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     Mary was born on 7 December 1945 at Shady Grove, Taylor Co., Florida.¹ She was the daughter of Lloyd Oliver Brannen and Mary Valley Lee. Mary died unknown.

     Mary Jane Brannen was the daughter of Thomas Brannen and Nancy Donaldson.
     
Biography of Mary Jane Brannen:

Mary Jane Brannen, first wife of John Andrew Jackson Cruse is believed to be the oldest daughter of Thomas Brannen and his wife, Nancy Donaldson. Our basis for this relationship is as follows:

     An unidentified older daughter born 1815-1820 appears in the family of Thomas Brannen in the 1820 Bulloch Co. Georgia and the 1830 Census of Lowndes Co. Georgia. Thus two census show that a daughter of Mary Jane's age did exist in this family.

     In John A. J. Cruce's Indian War application he states his wife was Mary Jane Brannen and that he was married at "her Fathers Residence in the State of Ga. on the 16 day of March A. D. 1837; that my wife is now dead, having died on the 6 day of March, A. D. 1846 at Norton Creek in the State of Florida." (The year of death is in error. A later affidavit by Francis J. Brannan gives the date of death as March 1853. As she was listed in the 1850 Census of Madison Co. Florida the 1846 date is obviously in error) John A. J. Cruce states in other affidavits in his pension file that he was living in Lowndes Co. Georgia during the Indian Wars and moved into Madison County (now Taylor County) about 1842. The Thomas Brannen family was in Lowndes County between 1828 and 1843 and is the only Brannen family in that area to have daughters of marriageable age. This strongly suggests that Mary Ann Brannen is the daughter of Thomas Brannen. [Indian War Pension Files, John A. J. Cruce - National Archive, Washington, DC]

     Also in the John A. J. Cruce pension file is an 18 February 1895 affidavit by Francis J. Brannan, age 63 which states that "I was personally acquainted with the first wife of John A.J. Cruce (Mary Jane by Name ) I was present at the time of her death. She died in Taylor County Florida on or about the __ day of March AD 1853 and prior to his Marriage to his second wife Mahala. I don't remember the exact date, but I know that she is dead, as I was present in person." This affidavit was filed on the behalf of Susan Ann Cruce, third wife of John Andrew Jackson Cruce, who used it and other affidavits to prove that John A. J. Cruce's first and second wives were dead to support her pension claim. Francis J. Brannan is a son of Thomas Brannen and Nancy Donaldson. Who else, but a brother of Mary Jane Brannen would the widow, Sarah Ann Cruce turn to to prove Mary Jane had died? Unfortunately, Francis J. Brannan's affidavit does not state his relationship to Mary Jane, except that he was "personally acquainted" with her. This is additional evidence that suggests that Mary Jane Brannen is the daughter of Thomas Brannen. [Indian War Pension Files, John A. J. Cruce - National Archive, Washington, DC]

     We have determined that Thomas's mothers name was Mary. Who else would he name his first born daughter, except after his Mother? This supports Mary as being the first born daughter of Thomas. The mother of Nancy Donaldson, wife of Thomas Brannen, was named Peggy, which is a nickname for Margaret. Nancy and Thomas had a daughter named Margaret, born 1824, which is consistent with the naming pattern used by this family.

     In the 1850 Census of Madison County, Florida we find the Andrew J. Cruce family living in the next dwelling to the Thomas Brannen family. Their children are John, Nancy, Thomas, Mary J. James, Martha and William. Obviously, Nancy and Thomas are named after Mary Jane's parents. The names and living next door are additional evidence suggesting Mary Jane Brannen Cruce is the daughter of Thomas and Nancy Brannen.

     Maud E. Brannen was the daughter of Samuel B. Brannen and Nancy Ann C. Woods.

     Nancy was born on 21 December 1792 at Burke Co., Georgia.¹ She was the daughter of John Brannen.

     Nancy Suwilda Brannen was the daughter of Francis J. "Frank" Brannen and Welthey E. Sheffield.

