John Britton & Elizabeth

1st generation

John Brittain/Britton ca 1730 – 1803
& ca 1756 Elizabeth unknown ca 1737 – aft 1811
Of Hertford & Bertie Counties, NC

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This is my working hypothesis – the way I see it as of this moment!!

Brittain, Brittan, Brittin, Britton, Briton are all spellings that various family members have used as their name.

Both William Moses Britton through son Benjamin and Cecile Harris through son George descended from this couple. William married my sister Helen and Cecile married my brother John.

“John Brittain was born in Ireland, learned Cabinetmaking in England, sailed to America, arriving in Bertie County about 1756 after being delayed a year by a shipwreck on Bermuda Island,” – Patsy James Evans

John Brittain married about 1756 Elizabeth.
John was a Cooper [barrel maker] and a Carpenter.
John Brittin appears on the 1757 tax list of Bertie County

John Brittain signed the 1759 Petition for the formation of Hertford Co.

1760, March 24. John Britain records his mark: a crop and two slits in the right ear, and a swallow fork in the left ear.

Feb. 21, 1776, Robert Draughon of Bertie Co. N.C. to John Brittain, of Hertford Co. N.C.
100 acres of Messuage or Tenement Tract in Bertie Co., N.C.
Wit: John Freeman, Timothy Walton Aug. court 1778

1790 Bertie Co John Brittain two males over 16, one male under 16, six females three slaves
1790 Bertie Co John Brittain one male over 16, one male under 16, one female three slaves
1790 Bertie Co Michael Brittain one male over 16
1790 Hertford Co Benjamin Brittain one male over 16, 1m under 16, one female

John Brittain died in 1803 in Bertie Co, NC. His widow Elizabeth died after 1811.

Children of John Brittain and wife Elizabeth:
1. John Brittain 4 June 1758 – 11 Dec 1827 Pitt Co, NC
married 1786 Mary Sessoms 1764 Hertford Co – 1852/54 Pitt Co
daughter of Cullen Sessoms and Rachel Perry
2. Frances Brittain 1755/74 – Sept/Nov 1810 in Bertie Co [will] dsp
3. Benjamin Brittain bef 1763 – 1814/20 Hertford Co, NC
married Frusannah
4. Michael Brittain Jan 1763 – 5 Dec 1840 Hertford Co, NC
in 1833 Michael Brittain was the Inspector of Naval Stores at Pitch Landing
Rev War Vet application for pension 1833; wife applied 1843
married Jan 1792 Nancy Weston 1771 – aft 1843
5. Judith Brittain 1755/74 – Feb/May 1811 in Bertie Co [will] dsp
6. Elizabeth Brittain 1755/74 –
Married 1803/1810 Mr. Outlaw in Bertie Co
7. Daniel Brittain 1764/74 – bef Nov 1831 Bertie Co, NC
will signed 18 March 1828/will probate Nov 1831
Married 3 May 1803 Bertie Co Sarah [Sally] Outlaw
Lewis Outlaw was the bondsman
daughter of Aaron Outlaw ca 1756 – 1815 and wife Prudence
8. Ann [Nancy] Brittain 1755/74 Hertford Co – 1849 Bertie Co
married 8 May 1805 Bertie Co Hezekiah Mizell 1785 -ca 1842 Bertie Co
9. Jemima Brittain 1774/84 – [she wit. Deed 1785]
was shown as 16 – 26 on 1800 census still single in 1811
10. George Brittain 10 June 1777 Hertford Co – bef 1865 Pitt Co

