Our Bruce Ancestors

122 Pages·2011·2.49 MB·English

Our Bruce Ancestors

Descendants and Ancestors or William Robert Bruce and Laura Matilda Lowery
Bruce

May 5, 2011

Compiled by Ann Griffin Deese

This file is a work in progress. Please help me make it as correct as possible. If you see mistakes or
incorrect information please let me know. Also, send me any information, corrections, pictures,
documentation, or stories that you are willing to share. Do not publish or post this file on the internet or
anywhere else. You can email me at [email protected] or phone me at 704-283-4267

Please note the numbers beside each name. If there is a plus mark (+) before the number then that person
is listed again in the next generation with their children. They will have the same number so you can find
them easily. If they do not have a plus mark then they either don’t have children to list or I don’t have
them.

I believe that we have two lineups for the Bruce family, they are:

Jacques Brousse | Pierre Bruce/Brousse | Peter Bruce/Brousse, SR. | Peter Bruce, JR. | Peter Eli Bruce |
Allen Bruce | James Bruce | William Robert Bruce | Laura Matilda Bruce Lowery | Mary Elizabeth
Lowery Griffin

Also possibly, if Meeky Bruce is the daughter of Allen Bruce
Jacques Brousse | Pierre Bruce/Brousse | Peter Bruce/Brousse, SR. | Peter Bruce, JR | Peter Eli Bruce |
Allen Bruce | Meekey Bruce Hammond | Laura B. Hammond Bruce | Laura Matilda Bruce Lowery | Mary
Elizabeth Lowery Griffin

Some of my sources for this file are:
1. "The Complete Book of Emigrants 1700 - 1750" by Peter Wilson Coldam
2. Researchers: Sarah Howell Studstill, Don Chamberlin, Henry Bruce, Ethel Bruce, Sherry Ferguson,
Priscilla Roberts, Sam Bruce, Nora Walls, Priscilla Roberts, Dean Bruce, and others on the Bruce
descendant sharing email on the Jacques Brousse family.
3. The Iredell Co Tracks, Spring 2004 - Submitted by Edith R. Walker
4. NC Archives: Iredell Co State of NC
5. John Parrott "Parrott Family History, on the RootsWeb.com site.
6. My family members for their direct line.

7. James L. Pinson's website: http://sc-families.org/tree/I594.html

Descendants of Elie Brouse
\Generation No. 1

1. Elie1 Brouse was born 1670 in France, and died Aft. 1707 in Mannachin,
VA. He married Marthe Allenet. She was born in France.

Notes for Elie Brouse:
Elie Brouse was a merchant of the town of Cognac in Saintonges

.org/tree/I594.html

Child of Elie Brouse and Marthe Allenet is:
+ 2 i. Jacques2 Brouse, born Abt. 1670 in Cognac, Province of Saitonge, Kingdom of
France; died Aft. 1707 in King William Parish, Henrico County, Virginia.

Generation No. 2

2. Jacques2 Brouse (Elie1) was born Abt. 1670 in Cognac, Province of
Saitonge, Kingdom of France, and died Aft. 1707 in King William Parish, Henrico
County, Virginia. He married Sarra Cornu 30 Mar 1690 in French Church of La
Patente, Spitalfields, London, England, daughter of Daniel Cornu and Marie
Garnier.

Notes for Jacques Brouse:
He fled from France to England, and finally to America.
Emigration: 23 July 1700 Hampton, Virginia, on the ship Mary Ann

There were records at the Church in England of his marrying a Sara Cornu, at La
Patente (a church) in Spitalfields in England. Jacques Brousse and Sarra Cornu
marriage announcement has Elie Brousse as merchant of the town of Cognac,
Province of Saintonge, Kingdom of France.

