Friday, November 12, 2021
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Here's a Good Story, Whether We're Related or Not: My Version of the Story
It seems that, back in the day, there was a bit of a ruckus about whether or not it was all right for some Cameron folk to just up and move onto someone else's land to live.
The Davidsons didn't think that was a neighborly thing for them to have done and wanted them to move themselves back on home.
Well, the Camerons liked it where they were and didn't want to go back home.
So the Davidsons, who were part of the Chattan Clan group, got together with some MacPhersons and some MacIntoshs to encourage them to hasten on their way but those Camerons weren't hastening anywhere in any great big hurry.
A squabble came up over which family, the Davidsons or the MacPhersons, would get the lead spot in the coming fray. The head Chattan Chief, a MacIntosh, had to decide and chose the Davidsons; the MacPhersons got their knickers in a knot and walked clean out of the fight, which took a good many Davidson lives on that day.
That evening, the MacIntosh Chattan Chief sent his bard to the MacPhersons, singing a very sad and mournful song about people who just turned their backs while their friends and families were getting slaughtered, including the Chief of the Davidsons and seven of his sons.
That song upset the MacPhersons so much that they up and, that very night, hied themselves to the Cameron camp and did some slaughtering of their own; it didn't bring back the dead but at least got them out of hot water with the Chattan, so it was all good.
Well, not so much for the dead guys, but at least they had been avenged.
Now the Davidson Chief's family was left with only a daughter who couldn't become Chief, and a little son who was too young - so the Davidsons had no leader (until that boy grew up) and hardly any warrior men left.
Skip ahead about a decade, which is where it gets interesting for me since I was looking up my Grandmother's MacGowan branch when I found this story.
The fighting between Chattan and Cameron just kept on keeping on until finally the King stepped in and said that's just about enough of THAT. I reckon he didn't much appreciate the fact that some of his best warriors were picking each other off right and left when he might want to call them to fight HIS fights.
So he tells them to each pick 30 champions to meet and fight it out once and for all in a trial by combat, right?
And of course they agree and it's all fine and dandy.
Except that one of the Chattan men got so sick that he couldn't fight.
Well now.
The Camerons flat refused to pick one of their men to sit it out, and the Chattan contingent flat refused to fight short-handed so there they sat.
Finally somebody hollered out to the spectators wanting to know if there was one among them who would fill the empty Chattan place.
One guy jumped over the retaining wall and said he'd do it if he could basically become one of the Chattan group if he survived, and they said sure okay.
Now this guy was a big brawny man, strong as all get-out seeing as he was a smith and fit as a fiddle.
They do say that he was among the first to draw Cameron blood on that day, and he WAS among the survivors of the Chattan who watched the lonely survivor of the Camerons run away to swim across the Tay to safety (or maybe to hide his face).
And from that day to this there have been MacGowans among the Chattan.
You see, the name MacGowan comes from Mac s'Ghobhann, just spelled more the way it sounds ... and ghobhann means 'smith' ... so the courage and audacity and confidence of that one man has carried his family on for all of this time.
I have no idea whether or not my grandmother's MacGowan family stems from that line or not, and it doesn't matter.
The story makes for a fine telling, and MAYBE there's a connection.
A famous writer told a version of this story long ago, namely one Sir Walter Scott.
More recently, another writer has shared the above story in the long version that has all the background and stuff, one Matthew Dawson who affiliates with the Davidsons in the States. He presents his story clearly, relatively concisely, and it's a good one that makes sense.
Just to put a clincher on this whole thing, it was while I was looking up another branch of the family, Day by name (on my grandfather's side), that the Davidson Clan (Clan Dhai) connection came up, and the MacPhersons, and the MacGowan name by association, which I recognized and thought hey that's kind of cool. So I looked it up.
And I take it back about that being the clincher. That's not the clincher.
It was in the lineage of that same grandmother that I found a clan connection with Cameron.
500 years it took for that peace to be made?
No, that's not the clincher, either.
The clincher is ... drum roll please ... before my sister poked me into looking back into our family tree, I started writing the books of They Are My Song and spent literally days on end looking up stuff about the Scottish Wildcat, totally fascinated by it and wanting to include it in my stories.
