Saturday, December 31, 2011
Heh Heh ... Fingerpainting With Texture !!
Experimenting with new techniques and mediums, just for the sheer fun of it, is a GREAT way to see this New Year in!
Rebecca Borden Branson (wife of Thomas Jr)
Wow.
Credit for the following information goes to Michael Cole, M.D.
Rebecca was born c.1710 and died c.1780. She married Thomas Branson Jr. in 1731.
Here begin the 'BEGATS' :
Rebecca's father was Benjamin Borden II. He was born April 6,1678 in Middletown, Monmouth County, NJ and married Zuriah Winter (his cousin) in about 1710 and they moved to VA by January 21, 1734 when he was appointed a justice of Orange County. King George II granted him 92,100 acres ('Borden's Great Tract') more recently known as Rockbridge County, VA. Rumor has it that he killed a young buffalo, presented it to Governor Gooch, and was awarded 500,000 acres. Another rumor is that he captured a buffalo calf, sent it to the Queen, and was given 100,000 acres in the Virginia Valley. All he had to do was hand over 1800 pounds as a bond and populate the tract with X number of families in X amount of time in order to get 1,000 acres for every cabin built there. On November 8, 1739 he received his patent (92 cabins worth). When he died in 1743 it was estimated that he owned something like 120,000 acres and it took 154 years for his descendants to quit fighting about their inheritances. Rebecca was one of ten children.
Benjamin Borden Sr. was born May 16, 1649 in Portsmouth, Rhode Island and married Abigail Grover on September 22, 1670. They lived in NJ where he became a large landowner, was a justice of the peace, elected to the General Assembly, and was road commissioner. When he died in Burlington County, NJ in about 1728 he left a large estate. His son Joseph was an innkeeper and founded the town of Bordentown, NJ. HIS son Joseph's daughters Mary and Ann married Thomas McKean and Francis Hopkinson, both of whom signed the Declaration of Independence.
Benjamin's father was Richard Borden, born in Headcorn, County Kent which is southeast of London by 40 miles and christened on March 4, 1596. He married Joane Fowle on September 28, 1625 and in the 1630's they settled in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Richard signed the compact that created the government of Aquidneck (to become Rhode Island) and was elected to a committee in 1653 to deal with the Dutch. Then he was elected Assistant at Portsmouth, Treasurer of the United Colonies, and Deputy to the General Assembly from Portsmouth. Plus he was a surveyer. He died May 25, 1671 and was buried in the Quaker burial ground. His son John's great X 4 grandson Gail III, invented condensed milk in the 1850's and founded the Borden Milk Company. This guy was also the original surveyer of Galveston TX and Borden County and the town of Gail in west Texas are named for him. This same son of Richard (John) was great X 5 grandfather to Lizzie Borden who is famous for being accused of killing her father and stepmother in 1892 in Fall River, Mass. with an ax, and the resulting rhyme, which everyone knows all too well.
Richard's father was Matthew Borden, christened at Frittenden, county Kent, on September 30 c.1563 and was a yeoman and church warden in Headcorn, County Kent. Richard was one of his sons by his second wife, Joan. His first wife, Eleanor Taylor, apparently died after the birth of their first child, Thomas. Matthew owned land in Headcorn, Smarden, and Bletchenden, all in County Kent and was buried at Headcorn on October 4, 1620.
Matthew's father was Thomas Borden, born about 1533, a yeoman of Headcorn. His first wife's name is unknown; she was the mother of his children. Thomas was buried at the parish church of Headcorn on April 21, 1592.
Thomas' father was William Borden, born about 1510, presumably at Headcorn, married a gal named Joan, paid taxes to Henry the Eighth, and died before June 8, 1557.
William's father was Edmund Borden, born about 1580, again presumably at Headcorn, married Margaret somebody or other in about 1503. He died in the spring of 1539 and was buried in the Headcorn churchyard, leaving eight kids and a pregnant wife.
Edmund's father was William Borden of Headcorn, born after 1450, paid taxes to Henry the Eighth, had three wives (Joan, Thamasine, and Rose) and six kids, and died at Headcorn in 1531, requesting in his will burial within the Church of Our Lady between his first two wives (Rose was living).
William's father, John Borden of Headcorn, wrote a will on April 26, 1469 but there's no date of probate. He requested burial in the churchyard of St. Peter and St. Paul. He also asked that 'an honest priest' be paid to sing in Headcorn church for two years for his parents' and grandparents' souls. His wife's name was Benedicta (nee possibly Turnor).
John's father, Thomas Borden, a yeoman of the parish of Headcorn, married Isabel, and participated in Jack Cade's Rebellion in 1450 which lasted a little over two months and included a battle with Henry IV's troops on London Bridge. They were demanding government reforms, which were considered but not fully implemented for a long time. Thomas and Isabel died before 1469.
Thomas' father was Henry Borden, born in the 1370's and presumably a descendant of the Borden's of the village Borden which is about 12 miles from Headcorn. He's the first Borden to hail from Headcorn. His wife's name was Roberga.
At Henry's father there's a little gap.
Next comes Richard DeBourdon, born 1201 or thereabouts, named after King Richard the Lion Hearted (reigned 1189-1199).
Richard's mother was Robergia DeBourdon, born March 13, 1182 and died about 1220. She married a cousin named Francis DeBourdon from Bayeux, Normandy on Christmas of 1200. They were buried in the churchyard of St. Peter and St. Paul in the village of Borden, County Kent, England and had two sons, Richard and Simon (called 'weak and sickly'). Their family is pictured in the church of St. Peter and St. Paul with the inscription of the Borden Moral Code:
Be True - to friendship and to God, for truth is all of this life worth the having, and perfect truth is what the life to come shall reveal to us. It is the prince of darkness that is the Prince of Lies.
Opposite is the Borden Coat of Arms.
Here's a fascinating story:
A centuries-old Borden family tradition claimed that within the wall of that church was hidden important records. In 1869, on their honeymoon, Richard Y. and Lavinia Borden Cook visited the church and in a secret night mission they removed the Coat of Arms stone from the wall of the church. The stone was hollow and contained a cylindrical box of lead which also bore the Borden Coat of Arms. Inside the box was another cylinder, of well-oiled yellow linen cloth which was waxed on the inside.
- - This contained a parchment manuscript prepared in 1220 A.D. by Robergia DeBOURDON. She wrote that her son Richard "will be strong, a man of iron, wise and peaceful. From him the BORDEN line will succeed. It is now 154 years since Count William of Normandy defeated and killed the Great Harold, King of England, at Hastings. There fell also Ethelwolf my Saxon mother's grandfather and Lord of all the lands which William the Conqueror gave to his vassal, Francis DeBOURDON. My mother was Elfrida of Kent; my father was Simon DeBOURDON." - -
Robergia's father, Simon DeBourdon of Bourdon, England, grandson of Francis DeBourdon of Bayeux Normandy (who fought under William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings in 1066), married Elfreada on Christmas of 1180. She died in 1193, he about 1195, and both are buried in a vault in the family chapel of their castle.
Elfreada's mother's name was Helenore; her father's name isn't known, but her grandfather's name was Ethelwolf, born in 1030 and died in battle in 1066 at Hastings.
...................................................................................................................................................................
Borden Ancestry of Sir Robert L. Borden, Eighth Prime Minister of Canada:
Richard
John
Richard
Samuel
Perry
Perry
Andrew
Robert Laird Borden : 1854, Nova Scotia - 1937, Ottawa
Also Sir Winston Churchill
Also Marilyn Monroe
Ain't it an amazingly small world after all.
Credit for the following information goes to Michael Cole, M.D.
Rebecca was born c.1710 and died c.1780. She married Thomas Branson Jr. in 1731.
Here begin the 'BEGATS' :
Rebecca's father was Benjamin Borden II. He was born April 6,1678 in Middletown, Monmouth County, NJ and married Zuriah Winter (his cousin) in about 1710 and they moved to VA by January 21, 1734 when he was appointed a justice of Orange County. King George II granted him 92,100 acres ('Borden's Great Tract') more recently known as Rockbridge County, VA. Rumor has it that he killed a young buffalo, presented it to Governor Gooch, and was awarded 500,000 acres. Another rumor is that he captured a buffalo calf, sent it to the Queen, and was given 100,000 acres in the Virginia Valley. All he had to do was hand over 1800 pounds as a bond and populate the tract with X number of families in X amount of time in order to get 1,000 acres for every cabin built there. On November 8, 1739 he received his patent (92 cabins worth). When he died in 1743 it was estimated that he owned something like 120,000 acres and it took 154 years for his descendants to quit fighting about their inheritances. Rebecca was one of ten children.