Will of John Brittain:
In the name of God Amen I John Brittain of Bertie County in the State of North Carolina declare this to be my last will.
Imprimis I Give unto my son John Brittain my old Gun and what he has received to him and his heirs forever.
2nd I Give unto my son Benjamin Brittain the land and plantation whereon I formerly lived in Hertford County with all the appurtenances. also my “hol” man Gun and what he has received to his and his heirs forever.
3rd I Give unto my son Michel Brittain one gun called Winton Gun and what he has received to him and his heirs forever.
4th I Give unto my son Daniel Brittain one hundred acres of land I bought of Henry Mizel with all the appurtenances. also one feather bed and furniture one gun called red stock one sword to him and his heirs forever
5th I Give unto my son George Brittain two hundred acres of land that I bought of David Knox and John Harvey in Pits County. also, one Gun called Spikes, one sword and what he has received to him and his heirs forever
6th I lend to my wife Elizabeth Brittain my land and plantation whereon I now live I bought of Robert and George Drawn. Also, my cider still cap and worm, cross-cut saw grindstone and all of my carpenters and Copers tools for and during the term of her life or widowhood. After her death or marriage, I lend to my five daughters Frances Brittain, Judith Brittain, Elizabeth Brittain, Anna Brittain and Jemima Brittain one-half of my house. Also one-half of my apple orchard and one-half of my land and plantation where I now live. And, my cider still cap and worm, cross-cut saw grindstone my carpenter and Copers tools for as long as they live single or to any of them lives unmarried. If any of them should get married, the married ones have no more right to the land and appurtenances, still, or tools. The other half of the house and orchard land and plantation I give to my son Daniel Brittain and to have a liberty of the still to still his one truck. After the death or marriage of all my daughters, I give and devise unto my son Daniel Brittain the land and plantation and the still and tools to him and his heirs forever.
7th I also lend to my wife Elizabeth Brittain my negro man Cesar, my negro man Gin, my negro man Hardy, my negro woman Lenze during her life and widowhood. I also lend to my said wife my negro Girl Fillis During her natural life
8th I Give and devise unto my daughter Frances Brittain one feather bed and furniture, my negro boy Dred and after my wife’s death my negro woman Fillis with her increase to her and her heirs forever
9th I Give and devise unto my daughter Judith Brittain one feather bed and furniture and after my wife’s death or marriage my negro man Hardy to her and her heirs forever
10th I Give and devise unto my daughter Elizabeth Brittain one feather bed and furniture and after my wife’s death or marriage my negro man Jim to her and her heirs forever
11th I Give and devise unto my daughter Anna Brittain one feather bed and furniture and after my wife’s death or marriage my negro woman Luoze to her and her heirs forever
12th I Give and devise unto my daughter Jemimah Brittain one feather bed and furniture and after my wife’s death or marriage my negro man Seser to her and her heirs forever
13th I also lend to my said wife Elizabeth residue of my Goods and Chattels for her and my five daughters use and benefit during her life or widowhood. After the death or marriage of my wife Elizabeth, I will that the residue of my goods and chattels rights and credits not before disposed of being equally divided between my wife if living and my five daughters. If my said wife, be dead before the division then I give the goods and chattels rights and credits to my five daughters Francis, Judith, Elizabeth, Anna, and Jemimah.
14th I appoint my wife Elizabeth Brittain and my friend Hardy Freeman Executors of this my will revoking all others by me until now made. In witness, I have set my hand and Seal, this 11th day of October 1802,
John Brittain [seal]
Signed Sealed declared in presents of us
Hardy Freeman, James Ward, Josiah Holley
Will proved at Bertie County May Court 1803 by James Ward
George Gray CCC

1790 Heads of family Edenton District, Bertie Co.
John Briton ( Sr.) 2 males over 16, [ John Sr., Daniel], 1 male under 16, [ George, b. June 10, 1777, Hertford Co. N.C.], 6 females, [ 5 daughters and wife.]
John Briton (Jr.) 1 male over 16, 1 under 16, [ Cullen, b. 1787],and 1 female [ Mary Sessoms Briton, b. 1764-1769, Hertford Co., N.C.]
Michael Briton 1 male over 16.