     Nathan was born circa 1846 at Madison Co., Florida.¹ He was the son of Thomas Brannen and Sarah Ann (--?--).
     
Biography of Nathan P. Brannen:

Nathan P. died young per Lily Brannen (1916-1994) letter of 1992.

     Nettie was born on 14 July 1899 at Shady Grove, Madison Co., Florida.¹ She was the daughter of Malcolm Samuel Brannen and Agnes Rebecca Bass. She married Lester Shea, son of Christopher Columbus Palmer Woodcock and Eliza Jane Rooks, on 13 August 1916 at Madison, Madison Co., Florida.¹ Nettie died in August 1988 at Valdosta, Lowndes Co., Georgia, at age 89. Her body was buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Greenville, Madison Co., Florida.
     
Biography of Nettie Mamie G. Brannen:

SECOND CHILD AND DAUGHTER OF MALCOLM BRANNEN AND AGNES BASS

     How can one describe a paragon? Nettie grew up before her time. She was born in 1899 in Shady Grove, Florida. Her mother, Agnes, who was frequently ill, burdened her with cooking, care of younger children and other chores at the very young age of seven. Her father was a farmer and Nettie was expected to help with that, too.

     Nettie had an astute mind, at the age of 16 taught school in the one room school house in Shady Grove. Soon thereafter, she met a switchman for the railroad by the name of Lester Shea in Perry, Florida, and they were married. Her family objected as he was 23 years older than she, but she married him in spite of their objections. Lester stopped working for the railroad and took a job scaling timber.

     Soon children began to come, first M. L., then Oswald Paul, Delray and Joseph, who died after one year of dysentery.

     Nettie and Lester bought 140 acres of land outside Greenville, Madison County, Florida, and Lester built a four bedroom house, with a very large dining room. He was an excellent builder. He constructed the Women's Club Building in Greenville, Florida.

     Lester worked at building and farming and Nettie continued to have children. In all they had twelve, but three of the boys died.

     Life during the depression was hard, but they worked the farm and managed to live fairly well. The boys soon grew big enough to help with the chores. They raised cows, hogs, corn, tobacco, peanuts, watermelons and cotton. However, tobacco was their main cash crop.

     When Lester was 65, they had their last child, Mary. Shortly thereafter, Lester's health began to deteriorate. He suffered from hardening of the arteries and cancer. When Mary was 16, he died at the age of 82.

     In view of all her life's ups and down, Nettie remained jovial and maintained a wonderful sense of humor. She could do the work of three modern day women--raised nine children, kept an immaculate home and yard and directed the work on the farm after Lester became disabled. She was an excellent manager.

     Nettie was a devoted member of the Church of Christ and walked 3 miles to church each Sunday and 3 miles back. She endeavored to instill Christian values in all her children. It took with some--with some, it didn't. However, the work ethic she subscribed to was passed on to all, even though some chose easier careers than had been her lot.

     After Lester's death, she worked as a nurse for the McLeod family in Greenville, Florida, until the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. McLeod. Then, as Mary moved to Beaufort, South Carolina in 1963, she went to live with her and helped raise Mary"s son, Kenneth.

     After Mary's divorce in 1972, her mother stayed with her until about 1978, when she returned to the Greenville, Florida area and at first lived with various other members of the family. Eventually, she purchased a manufactured home and lived close to her son, Bill, until sugar diabetes forced her to a nursing home.

     At the nursing home, she was still her happy self and soon had a boy friend. Her boy friend and her son, Mutt, preceded her in death by six months. [Mary Shea White]

     Nicey was born circa 1850 at Madison Co., Florida. She was the daughter of Thomas Brannen and Sarah Ann (--?--). Nicey P. Brannen died in 1904 at Pasco Co., Florida. She was buried in 1904 at Townsend House Cemetery, Spring Lake, Pasco Co., Florida.

     Nicy A. Brannen was the daughter of Samuel B. Brannen and Nancy Ann C. Woods.

     Noah Canner Brannen was the son of Marion R. Brannen and Martha Elizabeth Hedgecock.