Benjamin Borden Sr. was born May 16, 1649 in Portsmouth, Rhode Island and married Abigail Grover on September 22, 1670. They lived in NJ where he became a large landowner, was a justice of the peace, elected to the General Assembly, and was road commissioner. When he died in Burlington County, NJ in about 1728 he left a large estate. His son Joseph was an innkeeper and founded the town of Bordentown, NJ. HIS son Joseph's daughters Mary and Ann married Thomas McKean and Francis Hopkinson, both of whom signed the Declaration of Independence.
Benjamin's father was Richard Borden, born in Headcorn, County Kent which is southeast of London by 40 miles and christened on March 4, 1596. He married Joane Fowle on September 28, 1625 and in the 1630's they settled in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Richard signed the compact that created the government of Aquidneck (to become Rhode Island) and was elected to a committee in 1653 to deal with the Dutch. Then he was elected Assistant at Portsmouth, Treasurer of the United Colonies, and Deputy to the General Assembly from Portsmouth. Plus he was a surveyer. He died May 25, 1671 and was buried in the Quaker burial ground. His son John's great X 4 grandson Gail III, invented condensed milk in the 1850's and founded the Borden Milk Company. This guy was also the original surveyer of Galveston TX and Borden County and the town of Gail in west Texas are named for him. This same son of Richard (John) was great X 5 grandfather to Lizzie Borden who is famous for being accused of killing her father and stepmother in 1892 in Fall River, Mass. with an ax, and the resulting rhyme, which everyone knows all too well.
Richard's father was Matthew Borden, christened at Frittenden, county Kent, on September 30 c.1563 and was a yeoman and church warden in Headcorn, County Kent. Richard was one of his sons by his second wife, Joan. His first wife, Eleanor Taylor, apparently died after the birth of their first child, Thomas. Matthew owned land in Headcorn, Smarden, and Bletchenden, all in County Kent and was buried at Headcorn on October 4, 1620.
Matthew's father was Thomas Borden, born about 1533, a yeoman of Headcorn. His first wife's name is unknown; she was the mother of his children. Thomas was buried at the parish church of Headcorn on April 21, 1592.
Thomas' father was William Borden, born about 1510, presumably at Headcorn, married a gal named Joan, paid taxes to Henry the Eighth, and died before June 8, 1557.
William's father was Edmund Borden, born about 1580, again presumably at Headcorn, married Margaret somebody or other in about 1503. He died in the spring of 1539 and was buried in the Headcorn churchyard, leaving eight kids and a pregnant wife.
Edmund's father was William Borden of Headcorn, born after 1450, paid taxes to Henry the Eighth, had three wives (Joan, Thamasine, and Rose) and six kids, and died at Headcorn in 1531, requesting in his will burial within the Church of Our Lady between his first two wives (Rose was living).
William's father, John Borden of Headcorn, wrote a will on April 26, 1469 but there's no date of probate. He requested burial in the churchyard of St. Peter and St. Paul. He also asked that 'an honest priest' be paid to sing in Headcorn church for two years for his parents' and grandparents' souls. His wife's name was Benedicta (nee possibly Turnor).
John's father, Thomas Borden, a yeoman of the parish of Headcorn, married Isabel, and participated in Jack Cade's Rebellion in 1450 which lasted a little over two months and included a battle with Henry IV's troops on London Bridge. They were demanding government reforms, which were considered but not fully implemented for a long time. Thomas and Isabel died before 1469.
Thomas' father was Henry Borden, born in the 1370's and presumably a descendant of the Borden's of the village Borden which is about 12 miles from Headcorn. He's the first Borden to hail from Headcorn. His wife's name was Roberga.
At Henry's father there's a little gap.
Next comes Richard DeBourdon, born 1201 or thereabouts, named after King Richard the Lion Hearted (reigned 1189-1199).
Richard's mother was Robergia DeBourdon, born March 13, 1182 and died about 1220. She married a cousin named Francis DeBourdon from Bayeux, Normandy on Christmas of 1200. They were buried in the churchyard of St. Peter and St. Paul in the village of Borden, County Kent, England and had two sons, Richard and Simon (called 'weak and sickly'). Their family is pictured in the church of St. Peter and St. Paul with the inscription of the Borden Moral Code:
Be Just - for the Lord only loaned us that which we have whether of goods or of talents, and in their use we must consider the rights of all men.
Be Merciful - for we shall have no greater claim to the mercy we all shall finally need than that we forgive our brother's faults. Be True - to friendship and to God, for truth is all of this life worth the having, and perfect truth is what the life to come shall reveal to us. It is the prince of darkness that is the Prince of Lies.
Opposite is the Borden Coat of Arms.
Here's a fascinating story:
A centuries-old Borden family tradition claimed that within the wall of that church was hidden important records. In 1869, on their honeymoon, Richard Y. and Lavinia Borden Cook visited the church and in a secret night mission they removed the Coat of Arms stone from the wall of the church. The stone was hollow and contained a cylindrical box of lead which also bore the Borden Coat of Arms. Inside the box was another cylinder, of well-oiled yellow linen cloth which was waxed on the inside.
- - This contained a parchment manuscript prepared in 1220 A.D. by Robergia DeBOURDON. She wrote that her son Richard "will be strong, a man of iron, wise and peaceful. From him the BORDEN line will succeed. It is now 154 years since Count William of Normandy defeated and killed the Great Harold, King of England, at Hastings. There fell also Ethelwolf my Saxon mother's grandfather and Lord of all the lands which William the Conqueror gave to his vassal, Francis DeBOURDON. My mother was Elfrida of Kent; my father was Simon DeBOURDON." - -
Robergia's father, Simon DeBourdon of Bourdon, England, grandson of Francis DeBourdon of Bayeux Normandy (who fought under William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings in 1066), married Elfreada on Christmas of 1180. She died in 1193, he about 1195, and both are buried in a vault in the family chapel of their castle.
Elfreada's mother's name was Helenore; her father's name isn't known, but her grandfather's name was Ethelwolf, born in 1030 and died in battle in 1066 at Hastings.
...................................................................................................................................................................
Borden Ancestry of Sir Robert L. Borden, Eighth Prime Minister of Canada:
Richard
John
Richard
Samuel
Perry
Perry
Andrew
Robert Laird Borden : 1854, Nova Scotia - 1937, Ottawa
Also Sir Winston Churchill
Also Marilyn Monroe
Ain't it an amazingly small world after all.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
This Is Becoming My Journal
Journaling on my computer is nothing new. The difference seems to be that these words aren't likely to be lost if I forget to print hard copies, or run out of paper or ink, or if my computer crashes. Now THAT is astonishing to me.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Plan A: Still Proceeding In An Orderly Fashion, Thank You Very Much !!
Okay, let's define "orderly fashion" here.
To me, an orderly fashion includes setting some priorities.
Although my personal priorities may not conform with what society at large may agree with, they are MY priorities.
For example, in my own little world, the one I live in here in my Tumble Down Cottage on Main Street of Small Town USA, books and artwork are a priority. According to most people I ought not to be sitting and reading a book when I've got plumbing and wiring to do. According to ME, that's exactly what I ought to be doing. The plumbing and wiring will get done, have no fear, and it will be done exceptionally well - in my own good time. So will everything else.
At the moment I'm multi-tasking.
In between paragraphs, I'm painting a picture (not the recalcitrant child one; this is a different one I'm working on while that one's in Time Out to contemplate its evil ways until it agrees that I'm the boss here - it might be a long time out), putting things into place in my kitchen, sweeping the floor, telling Duke that no he can't go outside because it's the middle of the night, reading a book about Maine just before the Revolution, and working on a sculpture for one of my daughters.
I'm also congratulating myself for the fact that there are NO boxes of stuff in 1) the dining room, 2) the kitchen (WHOO-HOO!), or 3) the bathroom. And no it's NOT because there are boxes of stuff that go in those rooms sitting in OTHER rooms. It's because everything is put AWAY. Thank the Good Lord that I build sturdy shelving units!
As I empty out the boxes I toss them (the empty boxes) into the morning room, which is getting mighty full. Pretty soon I'm going to have to flatten out all those boxes, bind them up with baling twine, and haul them out to the dump. I've got at least two loads of filled boxes (clothes and other burnable stuff) to haul out, so I hope the boxes flatten out well.
In a little bit I'll head for a bath in my 100 year old clawfoot bathtub, which is in incredible shape for its age, I have to say.
Considering it IS the middle of the night, I've been busy.
I tell ya - I'm gonna get through this Dakota Winter in FINE shape this year!
Good thing I work the 3-11 shifts at work!
To me, an orderly fashion includes setting some priorities.
Although my personal priorities may not conform with what society at large may agree with, they are MY priorities.