As part of that research of course there was reference to the cat that tops the Chattan arms in most if not all of its branches. Didn't think much of it, except for liking the heck out of it, as that part of Scotland wasn't part of my books, at least it wasn't yet then. But I did give Mamm a cat named Catan, a mighty big cat, who is tamed only by Mamm's magic.
To have become so fascinated by the Scottish Wildcat, and to have nodded and smiled at reading: Touch not the cat bot a glove ... I found and loved the cat long before I realized that there might be a remote possibility of a connection, let alone a double connection, however far removed.
THAT, my friend, is (for me) the clincher.
*laughing*
I spend about half of my time in the Albann of 487/8 AD, writing my books - so I find myself wondering: all this stuff, this story I found, which took place in the 1300s ... is it in my past, or in my future?
Yeah, I'm strange that way.
Wait until you see my wonderment about the Yew Tree. I think I'd better post that one in my Mystic blog ...
*laughing* Choose What You Want To Find, Look For It, There It Is!!
2021.02.25
I couldn't get into my blogs for a long time, but can at last now access them again.
I have updates for this one, but won't add them right this minute.
I have to admit to having had a little fun with this particular project! I was looking for Scots connections ... this time ... LOL! If I wanted to be Irish, or English, I'd look for the Irish, or English roots of the surnames. Only a few are non-negotiable. Until I can find solid data about the earlier generations, I can choose what I want! They almost all go back to a Celtic history, anyway, even the Norman or Norse derived names. Okay, not the Pict/Cruithnne ones ... maybe ... hmmm ...
*laughing*
FOLLOW THE WOMEN! My Paternal Grandmother:
HELEN MARGARET GIBSON:
LENA GRACE WAGAMAN/SAMUEL ZILORA GIBSON
* WAGAMAN: one who supervised weights and measures; alternatively derived from the middle high German word 'wagener', one who makes or drives wagons. Associated with the German territory Silesia. Also check Saxony references. These people would have descended from the early Northern Tribes (Celt).
* SZ Gibson, Eleanor Elizabeth Gibson (John Wm Collins m?, or not), Samuel James and Mary Jane MacGowan Gibson (both b. England), Eleanor MacGowan (b. Scotland)
* Family name GIBSON, Gaelic Cononach, associated with Scots Clan Buchanan, E Loch Lomond and/or Clan Cameron (Yikes!)
* Family name MACGOWAN, Pict (CRUITHNNE) Mac s'Ghabhain, Gobhann, meaning 'smith', associated with Scots Clan MacPherson (also Cruithnne, meaning parson)/Chattan Confederation, 1396 - and a VERY COOL STORY THAT IS! - Perth, Invernes, Nithsdale 1100s. Scottish Wildcat featured in arms; Motto: touch not the cat bot a glove - I'll get the original Scots Gaelic for that. Tartan colors: red, blue, green, yellow, black, white
* WAGAMAN: one who supervised weights and measures; alternatively derived from the middle high German word 'wagener', one who makes or drives wagons. Associated with the German territory Silesia. Also check Saxony references. These people would have descended from the early Northern Tribes (Celt).
* SZ Gibson, Eleanor Elizabeth Gibson (John Wm Collins m?, or not), Samuel James and Mary Jane MacGowan Gibson (both b. England), Eleanor MacGowan (b. Scotland)
* Family name GIBSON, Gaelic Cononach, associated with Scots Clan Buchanan, E Loch Lomond and/or Clan Cameron (Yikes!)
* Family name MACGOWAN, Pict (CRUITHNNE) Mac s'Ghabhain, Gobhann, meaning 'smith', associated with Scots Clan MacPherson (also Cruithnne, meaning parson)/Chattan Confederation, 1396 - and a VERY COOL STORY THAT IS! - Perth, Invernes, Nithsdale 1100s. Scottish Wildcat featured in arms; Motto: touch not the cat bot a glove - I'll get the original Scots Gaelic for that. Tartan colors: red, blue, green, yellow, black, white
MOTHER - LENA GRACE WAGAMAN:
SARAH DELLA KIRK/MARION HARRISON WAGAMAN
SARAH DELLA KIRK:
NANCY LEE/JOHN KIRK – both born in Scotland – John was a sailor on a merchant ship – in America they established an import business (bananas!) in Kansas City, Missouri
* apparently the Scots family name LEE means 'dweller in the grey castle' or Gaelic 'poet' and is associated with (another one!) Clan MacPherson; KIRK means (SHOCK!) 'church' - imagine that ... being Presbyterian and all ... and is apparently Anglo/Scottish from before the seventh century and probably stemming from a Scandanavian word for church. References to Perth; Presbyterian.
