Branscomb/Branscum Genealogy

The Genealogy of
Richard Branscomb
of Brunswick County, Virginia,
 and a Number of his Descendants

by Fred Tubbs

  

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AUTHOR'S NOTES

ALPHABETICAL INDEX

ABBREVIATIONS AND
SYMBOLS

CONTACTS

The Children of Henry and Elizabeth Branscomb:
Charlotte Branscomb

Please check the Author's Notes for an explanation of the numbering system I use for identifying individuals within any family.

The line of descent for Charlotte Branscomb is:

2. Charlotte Branscomb

Charlotte was b. 8 July 1831 in Wayne County, Ky.; d. in Putnam County, Mo. 16 February 1880. She md. in Macon County 9 November 1844 (at age 13!) William S. Vestal (b. 17 July 1824, d, 17 November 1903) both bur. Rose Cem., (also reported as Martinstown Cem.), Putnam County. William was the s/o James Vestal and Jemima Wright. The marriage is recorded in Book A, p. 54. The cause of Charlotte’s death is reported as typhoid fever. The 1850 census for Macon County showed the family on p. 156, dwelling #525, next to David and “Malvina” (=Malinda) Vestal:

  Age Where born
Vestal, William 24 Ky.
Charlotte 20 Ky.
John H. 2 Mo.
James G. 2 Mo.
Vestal, Polly 30 Ky.

The 1860 census for Macon County showed this family in East Chariton Twp., dwelling #928, p. 292:

  Age Where born
Vestal, William 34 Ky.
Rebecca 29 Ky.
John 14 Mo.
Sarah 9 Mo.
Joseph 7 Mo.
Rebecca 5 Mo.
William 3 Mo.

Although the name of William’s wife is given as Rebecca, and although several other William Vestals were in the Macon County censuses, the data from the 1870 census and from William’s obituary are strong indicators that this is the family of William and Charlotte. Charlotte could have been named Charlotte Rebecca in honor of her maternal grandmother (who was also the [presumed] sister of her father and thereby her aunt). One William Vestal, b. ca. 1813 Ky., had a wife Malinda, (Milly Jane in 1850), b. Ky. More research may be necessary to place the various Vestals in their respective families.

The 1870 census of Elm Township, Martinstown P.O., of Putnam County, Mo., provides this record:

  Age Sex Where born Probable identity
Vestal, W. S. 50 M Ky. William
C. 37 F Ky. Charlotte
J. 17 M Mo. Joseph
R. 14 F Mo. Rebecca
Wm. 13 M Mo. William
E. 7 M Mo. Elijah
S. 5 F Mo. Silla Elizabeth
Noah 4 M Mo.  
P. 1 F Mo. Permelia

Charlotte died in early 1880, and the 1880 census shows William as a widower; p. 448, dwelling #185:

  Age Where
born 		Pa
born 		Ma
born		  
Vestal, Wm. S. 63 Ky. Ky. Ky.  
Eliza 18 Mo. Ky. Ky. (This must be Elijah, a son.)
Silla Elizabeth 15 Mo. Ky. Ky.  
Noah 13 Mo. Ky. Ky.  
Permilia 11 Mo. Ky. Ky.  
Matilda 8 Mo. Ky. Ky.  
Peter 5 Mo. Ky. Ky.  
Witherly, Melvin 22 Mo. Ind. Ind.  
Rebecca 23 Mo. Ky. Ky.  
Allena J. 2 Mo. Mo. Mo.  
Eliza 9/12 Iowa Mo. Ind.  

On 5 September 1880, within seven months of Charlotte’s death, William married Martha Rogers (b. 11 January 1835 Ind., d. 3 April 1911; bur. Martinstown Cem), a widow. Martha’s first husband was Jackson Cain. The 1870 census for Elm Township, Martinstown P.O., p. 230A, dwelling #81, showed Martha Cain, age 40, b. Tenn., with four children, ages 1 through 10, all b. Mo. It is easy to surmise that both William and Martha needed mates at least partially to provide for and to care for their children. William and Martha had no children together.

The 1903 obituary for William stated that he was a member of the Missouri Home Guard and was also a devoted Christian.

The children of William and Charlotte are listed below, along with information about their grandchildren.The data for the children of William and Charlotte was collected principally by #23A22 John Sparks and is supplemented by information from census reports and the marriage and cemetery books.

