This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Riley, Darnall, Darnell, Bramblett Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/gBB.2ACI/3423 Message Board Post: Here is the transcription of the letter referring to the marriage between Jalilah Bramblett and John Riley. The lady who sent it to us said "It was sent from Kentucky to the courthouse in Fauquier County, and is asking if there is a marriage record on file for them. I came across it in the courthouse on one of my visits; it's indexed in the chancery records, I believe. It's actually a separate book that is kept on the counter of the clerk's desk." I don't know what, if any, response, Robert McAfee received. I assume he wrote this letter as part of preparing Jalilah's widow's pension application for John's Revolutionary War service. No proof of their marriage is included in the copy of the Revolutionary War Pension file we received from the National Archives. If I understand correctly, the parish registers of the Fauquier County have not survived. Also, no mention of the marriage is made in Alcock's book "Fauquier County Familys" so I doubt that an official record still exists. I have taken a few liberties with the punctuation as Robert is not clear when he is ending one sentence and beginning another. The handwriting, on the other hand, is fairly legible so I think I have faithfully reproduced the content of the letter. I have, of course, kept the original spelling as much as possible. Harrodsburgh, Ky, Jany. 15th 1839 Sir, Sometime about the year 1771 or 2- Mr. John Ryley was married to a Jalilah Bramblett, in Faquier County, Virginia. Will you be so good as to examine your office to see if any record is made of this marriage if not enquire what was the customs of marriage before the revolution from some of your old citizens. I wish some record or proof on this subject, will you be so good as to attend to this business as soon as possible after you get this letter. If it was not usual to record marriages in those days please to send me your certificate of the fact, directed to Harrodsburgh Kentucky- yours with high regard- Robt b. McAfee

I have Bentley's index of Fauquier Co., VA marriages 1759-1800 and find no listing for a groom with the Riley surname. There is a will for John Riley, written 21 Jan 1791 proven 23 Dec 1791. Six sons, 3 daughters and several grandchildren named. No surviving wife, therefore he most likely was a widower by time of his demise. Of interest a Robert Bramlett witnessed the will. -----Original Message----- From: gc-gateway@rootsweb.com [mailto:gc-gateway@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of kariley1@sbcglobal.net Sent: Sunday, March 19, 2006 8:50 AM To: KYMERCER-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [KYMERCER] John Riley and Jalilah.....? NOT Darnel! This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Riley, Darnall, Darnell, Bramblett Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/gBB.2ACI/3423 Message Board Post: Here is the transcription of the letter referring to the marriage between Jalilah Bramblett and John Riley. The lady who sent it to us said "It was sent from Kentucky to the courthouse in Fauquier County, and is asking if there is a marriage record on file for them. I came across it in the courthouse on one of my visits; it's indexed in the chancery records, I believe. It's actually a separate book that is kept on the counter of the clerk's desk." I don't know what, if any, response, Robert McAfee received. I assume he wrote this letter as part of preparing Jalilah's widow's pension application for John's Revolutionary War service. No proof of their marriage is included in the copy of the Revolutionary War Pension file we received from the National Archives. If I understand correctly, the parish registers of the Fauquier County have not survived. Also, no mention of the marriage is made in Alcock's book "Fauquier County Familys" so I doubt that an official record still exists. I have taken a few liberties with the punctuation as Robert is not clear when he is ending one sentence and beginning another. The handwriting, on the other hand, is fairly legible so I think I have faithfully reproduced the content of the letter. I have, of course, kept the original spelling as much as possible. Harrodsburgh, Ky, Jany. 15th 1839 Sir, Sometime about the year 1771 or 2- Mr. John Ryley was married to a Jalilah Bramblett, in Faquier County, Virginia. Will you be so good as to examine your office to see if any record is made of this marriage if not enquire what was the customs of marriage before the revolution from some of your old citizens. I wish some record or proof on this subject, will you be so good as to attend to this business as soon as possible after you get this letter. If it was not usual to record marriages in those days please to send me your certificate of the fact, directed to Harrodsburgh Kentucky- yours with high regard- Robt b. McAfee ==== KYMERCER Mailing List ==== To unsubscribe, send a message (subject line BLANK) with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. Send to the SAME address you used for subscribing ( KYMERCER-L-Request@rootsweb.com OR KYMERCER-D-Request@rootsweb.com as appropriate) Don't forget to include Request, or you'll be posting to the entire list.