John Brunts lived in Howard Co. MO as early as Aug 1822 as evidenced by a document under Geological gems from Missouri Deeds pg 171: "William Baxter of Washington County, KY appointed 'my trusty friend' John Brunts of Howard county his true and lawful attorney to sell land in Howard County." (John's 2nd wife Mary Jane Heath was the daughter of Judge William Richard Heath from Howard County.)

John Brunts first married in Kentucky and according to the Annals of Platte County Missouri, had twelve children with his first wife Bathsheba. Some researchers point to a John Brunts born 1785 who married 16 June 1803 in Mercer Co. KY a Barsheba Barnett. I cannot attest to this one way or the other. His 12 children with his first wife are listed in the 'Annals of Platte County, Missouri' by William Paxton which is online to read and research. I will say that I noticed number of his children and grandchildren from 1st marriage did name a child Bathsheba and 'Sheba', so it is likely correct.

John was a wealthy landowner in Howard Co. MO as the advertisement for the sale of his home and property attests. Ads began appearing in March/April 1842 for the sale of his home in the Boon's Lick times. By July 1842 the newspaper was noting that his mail was not being picked up and letters remained for him, so I think he moved over to Platte Co. MO by July 1842.

His 2nd marriage was to Mary Jane Heath, the daughter of Judge William Richard Heath and his first wife Nancy Sanford. Judge Heath came to Missouri from Cabell Co WV about 1838 and settled into Howard Co. MO. Daughter Mary Jane Heath b.ca. 1825 had first married an unknown Shockley, so when John Brunts Sr married her on 11 Dec 1849 in Platte Co. MO she was Mrs. Mary J Shockley.

I have a number of documents from Platte Co. Historical Assn. on John Brunts which will aid researchers of this family. I will put some of most pertinent here but you can contact me if you want the documents emailed to you. It is many pages.

In the Probate Court, Platte Co MO Will Book B Page 252
I, John Brunts of the County of Platte and State of Missouri, In the enjoyment of common health and the exercise of sane mind, knowing the uncertainty of life, do make this my last will and testament. First after paying off my just debts I bequeath the whole of my property both real and personal for the benefit of my wife and last set of children (as hereinafter named) having previously provided for my first children having given to each at the time of leaving me, the value of a good horse and saddle, bed and as much furniture as I could spare. To my daughter Betsy who married Richard Clarkston I give her portion, to my daughter Sally who married Allen Hern, I gave her portion, to my daughter Sinthia who married Edward T. Perkins, I gave her portion, to my daughter Nancy who married Washington Blanton, I gave her portion, to my daughter Margarett who married James Flannery I gave her portion, to my daughter Fanny who married Thomas Flanery I gave her portion; to my daughter Martha who married James Mahan, I gave her portion, to my daughter Rebecca who married Azerial Dota I gave her portion, to my daughter Manirva who married Robert Brent, I gave her portion, to my daughter Hariett who married Isaac Eads I gave her portion, to my daughter Ellen who married Isaac Hover, I gave her portion, and to my son John L. Brunts I gave his portion, all of these I consider had a full portion, and do not leave them any inheritance in the property I am possessed with at my death, but leave it for the use and benefit of those hereinafter named (viz) To my wife Mary Jane Brunts, I will all my stock of horses, cattle, hogs and sheep that may be left after paying my just debts, to have and to hold for the benefit of herself and children, I also will the land purchased of Milton Calhoun and Azsah Kerr it being a part of the Northeast quarter of Section 24 of Township 53 of Range 34 in Platte Co. containing 120 acres (for which I hold three bonds for deeds) to my wife Mary Jane Brunts, during her widowhood, for the use and benefit of herself and children, should she marry again, the land or money arising from the sale thereof is to be equally divided between my children hereinafter named Eliza Jane Brunts, Casey Brunts, Emeline Brunts and Samuel Brunts. And having full confidence in the integrity of Hiram Waller I appoint him my executor and guardian of my children. Given under my hand this 3rd day of August, 1857. His John Brunts x mark

H.J. Freeland and Burke McComas attested 4th day of October 1858 that they witnessed the will and him being of sound mind, etc. (full document much longer). They later presented the Will for probate.