Brousse, Cornu 30 March 1690 Announcements Jacques Brousse, merchant
tanner, son of Elie Brousse, merchant of the town of Cognac in Saintonges and of
Martha Allenet and Sarra Cornu, daughter of Daniel Cornu and of Marie Garnier
of the town of Taillebourg, also in Saintonges, Kingdom of France, appeared at the
consistory of this church. These individuals asked us kindly to publish in this
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building (literally--temple--this is what French Catholics call protestant church
buildings--curious that this word got into a protestant document) an announcement
of their marriage and to bless it in accordance with the discipline of our churches.
This we gladly accorded them in the presence of Jean Tartarin, master barrel maker
and Mathias Chaigneau, merchant, both residents in this town, all of whom signed.
J. Brousse, Tartarin, Sara Cornu, M. Chaigneau

Daughters Sara and Marie were both found in VOL XXIX, under the headings
Batemes et marriages
Brousse 16 Feb. 1693, Sarra, daughter of Mr. Jaques and Miss Sarra Le Cornu.
Baptized by Mr. Lombard, Min. Godfather, Mr. Jaques Barbot; Godmother, Miss
Louie Le Cornu. Born 1 February.
Brousse 1696 13 Sept. Marie, daughter of Jacque, merchant and Sara Cornut.
Baptized by Mr. J. Gillet, minister. Godfather Mr. Elie Aubin, Captain of the
regiment of Marton. Godmother Miss Marie Chaigneau. Born 8 September.

Text: A list of ye French refugees that are settled att ye Mannachin town are as
follows: In ye first Shipp. "Brouse and one child"
"This ship may have been the Peter and Anthony, Galley of London, Daniel
Perreau Commander, they are not on the list of passengers for the receipt date
September 20, 1700, Virginia, page 14-16 JHP) On page 17 " wee gave yet of our
owne money 20s, to Mr. Brouse saying that was also in went and could not relieve
his Son and his Cosin who were sick."

"The Complete Book of Emigrants 1700 - 1750" by Peter Wilson Coldam:
page 14 has a long list from ' 31 July prepared by George HAWES in James Town
of the French refugees who have arrived in Virginia with the Marquis de la
Muce:'......then follows the long list of people which includes 'JACQUES
BROUSSE and child; PIERRE CORNU'.......& so forth.
This information is taken from (CSPC) which is given in the book as 'CSPC=
Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies 1700- 1738,
ed. C. Headlam and K. G. Davies. H.M.S.O., 1910-1969.'
Page 15: '8 August. The Council of Virginia report that, as there is no land
available in Norfolk Co, the French Protestant refugees will be settled upon
Mannikin Town on the James River, twenty miles above the falls. A muster has
been taken showing that they number 108 men, fifty-nine women, and thirty-eight
children. (CSPC) [shs - see note on that source above]

pg 26-27
2
A List of the Refugees who are to receive of ye Miller of Falling Creek Mill one
bushel a head of Indian Meale monthly as settled at or about King Williams Town
to begin in Feb. 1700 [1701] on page 27 is shown, Brousse, his son and Corine….
3

Email from Martha Nakajima with her explanation: “I have assumed that "sou"
was a mistranscription of "son" which means "his" ie Jacques Brousse and his
child. Pierre Cornu seems to have disappeared without leaving any descendants in
Manakintown. The marriage registration of Jacques Brousse and Sara Cornu at La
Patente in London describes one of the witne Nakajima sses as Silvie Cornu, sister
of the bride (she may actually be sister in law) and there is a Silvie Cornu who
receives a charitable donation for acting as guardian to a Sarah Brousse sometime
in the early 18th cent. It seems possible that these are all connected but no way to
tell for sure. A possible scenario is that Jacques Brousse and Sara Cornu had 2-3
children after they married in London in 1690. Sara died there and Jacques
departed for VA together with Pierre Cornu and one son and left the other child
(children) with his wife's relatives in London. Silvie Cornu may even have been
Pierre's wife. (The reference to Pierre Cornu as a cousin of Jacques doesn't bother
me as the French are not very fussy about describing in-laws as cousins, sisters,
brothers, etc.)”

In "The Master Index to The Huguenot" & "Index to Vestry Book of King William
Parish, VA 1707-1750" there are refs to Bruces - on pg 39 to Bruce, Peter -
6/18/1728 Matthew Agee of Parish of St James sells 150 A on S side of James
River to Peter Bruce. Signed Matthew M. Agee, seal. Wit: Antonio Rapine,
Stephen Montford, Thomas Turpin.
There are also refs to Jacques Brousse & Pierre Broussse, etc on some pages.
I'm trying to find the notes I received in the past from one who descended from the
line of ANN Bruce m JOHN FOUNTAIN - also I believe that I've seen the father's
name of JOHN FOUNTAIN, but am not certain of that. I will keep looking, trying
to find those notes & get back to you....

