Simply put, did Edward Brantley Sr. m. a sister of Thomas Moore (b. 1632), who m. Elizabeth, dau. of Giles Elbridge, security given by George Moore (cousin of Thomas), and Edward Brantley Sr., thereby being br.-in-law of Priscilla Moore, wife of Edward Champion (the br.-in-law of Thomas Blake, neighbour of Edward Brantley Sr. in Virginia, and cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672). Did he m. a sister of George Moore?, being br.-in-law of Katherine Moore, and uncle of Katherine Flake, whose husband, William Evans, of Bristol, withessed his Will. Or, did he m. a sister of Edward Champion, being br.-in-law of both Thomas Blake and Elias Fort.

Also put simply, English settlers in 17th century Virginia abided by the English custom of marriages within their kinship group, living next to each other, and witnessing each others Wills, as sons-in-law, brothers-in-law, etc. In this context, although it may not be possible to identify exact relationships where written proof does not exist, it is certain that close kinship is identified.

1. Robert More of Lincoln, Secretary to Anne Boleyn, ma. Joane da. and one of the coheirs of John Gent of Crimplesham in Norf., gent. 1.1. Thomas Moore, “of ye City of Bristoll Esq., sometime Sheriffe there”. 1.1.1. John Moore. 1.1.2. Edward Moore, of Shoreditch. Gr . by R. Cook , Clar., July 14, 1593: Arg., two greyhounds courant Sa. 1.1.3. Thomas Moore.
1.1.3.1. Edward Moore. “Edward Moore of Bristoll Esq., sonne and heire”: adm. freeman Aug. 27, 1617, having served his apprenticeship with John Fones (Burgess Book. 1607–1651, fo. 84); m. Mary, dau. of John Cullimore, of Bristol, son of Thomas Colymore, of Bristol, gent, and a sister of Margery, wife of Thomas Aldworthe.
Thomas Aldworthe of the city of Bristol, alderman and merchant, Will proved March 5, 1598. To my brother Richard Aldworthe of London twenty pounds, and to my cousin Robert Aldworthe, his son, two hundred pounds. To John Aldworthe, my brother Richard’s son, two hundred pounds. “Giles Elbridge, son of William Elbridge, apothecary, of the City of Gloucester, was bound apprentice to Robert Aldworth and Martha his wife, of Bristol, 13 June, i6o8, and was admitted a Burgess 1 Oct., 1615, in virtue of this service, Robert Aldworth being then an Alderman of the City, and whose partner he subsequently became. His first wife was Elizabeth Aldworth, daughter of John Aldworth, the brother of his former master, to whom he was married before 1624. He married, secondly, at St. Stephen’s, Bristol, 30 April, 1635, Mrs. Mary Hooke, daughter of Humphrey Hooke, merchant and Alderman of Bristol. She was buried 30 Nov., 1637, in the Aldworth Family vault in the Church of St. Peters, Bristol. Giles Elbridge died in 1643 and was buried, 25 Feb., of that year, in the same vault with his wife. His will was probated in the Prerogative Court at London, 19 March, 1643-4”. Clues from English Archives Contributory to American Genealogy, The New York Genealogical and Biographical record, vol. 91).

Elizabeth Aldworth’s sister, Martha, m. Thomas Barker, of Bristol, who was, thus, the uncle of Elizabeth Elbridge, who m. Thomas Moore, security being Edward Brantley Sr. and George Moore, cousin of Thomas, and possible br.-in-law of Edward Brantley Sr. The marriage of Thomas Barker accounts for the connection of the Brantleys in Virginia with the Harris family of Blagdon, familial to the Barkers.

1.1.3.1.1. Thomas Moore, travelled to Virginia in 1635, with cheese, butter, and cloth; his sponsor being John Digby, 1st Earl Bristol (1622); a member of the Virginia Company. (Various PRO). 1.1.3.1.1.1. Thomas Moore (b. 1632), m. Elizabeth, dau. of Giles Elbridge, security given by George Moore* and Mr. Edward Brantley. 1.1.3.1.1.2. Priscilla Moore, sister, on chronological grounds, of Thomas Moore, m. Edward Champion, br.-in-law of Thomas Blake, neighbour of Edward Brantley Sr. in Virginia, and cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. 1.1.3.1.2. George Moore, d. Aug. 11, 1643; m. Magdalena … 1.1.3.1.2.1. *George Moore, of Bristol, b. ca. 1630, m. Jane Barcroft, dau. of Charles Barcroft (Bearcroft), whose family held land in Chard, Somerset. 1.1.3.1.2.1.1. Ann Moore, m. Thomas White. ( Their estate eas appraised by John Goodrich Jr., and Edward Brantley. (Chapman, Wills, p. 142). 1.1.3.1.21.1.1.1. Avis White, m. John Harris, son of Robert Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. 1.1.3.1.2.1.2. Eleanor Moore, m. Richard Piland, the son of James Piland, bapt. on Aug. 30, 1604, in St Mary’s Le Porte, Bristol, headright of Francis England, in 1642. 1.1.3.1.2.1.2.1. James Piland, appraised the estate of John Brantley, on April 26, 1725. 1.1.3.1.2.1.3. Magdalene Moore, m. (1673) Thomas Carter, son of Thomas Carter and Eleanor Groves, of Bristol, relict of William Groves, whose estate was appraised by John Harris (son of Thomas, d. 1672), Edward Brantley, and Elias Fort. R. Feb. 9, 1678. (B. 2, p. 172). 1.1.3.1.2.2. Katherine Moore, m. (1) … 1.1.3.1.2.2.1. Joyce …* m. (1) Francis England, (2) George Cripps. 1.1.3.1.2.2. Katherine Moore, m. (2) Robert Flake. Katherine Flake, m. (1) William Evans, who witnessed the Will of Edward Brantley Sr.

