Brawley, James

Source:OUR COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE by Samuel P Bates, 1899, p304,James Brawley was perhaps the first established carpenter of the settlement.
page 568, James Brawley, by some accounted the first settler, but who, according to the more trustworthy accounts, did not come to Randlph (twp) until 1797 or 1798, loccated on the land of the Holland Land Company and built a cabin.(James was 20 years old) Having procured some seed potatoes at Franklin he carried them upon his back through the woods up French Creek and Sugar creeks, following an Indian path. He cleared a small patch of land and planted it with potatoes, after which he joined a surveying party in Erie County. In the fall, upon returning to dig his potatoes, he was surprised to find his cabin occupied by Indians, who, supposing the claim abandoned, had dug and eaten his potatoes and were preparing to depart. But desiring to compensate him for his loss, the Indians opened their packages and shared with him their store of furs and dried meat. He exchanged these for a quantity of wheat, which he sowed, and then returned to Lycoming County. The next spring he brought his mother's family with him to his new home, arriving in June. They were six weeks upon thejourney. which all pioneer emigration of those times, was accomplished in face of the greatest difficulties. They came directly through the woods with their ox team, driving before them several cows, the milk from which was strained and being put into a churn was converted into butter by the motion of the wagon. When they reached their destination they were almost penniless, the last twenty-five cents being expended for a quart of salt. There were no mills in the neighborhood, and for some time the family lived on whole wheet boiled in milk. In the fall Brawley learned that a mill had been erected by the Holland Company on Pine Creek, near Titusville. Loading four bushels of wheet upon an ox he started out through the unbroken forest, with no path and no guide to follow, save a pocket compass. He was six days on the road. At night he removed the load from the ox and turned it out to browse, while he built a fire, beside which he encamped, and by which the ox was accustomed to lie when he had appeased his hunger. When he returned with the wheat flour there was a day of festivity in the Brawley household.
For many years James Brawley held a commision as justice of the peace.
He also built the first saw mill and the first frame house and barn in the township. In 1800 he married Mary Glen, a daughter of William Glen, of Mead Township and theirs was probably the first marriage contracted in the township. William R. Brawley, their son, was probably the first white child born there while Mary Brawley, who died in 1805, is supposed to have been the first person who died in the township.(James mother) In company with Alexander Johnson Mr Brawley took the contract to carry the mail once a week between Meedville and Mayville, N.Y.(abt 80 miles one way) They performed the journey on horseback, going in turn on alternate weeks, commencing in 1818 (James was 40 years old) and continuing during a number of years. Hugh Brawley, who came to the township with his brother James settled ubon a tract near him, where he remained through life. He was an active member of the Presbyterian Church.

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Thank you.
Diana