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Research Notes about the Branson Family and allied Families
The Branson DNA Project
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TREES OF BRANSTON & CARDINALL FAMILIES - SUFFOLK, ENGLAND AND BRANSTON (AND SIMILAR) RECORDS IN AMERICASOME NEIGHBORS OF JARED BRANSON SR. AND HIS CHILDREN
SOME BRANSON DEED RECORDS OF SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
CAUTION ! Any information, conclusions or theories presented in this narrative are not entirely verified and should not be assumed to be totally accurate. TABLE OF CONTENTS
Early Burlington, New Jersey Records
John Day and Elizabeth Harvey
John Day Branson
Thomas L. Branson
Thomas Sumner, Neighbor of Jared Branson
Some Theories
Lionel Branson
Rebecca Rogers
Elizabeth Branson and Daniel Cloud
Joseph Branson and Mary Edge
The Edge Family
The Antrim Family
John Corder
The Tackett Family
The Garwood Family
The Hankins and Sharp Families
Hopkins County, Kentucky
Montgomery County, Virginia
The Doak Family
The Coltrane Family
The Mendenhall Family
The Bumpass, Eads and Welton Families
Joseph Burden (Borden)
The Borden Family
The Cox Family
The Patrick and Bates Family
The Dodson and Goad Families
The Ayers - Ayres Family
The Maynor Family
The Shobe Family
Luke Jefferson
The Vestal, Piggott, Blansett and Absher Families
The Kenworthy Family
The Covington and Newbill Families
Lower Old Norfolk, Virginia
Bledsoe County, Tennessee
Delaware County, Indiana
Hardy County, Virginia (WV)
Hampshire County, Virginia (WV)
The Forman Family
The Sellers Family
The Heath Family
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Early Burlington, New
Jersey Records |
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The Burlington Court Book The following are extracts from some early court records of Burlington, New Jersey that include the surname Branson and/or allied families. Notice the name Daniel Brenson in the date range of 1682-1688 listed with Mahlon Stacey. Mahlon Stacey was the brother of Robert Stacy who was reportedly the father of Ellen Stacy who married John Shinn (see page two for more information about the Shinn family). The Shinn family was from Suffolk, England as were several Branston families as mentioned in a book about them and other familiar families (again, see page two). It is not known if Daniel Brenson was actually Daniel Branson, or if he was related to the descendants of Nathaniel Branson Sr. Since he was listed in 1682, he was probably born prior to 1662. Per the LDS web site there was a Daniel Brinson born 1653 of Six Mile Run, Somerset, New Jersey. This Daniel Brenson could be him. Daniel Brinson was the son of William Brinson and Margaret of Devon, England. He married Frances Greenland Oct. 8, 1681 and died 1696 in Middlesex, New Jersey. If you have information about him please contact Sandra by email. There was a Brinton family who went from England to Chester, PA in about 1684 and I have found some of them listed with the spelling "Brinson". They apparently intermarried with the Stout family and a Stout Brinson was also found in Pennsylvania Revolutionary War records. The other names listed here were either Quakers associated with the Bransons, and/or families allied with the Bransons of Burlington, NJ. Although information about the early Branson family in America (research by others) shows that they were in Burlington, NJ as early as 1672, I found no reference to them in these court records. The Burlington court book : a
record of Quaker jurisprudence in West New Jersey, 1680-1709 |
JOHN DAY AND ELIZABETH HARVEY In the following extracts of documents regarding the initial settlements of West Jersey, we find some familiar names, including John Day who signed a petition in the year 1687 and another in 1697. John Day was the father of Elizabeth Day who married Thomas L. Branson. According to Quaker passenger lists, John arrived in Philadelphia in 1682. From the court records above, he served on a grand jury in 1684 and owned 100 acres in that year. Thomas Branson's daughter Ann married George Shinn, the grandson of John Shinn who is also mentioned in these extracts. Many of these early settlers of West Jersey were Quakers who came from various parts of Europe under the guidance and direction of William Penn. John Day was probably from Hertfordshire, England where he was a member of the Quaker meeting there. He married Elizabeth Harvey after he arrived in New Jersey. We know of three children of that marriage, all them daughters. It is not known if he had any sons. In his will dated 1723 he did not name any sons, so it is presumed he had none, or they died before that year. EARLY NEW JERSEY COMPILED FROM THE ORIGINAL APPLICATIONS
PHILADELPHIA PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY In the spring of 1677 two hundred and thirty Quakers left London on the ship "Kent" for West Jersey. Half of these were from London and the other half from Yorkshire. Smith, in his "History of Nova Cęsarea; or, New Jersey," gives a partial list of these emigrants, but the name of John Shinn does not appear therein. He also says that these chose as a landing place the spot where Burlington now stands, and there began a settlement, which they named New Beverley; this was afterwards changed to Bridlington, after a town in Yorkshire, from whence many of the settlers came, and subsequently to Burlington. Smith also gives partial lists of emigrants who followed these in the year 1678, and in a general way names others who came between 1678 and 1680. In this general list will be found the name of John Shinn. In the old records of Burlington now in the office of the Secretary of State at Trenton, showing the freeholders for the year 1680, the names of "John Sheen" and "Clement Sheen" appear. The same records show that in the same year John Sheen was a grand juror. On the 13th of ye 12th month, 1687, the proprietors
concluded an agreed as follows: ------------------------------ On July 17, 1697, John Shinn, wheelwright, deeded to his
son, James Shinn, 120 acres on Birch Creek. (W. J. R., Liber B, f. 619.)