In other info I have on this line:
"Deeds of Halifax Co, NC 1758-1786" pg 8:
# 117 - (111) Deed Book 7 "PETER BRUCE, Jr on jury 06 Aug 1760 (also JOHN
BATTISTES ROBERT FONTAINE

Notes: Huguenot blood, Landed in Manakin Town, VA in 1700, on the ship, The
Mary and Ann.

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"Passenger & Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s Record"
Name: Jaques Brousse
Year: 1700, Place: Virginia, Family Members: Child, Source Publication Code:
9230
Primary Immigrant: Brousse, Jaques
Annotation: List refugees from London who arrived on James River on July 23,
1700. Also in no. 720, Boyer, Ship Passenger Lists, the South, pp. 86-89; and in
no. 9143, Tepper, New World Immigrants, Vol 1 pp. 439-443. Source
Bibliography: TURNER, WALTER LeSUEUR , contributor. "Communication
from Governor Francis Nicholson of Virginia Regarding Huguenot Refugees on
Board Ship Mary and Ann." In the Huguenot, Vol 6 (1933), pp. 82-86. Page: 85

"Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s - 1900s Record"
Name: Jaques Brousse. Year: 1700, Place: Virginia, Family Members: Child
Source Publication Code: 9143. Primary Immigrant: Brousse, Jaques
Annotation: Covers: 27, 500 Immigrants from the years 1618 - 1878, with
excellent index. Similar lists are in Boyer, nos. 0702, 0714, and 0720. Source
Bibliography: TEPPER, MICHAEL, editor. New World Immigrants: A
Consolidation of Ship Passenger Lists and Associated Data from Periodical
Literature. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1979. 568 p. and 602p. Repr.
1980. Vol. 1. Page: 442.

Elected to the Vestry at Monocantown, Huguenot Emigration to Virginia (HEV)
and the Settlement at Manakin-Town, Virginia Historical Society, R. A. Brock.
1973. p. 70.

Listed to receive supplies from “Ye Miller of Falling Creek Mill,” HEV, p.26.

Naturalized as “James Brousse” by An Act-Naturalization of French Huguenots-
1705, Laws of Virginia, Waverly Winfree, 1971, p 39-41.

Sources: Sarah Howell Studstill, Don Chamberlin, Henry Bruce, Dean Bruce,
Martha Nakajima, Ethel Bruce, Jim Pisson, and other that share information with
one another.
Source: Elijah Milne's Genealogy, RootsWeb.com
Source: John Parrott "Parrott Family History" shows Jacques Brousse's father as
Maithieu Brousse born in France and mother as Marie Lazineth Laumier born in
France but we don’t believe this is correct because of the information above.
Source: http://sc-families.org/index.html

4
Children of Jacques Brouse and Sarra Cornu are:
3 i. Sara3 Bruce/Brouse, born 01 Feb 1692/93 in London, England.
4 ii. Marie Bruce/Brouse, born 08 Sep 1696 in London, England.
+ 5 iii. Pierre Bruce/Brouse, SR., born Abt. 1710 in King Williams, Virginia; died Bef.
Mar 1762 in Cape Fear Valley of Halifax, NC.

Generation No. 3

5. Pierre3 Bruce/Brouse, SR. (Jacques2 Brouse, Elie1) was born Abt. 1710 in
King Williams, Virginia, and died Bef. Mar 1762 in Cape Fear Valley of Halifax,
NC. He married (1) Mary. She was born 1708, and died Aft. Oct 1773 in Cape
Fear Valley, Of Halifax, NC. He married (2) Magdalina.

Notes for Pierre Bruce/Brouse, SR.:
Burial: Robert Wyrington's burial ground, Hertford Co, NC
Event: Will Probated MAR 1762 Halifax County, NC.
On January 4, 1760 Peter Bruce, Sr. of Halifax Co, Province of NC made his will.
He left to his wife Mary, the use of his personal estate until her death and directed
that it be divided among his children after her death. He listed the children as Peter
Bruce, Ann Fountain, Elizabeth Coats (?), Jean Bruce, Sarah Braswell, and Alice
Huett. Peter Bruce and John Baitis Robert Fountain were appointed trustees and
Peter and Mary executors.
The will was witnessed by Daniel Dunkin, Manuel Gordon, and William Bruce
dated 4 Jan 1760. The will recorded by order of the Inferior Court in March 1762,
appears in Wills, Book 1, Page 69 Halifax County.