  • 21. John Henry Vestal (“Buck”), b. 17 November 1845, d. 15 December 1938. The dates are from his grave marker; his obituary in the Unionville Republican gives the DOB as 18 November. Md. 10 December 1865 (5 October, according to his obituary) Mildred Dade “Milly” Sparks (b. 17 March 1845 or 1848, d. 23 March 1914); both bur. Rose Cem. Milly was the d/o Daniel Sparks and Mildred Anders and the sister of #230 Peter Sparks. Buck and Milly lived near Graysville. John md (2) 23 September 1918 Sarah E. Hurley, (b. 6 May 1849, d.of pneumonia 25 December 1926; bur. Hurley Cem.), whose first husband was Peter Morgan. During the Civil War John H. served in Company I of the 18th Regiment of Missouri Volunteer Infantry. During the last few years of his life, after the death of his second wife, John’s sister #2A Matilda and her husband John Shephard lived with him and provided care for him. John and Millie had three children; John outlived his wives, his children and his one grandchild. The probate records for John name his siblings as his heirs. (John Sparks provided a copy of the Application for Admission of Will to Probate. Some of the information about his siblings comes from that application.)

    The children of John Henry and Millie:

    • 211. Charlotte F. Vestal (“Lottie), b. 18 July 1866, d. 21 November 1924; bur Rose Cem. Md. (1) R. Wilson Moore; one child, Murta May (died young) Lottie md. (2) Joseph Leonard.
    • 212. David Vestal, b. 3 September 1869, d. at Centerville, Appanoose County, Iowa. 2 November 1936; bur Rose Cem. The dates are from his obituary; the cemetery book has the DOD as 1937. David’s obituary does not mention marriage or children.
    • 213. Unnamed daughter, b. 8 December 1870, d. 10 December 1870. Her body is interred in the plot with her parents.

  • 22. James G. Vestal, b. ca. 1848, according to the 1850 census. Not shown in later censuses nor named as a survivor of his father in November 1903.

