How is it possible to deduce the ancestry of “Mr.” Edward Brantley, who died between March 30, 1688 and January 1689 in the Upper Parish, Isle of Wight Co., Virginia? It can only be done by understanding the “social environment” that Edward Brantley lived in was of post-medieval England, where families clung to (medieval) norms of the past when deciding on marriage plans for their offspring. Such planning wwas seen as a vital measure of security in a turbulent world, and almost invariably involved arranging marriages between kinfolk – those related by blood (marriages between first cousins, and between second cousins, were commonplace); and those who were kin through marriage, either directly into a family, or into a family intermarried into that family. It was a matrix of survival, which provided co-operation between elements within the kinship circle, often underpinning joint business ventures.

As follows, Edward Brantley’s social circle is recorded here: Samuel Elbridge, merchant of Bristol. Dying intestate, adm. requested by Thomas Moore who m. the relict. Security: George Moore (first-cousin of Thomas Moore); and Mr. (Edward) Brantlie, June 21, 1665, p. 10.

This informs much of Edward Brantley’s “social environment”. He was: (1) a person (designated “Mr.”) of high social standing, on par with the Moore family of Bristol, which, themselves, were intermarried into the elite merchant class of that city. (2) He was almost certainly involved in the Bristol-Virginia tobacco trade, as the Moores. (3) He was almost certainly of some familial connection to the Moores, as it an integral part of the social environment of his time was that “security” was the reserved province of “kin”.

In that records do not exist of any direct marriage between Edward Brantley and the Moores, he may have been “kin through marriage, either directly into a family, or into a family intermarried into that family”. In this respect, it seems pertinent that he and his descentants were associated with the descendants of Thomas Harris, who d. in 1672, in Virginia. Of this, more anon.

It is strongly suggested that Edward Brantley was a descendant of a well-to-do family of Evesham, Worcestershire, England.

1. William Brantley (b. ca. 1510), bailiff of Evesham. After the death of Sir Thomas Russell of Strensham (1574), his wife attempted to impose (in 1576) her choice of bailiff. “This intimation, however, was not conveyed without rousing the choler of the jurors of the court … these recreant champions (degenerate scions of the “Brantley” stock) upheld “their ancient customs” upon the altar of an imperious female’s will”. George May, History of Evesham, p. 172, 1834). Thus, William Brantley was alive in 1576, and deceased by 1580, the date of his widow’s probate. He was Bailiff of Evesham in or before 1558, the date of Sir Philip Hobby’s death.

“Henry Dingley confirmed the bailiffs being the chief rulers and governors of the town under the queen, and that there were two bailiffs of the town; and that he well remembers one of the masters of the monastery, a little before the dissolution, making earnest suit to the inhabitants, that a kinsman of his, habiting within the town, might be one of the bailiffs, which, upon his earnest request, was granted. He spoke of being present at a court holden within the town, when one William Brantley was chosen bailiff; and that he then heard Sir Philip Hobby say, that he could choose the common crier; to whom Brantley answered, that he should not, for that he was bailiff; and if he might not choose the common crier according to their ancient custom, he would disfranchise himself, and would not be bailiff. Whereupon Sir Philip seeing that Brantley would not permit him to choose the crier, asked him whom he would choose, to whom Brantley answered, one Bickerstaff. Whereupon Sir Philip said, “Thou hast chosen the man that I would have chosen.” (Henry Alworth Merewether, The History of the Boroughs and Municipal Corporations of the United Kingdom, vol. 2., p. 1423, 1835).

William Brantley m. Margaret …, b. ca. 1515.
The will of Margaret Brantley “of the parish of All Saints Evesham in the diocese of Worcester”, proved Sept. 8. 1580, gave notice of a number of daughters, five sons, and one grandson:
(1) Robert Brantley, “whom I make constitute and ordain this day by me my sole executor for my last will and testament”; husband of Margery …
(2) “Robert, son of Robert Brantley my son“.
(3) John Brantley, bapt. September 5, 1543, in Evesham, All Saints, m. Margaret (sister of Thomas Haye and Richard Haye), June 26, 1563, in Bengeworth. He witnessed the deed of purchase of the “George Inn”, in Evesham, 1n 1577, with his brother, William, which had been in the possession of William Haye.* (T.J.S. Baylis, Evesham Inns and Signs, p. 86, 2008). John Brantley’s son, John Brantley (d. young), bapt. Oct. 1, 1566. (Godfather: Richard Haye).

BENGEWORTH: ST PETER
1. …
1.1. Robert Haye, b. ca. 1538. He is recorded as Godfather of a Robert Haye, father not identified, bapt. Nov. 10, 1560. The other Godfather was Robert Watson.
1.2. Richard Haye, b. ca, 1540.
1.3. Thomas Haye, b. ca. 1542, m. Edith Cardinal, Oct. 24, 1568.
1.4. *William Haye, b. ca. 1544, m Margaret Collard, Nov. 24, 1572.
1.5. Margarett Haye, bapt. May 12, 1547. “Margaret Haye & John Branley“, June 26, 1563. “Margaret Branley”, bur. Nov. 26, 1572.
1.6. Mary Haye, b, ca, 1550, m. Edward Byshope, Jan. 14, 1576/77.

