In our family, the name "William Brantley Alsobrook" repeats many times, from an ancestor who was born 1774 in Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., NC. This William B(rantley) Alsobrook was only a toddler when his father died, and was an only child. His father was apparently a soldier in the Revolution, became ill, and died as William's mom was walking, carrying her small son, towards the place where her husband was ill. She did not make it in time. William apparently prospered as he grew up in Halifax County, NC. He married Alice Sessums in 1797, and they later migrated about 1830 to Franklin Co. AL.

William named a son William Brantley Alsobrook, and he in turn named a son William Brantley Alsobrook, and he in turn passed this name on. Although we have no clue who the parents of our William were, we find it more than coincidence that the name William Brantley continued to be carried forward for so long. Since there were indeed Brantleys in Halifax Co. NC, we were wondering if anyone has any information that might shed some light on the parentage of our first William.

I realize this is a "needle in a haystack" request, but my cousins and I have been working on this for years, with no luck. There are many online trees which give "ancestors" for William, but those trees' information contradict much of what we have gleaned from family letters and Bibles. We have not had much luck in finding primary sources. We figure there may well be a Brantley family connection, so that's why I'm posting here, in the off chance that someone may know something.

Thanks, folks!
Mary