robertmackayclan

I think there have been some books published years ago about cemeteries in Clarke County. I remember seeing a partial listing of those buried at Bethel in it.

I'm going to have to try and visit Brownley-Mitchell Cemetery but I'll probably be lucky if I actually find it.

I think others in the past have sent me information on your surname Brownley/Brownlee, it would appear I have misplace the researcher name. Perhaps it will turn up. I seem to remember the above researcher was trying to connect the Frederick Co. VA Brownley with the ones living in early MD. I do not know if there were two different families one spelled Brownley and the other Brownlee. So far I have not seen you family named spelled as Brownlee.

In any case, the following is what I can piece together about your Brownley family.

At this point in time, I really think your Brownley came from King Wm. Co. VA into Frederick Co. VA and not from MD. Since I have documented Cary Mitchell as living for most of his life in King Wm. Co. VA. I think unlikely Betsey Hunt who married John Brownley removed into Frederick Co. VA to marry him, so he must have lived in the same location at the time of their marriage. Remember I have the land deeds which stated that Betsey & Frances were sisters, the first one married John Brownley and the other Cary Mitchell.

John Brownley b. c1740 where?, m. most likely in King Wm. Co. VA before 1764 to Betsy Hunt, daughter of Cary Hunt of King Wm. Co. VA, d. 1802 in Frederick Co. VA, his will and inventory (lots of slaves) found in Frederick Co. VA, dated 12 May 1801, probated 6 Sep 1802. He stated that his slaves to be given to his family members. His executor's report named some of his children, Betsy (Hunt) Brownley will also filed in Frederick Co. VA her will dated 26 Feb 1815, probated 5 Jun 1815. You can add to the next generation by combing through Frederick & Clarke counties records. If they had other children who died young, I do not know. The ones I have listed below I have records they did exist.


1. Archibald Brownley b. 1764, m. Betsy Mitchell, d. 1805 "Pleasant Green" Frederick/Clarke Co. VA. His son Wm./Billy named in grandfather's estate
transfer of funds. Copies of their wills found in Frederick Co. VA.

2. Nancy Brownley b. 10 May 1766 m. 25 Dec 1787 Joseph Tuley d. 1823 VA
Named as daughter in transfer of monies from father's estate. This Tuley family I believe did come down into VA from MD, perhaps people have confused this fact with your Brownley family. The Clarke Historical Assocation has an article about the family in one of their publications. He lived at "Tanner's Retreat", stated he also had tracts in KY and a lot with house in Paris, Fauquier Co. VA. And 500a farm in Augusta Co. VA called "La Grange". This article stated that his wife died the same year he did but left no legal papers. His daughters married into Massie & Mitchell families. His daughter Mary Tuley married Henry Mitchell in Frederick Co. VA 20th Nov 1811. This article stated that "Henry Mitchell was a relative of the wife of Mary Tuley's uncle Archibald Brownley". I believe the above Henry Mitchell belonged to the group that came into Frederick Co. VA from Fredericksburg, VA. So perhaps this is the location you might want to look into for your Brownley.

3. Sally Brownley b. 17 Dec 1767 m. Maj. Esaias Earle, she was named in her father's transfer of monies, her husband's will filed in Frederick Co. VA dated 23 Aug 1826, probated 7 Nov 1826. Earle family you should be able to find additional information.

You can find additional information about the above surnames in my Frederick Co. VA Books

Frederick Co. VA Land Deeds 1743-1765 for $20.00
Frederick Co. VA Land Deeds 1765-1785 for $35.00
Frederick Co. VA Land Deeds 1785-1800 for $25.00
Frederick Co. VA Wills 1743-1816 for $25.00
Frederick Co. VA Wills 1816-1837 for $20.00
Frederick Co. VA Wills 1837-1865 for $20.00

check or money order to me, postage & handling $3.50 first book & $2.50 each additional book

Dee Ann Buck
10814 Paynes Church Drive
Fairfax, VA

Handley Library has copies of all the above books.

I have ordered additional film for King Wm. Co. VA, so I hope to find out more about Mitchell, Hunt & perhaps Brownley. I might also order what film they have dealing with King & Queen Co. VA.

Remember your John Brownley possessed lots of slaves and the names of them can be found in Frederick Co. VA records and he wanted them given to his family members, so this is a tool that you can use to document his children and grandchildren by tracing the possession of each slave. Then the question comes when and where did your John require his slaves. Did he buy them or perhaps given him?. We hope the last case is true, then you can document his parentage.