(4) William Brantley, bapt. May 27, 1547, in Evesham, All Saints.
(5) Richard Brantley, bapt. March 11, 1551, in Evesham, All Saints.
(6) Phillip Brantley, b. ca. 1553, in Evesham, All Saints.

ROBERT BRANTLEY
1.1. Robert Brantley, the first named son in the Will of his mother, and her sole executor, by the convention of this time, was almost certainly her eldest son, and, thus, was b. ca. 1542. He m. Margery …
ROBERT BRANTLEY, SON OF ROBERT BRANTLEY
1.1.1. Robert Brantley, b. ca. 1566, alderman, m. “Jone Goodriche, spinster”, on Oct. 16, 1589, in St. Mary, Cheltenham, 15 mls fr. Evesham, dau. of Robert Goodriche, whose family are recorded in Cheltenham Manorial Court records, as tenants of the Norwoods.

Joan Goodriche was almost certainly closely related to John Godriche:
1. John Goodrich, 1616-1698, by deposition.
1.1. Capt. John Goodrich, Will pr. Jan. 13, 1695, m. Anne, dau. of Edward Bechinoe; the relict of Robert Kae, whose estate appraisal was by John Brantley (the son of Edward Brantley*), George Barlow, William Thomas, and Richard Hardy. April 10, 1704, p. 62. Edward Bechinoe’s estate was appraised by Richard Bennett, 2nd cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672, whose estate’s security was given by *Edward Brantley.
1.1.1. John Goodrich Jr. The Newport Parish, IOW Co., Vestry Book, Feb. 12, 1727, shows John Goodrich as a neighbour of Edward and James Brantley, sons of Phillip Brantley, son of Edward Brantley. Edward Brantley, son of Phillip, appraised the estate of Richard Norwood (Oct. 25, 1731), great-great grandson of Henry Norwood, lord of Cheltenham Manor.

What is witnessed here is the principle of “continuation of associations” within kinship groups. Centuries of associations in England were repeated in Virginia; of necessity. In the bleak harshness of a Virginia winter, individuals strove to survive by calling on the combined strength of their kin. In a Darwinian sense, each kinship group was a “species” in which individuals combined to adapt and survive.

ABSTRACT OF THE FIRST CHARTER OF INCORPORATION.
“Dated at Westminster, 2d March, 1st James I. A.D. 1603. Abrogated by the issue of a Second Charter, in the 3d of the same reign. After reciting that the borough of Evesham is an ancient and populous borough; and that the burgesses thereof have, from time whereof the memory of man is not to the contrary, enjoyed divers franchises, as well by divers charters and letters patent, as by divers prescriptions, usages and customs; also that two maces had been accustomed to be borne before the bailiffs of the said borough-the king, at the request of his eldest son, Prince Henry, incorporates the said borough, by the name of the bailiffs aldermen and burgesses of the borough of Evesham in the county of Worcester; to whom he grants a common seal.

Sir Philip Keighley, kt. Philip Gardner, sen. William Byddle, sen, James Michell, Bartholomew Mountford, Edward Walker, Hugh Lyngard, Robert Brantley, John Wynnall, Edward Bowland, David Sansom and Robert Allen, to be the first twelve aldermen, during life”.

Robert Brantley’s Will was dated to 1609, and mentions:
“Johanne my wife”. (“Jone Goodriche“).
“son Thomas”, b. ca. 1590.
“son Robert”,* b, ca. 1591, d. 1659. His Will would have been dated no later than 1656, as 90% of Wills at this time were dated within three years of their probate. His Will was probated in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury (P.C.C.), which acted on behalf of the Court for Probate of Wills, which exercised sole probate jurisdiction in England from 1653 to 1659.
“son John”, b. ca. 1592.
“son Phillip”, b. ca. 1593.
“daughter Eleanor” (eldest daughter).

ROBERT BRANTLEY, SON OF ROBERT BRANTLEY, SON OF ROBERT BRANTLEY.
1.1.1.1. *Robert Brantley, “of the parish of All Saints in the town of Evesham”, Will probated April 10, 1659, naming wife, Johan, sons Edward, Robert (d.v.p), James, Phillip, and John, and daughter, Ellinor. Robert was deceased at the date of probate, per codicil. Edward is his eldest son and executor, and inherits his father’s tenements and appurtanances in Evesham, with such devolving in the case of his decease to his brothers, in turn.
1.1.1.1.1. Mr. Edward Brantley, b. ca. 1620, d. 1688, in Virginia, who almost certainly named his sons after his brothers.
He was not the headright of John Seward in 1638.
He is first recorded in Virginia in 1667, when he bought 675 ac. in IOW Co., from Francic Hobbs, the father-in-law of John Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1672, witnessed by Thomas Moore. This land adjoined that of Francis England, who m. Joyce Moore, great-niece of the said Thomas Moore.
Edward Brantley’s land in Virginia was also bordered to the W. by that of Thomas Blake, cousin of the said Thomas Harris; and to the E. by the lands of the said Thomas Harris, which devolved to his sons, Thomas and John.
Thomas Harris, Will recorded Nov. 13, 1672. Security John Newman* and Edward Brantley. (AP: 29). *Brother of Alice, second wife of Thomas Harris.

