===================================================================== Match: Bowles Source: BRANSON@rootsweb.com From: OregonGal9@aol.com Subject: Re: [BRANSON] Thomas Branton and Thomas Branston I am now fairly confident that Thomas Branton who got land in 1688 VA was connected to Thomas Branston who was transported to, VA in 1635-38 by William Cox of Henrico. The land that Branton got was located at Oaken Swamp. I found a deed for a Benjamin Hatcher wherein he mentions his land at Oaken Swamp adjacent to Thomas Pleasants. Witness was Bowles Cock. Thomas was the brother of Joseph Pleasants who married Martha Cocke/Cox of Henrico. Her father Richard Cocke reportedly married Elizabeth Ruffin whose father Robert was associated with John Branson/Brampton in Isle of Wight, VA. This not only makes it fairly apparent that Thomas Branton and Thomas Branston were probably closely related, it also shows a connection between him and John Branson of Isle of Wight. A John Branton was mentioned in several Norfolk, VA records between 1676 and 1693. A Thomas Branton was mentioned there in records between 1679 and 1691. A Thomas Brinson, age 30 in the year 1661, was listed in a document about ages of people in Lower Norfolk Co., VA. This would make the birth year of this Thomas at about 1631, so he could not be the same one who was transported by Wm. Cox in 1635-38, but perhaps his son. Also in this record were Christopher Burrough (from Suffolk), Thomas Bullock, Henry Woodhouse and Robert Body. Robert Body was related to William Body who transported John to Isle of Wight. Thomas Bullock was probably related to Richard Bullock whose son went with Richard Henderson (his wife was Eliz. Branson) and John Brandson to SC. Richard Bullock's gr-grandfather, Robert, died in Warwick, VA where the land bought by Thomas Branton was located. The Woodhouse family was from Suffolk, England and allied with the Bacons. John Branson was not transported to Isle of Wight until 30 years later than Thomas (the older one), however, Thomas may have returned to England. The Thomas who came in 1635 may have been the father of John and the younger Thomas. Perhaps John was acquainted with the Ruffins (and the Cockes?) through his father's earlier connections. I also think that Thomas Branston (the older one) was part of the East Bergholt, Suffolk, England group, and they may have been related to Thomas L. Branson, Sr. who was baptized in Suffolk. This would explain some of the mysterious connections between the unknown VA Bransons and the line of Thomas L. Branson, Sr. Sandy In a message dated 10/22/2009 5:10:21 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, OregonGal9@aol.com writes: A look at the actual image of the grant to Thomas Branton in 1688 Warwick, VA shows that it was land adjacent to John Lewis, Wootten's line, Miles Cary, Thomas Harwood and Thomas Platt in Oaken Swamp. It was signed by John Chandler. Miles Cary had a grant with Thomas Platt in 1682 York, VA. John Lewis' descendant, Sarah Tapp, married John Jett III of Culpeper, VA. Thomas Wooten had relatives in Isle of Wight and he died in York, VA. Thomas Harwood was master of the ship "Thomas and John". This was noted in 1701 records of the Privy Council Office. Warwick County no longer exists, but prior to modern times, it was surrounded by York, Surry, James City and Isle of Wight Counties, with King & Queen slightly to the north. The name Harwood appears in records with William Cox who also sponsored Thomas Branston. The location of his land on the north bank of the James River that he got shortly after he arrived in VA (he arrived 1627) was identified as Harwoods Neck, bounded on the west by Deep Creek. Later this was known as Strawberry Bank Community. In 1636 he left that location and moved up the James River to land in Henrico County. The name Strawberry was also mentioned in a document in 1648 Elizabeth City Co., VA wherein Elizabeth Claiborne got land on the east side of land commonly called Strawberry Land, and land in the possession of heirs of Thomas Oldis. The Claibornes were allied with the Henrico Cox/Cocke family. So here we have a connection between the person who transported Thomas Branston and John Branson who was associated with the Oldis family in Isle of Wight, VA. In 1648-57 Thomas Harwood was taxed in York, VA with Wm. Claiborne and John Flood who also got land for transporting Thomas Branston. In later years John Pendleton who married Mary Tinsley had a niece Priscilla Pendleton who married William Harwood. Priscilla was born c. 1736 possibly in Rappahannock/Essex, VA. The Goodwin family name a son Harwood, so they may have