For example, in my own little world, the one I live in here in my Tumble Down Cottage on Main Street of Small Town USA, books and artwork are a priority. According to most people I ought not to be sitting and reading a book when I've got plumbing and wiring to do. According to ME, that's exactly what I ought to be doing. The plumbing and wiring will get done, have no fear, and it will be done exceptionally well - in my own good time. So will everything else.
At the moment I'm multi-tasking.
In between paragraphs, I'm painting a picture (not the recalcitrant child one; this is a different one I'm working on while that one's in Time Out to contemplate its evil ways until it agrees that I'm the boss here - it might be a long time out), putting things into place in my kitchen, sweeping the floor, telling Duke that no he can't go outside because it's the middle of the night, reading a book about Maine just before the Revolution, and working on a sculpture for one of my daughters.
I'm also congratulating myself for the fact that there are NO boxes of stuff in 1) the dining room, 2) the kitchen (WHOO-HOO!), or 3) the bathroom. And no it's NOT because there are boxes of stuff that go in those rooms sitting in OTHER rooms. It's because everything is put AWAY. Thank the Good Lord that I build sturdy shelving units!
As I empty out the boxes I toss them (the empty boxes) into the morning room, which is getting mighty full. Pretty soon I'm going to have to flatten out all those boxes, bind them up with baling twine, and haul them out to the dump. I've got at least two loads of filled boxes (clothes and other burnable stuff) to haul out, so I hope the boxes flatten out well.
In a little bit I'll head for a bath in my 100 year old clawfoot bathtub, which is in incredible shape for its age, I have to say.
Considering it IS the middle of the night, I've been busy.
I tell ya - I'm gonna get through this Dakota Winter in FINE shape this year!
Good thing I work the 3-11 shifts at work!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Recalcitrant Child Painting: NO KIDDING!!!
Well yes, I knew it. I knew it was going to fight me every step of the way.
Why, oh WHY, can't I just let it have its way?
Ah well, it will be fine in the end.
I hope.
Why, oh WHY, can't I just let it have its way?
Ah well, it will be fine in the end.
I hope.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Artwork Commissioned - Design Work In Progress
The thoughts of an artist roam at will.
Boundaries set by the customer are minor considerations, as the commission is specific only in size and general coloring.
I'm thinking that it wants to have texture and form, a life of its own within its given framework, with maybe a swirl and a swoop of movement.
Anything more specific than that is probably a waste of time and effort on my part as I have a feeling this one is going to be one of those 'recalcitrant child' works - you know, the ones who flat refuse to pay any attention whatsoever to anyone (like me) who thinks they can have anything to say about planning, development, design, or implementation.
I can THINK anything I WANT. I can PLAN whatever I CHOOSE. And those are interesting and fun things to contemplate, I kid you not.
HOWEVER, when it comes right down to it, the only things I really have any say-so about are the mediums with which this work will take form. That much I CAN do.
I merely provide the framework, the space, the materials and the tools (including my own hands, which the work will feel free to use at will). After that, the biggest part of me just backs off and watches the piece bring its own self into being, on canvas this time.
I tell ya, it's an amazing process.
There have been times that I've tried to impose some kind of modicum of decorum to a piece and it absolutely will NOT tolerate my interference. The few times that I've insisted ... well, the least said about THOSE results, the better.
I may be slow but I do catch on.
And so I realize right up front that the design I have in my mind for this piece may well be nothing more than a fruitless exercise. The greens, yellows, pinks, the touch of blue, all washing into one another and overlaid with burgundy with little highlights of color here and there may well end up being so much hogwash.
I can, and do, dream my dreams of what this work will end up looking like, but the bottom line is that it will create itself as it goes along. I can either rant and rave and cuss a blue streak because it isn't doing it MY WAY, or settle myself and watch in perplexed fascination as it unfolds itself in whatever way IT chooses.
Guess which way works better.
One side note: This is going to be a fairly big piece but as I don't want it standing alone I do plan to, once it's done, do several companion pieces to go with it. If the customer doesn't want them, I'll keep them myself or give them to someone else.
Boundaries set by the customer are minor considerations, as the commission is specific only in size and general coloring.
I'm thinking that it wants to have texture and form, a life of its own within its given framework, with maybe a swirl and a swoop of movement.
Anything more specific than that is probably a waste of time and effort on my part as I have a feeling this one is going to be one of those 'recalcitrant child' works - you know, the ones who flat refuse to pay any attention whatsoever to anyone (like me) who thinks they can have anything to say about planning, development, design, or implementation.
I can THINK anything I WANT. I can PLAN whatever I CHOOSE. And those are interesting and fun things to contemplate, I kid you not.
HOWEVER, when it comes right down to it, the only things I really have any say-so about are the mediums with which this work will take form. That much I CAN do.
I merely provide the framework, the space, the materials and the tools (including my own hands, which the work will feel free to use at will). After that, the biggest part of me just backs off and watches the piece bring its own self into being, on canvas this time.
I tell ya, it's an amazing process.
There have been times that I've tried to impose some kind of modicum of decorum to a piece and it absolutely will NOT tolerate my interference. The few times that I've insisted ... well, the least said about THOSE results, the better.
I may be slow but I do catch on.
And so I realize right up front that the design I have in my mind for this piece may well be nothing more than a fruitless exercise. The greens, yellows, pinks, the touch of blue, all washing into one another and overlaid with burgundy with little highlights of color here and there may well end up being so much hogwash.
I can, and do, dream my dreams of what this work will end up looking like, but the bottom line is that it will create itself as it goes along. I can either rant and rave and cuss a blue streak because it isn't doing it MY WAY, or settle myself and watch in perplexed fascination as it unfolds itself in whatever way IT chooses.
Guess which way works better.
One side note: This is going to be a fairly big piece but as I don't want it standing alone I do plan to, once it's done, do several companion pieces to go with it. If the customer doesn't want them, I'll keep them myself or give them to someone else.
SOMETIMES YOU FEEL LIKE A NUTT
Anthony Bramston, esq., of Skreens who espoused Catherine, daughter and co-heir of Sir Thomas Nutt, Knight of Mayes in Essex, by whom (who d. 24th June 1708) he had issue, John and Thomas.
Digging through possible leads can lead to interesting stories ... who was this Sarah Branson?
Message Board Post:
NUTT, Miles (bp 1598-1671) & 1/wf Sarah BRANSON; m. 16 July 1623 Barking, co. Suffolk. [TAG 52:21]
I am not related to this family, I am just passing on this information, which comes from a book titled "Supplement to Torrey's New England Marriages prior to 1700" by Melinde Lutz Sanborn, Genealogical Publishing Co., 1991, pg.48.
Joyce
Digging through possible leads can lead to interesting stories ... who was this Sarah Branson?
Message Board Post:
NUTT, Miles (bp 1598-1671) & 1/wf Sarah BRANSON; m. 16 July 1623 Barking, co. Suffolk. [TAG 52:21]
I am not related to this family, I am just passing on this information, which comes from a book titled "Supplement to Torrey's New England Marriages prior to 1700" by Melinde Lutz Sanborn, Genealogical Publishing Co., 1991, pg.48.
Joyce
1636 · Ships Unknown
o MILES NUTT — baptized 7 May 1598 at Barking, Suffolk, and died 2 July 1671 at Malden. Miles Nutt married Sarah Branson on 16 July 1623 at Barking, and they emigrated to New England with their daughter Sarah Ruth by 1636, when Miles was a proprietor in Watertown [GMC50 247–248].
o SARAH (BRANSON) NUTT — wife of Miles Nutt. She died before 1659.
...COVENTRYVILLE, PA
The area known today as Coventryville was a peaceful, quiet place in 1700 with a few inhabitants living on small cleared acreages, separated from each other by virgin forests, and totally dependent upon themselves for their basic needs. The valley lying between the steep Nantmeal hills to the south and the more even, gentler rise of the hills to the north was very like those of Samuel Nutt's native Coventry, England.
In 1717, Nutt established the first iron forge in Chester County, and the second in the Commonwealth, at the confluence of the north and south branches of French Creek. A Catalan type forge, this small beginning was joined by others. With ebb and flow, it flourished for over 150 years to birth and promote the iron industry in Pennsylvania and, indeed, "early America".
...
The sites of Coventry Forge #1, Coventry Forge #2, Redding Furnace #1, also known as Kristeen Furnace, and the later mills of George Chrisman are all that remain of these courageous, early industrial enterprises which gave impetus to the growth of the area and paved the way for the agricultural pursuits which followed the age of the ironmaster.
...
Lying northwest of Coventry Forge Farm on a fast moving little stream called Rock Run, Nutt and his partners constructed a dam and built the first Redding Furnace. Later it was rebuilt and called Kristeen, or Christeen, Furnace. This was a small attempt at melting the raw ore into bars which could be used in the forge. It was only mildly successful and was replaced in 1736 by Redding Furnace #2 about three miles west on French Creek. However, Kristeen Furnace turned out many items for trade in the years roughly from 1725 to 1765. Pieces of ore can still be dug up around the site. At one point a grist mill and a house were erected on either side of the furnace and a farmhouse, barn and outbuildings were constructed on the furnace land between the furnace and the village.