In 1707 John Shinn, with divers others of the proprietors and purchasers
of West Jersey, sent a remonstrance to Edward Viscount Cornbury,
Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief of New York and New Jersey, and
asked for the removal of certain prohibitions, in words as follows: Signed by: Thomas Brian, Willm. Stevenson, Daniel Wills, John Gosling, John Sharpe, Richard Haines, William Heulings, Henry Ballinger, Henry Burr, Samuel Lippincott, Junr., Richard Fenimore. Will Petty, Jr. Edward Elkton, Joshua Humphries, Thomas Eves, Thomas Stoker (Stokes?), John Haines, Williams Evens, Benjamin Moore, Steven Wilson, John Horten, Thomas Wilkins, William Horton. John Jones (his mark), John Stokes, John Woolman, John Clarke, Joseph Kirkbride, Wm. Biles, John Swift, Roger Parke, Samll. Ferris, Nath. Pope, John Day (his mark), John Abbat, Matthew Watson, John Shinn, Thomas Peacher, Nathan Allen, Edward Rockhill, John Bacon. Burlington Court Book of West NJ, 1680-1709, The
Burlington Court Book, 1681-1709, Page 56
John Day Branson was the eldest son of John Day and Elizabeth Harvey. He was born 1704 in Haddonfield, Burlington, NJ and died 1769 in Frederick, VA. His first wife was Isabella who died about 1748. From that marriage four known children were born: Anna, Mary, Thomas and Elizabeth. His second wife was Martha Antrim (widow Osmond), daughter of Thomas L. Antrim. One daughter was reportedly born to that union: Martha in 1752. According to Pat Patterson's web site, John spent time in Virginia as early as 1730 and apparently moved back to New Jersey in the early 1740's. In about 1760-61 they settled in Frederick, VA. Per Quaker records, they moved back and forth quite a bit and were also in Warrington, PA for a short time. In 1765 Frederick, VA one of his neighbors was John Painter, father of Jane/Jeane Painter who married his son Thomas in 1760.
THOMAS L. BRANSON AND JANE/JEANE PAINTER Much has been presented about Thomas L. Branson on the various pages of this narrative. It is this Thomas that some believe was the father of Jared Branson Sr. However, we have found no direct evidence of a connection. It is known that Thomas was closely allied with Rev. Thomas Beals and he was on the Greene, TN tax list with relatives of Thomas Beals in 1797 and 1798. John Bowater Beals married Thomas' daughter Lois Branson. Greene County, Tennessee
Tax List Thomas Branson was also on the 1782 Montgomery, VA tax list along with William and Thomas Bails (presumed to be Beals), and Jarret Branson. This is the reason that many believe Jared was closely related to Thomas. The probable date range of Jared's birth, however, is before the marriage of Thomas to Jane Painter. Therein lies the ongoing mystery. Perhaps he was a cousin of Thomas...? 1782 - Montgomery Co., VA Personal Property Tax List included: Thomas Bails, William Bails, Thomas Dillard, Abraham Goad, William Goad, Abraham McMillon, John Payter (Paynter?), William Pointer, ?? Shockley, Richard Siskley (Shockley?), Thomas Branson, Jarret Branson. (and others)
THOMAS SUMNER, NEIGHBOR OF JARED BRANSON SR. Thomas Sumner appears in the Patrick, VA deed book at Johnson Creek between 1791 and 1801. Also in that book is "Garrot" Branson (presumed to be Jared) and Thomas Dillard. This Thomas Sumner was probably the son of Robert Sumner and Phebe Ann Beals. This Sumner family is mentioned in the Quaker records of Westfield MM, Surry, NC (as is Thomas Branson). Thomas Sumner's brother Joshua had a daughter Amy Sumner reported at Mt. Pleasant MM, Grayson, VA. Thomas Sumner's mother-in-law (Hannah Harrell Hiatt) died before 1808 in Grayson, VA (reported by others). Therefore, it is reasonable to believe that the Thomas Sumner who was listed in Patrick, VA deed records was this same Thomas. The Sumners were among the first members of the Westfield MM, Surry, NC Quaker meeting which started in 1786, along with John Bowater Beals who married Lois Branson, daughter of Thomas L. Branson and Jane/Jeane Painter. According to the Ency. of Quaker Genealogy, the Westfield MM was located very close to the Virginia border. As mentioned above, Thomas Sumner was probably the son of Robert Sumner and Phebe Ann Beals. (Phebe was the aunt of John Bowater Beals.) They also had sons Caleb and Bowater Sumner who were also among the first members of Westfield MM. The Sumner family intermarried with the Hiatt, Jessop and Ballard families. Mathew Sumner was on the 1782 Montgomery, VA tax list with Jared and Thomas Branson. This is another possible loose connection between Jared Branson Sr. and John Bowater Beals, and therefore to his wife, Lois Branson and her parents. As mentioned on page two of this narrative, Jared was also living near Anna Branson, daughter of John Day Branson. (She was in Wilkes, NC) PATRICK COUNTY, VA - DEEDS - Places Named in Deed Book I, 1791 - 1801 Encyclopedia of Quaker Genealogy, Vol I, Westfield Monthly Meeting,
Page 953 Other records of Westfield MM: The 1810 Grayson County, Virginia Tax List
SOME THEORIES Theory Number One: The more I research those who lived near Jared Branson Sr. in Virginia and elsewhere, the more I am coming to believe he was some how connected to the family of John Day Branson. There were so many Quaker and/or families allied with the Quaker Bransons living near him and, although his estimated birth year of 1753 places his birth before Thomas Branson and Jane/Jeane Painter were married, it is possible that he was born later, and could have been their son. They were married in 1760 and their first known child was born in 1764. Unless a child died young, it was unusual for a span of 4 years to go by before the first child. If Jarred was born in 1761, he would be about age 16 to 17 when his eldest son, John Jefferson Branson, was born. Although that is quite young to marry, it is not out of the question. There were two records for an older male Branson in 1830 Gasconade Co., MO. One was in the birth year range of 1750-1760 and the other was in the range of 1760-1770. The older one was transcribed as Jarret Branson Sr. and the younger one was transcribed as Jarret or Garret Branson. Notice that Thomas Shockley born 1790-1800 is also listed on the same page with the younger Jarret Branson. Another