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."

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.

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.

Rescue of Jacob Branson, 1855

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.

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!

Plan A Seems to be Working Well

Believe it or not I have filled several fairly big boxes (so far) with items sorted to be filed at the dump.  Let it be known that there were only a couple of the faintest of twinges of remorse throughout the process; mostly it was gleefully sacking every last thing I can no longer tolerate the sight of!  OUT they go! 

Gone, gone, gone! 

The couch and two chairs - GONE! 

I would have gotten much further along had not a friend showed up to provide a much needed (and long time coming) respite by taking me out on the town.

Plan A: Sorting and Filing

One thing about moving is that it reveals in no uncertain terms exactly how much STUFF you have accumulated. 

One thing I have added to my Plan A is clearing out un-used and/or un-wanted clutter.  I'm going to clean house, I say!  I'm gonna CLEAN HOUSE around here! 

My daughters will be so proud. 

Getting rid of the things I don't need, want, or particularly like means I'll have more space for the things I DO need, want, and like.  Now there's a 'duh moment' for you! 

I have to be utterly RUTHLESS, which doesn't come easy for me. 

My biggest couch I left at the other house, so that's one item I don't have to worry about. 

I have several chairs that there's no room for.  Out they go, along with one very ugly (also very heavy) couch that someone gave me. 

There are lots of clothes for me to sort through as well. 

I have my scrubs for work, which I will keep. 

I have my ordinary clothes which consist largely of jeans, sweaters, flannel shirts and such.  I can get rid of many of them. 

I have my 'work clothes', smeared and spattered with tar and paint and adhesives and who knows what all else. 

And I have my 'Real People Clothes'.  These are my suits, dresses, nice outfits and the shoes and accessories to go with them.  These I keep for the times I venture out into the real world (admittedly few and far between but I'm working on that, too) and add to my collection on occasion. 

I've got my work cut out for me in more ways than one. 

The time to begin is now.

To paraphrase Patrick Henry:  They tell me, sir, that I am weak, unable to cope with so formidable an adversary.  But when shall I be stronger?  Will it be the next week?  Or the next year? 

No.  I'm as strong today as I expect to be next week or next year, and my adversary ain't gonna be getting any weaker that I can see.  The time is now.  Right this very minute. 

I'm taking a deep breath and getting ready to fill up some of the boxes I unpacked with things that can go to the dump. 

Here I go.

Eli

Chronology

The results of a large number of internet searches; kudos to Blair, Van Doren, Oregon Gal, and the many other researchers.

1734     Eli b. to Thomas Jr. and Rebecca Borden Branson in Burlington, NJ

1763     m. Keziah Hough (Huff) in Frederick County, VA    Keziah:  b.1744/45

1764     12 Jan.     John b. Orangeburg County, SC

1766                     Daniel b. Randolph, NC
1767     1 Nov:  Cane Creek, NC Quakers mm - disowned Eli

                          => Eli was a 'Regulator' of western NC, protesting increasing corruption in NC Colonial, Regional, and Local Government

1768                     Thomas b. Randolph, NC

             Spring:     The Sheriff of Orange County announced that he would only collect taxes at certain areas of the county, and if the settlers did not pay at particular locations, they would be fined. 

This was also the time that Governor Tryon announced the construction of Tryon Palace.  

In May 1768, a group of settlers convened at Cox's Mil on Mill Creek (Orange County) to form a committee of Regulators to end the injustices, and Eli and Thomas Branson were among the regulators who signed the petition. The mission of the group was to 'assemble ourselves for conference for regulating public grievances and abuses of power, in the following particulars...that may occur: 

(1) We will pay no more taxes until we are satisfied that they are agreeable to law, and applied to the purposes therein mentioned, unless we cannot help it, or are forced.  

(2) We will pay no officer any more fees than the law allows, unless we are obliged to do it, and then show our dislike and bear open testamony against it. 

(3) We will attend all of our meetings as often as we conveniently can... 

(4) We will contribute to collections for defraying the necessary expenses attending the work, according to our abilities.  