...
The men and women who were associated with the early history of Coventryville – Samuel and Anna Nutt, William Branson, Mordecai Lincoln, Robert and Rebecca Grace, Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Savage, Caleb North and Thomas and Anna Potts were energetic, resourceful, creative persons with marked leadership qualities.
...
Coventry Forge, the second iron manufactory in the colony of Pennsylvania and the first in Chester County, was established in the years between 1717-19 by Samuel Nutt just below the confluence of the north and south branches of French Creek. Nutt, an English Quaker and a man of means, had come to this country in 1714 bringing with him a certificate of transfer from the Coventry Friends Monthly Meeting and a purchase title to certain lands in the French Creek Region.
With remarkable initiative and speed, Nutt set out to enlarge his enterprise and acreage. He opened ore mines at St. Mary's, purchased 300 acres adjacent to his Coventry holding and obtained two large tracts in East Nantmeal Township on one of which the Warwick Furnace was later built. Using his own funds, Nutt also built a road from Coventry to Philadelphia, now known as [Route] #23 which still bears his name in places.
In 1720 Nutt moved his forge to higher ground and in 1723 he formed a Partnership with William Branson and Mordecai Lincoln, the great-great-grandfather of Abraham Lincoln. Branson, a Philadelphia merchant, was also acquiring large amounts of land in the French Creek Region and showing interest in investing in iron works. Through the partnership Redding Furnace I, sometimes called Kristeen, was constructed on Rock Run Just west of the forge.
In 1725 Lincoln sold his part in the partnership to Branson for 500 pounds, but the partnership continued through the construction of Redding Furnace II on the south branch of French Creek. In 1732, experiments were made at Redding I which led to the first production of steel. That same year Branson bought Vincent Forge (later known as Vincent Steel works) and further refined the steel making process.
...
Samuel Nutt was not only a successful ironmaster, but a prominent member of the Colony. From 1723-1726 he represented Chester County in the Assembly and he was also justice of the King's peace. Nutt shared with Branson the restlessness and vision of a pioneer. His mind was continually fermenting new projects. At the time of his death in 1737, he was planning a on the South branch of French Creek. Instructions were left in his will for the construction of this furnace by his wife, Anna, and her Savage sons. The furnace, completed in 1738 was called Warwick Furnace.
...
Sarah Branson
F, b. circa 1600
Sarah Branson was born circa 1600 at of Suffolk, England. She married Miles Nutt, son of Michael Nutt and Elizabeth Jackman, on 16 July 1623 at Barking, Suffolk, England.
Family | Miles Nutt b. 7 May 1598, d. 2 Jul 1671 | |||||
Myles NUTT [Parents] 1, 2 died 3, 4 on 02 JUL 1671 in Malden, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. He married 5 Sarah BRANSON about 1624. Myles was baptized 6 on 07 MAY 1598 in Barking, Suffolk, England. Other marriages: TINCKNELL, Sybil Sarah BRANSON 1, 2 married 3 Myles NUTT about 1624. They had the following children: *Cousin William of Philadelphia, the one with all the girls*
Book: "The ancestry of Abraham Lincoln", Page 69 William Branson was the son of Nathaniel Branson Sonning County Berks, England, shoemaker, who had purchased 1250 acres of land from William Penn, although he never came to reside in America. He conveyed his land by deed August 28, 1707 to his son William who came early in 1708 in the "Golden Lyon" to Pennsylvania. In 1709 he resided in Philadelphia on the east side of Second Street, being then called joiner, in 1720 shopkeeper, and 1726 merchant. He had acquired before 1741, over 3400 acres of land in Berks and Chester Counties. Page 180 - "Know all men that I Mordecai Lincoln of Coventry in the County of Chester, for and in consideration of the sum of l500 etc., do forever quitclaim to William Branson, merchant of Philadelphia, his heirs and assigns, one full and undivided third part of the one hundred and six acres of land, according to articles of agreement made between Samuel Nutt of the one part and the said Mordecai Lincoln of the other part, together with all singular the Mynes and Minerals, Forges, Buildings, Houses, Lands and Improvements whatsoever thereunto belonging. Dated 14 December, 1725. There were several members of the Nutt family who married into the Branson family and I've been trying to determine if they were related to Samuel Nutt who was in business with William Branson of Chester, PA. I also found a Sarah Branson of Suffolk, England who married Miles Nutt on July 16, 1623 in Barking, Suffolk, England. She may be related to the Branston family of Suffolk, England discussed below. If Miles Nutt was related to Samuel Nutt, this may be a clue linking the Branstons of Suffolk, England with the Bransons of Chester, PA. According to the information below, Samuel Nutt, (Quaker and founder of the Coventry Ironworks) of PA was from Warwickshire, England. If you have information about the ancestry or descendants of Miles and/or Samuel Nutt please contact Sandra by email. The Ironmasters of Berkshire Furnace Before 1735 Samuel Nutt Sr. and William Branson founded Reading Furnace #1 on French Creek in Chester County near the present site of Hopewell Village. In 1736 the same men founded a second furnace by the same name in the same location. Genealogical and Family History of the State of Connecticut: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding of a Nation. Volume III John Jenkins settled in 1733 , in the Conestoga Valley , in Caernarvon township , near Churchtown , where he was the first settler. He represented William Branson , an English gentleman, for whom he purchased a large tract of land, upon which he erected the Windsor iron works, which were among the first in Pennsylvania. ..................................................................................... Sarah Branson married Miles Nutt in Suffolk in 1624. Samuel Branson, son of Jonathan, son of Thomas Jr, married Charlotte Nutt in 1798, presumably in NJ Noted events in his life were: • Military Service, 17 Jul 1780, New Jersey. Reveloutionary soldier: Capt. Jedu Wood's company, 2nd Regt from Deptford Twp, Gloucester County Militia. • Alt. Death. 1810 According to Moses Nutt Branson Diary • Heir: Hanover Twp, Burlington County, NJ. To Plantation Moses (Nutt) Branson married Harriet Nutt in 1821The Coventryville Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. Portions of the text below were adapted from a copy of the original nomination document. [1] Adaptation copyright © 2007, The Gombach Group. |
The area known today as Coventryville was a peaceful, quiet place in 1700 with a few inhabitants living on small cleared acreages, separated from each other by virgin forests, and totally dependent upon themselves for their basic needs. The valley lying between the steep Nantmeal hills to the south and the more even, gentler rise of the hills to the north was very like those of Samuel Nutt's native Coventry, England.
In 1717, Nutt established the first iron forge in Chester County, and the second in the Commonwealth, at the confluence of the north and south branches of French Creek. A Catalan type forge, this small beginning was joined by others. With ebb and flow, it flourished for over 150 years to birth and promote the iron industry in Pennsylvania and, indeed, "early America".
...
The sites of Coventry Forge #1, Coventry Forge #2, Redding Furnace #1, also known as Kristeen Furnace, and the later mills of George Chrisman are all that remain of these courageous, early industrial enterprises which gave impetus to the growth of the area and paved the way for the agricultural pursuits which followed the age of the ironmaster.
...
Lying northwest of Coventry Forge Farm on a fast moving little stream called Rock Run, Nutt and his partners constructed a dam and built the first Redding Furnace. Later it was rebuilt and called Kristeen, or Christeen, Furnace. This was a small attempt at melting the raw ore into bars which could be used in the forge. It was only mildly successful and was replaced in 1736 by Redding Furnace #2 about three miles west on French Creek. However, Kristeen Furnace turned out many items for trade in the years roughly from 1725 to 1765. Pieces of ore can still be dug up around the site. At one point a grist mill and a house were erected on either side of the furnace and a farmhouse, barn and outbuildings were constructed on the furnace land between the furnace and the village.
...
The men and women who were associated with the early history of Coventryville – Samuel and Anna Nutt, William Branson, Mordecai Lincoln, Robert and Rebecca Grace, Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Savage, Caleb North and Thomas and Anna Potts were energetic, resourceful, creative persons with marked leadership qualities.
...
Coventry Forge, the second iron manufactory in the colony of Pennsylvania and the first in Chester County, was established in the years between 1717-19 by Samuel Nutt just below the confluence of the north and south branches of French Creek. Nutt, an English Quaker and a man of means, had come to this country in 1714 bringing with him a certificate of transfer from the Coventry Friends Monthly Meeting and a purchase title to certain lands in the French Creek Region.
