David Broyles   Gen. 4, id #39                                       Edited 19910106
=============   Son of George Briles & (       )                            |          
 
Born:        1776 NC, Randolph                                              |          
Died:     c. 1879 TN, Washington                                            |          
 
Marr: Elly Rooker                                       
      m: 24 Oct 1805 TN, Blount (lic.)                                      |[A]        
 
 
Census:
                                         +----Males----++---Females---+
1830 Broyles, David       TN, Washington  2---1--1       -2--1        
1840 [Record not found]                                               
1850 Broyles, David       TN, Washington  74 NC   Farmer                                                                                               
1860 Broyles, David       TN, Washington  85 TN                                                                                                        
 
There is currently no proof other than circumstantial that David 
was a child of George Briles.  Given his age and North Carolina 
birthplace, he fits most easily in George's family.  [1] notes 
that he is described as a cousin of Adam Broyles, which would 
make David a grandson of Conrad.  Given that Frederick's and 
Adam's children seem accounted for, George is left as the best 
choice.

David may have made the move to Washington Co., TN, c. 1785 with 
his uncle Adam.  This is consistent with the idea that George 
died c. 1785.  Several of Adam's children married in Blount Co., 
TN, in the period around 1805.  The marriage of David Broyles to 
Elly Rooker probably refers to this David.  Note that the license 
was issued, but no return was made, indicating that the marriage 
may not have taken place.  However, there are numerous instances 
in which returns were not made, despite the fact that a marriage 
took place, so not too much weight can be given to this.

David was apparently something of a character.  He lived the life 
of a mountain hermit.  While his early records appear rather 
normal, in the 1850 and 1860 census he is found living by 
himself.

The story is told that occasionally he would come down from the 
mountains to get provisions, which he would carry back home in a 
kettle.  There was a particular place, known as "Kettle Turn", 
where he would put his kettle down and rest.  He was known 
locally as "Uncle Davy."  [1]:51



24 Mar 1817 - David Broyles patents 50 acres on Cassia Creek, 
Washington Co., Tenn. near Michael Capps and Simeon Broyles.  
[1]:51

22 Feb 1818 - David sells this land to Jacob Fellows.  wit: Ira 
Green and Adam Gann.  [1]:51

       1830 - David is listed in the Washington Co., TN, census.  
The listing is a little ambiguous, but it appear that David is 
the head of a household and has a family of 6 living with him.  
This is probably the family of an unknown son or 
daughter.

24 Mar 1831 - David had land surveyed.  [1]:51

28 Sep 1833 - David patents 50 acres on Caps Creek, joining Sarah 
Mock.  [1]:51

       1879 - David is said to have died around this time.  This 
would mean he was 103 years old.  Some say he was 108 or 109.  
His land passed to Wilson Moore, son of Daniel and Rebecca 
(Broyles) Moore.  David lived his last years in the home of Adam 
Alexander Broyles.  [1]:51

 4 Sep 1890 - A.A. Broyles, in a letter, describes David as a 
cousin of his father.  [1]:51

 
Sources: 
[A]   Broiles, David; Rooker, Elly; [175]
[175] Whitley, "Marriages of Blount Co., Tenn. 1795-1859"
[1]   Keith, Prof. Arthur Leslie, "The Broyles Family", typescript reprinted in [4]
[4]   Broyles, John K., Sr., "The Broyles Family Newsletter" (periodical), self-published, 1982-2000

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