Re: Stephen Brinkley Granville Co NC

Greetings, John, thanks for your posting.I wish I knew if I were part of Peter's line.I have seen Peter Brinkley all over eastern NC and VA going up into the Dismal Swamp area.So many generations named Peter, and lots of Michaels.If you are familiar with the Westover document describing surveying the state line for VA/NC, then you know the ol' Peter Brinkley story.It would be exciting to think I was a descendent of his!
You do have the correct lineage for widow Francis.There is a Francies Brinkley listed on the 1790 census from Gates CO NC.Her?I don't know.
I do not know what happened to Babby Goss.Stephen, Sr was connected to a Nancy McCrary here in Davidson Co and her sons refer to her as their mother.She was the daughter of John McCrary, and direct ancestor of mine.Whether Babby died, leaving young children, or they did one of those NC "self-divorces", I do not know.Perhaps on of the Goss researchers would have that answer.I found a deed of gift document from Stephen to his "beloved Nancy McCrary" in which he pretty much left her everything he owned.Cannot find a record of their marriage.
Thanks for sharing your theory concerning Peter.I would like to be able to connect the missing link.My theory is that the Brinkleys came to the US via Jamestown or another port in that area.Michael Brinkley is established in 1635 and his land used as a refernce for another deed at that time.
Feel free to email directly if you like.Didn't mean to ramble on so:)
Martha