The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
State of Service: NC
Qualifying Service: Patriotic Service
Monument photo used by permission of Jay Joyce. Patriot Grave photo used by permission of James H. Wood
Directions to Cemetery / Gravesite:
No GPS data for grave site on Find-a-Grave - Apr 2022
Photo: 1 of 2
Photo: 2 of 2 (gps: 35.550758333333,-80.854011111111)
Author: F. Grady Hall III
Below is a direct quote from E. W. Brawley's "Sketch" on Neil Braley, Sr.
Born in Norther Ireland 1751, where his ancestors had migrated from Scotland about 1700. Had one brother who died early. From Ireland he came to America and settled in Pa. near Lancaster, where he married Mary Mosmon 1777. He accumulated some property, negros, horses, etc. He joined the Army of the American Revolution and was wounded at Brandywine. Was with the army of Geo. Washington when it disbanded. Soon after he moved to North Carolina and settled near what is now Mooresville."
According to The Brawley Family research book, published by cousin John C. Karriker and Doris G. Chandler, Neil's Story begins with his birth in Northern Ireland. I have been able to follow this to, most likely, Derry, Usler, Ireland. Neil was born about 1751 and died on a Sunday evening on the 19th of October in 1834 at the age of 83. He died in Iredell County, North Carolina and is buried in the Centre Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Southern North Carolina.
Oral tradition claims that there was one brother who died at an early age. It is believed that this brother was named, William A. I. Brawley and that in America, this brother's family settled near Neil Brawley and his family.
Proof of Immigration to America from Ireland:
I have found no proof of when he arrived in America as of yet.
Family lore tells that he arrived in 1771 and settled in Pennsylvania, near Lancaster.
Family :
Neil married Mary Mosmon in 1775 in Lancaster Pennsylvania. Mary was born in 1752 in Ireland and died 04 August 1823, Iredell County, North Carolina. She is buried along with her husband in the Centre Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Southern North Carolina. This union brought about several children, roughly 10, six that were sons, 4 that were daughters.
American Revolutionary War:
Neil moved to Rowan County, North Carolina about the time the American Revolution War. According to family lore: when the American Revolution came, Neil answered the call and fought for this Country. He was wounded at Brandywine. He was with the Army of George Washington when it disbanded. His name is listed as a Pensioner on pg. 351 in the book Roster of Soldiers from North Carolina in the American Revolution under the heading of Comptroller Office Certificate 1785 as No. 5231, Neil Braley, Salisbury district. This has been verified by me and I have a copy of the document from Ancestry.com.
According to the Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots, we find proof that he was a soldier and proof of where his grave is: Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots about Neil Brawley Name:Neil BrawleyCemetery:Center Pres Ch Cem Location:Iredell CO NC 49 Reference:Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots, Vol.1, p. Serial: 11393; Volume: 3
Source Information: Hatcher, Patricia Law. Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 1999. Original data: Hatcher, Patricia Law. Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots. Vol. 1-4. Dallas, TX, USA: Pioneer Heritage Press, 1987.
He died 19 Oct 1834 and is buried in the Centre Presbyterian Church Cemetery, near Mount Mourn, southern Iredell County. The church is located at 129 Centre Church Road, Mooresville, the Grave is in Row 17; it is a standing marble tombstone, 31 inches tall, very clean surface. Inscription: "Born in Ireland... Imigrated to thei Country and served in the cause of Libery"
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