BRANTLEY
1 …
1.1. John Brantley, bur. Oct. 5, 1592, m. a sister of Thomas Haye, June 26, 1563, in Bengeworth, Worcestershire. The Haye family were frequently Godparents of Brantley children.
1.1.1. Alice Brantley, bapt. July 17, 1564.

1.1.2. John Brantley, bapt. Oct. 1, 1566.

1.1.2.1. Robert Brantley, m. Joan Goodrich, Oct. 16, 1589, in St. Mary, Cheltenham, 15 mls fr. Evesham, dau. of Robert Goodrich, whose family are recorded in Cheltenham Manorial Court records: On Sept. 8, 1610, before *Henry Norwood, a record was made if the death of “Elianor Gooderich relict of Walter Gooderich late tenant in base tenure of 2 messuages with appurtenances lying in Ham in Charlton Kings has died since the last court”. Joan Goodrich was certainly closely related to Richard Goodrich (probably sister), father of Roger Goodrich, bapt. Feb. 9, 1606, and Richard Goodrich, bapt. Jan. 24, 1608, in Charlton Kings, the incomplete records of which probably hide: John Goodrich, 1616-1698, by deposition. He witnessed the Will of *Joyce Cripps, recorded June 9, 1679 (W&D B. 2, p. 202), which mentioned: “the lands and tenements given me by my former husband, Francis England. Joyce Cripps was possibly a niece of Edward Brantley Sr.

(1. Robert Goodrich. 1.1. Joan Goodrich, m. Robert Brantley. 1.1.1. Edward Brantley. 1.1.1.1. Edward Brantley, of Virginia. 1.1.1.1.1. John Brantley Sr. 1.1.1.1.1.1. John Brantley Jr., his estate was appraised by James Piland, on April 26, 1725).

(1. Henry Norwood,* bur. April 10, 1618, Dunster, Somerset. 1.2. Richard Norwood. 1.2.1. William Norwood, bapt. Sept. 6, 1619, Dunster, d. 1702, in Virginia. “Item: I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Branch one large pewter dish”. Elizabeth Branch (her Will was probated on March 7, 1703), was the dau. of George Branch, son-in-law of Francis England. 1.2.1.1. Richard Norwood (4th son) – appraisal by Edward Brantley, Oct. 25, 1731). 1.2.1.2. Lydia Norwood, m. John Sowerby. 1.2.1.2.1. Jane Sowerby, m. John Deberry, br.-in-law of John Brantley, son of Edward Brantley Sr).

1.1.2.1.1. Edward Brantley, b. ca. 1590. Tickeridge v Staples. Plaintiffs: Thomas Tickeridge, younger son of Thomas Tickeridge, son and executor of Nicholas Tickeridge, gent. Defendants: … Robert Brantly, yeoman, Edward Brantly, his son. Subject: Forcible entry and damage at Evesham by colour of a sham Chancery injunction. 1607. (STAC 8/283/22). Edward Brantley, m. (Aug 1, 1610), “Ann Graveston”, in Saint Swithin, Worcester, 13 mls. fr. Evesham, the dau. of John Gravison: Writ to the Sheriff to arrest Thomas Price of Ribbesford, Andrew Dallowe, John Gravison of Evesham, and Robert Dylworth, of Hanbury. June 1, 1602 . (Worc. Archive, 1/1/15). They probably fell foul of the law for “keeping an alehouse without license”, as charged against “Andrew Dallowe of Rocke Husbandman”. (1609, ibid. 1/1/73).

1.1.2.1.1.1. Edward Brantley, of Virginia, b. ca. 1615; this being one conjecture, and probably the most realistic one. It can not be taken as granted, though, that his father was not he noted in Virginia in 1638.

1.1.2.2. Thomas Brantley, m. (1587) Christian Burley, dau. of “Gyles Byrleye”, bapt. July 16, 1542, in Bengeworth.
1.1.2.2.1. Thomas Brantley, bapt. Dec. 31, 1587.
1.1.2.2.2. Edward Brantley, d. inf. 1.1.2.2.3. John Brantley, m. Ann Tandy, dau. of Robert Tandy Sr. Boswood v Horne. Plaintiffs: John Boswood. Defendants: John Horne, Elizabeth Horne his wife, Robert Francklyn, John Brantly, and Edward Field. Subject: personal estate of the deceased Robert Tandy, of Worcestershire. 1657. (C 6/137/7).
1.1.2.2.4. Robert Brantley. This is highly likely he whose Will is documented as ‘Will of Robert Brantley, Yeoman of All Saints Worcester, Worcestershire’, dated April 10, 1659, in which he describes himself “of Evesham”, and names wife, Johan, sons Edward and John. The Will is of the highly conditional type, with clauses as to the devolvement of bequests in the event of the death of legatees. Edward’s portion was to devolve to his sisters. John, evidently the younger son, was given £400 to be paid within a year of Robert’s death. it is evident that Robert Brantley was wealthy.

1.1.2.2.4.1. Edward Brantley, b. ca. 1615. (Must be of interest).

1.1.2.2.4.2. John Brantley.
1.1.2.2.4.2.1. William Brantley, bapt. Jan. 17, 1640, All Saints, Evesham.

English Kinship groups were a bit like small haystacks, with relatively few combinations of needles within them. It most comes down to which needle you bet on.

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