Person:William Bratton (12)

William Bratton was one of the Early Settlers of Augusta County, Virginia

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Notes

3. William E.2 BRATTON (OF Lewis & Clark Expedition Fame) COL. (George1) was born in Augusta Co, VA July 27, 1778. William died November 11, 1841 in Waynetown, Montgomery Co, IN, at 63 years of age. His body was interred in Waynetown, Montgomery Co, IN.

He married Mary "Polly" MAXWELL Bratton in Warren Co, KY, November 25, 1819. Polly was born November 27, 1796. Polly was the daughter of James MAXWELL. Polly died February 13, 1875 in Wayne Twp., Montgomery Co, IN, at 78 years of age. Colonel Bratton fought in the War of 1812, married, fathered ten children and died at Waynetown, Indiana in 1841. Heros of 1812 states on page 95 that William Bratton was the son of James and Rebecca Bratton, born Augusta County, VA. After further research, we are at a conclusion that he was indeed the son of George and nephew of James. He was bound out as an apprentice for his Uncle James at an early age, preparing him for his future adventure on the expedition. Taken from the Montgomery County Library, Indiana History,Crawfordsville,IN as well as The Bratton Historian, Vol. 1, #4, 1978: "William Bratton was in his early forties when he settled in western Montgomery Co, IN; but he already had his great adventure with the country beyond the Mississippi River. When the Lewis and Clark expedition to explore the Louisiana Territory was organized, William Bratton was living in Augusta Co, VA. Arrested by the opportunity to see the GREAT WEST, the young man enlisted as a private in the company recruited by Merriwether Lewis. Except for a period of illness, William Bratton took an active part in the three years adventure in the west. He acted as Scout and Hunter, Military policeman, and was in charge of the detail that distilled salt when the expedition ran short of that essential. "The expedition was absent for about three years, reaching St. Louis on its return trip, September, 1806. Here William Bratton was discharged with honors. In 1812, Bratton enlisted in the War with England. He served in the West, taking part in the Battle of the Thames. His travels in Indiana country, caused him to settle in Vigo Co, IN (Terre Haute), at the war's end. Here he operated a General Store, but when the new Purchase (Treaty with the Indians, 1818, for lands north of Terre Haute) ws opened up, he took up land in Wayne Township, Montgomery Co, IN at Waynestown. Here he settled down, became a farmer, Justice of Peace, and a leader in religion and education. His need for adventure apparently satisfied by an occasional deer or bear hunt in the wilds of Ripley township." Many excerpts of interest are included in the two books I footnote: Stories of catching a fox in a steel trap; being chased by a brown bear; how he was cured by an old Indian treatment of his illness; etc. (Private Bratton had become seriously ill at the saltworks, troubled with a mystifying lumbar ailment. He had to ride prone in the canoe, be carried over portages and carefully helped on horseback the entire way.) Stories were also told of the disciplines laid on these soldiers. "In after years, Bratton was in the habit of relating to his children that instead of switches the men used their ramrods on the culprit, and that the blows were well laid on, in the fear that anyone showing leniency would incur similar punishment." (Gass, Introduction, p. xxv)

William E. BRATTON (of L&C Fame) Col. and Mary "Polly" MAXWELL Bratton had the following children:

16 i. James M.3 BRATTON was born August 25, 1820. James died July 1, 1841 at 20 years of age.

17 ii. George BRATTON was born March 6, 1822. George died March 5, 1863 at 40 years of age.

18 iii. John BRATTON was born March 4, 1824. John died September 12, 1863 at 39 years of age.

19 iv. William BRATTON (son of Wm. of L&C Fame) was born December 23, 1825. William died May 12, 1859 at 33 years of age.

20 v. Robert BRATTON was born April 28, 1828. Robert died September 27, 1835 at 7 years of age.

21 vi. Adam BRATTON was born March 19, 1831. Adam died February 4, 1852 at 20 years of age.

22 vii. Grisella Ann Berry BRATTON Fields was born April 24, 1833. Grisella died November 17, 1903 at 70 years of age. She married Stephen FIELDS in Wayne Co, IN, September 2, 1851. Stephen was born September 6, 1828. (Additional notes for Stephen FIELDS ) Stephen died February 14, 1905 at 76 years of age.

23 viii. Eliza Jane BRATTON was born March 3, 1838. Eliza died June 28, 1838 at less than one year of age.

24 ix. Marietta BRATTON was born July 16, 1840. Marietta died May 2, 1860 at 19 years of age.

[Source: http://genforum.genealogy.com/cgi-bin/pageload.cgi?Ewing::ky::8355.html]

1.   .

   Roster of the Lewis & Clark Expedition:
   
   Bratton, Pvt. William. b. 1778 Augusta County, VA of Irish parents; a blacksmith & gunsmith; m. in 1819; 8 sons & 2 daus. d. 1841 in Waynestown, IN.