  • 23. Sarah Vestal, b. 3 August 1849, d. 7 or 8 September 1927; md. in Putnam County 16 November 1865 Peter Sparks (b. 10 May 1839, d. 28 February 1911); both bur. Rose Cem. These dates are provided by John Sparks from Peter’s pensions records. The cemetery book shows Peter’s DOB as 10 September 1849, but that year is not compatible with a marriage in 1859 and military service in 1862, nor with the ages as given in the1870 and 1880 censuses. Peter was the s/o Daniel Sparks and Mildred Anders. He had married (1) in 1859 Elizabeth Cornelison, who died in 1864. Sarah became the (foster) mother of Peter’s two children by Elizabeth: John W., b. July 1860, and Mahala Elizabeth, b. August 1862. During the Civil War Peter served in the 11th Regiment of Missouri State Militia Cavalry, which then consolidated with the Second Regiment of Missouri State Militia Cavalry. The 1870 census for Putnam County shows Peter and Sarah in Elm Township, dwelling #126. The 1880 census shows them in dwelling #175, and next door was Peter’s son John W. Sparks with his wife and daughter. Sarah and Peter had the following children:
    • 231. Lucinda Sparks, b. 9 November 1866, d. 3 January 1927. Md. Rufus M. Newman (b. 26 July 1857, d. 25 April 1935); both bur. Pleasant Home Cem. Rufus was the s/o George Newman and Elizabeth Ryals and the brother of #2A0 Albert Newman. Rufus and Lucinda had twelve children: Orval John, Elizabeth, Edna, Maude, Pearley, Roscoe P., Mary Bernice, Dora, Garrett, Gladys Millie, Roxie and Rollie Milton.
    • 232. Milley G. Sparks, b. 17 October 1867, d. 7 November 1929. Md. David Miller (b. 16 October 1851, d. 22 December 1938); both bur. St. John Cem. in Livonia, Putnam County The probate record for #21 William H. names the children as Ode (Sparks), Nova (Sparks), Clarence, Edith (Jarman), Ethel (Zugg), and George.
    • 233. William Henry Sparks, b. 17 October 1869, d. in 1923 in Kirksville (?). Bur. Rose Cem. Md. in June 1900 Hattie Elizabeth Millizer (b. 7 February 1882, d. 4 December 1956; bur. Maple Hill Cem., Kirksville). Their children were Bertha, Irvin, Dee C. and Mildred. .
    • 234. James Denton Sparks (“Jimmie”), b. 17 July 1872, d. 21 August 1949. Md. Dora Catherine Fowler (b. 9 April 1872, d. 4 January 1951) both bur. Rose Cem. Dora was the d/o Jacob Fowler and Elizabeth Baugh. Their children were Luvada, Jakey Noah, Pearley, Hazel Mae and Lloyd Edward.
    • 235. Rebecca F. Sparks, b. 11 December 1873, d. 3 August 1928; bur. Hisum Cem, near Exline in Appanoose County, Iowa. Md. (1) in July 1889 George Morrow. George was the s/o John Morrow and Ellen Wright. Rebecca md. (2) Forrest Harridge. Rebecca’s children by George Morrow were Logan, Dora, Bessie, John Peter, and a daughter who died young.
    • 236. Charlotte J. Sparks, b. 20 February 1875, d. in Lucas, Iowa, 15 January 1946; bur. Pleasant Hill Cem., Cincinnati, Iowa. Md. George Washington McFarland. Before 1939 she md. Charles Deskin.
    • 237. Daniel W. Sparks, b. 20 December 1877, d. 17 July 1961; bur. Laurel Hill Cem., Lee Township., Polk County, Iowa. Md. Martha Ellen Hogg (b. 20 December 1878 [?], d. 16 August 1922; bur. Rose Cem.) Martha was the d/o Absalom Hogg and Sarah Ann Rowland. The children of Daniel and Martha were Asa Elton, Lee, Alva, Eva Audrey, Wilbur Forrest, Geneva Frances, and Donald Edward.
    • 238. Aaron Leonus Sparks, b. 21 January 1881, d. 20 November 1953. Md. 1908 Martha Ellen Sparks (b. 16 May 1894, d. 8 January 1968); both bur. Rose Cem. Martha Ellen’s parents were James Thomas Sparks and Mary Elizabeth Hillerman. Aaron and Martha Ellen were second cousins once removed. Their children were Gurney, Ailey Roosevelt, Howard Robert, Walter Leonis, Flossie, Arzetta, Odetta M., and Lahoma N. M.
    • 239. Vina Edith Sparks, b. 30 November 1885, d. in Des Moines, Iowa, 11 December 1950 or 1951. Bur. Rose Cem, Putnam County Md. John Ed Monroe.
    • 23A (=10). Fred Harrison Sparks, b. 16 August 1888, d. 25 May 1972. Md in Livonia 26 September 1909 Daisy Dail McFarland (b. 6 February 1891, d. in Centerville, Appanoose County, Iowa, 27 July 1985); both bur. Rose Cem. Daisy was the d/o William Dennis McFarland and Susan Matilda Richmond. The children of Fred and Daisy were Luvena May, Verne Edwin and Icel Lucille.
    • 23B (=11). Minnie Sparks, b. 20 August 1891, d. 1 September 1976; bur. Rose Cem. Md. (1) Claude Vincent (1885-1936; bur Pleasant Home Cem.) Claude’s parents were David Vincent and Amanda Parkerson. Minnie md. (2) Harvey Douglas Morton (b. 4 July 1881, d. December 1977; bur. New Harmony Cemetery, Schuyler County, Mo.). The children of Vincent and Minnie were Noval, Coy, Cloy and Robert Lee

  • 24. Joseph Vestal (“Jake”), b. ca. 1853, d. 1 January 1880; bur. Hartford Cem. in Putnam County Md. 25 December 1878 in Putnam County Amanda Ellen Richmond (b. 1 March 1860, d. 20 April 1915; bur. Bethlehem Cem., Macon County Amanda’s dates are from the family bible. Her parents were James Henry Richmond and Frances Ellen Sparks One child:
    • 241. James William Vestal (“Willie”), b. in Putnam County 22 September 1879, d. 11 September 1967 in Putnam County Md. 4 February 1902 Etta Waite. Their children were Charlie, Jack, Pearl and Odra.

  • 25. Rebecca Vestal (“Becky”), b. ca. 1855, d. 25 November 1896; md Melvin Weatherly, b. ca. 1856, d.1938;. both bur. Rose Cem. The DODs are from the cemetery record, where “Mrs. Mell Weatherly” is assumed to be Rebecca. Melvin next married ca. 1898 Nancy Elizabeth ___, whose first husband was J. E. Hudson; the cemetery book names Melvin as Melvin J. Weatherly. Two children are shown for Melvin and Rebecca in the 1880 census for Putnam County (p. 23, dwelling #185):
    • 251. Alena J. Weatherly, b. ca. 1878. No other data. However, John Sparks has data showing a daughter Leota as b. 31 March 1878, d. 22 March 1902, bur. Berry Cem., and raises the possibility that Leota and Alena are the same person. Leota md. Earnest Delbert White (b. 7 March 1870, d. 14 June 1936, bur. Berry Cem.) Their children were George B. and Elva.
    • 252. Eliza Weatherly, b. ca. September 1879, d. 14 November 1895; bur. Rose Cem. The DOB is from the 1880 census and the DOD is from the cemetery book.Other children shown on the probate papers of #21 John H. Vestal as heirs, by virtue of their being children of B. (Becky) Weatherly, are Martha (McElderry), Emmett, Enoch, Delia (Kenni[es], and Lingil Lee (Jones).