Thomas Shockley born 1790-1800 was listed on the same page with the older Jarret Branson Sr. I know of only one Thomas Shockley who was in Gasconade, MO born in that date range. He was Thomas Shockley (son of Isaiah Shockley), who married Elizabeth David. There was another Thomas Shockley born in this date range, but I have no information for him other than his parents, birth date and birth place (Thomas R. Shockley born Mar. 27, 1793 in Pittsylvania, VA - a twin to Aquilla Shockley). As far as I know, he did not go to Missouri. His father was Thomas Shockley who died in White, TN in 1843. He and his twin Aquilla may have died young, since I can find nothing in census records for either of them. There was only one Thomas Shockley in Gasconade, MO in 1840 (the one who married Elizabeth David). It's possible that the census-taker got a few people confused and recorded them twice with different family profiles. If so, there is no way to know which record for Jarret Branson is correct. He could have been born 1750-1760, or 1760-1770. Therefore, I am recording Jarred's birth year as 1753 - 1761. 1830 Census - Gasconade, MO In 1773 Thomas and John Branson, John Painter and Abraham Haines were in Fauquier, VA. (Several Jett families were also there). John Painter was Jane/Jeane's brother & father's name. Since John Sr. died in 1771, I think this John on the tax list was her brother who was born in 1736. Abraham Haines married Jane's sister Hannah Painter. Fauquier is just south of Warren, VA and Thomas Branson was referenced in Warren, VA in the Quaker records. Another researcher reports that Thomas Branson inherited land from his grandfather near White Post, now Warren County. Warren County is where Crooked Run MM was located. Jane's other sister Sarah Painter died 1799 in Greene, TN....about the same time that a Thomas Bails (Beals) and a Thomas Branson were there. Her husband Samuel Humbard died in Greene, TN in 1805. Jarred settled in Burk's Fork in 1776 which was in Montgomery, VA at that time. This is only three years after Thomas Branson was in Fauquier, VA with a John Painter. If Jarred was related to Thomas, he and Thomas may have traveled south between 1773 and 1776 to Montgomery, VA. Since John Painter Sr. died in 1771, Thomas and Jane/Jeane may have been living near her brother John in Fauquier, VA. In 1776 Montgomery Co. was much larger than it is now. Between Montgomery and Fauquier at that time were Culpeper, Augusta and Botetourt. Jane's brother Isaac married Sarah Haines, daughter of Ezekiel Haines who died in Culpeper, VA in 1781. The 1783 Property Tax List of Culpeper, VA lists Ezekiel's sons Jacob and Carlile Haines, John Garwood who married Esther Haines, George and John Dillard and others. The Garwood family were Quakers from Burlington, NJ as were the Haines. The Dillard family were not Quakers, but they were in the same county with these families allied with the Bransons of Burlington, NJ. It is important to note that Culpeper County is located near Stafford, Warren and Fauquier Counties where several Branson families resided. NOTE: John Corder who married Elizabeth Branson was taxed in 1782 in Montgomery Co., VA along with Thomas and Jared Branson. John Corder was also taxes in 1764 in Culpeper, VA. Property Tax List of Culpeper County, Virginia,
1783 NOTE: I do not know which John Branson was in Fauquier, VA in 1773 with Thomas Branson. Thomas' father, John Day Branson, died in 1769 so it could not be him. Thomas' son, John, was born in 1764 so he was too young to be on a rent roll or tax list. This John would have to be born before 1753 and I have been unable to identify him. He may be Larkin Branson whose first name may have been John. This mysterious John may be an important missing link for Jared. (NOTE: he could be the son John who was mentioned in the will of Joseph Branson in Hampshire, VA.) If there was an unknown John Branson born before 1753 he could have been Jared's brother. A John Bransome was in Caroline Co., VA in 1810, age 45+. Also there were John Bales (Beals), John and Mary Edge, John Holloway, Covingtons, Dillards and Boulwares. Since the Edge family was allied with Joseph Branson, this John Bransome could be the one listed as Joseph's son in his will. This would probably not be Larkin Branson because I believe he was in Fluvanna, VA in 1810. John Holloway who was in Caroline, VA was probably the father of Elizabeth Holloway who married Thomas Dillard. Thomas was related to the Dillards who were allied with Jared Branson Sr. One of Thomas's grandsons (John) moved to Callaway, MO (next to Gasconade & Osage) by 1840, as did several Boulware and Edge families. Asa Branson was in Callaway, MO in 1860 (next to Gasconade & Osage). Asa was a descendant of William Branson and Elizabeth Osmond (the Quaker line). Asa later moved to Iowa. The following Bransons (or variations of that spelling) were found in Rev. War lists.... Historical Register of Virginians in the
Revolution , Page 89 1840 census 1850 CENSUS - District 12, Callaway, MO 1850 CENSUS - District 12, Callaway, MO 1860 Census - District 18, Callaway, MO - image 335
In 1783 John and Larkin Branson were listed in tax records in Essex, VA
which is between Caroline and Richmond Counties. Larkin's son John
Branson was not born until 1780-1789 so it would not be him. Larkin was
listed with this mysterious John Branson and he may be the John who was
in Caroline, VA, age 45+, in 1810 (see previous paragraph). This John
may be the son "John" who was listed in Joseph Branson's will in 1780
Hampshire, VA (formed from Frederick), and it is likely this John was
related to Larkin. Also in Essex, VA in 1783 were
Boulwares,
Covingtons, Stoakes, William Dillard,
and Noells. Tabitha Cheatham, widow of Larkin Branson, married
John Noell. Since Larkin had relatives and possibly his son John
who were listed near Jared Branson Sr. in Patrick, VA, then Jared may be
related to this John and to Larkin.
Essex and Caroline are near Orange Co. where Thomas Branson is recorded
with Benjamin Borden in 1744. They are about three counties to the
south of Frederick using the year 1777 map. They are also near
Westmoreland Co. so these Bransons may be part of the Branson family who
were in that county.