With remarkable initiative and speed, Nutt set out to enlarge his enterprise and acreage. He opened ore mines at St. Mary's, purchased 300 acres adjacent to his Coventry holding and obtained two large tracts in East Nantmeal Township on one of which the Warwick Furnace was later built. Using his own funds, Nutt also built a road from Coventry to Philadelphia, now known as [Route] #23 which still bears his name in places.
In 1720 Nutt moved his forge to higher ground and in 1723 he formed a Partnership with William Branson and Mordecai Lincoln, the great-great-grandfather of Abraham Lincoln. Branson, a Philadelphia merchant, was also acquiring large amounts of land in the French Creek Region and showing interest in investing in iron works. Through the partnership Redding Furnace I, sometimes called Kristeen, was constructed on Rock Run Just west of the forge.
In 1725 Lincoln sold his part in the partnership to Branson for 500 pounds, but the partnership continued through the construction of Redding Furnace II on the south branch of French Creek. In 1732, experiments were made at Redding I which led to the first production of steel. That same year Branson bought Vincent Forge (later known as Vincent Steel works) and further refined the steel making process.
...
Samuel Nutt was not only a successful ironmaster, but a prominent member of the Colony. From 1723-1726 he represented Chester County in the Assembly and he was also justice of the King's peace. Nutt shared with Branson the restlessness and vision of a pioneer. His mind was continually fermenting new projects. At the time of his death in 1737, he was planning a on the South branch of French Creek. Instructions were left in his will for the construction of this furnace by his wife, Anna, and her Savage sons. The furnace, completed in 1738 was called Warwick Furnace.
...
October 17, 1675: Reading, Berkshire, England Nathaniel Branson Jr. "Uncle Nate"
From: OregonGal9@aol.com
Subject: [BRANSON] Nathaniel Branson Jr. imprisoned in Reading, Berkshire
Date: Sat, 22 Jan 2011 10:09:57 EST
Subject: [BRANSON] Nathaniel Branson Jr. imprisoned in Reading, Berkshire
Date: Sat, 22 Jan 2011 10:09:57 EST
October 17, 1675: Reading, Berkshire, England Nathaniel Branson Jr.
Edward Lamboll of Reading, clothier, was mentioned in a letter to regarding
Richard Bye of London. William Lamboll witnessed the marriage of John Bye
of Reading, Berkshire and Mary Taylor Nov 17, 1685. Nathaniel "Branston"
Jr. and William Lamboll witnessed the Quaker marriage of John Littlewood and
Mary Tudway, Jan 31, 1681 in Reading, Berkshire.
History of the Bye family and some allied families
Easton, Pa. :: Correll Print. Co.,, 1956, 464 pgs.
[this is an abstract]
Twenty two years after the coming of George Fox there arose throughout
England the Wilkinson-Story Controversy, famous in Quaker annals, which shook
the very foundation of the new belief. In Reading the opposition in the
Society to the influence of George Fox and the Yearly Meeting was strong.
Thomas Curtis, Benjamin Coale, and many others were adherents of Wilkinson
and Story, and their spirit of unfriendly disaffection was the cause of much
sad disturbance in Reading.
Most of the members of the meeting did not follow these leading Friends but
remained with the Society -- the most prominent of these being John
Buy/Bye, William Lamboll, Abraham Bonnifield and Christopher Cheeseman. The two
factions remained apart until 1716 when the Separatists were induced to
capitulate and admit their fault, thus ending a controversy that had lasted thirty-six years.
John Buy/Bye wrote a pamphlet with William Lamboll against the Separatists
in 1685. Nathaniel "Branston" (Jr.) was imprisoned in Reading, Berkshire,
England on October 17, 1675 along with several other Quakers as they were
walking home from a meeting, for refusing to take the Oath of Allegiance.
Some of them were held as long as five years. George Fox frequently attended
the Reading Quaker meetings. However, Nathaniel Branson was not held past
May 15, 1677 when he was a witness to a Quaker marriage at Reading MM. The
meeting just ended, the authories stopped thirteen persons on the street as
they were going home, viz: Thomas Tudway, John Harrington, John Buy/Bye, John
Hill, Richard Breach, John Aslett, John Thorne, William Yeate, John Groome,
John Price, Nathaniel Branston, Daniel Hickus, Nicholas Waite.
They were sent to prison for refusing to take the Oath, confined in two
small rooms over the dungeon in which a felon then lay sick of the Small Pox.
They were kept close locked up to seventeen hours of twenty-four, and were
not suffered to go out to ease themselves. Their working tools were taken
from them, and their wives and servants not suffered to bring them
necessities, nor were they allowed the benefit of air which the felons had.
On the 21st day of the same month seven others were taken from the meeting
and refusing to take the Oath of Allegience, were committed to prison. On
the 13th day of the month called January, 1675, Thomas Davie, George Ball,
Richard Nash, Thomas Pretty, Thomas Draper, William Ward and John Wyran, all
of New Windsor, were arrested by Walter Coudry, under gaoler, for not going
to church and for not repairing it, and not receiving the sacrament. They
were all carried to Reading gaol, where they remained close prisoners for five
years.
> From the Minutes dated 3rd month, 31st, 1692:
John Buy (Bye) was a friend of William Penn, who living nearby at
Rushcombe, frequently attended Reading meetings.
In 1692 John Buy (Bye) wrote a deed to the Reading meeting for a place to
hold meetings. The deed was witnessed by Andrew Hatt, Daniel Bullock and
John Thorne.
John Buy (Bye) had a daughter Mary who married William Passmore of Hurst,
clothier, who emmigrated to Pennsylvania and became the ancestor of the
Passmores of Chester Co.
William Lamboll was a Burgess of Reading in 1602 with his brother Robert
until about 1611. John Buy was Mayor of Reading in 1570. The Lendalls came
from the same place as the Byes, Colthrop in Thatcham, where the name occurs
as early as the fourteenth century as Lambel, Lanbel and Landel. William
Lendall, the Mayor, died in 1599. His daughter Joane married John Bye.
It is because of Nathaniel Branson's connection to William Lamboll that I
believe Nathaniel was probably related to John Brunsden who married Alice
Glover, daughter of Alice Lamboll.
Sandy
CONNECTIONS
In a message dated 1/22/2011 6:19:22 AM Pacific Standard Time, Edward Lamboll of Reading, clothier, was mentioned in a letter to regarding
Richard Bye of London. William Lamboll witnessed the marriage of John Bye
of Reading, Berkshire and Mary Taylor Nov 17, 1685. Nathaniel "Branston"
Jr. and William Lamboll witnessed the Quaker marriage of John Littlewood and
Mary Tudway, Jan 31, 1681 in Reading, Berkshire.
History of the Bye family and some allied families
Easton, Pa. :: Correll Print. Co.,, 1956, 464 pgs.
[this is an abstract]
Twenty two years after the coming of George Fox there arose throughout
England the Wilkinson-Story Controversy, famous in Quaker annals, which shook
the very foundation of the new belief. In Reading the opposition in the
Society to the influence of George Fox and the Yearly Meeting was strong.
Thomas Curtis, Benjamin Coale, and many others were adherents of Wilkinson
and Story, and their spirit of unfriendly disaffection was the cause of much
sad disturbance in Reading.
Most of the members of the meeting did not follow these leading Friends but
remained with the Society -- the most prominent of these being John
Buy/Bye, William Lamboll, Abraham Bonnifield and Christopher Cheeseman. The two
factions remained apart until 1716 when the Separatists were induced to
capitulate and admit their fault, thus ending a controversy that had lasted thirty-six years.
John Buy/Bye wrote a pamphlet with William Lamboll against the Separatists
in 1685. Nathaniel "Branston" (Jr.) was imprisoned in Reading, Berkshire,
England on October 17, 1675 along with several other Quakers as they were
walking home from a meeting, for refusing to take the Oath of Allegiance.
Some of them were held as long as five years. George Fox frequently attended
the Reading Quaker meetings. However, Nathaniel Branson was not held past
May 15, 1677 when he was a witness to a Quaker marriage at Reading MM. The
meeting just ended, the authories stopped thirteen persons on the street as
they were going home, viz: Thomas Tudway, John Harrington, John Buy/Bye, John
Hill, Richard Breach, John Aslett, John Thorne, William Yeate, John Groome,
John Price, Nathaniel Branston, Daniel Hickus, Nicholas Waite.
They were sent to prison for refusing to take the Oath, confined in two
small rooms over the dungeon in which a felon then lay sick of the Small Pox.
They were kept close locked up to seventeen hours of twenty-four, and were
not suffered to go out to ease themselves. Their working tools were taken
from them, and their wives and servants not suffered to bring them
necessities, nor were they allowed the benefit of air which the felons had.