    By 1930 Melvin and Elizabeth were living on 431 Third Street in Des Moines, Iowa, in the same building with #8B Wayne Collins and his family but as a separate household (p. 6A, household #66, Polk County, Iowa, Lee Twp.) With them was 38-year-old Enoch, s/o Melvin and Rebecca, plus another son of Melvin by his second wife Nancy. Wayne Collins had married Bula Weatherly (Beulah?), d/o Nancy Elizabeth; see further under #8B Barbara. Despite their move to Des Moines, the bodies of Melvin and Nancy Elizabeth are bur. in Putnam County.

  • 26. William Vestal, b. 8 May 1858, d. 24 January 1880; bur. Hartford Cem. in Putnam County. The probate papers for #21 John H. Vestal show Geo. and Woodie Barkley as the heirs of “Willie Vestal, deceased.” and each of them received $116.85 from John’s estate, that amount representing one-half of a share (ten shares, one for each sibling, of $233.70). We can surmise that before his death at age 21 William was the father of two children who grew up with the surname Barkley

  • 27. Elijah Vestal (“Lige,”), b. 12 April 1862, d. 3 August 1957; md. (1?) Eva Estelle Haynes (b. 13 July 1864, d. 8 August 1926); both bur. Martinstown Cem. Data from the cemetery book. Eva’s parents were Henry Haynes and Minerva Helen Henry. John Sparks found some evidence for four children:
    • 271. Bessie Jane Vestal, b. October 1883, d. 1 July 1974; md, John Franklin Buster (b. 11 November 1878, d. 11 February 1960); both bur. Martinstown Cem. The dates are from the cemetery book. John was the s/o A. I. and Clarinda Buster. According to his obituary, John worked for the Illinois Steel Bridge Company from 1910 to 1957. The obituary names the five children whom Bessie bore to him: Jack (=John), Marie, Katie, Dollie and George.
    • 272. Robert C. Vestal, b. 23 October 1885, d. 17 January 1977 in Unionville; bur. Martinstown Cem. Md. August 1904 Mary Etta Cowan (b. 19 July 1887, d. 17 April 1967). Sons Charles Boyd and Carley are known.
    • 273. Fred Vestal, b. ca. 1890, d. 10 January 1967 in Newton, Iowa; bur. Newton Union Cem. Md. in Livonia, Putnam County, 10 January 1909 Bessie Hurley.
    • 274. Nellie Vestal. Dates unknown. Md. Roy Hurley.

    Elijah md. (2) in 1933 another Eva: Eva I. Packard (b. 20 January 1878 Iowa, d. 22 July 1944 near Martinstown; bur. Lone Pine Cem. Eva was the d/o Adam and Jemina Packard. She had been married earlier to Charles Collins (d. 1921) and J. E. Lipp (d. 1929).

  • 28. Sylvia Elizabeth Vestal (“Sibby”), b.30 July 1864, d. 22 December 1959. Md. (1) 4 December 1881 Philander Boyd Green (b. 26 July 1860, d. 12 February 1923); both bur, Rose Cem. The birth and death dates are from the cemetery book. “Sibby,” although spelled “Siby,” comes from the probate records for her brother John H. Vestal. Sylvia md. (2) in 1932 Joel B. Summers, who also predeceased her. As shown by her obituary, Sylvia and Boyd had three children:
    • 281. Franklin Green, d. 8 October 1894 at age 5 years, 5 months and 10 days (= b. 29 May 1891; dates from the cemetery book.); bur. Rose Cem.
    • 282. Minnie Green, b. 1 August 1884, d. 14 September 1960; bur. Unionville Cem.; md. Sartoris C. Shelton.
    • 283. Faye Green, b. 19 March 1902, d.17 February 1988; bur. Resthaven Memorial Gardens. Trenton, Grundy County, Mo. md. in Unionville 31 October 1920 Cecil Stokes. At the time of her mother’s death in December 1959, Faye was living in Grundy County.

