-----Original Message----- From: Shirley Hern [mailto:shirley.hern@sbcglobal.net] Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 10:03 AM To: mdstmary@rootsweb.com Subject: Compton, Clarke, Branson My earliest known Compton was John Compton (born abt 1700). He was of Louisa and Amelia Co's., VA beginning in the early 1740s. I suspect he was one of the two unnamed sons of the John Compton who died in 1713/14 in Charles Co., MD, but have nothing to prove this--see notes below. He also had a son John, born about 1725/6. John the elder died in Amelia Co., VA in 1771/72. If, as is supposed, the wife of John Compton (died Charles Co., MD in 1718/19) was the daughter of Robert Clarke, the surveyor, I have two lines from him. My other line from his son John Clarke, seems fairly solid. My Branson line begins in Montgomery Co., VA in the 1780s with Jarret Branson. I am uncertain of his origins. Perhaps he was of the Burlington, NJ Bransons or he may have descended from the MD group. Is it coincidental that descendants all three of these families ended up in Osage Co., MO in the 1850s or earlier by very different routes? Branson by 1830. NOTES: The parentage of John Compton is not proven, nor has any record been found linking him to the Compton family of St. Mary's and Charles Counties, Maryland. It is speculated that he was the son of John Compton Jr. John and Mary Clarke Compton had seven children according to a family Bible in the Maryland Historical Society collection, as noted by Peter Wilson. [I have not verified this]. John Sr. named two sons in his will dated in 1713, John Jr. and Mathew, but John Jr. predeceased his father. Mathew died in 1747 leaving a will. Samuel also died before John Sr. leaving an only daughter. James left one known daughter and his date of death is not known. John Jr. left three sons when he died in 1714. Of the three sons of John Jr., only the eldest is known by name. This was William who was of age in 1719/20. The two others may have been John [the subject of this sketch] and James born 1705/6. Any comments or corrections are welcome. I appreciate your help on any/all of these families. Shirley Hern