On the 21st day of the same month seven others were taken from the meeting
and refusing to take the Oath of Allegience, were committed to prison. On
the 13th day of the month called January, 1675, Thomas Davie, George Ball,
Richard Nash, Thomas Pretty, Thomas Draper, William Ward and John Wyran, all
of New Windsor, were arrested by Walter Coudry, under gaoler, for not going
to church and for not repairing it, and not receiving the sacrament. They
were all carried to Reading gaol, where they remained close prisoners for five
years.
> From the Minutes dated 3rd month, 31st, 1692:
John Buy (Bye) was a friend of William Penn, who living nearby at
Rushcombe, frequently attended Reading meetings.
In 1692 John Buy (Bye) wrote a deed to the Reading meeting for a place to
hold meetings. The deed was witnessed by Andrew Hatt, Daniel Bullock and
John Thorne.
John Buy (Bye) had a daughter Mary who married William Passmore of Hurst,
clothier, who emmigrated to Pennsylvania and became the ancestor of the
Passmores of Chester Co.
William Lamboll was a Burgess of Reading in 1602 with his brother Robert
until about 1611. John Buy was Mayor of Reading in 1570. The Lendalls came
from the same place as the Byes, Colthrop in Thatcham, where the name occurs
as early as the fourteenth century as Lambel, Lanbel and Landel. William
Lendall, the Mayor, died in 1599. His daughter Joane married John Bye.
It is because of Nathaniel Branson's connection to William Lamboll that I
believe Nathaniel was probably related to John Brunsden who married Alice
Glover, daughter of Alice Lamboll.
Sandy
CONNECTIONS
OregonGal9@aol.com writes:
William Vestal of Chester, PA married Alice Lamboll. Alice was the widow of George Glover and their daughter, Alice Glover, married John Brunsden/Branson of Bucklebury, Berkshire, England, recorded there in Quaker records. William Vestal was the son of William Vassall of Essex, England (died in PA). William Vassall's grandfather, John Vassall, was married at least twice - to Anne Russell and Judith Burrough of Colchester, Essex, England.
The Burrough family of Essex and Suffolk, England was connected to the Branston family of East Bergholt, Suffolk (just across the border from Essex Co.). Christopher Burrough of East Bergholt married Anne Cardinall. Anne's sister, Judith Cardinall, married John Branston of East Bergholt. These Burroughs had relatives in Essex, England where Thomas Branston of Flowton, Suffolk owned land that he bequeathed to his son John.
I'm 99% certain that Thomas L. Branson Sr. was related to the Branstons of East Bergholt. Nicholas Branston of East Berholt, Suffolk, England (grandfather of John Branston "the elder" of East Bergholt), owned land in St. Nicholas Parish-Ipswich, Suffolk when he died in 1491. St. Nicholas is the parish where Thomas L. Branson, Sr. was baptized.
Sandy
Sandy
1736: THOMAS IN VIRGINIA, SHENANDOAH VALLEY
1736: THOMAS IN VIRGINIA, SHENANDOAH VALLEY
"The History of Hardy County, 1786-1986" by Richard MacMaster:
"Lord Fairfax visited the Shenandoah Valley in 1736.... He met with Yost Hite and others who had purchased land on the VanMeter grants. He went on to the home of Thomas Branson, a Quaker from New Jersey, who had purchased 1,370 acres in the lower Shenandoah Valley. Branson's acreage was small in comparison to the large-scale speculations of his son-in-law, Benjamin Borden, another Jersey Quaker with huge grants in western Virginia. Fairfax told Branson and his sons that a legal victory for the Northern Neck Proprietary would make no difference to settlers, it would only mean 'a changing of landlords' and 'paying quitrents to him instead of to the King.' Fairfax wanted the Bransons and the other settlers to stay. he was 'desirous of having the land settled' and he did not any 'poor man to quit the place for want of land.' Fairfax assured Branson that he would honor all the Virginia grants and existing claims on his own land."
"Lord Fairfax visited the Shenandoah Valley in 1736.... He met with Yost Hite and others who had purchased land on the VanMeter grants. He went on to the home of Thomas Branson, a Quaker from New Jersey, who had purchased 1,370 acres in the lower Shenandoah Valley. Branson's acreage was small in comparison to the large-scale speculations of his son-in-law, Benjamin Borden, another Jersey Quaker with huge grants in western Virginia. Fairfax told Branson and his sons that a legal victory for the Northern Neck Proprietary would make no difference to settlers, it would only mean 'a changing of landlords' and 'paying quitrents to him instead of to the King.' Fairfax wanted the Bransons and the other settlers to stay. he was 'desirous of having the land settled' and he did not any 'poor man to quit the place for want of land.' Fairfax assured Branson that he would honor all the Virginia grants and existing claims on his own land."
HISTORY OF PHILADELPHIA … COUSINS … WILLIAM AND HIS GIRLS
HISTORY OF PHILADELPHIA … COUSINS …
On Nov. 21, 1747, a number of inhabitants met in Walton's school-room, and resolved to form an association for military purposes. A committee was appointed to draft a plan of an association, which was submitted to a subsequent assemblage, which met at Roberts' Coffee-House, in Front Street. The next day the articles were signed.
All this marks the definitive and final break-up of the Quaker non-resistance policy in Philadelphia. Several times afterwards its Friends rallied, but their prestige was gone, and they were never able to resume their ancient control of affairs in the city. The epoch of William Penn's empire ceased with Nov. 21, 1747.
Benjamin Franklin and the party of defense were determined to give their defeated opponents no time to recover. They at once projected a lottery to raise the three thousand pounds necessary for the erection of a battery. The price of tickets was forty shillings each. There were 2,842 prizes and 7,158 blanks. William Allen, Joshua Maddox, William Masters, Samuel McCall, Sr., Edward Shippen, Thomas Leech, Charles Willing, John Kearsley, William Clymer, Sr., Thomas Lawrence, Jr., William Coleman and Thomas Hopkinson were managers.
They, together with William Wallace, John Stamper, Samuel Hazzard, Phillip Syng, John Mifflin, James Coultas, William BRANSON, Rees Meredith, Thomas Lloyd, and Benjamin Franklin, or a majority of them, were to have authority to appropriate the proceeds for the benefit and advantage of the province.
On Nov. 21, 1747, a number of inhabitants met in Walton's school-room, and resolved to form an association for military purposes. A committee was appointed to draft a plan of an association, which was submitted to a subsequent assemblage, which met at Roberts' Coffee-House, in Front Street. The next day the articles were signed.
All this marks the definitive and final break-up of the Quaker non-resistance policy in Philadelphia. Several times afterwards its Friends rallied, but their prestige was gone, and they were never able to resume their ancient control of affairs in the city. The epoch of William Penn's empire ceased with Nov. 21, 1747.
Benjamin Franklin and the party of defense were determined to give their defeated opponents no time to recover. They at once projected a lottery to raise the three thousand pounds necessary for the erection of a battery. The price of tickets was forty shillings each. There were 2,842 prizes and 7,158 blanks. William Allen, Joshua Maddox, William Masters, Samuel McCall, Sr., Edward Shippen, Thomas Leech, Charles Willing, John Kearsley, William Clymer, Sr., Thomas Lawrence, Jr., William Coleman and Thomas Hopkinson were managers.
They, together with William Wallace, John Stamper, Samuel Hazzard, Phillip Syng, John Mifflin, James Coultas, William BRANSON, Rees Meredith, Thomas Lloyd, and Benjamin Franklin, or a majority of them, were to have authority to appropriate the proceeds for the benefit and advantage of the province.
COUSIN WILLIAM AND HIS GIRLS IN PHILADELPHIA
In 1683, Nathaniel Branson II purchased 1250 acres of land in the "new province" from William Penn for 25 pounds. The elder Branson never came to American but conveyed the property to his son William on August 28, 1707.
The next year, a young 24-year-old William Branson came to Philadelphia on the ship "Golden Lion" to seek his fortune.
The tract of land deeded him by his father made up the north central portion of what later became East and West Brandywine townships.
Branson was first listed as a "joiner" (carpenter). He must have followed this trade for at least ten years, for he is listed as a Freeman in the Minutes of the Common Council, having purchased his license to operate as an individual tradesman on May 20, 1717.
Later he was called a "shopkeeper" and by 1726, a "merchant." As "William Branson, Trader," he was part of a meeting in Philadelphia in 1729 called to fix the value of European currency used in the colony. In 1744, he was designated "William Branson, Gentleman."
Through the years, Branson purchased considerable property in Philadelphia and Chester County. His holdings in Coventry and Nantmeal townships had rich iron deposits.
He bought the site of Reading Furnace by deed dated Feb. 28, 1723 and was the partner of Samuel Nutt and Mordicai Lincoln--the great-grandfather of Abraham Lincoln. Branson bought out Lincoln in 1725 becoming the principal owner.