Jessamine County KENTUCKY JOHN WAGAMAN
29 March 1802 John Waggamon (*1781-*24 April 1852) m. Barbara Howser, daughter of Abraham Houser (*1782 – 11 September 1859 Big Creek Cemetery 4 miles SW of Bosworth, Missouri)
Jessamine County, Kentucky; Monroe County, Indiana; Barbara to Missouri
Children of John and Barbara:
Abraham
*Solomon
Joshua
David
John
Elizabeth (Betsy)
Nancy
Sarah (Sally)
Suzannah
Catherine
Martha
Lucy Ann
Mary
Alice Ann (Allazan)
Solomon (b. 1807 Jessamine County, Kentucky d. September 1905 aged 98); 1833 Perry Township Monroe County, Indiana; m. Rebecca Beckett 17 April 1835 (she died 15 September 1843); Pike County near town of Louisiana, Missouri
Children of Solomon and Rebecca:
William
John Thomas (Army - died in Civil War)
Solomon moved back to Perry Township and in 1850 m. Sarah Jane Hale (b. 1832 in Tennessee d. October 1911 aged 79) Both are buried in Woodlawn Cemetery Independence Missouri. 1880 were in Carrollton Carroll County, Missouri; then moved to Independence Jackson County, Missouri; then Kansas City, Missouri
* The family name HALE associates with the Scots Clan Hall; the name comes from Pict/Jute origins before Roman times (BC)
Children of Solomon and Sarah Jane:
John Nathan (Jonathan)
Mary Jane
Sarah Ann
James Jefferson
Marion Harrison (Harry) (b.25 November 1858 in Missouri d. 15 June 1943 Dodge City, Kansas; 1880 Carrollton, Missouri working in a livery stable) 26 December 1882 Independence, Missouri m. Sarah Della Kirk (b.17 December 1860 Griggsville, Illinois d. 17 August 1940 Spearville, Kansas) Both buried at Wilburton, Kansas
Children of Harry and Sarah Della:
Harry Lee
*Lena Grace
Lawrence
Jackie Lorene
Franklin
Bessie Marian
Robert Solomon
Della Elizabeth
Rowena
Tina Florence
John Gilbert
Lena Grace (b. 21 February 1883 Independence, Missouri); 15 June 1905 Burlington Coffey County, Kansas m. Samuel Zilora Gibson; Samuel died 6 January 1912
Burlington, approximately twenty miles by the river above LeRoy, was the location of the next ferry. Lacking opportunity of consulting Coffey county commissioners' journals, we are unable to state when this ferry was inaugurated or by whom. The earliest mention of the enterprise is an item from a Lawrence paper which stated that since the Burlington bridge was carried away by recent floods in the Neosho, the enterprising citizens of that town had gotten together and inaugurated a free ferry service.[69] Another mention of the Burlington ferry appeared in an item in the local paper, the Neosho Valley Enterprise, of November 29, 1859, which stated that "Mr. Gibbs:[70] near the sawmill is engaged in repairing the old ferryboat preparatory for the high-water season." A ferry, apparently, was in operation as late as 1863, Andreas' History of Kansas, page 652, stating that in the spring of that year William Gibson[71] was drowned by the sinking of the ferryboat at that place.
