Branson Family Papers, PC.7006

Abstract

Luke L. Branson migrated to western North Carolina from Virginia in 1830. He and his wife, Malinda had 10 children. The papers follow the line of Luke (1), Robert Newton (2), Alvin Larry (3), and Ernest D. (4)

The Branson Family Papers consist of Luke Branson's 1828 ciphering book, correspondence, genealogical information, personal recollections of Robert Newton Branson and ephemera.

Descriptive Summary

Title: Branson Family Papers
Call Number: PC.7006
Creator: Branson family
Date: 1828 - 1949
Repository: Western Regional Archives, State Archives of North Carolina

Series Quick Links

Collection Contents

Restrictions on Access & Use

Access Restrictions

Available for research

Use Restrictions

Copyright is retained by the authors of these materials, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law (Title 17 US Code). Individual researchers are responsible for using these materials in conformance with copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying the materials.

Available for research

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item,] PC.7006, Branson Family Papers, State Archives of North Carolina, Western Regional Archives, Asheville, NC, USA.

Biographical/Historical

Luke Labon Branson (1808-1873) was born in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, to Michael and Mary Witcher Branson. In 1830, he made his way to what would become Madison County, North Carolina. He was ordained in the Baptist church January 7, 1834. A week later, he married Malinda Bryan, daughter of Lewis and Judith Bryan. Malinda and Luke had 10 children. Luke served as a Baptist minister and was said to have been the first in the French Broad Baptist Association to preach in a conversational tone. In 1849 he was appointed postmaster at Walnut Creek. By 1870 he was listed in the census as being a school teacher.

Robert Newton Branson (1852-1918) was the ninth child of Luke and Malinda Branson. He married Lydia (Liddie) Griffin (1851-1915). They had 7 children. Robert was a farmer.

Alvin Larry Branson (1877-1956), the eldest child of Robert Newton Lydia Griffin Branson, was born in Madison County. In 1899 he married America West (1886-1960). They had 6 children and Alvin worked as a farmer. The family later moved to Haywood County, North Carolina where Alvin worked for the Champion Paper Company for 40 years. He was a member of Cavalry Baptist Church.

Ernest D. Branson (1908-1996) was the fourth child of Alvin Branson and America West. He grew up in Canton and graduated in 1934. He first married Veta Louise Watts (1915-1934). She died following the birth of their daughter. In 1937, Ernest married Haywood County native, Charlotte Hipps (1917-2008), daughter of Thomas and Aliff Plemmons Hipps. They had three children.

Contents of the Collection

Collection Contents

Luke L. Branson Ciphering Book, 1828

209245

Letter to Hiram Peele and Luke Branson, April 13, 1846

209246

The Branson Family in Europe and America with Connections, 1898

209247

A Diary of Robert Newton Branson as written by him in 1906

209248

Highland School Agreement, 09/23/1896

209249

Prescription, 1909

209250

Newspaper articles, 1910 - 1911

209251

Burial Receipt for burial of T.L. Duckett, October 12, 1911

209252

Commencement Exercises Program, Canton High School, April 25, 1936

209253

Correspondence to Mr. Ernest Branson, Canton, N.C., 1942 - 1943

209254

N.C. Income Tax Items, 1949

209255

Typhoid Fever, Rules for Prevention issued by the N.C. Board of Health

209256

Miscellaneous

209257

Subject Headings

Branson Family

Branson, Luke L.

Canton High School

Madison County (N.C.)

Canton (N.C.)

Letters (correspondence)

Receipts (Acknowledgments)

Acquisitions Information

Donated by Dale Branson in 2013