been connected by marriage also. In 1638 John Fludd/Flood had a grant for transportation of Thomas Branston and others. The land was next to Benjamin Harrison and his son-in-law, Henry Browne. According to research by others, Benjamin Harrison married Hannah Churchill and their gr-grandson married Mary Ruffin. Mary was related to William Ruffin of Isle of Wight who was associated with John Branson/Brampton. She was also related to Elizabeth Ruffin who married Richard Cocke of Henrico. Benjamin Harrison's daughter, Hannah, married Phillip Ludwell 1692 in Surry, VA. Ludwell was probably related to Col. Phillip Ludwell who married Lucy Higginson, the widow of Col. Lewis Burwell. >From these records we see that the Oldis, Ruffin, Cocke/Cox, >Harwood and Branston/Branson families were neighbors at various >times between the years 1638 and 1688. Since Thomas Branston was >transported in 1638 and the land grant for Thomas Branton was in >1688, if the name Branton was a misspelling of the name Branston or Branson, then it is possible that Branton was not the same person as Branston, unless he got the Warwick land when he was quite old. Or Branton could have been a son of Branston. It's interesting that there was a place called "Strawberry Bank" in Kittery, Maine where probable relatives of the VA Goodwins lived. This a clue that the two Goodwin families may have been related. They also had another location-name in common. The name Oakley, where the Caroline VA Goodwins lived, was also used by the other Goodwin family. I have a theory that these unidentified early Branstons and Brantons in Virginia were from Suffolk, England and descendants of Thomas Branston "of Flowton" and Mary Alefounder. They had a son Thomas and a son John who married Mary Burwell and there were a lot of Burwells mentioned in these early VA records. Lewis Burwell was related by marriage to acting VA Gov., Nathaniel Bacon from Suffolk, England and a Lewis Burwell was listed in early records of York, VA. Thomas "of Flowton" was born c1550 of East Bergholt, Suffolk, England. His son John was born 1570-1600 and he married Mary Burwell. His son Thomas's birth date is unknown and little is written about him. This could be because he left Englandand went to VA in 1635/38, sponsored by Wm. Cox and John Flood. The Burwell family was allied with the Kennons (who were allied with the Henrico Cocke family), among others. They were also allied with the Bernard family and Larkin Branson was a close friend of Allen Bernard of Fluvanna, VA. Not sure if these were the same Bernard families. There were a lot of Burwells named Lewis, closely related to each other. Lewis Burwell had a deed in 1648 York, VA and mentioned in the record was Francis Flood who was related to John Flood. A younger Lewis Burwell had a grant in King George, VA in 1729. This is close to the time that John Branson died there in 1716. In 1733 a Lewis Burwell had a deed in Caroline, VA where John Bransom later lived. In 1750 a Lewis Burwell had a deed in Lunenburg, VA near Richard and Thomas Stith. The Stith family was allied with the Alexander family of St. Paul's Parish, King George, VA that I think was related to Thomas Alexander mentioned in the 1744 will of Thomas L. Branson, Sr. In 1753 Lewis Burwell had a deed in Frederick, VA. In 1783 Lewis Burwell had a deed in Bedford, VA. In 1810 there were several Burwells living in Patrick, VA. I've not yet learned if Mary Burwell, wife of Thomas Branston of Suffolk, England, was related to these other Burwells. I'll keep working on it. There are very few records for Branstons/Brantons in early VA. They may have moved to another state or perhaps went back to England. It's also possible that some of the unidentified VA Bransons were related to them. Some research by others. Sandy In a message dated 10/21/2009 2:07:54 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, OregonGal9@aol.com writes: I'm pretty sure Thomas Branton who owned land in Warwick, VA next to Miles Cary was the same person as Thomas Branston who was transported to Virginia in 1635-38 by William Cox of Henrico. Miles Cary married Elizabeth Cocke/Cox, daughter of Richard Cocke of Bremo, Henrico, VA. William and Richard Cocke/Cox were brothers who arrived in1627 and owned land in Princess Anne County where John Branton was found in records. According to the book "The Cox Family in America", Richard Cocke, founder of the Henrico county branch, settled in Virginia in 1627, went first to Elizabeth City in 1628 and to Henrico in 1632. So it appears the William Cox who sponsored Thomas Branston was part of the Henrico group. Some of the Cockes may have