The LDS web site shows that John Day Branson had a son John born c1728 of Frederick, VA. This is the only place I have seen with this information. It also shows that he had sons Jonathan, Thomas and Lionel and daughters Elizabeth, Anna, Mary and Martha (by 2nd wife). There are no spouses listed for John, Jonathan and Lionel, so I have no idea if the information is correct or not (this is probably confused with the sons of Thomas Branson and Elizabeth Day). Another database on ancestry.com shows that Jared Branson Sr. was the son of John Day Branson and his second wife, Martha Antrim, however the only children mentioned in John Day Branson's will were Mary, Anna, Elizabeth, Martha and Thomas. He mentions his grandson John who should receive one half of his plantation to be divided between him and daughter Martha after his wife's death. His grandson John (son of Thomas) would only be age 5 at the time of this will, so I'm not sure if this is the John he is referring to. Daughter Martha was age 17 at the time of the will, and I can understand bequeathing it to her, but would he bequeath a plantation to a child of age 5? His wife Martha was about age 51 at the time of his will. Perhaps John expected that she would live many more years and his grandson would be older by the time he received his inheritance. If you know which John Branson was in Fauquier, VA in 1773, or who is the grandson John mentioned in John Day Branson's will, please contact Sandra by email. A land record was recorded in Frederick Co., VA for a John Brancon dated in 1788. This may have been the son of John Day Branson or the grandson named John mentioned in his will in 1769. Or he could be the John who was mentioned in the will of Joseph Branson in 1780 Hampshire, VA. His land was adjacent to John Painter Jr. who was the brother of Jane/Jeane Painter who married Thomas L. Branson Jr. The date of 1766, I presume, is the date the land was originally purchased.. or inherited. I assume he purchased an additional 382 acres adjacent to his own land in 1788. Virginia Land, Marriage, and Probate Records,
1639-1850 1810 census (alphabetized) John and James Branson were listed in Tithe records of Loudoun Co., Virginia along with a John Painter and other familiar names. I don't know if this John is the same as the above John Brancon. He would not be John Day Branson for he died in 1769. I don't know who James Branson was but he may be the one who was mentioned in the 1793 Wythe, VA Tax List along with Jared Branson - perhaps a brother or perhaps his father. The John Painter listed in this record may have been the father and/or brother of Jane/Jeane Painter who married Thomas L. Branson Jr. John Eads may have been the grandfather or father of Hannah Eads who married William Weldon Bumpass of Gasconade Co., MO. William Jett was probably related to James Monroe Jett who married Elizabeth Pointer who moved to Gasconade/Osage Co., MO at about the same time that Jared Branson Sr. did. Joseph Surate (Surratt) may have been related to Sarah Sally Surratt who married John Branson, son of John Jefferson Branson. Her grandfather's name was Joseph. John H. Triplett, probable 3rd cousin of Joel Triplett who was in Delaware, Indiana with Jacob, David, Mahlon, and Isaac Branson, was living in Gasconade, MO in 1850. 1830 Census - Pike, MO Susan A. Triplett, probable daughter of Joel Triplett, married David Shockley, probable son of James Shockley and Mary Ogles in Delaware, Indiana in 1850. James Shockley was from Carroll Co., VA and he was the son of Meredith Shockley and Sarah Worrell. This is the same Shockley family that was closely allied with Jared Branson Sr. Abel Triplett mentioned in these records was the father of Joel Triplett whose son David Crockett Triplett was married in Osage Co., MO where many descendants of Jared Branson Sr. lived. James Shockley and Mary Ogle of Delaware, Indiana also had a cousin who moved to Putnam, MO and married the step-daughter of Valentine Branson. A. J. Branson was living next to her in 1860 Putnam, MO. Because so many of these people (or their descendants) ended up in (or were related to residents of) the Bransons of Missouri, this is a good clue that Jared Branson was related to the Bransons who were in Delaware, Indiana, including David, Jacob, Nathan, Isaac and Mahlon Branson. Since many who were in Delaware, Indiana were listed in Loudoun, VA along with James and John Branson, this is a good clue that Jared Branson Sr. was related to them. Be sure to check the section on Delaware, Indiana. Index to the Tithables of
Loudoun County, Virginia, and to Slaveholders and Slaves, 1758-1786 Although Jarred Branson is not mentioned in available Quaker records, the fact that he has not been located in any Rev. War records could be explained by the above scenario. Thomas Branson took the Oath of Allegiance in 1777 in Montgomery, VA, but did not serve. (Jared Branson apparently did not take the Oath of Allegiance. This could be because he was not yet old enough. If he was born in 1761 he would be age 16 in the year 1777 - not of an age required to take the oath, but old enough to be married.) Many Quakers were allowed to appoint substitutes to serve in their stead, but they would often help in other ways. Jared's contribution to the war effort may have been to report on information about Tories (see page one). Therefore, Jared could have been the son of Thomas Branson and Jane/Jeane Painter.....however..... Theory Number Two: Quaker records of New Garden MM list the children's names and birth dates for Thomas and Jeane/Jane, and Jared is not listed. For this reason, I will present an alternative theory: Jared may have been the son of Lionel Branson who apparently left the Quaker religion and never went back. He was disowned at Hopewell MM in 1754. Research by others shows an infant born in 1757 with no name. This could mean that the child died or it could mean the name was not known. 