An article first published in the Neosho Valley Register, of Iola, and copied in the Kansas State Journal, of Lawrence, March 19, 1863, doubtless refers to the Burlington ferry. It states that on March 16, 1863, one Pleasant Landers,[72] a resident of Avon township, was returning from a trip to town, when his horses refused to be driven onto the ferryboat. Accordingly they were unhitched and led onto the boat, and the partially loaded wagon drawn on by hand. In addition to the team and wagon, the ferryboat contained Mr. Landers, Misses Sarah Vince[73] and Mary Jane Gibson[74] and Henry Atherly and William Gibson who were operating the boat. The load, apparently, was not evenly distributed, too much weight being on the upper end of the boat. When near the opposite shore and in the swiftest part of the current, the boat dipped beneath the surface and the force of the current carried it under, when all on board were washed off, excepting Gibson and his sister who succeeded in clinging to the railing. The team swam ashore, carrying with them Landers and Atherly. Miss Vince started drifting with the current, but managed to get hold of the railing of the boat which was floating near, and was soon rescued. The ferryboat was still attached to the swing rope, and rode up and down with the current, sometimes one end being three or four feet above the water and the next moment as far below, carrying with it the Gibsons who still clung to the railing. After several such plunges, Gibson lost hold of his sister and was swept away, his sister still clinging to the boat. Later the rope was cut and the boat drifted down the river. When near the pieces of the old bridge, B.F. Ash plunged into the river, carrying with him one end of a rope, and succeeded in reaching the boat. This rope he made fast and the boat was drawn ashore, Miss Gibson being in a nearly insensible condition when rescued. Every effort was made to recover the body of young Gibson. He had been a member of a Kansas volunteer regiment, and had been wounded in the knee by a rebel musket ball during the Battle of Drywood. His lameness probably prevented him from saving himself.
William Gibson, son of Samuel Gibson, is listed in the "Census" of 1860," Coffey county, age 24, and a farmer.
| ||||||||||||||||
‘Union Defenders of Kansas 1865’
About the listings - numbers in front of the name is the house visitation
number, the soldiers name, age, place of birth, regiment and company, household
of, if other than his own, special notations (e.g. - "Colonel"). The counties are
listed in alphabetical order, followed by townships for each county and last
followed by house visitation numbers.
Coffey County
Avon twp.
12. PORTER, John 28 IN 9th KS C Caleb BUTLER
13. BURR,H.N. 19 OH 13th KS F H.A. BURR
17. McNAUGHTON, James 26 NY 2nd Colorado C Wm. McNAUGHTON
19. McKENNY, J.W. 20 MO 9th KS C John McKENNY
,Howell 18 AR 9th KS C "
27. HARRINGTON,S.R. 27 NY 5th KS K Levi HEDDEN "Capt"
32. STILLION, Moses 34 OH 15th KS J Mary A. HOLLAND
33. GIBSON, John 28 IRE 12th KS F Sam'l GIBSON
63. NEWMAN, S.P. 22 IL 15th KS J James NEWMAN
,George T. 18 IL 12th KS F "
66. BALLARD, T.H. 21 IL 2nd KS A C.W. BALLARD
, J.D. 19 IL 2nd KS A "
77. BETHARD, J. 28 OH 1st IA?
80. PRICE, George J. 24 ENG 12th KS F Geo. PRICE
88. TAMBLIN,G.H. 20 NY 5th KS L S.C. JENKINS
97. KEMBURE, Martin 17 BAD 9th KS H J.F.A. WINKLEMAN
101. MOSIER, John 27 MO 14th KS J John W. WOOLSEY
,Isaac 20 MO 14th KS J "
102. SMITH, Solomon 46 VA 15th KS J
111. WEBBER, G.E., Jr. 26 AR 9th KS H G.E. WEBBER
Burlington twp
10. WATROUS, A.C. 28 OH 3rd IA F N.W. WATROUS
, John 21 WS 5th KS L "
, I.N. 18 WS 5th KS L "
13. McALLEITN, W.F. 25 PA 9th KS A J.M. MANSON "Physician"
20. HICKOX, Samuel 20 PA "Blair's Baty" Wm. H. HICKOX
?22. VINCE, Eugene 17 PA 9th KS C A.N. VANCE
26. ARCHER, J.P. 26 IN 6th KS A F.S. ARCHER
33. STANLY, J.C. 22 IA 9th KS F Augustine HOLLAND
MOFFETT, J.N. 22 IN 9th KS F "
37. MAJORS, Thomas 41 TN 15th KS E
47. WARD, J.D. 21 IN 9th KS D Wm. WARD
, B.B. 22 IN 9th KS D "
51. HEFFERON, John 29 NVS "Govt. Wagon Master" Mik'l HEFFRON
65. RYAN, Solomon 21 NBR 8th KS G Henry RYAN
82. WARD, L.W. 17 IA 9th KS C Hardy WARD
CROPWHITE, T.P. 22 MO 15th KS W "
Children of Lena Grace and Samuel Gibson:
Clifford Jackson
Stanley Zilora
Helen Margaret (b. 20 August 1907 Burlington, Kansas) 7 September 1927 m. Clarence William (CW – Chiff) Branson (b. 26 October 1901 Stafford, Stafford County, Kansas)
Children of Helen and Chiff:
William Clarence
Stanley Clifford
*Robert Samuel
Helen Marilyn
Margaret Phyllis
……….