To expand on Edward Brantley’s “social circle”.

BLAKE
1. William Blake, bought land in Pitminster in 1586, and lived there as a neighbour of the Fulgham family.
1.1. John Blake, bapt. June 15, 1597, d. Sept. 30, 1664, in IOW.
1.1.1. Thomas Blake, bapt. ca. 1625, m. Alice Champion, bapt. March 17, 1632, in Meare, Somerset, dau. of Edward Champion, and sister of:
a. Mary Champion, bapt. Nov. 18, 1627.
b. Phillis Forte, whose husband’s estate was “secured” by Thomas Moore and John Newman (brother-in-law of thomas Harris, d. 1672); the estate being appraised by Edward Brantley.
c. Edward Champion, bapt. April 14, 1630 , who m. Priscilla Moore, sister of Thomas Moore, who was b. ca. 1630.
Thomas Blake’s land in Virginia adjoined those of Edward Brantley.
1.2. Judith Blake, who m. Thomas Harris, Nov. 20, 1623, in Wiveliscombe, Somerset. He was the nephew of Edward Bennett, who the father of Silvestra Bennett, who m. Nicholas Hill, who witnessed the Will of Thomas Harris, rec. Nov. 13, 1672; with Edward Brantly standing security for his estate.
1.1.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
Edward Brantley could have married such as a sister of Thomas Moore.*

MOORE
1. Thomas Moore, “of ye City of Bristoll Esq., sometime Sheriffe there”.
1.1.1. Thomas Moore.
1.1.1.1. Edward Moore. “Edward Moore of Bristoll Esq., adm. freeman Aug. 27, 1617, having served his apprenticeship with John Fones (Burgess Book. 1607–1651, fo. 84)
1.1.1.1.1. 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).
1.1.1.1.1.1. *Thomas Moore (b. ca. 1630), m. Elizabeth, dau. of Giles Elbridge, security given by George Moore* and Mr. Edward Brantley.
1.1.1.1.1.2. 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.
1.1.1.1.2. George Moore, d. Aug. 11, 1643; m. Magdalena …
1.1.1.1.2.1. *George Moore, of Bristol, b. 1632, m. Jane Barcroft, dau. of Charles Barcroft.
1.1.1.1.2.1.1. Ann Moore, m. Thomas White. Their estate was appraised between March 22, 1741 and July 26, 1742 John Goodrich Jr., and Edward Brantley, son of Philip. (Chapman, Wills, p. 142).
1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1. Avis White, m. (ca. 1690) a grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.
The connection between the Brantley and Harris family has been obscured by the false belief that Thomas Harris, d. 1672, and Thomas Harris, d. 1688, were of distinct families, wherehas they were second-cousins, which provided the link between the Brantleys and two branches of the Harris family.

BRANTLEY cont.
1.1.1.1.1.1. Edward Brantley.
1.1.1.1.1.2. Phillip Brantley Sr., m. Joyce Lewis, daughter of Thomas Lewis and Rebecca George (d. June 6, 1677), cousin of Eleanor George, first wife of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1. Edward Brantley.*
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1. John Brantley, married the relict of Thomas Harris, d. 1629/30. Thomas Harris, 290 acs., IOW Co; N. side of Maherin Riv., & on both sides of Herbert’s Br; adj. *Edward Brantley and William Simmons’ line. March 24, 1725, p. 440.
1.1.1.1.1.3. James Brantley.
1.1.1.1.1.4. John Brantley.

DISAMBIGUATION
There was more than one Brantley family of Bengeworth/Evesham, and undoubtedly of the same stock. Robert Brantley, alderman, was not synonomous with Robert Brantly, yeoman: 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. 1607. (STAC 8/283/22). “Robert Brantly, yeoman” (probably he born in Evesham in 1646) deceased in 1621, his Will naming his son Edward, and Edward’s wife, Joanne.

This Edward Brantly may have been he who whose headright was claimed by John Seward in IOW, in 1638. He was a kinsman of the Edward who deceased in 1688 in Virginia; and being of yeoman background may well have been indentured to John Seward in 1638 in Virginia.

The Brantleys that held civic office were substantially of a higher rung of society. William Brantley, as bailiff, was the chief administrative officer of a district, with power to execute writs and make arrests.
The identity of Edward Brantley who died before January 1689 in Virginia has obscured by the false belief that he was a headright of John Seward in 1638.

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