This month’s 12 for ’25 focus is on the immediate famiy of Thomas Brasher who married Sarah Constant in St. George’s Parish, Baltimore County, Maryland in 1726.
So far, a deep dive has been completed into verifying and sourcing original records concerning Thomas, his wife, Sarah, and her extended Constant ties.
Today’s post covers the short life of Thomas’s father, William Brashier.
William Brasher was born c1674, more than likely in Maryland, but even with the years of research that have gone into the Huguenot Brasseur family, there has been no definitive proof found of his parents.
William married Elizabeth (MNU) about 1695 and, in a few short years, they were the parents of four children.
William Brashier died before 24 October 1708 and from wording in court records, e.g. “William and Elizabeth, decd,” it seems that Elizabeth predeceased her husband.
Children:
- William, born 6 May 1696, St. George Parish, Baltimore county, Maryland; perhaps died before 12 October 1728 because of wording in a deed; married Jane (MNU)
- John, born 14 June 1699, St. George Parish, Baltimore County, Maryland; married Sarah (MNU). This family apparently removed to North Carolina after the births of two of their children in Baltimore County.
- Thomas, born 1 September 1701, per court record, probably St. George Parish, Baltimore County, Maryland; bound to John Webster in June 1712 until the age of 25; died before October 1779, Orange County, North Carolina; married Sarah Constant, 13 October 1726, St. George Parish, Baltimore County, Maryland
- Jane, born 1704, per court record, probably St. George Parish, Baltimore County, Maryland; bound to Sarah Day of Baltimore County until age 16 or married; died as a young mother; married James Morgan, 14 December 1728, St. George Parish, Baltimore County, Maryland
William died intestate in 1708 and three of his children were. placed in foster homes. Whether Elizabeth predeceased William, which is possible since no children are recorded born to her in the years before William’s death, or was unable to care for the children is unknown.
Although “page 12 of Spesutia’s Records” is cited as the source of the children’s birth dates, I have not found any such entries in the St. George Parish records.
However, Thomas’s birth can apparently be verified in a court record pertaining to his home and care: Per court record, June 1712, “Thomas Brashier, son of William and Elizabeth, decd, age about 11 next 1 September, is bound to John Webster [Admr of William’s estate] to age 25.” (BalCo Court Proceedings, IS#A, p.315).”
Notice has the court record says “son of William and Elizabeth, decd” which indicates to me that Elizabeth had also died.
Jane’s age can be estimated from another court record: Per court record; age 6 in 1710, when “Jane Brasier, d/o William, [was] bound to Sarah Day of Baltimore County to age 16 or date of marriage,” IS#A, p.181).
I had wondered if there might be a family connection between John Webster, to whom Thomas was bound out, and the Brashiers, but no connection has been found. John Webster frequently appears in court records and seems to have acted in behalf of a number of people.
How do you know they went to a foster families?
Always so sad to see so many MNUs after the names of the wives. And frustrating…
The children were “bound out,” which means they were orphaned and would be raised and taught a life skill or trade so they didn’t become an economic burden on the town.