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

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. 

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

Sarah Ruth Nutt+ b. 19 Sep 1624, d. 24 May 1688 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: <><> </> <><> </><><> </><><> </><><> </><><> </> <><> </> F i Sarah Ruth NUTT   ***** Onward: *****      *Cousin William of Philadelphia, the one with all the girls* 1878 - Coal mines and mining - 125 pages Soon after Nutt had built his forge at Coventry it is believed that he ... The furnace referred to was undoubtedly Reading, and the forge was Coventry, in the ownership of each of which William Branson was probably an equal partner. ... 1914 - Art - 174 pages ... found in the summer of 1909 in the barnyard by Mr. BF Owen, of Reading, ... History of Chester County), by Samuel Nutt and William Branson in 1736-7 as a ... well-known Coventry Forge, also built by Nutt and Branson about 1718. ... This From Sandy:   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 1821   The 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.

...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.

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

=> 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.

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 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. (? 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

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 (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

1855: JACOB BRANSON, DOUGLAS COUNTY, KANSAS, THE RESCUE - A RELATIVE I BET

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.

TO MY CHILDEEN by Helen Margaret Gibson Branson

Introduction: This is a transcribed hand-written photocopied manuscript. Some words and sections are missing.

TO MY CHILDEEN

By Helen Margaret Gibson Branson

The first time I remember seeing your Dad was at a Rodeo North of Syracuse. He won the bronc riding (the guy I was rooting for came in a poor second). He walked off the field just as if this was an everyday chore, responding to the cheers with a modest grin and I thought, “What conceit – someone will show him up one of these days.”

I was introduced to him later in the day and something ‘clicked’ but neither of us knew what it was. We had both lived in Hamilton County not more than 20 miles apart for 11 years and actually neither of us knew the other existed – or if we did know it wasn’t important. This was not surprising for he was 6 years older than I and we did not attend the same schools. I knew his sisters, Fern and Opal, and his brother Darrel casually but while I was growing up he was away from home working on various ranches and following rodeos in the summer time.

About 2 weeks later we were both at another public gathering and he actually sought me out and asked me if I would like to go to town for a drink. We had an ice cream soda at the local drug store where the whole community gathered. It was a public announcement that he was interested in me!

At that time he was working on the Tate Ranch 6 miles up the river. His mother was living with him. The road to town was along the river which meandered thru the Cottonwoods but there was a ‘short cut’ thru our place right past the front door. You had to open and close 2 gates but he suddenly began to use the short cut. He would wave when we went by but never stopped. I always managed to be in sight, but this was as far as it went. When winter came he became very busy at the ranch and I sorta forgot him.

That winter my folks talked me into going back to school to get my teaching Certificate. At that time it only took two years and I had one semester at Kansas State Teachers College. I had taught the first year out of High School on a temporary certificate and knew I wanted to be a teacher so I planned to work thru the summer and enter college in the fall and then -----

The Ford started coming by the house again and one day it stopped. I was hanging out clothes and he walked up one line with me and down the other and then he told me there was going to be a dance up north of Syracuse and would I like to go with him? – and not to seem too eager I said I guessed I would but I would see what Mama thought about it. He told me we would double date. Virgil Hubbard had a date with Martha Benedict and would go with us. They would have to do chores and they would pick me up around 8:00 PM & pick up Martha in town.

The Model T had side curtains but it was lots of work to put them on so we went in an open car but they had lots of blankets so we kept warm. The dance was 10 miles North of Syracuse and we danced all night. I slept most of the way home with my head on his shoulder while he drove. When we got home we left Virgil alone in the car while he walked me up to the house, and then out there in the cold he put his arms around me and kissed me and I thought I was going to faint. But then he kissed me again and it was all right.

That was the beginning. We had a date nearly every Saturday night – the only time he was free. Sometimes he had to work on Sunday but I could always sleep as long as I liked. Virgil and Martha’s romance cooled so we were alone more often but that was nice because we could talk and really get to know each other.

I began to be known as ‘Chiff’s girl’ but there was no mention of marriage (or of intimacy without marriage). We were both satisfied with things as they were.

My friends started warning me that Chiff was not the ‘marrying kind’ but it did not matter to me. Just to look at him made me happy. When he would put his two big hands on my cheeks and kiss me gently on the lips such a surge of love and strength would pass through me that I could have walked thru Hell for him.

And then one night it happened! We were setting out in the car ‘smooching’ and suddenly he sat up straight and with both hands on the steering wheel he said – “Honey I’ll tell you what let’s do – let’s get married – some time – right away – Fuck!!” and I was so surprised I just sat there looking at him. After what seemed like an hour his eyes got a stricken look. And he said we-ll-? And I said, “Do you really love me that much” and he said “Oh Yes!!” and I was in his arms again. We did not return to earth until we heard, “Helen are you out there.”