Sources: John Parrott’s website: Parrott Family History of Fairfield Connecticut
1. Title: Vestry Book of King William Parish, Huguenot District Powhatan
County, Virginia
Publication: 1988 Reprint Edition by The Huguenot Society of the Founders of
Manakin in the Colony of Virginia
Note: This volume was reproduced with minor corrections and the addition of a
new index from the 1966 reprint edition published by the Manakin Episcopal
Church Midlothian, Virginia Repository: Media: Book Page: 12-027, 12-251, 12-
381, and 13-067. Text: On page 12-027 in the list of Tithables in July, 1717 Peter
Brousse is listed for the first time. He is also listed for the year 1723 as Pierre
Brousse and in 1730 with Francoi Alcard and last in 1731 also with Francoi Allierd
and Andre Goodin. Both Francoi Alcard or Allierd and Andre Goodin are probable
sarvants in the household of Peter Bruce.
5
2. Title: Vestry Book of King William Parish, Huguenot District Powhatan
County, Virginia Publication: 1988 Reprint Edition by The Huguenot Society of
the Founders of Manakin in the Colony of Virginia
Note: This volume was reproduced with minor corrections and the addition of a
new index from the 1966 reprint edition published by the Manakin Episcopal
Church Midlothian, Virginia Repository: Media: Book Page: 12-254
Text: "under the Virginia law, the Assembly expressly exempting all women from
the payment of tithes, except slaves or servants over sixteen years of age, who
were capable of doing work in the field.------ all men of whatever rank or station
over sixteen years of age, were regarded as tithable," Francoi Allierd or Alcard
listed by some as Peter Brousse wife was probable a servant in the household

Notes for Mary:
Burial: Robert Wyrington's burial ground, Hertford Co, NC.

Children of Pierre Bruce/Brouse and Mary are:
+ 6 i. Peter4 Bruce, JR, born Abt. 1730 in NC; died Aft. 15 Feb 1802 in Iredell Co, NC.
7 ii. Ann Bruce, born Abt. 1726; died Aft. 05 Jan 1784 in Edgecombe Co, NC. She
married John Fountain.

Notes for Ann Bruce:
The following is copied from:
http://www.rivendellbnb.com/Lindanew1/page3.html
JOHN FOUNTAIN (JOHN, EDMOND, JOHN) was born Abt. 1696 in Prince
George Co, VA, and died 1764. He married ANN BRUCE, daughter of PIERRE
BRUCE and MARY.
Children of JOHN FOUNTAIN and ANN BRUCE are:
i. HENRY FOUNTAIN, b. Abt. 1725; d. February 1797, Edgecombe Co, NC.
ii. JOHN FOUNTAIN, JR, b. Abt. 1725; d. Abt. 1801.
iii. JAMES FOUNTAIN, b. Abt. 1725; d. 1824.
iv. WILLIAM FOUNTAIN, b. Abt. 1725; d. January 20, 1816, Edgecombe
County, NC; m. PATSY KEA.
v. SOLOMON FOUNTAIN, b. 1756; d. 1836; m. AULIFF COKER ?.
vi. DAVID FOUNTAIN, b. Abt. 1725; m. MARY PHILLIPS ?

8 iii. Elizabeth Bruce. She married Benjamin Coats.
9 iv. Jean Bruce.
10 v. Sarah Bruce. She married Braswell.
11 vi. Alice Bruce. She married Huett.
Generation No. 4

6
6. Peter4 Bruce, JR (Pierre3 Bruce/Brouse, SR., Jacques2 Brouse, Elie1) was
born Abt. 1730 in NC, and died Aft. 15 Feb 1802 in Iredell Co, NC. He married
Rachel Wilson Abt. 1780 in Wake Co, NC. She was born 1733 in NC.