  • 29. Noah Vestal, b. 6 December 1866, d. 12 February 1960; md. in Putnam County 6 May 1890 (March 1889, according to her obituary) Mary Ellen McFarland (b. 9 September 1873,d. November 1946); both bur. Rose Cem. The birth and death dates are from the cemetery book. Mary Ellen’s parents were James L. McFarland and Margaret Ellen Hurley. The obituary for Mary Ellen states that she and Noah had four children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. These children are known:
    • 29w. Charlotte Vestal, md. Roe Addington. In 1946 they were living in Kansas City, Mo.,
    • 29x. William Laben Vestal, b. 18 February 1896, d. of appendicitis in Lamar CO. 11 October 1923; bur. Rose Cem. Md. 12 September 1917 Oma Gertrude Gienrich. William’s death occurred while he was en route to Denver. His obituary mentions his being “on guard duty in the army,” presumably during WWII. Two children: Austen Lavern and Rosie Valee.
    • 29y. Ernie E. Vestal, d. of a heart attack in Burbank , CA, 20 April 1945; bur. Forest Lawn Cem, Burbank. His wife was Kathleen, and his children were Jack and Geraldine. He was a salesman for Veltex Gasoline Co. He had lived in the Los Angeles area for 15 years prior to his death and in Burbank for seven of those years.
    • 29z. Frank Vestal, , b. 10 May 1900, d. 29 January 1901; bur. Rose Cem.

  • 2A. (=10). Permelia Wood Vestal (“Mooty”), b. 2 March 1869, d. 8 April 1961; md. in Putnam County 26 September 1886 Albert Newman (b. 1 February 1863, d. 15 December 1940); both bur Pleasant Home Cem. Albert was s/o George Newman and Elizabeth Ryals, and the brother of #2310 Rufus. The birth and death dates for Permelia and Albert are from the cemetery book. The known children:
    • 2A1. Edward Newman, b. 16 September 1887, d. 21 July 1889; bur Pleasant Home Cem.
    • 2A2. Effie Belle Newman, b. 31 October 1889, d. in Adair County 4 February 1983; md. (1) 16 February 1910 Warnie Gray Cowan (b. 16 November 1883, d. 15 April 1945; both bur. Lone Pine Cem., Putnam County Their children were Ernest E., Irene, and Alma Gladys. Effie md. (2) 8 February 1953 Zora Crooks (d. 4 November 1957).
    • 2A3. Cora Gladys Newman, b. 17 September 1891, d. 8 December 1989. Md. 1 October 1912 John Martin Montgomery (b. 30 June 1890, d. 10 August 1969 in Adair County); both bur. Pleasant Home Cem. John was the s/o Henry Thomas Montgomery and Mary Elizabeth Turnmire. One child, William Harold.
    • 2A4. Noah Everett Newman, b. 19 August 1903, d. 9 May 1940; bur. Pleasant Home Cem. Md. Rebecca Hatfield (#819, b. 24 October 1904?)
    • 2A5. Holly Edwin Newman, b. 18 June 1908, d. 18 April (May?) 1964; bur Pleasant Home Cem.

  • 2B (=11). Matilda Vestal (“Tillie”), b. 4 August 1872, d. 23 April 1951; bur. Hartford Cem. Md. (1) 9 October 1887 Warren Haynes; md. (2) John Shepherd; (3) Hugh Moffitt. Data for husbands #1 and #3 comes from the cemetery book. The obituary for Tillie’s brother #21 John Henry, dated 21 December 1938, stated that during the last few years of his life his sister and her husband Mr. and Mrs. John Shepherd/Shepperd lived with him to help care for him.

  • 2C (=12). Peter Vestal, b. 2 February 1875, d. 15 November 1952. Md. in Putnam County11 March 1894 Verdie I. McFarland (b. 14 January 1875, d. 17 May 1929); both bur. Highland Park Cem., Kirksville, Adair County, Mo. Verdie was the d/o James L. McFarland and Margaret Ellen Hurley; she was also the sister of Mary Ellen McFarland who married #29 Noah Vestal. One child:
    • 2C1. Rosie Vestal, b. 3 February 1898, d. 23 August 1921; bur. Highland Park Cem., Kirksville. Md. Edward Jones (b. 20 December 1887, d. 4 April 1972). No children are known.

    (CEB gives Peter a second wife, Maude Scott, but provides no further data for her.)

See also:
Henry Branscomb, son of John and Olive E. Branscomb
Elizabeth Burris, wife of Henry
Children of Henry and Elizabeth (Burris) Branscomb

Note: The following named book is cited in the text by the author's initials, "CEB." Branscome, Cletie Elroy--"Branscom, Branscome, Branscomb, Branscombe." Laurel Fork, Va.: published by the author (1966).

 

 

 

Copyright 2004
Frederick B. Tubbs

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