School was forgotten and I started filling a ‘Hope Chest’. I had been working at the ‘Harvest House’ in Syracuse and the money I had been saving for school came in handy. Mama and Papa were very pleased and my brothers and sisters welcomed him as a big brother. I was working five days a week, but on my days off I spent the time getting my things in order and sewing. We did not set a wedding date or really make any plans. We just spent as much time together as we could. I would ride horseback up to the ranch and visit with his mother sometimes which I enjoyed.

On my birthday he picked me up in town and I went home with him to do his chores and then we were going out to celebrate. He had bought himself a new suit and he gave me a box of candy. When we got to his place he dressed up in his new suit just to show his mother & me how grand he looked and then he took it off – did his chores and we headed for town. About halfway between his place and ours we stopped in Lovers Lane and after a few kisses he said he had something for me and handed me a small package. When I opened it there were two rings. He told me I could have one of them but that he was going to keep the other until I was Mrs. Branson. We skipped the dance. Instead we called on some friends to show them my ring. The next day I started making my wedding dress.

Neither of us wanted a ‘wedding’. We just wanted to get married. I quit my job to get ready and we set the day for September 7 and started to count the days. Each one seemed longer than the one before but finally it came. On the morning of September 7 Chiff went to town to get the license. He stopped and showed it to me and then went back to work. He came back in the evening – and He, dressed as a bridegroom and I, in my frothy Flopper dress – went in to the Methodist Parsonage and were made Man & Wife. On our way home we stopped in Lovers Lane to ‘Seal it with a Kiss’ and to meditate on the wonder of it all. I think we were afraid, a little, to go home but when we got there I found ‘a little nest’ that he had prepared for me and that night was all we had dreamed it would be.

Next morning it was work as usual for Chiff and I started learning what it was, to be a housewife. First I took inventory – his mother had moved her things out and there was not much left. In the kitchen there was a wood-burning 4 hole Topsy stove with an oven built in the stove pipe. In the corner was a work table with some shelves built in over it to hold dishes and cooking supplies. There was a table with some odds & ends of chairs and stools to sit on. Some boxes were arranged along one wall to hold a water pail with a dipper in it and a wash basin. There was a mirror over the basin and on one side was a nail with a towel on it. The bare windows were clean.

The living room was bare except for 2 arm chairs, a sanitary cat, and an old sewing machine. There was a good linoleum on the floor.

In the bedroom we had a good bed and a shelf along one wall with a curtain around, it served as a clothes closet. Later Mama gave us a chest of drawers and we built some shelves under the curtain.

This was Thursday and we had the rest of the week to ourselves. Chiff had to ride each morning and I rode with him and then we would spend the rest of the day setting up housekeeping. We bought yards of material to make slip covers for the living room furniture and curtains for the whole house (the latter we considered to be a non-necessity). We also bought 4 dining room chairs – I still have 2 of them.

On Saturday night our friends had planned to ‘Chavare’ – we had been expecting them and Chiff rode to town to get Candy and Cigars for treats. When nobody came by 9:00 o’clock we went to bed. An hour or so later a few of them showed up to report that the sheriff had been killed. He had stopped a car that had been stolen and was shot to death. He left a wife and 3 children and that was all we could think of.

Next week ‘Haying’ began. Normally Chiff would have cooked for the crew but Mr. Tate agreed to pay us $1.00 a day for each man we fed and put Chiff in charge of the crew. He could come to the house in time to help put the food on the table and I did the rest. It took half the money I made to pay for groceries but with my profit I bought a nice dresser.

After the rush was over I made the curtains and slip covers and shelves for my books I brought from home and with my’ hope chest’ linens and silverware and dishes and my shower gifts from the Harvey House Gang I was proud of my little home.

The first crisis came when I bought a sewing machine. The old one Grandma Branson left there was very temperamental and the singer salesman showed up when it was acting up one day. It didn’t take him long to talk me into buying one at $5.00 a month for a year and I signed a contract!! He was not out of sight before I regretted it. I was worried sick thinking about what Chiff would say. He was surprised to say the least, but all he said was, “I guess we can manage it.”

Chiff was paid $80.00 a month. We had wood to burn, a cow to milk, and a small garden and mama gave us some hens to provide eggs – so it did not cost us much to live. Chiff was still following rodeos that were close. Garden City and Scott City Kansas were about as far as we went. It was not only recreation that we loved but we could always plan on Chiff winning one or two events & the money helped out.