1757 is within the birth range for Jared. Lionel Jr. settled on Lost River (later became part of West Virginia) as did Jacob Chrisman and John Claypool. Lost River was in Hampshire Co, VA (later in Hardy Co.) Hampshire Co. was considered part of the New River region where Jared settled. William Gree Branson, great-grandson of Jared Sr., married a descendant of Jacob Chrisman and lived in Maries and Osage Co., Missouri (where many descendants of Jared Branson lived). Reuben Branson, grandson of Jared Sr., also married a descendant of Jacob Chrisman. According to research by others, Lionel Branson Sr. died 1811 in Frederick, VA. A descendant of James Claypool of Lost River also moved to Maries Co., Missouri. Reuben Claypool was born c1834 and was in Maries Co., MO on the 1860 census (see page one). He was the grandson of John Claypool of Lost River, Hardy, VA. I have not seen a will for Lionel Branson Sr. so I cannot rule out this theory yet. If you have information about his will, please contact Sandra by email. Abraham Chrisman died ca. Oct 1798 in Montgomery Co., VA (where Jared Branson Sr. lived). Abraham was the son of Jacob Chrisman and Magdalena Hite. Abraham's grandson, Nathaniel, was born in Montgomery Co., VA July 7, 1789. This Chrisman family was closely related to the Chrisman family who went to Gasconade/Maries Co., Missouri at about the same time that Jared went there, and married into his family. This is also the same Chrisman family who married into the Lionel Branson family. Mary Catherine Branson, daughter of William Branson and Anna Fravel (granddaughter of Lionel Branson Jr.), married Isaac Chrisman, grand-nephew of the above mentioned Abraham Chrisman. I believe this is one of the most important clues we have providing a possible link between Jared Branson Sr. and Lionel Branson. So, we have descendants of neighbors of Lionel Branson Jr. (Jacob Chrisman and John Claypool) of Lost River, VA living in Maries Co., MO near descendants of Jared Branson Sr.- and, in the case of the Chrismans, marrying into the Branson family of Maries, MO. This makes a plausible case for the theory that Jared was the unnamed infant of Lionel who was born c1757 (barring further information). This theory could explain why we do not find Jared's name in Quaker records since Lionel apparently did not practice the religion after 1754. More about Lionel and his descendants below. See also the above section about Lucinda Cloud and James Mankin. Lucinda Cloud's father was the first cousin of Daniel Cloud who married Lionel Branson's daughter Elizabeth. James Mankin's father was surety on marriage bonds of two of Jared Branson Senior's sons in Patrick Co., VA. This is a very good clue indirectly linking Jared with Lionel. Elizabeth Branson, daughter of Lionel Branson and Rebeckah Millar of Hardy Co., VA (WV), married Felix Welton, first cousin (1 generation removed) of Rachel Welton who was in Osage Co., Missouri and died there in 1844. Felix apparently stayed in Hardy, WV. His son, Felix Branson Welton, was born there in 1816. THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT POSSIBLE LINK BETWEEN JARED BRANSON SR. AND LIONEL BRANSON. The Stump family from Frederick Co., VA was also connected to the Welton family and Michael Stump was listed in Montgomery, VA and Wythe, VA along with Jared Branson Sr. With all the families from Hardy-Hampshire, VA (WV) who moved to Gasconade Co., MO at about the same time as Jared Branson Sr., it only makes sense to think that Jared was some how related to the Bransons of Hardy-Hampshire, VA (WV). Theory Number Three: Joseph Branson was the brother of Lionel Branson Sr. Joseph Branson wrote a will in Hampshire, VA in 1780 that was inventoried in 1781. Joseph's wife, Mary Edge, was apparently not alive at that time, since he did not mention her. The LDS web site has a Mary Edge born 1721-24 in Monmouth, NJ, daughter of Gerard Edge (born c1694-1702 of Monmouth, NJ) and Rebecca Forman. (NOTE: two databases on the LDS site give his name as Gerald Edge). This was probably the Mary Edge who married Joseph Branson since there were also Formans in Hampshire, VA. (see below). This is VERY interesting because of Mary's father's first name. Jared Branson Sr. has been seen in various records as Gerard Branson. If Joseph was Jared's father he could have named him after his father-in-law. In his will Joseph names only one child - John. I am looking for more information about this John Branson. I have found several records for an unknown John Branson (and Blanson) in Cabarrus/Lincoln, NC in 1770 military records and on a military list of persons who were reimbursed for expenses in or near Montgomery, VA. This could be the same person as the one mentioned in the will of Joseph Branson. There was also an unknown John Branson in Fauquier, VA with Thomas Branson in 1773 which could be this John (see theory number one & two). James and John Branson were also listed on the Loudoun, VA list of Slaveholders along with some other familiar names. Since they owned slaves, they may not have been Quakers. A Larkin Branson is found in records of Fluvanna, VA with a son named John Larkin Branson. Larkin was reportedly born in Fluvanna or Frederick, VA 1740-1750, so he may be this mysterious John Branson/Blanson/Bransam/Brancon (see theory number one & two). His son John Larkin Branson married Mary Williamson Mayo and a Williamson Mayo was listed in deed records of Patrick, VA near George Dodson, William Sharp and Joseph Stovall, 1791-1801. If Larkin's first name was also John, he may be the John Branson listed in the will of Joseph Branson. A John Bransam was also listed in deed records of Patrick, VA during these same years. Larkin Branson married Tabitha Cheatham. She was
related to the Cheathams who were in 1782 Halifax, VA, some of whom also
