Nelson's biographical dictionary and historical reference book of Fayette County, Pennsylvania

"BASIL BROWNFIELD, great-grandson of Charles Brownfield, a pioneer settler of the county, was born in 1795 and died in South Union township, August 21, 1881. He was one of the remarkable men of Fayette county—a man of active intellect, retentive memory and large stature. He was a self-made man as his education was limited. Financial embarrassments led him into a career of litigation in the courts which won for him remarkable distinction. He was a great reader, generous and wonderfully hospitable, and a pleasing and entertaining conversationalist. He married Sarah Collins, who died in 1870. No man of more marked individuality ever lived in Fayette county."

From: Genealogical and Personal History of Fayette County Pennsylvania
James W. Gordon and James Hadden

Basil , son of Robert Brownfield Jr, was born on the homestead farm near Smithfield, Fayette county, Pennsylvania on March 2, 1796, and died at his farm in South Union township, August 21, 1881 . He received a limited education in the early subscription schools, but the absence of book learning was more than compensated for by a quick, active brain and an unusually retentive memory. He worked on the home farm until about twenty years of age; then began an unusually active and successful life. By industry and rare business tact he won his way to fortune until at the age of thirty-five years he was accounted wealthy in a local sense. At about the age of forty he became involved, through much endorsing and bail giving for others, in extensive litigation, which financially embarrassed him and caused him to mortgage much of his real estate. Finally, however, he managed to lift his burdens. During this period of financial difficulty his business complications became numerous and vexatious, and a career of litigation in his history was inaugurated which won for him a remarkable distinction in the courts, and till the day of his death a career in which he was for the most part the victor by one means or another. Litigation became a recreation to him, obviously a necessity to his happiness; strong willed, aggressive and of a strong intellect, he used these weapons to fight the battle of life, making, as all strong characters do, hosts of enemies, but also an army of friends, and many, neither enemies nor friends, who admired his pluck and diplomacy, however much they may have questioned the propriety of some of the weapons with which he fought. His great experience as a litigant made him familiar with the legal principles and knowledge of common law, and his quick mind was not slow to take the measure of the lawyers who frequented Fayette county court house. He held most of them in royal contempt; one of his expressions concerning them was that they were "not fit to feed stock." He had at one time owned thousands of acres of land on the mountains, and here and there made clearings, put up cabins and got tenants to occupy them. Almost invariably these "savages" of the mountains would quarrel with him and launch suits at law to avoid payment. These very people would stop at his fireside, turn their horses into his pasture and eat at his table on their trips to and from the court house. Some of his bitterest legal fights were with men who thus took advantage of his well-known hospitality and good nature. Yet he at times became so wrought up by the vileness of men and methods employed against him that he forgot his great virtues of benevolence, social virtue and rigid sense of justice, and that he stooped to the same questionable methods and used the weapons his enemies delighted in. But he was always better than his surroundings, and at his death the Genius of Liberty said four days after his death: "His neighbors bear testimony that he was a man of good impulses and was always ready to forgive an injury when approached in the right way. * * * He was a pleasant, agreeable gentleman, and his home was always open for the reception of his friends and neighbors."

He was a great reader, especially of the Bible, which he could quote at length, and at eighty-six years was as full of vigor and aggressiveness as many a man of forty. He was publicly known as "Black Hawk," a name which associated with his will and brawn bore terror to evil doers. He was a member of the Baptist church, and exceedingly liberal to the poor. He married, March 2, 1820, Sarah Collins, died October 1, 1870, aged sixty-eight years, daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Allen) Collins, of Union township, Joseph was a son of John Collins, who came from Ireland when a boy. Margaret Allen was a daughter of Major Isaac and Margaret Allen, of English descent. Isaac Allen was a major in command of American troops at the battle of Saratoga, an event he survived only a few years. Margaret Allen was a girl of twelve at the time of Burgoyne's surrender, and after the death of her father, Major Isaac Allen she came with her mother and an old aunt, Whitesides (also mother's maiden name), to Uniontown, then Beesontown. Joseph and Margaret Allen Collins lived at what was then known as Gaddis Fort

Children of Basil Brownfield : 1. Joseph Collins, born November 29, 1821, died May 2, 1905 ; married Martha Chipps; he became a large land owner of Fort Worth, Texas. 2. Robert, born October 28, 1822; married Phoebe, daughter of Isaac Brown, of Georges township. 3. Margaret C., born February 2, 1825; married Jehu, son of Colonel Benjamin Brownfield, 4. Mary, born April 19, 1827, died February 3, 1857; married Isaac Hutchinson, born at Trenton, New Jersey. 5. Eliza, born November 4, 1829. died unmarried, July 20, 1853 . 6. Sarah N., born March 9, 1832, died July 4, 1883 ; married William F. Core, and moved to Texas. 7. Ruth, born October 23, 1834, died January 10, 1884; married Joseph, son of William Barton. 8. William N., 9. Isaac Allen, born April 27, 1839, died December 29, 1897; a veteran of the civil war; married Sarah J. Burchfield, of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. 10. Lydia Caroline, born November 15, 1842; married Thomas McClelland. 11. Harriet Helen, born April 30, 1845, died March 22, 1879 , unmarried.

