Person Page - 117

     H. was born on 14 February 1861 at Taylor Co., Florida. He was the son of Francis J. "Frank" Brannen and Catherine (--?--). H. died on 3 October 1899 at Taylor Co., Florida, at age 38.
     
Biography of H. Thomas Brannen:

See the write-up under Tom Brannen's brother, George Brannen for more information.

     Henry was born before 1755. He was the son of "Progenitor" Brannen. He married Frances F. (--?--), , circa 1776.
     
Biography of Henry Brannen:

The authors have found only four documents that refer to Henry Brannen. The earliest is a headright grant of 600 acres of land in Burke Co. Georgia in 1787 as recorded in Book PPP page 66.71 at the Georgia State land grant office. [Lucas - Index to Headright and Bounty Grants of Georgia 1756-1909 Revised Ed. p. 62] This land was likely granted under an Act of February 17, 1783 where in the grantee would apply for the land grant with the county land court. The grantee would be required to make oath as to the size of his family. The head of a family would be granted 200 acres, plus an additional 50 acres for each member of the family, including slaves. The land would be surveyed and the applicant would be required to live on the land for a year and cultivate at least three percent of the acreage. After the year is up, the settler would then apply to the Governor's office for his grant and pay the purchase price due and any office fees. A grant would then be issued. This suggests that Henry lived in Burke Co Georgia by 1786 and at that time he had a family consisting of himself and 8 others.

     Two other deeds are found in Screven Co. Georgia. One is dated 3 Aug 1794 where in Henry Brannen purchases 100 acres on the north side of Briar Creek for 12 pounds from William Brunson and wife, Jane. (Screven Co. DB A-123] The other deed is dated 3 Sep 1798 where in Henry Brannen and Frances F. his wife, sell to Abraham Knowblock for 20 pounds, the same 100 acres he bought in 1794. [Screven Co. Georgia DB A-147] Of interest is both deeds are Witnessed by William Brannen clearly demonstrating a close connection. Both deeds also clearly suggest that Henry Brannen was a resident of Screven County in 1794 to 1798. These are the last records we have been able to find that related to Henry Brannen.

     A further confirmation of Henry Brannen being granted 600 acres in 1787 is found in a Screven Co Deed dated 22 Feb 1848 where in John R. M. Williamson of Savannah for himself and as Atty. of Jesse and Leah Atkinson, of Florida, sells to John R. Kittle, a tract of land "it being the place whereon John Williamson, the father of the above John R. M., once lived." "It is the tract originally granted to Henry Brannen in 1787." [Rec: 7 Oct 1861 Screven Co Georgia DB T-293] This deed also suggests that the original 600 acres granted Henry Brannen lies in that portion of Screven County that was formed in 1793 from Burke County Georgia.

     Unfortunately, the Burke County Georgia courthouse has had fires in 1825, 1843, 1856 and 1870. As a result the earliest deed that have on record are dated after 1844.

     These records further suggest that Henry Brannen was not a wealthy man by any means and in fact suggest he was quite poor. (Men of means, or even little means, bought and sold land frequently always appearing to seek greener pastures.) That being the case it is doubtful Henry owned any slaves at anytime in his life. That would suggest that his family in 1786 consisted of himself and his wife plus seven children. If the children were born over a 10 year period this would suggest that Henry and his wife, Frances F. were married about 1776. This tends to suggest that Henry's date of birth as being before 1755 and Frances as being born before 1758 based on their being 21 and 18 at the time of their marriage. These are estimates of their dates of birth. These estimated dates will be used until further information is found.

     Henry Thomas Brannen was the son of Houston English Brannen and Sarah Ann Rowell.

     Hetty was born on 5 October 1794 at Screven Co., Georgia. She was the daughter of John Brannen.

     Hope was born circa 1793 at Screven Co., Georgia.^1,2 She was the daughter of Thomas Brannen and Jane Humphreys. She married Sophia Elizabeth Humprhreys, , 26 Novermber 1829 at Barnwell Co., South Carolina.³ Hope died on 28 June 1867 at Screven Co., Georgia.⁴

     Houston was born on 28 November 1843 at Madison Co., Florida.¹ He was the son of Thomas Brannen and Sarah Ann (--?--).
     
Biography of Houston English Brannen:

Houston Brannen, at age 18, enlisted in the Army of the United States (Union) for a three year enlistment on 6 April 1864 along with his half brothers, Francis and John. He was recruited in Taylor County, Florida by Lt. Thomas Hunter. His enlistment papers show he had black eyes, light hair, light complexion and was five feet six inches in height. His service records show he was immediately assigned as a Private in Company C, 2nd Florida Cavalry at St. Vincents Island, Florida on April 18, 1864. His military paper also indicate he was "Refugee from the Confederacy". He was reported as present on all the muster rolls and was promoted to Corporal on 20 February 1865. He was mustered out of service on November 28, 1865 at Tallahassee, Florida. [Service Records of Houston Brannen, Co. C, 2nd Florida Cavalry, Union Army - National Archive, Washington, D. C.]

     Hugh was born on 11 August 1800 at Screven Co., Georgia.¹ He was the son of William Brannen and Elizabeth (--?--). He married Jessica Wooten, , on 13 August 1831 at Jasper Co., Georgia.²

     Hugh P. Brannen was the son of "Progenitor" Brannen.
     