In December we had been married 3 months so we decided it was time to have a baby. All of our friends had one or were expecting one so we started planning. We fully expected to have one to share the next Christmas with us but it was nearly a year before I became pregnant. The waiting time was uneventful and after my ‘Morning Sickness’ subsided I felt great. I made enough clothes for 3 babies always with a touch of blue because of course we were going to have a son. Chiff strutted and told everyone he knew even before they could tell by looking at me. I had planned to go home to have the baby and Mama would take care of us. I planned to wait until the last day and then go down where everything was ready and they could call the doctor, but before the time came Mr. Tate bought some more land and moved us up to the Ritchie Place, 5 miles south of Coolidge. It was too far for me to drive at the last minute so I went home the first day of July and Chiff came every evening. The night of July 3 I felt fine and he and Tommy Overton planned to go to Scott City on the Fourth. When they got there I was in the middle of my labor so Tommy went on to the rodeo and Chiff stayed with me. Billy was born at 11:30 AM. I stayed there 10 days and Chiff spent lots of time there. He was jubilant and everyone who came on the place was invited in to see his son. The poor little thing had colic and his Daddy spent endless hours walking the floor with him day and night. This lasted for 6 weeks but after he became adjusted to life we started taking him everywhere in his basket and he learned about rodeos early in life.

We liked it at the Ritchie Place. We had neighbors with common interests and felt that we were part of a community. We were part of a group who met once a month to play cards. The children were piled on a bed together and slept (no babysitters). The hostess served dessert, usually angel food cake and whipped cream because everyone had cream and eggs; we learned all sorts of variations.

The Great Depression was just beginning but we did not realize it and looked forward to the future with hope and confidence. Chiff was working long hours and I was cooking for cowboys who dropped at noon. The house was in fair shape. We had 2 rooms and a ‘lean to’ and we put in a lot of hours making it livable. We expected to stay there a long time. We had to carry water 100 yards and with a baby’s laundry we used a lot (no pampers) so Chiff piped it to the house, put in a sink and pitcher pump to bring it in and dug a cesspool. This was good because I was pregnant again. Again I had morning sickness but it soon passed and we started planning for a girl baby.

About this time my folks sold their ranch and spent several months on the road looking for a place in Colorado. They enjoyed the summer of travel and periodically made it back to our place for a while. This pregnancy was not as carefree as the first had been and we were glad to have them to help care for Billy especially when Chiff was gone. On the Fourth of July Chiff went to the annual rodeo at Scott City. He got home about midnight happy because he had won the saddle bronc riding and the bulldogging. Each paid $25.00. after about 5 hours sleep he was up working again. That night he was exhausted and Papa had a hard time wakening him to go to Coolidge to call the doctor who drove 25 miles to deliver our baby. Stanley was born at 1:30 AM – a tiny black haired black eyed boy and we forgot about the girl that we had been expecting. When the doctor got ready to go home Chiff handed him $25.00 in cash. I dare say this was the first and last time he was paid in cash on the spot for a delivery.

After a few days we realized there was something wrong. The baby could not keep his food down and he failed to gain weight. The doctor told us that he was born with an ulcer which in an adult would be treated with a milk diet or surgery. Obviously he was too frail to survive surgery and he was already on a milk diet – all we could do was wait and pray. We fed him every 2 hours. The milk would stay down for sometimes half an hour and up it would come. He got enough nourishment to keep him alive but he did not gain much weight. Taking care of him was a 24 hour job. We tried not to neglect Billy but it was hard on him. He could not understand why this intruder took all our time. Friends and family helped as much as they could and everyone had suggestions about what to do. Someone suggested that goats milk was easier to digest so we decided to try it. He was 8 months old and weighed 12 lbs. Chiff went to a sale and bought a mother goat that was ready to freshen and the day before she delivered 3 kids Stanley vomited for the last time. We often laughed about it later. If we had put him on goats milk the day Chiff brought her home we would have sworn to its miraculous power – as it was we considered it a miracle.

By summer he was round and plump and normal and a natural born clown. He and Billy became good friends and enjoyed each other. They kept me busy I was always afraid they would wander off over the prairie. They were always making discoveries and finding treasures. One day they got my little jewelry box on my dresser and carried it ouside to their sand pile. Among the things we never found was my engagement ring. The stone had come out and I was waiting until I got enough money to take it to town & have it fixed. We never did find it or the stone altho for years anyone in the family who came near the area searched for it.

( … )

trying to figure out a way to do it. Bobby was born March 3, 1933. Jackie came down from Denver with her two boys to stay with Chiff while I was in the hospital in Syracuse.

FDR was inaugurated March 4 and the first thing he did was close the banks and panic was everywhere.