been Quakers, since they were allied with the Quaker Pleasants family. There were four separate groups of Cox/Cockes in very early Virginia. Dr. William Cocke of Suffolk, England came to Virginia later, in about 1705 and settled at Williamsburg. He married Elizabeth Catesby. The book does not state whether this branch of the Cocke family was related to the Henrico branch. His father was listed in tax rolls of Suffolk, England along with several Branstons in the 1670s. Some of his descendants later lived in Caroline, VA near John Bransom. The Princess Anne and Surry, VA Cockes came from Cornwall, England, while the Henrico Cocke's probable English heritage was not known at the time the book was written. However, since Thomas Branston was likely from Suffolk, England and he was transported only a few years after William Cox arrived in VA, it seems likely to me that the Henrico group was also from Suffolk, but no proof. Some research by others. Sandy In a message dated 10/21/2009 9:27:42 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, OregonGal9@aol.com writes: I've done a little reading about the Goodwins and it appears there are several researchers who believe that the Goodwins of Virginia were related to the Goodwins of Maine and Connecticut. Those who went to ME and CT were from Essex, England and East Bergholt, Suffolk, England and some of their ancestors were mentioned in wills and other documents with the Branstons in East Bergholt. Daniel Goodwin and Stephen Goodwin from Suffolk, England (?) were transported to Virginia in about 1635-38. Apparently Daniel did not stay in Virginia very long. Daniel died in Kittery, York, Maine about 1712. However, a possible relative of his, Peter Goodwin (son of James), was on the Quit Rent rolls of York Co., VA in 1704. Peter Goodwin's sister, Gertude, married John Pigot in England. Some of his descendants/relatives still lived in York, VA in the 1700s. Others resided in Hanover, VA, and neighboring counties. In York Co., Peter Goodwin, a relative of the older Peter, had a daughter Mary who married John Garrett. I'm not sure, but the Garretts of York, VA may have been related to the Garretts of Essex, Stafford, Caroline, King & Queen and Fairfax, VA, some of whom later lived near Jarrett Branson. Some of the VA Goodwin descendants later lived in Caroline, VA. Peter Goodwin III married Sarah Coghill who died in Caroline, VA. Their son, Harwood, married Sarah Minor of Caroline VA. Harwood's granddaughter, Sally, married Thomas Woolfolk who was related to William Woolfolk who signed a religious petition in 1786 Caroline, VA with John Bransom (they were Baptists, as were the Goodwins). These Goodwins were also allied with the Pendleton family. Henry Pendleton was a Baptist minister in King & Queen, VA and his son married Catherine Garrett. Their son, Henry Harwood Pendleton, married Alcey Winston. Henry Pendleton served under Edmund Waller in the military. Edmund married Mary Pendleton and their son John was associated with Elder John Branson of Essex, VA in the Baptist Church. Littleton Goodwin lived in Caroline, VA and was taxed there in 1799, as was John Branson. Peter and Thomas Goodwin were taxed there in 1789. Some possible relatives of these Goodwins may have lived in Isle of Wight and Nansemond, VA. Benjamin Branson, possible brother of Larkin, was found in the 1790 tax list of York, VA. He was taxed on June 16th and Martin Goodwin was taxed on June 10th. The York VA Goodwins were allied with the Patrick family and some of them were also on these tax lists. William and Edmond Patrick were taxed 2 days before Benjamin Branson. Benjamin was taxed on the same day as Edward Chisman/Chesman. Edward was related to Major Edmund Chisman who died in prison for participating in Bacon's Rebellion that some think was caused by the crackdown against the Quakers. Edmund's widow married Thomas Harwood whose family was connected to the Goodwins. Also Elizabeth Goodwin married Thomas Chisman. There are many more connections between the Goodwins and others who lived near John Bransom and John and Larkin Branson. If these Goodwins were related to the Goodwins of East Berholt, Suffolk, England, it is possible that John Bransom, John Branson and Larkin Branson were related to the Suffolk Branstons, as I think Thomas L. Branson, Sr. was also. In Norfolk, VA a John Branton was taxed in 1704. On Nov. 16, 1687 John Branton was mentioned in the will of Daniel Douglas where Branton was given some property to be equally divided between him and Frances, the wife of Benjamin Bransgrove (also an heir to Daniel Douglas). One of the witnesses was Thomas