Co., Virginia, Sarah made a deed stating -- Sarah Bragg, widow of Moore Bragg, dec'd "out of the great love and regard I have and bear unto my beloved son Matthew Bragg ..." plus $1; all that tract lying in Mulberry Island Neck and Richmond Co, 15 acres of which I hold in fee under the will of my son, John Bailey, as will appear by his will dated 4 April 1780, together with all my right and interest that may accrue to me as a survivor of my son, James Bragg, dec'd, as well as my interest in said tract of land held by my first husband, William Bailey, dec'd., or his and my son, John Bailey, dec'd. She died before 5 February 1798, as deed of land to son was recorded on this date. Source:  http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~damon/Bragg/Bragg003.htm#i144

·         1797 - 28 October 1797 at Richmond Co., Virginia, Matthew Bragg of Lunenburg Parish to William Bragg of same, £60 a tract lying on Mulberry Island Neck and county mentioned to include the following: 1) one acre under the will of his deceased father Moore Bragg bearing date 20 Aug 1788; 2) under a deed of gift from his mother, Sarah Bragg, dated 28 Oct of record in said county court; and 3) as heir of one of the heirs of his (Matthew's) brother, James Bragg, deceased, who died over the age of 21 years and with out issue - under the will of John Bailey, deceased, dated 4 Apr 1780 - the said James Bragg dying intestate and without a last will.

·         1798 – 5 February 1798, the deed from his mother is executed – indicating her death?

·         He had siblings, William, James, Rebecca and Anne, and at least one half-sibling, John Bailey by his mother’s first husband, as mentioned in her deed giving Matthew land. 

Other Matthew Braggs

http://www.familysearch.org/Search

1. Matthew BRAGG - International Genealogical Index/BI
   1. Gender: M Birth: 23 Sep 1770 Hartland, Devon, England
2. Matthew BRAGG - International Genealogical Index/BI
   1. Gender: M Christening: 23 Sep 1770 Hartland, Devon, England
3. Matthew BRAGG - International Genealogical Index/BI
   1. Gender: M Marriage: 31 Mar 1808 Hartland, Devon, England
4. Matthew BRAGG - International Genealogical Index/BI
   1. Gender: M Marriage: 31 Mar 1808 Hartland, Devon, England

5. Matthew BRAGG - International Genealogical Index/NA
   1. Gender: M Birth: About 1770 Lunenburg Parish, Richmond, Virginia
6. Matthew Bragg - Pedigree Resource File
   1. Gender: M Death/Burial: 6 Jan 1804 [son of Moore and Sarah Bragg]

7. Mathew BRAGG - International Genealogical Index/NA
   1. Gender: M Marriage: 30 Oct 1776 Civil, Winthrop, Kennebec, Maine
8. Mathew BRAGG - International Genealogical Index/NA
   1. Gender: M Birth: 21 Sep 1790 Civil, Vassalboro, Kennebec, Maine
9. Mathew BRAGG - International Genealogical Index/NA
   1. Gender: M Marriage: 27 Mar 1800 Civil, Winthrop, Kennebec, Maine
10. Matthew BRAGG - International Genealogical Index/NA
    1. Gender: M Marriage: 2 Jan 1804 Civil, Vassalboro, Kennebec, Maine

Note:  While I believe that these people lived in the areas shown, I think the dates are suspect, particularly number 6 and 10.  Our Matthew allegedly married Anna Chunning in Greene County, Georgia on January 2 or 6, 1804, depending on the source.  It is possible, but unlikely, that another Matthew married in Maine on the same day and yet another died in Virginia.  Although the Greene County data seems firm, all of the sources I have found it in are secondary; the original records seem to have been lost or destroyed.  It seems like somewhere data got crossed.

Other Braggs in Georgia

Sarah and Ezekial Bragg:

• Listed as members of the Ramah Primitive Baptist Church, begun in 1809 in Wilkinson County. Victor Davidson's History of Wilkinson County, Georgia, page 34.  Matthew and Anna Bragg are also listed as members as of 1813.

Mary and Joseph Bragg:

·         Land Lottery List of Oglethorpe County, Georgia, 1804 and Hancock County, Georgia, 1806; page 7

• Number 477, Joseph Brag, 1 draw
• Number 478, Mary Brag, 2 draws

 Doshur/Dozier/Dosier Brag:

• 1794 – Tax return for Warren Co., GA. ("Georgia Pioneers" by M. H. Carter.)
• 1800 – Census, Oglethorpe Co., GA, Page #: 4; Age ranges in household: 12101-0010101
• 1804 – Will probated February 4. Oglethorpe County, Georgia (Will Book "A", page 134.) He listed wife Mary and children Joseph, Nelly, Sarah and Thomas. Gave $1.00 to Thomas and after decease of wife, my plantation to son Joseph. Executors George Bailey and Thomas Rhodes. Witnesses James Stovall, John Vickers and Stephen Bailey.  Dozier names wife as Mary (maybe Williamson).
• From Jbaliva2@aol.com (Note:  I’m not sure of the locations or years on some of these.)