Document Probate Court John Brunts Deceased, John Heath, Executor
Feb 15, 1859 Hiram Waller writes to the court that he cannot accept being executor and guardian due to bad health and someone else must be appointed. The widow Mary Jane Brunts asks court to appoint John Heath (who is her uncle) and he agrees and posts $4000 bond with Burk McComas and John L. Brunts as securities. John Heath agrees to make a perfect inventory of estate and faithfully administer the last will of deceased.

Four notices of posting publication of Final Settlement in the Platte County Sentinel, a weekly newspaper in Platte Co. on April 10, 1863, April 17, 1863, April 24, 1863 and May 1 1863.

Next widow Mary Jane Brunts submits Quit Claims to her four children Cassie Brunts, Eliza Jane Metcalf, Emma Brunts and Samuel Brunts, all property except one third portion for herself and a plank house she placed on this piece of property. (makes her mark) X Aug 19 1872

Documents filed 20 Aug 1872 W.T. Metcalf and wife Eliza Jane Metcalf vs. Cassie Brunts, Emma Brunts, Samuel Brunts. In condensed version the document said that although Mary Jane Brunts filed document quitclaiming portion of land in equal shares to her children, this is a problem because:
The taxes for the past four years are unpaid.
That repairs are needed to enable the owners of said real estate to rent it.
That the residences of Cassie Brunts, Emma Brunts are unknown, and that Samuel Brunts is an infant and needs money for his education and support. They argue that the real estate left is not susceptible of partition in kind without great prejudice to the owners thereof. They are asking for an order of publication to the heirs whose residences are unknown and that the rights of the parties be ascertained by the court, including the 40 acres Mary J. Brunts kept for life and widowhood be sold by the Sheriff without appointment of commissioners. Merryman A. Paxton Attorney for Plaintiffs. Filed Aug 20, 1872.

Summons. Formal summons was issued Sept 9 1872 to the Sheriff of Howard County commanding him to summon Cassie Brunts, Emma Brunts and Samuel Brunts in said cause by the seventh of next October. Sheriff indicates he executed writ by delivering a certified copy of the petition to Emma Brunts on 20 Sept 1872 in Howard Co. MO.

Nov 20 1874 Answer of W.C. Wells Guardian appointed by the Court for Samuel Brunts. He disputes the filing for sale of land and wants the court to protect interests of his ward Samuel and asks that before any kind of order of sale is made that Commissioners be appointed to divide said lands in kind if found by them susceptible of division.

Oct 2 1875 Probate Court, Platte County cont'd Warren T. Metcalf and Eliza Jane Metcalf against Cassie Brants, Emma Brants and Samuel Brants (defendants). (condensed) "That the said Eliza Jane Metcalf, Cassie Brunts, Emma Brunts and Samuel Brunts (under age 21 guardian William C. Wells) are entitled to one fourth part each of the East half of the NE quarter of section 24, twp 53, Range 34 containing 80 acres more or less. That the same are entitled to one fourth part each in remainder in the SW quarter of the NE quarter of said section 24, Twp 53, Range 34. It is therefore adjudged and ordered that partition be made and it is ordered that William V. Slone, Jonathan S. Miller and Oliver H. Swaney be appointed Commissioners to carry into effect the provisions of this decree.

Oct 11 1875 (condensed) The Commissioners "gave notice of the parties interested in said partition of the time when and of the place where we would meet and on the 13 and 14th days of Oct 1875 we went upon the lands and after carefully inspecting and examining the same, we determined that partition thereof could be made in kind among the parties having an interest therein and proceeded to divide land into four lots or parcels. Lot 1 15 acres assigned to Eliza Jane Metcalf, Lot 2 15 acres to Cassie Brunts, Lot 3 16 acres to Emma Brunts and Lot 4 33.20 to Samuel Brunts. We then proceeded to divide another piece of land into fourths and Lot 1 9.9 acres to Eliza Jane Metcalf, Lot 2 9.9 acres to Cassie Brunts, Lot 3 9.9 acres to Emma Brunts and Lot 4 9.9 acres to Samuel Brunts.

My note: While it appears his daughter Margaret (Brunts) Flannery was alive at time he wrote his will, I could find only one Margaret Brunts and husband James Flannery. In the 1860 census there was a couple by that name with no children living in Cape Girardeau Twp, MO with her having been born 1830 MO.