Cocke. Branton's wife was Elizabeth. Two years later she is referred to as a widow in the will of William Knott. John Thurston is also mentioned. He may have been related to Elizabeth Thurston who married William Kidd. Their son was taxed in Caroline, VA on the same day as John Branson in 1799. In 1679 Norfolk, VA Thomas Branton was witness to the will of Ann Morton, widow. In 1666 Thomas Branton witnessed the will of Christian Frederickson in Norfolk. Since I am searching for two unidentified early Bransons (Branston) in VA, one by the name of John and the other Thomas, it seems possible that John and Thomas Branton could be these people. Thomas Branton came to VA in 1635-38 and John Branson in 1665. This is nearly 30 years apart, so if these Brantons are actually the mysterious Branstons/Bransons, it may be that Thomas was a generation older than John. I have done a quick search to see if there were any Branton family trees in early VA, but have come up with nothing yet. I've found nothing else on Benjamin Bransgrove in VA either. It was possibly a misspelling. William Knott lived in Nansemond, VA (next to Isle of Wight). They were allied with the Holladay family. Some of these elusive families may have gone to NJ, PA or elsewhere to escape religious persecution. Some others who were on this 1704 Norfolk tax list include Alexander Foreman, William Gwin, John Hollowell, Hugh Daniel, John Alexander, John & Thomas Herbert, John Holyday, Richard Standley, Henry Sharpless, William Perkins and others. The Forman and Sharpless families were Quakers who lived in PA and NJ - I'm not sure if these VA families were related to them. There was also a Throckmorton in this region of early VA and the Throckmortons were allied with the Formans in NJ. In 1689 a Thomas Branton had a land grant in Warwick Co., VA and there was a note on the entry; "This part to be charged to York". His land was next to land of Capt. Miles Cary and Thomas Harwood, Jr. Miles Cary was the grandfather of a younger Miles Cary who married Elizabeth Cocke, daughter of Richard Cocke and Elizabeth Hartwell. Richard was part of the Henrico Cocke family. Some of the Hartwells also lived in York, VA. The Cary family was also allied with the Pate and Nicholas families, and also the Pleasants family of Henrico that was allied with the LaPrades. Laprades are indirectly connected to Jarrett Branson's family in Patrick, VA. In 1693 Norfolk, VA John Branton witnessed a deed for William Nichlis (Nicholas). In 1691 Norfolk was divided to form Princess Anne County. A John Branton was mentioned in a document there in 1701 with Edward Moseley and Anthony Lawson. Others mentioned in these records include Adam Thorowgood, Christopher Burrough, Thomas Keeling, Thomas Cocke, Christopher Cocke, Horatio Woodhouse, Robert Vaughn, and others. Edward Moseley was also mentioned in Henrico, VA and some members of this family married into the Cocke family. The Keeling family was indirectly allied with the Woodhouse family that married into the Nicholas Meriwether family. The Woodhouse family was from Norfolk/Suffolk, England allied wit the Bacons of Suffolk. In 1691 Thomas Branton was mentioned in the will of Richard Jones as the husband of an heir in Norfolk, VA. He was a witness to another will in Norfolk in 1679 and another in 1666. From what I've learned, Richard Jones was probably related to Rice Jones who owned land on the Rappahannock River prior to 1662. This land was owned by a person with the last name of Bonyson in 1662. This was probably a misspelling of the name Branton, Blanton, Branston or Branson. In 1708 Essex, VA a Rice Jones owned land next to Ralph Shelton. Ralph Shelton had a grandson named Eliphaz who owned land at Johnson's Creek, Patrick, VA near Jarrett Branson, 1791-1801. According to research by others, Rice Jones died in 1677 and his daughter married Rowland Lawson who was related to Anthony Lawson (mentioned in the previous paragraph). An Abya. Bonyson was granted land in Lancaster, VA in 1661 near Harpers Creek. Not sure if this is the same person. Abya Bonyson also transported Phillip Norton to Lancaster, VA in 1661. I don't know if Phillip was related to the Norton family who were Quakers and indirectly allied with Thomas L. Branson, Jr. It seems wherever I locate information on the Brantonof very early VA I come across the Cocke and Garrett families connected in some way. There are other researchers who believe that these Brantons were members of the Blanton family who lived later in Essex, VA and Caroline, VA. However, I don't see that their research goes back as early as 1666 or even 1703. Some research by others. Sandy