The McCubbins Collection and the Bryal Surprise
Have you ever pulled an old photocopy from your files and realized it still has something to teach you?
During one of my parents’ research trips to Randolph County, North Carolina, they obtained a photocopy from a private research collection known as the McCubbins Collection [BRILES Folder], housed in the Edith Clark History Room at the Rowan Public Library in Salisbury, North Carolina. Today, that collection has been digitized and is available through the library’s website and on FamilySearch — but at the time, this photocopy was a valuable on-site find.
Recently rediscovering it reminded me of two important lessons:
- Always study county boundary changes.
- Always watch for surname spelling variations.
Why Rowan County Matters
My Briles family owned land in Randolph County, North Carolina. However, Randolph County was not always Randolph County.
- Randolph County was formed in 1779 from Guilford County.
- Guilford County was formed in 1771 from Rowan County.
That means earlier records for families who later lived in Randolph County may actually be found in Rowan County records.
If you research North Carolina families, I highly recommend reviewing historical county boundary maps. A helpful visual tool can be found at mapofus.org/northcarolina, which shows how county lines shifted over time. [Map of Us for North Carolina]
Because of these boundary changes, Rowan County contains records relevant to my Briles ancestors — even though I usually think of them as a Randolph County family.
And this particular document proved it.
Clean Genealogical Abstract
McCubbins Collection, Rowan County, North Carolina
1. Henry McCulloh to Cotney Briel
- Date: 11 February 1763 (3rd year of King George III)
- Source: Rowan County Deed Book 5, p. 337
- Transaction: 200 acres in Tract #10
- Location: Near John Sheppard; crossing a fork of Shepherd’s Creek and the main fork of said creek
- Consideration: 19 pounds
- Witnesses: Robert Rainey and Alexander Ford
- Proved: October 1763
2. State Grant to Frederic Bryal
- Date: 20 December 1791
- Source: Rowan County Deed Book 16, p. 656
- Grant No.: 2139 (50 shillings per 100 acres)
- Acreage: 200 acres
- Location: East side of Hamby Creek, adjoining Jacob Lop; crossing Hamby Creek; near Gasper Sprinkle
- Note: Identified as made out of a land grant
Important spelling variation noted: “Bryal.”
3. Frederic Briles to George Briles
- Date: 19 December 1814
- Source: Rowan County Deed Book 20, p. 476
- Grantor: Frederic Briles of Randolph County, North Carolina
- Grantee: George Briles of Rowan County, North Carolina
- Property:
- 200 acres on both sides of Hamby Creek near Gasper Springer
- Additional 52 acres on Hamby Creek adjoining Jacob Lop and Gasper Sprinkle
- Consideration: $500.00
- Witnesses: Ansel Pearce and John Briles
- Proved: August 1815 by John Briles
- Notation: No wife signed
The Bryal Clue
One of the most valuable reminders from this photocopy was the spelling Bryal.
Over time, I had focused almost exclusively on the Briles spelling. Seeing Bryal again reinforces the importance of searching creatively — especially in indexed databases. Spelling variations are not just clerical errors; they are research pathways.
Bryal.
Briel.
Brile.
Briles.
Perhaps others.
Every variation deserves attention.
Research Is Layered
This single photocopy connects:
- Rowan County records
- Randolph County residence
- Hamby Creek land
- Multiple generations of Briles men
- A spelling variation I had nearly forgotten
It also reflects the gift of parents willing to stop at libraries, visit local historians, and bring home copies that still inform my research decades later.
Sometimes Monday’s Diggings isn’t about finding something new.
Sometimes it’s about realizing what you already had.