(5) In case of differences of judgement, we will submit to the judgement of the majority of our body.' 

(alcohol was also not allowed at meetings)

 Hillsborough officials soon seized a Regulator's horse, saddle, and bridle, and sold them for taxes.  A band of outraged Regulators rode into town, rescued the horse, and fired a number of shots into Col. Fanning's house.  The four Regulators involved were ordered arrested.  Herman Husband, defacto leader of the Regulators, was chosen to meet with Fanning to discuss the incident, but before it took place, one of the four Regulators involved and Herman Husband were arrested for inciting rebellion.  This caused the Regulator movement to spread, and the group often broke into  courts of justice, drove judges from the bench, set up mock trials, dragged attornies through the streets, and terrorized town inhabitants. 

1770                     Levi b. Randolph, NC  

             24 Sep:  Eli was among the Regulator group of 150 men, armed with wooden cudgels and cow skin whips, who assaulted a number of government officials in Hillsborough.  They assaulted and beat John Williams Esquire (an attorney), and tried to strike Associate Judge Richard Henderson when he tried to calm them down from the bench window.  They surrounded the courthouse, pulled Col. Edward Fanning out by his heels, and whipped him.  Fanning tried to hide in Johnston and Thackton's store, but the regulators threw dirt, stones, and bricks at the building to get him out.  Assistant Attorney General William Hooper, and other gentlemen were also dragged into the streets to be whipped and abused.  The mob broke into Fanning's house, drank his liquer, burned his papers, destroyed his furniture, and finally burned the home to the ground. 
Governor Tryon immediately began to draw up reforms to address the settlers' needs.  When the assembly heard that the Regulators were grouping in Cumberland County for a march on the capitol of New Berne, the state assembly also passed the Johnson Act dealing with riot charges.  It was only enforced about a year, but included a clause that anyone who avoided a summons for 60 days were declared and liable to be killed for treason.

1771     March 11:  Eli was tried at New Bern for his Regulator Activities.

              On March 19, 1771, Tryon began raising the militia to bring order to Hillsborough, and on April 23, 1771, the troops began their move toward Chatham County.

             May 16: Regulators Defeated at the Battle of Alamance:  'Swear Loyalty or Hang ...'

Most Regulators were forced to leave society, and live in the wilderness. Those that laid down their arms, took the oath of allegiance, and paid their taxes were given a pardon on May 17, 1771.

In the fall of 1771, Eli appears on a petition for relief from the mill dams on Deep River that were interfering with the fishing going on there.

1772     Orange County tax records show Eli there

                   Amy b.  ?

1774     Records show that Eli 'Raised a Company of men (on the orders of Governor Martin) and served'
               Aug:  Court - Chatham Co. NC
 

'A road to be laid out the nearest way from Chatham courthouse to Ely Bransons, and the following persons or any twelve of them be a jury to lay up the same and make report to the next court. Viz: Henry Cook, Josiah Lyon, Solomon Terrell, Joseph Hadley, Joshua Hadley, Brinsley Barnes, James Barnes, Thomas Branson, Ely Branson, Levy Johnston, James Herndon, John Hornaday, Moses Teague, Edward Teague.'

1776     13 Jan    Eli Jr. b. Randolph, Chatham County, NC

             27 Feb. Eli fought for the British as a Captain at the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge, North Carolina.  He was forced to hide in the woods during the summer of 1776, and on November 26, was with a group sent by the state to apprehend Dr. Piles and his son, John.

                            

1777    At New York, Eli was paid for 581 days of service from February 5, 1776 to September 8, 1777. 
            Eli rejoined the British Army in September 1777, and was with Cornwallis in New Jersey and Pennsylvania in 1777.

                            Rebecca b. Chatham, NC
1778     May:  Eli had returned to North Carolina
                        He continued to communicate with Governor Martin, and was eventually forced to resume hiding.
                               Jemima b.    ?

