Matthew was born about 1730. He died in 1774. [1]His parents are currently unknown.
Matthew Bracken had been a surveyor with Thomas Hanson from Virginia in the exploration and surveying expedition to Kentucky, which left Fincastle on April 7th, 1774. “Bracken Creek” in Mason County, Kentucky, commemorates his name. He returned to Kentucky in time to enlist as an ensign in the company of Capt. Robert McClennahan’s Company of volunteers from Botetourt. He was killed in the Battle of Point Pleasant and his remains were buried within the forty foot reservation, now a part of Tu-Endie Wei Park, at the mouth of the Kanawha.[2]
In 1752 in Augusta County, Virginia, Matthew Bracken was listed with 130 acres in 1752. [3] Either this is a wrong reference for this Matthew or he was born before 1740. A 12-year old didn't own land in 1752,
Greenbrier Co. Virginia [4]
Mathew was born about 1730.
Sources
↑ "July 21, 1785: Abigail Braken made sufficient proof to the court that she remained the widow of Matthew Braken, deceased ten years and have five children, which is ordered to be certified to the Auditors for the allowance made her by the commissioners of the southern districts." Greenbrier County Virginia Early Court Records 1780-1835 by Larry Shuck (1988) Iberian Publishing Company, Athens, Georgia, USA
↑ Badgley, C. Stephen. A Point of Controversy: The Battle of Point Pleasant. 102
↑ Matthew Bracken listed with 130 ac in Apr & May 1752, Greenbrier County Virginia Deeds & Wills 1777-1853 (1992) Iberian Pub. Co., Athens, GA in ref to 'Abstract of Land Grant Surveys 1761-91' by Peter Cline Taylor (1938) Rockingham Historical Soc. and to an article by J T McAllister (1911) in Virginia Magazine of History
↑ On the 1782/83 Personal Property tax list of Greenbrier Co. (W)VA, Abigail Bracken is listed alone. So evidently, Matthew Bracken had passed away by 1782. p. 7 Greenbrier County Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists 1782/83,1786/8, 1796,1799,1805 & 1815 by Larry Shuck, Iberian Publishing Company, Athens, GA (1989) ISBN 0-935931-47-3
https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Bracken-61
