Sorry, there is no rock solid proof that Nicholas, Jeremiah, etc., from Westmoreland, VA are sons of William Brann, Sr. In fact, I've been criticized by other researchers in my extended family for over-reaching on that assertion since Wm Sr. would be "too young" to have fathered Jeremiah (my ancestor). I believe there is simply some error in birth dates due to smudged and damaged handwritten records. It is certain that Nicholas and Jeremiah were brothers according to Rev War pension documents I have. Edward and Matthew were also brothers.

The basis on which I believe Wm Brann is father of these men is his pension claim which states that he and 5 sons served in the Rev War. It is too much of a coincidence that Nicholas, Jeremiah and 3 other brothers served from Westmoreland County (from your Nicholas' pension claim). I cannot believe there were two Brann families from Westmoreland Co., VA, that provided exactly 5 sons to the revolutionary war effort. It only takes a slight error in Jeremiah's birth year to make it plausible for him to be the first son of Wm. Brann, Sr.

As for occupation, the Brann's seemed to be involved in boat building and commercial fishing. I found descendants engaged in fishing along the coast of VA and boat building is mentioned in connection with Wm. Brann Sr. They were not agriculturists as many people in Westmoreland were at the time (tax records did not show any property besides their home and a few animals). The tax records did show the property and means of a middle class family...which gives credence to work in a skilled trade -- like ship building and/or commercial fishing (hence the indentured servant).

Following are my notes on Wm Brann Sr in their entirety:

PROOF THAT WM. BRANN SR. IS FATHER OF JEREMIAH BRANN AND OTHER BROTHERS:

William Brann, Sr., is of Westmoreland Co., Viriginia, had 10 sons, 5 of which served in the Revolutionary War (Pension Claim).
Jeremiah Brann is of Westmoreland Co., Virginia and served in the Revolutionary War (Pension Claim)
Nicholas Brann is of Westmoreland Co., Virginia, served in the Revolutionary War and has brothers who also served in the war: Jeremiah (and references his successful pension claim made in Bulter Co., Ohio), Matthew and 3 brothers (Bounty Land Claim)
Matthew Brann is of Virginia and lived next to Jeremiah in Butler Co., Ohio, for a time before removing to Indiana (Land Records and Pension Claim)
William Brann, Jr., of Westmoreland Co., Virginia, is shown as head-of-household in that same county (Census Records)
Virginia has six Branns of record as serving in the Virginia Continental Army: William (Sr.), Andrew, Samuel, Jeremiah, Matthew, Edward and/or Nicholas

From these facts we can piece together that William's sons were Jeremiah, Nicholas, Matthew, William, Jr., Samuel, and Edward. All of these sons except William, Jr., served in the Revolutionary War. This gives us the names of six of his ten sons.

Ages of sons:

It is too speculative to say and improbable that Andrew was also a son of William Brann, since there is no additional evidence other than that his name appears as a soldier in the Virginia Continental Army. I do not doubt that he is somehow related, but he is not likely a son of William Brann, Sr., given that all five of his sons who served in the Revolutionary War are accounted for in the pension claims and land records.

1830 Census listed with son, William, 80-90 years old.

Revolutionary War Pension Roll of 1835 (Vol III, Virginia, p. 844): William was registered as a Private. He received a pension of $53.33 per year. He had been paid, by 1835, a total of $159.99. He served in the Virginia Continental Army and was placed on the pension rolls 21 Mar 1834. Pension payment began on 4 Mar 1834. He was 85 years old at the time of filing.

IGI shows William Bann born in Westmoreland Co., Virginia, in 1742.

The Brann name (from Family Name History):

The Welsch surname Brann is of nickname origin, that is, it belongs to that category of surnames which derive their origin from a physical characteristic or personal attribute of the original bearer. With regard to the surname Brann, this is derived from the Welsh, Gaelic and Irish word "bran", meaning "raven". Thus, the surname Brann was originally applied as a nickname to identify a thievish or dark haired person...it is probably a Suffolk surname.

Variations include the name Bran. The earliest references to Bran are found in 1154. There is no recorded listing of a blazon of arms being granted to the Brann family.

From Revolutionary War Pension Claim March 6, 1834, Westmoreland County, Virginia:

"I was born in the aforesaid County of Westmoreland on the 6th day of May 174[2 or 8] owing to my fathers family record which I now have in my possession in my fathers family Bible. I have ever lived and do still continue to live in the aforesaid County only when I was in the service of my country. To the best of my knowledge in the year 1777 I was drafted to perform an 18 months tower of duty and having no person to work but myself and having a wife and several helpless children (which wife is now living and is 82 years of age) I concluded if I left them for so long a period of time they might suffer. I therefore hired a man to take my place who was at that time bound to serve as a survant for seven years for which I gave the enormous sum of nine thousand pounds of tobacco which {I raised} by the assistance of my friends I actually paid and was then in hopes of having the liberty of remaining with and labouring for my wife and children. But contrary to my expectation I was immediately enrolled with the militia and ordered on guard and marched to Sandy Point on the Potomac River under Capt. Daniel Morgan and Lieutenant Wm. Atwell where we continued to the best of my recollection 5 months. From thence we marched to Pukatoni where we stay 2 months from thence to Baileys ware houses where we stayed 5 months from thence to Momony ferry where we stayed one months under Capt. Harrison for 2 months. I was then ordered down to the seige of Wallis and York Town but in consequence of a desperate rising under my right arm I was examined by Capt. Harrison and sent home as being entirely unfit for duty where I remained for several months unable to render any sevice to my self or family during the aforesaid time of duty. I served under the command of these different colonels To Wit Col. Lee, Col. Washing, and Col. Lane, I have no documentary evidence of my survice but am well satisfied that I surved at least sixteen months during which time I rendered no surfice for my self or family. {turn over}

I deem it unnecessary to make a further detail of my services as I intend having hereunto annexed the affadavits of respectable persons of my county. To Wit Moses Self Senr., who was a regular Soldier to the Revolution and now a pentioner of the United States and James McKoy who seved in the militia and was at the siege of York. It may not be amiss I hope for me to make known that I have 13 children 10 sons and 3 daughters 5 of which surved faithfully from the commencement to the close of the late War. I also have a numerous host of grand children, but alas, my self and wife worn out with years and cares are now tottering on the brink of the grave and I have but little hope of enjoying the mercy and benevolence of my country but a very short time at most. I hereby relinquish every claim whatsoever to a pention or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pention roll of the agency of any state whatever.

/William Brann/

"...he is a respectable member of the Methodist Church...and have personal knowledge of his being drafted and giving nine thousand pounds of tobacco to a man by the name of Laurence Clarke to take his place and that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and such is my belief.

/Moses Self Senr./