Biography of Hugh P. Brannen:

The earliest record we have found on Hugh Brannen is dated 8 Jan 1807 in Screven County, Georgia wherein John Brannen of Ga. Screven Co, conveys to Hugh Brannen of GA. Screven Co., a tract containing 190 acres lying and being at the fork of Savannah River and Brier Creek, bounded NE by vacant land, SW by Stafford land, and NW by Johnstons and Hezlers land. Wit: George Zeagler, Thos. Brannen [Screven Co. GA DB A-525]. We believe the Hugh Brannen of this deed is Hugh P. Brannen who appears in Bulloch County in 1814. The Hugh Brannen of this deed would have to be at least 21 years of age or older, thus placing his date of birth as 1786 or earlier. This deed shows a close connection between Hugh Brannen of Screven and Thomas (1765) and John Brannen (1765) both of Screven County, Georgia. We know that Hugh is not the son of Thomas Brannen (1770) or the son of William Brannen (1765) as all their children seem to be well accounted for and Hugh Brannen born around 1786 is not among them. That suggests that Hugh is either the son of Henry Brannen (1755) or John Brannen (1765).

     For purposes of placing Hugh Brannen in this genealogy we are showing him as being the son of "Unknown" Brannen until such time as we can find additional information.

     
     
     Hugh P. Brannen's name next appears 7 Dec 1813 in Bulloch County, Georgia wherein he witnessed a deed as follows:

     William Stanford sold to William Brannen, 178 acres for $220. Land originally grated to John Olliff. Wit: John Stanford, Hugh P. Brannen, Jarvis Jackson. Elizabeth Stanford relinquished claim. Recd: 14 July 1818. [Register - Bulloch County, Georgia Genealogical Source Material, p. 63] This suggests Hugh was an adult born prior to 1792 to be of age to witness a will. This is consistent with the 1786 birth year discussed abover. The use of the P. as his middle initial is quite distinctive and appears on many records that we have found on him.

     The next reference to Hugh is dated 10 Sep 1814 in a Bulloch Co. Georgia deed whereby Hugh P. Brannen and William Brannen witness a deed from the estate of Elijah Stanford to Joseph Hodges for 200 acres of land. DB AAA-283 [Register - Bulloch County, Georgia Genealogical Source Material, p. 51]

     A Bulloch County Georgia marriage record dated 7 Sep 1815 shows
Hugh Brannen marring Ann Cowart Bk 2-A p. 7 [Register - Bulloch County, Georgia Genealogical Source Material, p. 156]. The middle initial P. is missing from this entry so there is some uncertainty that this is a record of Hugh P.

     In 1818, Hugh P. Brannen is listed as a male member of Scull Baptist Church, renamed Hebron Church, in 1818 and presently located in Emanuel Co. Georgia. Robert Donaldson was Pastor. [Register - Bulloch County, Georgia Genealogical Source Material, p. 430] Unfortunately there were no female Brannen names listed so one wonders where his wife, Ann was at this time. There were many Cowarts listed however, but no Ann Cowart.

     Hugh P. Brannen is listed as a Minister of the Gospel on a list of persons performing marriages in Bulloch County, GA. [Register - Bulloch County, Georgia Genealogical Source Material, p. 189]

     Hugh Brannen could not be found in the 1820 Bulloch or even all of 1820 Georgia census.

     In the 1830 Bulloch Co. Georgia census we find Hugh P. Brannen as head of family male age 40-50 with 1 male age 5-10, (Edmund 1820), 1 female age 60-70 (possibly Mary ___, his mother, who is the Mary Brannin age 70-80 found in the 1840 Bulloch census.) 2 females age 5-10 (Rebecca 1823 and Jackson (1825). A person of the right age to be Hugh P. Brannen's wife is not enumerated suggesting she died prior to 1830. [1830 U. S. Census of Bulloch Co. GA p. 102] This 1830 census puts Hugh as being born 1780 to 1790, again consistent with the estimated 1786 birth year.

     Hugh P. Brannen is listed as having paid the 1834 tuition fee to the Common School Fund in Bulloch County for Edmund age 14, Rebecker age 11 and Jackson age 9. [Register - Bulloch County, Georgia Genealogical Source Material, p. 388] This record lists the names of his children and ages of his children which confirm the information shown on the 1830 Bulloch County census. This is the only record we have found that shows the names of his children.
     
     Hugh P. Brannen could not be found in the 1840 Census.

     In the 1850 Wayne County, Georgia census we find Hugh P. Brannen living with the James Harper family. He is shown as age 50, born in Georgia. He lists his occupation as "B. Minister". There are no children or others with the Brannen name living in this household. Hugh P. would be at least 65 years old in 1850 and he appears to be alone and separated from his family. We do not believe the age 50 recorded in the census is correct. We were not able to find any further record of Hugh P. Brannen after 1850.

     Based on the above records we believe that Hugh P. Brannen was likely born around around 1786 and died after 1850, possibly in Wayne Co. Georgia.

     Ida was born in March 1930 at Taylor Co., Florida. She was the daughter of Thomas Franklin Brannen and Edna Mae Sadler. Ida died in 1930 at Taylor Co., Florida. Her body was buried at Carlton Cemetery., Taylor Co., Florida.¹

     Ida Moulton Brannen was the daughter of Malcolm Samuel Brannen and Agnes Rebecca Bass.