William Branson's Daughters: THE GIRL COUSINS
In 1709, Branson lived in Philadelphia on the east side of Second Street, which remained his home all the rest of his life. [See illustration.] He married Mary Tate of Philadelphia, daughter of Robert Tate, probably well before 1715. In 1723, William Branson shed his Quaker faith; his daughters were reared as Baptists.
Three sons died in infancy. Four daughters lived into adulthood:
Mary - who married Dr. Bernardhus Van Leer. Five sons were living when William Branson died in 1760: George, Branson, Benjamin, William, and Samuel.
Rebecca - married Samuel Flowers, who was a justice of the peace and sea aptain. They had three children: Mary wife of Gerardus Clarkson, Hannah wife of Thomas Assheton, and Samuel Branson, a physician.
Hannah - married Richard Hockley, agent for the Penns, Receiver General in 1753. They had 2 children: William, and Mary who married John Wilcocks.
Elizabeth - married Lynford Lardner, brother-in-law of Richard Penn, son of William Penn, the founder of the Penn Colony; he was Receiver General from 1742-1752. Their children were John, Frances, Hannah, William, and James.
William Branson died in 1760, having survived all of his children except Elizabeth. His property was divided among the 15 grandchildren.
Jacob Branson of Kansas 1855 - Are We Related?
1855: JACOB BRANSON, DOUGLAS COUNTY, KANSAS, THE RESCUE
(FREE-STATE VS PRO-SLAVERY)
Transcribed from volume I of Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc. ... / with a supplementary volume devoted to selected personal history and reminiscence. Standard Pub. Co. Chicago : 1912. 3 v. in 4. : front., ill., ports.; 28 cm. Vols. I-II edited by Frank W. Blackmar. Transcribed May 2002 by Carolyn Ward.
Branson, Jacob, one of the early settlers of Douglas County, located at Hickory Point, about 10 miles south of Lawrence on the old Santa Fe road. It was a very beautiful tract of land, part heavy timber and the rest fertile prairie.
Many of the early settlers came from Indiana, some of the people who took claims returned to the east temporarily, some never returned. Missourians and others took up these abandoned claims and sometimes laid claim to others which were afterward resumed by the original settlers.
Jacob Branson, who was the leader of the free-state men in the locality, encouraged free-state men to settle at Hickory Point and the pro-slavery men endeavored to get as many men of their faction to settle there as they could. Most of the difficulties in Kansas during the territorial period arose over the question of slavery, but disputes about claims in many cases precipitated the quarrels. The antagonistic elements brought into daily conflict could not long remain without open rupture; one of the most serious occurrences of this kind took place at Hickory Point.
A man named Franklin Coleman was among the second claimants at Hickory Point and a dispute arose between him and Charles W. Dow, who had also settled on an unoccupied claim. Coleman was prominent in the neighborhood as a pro-slavery man, while Dow lived with Branson, the acknowledged leader of the free-state party in the Wakarusa district. Coleman trespassed on Dow's claim and was warned that he must stop.
The feeling between the two men was rapidly tending toward a crisis, when on the morning of Nov. 21, 1855, Dow met Coleman and some other pro-slavery men, among them Buckley and Hargus, at the blacksmith shop at Hickory Point. They denounced Dow and unfortunately Dow and Coleman met on the road going toward Dow's claim. Dow left Coleman at his claim and just after he passed up the road Coleman fired at him; the gun missed fire and Dow begged for mercy but Coleman shot him, and he died in the road.
Immediately Coleman started for Westport, Mo., to give himself up to the governor, but not finding him surrendered to Samuel J. Jones, the sheriff of Douglas County, who was a friend of the pro-slavery party.
After Dow's funeral the settlers of Hickory held a meeting, when resolutions of condolence were passed and a committee was appointed to take steps toward bringing the murderer to justice. At this meeting Branson advocated radical measures with regard to Coleman and his companions, Buckley and Hargus.
Sheriff Jones, in the meantime was on his way to Lecompton with his prisoner, but on the way was met by some of Coleman's neighbors. Buckley told of the threats made against him by Branson and the sheriff concluded to make another arrest.
A warrant was sworn out by Buckley who said that he feared for his life. Justice Cameron issued a peace warrant for the arrest of Branson. It seems that the pro-slavery party expected the free-state men would attempt to rescue Branson, but believed they would do so in Lawrence, after the prisoner was taken there, under which circumstances there would be an excellent excuse for assaulting that stronghold of the abolitionists.
Armed with this warrant and accompanied by Buckley and some fifteen pro-slavery men, Jones went to Branson's house on the evening of Nov. 26 and arested him. This posse had been met before they served the writ by S. P. Tappan of Lawrence, a free-state man, who learned of their mission, and immediately informed Branson's friends of the intended arrest; a young man who lived at Branson's also aroused the neighbors as soon as Jones and his party left.
The sheriff with the posse did not ride at once toward Lawrence, so that considerable time elapsed before they started north.
In the meantime the friends of Branson were aroused and planned his rescue. Phillips, in his Conquest of Kansas, says, "the intention was to have Branson rescued in Lawrence," but Tappan and the young man who had left Branson's had both been busy; about fourteen of the free-state men were gathered at Abbott's house near which the posse would have to pass on the way to Lawrence. They had gathered so quickly and Jones was so slow that for a time the party at Abbott's began to think they had taken a different road or gone to Lecompton, when the alarm was given by the guard on the road.
The party in the Abbott house rushed out and Jones attempted to evade them by going off the road. This was prevented by the free-state men spreading out.
Jones demanded what was the matter, to which the free-state men replied that was just what they wanted to know. The free-state men told Branson to ride over to them, which he did; both sides declared that they would shoot but neither did. Jones tried in every way to induce the free-state men to give Branson up, but this they refused to do. Finding that nothing availed but to fight, and not being willing to shed blood, Jones was obliged to leave Branson in the hands of his friends and returned to Franklin.
The numerical strength of the contestants in this bloodless encounter was about equal, as it is estimated that there were about fifteen men on each side.
Later in the night the rescuing party having been augmented by a few men, rode into Lawrence, where they told of the threats Jones had made against the Abolitionists of Lawrence.
The arrest of Branson was both violent and irregular and it is doubtful whether any legal officer would have sustained the arrest had the rescue been questioned.
There were only three Lawrence men concerned in the rescue, and Charles Robinson saw that it would not do for the city to take any action in the rescue or harbor the rescuers.
A meeting of the citizens of Lawrence was called and Mrs. Robinson in writing of it said, "Mr. Branson said at the meeting that he had requested to leave Lawrence, that no semblance of an excuse existed for the enemy to attack the town, with tears streaming down his weather-beaten cheeks he offered to go home and die there and he buried by his friend." To this the free-state citizens would not hear but after the Wakarusa camp was established, Tappan, Wood and Branson moved there as a precautionary measure, as Wood had taken such a prominent part in the rescue.
Pages 230-232 from volume I of Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc. ... / with a supplementary volume devoted to selected personal history and reminiscence. Standard Pub. Co. Chicago : 1912. 3 v. in 4. : front., ill., ports.; 28 cm. Vols. I-II edited by Frank W. Blackmar. Transcribed May 2002 by Carolyn Ward.
Transcribed from volume II of Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc. ... / with a supplementary volume devoted to selected personal history and reminiscence. Standard Pub. Co. Chicago : 1912. 3 v. in 4. : front., ill., ports.; 28 cm. Vols. I-II edited by Frank W. Blackmar. Transcribed July 2002 by Carolyn Ward.
Wakarusa War.—During the summer and fall of 1855, excitement ran high in Kansas on account of the struggle between the free-state and pro-slavery parties. Several events occurred which made strife between men of opposing political interests more bitter. Charles W. Dow, a free-state man, was shot by Franklin N. Coleman, a pro-slavery leader of Hickory Point (q. v.) in a dispute over a claim. This occurred on Nov. 21, 1855, and was the beginning of a series of difficulties which led to the Wakarusa war. The culminating event was the rescue by free-state men of Jacob Branson, with whom Dow had lived, after his arrest by Samuel J. Jones, sheriff of Douglas county. Jones at once started for Franklin with his posse, and sent a dispatch to his father-in-law, Col. Boone, at Westport, Mo., asking for aid to recapture Branson. Word was also sent to Gov. Shannon at the Shawnee Mission, for 3,000 men to put down the rebellion at Lawrence. There are people who believe that the whole affair was planned as a trap to catch the free-state men and to serve as an excuse for the destruction of Lawrence.
