David Thomas acquired three tracts of land (90, 52, and 58 acres) in extreme northern Chester County on the waters of Susey Boles Creek. The combined land acquired in two deeds and one grant adjoined lands belonging to Josiah Kirkpatrick, John Ratchford, Richard Lucas, John Lusk, and James McGriff. David Thomas died in 1844 and left 142 acres in his will. In 1874, the heirs of William Brakefield sold their interest in land that William had received from Margaret Tidwell and Robert Thomas. Robert and Margaret were heirs of David Thomas and had received a combined 2/6th interest in the lands of David Thomas. Neighbors to this land were Dr. Givens, Jasper N. Grant, John Grier, James Atkinson, Robert "Robin" Coln, and McGriff Brakefield. Let's do a trace on the neighboring land to see if it truly traces back to our David Thomas.
(W-297, Chester SC) 14 Nov 1827. James McGriff to James Sanders. 200 acres on Susey Boles Creek bounded to the north by Wm Smith, east by David Thomas, south by John Ratchford and William Brown, and west by William Minter. Wit: Thomas Sanders and Smith Sanders. The wife of James McGriff is Barbery McGriff.
(GG-129, Chester SC) 7 Feb 1848. James Hemphill (Commissioner of Court of Equity) to Smith Sanders. The public sale of 212 acres, being the estate lands of James Sanders, deceased. Lying on a branch of Turkey Creek, the land was bounded by that owned by "the widow Thomas", James Atkinson, William Brown, and the lands of the said estate of James Sanders, deceased. Wit: John Charles and Jesse Williams.
(?-531, Chester SC) 9 Dec 1852. Smith Sanders to John Grier. 212 acres lying on both sides of Quin Road on this side of the ten mile post from the Chester Courthouse and on the waters of Turkey Creek. Wit: Jordan Bennett and J. Newton Lewis.
So the neighboring land belonging to Capt. James McGriff passed through the hands of James Sanders, his heirs, then to Smith Sanders, and finally to John Grier who is a neighbor Mary Thomas. John Grier was listed as a neighbor in the sale of David's land.
Another important land record is:
(JJ-153, Chester SC) 12 Oct 1855. Peter Lucas to Isaac M. Brakefield. Peter sold 150 acres lying on Isoms Branch, a branch of Susey Boles Creek. This land was surveyed by John Minter on 21 Mar 1828. It adjoined lands owned by James Atkinson, Mrs Mary Thomas, Robert Coln, Wm Farley, William R. McNeal, and Valentine Atkinson. Peter was the son of Richard Lucas. Richard lived beside David as per David's purchase records. Peter Lucas was also involved in the estate settlement of David Thomas. Wit: Mary Sandifer, James S. Turner.
This land adjoined David Thomas's land and was situated on Isom's Branch, of Susey Boles Creek. Where is Isom's Branch? From a Brakefield descendant and searcher who lives in Chester County, I learned a great deal about this creek. Henry Alexander Brakefield's land adjoined Isom's Creek and traces back through Isaac McGriff Brakefield's estate. The creek is now known as Rocky Creek. It is called that because the solid bedrock lines the creek bottom for most of its run. This branch enters Carter's Branch just above where the Quin/Burris Road crosses the York/Chester County line.
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