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Archiver > MDSTMARY > 2012-02 > 1329340126


From: rubyslippers <>
Subject: Re: [MDSTMARY] John Branson (b. 1716)
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:08:46 -0600
References: <CAGSBJD5Bs8Pv6GTbDqYWni0E9uU2Wiy--9VW-GGz0-jwaj9biQ@mail.gmail.com><593723C29D734685AE6D04A6651B7DBC@linda><4A947A3B-C6F3-4E9D-8ABE-9D4BAFCAAB65@kc.rr.com><0DA097718600408CAC81FF59EFB9D2C2@linda><E829AA97-EE61-46A4-9946-9BC716BFEBAE@kc.rr.com><CAGSBJD7G99YqU4H53DBXnXfX18qVJxx0zcLd2wd_0p5g9QS4Ew@mail.gmail.com><9E42B292-9B15-4946-B175-4D2E4C0536A2@kc.rr.com><CAGU8qmu4aeqtxdcbg1-JgOVwqkufFB1rFWAVq81yXoyjw9c0bQ@mail.gmail.com>
In-Reply-To: <CAGU8qmu4aeqtxdcbg1-JgOVwqkufFB1rFWAVq81yXoyjw9c0bQ@mail.gmail.com>


Your words mean a lot, John. I want to thank you for the time and effort you put into relaying that.

And you are spot on. Genealogy is about as inexact and incomplete as you can get. As we all know when even when in 1850 we suddenly have names instead of ticks for households.

Because the odds are so often stacked against us hopefully at least we can all be on the same team

Sharon


On Feb 15, 2012, at 2:25 PM, John Dobricky wrote:

> Dear Rubyslippers. Let me go on record as thanking your for the
> information you have provided. It has been amazingly helpful to me.
> In terms of the discussion at hand, I think (as I have written before)
> that all of us are at the risk of taking ourselves too seriously. The
> amount of information on this site that folks think has
> "documentation" (for example, assuming all the children of someone are
> by the first--or known--wife--the Greenwell family comes to mind) that
> is in fact, incorrect speculation justified by incomplete records is
> significant. In addtion, the whole concept of "land genealogy" (on
> the online Families forum) is testimony to the fact that all of us
> are, at points, reduced to circumstantial evidence and inference in
> determining familial associations. It is a fact that we simply do not
> have much in the way of records for SMC--especially in the early
> years--and that we all have to resort to the "best interpretation we
> can make given the information we have." Genealogy has a lot more to
> do with archaeology and mystery-solving than it has to do with hard
> science.
>
> Having written the above, it goes without saying that Linda has been
> unbelievably helpful to me and to this list. It is, as you write,
> difficult to figure out how someone is responding to our postings--at
> least in terms of emotional tone and inference. My sense is that we
> all need to take a deep breath occasionally and realize that this
> these postings are not scientific research being sent out for peer
> review. We are a voluntary association of individuals sharing a
> common hobby. This list should, I believe, provide a forum where
> anyone can put forward an idea without feeling attacked--and that
> includes both Sharon and Linda. I guess we can all use a reminder
> that "nice is important"--and, note that I am not pointing fingers in
> either direction or toward either individual--periodically. End of
> sermon. John Dobricky
>
> On Wed, Feb 15, 2012 at 12:22 PM, rubyslippers <> wrote:
>> First Randy I do apologize. I recognize the pitfalls of online communication but "tone" and "rudeness" really have been my issues with this list. It has never been a case of once in a while but ALWAYS that any contribution I have given has been answered with skepticism, challenge, this air that comes off to me as superiority with the inference that I am misinformed and stupid. Like someone who is just sitting at a computer playing with genealogy. As a professional with 19 years of education I find this not only ludicrous but a little insulting. Over time after leaping through the hoops and finally usually persuading that my data is in fact correct I have never had anyone come back and say "sorry" or "thank you". However, I have remained on this list because I think someday "my" family of Branson might join and perhaps they would appreciate the help.
>>
>> Now as for Davis. Here is the record I have:
>>
>> James Davis 14.187 A CH £56.0.3 £17.11.3 Jan 21 1735 Sureties: Michael Bransen, James Gail. Received from: Michaell Lyon, Abraham Parker, Thomas Russell, Marsham Parker, Samuell King. Payments to: Randolfe Morris, Dr. Patrick Sim, William Middleton, Richard Marsham Waring, James Smith. Administrators: John Bransom and his wife Elisabeth Bransom.
>>
>> I've read dozens and dozens of wills and I just do not find it strange or unusual for a wife to not be mentioned in a will. You are correct unless there was a pre-nup she would have been entitled to her portion. However I have never found the probate record with distribution and if it was found perhaps then we would see a distribution to the wife.
>>
>> You've reached certain conclusions so please allow me to at least speculate. John's daughter Elizabeth received his land. His son John and Elizabeth then received the remainder of his estate. His son Leonard and his daughter Jane (who coincidentally are names appearing in the later Elizabeth Branson will) were left 10 shillings each. Perhaps he either had no regard for his 2nd wife and the children she bore or they were provided otherwise.
>>
>> In any case as someone that has researched the Branson clan for over 20 yrs I can give you no help as to who was married to Elizabeth who died in 1783 with children named Leonard, Jane, Priscilla and Mary if she is not the 2nd wife who married John Branson and appears in the probate above of James Davis in 1735.
>>
>>
>> On Feb 15, 2012, at 10:50 AM, C Greenwell wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Sharron,
>>>
>>> The Elizabeth who married John Branson (b. 1683) was the widow of
>>> James Davies (d. bef 15 Jan 1733/34). He was the son of James Davies,
>>> Sr. Notice that the last name is spelled Davies not Davis. These are
>>> 2 completely different families. I do realize that as time went on
>>> many of the Davies became a Davis but not likely for Priscilla Davis.
>>>
>>> James Davies 20.350 CH £56.6.3 Jan 15 1734
>>> Appraisers: John Addams, Joseph Johnson.
>>> Creditors: John Raise, James Smith.
>>> Next of kin: James Davies, Sr., Allen Davies.
>>>
>>> Also, in the will of John Branson (b. 1683) there is no mention of
>>> his wife Elizabeth. He gives all of his estate to his named children
>>> including his real property (land). If his wife Elizabeth were alive
>>> at that time, she would have been entitled to her dower which was
>>> typically called "her thirds". Additionally, there is no record of
>>> his wife protesting the will. So, you have to concluded that his wife
>>> Elizabeth was deceased by the time he wrote the will in 1769.
>>>
>>> So, I must conclude that Elizabeth Branson (d.1783) who mentions her
>>> daughter Priscilla Davis in her will, was not the wife of John Branson
>>> (b. 1683) or the relict of James Davies (d.1733/34) unless somene can
>>> show me proof otherwise.
>>>
>>> I do not believe that anyone is questioning the integrity of those on
>>> this list who are researching their families. We all are simply
>>> searching for the truth and we do that by sharing information and
>>> asking questions to enure that our conclusions are based on sound
>>> judgments.
>>>
>>> As for your comments about Linda, I find them a bit harsh and quite
>>> frankly offensive, which I and am sure many others do too. While I do
>>> not personally know Linda, she has helped me and many countless others
>>> for many years and has done so without prejudice. Linda can defend
>>> herself, but from where I sit, I believe you owe her an apology.
>>>
>>> Randy
>>>
>>> On Tue, Feb 14, 2012 at 8:58 PM, rubyslippers <> wrote:
>>>> Elizabeth Branson dies. She was previously married to James Davis. She names daughter Priscilla Davis and you ask on what basis this is her daughter? Are you serious? There was "a" Leonard Branson married to "a" Jennet Crain. You question and challenge all the information that people have on THEIR families and do a real disservice to people wanting to explore their genealogy. All you have to do is try to explain your own conclusions about MY family such as ie: Jane being a daughter of her brother Leonard to know you are no authority.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Feb 14, 2012, at 6:18 PM, Linda Reno wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I have the will and probates for two men named John Branson, one of whom
>>>>> married Elizabeth, widow of James Davis. You state that Priscilla Davis was
>>>>> the daughter of Elizabeth--on what basis? Because her surname happened to
>>>>> be Davis? She could have been a married woman. You state that Ann Price
>>>>> was the wife of one of the John Bransons. What is the basis for that?
>>>>>
>>>>> John Branson who died in 1775 named no wife in his will. Why would we
>>>>> assume that Elizabeth who died in 1783 was his wife? There are some
>>>>> variations in the names of the children. On what basis is the assumption
>>>>> made that Mary Gladden was a daughter of Elizabeth by James Davis? Or
>>>>> Priscilla Davis for that matter? The accounts available on James Davis name
>>>>> no children.
>>>>>
>>>>> I told you why I have Jane as Leonard's daughter. Only through sharing
>>>>> documentation can the truth be uncovered. That's what people on this list
>>>>> generally do--we learn from sharing.
>>>>>
>>>>> Linda Reno
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: [mailto:]
>>>>> On Behalf Of rubyslippers
>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2012 6:09 PM
>>>>> To:
>>>>> Subject: Re: [MDSTMARY] John Branson (b. 1716)
>>>>>
>>>>> Linda you wanted documentation and I don't understand. In this email and
>>>>> others you have the records of the probates of John Branson. You know
>>>>> Elizabeth was the widow of James Davis and have her will with the same 2
>>>>> children she had with John listed in his will. I just don't know what
>>>>> documentation you are looking for. And as I said I have no idea where
>>>>> anyone came up with Jane being a Leonard's daughter.
>>>>>
>>>>> Documentation of any fact as you know comes from a lot of different
>>>>> sources. If this is someone's family and they want all the documentation a
>>>>> book is in final formatting to be available on Amazon called "Genealogy of
>>>>> the Family of Branson: From Maryland to California" That has all the sources
>>>>> and documentation from the immigrant on down.
>>>>>
>>>>> Sharon
>>>>>
>>>>> On Feb 12, 2012, at 3:32 PM, Linda Reno wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Randy,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> John Branson may have had two wives--the first perhaps was Ann Compton,
>>>>>> daughter of James Compton and second, Elizabeth, widow of James Davis. He
>>>>>> wasn't married to Eleanor Briscoe. Eleanor Briscoe, daughter of John
>>>>>> Briscoe and Mary Hanson married James Buchanan. Currently I show all of
>>>>> his
>>>>>> children by Elizabeth, but am not positive.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> John Branson's will names no husband for his daughter Jane.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Will of John Branson, SMC, 7/18/1769-9/21/1775. Daughter: Elizabeth
>>>>>> Scroggin, Exec., "Branson's Fitgur", 159 1/2 ac. To: Daughter, Elizabeth
>>>>>> Scroggin and son, Jonathan Branson, remainder of moveable estate equally.
>>>>>> To: Daughter and son, Jane and Leonard Branson, 20 shillings equally
>>>>> between
>>>>>> them. Wit: Cornelius Barber, Edward Barber, Barnet Barber. (Maryland
>>>>>> Calendar of Wills).
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I have no record of any of the children of John Branson after he made his
>>>>>> will. Someone may have assumed the children were living because the will
>>>>>> was probated in 1775?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> James Scoggin was the son of John Scoggin and Jane Joy (I have no record
>>>>> of
>>>>>> her name being Jane Clarke Joy).
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I have no record of a Jane Crane.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Linda Reno
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>> From: [mailto:]
>>>>>> On Behalf Of C Greenwell
>>>>>> Sent: Sunday, February 12, 2012 2:39 PM
>>>>>> To:
>>>>>> Subject: [MDSTMARY] John Branson (b. 1716)
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi folks,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> John Branson had 2 wives, Elizabeth MNU Davis, relict of James Davis
>>>>>> and Eleanor Briscoe, dau. of John Briscoe and Mary Hanson.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> These are the children of this John that I have:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> i. ELIZABETH BRANSON was born before 1740 in St Mary's County,
>>>>>> Maryland. She died after 1775 in St Mary's County, Maryland. She
>>>>>> married James Scroggin, son of John Scroggin and Jane Joy Clarke
>>>>>> before 1769 in St Mary's County, Maryland. He was born before 1740 in
>>>>>> St Mary's County, Maryland. He died before 09 Feb 1763 in St Mary's
>>>>>> County, Maryland.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ii. JONATHAN BRANSON was born about 1749 in St Mary's County,
>>>>>> Maryland. He died after 1775 in St Mary's County, Maryland.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> iii. JANE BRANSON was born before 1754 in St Mary's County, Maryland.
>>>>>> She died after 1775 in St Mary's County, Maryland. She married Mr.
>>>>>> Higgs, after 1769 in St Mary's County, Maryland.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> iv. LEONARD BRANSON was born on 05 Dec 1759 in St Mary's County,
>>>>>> Maryland. He married JANE CRANE. She was born about 1749 in Charles
>>>>>> County, Maryland.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Are all of these children from his first marrige with Elizabeth Davis?
>>>>>> Did he have any other children with Eleanor? It would appear that
>>>>>> Leonard would be the son of Eleanor.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I received an email from a researcher in NC who says that Jane Branson
>>>>>> married Samuel Higgs, Jr. son of Samuel Higgs (d. 1758) and Elizabeth.
>>>>>> He says that this comes from word of mouth passed down through the
>>>>>> family.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> In an email from Sharron last year, she mentions that Jane married a
>>>>>> Mr. Higgs. I am wondering where this came from. Is Jane refered to
>>>>>> as Jane Higgs in a document somewhere?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks in advance for any insight.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Randy
>>>>>>
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