Without ascertaining the actual condition of affairs, the governor issued a proclamation calling out the militia of Kansas—which really meant the ruffians of Missouri—to put down the rebellion at Lawrence. The people of Missouri were ready and were not long in responding to the call. Holloway, in his History of Kansas, says, "For two or three counties back from the western line of Missouri, troops were sent fully equipped and expecting to fight." In three days some 1,500 had rushed across the border and were confronting Lawrence. Said Gov. Shannon: "Missouri sent not only her young men, but her gray-haired citizens were there. The man of seventy winters stood shoulder to shoulder with the youth of sixteen. There were volunteers in that camp and with them were not only their sons, but their grandsons to join in the fray." The main camp of the besiegers was near Franklin, about 3 miles southeast of Lawrence, and the other wing was in position near Lecompton, under command of Strickler and Richardson.
In Lawrence preparations for defense were going on. As soon as it was learned that a force was gathering on the Wakarusa, all those concerned with the rescue of Branson were requested to leave Lawrence. This was done to show that the town had taken no part in the rescue. A committee of safety was appointed which organized the citizens into guards of 15 or 20 men in a squad, by enrolling them and taking their residence, so that they could be called out at any moment. In this way they were enabled to pursue their business and still be ready to take up arms at a signal.
The news of the threatened invasion and the intention to destroy Lawrence spread rapidly through the territory, with the result that the free-state men rushed to the aid of the besieged, until there were probably 800 men armed and equipped for defense in the town. The committee of safety appointed Dr. Charles Robinson commander-in-chief of all the forces, with Col. J. H. Lane second in command. Lyman Allen commanded the Lawrence Stubbs; Samuel Walker, the company from Bloomington; Maj. Abbott, the Wakarusa company; a man named Shore, the Ottawa Creek company; McWheeney, the company from Palmyra; and the Pottawatomie company was under the command of John Brown, who arrived with his four sons, arms and ammunition just as the treaty of peace was about to be signed.
Every house was filled with soldiers and the free-state hotel was used as a barracks. Five redoubts were built, which commanded every approach to the city. The largest was erected on Massachusetts street near the crossing of Pinckney. It was circular, made of hewn timber, against which an earth embankment was thrown up about 5 feet high and 4 feet wide at the top, while surrounding it was a deep intrenchment. It was designed as a retreat for the women and children in case of an attack. The second line of works was on Massachusetts street, consisting of three rude forts in a line across Vermont, Massachusetts and Rhode Island streets coinciding to that of Henry street. The third was a circular redoubt built on an elevation a little north of Henry street between Massachusetts and New Hampshire streets. The fourth was south of the fort on Henry street and was built to repulse an attack from Mount Oread, should one be made from that direction. The fifth was on Kentucky street, commanding an entrance from a ravine on the west. A cannon which had been sent to Kansas City was also smuggled into the besieged town.
The siege was really commenced on Saturday, Dec. 1, and lasted about a week. The forces on both sides were prepared for war. The defenders spent much time in drilling and strengthening their position, while the invaders waited the command of Sheriff Jones to move upon Lawrence. The Sharp's rifles that had been shipped to Lawrence from New England became of immense value at this time, as the fear of them kept the enemy from a sudden attack. Blackmar, in his Life of Charles Robinson, says: "It was a strange spectacle, almost a comedy had it not been so near a tragedy, and in any case was certainly a travesty on free government, for the United States Senator Atchison to be commanding this singular horde, while Gov. Shannon was hurrying other commands to the scene of war. There was no excuse for it all. The rescuers of Branson had left the town, and there was not a day in which Jones might not go through Lawrence unmolested in doing his duty. He actually did go to the town and return without being disturbed. Gov. Shannon became alarmed first for the safety of the attacking Missourians, and second for the safety of Lawrence. He sent to Col. Sumner, at Leavenworth, for United States troops, but Sumner would not come without orders from "Washington."
From the surrounding towns Lawrence continued to receive reinforcements, who were usually surprised to find that the inhabitants were strictly on the defensive instead of the aggressive as reported by the pro-slavery men.
Finally the citizens sent a delegation to the governor to acquaint him with the true situation. Being incredulous, he was persuaded to go to Lawrence to see for himself, and upon his arrival was amazed at the situation. The besiegers and besieged were brought into conference by him.
The governor, Col. Boone, of Westport, Mo., Col. Kearney, of Independence. Mo., and Gen. Strickler, of Kansas, were duly conducted to Lawrence and to the rooms of the committee of safety in the Free-State hotel. Dr. Robinson and Col. Lane conducted the negotiations on the part of the free-state men, as members of the committee of safety, and after both sides of the question had been discussed, the governor suggested that a treaty be drawn up and signed by the leaders, which was done.
Blackmar, in his Life of Charles Robinson, says "it was an excellent way out of a dilemma, but here was another scene in the drama of spectacular government; the town of Lawrence in rebellion, treating with the Kansas militia, the latter commanded by officers living in Missouri."
The good will of the people of Lawrence and their genuine desire to settle the war was shown by the treaty. After it was signed Robinson and Lane accompanied the governor to the camp of the militia, where Gov. Shannon persuaded them to accept the treaty and withdraw. This was not easily accomplished, but the Missourians finally started for home.
Pages 855-857 from volume II of Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc. ... / with a supplementary volume devoted to selected personal history and reminiscence. Standard Pub. Co. Chicago : 1912. 3 v. in 4. : front., ill., ports.; 28 cm. Vols. I-II edited by Frank W. Blackmar. Transcribed July 2002 by Carolyn Ward.
Jacob Branson and other Free-State men became angry when the Pro-slavery authorities took no action when Charles W. Dow was killed by Franklin N. Coleman, a Pro-slavery man, in late 1855. Branson made threats against Coleman. A Pro-slavery posse headed by Sheriff Jones arrested Branson at his home, but a group of Free-State men rescued Branson near the Wakarusa River south of Lawrence.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Plan A: Still Working Full Speed Ahead
I really ought to have been taking photos all along here ... sigh ... but I'm making good progress, although undocumented by pictures!
As items find their homes, the chaos diminishes only to crop in yet another room as one begins to take shape.
Boxes get moved from one room to another in a kind of rotation. While I'm putting things away in one room, the boxes that don't belong there get moved to another room. If there's no space in the room they SHOULD go into, they get moved yet again when I advance to the room they're currently in.
Eventually they will all at least get into the rooms they'll be unpacked in. I hope.
Today I brought my freezer over so am now well stocked with food. My sister helped me get it into place and then I helped her move some things from town out to her farm, so it's a wash on the helping each other thing this time.
Also tonight I did a mite of wiring. It was no big deal and took all of a few minutes, but what an enormous difference it makes to have a stove. Luckily for me the new breaker box I put in some time back came with a 220 breaker. All I had to do was hook the wiring up, and I had the 220 from before when I bought like ten times more than I needed.
An update on the CLEANING HOUSE HERE end of things. I've filled another five boxes of clothes I haven't worn or even looked at in years! I've also designated another two chairs for the dump and begun filling the front porch with the stuff that will be heading for the burn pile.
In between there's a lot more sorting and filing.
I have a LOT of art-related supplies and need to build myself some shelves SOON so I can unpack all the boxes and get an inventory of sorts made.
My find of the day are boxes I'd forgotten I had - filled with 100 year old cedar shakes from when part of the roof got re-done! I salvaged them and use them to paint on. One of these days I'll post some photos of some, but not right this minute.
Right this minute I'm whupped and am going to read and listen to some Celtic Serenity and then GO TO SLEEP!
As items find their homes, the chaos diminishes only to crop in yet another room as one begins to take shape.
Boxes get moved from one room to another in a kind of rotation. While I'm putting things away in one room, the boxes that don't belong there get moved to another room. If there's no space in the room they SHOULD go into, they get moved yet again when I advance to the room they're currently in.
Eventually they will all at least get into the rooms they'll be unpacked in. I hope.
Today I brought my freezer over so am now well stocked with food. My sister helped me get it into place and then I helped her move some things from town out to her farm, so it's a wash on the helping each other thing this time.
Also tonight I did a mite of wiring. It was no big deal and took all of a few minutes, but what an enormous difference it makes to have a stove. Luckily for me the new breaker box I put in some time back came with a 220 breaker. All I had to do was hook the wiring up, and I had the 220 from before when I bought like ten times more than I needed.
An update on the CLEANING HOUSE HERE end of things. I've filled another five boxes of clothes I haven't worn or even looked at in years! I've also designated another two chairs for the dump and begun filling the front porch with the stuff that will be heading for the burn pile.
In between there's a lot more sorting and filing.
I have a LOT of art-related supplies and need to build myself some shelves SOON so I can unpack all the boxes and get an inventory of sorts made.
My find of the day are boxes I'd forgotten I had - filled with 100 year old cedar shakes from when part of the roof got re-done! I salvaged them and use them to paint on. One of these days I'll post some photos of some, but not right this minute.
Right this minute I'm whupped and am going to read and listen to some Celtic Serenity and then GO TO SLEEP!
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