1757 Bertie Co. N.C. Taxes, John Brittin-1, This part of Bertie Co., N.C. became part of Hertford Co., N.C. in 1759

1759 on the petitions for formation of Hertford co., 1759, Bertie Co., 3nd column, 3rd pg. John Brittain,

1779 Hertford Co. District # 5, N.C. Taxes, pg 96- John Brittain

1760 March 24, Records his mark– A Mark Vizt. A Crop and two slitts in the Right Ear, and a Swallowfork in the left . Copy given

Hertford Co., N.C. wills and administrations, from Oct 15, 1752 to Oct 15, 1763 pg. 434 – James & Elizabeth Brown John Brittain, Admin.; James Jones, Sec.

Deeds Book K 648 ( 466) Miles Wells planter of Bertie Co. to John Britan planter of same. March 23 1764. 35 pounds 10 shillings proclamation. 200 acres on the East Side of Quiochason Swamp, joining John Perry, William Bly.
Wit: Thomas Ward, Hirbird Pritcher, June court 1765, CC: John Johnston.

Deed book K 658-(475) THOMAS WARD planter of Bertie Co. to JOHN BRITTON, March 29, 1764. 12 pounds 10 shillings Procamation. 100 acres on the east side of the Quiockosan Swamp.
Wit: Rachel (X) Hill, Harbird Pritchard, Jun Ct. 1765, CC: John Johnston

Deed Book L-2, 766-(102) Cullen Sessums & wife Rachel (X) of Hertford Co. to John Rayner of Bertie Co. Nov 21, 1767. 40 pounds . 220 acres which was left to Rachel Perry ( now the wife of Cullen Sessums) by the will of John Perry dec’d date Setp. 16, 1759, on the east side of Quiockosan Swamp, joining JOHN BRITTAIN, GEORGE OUTLAW,
Wit: James Boon Wynns, Moses Freeman, Samuel Rayner,
March court 1768, CC: John Johnston

Robert Daughon of Bertie Co. N.C. to John Brittain, of Hertford Co. N.C. Feb. 21 1776, 100 acres of Messuage or Tenement Tract in Bertie Co., N.C.
Wit: John Freeman, Timothy Walton Aug. court 1778

Deed Book pg. 115, John Brittian, Cooper of Hertford Co. N.C. to Micheal Brittian of the same. Has given to Micheal Brittian,100 acres in Bertie Co. N.C. east of Quioccason swamp in Capt. John Campbells line . and also the peice of land that I excepted of Wills in my son John Brittian deed this I give to him.
Wit: John A. Wynns, Susanna Wynns, Samuel Rayner, Jemima Brritian,
1785 Court 1790, Oath of Samuel Rayner

Deed The Jan. 21, 1785 , between John Brittain Sr. of Hertford Co., N.C.
Give To John Brittain of the same. Plantation Messuage or Tract or Parcel of land on the east side of Quickoson Swamp begining at a red oak in William Rayner line to pine land divided former Ward and Wells. 180 acres. Excepting the prevledges of geting White Oak Timber on it as long as I live if I request.
Wit: Josiah Perry, Millison Perry, William Perry, Bertie Co., court Feb. 1785

Deed May 1791 John Brittain, Mary Brittain ( Sessums) and John Brittain
sell to William Rayner Oath of Joshua Rayner

Deed Feb 1792 John & Elizabeth Brittain to Samuel Rayner
Oath of Enoch Rayner

Deed Feb 1792 John Holley to John Britain ,
Oath of Henry Mizell (Brother of Cader Mizell)

Deed Feb. John Britain to Lewis Outlaw, Due law by James Outlaw

Pitt Co. N.C. Deed book M (1788-1794) pg 518
Nov. 6, 1791, David Knox, Mary Knox, Harvey, Joshua Collins, Grantors to John Briton, the Elder of Bertie Co., N.C. Granteee, 200 Acrea; L 100.
Former owners: David Josheph Collins.
Wit.: James Latham, John Britton, Benja. Brittain ( These are John’s too oldest sons.)

John was living on land he bought from Robert and George Drawn in Bertie Co., N.C. when he died in 1803.

researching these Brittons:
Paul Murauskas, Janet Briton, Dorothy Jackson as well as myself