Will of Basil Brownfield 1881
In the name of God, I Basil Brownfield of South Union township County of Fayette and State of Pennsylvania being of sound disposing mind memory and understanding, thanks be to God for his many blessings and mercies, do make ordain publish and declare this as and for my last will and testament hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me heretofore made; My will is that my mortal body after death, be consigned to its mother earth, and my spirit I commend to God who gave it, and as to such worldly estate as it has pleased God to bless me with, I dispose of as follows.
1st I direct my executors herein after named as soon after my decease as practicable to pay all my just debts, funeral and other expenses growing out of the settlement of my estate.
2nd I give and bequeath to my son Joseph C Brownfield, in addition to what I have heretofore given him the sum of ten dollars, whatever I may give in advance to him after the date hereof is to be deducted out of the above legacy.
3rd I give and bequeath to my daughter Sarah Core wife of William F. Core in addition to what I have heretofore given her the sum of fifteen hundred dollars and whatever I advance to her after the date hereof is to be deducted from said fifteen hundred dollars.
4th I give and devise to my daughter Lydia, wife of Thomas McClelland for and during her natural life, all the cleared land belonging to me on the west side of the Uniontown & Morgantown road now enclosed and strip of wood land fenced in with the same and at her death I devise said land in fee to her children, share and share alike. Should any of her children die leaving issue such issue shall take such parents share throughout. I bequeath to my said daughter Lydia a life interest in two shares of my residuary estate and also the sum of three thousand dollars, and direct my Executors to invest
the monies arising from said bequests to Lydia in judgments or in mortgage on real estate, and the interest arising therein to be paid to said Lydia McClelland semiannually during her natural life. Provided however if the said Lydia McClelland should become a widow, then in that case I direct my Executors to pay to her absolutely the above legacies instead of the interest as aforesaid but in case she does not become a widow then at her death, I bequeath the fund arising from the ten shares of my residuary estate and the sum of three thousand dollars to her children upon the same terms and conditions as to the land devised to them, I also bequeath to said Lydia McClelland my horses, cows, buggies, and harness and all my household goods and furniture. If I build her a house then she is to have two instead
of three thousand dl.
5th I give and bequeath to my son William Brownfield during his natural life the lot I purchased and is known as the Rev William
Brownfield lot and all of the Sutton tracts, except the house and lot where Mitchell lives, the Eastern line of said lot is to run parallel with the Uniontown road and the Eastern line of the Mrs. Hatfield lot, commencing at the Northeast corner of the Hatfield lot, and thence to the School House road. He is to have also, one acre of ground off the ???? lot where the barn stands now in his possession. At his death I devise the above lands bequeathed, to his lawful children, share and share alike., in the same way and manner as the devise to Lydia’s children, the above is to be his share in full out of my estate.
6th I give and bequeath to the within named children of my deceased daughter Mary, who was intermarried with Isaac Hutchinson to wit: to Mary Hutchinson five hundred dollars, to Elizabeth Hutchinson three hundred dollars, to Emily Thomas who was Emily Hutchinson two hundred dollars, to Margaret Sutton, who was Margaret Hutchinson, two hundred dollars, to Scott Hutchinson two hundred dollars if any of the above named Grand children should die before receiving their legacy as above, leaving living issue, such issue shall take the parents share, otherwise the same shall be divided equally between the children of my said daughter Mary, to be paid in one year after my decease.
7th I devise to my daughter Margaret intermarried with Jehu Brownfield a part of my home place, bounded on the East and North by the road leading to Fairchance Iron works through my farm, from the Uniontown and Morgantown road: on the West by said Uniontown and Morgantown road , and on the South by land of said Jehu Brownfield, situate in Georges township in said County, and is supposed to contain thirty or forty acres, to her and her heirs in fee simple. Excepting the stone coal, and minerals sold. I also bequeath to her one thousand dollars, to be paid to her, or if she should die before receiving this legacy, to her children in two years after my decease. I also bequeath to her one share out of my residuary Estate, to go to and be paid as the legacy
above, under the same circumstances.
8th To my daughter Ruth intermarried with Joseph Barton, having give them a child’s share, heretofore, I release the said Joseph Barton from all claims which I may or might have against him, and I bequeath to her the sum of five hundred dollars to be paid in one year after my decease, and in addition thereto I bequeath to her one share out of my residuary estate, but should the said Ruth Barton die before receiving the above bequests, then to her children share and share alike, as is directed in the devise to Lydia’s children.
9th I give and devise to my son Robert Brownfield the farm on which he now lives in Georges township Fayette County known as a part of the Mabry farm, containing about Sixty acres, to him his heirs and assigns in fee simple except the stone coal and minerals heretofore sold. I also release him from all claims I have against him and direct my Executors to satisfy all the judgments I have against or own against him provided he makes no claims against my estate for services or otherwise he to have no more of my estate.
