Robert Brasseur (c.1597-)

Robert Brasseur was born in England about 1597. We know nothing of his parents.

Robert was in the colony by 1637 when a patent to Robert Partin in Elizabeth City (later Nansemond) County mentioned land next to Robert Brasheare.

Robert and Peter Rey, another Frenchman, in February 1638/9 secured a patent to 600 acres Upper Norfolk (later Nansemond) County. Rey later sold his part to Brasseur. Robert alone added 100 acres on the Nansemond River in 1640.

Robert evidently brought his family to the colony, for on 12 April 1653 he secured a patent for 1,200 acres on both sides of the southern branch of the Nansemond River. Among the headrights were himself, his wife, Florence —, and Mary Brasseur, Percy Brasseur, Katherine Brasseur, and Bennett Brasseur.
 
The same day, 12 April 1652, Benjamin Brasseur got 300 acres in Nansemond County. He later renewed the patent. A Quaker, Robert “lived an exemplary life in the faith.”

Robert was dead by 1667 when John Brasseur, son and heir of Robert Brasseur, filed a patent for 400 acres in Nansemond County. The tract contained 100 acres due for the importation of two individuals plus 300 acres that was half his father’s patent of 1638/9. John secured ownership of the remaining 300 acres in 1671.

Bennett Brasseur above was possibly Benoit Brasseur who could be identical to the Benors Brasheire who had land in Nansemond County escheated in 1662 — because he was an alien.

Similarly in 1672 the crown escheated all 1,200 acres in Nansemond County that had been granted to Robert Brasseur. The inquisition proceeding for the action of escheat concluded that since Robert was an alien — undoubtedly French — he could not retain the land. The inquisition mentioned Robert’s will that left half of his land to daughters — one of whom married Richard Staples. Although Robert’s son held the other half of his land, it too reverted to the crown.General Notes:

This family became prominent in Nansemond Co,VA 1653. They moved to Calvert Co, MD in about 1658...where he died in about 1665.  The name Brasseiur (BRAS = arm, as in a part of the body (not a weapon) and SEIUR = lord or knight, hence...Lord of Arm or Might by Strength. The first Brasseiur was a page, his descendents Lords and Knights.)  !Book 975.5 G864 Greer, Early Virginia Immigrants 1622-1666: Listing for Katherine, Bennet, Persie and Mary as 1653 immigrants by Robt. Brasseur of Nansemond Co.

A Brashear(s) Family History, Vol. 1 The First 200 Years of Brashear(s) in America, by Charles Brashear and Shirley Brasher McCoy: pg 3; "Apparently to escape religious persecutions and seeing an opportunity,
Robert Brasseur left his home in France, some time during the 1620s, possibly in 1629. Several family historians say he made his way to Isle of Thanet parish, Kent County, England, where he was known as Robert Brashear, but we have no clear documentation." He immigrated to Virginia sometime after that with 7 children.

Cavaliers and Pioneers, by Nugent: Vol. 1, pg. 41; The first known record of Robert in Virginia is a renewal of a promisory note in Warrisquicke Co., VA on 1 June 1636.  During the 1630s, the Anglican Church was the dominant religion and was hardly more tolerant of the Puritan Dissenters than were the French
Catholics (from which they fled France). So Robert moved from the Isle of Wight Co. to Nansemond Co. and patented 600 acres in Nansemond Co. in 1636 and 1638. At least two of Robert's children became Quakers - John and Margaret.

The Brashear Story, a Family History, 1637-1963, by Troy Back and Leon Brashear: pg. 7: The earliest know deed to any Brashear was listed as being filed on 24 Feb. 1638.  Virginia Land Patents, Book 1, pg. 6222: Robert Brassure and Peeter Rey bought 600 acres in Upper Co. of New Norfolk, "Lying N.E. & S.W. along the S. side of Warrisquicke Creeke, upon the head of same & butting upon Nanzemund river (Alias Matrevers River)" from Peter Johnson.

Children of Robert BRASSEUR and Florence unknown:

Generation Two

MARGARET BRASSEUR was born July 17, 1642 in of Nansemond Co., Virginia, and died October 07, 1708 in Chuckatuck Co., Virginia. She married THOMAS JORDON 1659, son of THOMAS JORDON and Cicily unknown. He was born July 07, 1635 in of Chuckatuck Co., Virginia, and died November 08, 1689 in Chuckatuck Co., Virginia.

From here see the Jordon line.