Shortly after we returned home Mr. Tate came out to tell Chiff about some old cows he had bought cheaply and gave him some lengthy instructions about how to care for them – and while he was about it he announced that he was cutting everyone’s wages $10.00 a month. Chiff hit the ceiling and told him he would not take it. Tate said he could get all kinds of men for less and Chiff told him he had better hire about 5 of them for he was not going to take it. We had less than a month to find a place to live.

Mr. Bennett had just bought the Craven place and wanted someone to move into the house and look after it so we moved in. As soon as we were settled we made application for assistance. We were approved and Chiff went to work for WPA. It hurt his pride but most of our friends were in the same boat. The drought was getting worse. The wind blew constantly and dust was everywhere. We had a storm cellar (…)water, and many times when I was alone with the boys we took refuge there.

Chiff worked on WPA for 2 months and then one of his friends who had a sheep shearing outfit asked him to join his crew. He became proficient and could shear 100 head a day. He was soon making more money than he ever had at 8c a head. They were working in Central Kansas & Oklahoma and were busy all the time. We were able to pay some debts and buy anything we needed – but I would never want to live thru that spring again. The boys cried for their Daddy and were sick all the time and I missed him so much I ached all over. It didn’t help any to know that he felt the same way – and I did have the boys – He had no one – but we made it.

When the season was over we went back on WPA and we had food and kept warm. The wind continued to blow and there was still no rain. Sometimes a big cloud that looked like rain came up and it would blow over leaving some tiny mud balls but we still hoped. We were close enough to Coolidge that we could take the boys to Sunday School. I taught class of Junior boys and for the first time in our married life we attended Church regularly and we made a … friends.

When spring came Chiff ‘hit the road’ with the sheep shearers. It was not as bad as the first year. The boys were older and by this time we real…was a ‘fact of life’ and it would…boys were good little workers…very responsible for Bobby. …Mama & Papa took Frieda to a … who they thought could cure her …and Nadine came to stay with … she was a big help – she brought … a big black ‘Mutt called Pudge … she ultimately gave to the boys. … real companion to them and … with them. When they would … could spot him before I could … all loved him. For Easter Chiff sent … a box of candy eggs & bunnies … collar & chain for Pudge. They … it didn’t make him very happy. … money – I tried to raise chickens and turkeys but without much luck. Coyotes took their toll and we couldn’t sell those who did live. Nobody had any money. The great depression was being felt everywhere. Chiff’s days were getting longer & harder as the ranch expanded. Tates bought more and more land as the prices dropped – and could get inexperienced men to work for little more than their board and I always had 2 or 3 extras at noon & sometimes at night although they did not live there. Chiff was covering so much territory that they finally bought him a pickup to haul cake, which made it a little easier and he could take the boys with him sometimes so I could get some work done. The boys loved it and had lots of exciting things to tell me when they got home.

Times were getting harder everywhere. Unemployment was rampant. Chiff worked long hours with less help and it was taking its toll both physically & emotionally. No man should be expected to put up with the things he did but he could not quit because of his responsibility to his family. We longed to get our own place and were constantly …

(…)

Everyone was glad to see us. We just couldn’t believe that we were all together at last the boys has so many things to tell their Dad I just stayed in the background and relaxed for the first time in months. Finally the boys played out – Mama put them to bed and the evening belonged to us. I dressed up and we had a date. We went to a movie – I never did know what it was about – and then we just drove around and talked – and made plans to never be separated again - .

The next day Chiff had to go back to work. Shearing season was almost over – they were working out on Rule Creek and Chiff had been looking around – for a permanent job so we could stay here. We liked Colorado. Shortly after shearing was over – he went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad on the ‘Extra Gang’. They were laying tracks on the road to Amarillo. It was hard work & long hours – but it was steady with a regular pay check. He carried a lunch pail – and he made friends with many of the men on the gang who were local people – as soon as he got a paycheck we rented an apartment in a house at 7^th & Locust. It wasn’t much of a house only three rooms – but it was ours. We were alone at last as a family. The house has been remodeled and updated since that time but I often drive past and remember how happy we were there. We were looking for a place in the country. Before school started we moved to the H. Hill Farm NW of Melonfield School. There were only 40 acres – half of it was swampy pasture land but we were able to go back to Kansas and get all of our belongings – our furniture, farm machinery, cows and horses. I was back taking care of chickens and turkeys (I bought 50 red turkeys, they sent 51 – one died but I had 50 to sell)

Chiff had to continue shearing sheep but only small flocks and he did not go far or stay so long. Billy and Stanley started to Melonfield School. They walked about 1 ½ miles across the fields and children from several other families joined them. They had missed so much school the previous year – the teacher thought Billy was not prepared …

…

That’s all I have.