lived in Lunenburg VA and later in Patrick VA. Williamson Mayo who was
listed in the deed book of Patrick, VA was the uncle of John Larkin
Branson's wife, Mary Willamson Mayo. Lucinda Boulware (cousin of the Callaway MO Boulwares) of Gasconade, MO
married Lafayette Brock who was related to Elizabeth Brock who married
James N. Sellers. The
Sellers family was allied with
Joseph Branson, brother of
Lionel Branson of Hampshire, VA. The
Boulwares lived near the Bransons in Gasconade, MO. http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/va/patrick/deeds/deedbk01-places.txt NOTE: Cabarrus Co., NC is where several Gasconade Co., MO families lived prior to moving there, including Barbarick, Burchard and Crider. Since Jared was not named in Joseph's will, he could have been unrelated (or a nephew), or perhaps estranged in some way. There are various reasons why a child might be left out of a will, including the possibility that his inheritance was already received. Other databases on rootsweb.com show a son of Gerrard Edge named Daniel Edge. If you have information about a Joseph Branson in Hampshire, VA please contact Sandra by email. If you have information about a Gerrard or Gerald Edge please contact Sandra by email. See more information about Joseph Branson below. Theory Number Four: It is probable that John Day Branson had a son John Branson who was born about 1728 in Frederick, VA. A John Branson Jr. was a signor on the Ten Thousand Name Petition in 1776-1777 in Culpeper, Loudoun or Fairfax County. An unknown John Branson was also in Fauquier Co., VA in 1773. These two people were not John Day Branson because he died in 1769 and they were not any other John Branson that I can identify, except Larkin Branson whose first name may have been John. He was listed near families known to be allied with Jared Branson Sr. so he could have been Jared's father, brother or cousin. SUMMARY - WAS JARED BRANSON REALLY GERARD EDGE BRANSON? Because of Jared Branson Senior's and Lionel Branson's (Senior and/or Junior) connections (?) to the Stokes family (see below), the Jett family, Bethany Haines, Daniel Cloud, the Claypool family, and the Chrisman family, I am tending to lean toward theory number two or number three....that Jared Branson Sr. may have been the son of Lionel Branson Sr. and Rebecca Rogers, or son of Joseph Branson and Mary Edge. I will soon be conducting more research to determine if there are other clues linking him to these families. I would also very much like to see the will of Lionel Branson Sr. if one exists. We know that Jared's middle initial was probably "E". We know that his first name was spelled Gerard in several records. We also know that Joseph Branson who wrote a will in 1780 Hampshire, VA married Mary Edge whose father was probably Gerard Edge. I think it's entirely possible that Jared Branson's correct name is Gerard Edge Branson. One would logically ask the questions: Why is there no record of a connection between Jared and Joseph Branson? And why did Jared not name a son Joseph after his possible father? The answers to these questions will obviously remain a mystery, however there are many explanations that I can think of. We know that Jared was married about 1775-1776. Joseph wrote his will in 1780 and did not name Jared, but he named a son John. Jared named his first son John, and this could be the reason. Perhaps Jared was not named in the will because he was leaving no property to him, having given his legacy to Jared at his marriage approximately five years earlier. And Jared may have named a son Joseph. We have no way of knowing how many (if any) children were born to him and his wife who may have died young. Also, Jared did have a grandson named Joseph. He was the son of Valentine Branson and Sarah Smith. SEVERAL FAMILIES FROM HARDY COUNTY, VA (WV) MOVED TO OSAGE/GASCONADE CO., MISSOURI AT THE ABOUT THE SAME TIME AS JARED BRANSON, SR. So far I have identified about 10 families who moved from Hampshire-Hardy Co., VA (WV) to Gasconade Co., Missouri between 1820 and 1830. I'm thinking perhaps there was a wagon train of families from this region of WV and some from nearby SW Virginia who may have traveled together. Some of these families married into the family of Jared Branson Sr. in Missouri and others married into families allied with him. Others did not appear to marry into his or allied families, but lived near him in Missouri. Some families who moved to Osage/Gasconade, MO from Hampshire-Hardy, VA (WV): Shobe, Chrisman, Jefferson, Claypool, Stockton, Eads, Slater, Hutton, Buzzard, Welton, Alkire, Bright and probably others.
COMING SOON
LIONEL BRANSON SR. In 1761 Lionel Branson Sr. was a witness to a marriage at Crooked Run MM, Warren, VA. Again he was a witness in 1769 and 1780 at the same location (these two could have been Lionel Jr.). There is very little information about Lionel Branson Sr. available online. Other databases show that he was born about 1708 in Burlington, NJ and died 1811 in Frederick, VA, however, I have not found any sources for that information. If this is correct, it means he lived to be age 103. Since he apparently was disowned in 1754 and did not go back to the Quaker meetings, records for him and his family are hard to find. He also went by the first name of "Lindall", "Lyndall" and "Lineal", according to Quaker records of Burlington, NJ where his marriage to Rebecca Rodgers and his disownment were reported. The records indicate that he was released to marry Rebecca in the eleventh month, first day, 1749. He was not disowned until five years later for marrying out of unity. See below for some important information about REBECCA ROGERS, the wife of Lionel Branson Sr. L. Branson (presumed to be Lionel) is mentioned with Isaac Vanmeter when they explored territory west of the Ohio River in 1801. This could be Lionel Sr. or Lionel Jr. Click the image for a larger view of the page...
