The first Braswell family to settle in the Caldwell County area was the family of William Barjonah Braswell. William Barjonah is said to have been born ca 1755 in Edgecombe Co, NC. Perhaps this is where he became known as “Jonas” Braswell to distinguish him from the many other William Braswells in that area. After serving with the NC Militia in the American Revolution, Jonas lived in Johnston County, NC.
Between 1810 - 1815, Jonas Braswell and his family settled in the Lower Creek Section of Burke County, NC. He and his sons hunted in the northwestern mountains of Burke County. Late one fall, Jonas became ill when caught in a sudden snowstorm. He had to spend the night camped under a rock on a high ridge. When morning dawned, Jonas was taken to a nearby settlement where he died after having revived for a short time. He was buried near Linville Falls. The mountain or ridge where he became ill has been called “Jonas’ Ridge: or “Jonas Ridge since that time. In 1913, the DAR placed a Revolutionary Soldier marker on his grave.
Between 1810 - 1815, Jonas Braswell and his family settled in the Lower Creek Section of Burke County, NC. He and his sons hunted in the northwestern mountains of Burke County. Late one fall, Jonas became ill when caught in a sudden snowstorm. He had to spend the night camped under a rock on a high ridge. When morning dawned, Jonas was taken to a nearby settlement where he died after having revived for a short time. He was buried near Linville Falls. The mountain or ridge where he became ill has been called “Jonas’ Ridge: or “Jonas Ridge since that time. In 1913, the DAR placed a Revolutionary Soldier marker on his grave.
Picture by Ruth Weaver
Text by Foy Braswell
3rd Great Grandson of William Barjonah Braswell
Text by Foy Braswell
3rd Great Grandson of William Barjonah Braswell
