William Henry Brawner (Warfield)

The true parentage of William Henry Brawner may never be known at this time in history. Listed as a member of the family of John and Ann Brawner on the 1850 Franklin County, Kentucky is Henry Brawner, age 10, born in Kentucky. Birthdate inscribed on Henry's tomestone reads December 30, 1840. His Kentucky death certificate # 11067 states he, was born on January 31, 1840, the son of John Brawner and Ann Warfield, however, this may not be the case. Mrs. Annie Black, daughter of William Henry Brawner, was the informant for the information submitted for the death certificate of of her father. And, she may have been unaware of the true parentage of her father.

In his will, John Brawner, made specific reference to Henry as Henry WARFIELD, son of my wife Ann. Whether Ann Warfield, was previously married, or gave birth to Henry out of wedlock is unknown. Ann is listed in the will of her father, Vachel Warfield, as daughter, Ann Brawner, indicating she was a Warfield by birth.  When John Brawner married Ann he was 66 years of age and she only 29. Their marriage bond is filed in the office of the Franklin County, Kentucky clerk bearing date the 13th of April 1849.  Simon Hopper, evidently a close family friend or relative, served as bondsman.  Simon Hopper was also appointed to serve as one of the executors for the will of John Brawner. Census records indicate sons, Peter Brawner, born 1846 and James Brawner, born 1848, both born prior to their marriage in 1849. Many unknown circumstances surround the life of John and Ann Brawner.  If the births of these children are accurate, one can conclude that John and Ann were living as husband and wife as early as 1845 or 46, years prior to their marriage. Henry would have only been a child of five or six years of age and may never have known the truth concerning his birth. In the mind of John Brawner he, either knew as fact or suspected, he was not the father of Ann's son Henry, therefore stated specifically in his will, Henry Warfield, son of my wife Ann.

William Henry Brawner married Sarah Elizabeth Buford, daughter of Simeon Buford and Louiza Elizabeth Riner, on June 1, 1870 in Franklin County, Kentucky.  Sarah gave birth to four known children, two of whom died as infants and are buried at the Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery in Franklin County, Kentucky.  William died on April 18, 1920 in Franklin County and is buried at Lebanon.  Sarah died on March 14, 1944 at the ripe old age of 95.