1779                    Mary b.

1780     May:        Cornwallis takes Charlestown; > 3,400 Continentals and Patriots Surrender
             October 7:  Eli narrowly escaped in the Battle of King’s Mountain in Bethabara, North Carolina

1781     March:     Eli rejoined Cornwallis.  Captain Eli Branson and his Company of North Carolina Independents (a company of the Queen’s Rangers) were captured at Yorktown on October 19, 1781. Loyalist records indicate ‘he distinguished himself in a charge on the Whig Cavalry at the siege of Yorktown and dressed in red, was a marked object of his enemy’s fire’.  He was later Repatriated via a Prisoner Exchange in NY.
                              Naomi b.
1782     23 April:  Eli was listed with the prisoners of War at Lancaster on April 23 and June 24.

1783     24 Feb:  Prisoner on Parole
             25 Aug:  Prisoner on Parole
             24 Oct:   Prisoner on Parole

              Eli was listed as a prisoner on parole on February 24, August 25 and October 24, 1783.  He was to serve 4 years commanding his Independent Company as a detachment under command of Lt. Col. George Turnbull in New York.

Eli applied for a claim in 1783 at age 40.                                              

(Aug. - Oct:  Muster Roll of NC Volunteers attached to NY Volunteers)

1784     Signed Petition of Memoralists, Petitioning for Land in the Bahamas

             Chatham County, NC Land Seized and Sold 

             12 Aug.    150 Acre Farm Seized and Sold by Sheriff (he owned 400 acre and 270 acre tracts in Chatham County that he received from his father).

             14 Aug.     Registration of Grant in Nova Scotia, Canada - St. John, New Brunswick from 'the Loyalists of New Brunswick, Ester C. Wright'

             Eli turned down Lot in Parrtown (St. John); he turned it down and went to England

             14 Oct.     m. Elizabeth Jane Rankin (a minor daughter - b.1766/7? - of William Rankin, Tory Colonel, who was in England after the War) in Westminster, St. Anne, Soho, London, England.

1785     2 Jan.        Land Grant in New Brunswick, Canada

    85/86?               20 July     Anna b. Chester, PA     Anna m. Thomas Robinson; the Robinson Family Bible says 'Jane went to England in 1785.  Records indicate that Anna turned 25 on 20July1810

1788     28 Mar:    Eli filed a claim to the English government on March 28, 1788, while residing in St. Pancras, Middlesex, London for cattle and grain supplied to the British Army, and on          
              26 Nov:     he received 450£ and 750£ on the claim; his attorney said Eli was in Canada.
                              27 Oct:  Charles Cornwallis Branson b. Canada

             note:  both Anna and Charles ended up in Fulton County, IL => Quakers ... Eli and Keziah's son John was also in Sangamon County, IL; John's children were in Fulton County, IL later

1789-93                 Eli recorded in Tax Lists Deptford Twp, Gloucester County, NJ
1790     Settled at Ninety-Six, SC

1791     Eli serving on Land Board in Montreal              

1793                      See above re: NJ 
            

After Jane’s death (presumably), he moved to South Carolina, and sent for Keziah in North Carolina. His will was written in Abbeville County , South Carolina on May 30, 1796, and probated on March 27, 1797. He described himself as ‘one of his Majesty’s subjects of the King of Great Britain, now resident of Abbyville’. He left his wife, Keziah, a slave; John, Daniel, and Thomas 636 acres in Newberry County, Indiana Creek, South Carolina; Rebecca, Mary, Naomi, and Levi 20 shillings each; Eli 200 acres in Abbeville County; Jemima 40£ in his will (executed by his ‘well beloved wife’, Keziah, and Nathaniel Henderson Sr.). He added a codicil on May 31, 1796, in which he deeded any inheritence he would receive from his grandfather, Benjamin Borden’s estate, equally to John, Daniel, Thomas, Levi, Eli, Rebecca, Mary, Naomi, and Jemima.

1796     Eli with Keziah in SC.  Will dated 30May1796 in Abbeyville, SC

1797     Eli's Will Proved in March of 1797 - see above