·         1794 Robert Martin & Sarah his wife of Oglethorpe Co Ga to Dozar Bragg "Now of State of Ga" 50 lbs for 200 ac. Oglethorpe Co Ga Deed Bk B: 313:315

·         Personal Property Tax List - Dozier Bragg (27 July) and Tapley Brag/John and Reubin Brag (27July)

·         1801 Personal Property Tax List - Dozier Brag & Reubin Brag.

·         1802 Personal Property Tax List - Tapley Bragg (19 may0; Reubin Bragg * Dozier Bragg (24 May)

·         3 Dec 1805 Marriage of Dozier Bragg & Hannah Moffett, Fauquier Co Va marriages (Dozier b 1769 died 1841 IL).

Thomas Bragg (son of Dozier):

• Louvina Lunsford that married Thomas Bragg in Greene Co. Ga. in Dec. 1797.
• Thomas's father, Dozier Bragg was in Oglethorpe Co. Ga. and was married to Mary. Dozier.  He died in Oglethorpe Co.1804.
• Thomas Bragg was murdered 1808 by Russell Bailey, Wilkes Co, Ga. October 11,1808. Russell was sent to prison for the crime.
• The Baileys were also in Va. George Bailey and Dozier Bragg were friends. George married Phebe Bragg 4-13, 1781 in Fauquier Co Va.  This may be Dozier's sister. George Bailey died in Greene Co. Ga.

 John Bragg, Sr.:

• Was in Screven County by the time of the 1820 census, but I have found him earlier than that next door in Bulloch County. [Source: William G. Bilton, Ph.D. mailto:drwm@Concentric.net]]

 Elijah Bragg

·          1787 - Richmond County, Grant Book 000, page 565, 200 acres granted; "Index to the Headright and Bounty Grants of Georgia 1756 - 1909, by the Rev. Silas Emmett Lucas, Jr.  Note:  there are other Braggs listed:  David 1861, Elijah 1831, Elisha 1813, Elijah Jr 1830, Humphrey A 1853, John 1852, Jno 1835, Jos 1819, Wm 1831(2), Wm 1821.

·          BRAGG, Elijah, 174?, Virginia, mil. priv. Historical reg. Of Virginians in the Rev., soldiers, sailors and marines, 1775-1783. Ed. By John H. Gwathmey. Richmond, Va. 1938. (13, 872p.): 87

·          BRAGG, Elijah, 175?, Virginia, Muster and payrolls of the Rev. War, 1775-1783. (Vols. For 1914-15 of the "Collections" of the N.Y. Hist. Soc.) 1914-15.  (2v.):598

From the "Personal Name Index to the Augusta Chronicle" compiled by Alice O. Walker.  I know these papers are on microfilm in Georgia.  I will try to have the Orlando Library borrow them to look these up.

    Name               Event Date       Citation             Page     Col

 1786-1799

Bragg

• Elijah                10/01/1798        10/06/1798        3          4

• Elijah                08/20/1799        08/31/1799        4          3

• John                 10/02/1790        10/02/1790        4          2

• John                 08/06/1791        08/06/1791        2          3

• William 12/23/1797        12/23/1797        2          1

 Chewning

• Saml.                01/24/1799        01/26/1799        2          3

1800-1810

Bragg

• Matthew           08/01/1807        08/01/1807        3          3

• Thomas            10/15/1808        10/15/1808        2          3 before his murder?

• Elijah                03/13/1801        03/28/1801        3          2

• Elijah                03/03/1804        03/03/1804        3          2

• Elijah                03/10/1808        04/30/1808        4          4

• Elijah                05/07/1808        05/28/1808        1          2

• Elijah                01/07/1809        01/07/1809        3          4

• John                 10/01/1802        10/16/1802        3          3

• Thomas            12/11/1802        12/11/1802        1          4

• Thomas            12/19/1808        01/07/1809        3          4 murder, will administration?

Census, Ancestry.com and Broderbund Indexes

Georgia Tax Index, 1789-99, Ancestry.com

Georgia Marriages to 1850, Ancestry.com

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