HOPEWELL FRIENDS HISTORY 1734-1934
Frederick County, Virginia REBECCA ROGERS (STOKES DESCENDANT) Rebecca Rogers who married Lionel Branson Sr. was the daughter of John Rogers and Sarah Stokes. Sarah Stokes was the daughter of John Stokes and Elizabeth Green and granddaughter of Thomas Stokes Sr. and Mary Bernard. This could be another important clue linking the Branson family of Burlington, NJ with the Branston family of Suffolk, England - Thomas Stokes Sr. and Mary Bernard are mentioned in the book that contains information about the Branstons of Suffolk, England. Per LDS web site: John Stokes was born 1675 in London, Middlesex, England and died 1749 in Burlington, NJ. This Stokes family were Quakers in Burlington, NJ. John Rogers was born c1709 in Burlington, NJ and died there 1740-1748. His parents were John Rogers and Martha Middleton. His grandparents were John Rogers of England and Mary Groom or Grom. The Rogers family of Burlington, NJ is also linked to other Bransons in that region. Elizabeth Branson, daughter of Thomas L. Branson and Elizabeth Day, married William Rogers (b. c1705) who was the son of William Rogers and Abigail. William Rogers was the first cousin (1 X removed) of Rebecca Rogers. Their son Abner Rogers married Hope Shinn. Hope Shinn was the granddaughter of John Shinn and Ellen Stacy. The Rogers family also married into the Haines, Hollowell and Staples families. There were also several Rogers families who married into the Branson and Shockley families in Missouri. It is not yet known if they were related to the Rogers families mentioned above. Martha Rogers born 1869 in Maries, MO married Patrick
Shockley Martha Rogers Something very interesting turned up when I checked the 1782 Land Tax for Montgomery, VA....a Doswell Rogers was on the list with Alexander Rogers (and Jared Branson Sr.). Doswell was taxed for 650 acres while the other Rogers individuals were taxed for 400 or less acres. It's possible that this older Doswell was the father of Alexander. The LDS web site shows a Doswell Rogers born in 1750 VA and another one born 1736 in VA. A Dausewell Rogers was born c1789 in VA, son of William Perry Rogers and Letitia Rosanna Heard of Halifax, VA (near Montgomery). He may be the one listed in Scott, VA in 1840. He was reportedly the son of the Doswell Rogers born c1736 of York, VA. I'm not sure which Doswell Rogers was the on the 1782 Montgomery, VA tax list. Doswell Rogers was listed in Montgomery, VA military records along with Jeremiah, Benjamin and other Rogers and other familiar names. If you have information about this Rogers family please contact Sandra by email. Virginia Military Records,
Montgomery County Virginia Taxpayers, 1782-1787 1782 Montgomery County, Virginia
Land Tax List 1840 Census 1850 Census - Crawford, Osage, MO 1860 Census - Jefferson, Osage,
Missouri 1870 Census - Jefferson, Osage, MO 1880 census James Dison Rogers
SEE UPDATE BELOW Levi Rogers was also in Gasconade, MO in 1840. Also there were Joseph and Mary Rogers. Joseph was born 1780-1790, so probably too young to be the father of Levi, but possibly a brother. Mary was born 1800-1810. Both Levi and Mary were living very near the Bransons and allied families. Joseph was not. I have been unable to identify the parents of Levi. If you have information about him, please contact Sandra by email UPDATE OCT. 11, 2006: Today I received an email from a descendant of Alexander Rogers. She explains that John (not James) Dyson Rogers was the son of Martin L. Rogers and grandson of Alexander Stinson Rogers. Therefore, it appears that it was John and not James Rogers who married Alice Catherine Branson, daughter of Andrew Jackson Branson and Mary Ann Williams. They were found in the 1900 census living in Jackson, Maries, Missouri. Whether Levi, Thomas and Valentine Rogers were related to them, it is not known. From other research, it appears that Alexander Stinson Rogers was the brother of Doswell Rogers (born c1825) mentioned in the above section about Martha Rogers. Therefore, Martha Rogers and John Dyson Rogers were apparently related. Elisha Rogers may also have been a brother of Doswell and Alexander. Elisha married Susannah Wallace and Alexander married Delinda Wallace. As mentioned earlier, an older Alexander Rogers and an older Doswell Rogers were on the 1782 Montgomery, VA tax list with Jared and Thomas Branson. They were all probably descendants or closely related to Doswell Rogers, born c1736, in Tyrone, Ireland or York Co., VA. LDS researchers report that one of the daughters of Alexander Stinson Rogers was born in Hardin Co., Tennessee in 1829. Because of the new information that this Rogers family apparently came from Ireland, they were most likely not related to the Rogers family who married into the Branson family of Burlington, NJ and came from England. 1880 Census 1900 Census - Jackson, Maries,
Missouri 1840 Census 1850 Census - Jefferson, Osage, MO 1850 Census - Third Creek,
Gasconade, MO 1850 Census - Third Creek,
Gasconade, MO 1880 census There were also Rogers families in Hampshire/Hardy, VA (WV) with Amos Branson, son of Lionel. James and William Rogers were taxed in Hampshire, VA (later Hardy) in 1782 along with Amos. A John Rogers married Lydia Fravel of Lost River, Hardy, VA (WV) in 1828. She was the sister of Anna Fravel who married William Branson, son of Lionel Branson Jr. and Rebeckah Millar. I checked the 1820 census to see if I could identify John's father. I found a William Rogers, age 45+ in Hardy, VA in 1820. He had a young male in the household age 10-16. John was born August 4, 1801, so he would be about age 18-19, therefore, this family may not be his, unless he was living elsewhere. William was not in Hardy, VA in 1810. In 1830 both John and William Rogers were in Hardy, VA. William Rogers was born 1760-1770 and John was born 1800-1810, so I'm confident it was the John who married Lydia Fravel. Lydia's father Joseph Fravel was also listed, as was William Branson. If you have information about James, John or William Rogers of Hampshire/Hardy, VA, please contact Sandra by email. VIRGINIA CENSUS From Tax Lists 1820 Census 1830 Census
ELIZABETH BRANSON AND DANIEL CLOUD Elizabeth Branson, daughter of Lionel Branson Sr., married Daniel Cloud, son of Henry Cloud and Eleanor Williams of Royal Front, Frederick (later Warren), VA. Elizabeth was born Dec. 28, 1755 in Hardy, VA and died Sep. 17, 1829 in Frederick, VA. Daniel Cloud was born Feb. 8, 1755 in Virginia and died Feb. 28, 1815 in Shenandoah Co., VA (research by others). His father, Henry, was found in records of early Virginia in the Militia, along with John and William Branson, Jacob Chrisman, Joseph Borden and others.... Virginia Colonial Soldiers, Courts