10th Having heretofore made a deed to my son Isaac A. Brownfield for a part of my home farm, which at the time was supposed to contain about one hundred and sixty seven acres, but by survey since made is found to contain two hundred and thirty three acres, the surplus of land which is contained within the boundaries as given in said deed over and above the one hundred and sixty seven acres , I hereto give and devise the same to my said son Isaac A Brownfield his heirs and assigns forever, in fee simple out of my home farm in South Union township aforesaid. He to have nothing more out of my estate.
11th I hereby authorize direct and empower my Executors herein after named or the survivors of them to make sale of all my property not devised or bequeathed real, personal, or mixed and wherever situate, either at public or private sale, when such terms or conditions and at such time or times as a majority of them may think best and to make, execute and deliver deeds for any and all lands or minerals of every kind and description which I have or may sell under articles of agreement and for which no deed or deeds have been my me executed upon payment on the same being made. Also to collect all monies due
or to become due to me of every kind whether on note, bond, judgment,
mortgage, book account or otherwise, as also all monies arising from sales, and to receipt for the same, and after paying all my just debts, funeral and other expenses, the legacies aforesaid and expenses of settling my estate the balance remaining thereafter, is to form my residuary estate which I direct my Executors to divide into seven shares and bequeath one share of the same to the children of my deceased daughter Mary Hutchinson, to be equally between them. To my daughter Margaret Brownfield one share, as herein before set forth. To my daughter Ruth Barton one share as herein before set forth. To my son Joseph C Brownfield one share. To my daughter Lydia McClelland two shares as herein before set forth. To my daughter Sarah Core one share thereof, the share bequeathed to Sarah Core, I direct to be invested in some safe securities, she to receive the interest on the same
during her lifetime, but if she should become a widow then she is to have the share in full, but if she should not become a widow, then at her death, the principal of said is to be paid to her children in equal proportions.
I direct my Executors to pay Basil Gaddis Grandson of Thomas Gaddis of Ohio one hundred dollars, if the same is not paid in my lifetime: I desire my Executors to let a portion of the mortgage which I hold against my son Isaac A., remain to pay Lydia’s interest, as long as he may desire it, or until it is needed, provided he pays the interest as herein directed.
I hereby constitute and appoint my son Isaac A Brownfield, John Collins and George B Hutchinson Executors of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 27th day of June 1881.
Basil Brownfield
Signed sealed published and declared by the said Basil Brownfield as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses, at his request and in the presence of each other.
John Collins
William Henry Grimes
I Basil Brownfield the within named testator do hereby make and publish this codicil to be added to my last will and testament, bearing date June 27th 1881, in manner following to wit: And whereas in my said will I have given and bequeathed to my daughter Lydia McClelland the interest of three thousand dollars, and at her death the principal to her children, but if I build her a house, then the bequest was to be two instead of three thousand dollars. As I cannot build her a house, I hereby authorize my Exrs aforesaid to pay out of said of three thousand dollars in or for the building her a dwelling house, such as she may desire to have erected a sum not exceeding
one thousand dollars, the residue of said three thousand is to go as herein before directed in said will, subject to the life estate of said Lydia ???? and of the deduction of the principal as set forth in this codicil I also bequeath to said Lydia the lumber on hand which was intended for a house for her, all the bequests made in said will and codicil to Lydia McClelland are made on the condition that she makes no charge against me for services to date, if she makes any charges as aforesaid then I revoke all gifts and bequests by me made to her, as witness my hand and seal.
His
Basil Brownfield
Mark
August 17th 1881
Signed sealed published and declared by the said
Basil Brownfield as a codicil to his said last will in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses at his request and in his presence
Amos S Bowlby
John Price
Fayette County
Be it remembered that on the 27th day of August AD 1881 before me John W. Darby, Register for the Probate of Wills and granting Letters of
Administration in and for said County, came John Collins and William Henry Grimes subscribing witnesses to the foregoing instrument in writing purporting to be the last will and testament of Basil Brownfield dec’d who being duly sworn according to law did each depose and say that they were personally present and saw said Basil Brownfield sign and seal the foregoing Instrument of writing and heard him declare the same to be his last will and testament when of sound and disposing mind and memory to the best of their belief. That they signed their names as witnesses thereto by request of the said testator in his presence and in the presence of each other. That they
know of no undue influence being used in making said will or any later will made.
Same day before me came Amos S. Bowlby and John Price subscribing
witnesses to the foregoing codicil who being duly sworn according to law did each depose and say that they were personally present and saw said Basil Brownfield sign and seal the foregoing codicil (by making his mark) and heard him declare the same to be a codicil to his said last will and testament when of sound and disposing mind and memory to the best of their belief. That they signed their names as witnesses thereto by request of the said testator in his presence and in the presence of each other. That they know of no undue influence being used in making said codicil or any later will or codicil made. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and official seal at Uniontown the date above written.
John W. Darby Register
Letters Testamentary were granted Isaac A Brownfield, John Collins and
George B Hutchinson, August 27th 1881
Registered and Compared August 27th AD 1881

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