Notes for Peter Bruce, JR:
# 117 - (111) Deed Book 7 "PETER BRUCE, Jr on jury 06 Aug 1760 (also JOHN
BATTISTES ROBERT FONTAINE.
They lived in Halifax Co, NC 1762, lived in Wake Co, NC in 1790, Iredell Co
about 1795
1770-1771 Listed on a petition in North Carolina
1776 December pg. 944 and 957 - Colonial Records of N.C. Vol. X- Resigned
from Capt. John Rochelle's Company of 9th Battalion of the American Army
commanded by Col. John Williams
1781/1784. He appeared on the list for Captain Highs District, Wake County. It
showed he owned 447 acres of land, 2 horses and 16 cattle, same list were Peter Eli
Bruce with 100 acres, 1 horse, 5 cattle, William Bruce 150 acres, 1 horse, some
cows, Arnold Bruce 1 horse
1790 U.S. Census lists Peter Bruce in Wake Co, Hillsboro District, page 103
Ancestry.com Image 9
1790 Commissioned to cut a mill Dam at the falls of The Neuse River, Wake Co,
in the Colonial Records of N.C. Vol. XXV pg. 109
1794 Tax list for Capt. Ray's District Wake Co, NC list Peter Bruce with 573 acres
of land. Arnold Bruce listed with 100 acres
1797 Peter Bruce brought land in Iredell Co, NC (Deed Book B-722) Snow Creek
Area; at his home here his son Philip organized a Methodist Church in 1801
Census: 1800 U.S. lists Peter Bruce in Salisbury, Iredell Co, NC, page 614.
Will: 15 Feb 1802 Iredell Co, NC. Will probated 16 Feb 803 Iredell Co, NC
Source: http://www.gencircles.com/users/elijahmilne/2/data/5301
On Feb. 16, 1805, Peter's will, dated Feb. 15, 1802 was offered for probate in the
Iredell courts. In it he named his wife, Rachel; sons-Joel, Philip, Seaborn, Peter
Eli, Arnold, and Wilson; daughters-Lucretia Mosely and Sarah Gill; and a
granddaughter Gelly Bruce. Rachel was to have the plantation and then it was to
go to Joel.
[Source: Iredell County Tracks, Spring 2004 - Submitted by Edith R. Walker]

Following is copied from John Parrott's, "Parrott Family History" on the
RootsWeb.com site.
Title: Abstracts of WILL BOOKS 1, 1A AND 2 of Iredell County, North Carolina
1788-1845
7
Author: Lois M. P. Schneider Repository: Call Number: 80-54053 Media: Book
Page: page 9
Text: I- 78 PETER BRUCE 15 Feb 1802 Prb. 16 Feb 1803
Wf: RACHEL - plantation of 107A then to son JOEL. Sons: JOEL, PHILIP,
SEABORN. Dau: LUCRETIA MOSELY. Gdau: GELLY BRUCE. The other of
my children provided for viz: PETER E., ARNOLD, WILSON BRUCE &
SARAH GILL. Wit: ABRAHAM HILL, JAMES SIMONTON & JONATHAN
MONTD.
CHURCH, Sr.

From NC Archives: Iredell County State of N Carolina
In the Name of God Amen
I, Peter Bruce of the State & County Aforesaid being in health of Body & perfect
mind and Memory do ordain & constitute this to be my last Will & Testament.
This to say First I recommend my soul to God my Redeemer my All sufficient p--
and my Body to its Original dust to be duly buried In hope of the Resurrection to
Everlasting life___
And as to my worldly possessions & property to be disposed of in the following
manner. That is to say I bequeath to my loving wife Rachel Bruce the Plantation
Whereon I now live containing One hundred and seven acres of Land with the
Stock Working Utensils and household furniture belong to the Said during her
Natural life ___
I give to my son Joel Bruce the Said Tract of Land Whereon I now live contai--one
hundred & seven acres With the Stock & Working Utensils belong to the said
Plantation to be enjoyed by him & his heirs after the decease of my loving wife
Rachel Bruce ___
I give to my daughter Lucretia Mosely the black Walnut Chest to be enjoyed by
her after the decease of my loving wife Rachel B
I give to my Granddaughter Gilly Bruce One Feather Bed to be enjoyed by her
after the decease of my said loving Wife.
As to my other household furniture that may be left after the decease of my Said
loving Wife I will that it be equally divided between my Three following Sons that
is to say Philip Bruce, Seaborn Bruce, & Joel Bruce___
My Other Children being otherwise provided for, that is to say Peter E. Bruce
Arnold Bruce & Sarah Gill & Wilson Bruce. I leave them five Shilling Current
Money of the [shs-can't read what appears to be 2 words here] to be paid by my
Administrator
This is my last Will & Testament A I do hereby Revoke all others that have been
Made by me
Signed Sealed This 15 February 1802
8