Martial Records, Page 345 (approx. 1759) Daniel and Elizabeth (Branson) Cloud had five known children: Mordecai in 1793, Sarah in 1795, Daniel in 1797, Isaac Branson Cloud in 1801 and Nancy. They and their children apparently remained in or near Royal Front, Warren, VA. Henry Cloud's first cousin, William, was born Sep. 15, 1750 in Rowan, NC and died Feb. 8, 1842 in Carroll Co., VA where Jared Branson Sr. previously resided. William Cloud was also found in records of Grayson Co., VA between 1794 and 1835. He filed for a Rev. War pension there in 1832. He was on the 1794 Grayson, VA Tax list along with Jan A. Branson. George W. Cloud, John Cloud and Abner Cloud were also found in Grayson, VA records. Court records of 1826 contained the names of George W. Cloud and John Cloud, Meredith Shockley, John Branson and Mary Dillard. George W. Cloud was the son of William Cloud. Lucinda Cloud, daughter of Rev. William Cloud and Elizabeth Mary Morgan, married James Mankin, son of Jesse Mankin. Jesse Mankin was surety on the marriage bonds of Jared Branson Jr. and John Branson in Patrick Co., Virginia. Rev. William Cloud was the first cousin of Daniel Cloud who married Elizabeth Branson, daughter of Lionel Branson and Rebecca Rogers. This is a very good clue about the ancestry of Jared Branson Sr. Another surety in Patrick Co., VA was Meredith Smith on the marriage bond of John Branson and Sarah Dillard. I have been unable to identify Meredith Smith. He was on the 1782 Montgomery, VA Personal Property Tax List, but not on the Land Tax list. I also found a Meridith Smith in 1790 Stokes, NC. He was listed on the same page with Daniel, Martha, John and Phillip Smith. A Meridith Smith was also listed on the 1786 Tax List of Surry Co., NC along with Daniel Smith Sr., Daniel Smith Jr., Christian Smith, Peter Smith and George Smith. A Daniel Smith was also in Stokes, NC with Meredith, so they were probably closely related. A Meredy Smith was listed in the Patrick, VA deed book on Lovill's Creek near Jared Branson Sr. during the years 1791 to 1801. He was listed with Thomas Sumner. Lovill's Creek happens to be where John A. Branson, son of John Jefferson Branson, bought land in 1859. http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/va/patrick/deeds/deedbk01-places.txt If you have information about Meredith Smith please contact Sandra by email. Several Heath families were also in Stokes, NC in 1790. So far, I have found no connection between these Heaths and Jonathan Heath of Hampshire, VA. It appears this Heath family were descendant of Adam Heath and Sarah Killets. A Richard Lundy was also living near these families. I'm not sure which Richard this was, but it was probably the one who married Mary Stockton since her father died in Stokes, NC in 1804. George Chrisman was there living near Joseph Corder. Joseph may have been the son of William Corder and second cousin of John Corder who married Elizabeth Branson, daughter of John Day Branson. George Chrisman may have been the son of Jacob Chrisman and Magdalena Hite who were from Hampshire, VA. James Mankins was also listed on the 1782 Henry Co., VA Personal Property Tax List along with Peter Blanchet, William and Isaac Cloud, Levy Shockley, John Jett and others. This information is of interest because Thomas L. Branson (who married Jane Painter) was in Surry Co., NC in 1784, according to the Ency. of Quaker Genealogy. His daughter Lois was married there in that year. Patrick Co Branson Marriages 1790 Census 1786 Surry, NC Tax List Encyclopedia of Quaker Genealogy,
Vol I, New Garden Monthly Meeting, Page 528 1782 Montgomery County, Virginia
Personal Property Tax List Grayson County, Virginia 1826 Court
Order Book 1782 Henry County, Virginia Personal
Property Tax List So here we have another family connected to Branson families in Hardy/Frederick/Warren, VA living near Jared Branson Sr. and his children....more evidence of a possible connection between Jared Branson Sr. and Lionel Branson and/or his brother Joseph Branson.
JOSEPH BRANSON AND MARY EDGE In the probate records of Hampshire, West Virginia (formerly in Virginia; later Hardy Co.) Joseph Branson made a will in 1780 that was inventoried in 1781. Hampshire Co. is where Amos and Lionel Branson Jr. lived. Joseph was the son of Thomas L. Branson and Elizabeth Day who was born 1710 in Burlington, NJ. He was the brother of Lionel Branson Sr. His will does not mention a wife but it mentions a son John. It also mentions Barbarry, Frederick, Cathron and Susan Sellers. The executor was Fred Sellers and it was witnessed by Jonathan Heath. Joseph Branson married Mary Edge Nov. 8, 1745 in Burlington, NJ. Their marriage record was found in civil records of New Jersey along with the marriage record of Moses Branson and Sarah Borrodail. Moses was the nephew of Joseph (son of David Branson and Mary Bullock). Frederick Sellers was on the 1782 tax list of Hardy Co., VA along with John and Susanna Sellers. Frederick Sellers was also listed on the 1781-82 Hampshire Co., VA personal property tax list near Amos Branson and Moses and Isaac Hutton. Moses Hutton's grandson, Moses Welton, died in Osage Co., Missouri. A Frederick Sellers took the Oath of Allegiance in Lancaster, PA in 1778 - also on that list is Nicholas Hite. Frederick apparently married Margaret whose will was recorded in Hardy Co., VA dated 1801 naming sons Fred. and John and daughter Susanna. A Frederick Sellers was listed on the 1774 list of Dunmore's War soldiers. Capt. Thomas Dillard also served in Dunmore's War, as did Capt. Abraham (Abram) Penn. I have been unable to find Joseph Branson or Mary Edge in Quaker records so it's apparent that he did not follow that religion which could explain (if Jared was his son) why Jared was not found in Quaker records. Rebecca Forman Edge, the widow of Gerard Edge, remarried in 1732, so Gerard probably died before then. A marriage record was found in Monmouth, New Jersey for Rebecca Edge who married Robert Drummond on Dec. 24, 1732. A database on ancestry.com also shows that Rebecca Foreman/Forman married Robert Drummond. He may have been related to Gavin Drummond of Monmouth, NJ. Daniel Edge, brother of Mary Edge, died about 1747. His will was recorded in New Hanover, Burlington, New Jer |