HELEN MARGARET GIBSON FATHER - SAMUEL ZILORA GIBSON:
*the GIBSON family name (Gaelic Cononoch) seems to be associated with Clan Buchanan, seated East of Loch Lomond and/or Clan Cameron (uh-oh)
ELEANOR ELIZABETH GIBSON/JOHN WILLIAM COLLINS – DIVORCED BEFORE SAMUEL ZILORA’S BIRTH OR NEVER MARRIED PERHAPS
* The family name COLLINS associates with Aberdeenshire and Argyllshire
* The family name COLLINS associates with Aberdeenshire and Argyllshire
ELEANOR ELIZABETH GIBSON:
MARY JANE MACGOWAN/SAMUEL JAMES GIBSON – BOTH BORN IN ENGLAND
MARY JANE MACGOWAN:
ELEANOR MACGOWAN – BORN IN SCOTLAND/ -?-
* the MACGOWAN family name is apparently of PICT origin, comes from either: Owein or Ewen, meaning well-born, noble (from Greek Eugenios), or: gobhann (actually pronounced gowan) meaning smith, as in one who works in metal; associated with the Clan MacPherson, another Pict name, meaning 'parson',and Clan Chattan, Pict again, meaning guess what: cat.
MACGOWAN, MACPHERSON, AND CHATTAN all include the Scottish Wildcat on their insignia and their motto is : Touch Not the Cat Bot A Glove (in other words, keep your hands off of this cat unless it's gloved) - I thought this was great when I ran across it in research, hence Catan's appearance in my stories; before I knew there might be a connection! The Chattan territory is way North, up Inverness way, but still mainland - and retained forests longer than most; and yes there's evidence of some mighty big cats up in that neck of the woods, 0_0, saber-type back in the day.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
CLARENCE WILLIAM BRANSON:
MARY JANE MCCORD/SAMUEL LEVI BRANSON
* The MCCORD family name seems to be associated with MacDonald nuf said
MARY JANE MCCORD:
-?- /WILLIAM MCCORD – Civil War Veteran; Salina, Kansas livery after the war
??WM S MCCORD LEE COUNTY IOWA Civil War: Co I, 30th IA, infantry (grave in Salina, KS)
Father JS MCCORD?
b. Preblo Co. Ohio 2FEB1816
m. Martha Sawyer 28FEB1838 b. 15JAN1815 Warren County Ohio
Presbyterian
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Sometimes You Feel Like a Nutt !!
BITS AND PIECES MIGHT EVENTUALLY ADD UP
THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS, LONG DELAYED ...
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
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
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 (Branson and Lincoln) 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(nother project) 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.
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</>Family | Miles Nutt b. 7 May 1598, d. 2 Jul 1671 | |||||
Other marriages: TINCKNELL, Sybil Sarah BRANSON 1, 2 married 3 Myles NUTT about 1624. They had the following children: <><> </> <><> </><><> </><><> </><><> </><><> </> <><> </>
***** Onward: ***** *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 (Jr.) 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 (Branson and Lincoln) 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(nother project) 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.
Monday, July 9, 2012
ELI THE ENIGMA
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
1767 1 Nov: Cane Creek, NC Quakers mm - disowned Eli
=> Eli was a 'Regulator' of western NC, protesting increasing corruption in State, 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.
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.
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
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.
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 returned to North Carolina
He continued to communicate with Governor Martin, and was eventually forced to resume hiding.
Jemima b. ?
1778 May: Eli 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
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.
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
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. (? born in 1734, he would have been 50)
(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.1767 - 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
1785 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
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
1790 Settled at Ninety-Six, SC
1791 Eli serving on Land Board in Montreal
1793 See above re: NJ
After Jane’s death (presumed; don't know for certain) apparently Eli 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
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