Jerry and Linda Butler

Robert B. Brashears was a son of Isaac Brashears, of Guilford Co, NC, Sullivan Co, TN, and Roane Co, TN and a grandson of Robert Samuel Brashears, the Rolling Stone. Robert was born 5 Jan 1787 in Guilford Co, North Carolina, just before the family moved to the North of Holston settlements of Sullivan Co, TN. He grew up on the banks of the Clinch River in Roane Co, TN, where his father lived after 1794. About 1817 or 18, he moved to a homestead southeast of Leoma, in Lawrence County, Tennessee, where he made his home, raised his family, and died on 26 Aug 1852. He and his wife are buried in the Richardson Cemetery, alongside their son, Jesse, who died of wounds received in the Mexican War. To get to the cemetery from Leoma, go south through Center Point, turn left at the first road, take the left fork and go (eastward) 4 miles to the old Richardson farm. Cemetery is on north side of the road. (Ref: a book about Lawrence Co, Cemeteries : At Rest, by Alexander & Grecham, p.354) On Sarah Brashears' tombstone: "Sarah , wife of R. B. Brashears..."

Soon after he arrived in Lawrence Co, Robert Brashears began acquiring land. On 28 Sep 1821, a State of Tennessee grant of 160 acres was made to Robert Brashears, he being the assignee of John C. McLemore, Jesse Blackman, and Matthew Barrons. The land was situated between Sugar Creek and the road, in the 7th District of Lawrence County, Range 3, Sections 1 & 2 . /signed/ Joseph McMinn, Governor, at Murfreesboro.

(Lawrence Co, Deeds, Bo ok A, p.163)
In July 1822, Robert bought from Alex McDonald and John McDonald of Giles Co, TN, another 73 acres on Sugar Creek, being land granted by the State of Tennessee to McDonald, plus other parcels. The land is described as being several small tracts, amounting to 160 acres, in "Sugar Creek three forks." Consideration: $1. /signed/ Alexndr. McDonald, John McDonald. (Lawrence Co Deeds, Book A, p.74)

Robert's brother, Walter Brashears, had also moved to Lawrence County, but he soon sold out. On 8 Apr 1823, he sold 36 acres to John McMasters, 30 acres crossing Sugar Creek and a second tract of 2 acres north of the 30 acres entry in the name of McDonald. (Lawrence Co, Deeds, Book A, p.129) About this time, Walter moved to Perry (later Decatur) county in West Tennessee, where Isaac, their father, and several of their brothers, had taken up land.

Over the years, Robert was involved in quite a number of land transfers, including a number of deeds of gift to his children. It seems they used land deeds in those days almost as currency, which was in short supply. It is not at all uncommon to find a particular piece of land deeded from one person to another, and a few years later, the same land deeded in return to the first person. Hard cash seems to have seldom changed hands; but land, in small and large parcels, was their unit of barter. By the time he died in 1852, he had amassed an estate of 1700 acres and 15 slaves.

Robert served on the court, was assigned to make tax lists, etc. and participated actively in the affairs of the county. He became known as Robert Brashears, Esquire. For example, in 1836, following a general assembly resolution of 11 Dec 1835, commissioners (including Robert Brashears ) were appointed to divide Lawrence County into civil districts, for tax, voting, census, and court jurisdictions. The commissioners divided the county into twelve districts, three from east to west and four from north to south, following natural features like water courses and dividing ridges. The commissioners located District #1 in the southwest corner of the county, bordering Alabama and Wayne Co, Tn. Dist #2 was immediately to the east of Dist #1 and lay along the Alabama border; District #3 was east of #2 and bordered Alabama and Giles Co, TN. Robert Brashears and his clan lived in District #3. District #4 was immediately north of Dist #3, along the Giles Co, line. Dist #5 was immediately west of Dist #4, more or less in the south central portion.