THOMAS BRANSON Thomas Branson was born, 15 Oct 1818, in Nottinghamshire, England. His father was a John Branson another manufacturer of hosiery, and during his lifetime with his wife Elizabeth (Betty) was able to maintain and educate his children. John Branson(Branston) died 25 Mar 1831 at age 43 yrs and Thomas was but thirteen years old and he was compelled to leave school an go to work to earn his livelihood. He went on a farm, where he remained until old enough to be apprenticed to a manufacturer of hosiery, residing about four miles from Nottingham. This area could have been Ruddington since in the Cemetery of St. Peter's in Ruddington is the following: BRANSTON John died 25 Mar 1831 aged 43 yr. also Elizabeth relict died 15 May 1859 aged 71 yr. also Martha dau, also Elizabeth dau, also George son of Thomas and Sarah. Thomas began at the lowest round, and worked his way steadily upward until he became foreman of one of the shops. Just as prosperity seemed to be dawning upon him, a financial crisis in England so depressed trade that he and others became disheartened. It was during this time that an insight into the organization and into conditions for the Framework Knitters is given by the Royal Commission on Framework Knitters in 1845. Ruddington was one of the areas visited and sixteen people were interviewed that were in the trade at that time. They were Thomas Hart,Joseph Houlton, Thomas Eaton, John Wilson,David Fox,Thomas Henson, William Price, ROBERT BLOOD, James Clark, William Underwood, Edward Whye, George Oxspring, Richard Wilkinson, William Wilson, William Oliver and Samuel Parker, all Framework Knitters. As a group they (Framework Knitters) were marring at an earlier age than the agricultural laborers and craftsman. Robert Blood was given as an example. Robert was christened 30 May 1813 in Ruddington, he married on 21 April 1835 (age 22) to a Elizabeth Branson (1817) sister to Thomas Branson (1818) and twenty months later the first child (John Blood-1837) was born. Three more were born at regular intervals of about two years. His wife Elizabeth died on 12 February 1853 age 35 and is buried in Ruddington Churchyard. Robert died on 3 February 1884 aged 71 yr. and was also interred in the Ruddington Churchyard. Along with his second wife Jane who died on 28 March 1885 aged 75. It appears that Thomas Branson being a foreman and believing he could do better set out for the better life and emigrated to the United States, he left his wife and children as he did not have sufficient means to pay their passage. He could have entered through the port of New York. And from there he went down to Philadelphia, where he found a compatriot and a friend from whom he secured employment as a weaver and Framework Knitter,receiving from the first $10 per week, which in those days was regarded as good wages. This was the spring of 1847. It was sometime in 1848 that Thomas Branson sent for his wife and family to join him in Philadelphia. For on the 22nd of August in 1848 we have the Packet Ship Wyoming coming into Philadelphia with a Stephen Branson age 51, Sarah his wife age 30, another Stephen 30 yrs and Thomas Branson's two sons, a John age 8 and a George age 2. The Packet ship was one of many that were now making the crossing from Liverpool to the New World. The Philadelphia Line was started by Thomas P. Cope as far back as 1807 and Cope provided a monthly service and his line lasted for about half a century. The rate for a cabin passage was about 20 pounds. It appears that from this time on more and more Framework Knitters were making their way to the Land of Opportunity. Thomas Branson took a new situation in Magg's Mill at St. John and Green Streets where he remained until 1851. Now with a little money put away he was able to purchase a few machines and began the manufacture of stockings. It is said that he only made a good article and with the good conditions he was able to find a steady and increasing demand for them. It was during this period that Thomas was able to move ahead and was able to extend his work. It was also during this time that he had been purchasing yarn from a Benjamin Schofield and their acquaintance ripening into mutual confidence. In 1858 they established the firm of Schofield and Branson, Manufacturers of Cotton and Wollen Hosiery. From the period of 1858 to about 1863 the demand for the product that Schofield and Branson were producing had increased so much that a second factory was needed. By 1875 the firm employed "300 operatives,besides nearly an equal number engaged without the walls in various processes of manufacture".(M&MP,p368) It was during this time that the BLOODS of Ruddington also made their move to the New World. Going back to Ruddington in the 1800's a large amount of the residents were Framework Knitters. They shared the same work, the same living conditions and the same dreams. Gene Blood in Philly