The Branham name hasn't been that easy to run down. As I find someone new to add to our ancestors it is a great feeling. I have run into some stonewalls and when I do I quit for a while, and then start again.

Reading and looking up information must be enjoyed to be tolerated. I ran into the name Barnabus Branham but it took months before I could place him in our family. It was only when I found that my Great-G-G- grandfather Wm. Branham was actually William C. Branham and the son of a Barnabus Branham. Then I discovered that William's wife's name was Nancy no last name was given. Then I found it was Philipps this was soon corrected to Phillips daughter of Joseph and Polly Phillips and the race was on, again!

The books " Talbot, Horsley, Gillespie, Branham and Crowder Families of Sumner Co. Tennessee " by Dr. Douglas Crowder / a descendant - and " History of The Harris Family" It has been a big help.

I had a copy made of each at the Sumner Co. Archives

When I started this search for our family's ancestors, it was because I felt cheated that I didn't know where we came from or the names of our people. With each bit of information, I find it seems that I know them better, and in knowing them I can only hope to understand myself better. This search can be time-consuming and sometimes downright aggravating. At other times the pleasure is almost overwhelming. I may never finish, but I am enjoying what I am doing. Its my hope that others will enjoy it also. The help that I have been given and the family I have had the pleasure of meeting and talking to is something I never even dreamed. Our Branham line starts in Westmoreland County, Virginia abt. 1702 with Michael Branham. Westmoreland County, I am told, is on the Chesapeake Bay.)

Michael's married Rosannah Ellis, and Rosannah's family can be traced to England in 1626 with her great-great-grandparents John Ellis, Sr. and Elizabeth Joanes. They relocated to Kent County, Maryland before his death abt. 1669.

Child of BRANHAM is:

Westmorland, Co. VA is on the Chesapeake Bay.

At this time I do not have a name for Barnabus's wife, with a little hope and a whole lot of luck this mystery to can be unruled.

When I started this search for our family's ancestors it was because I felt cheated that I didn't know where we came from or the names of our people. With each bit of information I find it seems that I know them better, and in knowing them I can only hope to under stand myself better.

This search can be time consuming and some times down right aggravating. At other times the pleasure is almost overwhelming. I may never finish but I am enjoying what I am doing. It's my hope that others will enjoy it also. The help that I have been given and the family I have had the pleasure of meeting and talking to is great. Thanks to all of you T. C. Branham

Barnabas Branham's father was Michael Branham born abt. 1702 died 1762 in Westmoreland Co. VA

at this time this is as far back as I have been able to trace the Branham name. Michael married a Rosannah Ellis, born abt. 1705, died abt. 1761-62 Westmorland Co. was on Chesapeake Bay

As we have found more on the Ellis Family I will include it here.

Rosannah's

FATHER = William Ellis 8/12/1704, Kent Co. Maryland, m. 1723, in Rowan Co.,NC, Mary Clarke, b. 5/10/1707, d. 1781, Orange Co. NC. William died 12/28/1761 in Rowan, Co. NC

GRANDFATHER = John Ellis Jr. b. 7/29/1661, Kent Isle, Maryland, m. (1) abt 1681, in Maryland, wife unknown, b. abt. 1665, d. abt 1702,

Married the second time 04/02/1703 in Kent Co. Maryland, Margaret Elizabeth Coffin

John died bef 03/17/1718, Kent Co., Maryland

G-G-GRANDFATHER = John Ellis Sr. b 1626, England, m. Elizabeth Joanes, b. abt 1680, England

John died bef 11/06/1669, Maryland

=====

As of now the Branham line starts in 1702 in Virginia with Michael Branham but it goes back to 1626 in England with John Ellis Sr., the g-g-grandfather of his wife Rosannah Ellis.

I have found a William Branham that was married to a Nancy Phillips. I know that our William was married to a Nancy. That William had a father named Barnabus. I have no name for our William's father. It soon turned out that this was our William.

I WILL STILL BE WORKING A LONG TIME!

Location unclear: William and Nancy were from Virginia. They along with their small son Randal moved to Sumner county, Tennessee sometime in the 1820's

Note: Listed in1860 census Campbell Co. Dist. 9

Nancy was the daughter of Polly and Joseph Phillips. Polly,' last name is not known at this time.

Note: Phillips may or may not be Nancy's last name. I have found a William Branham that was married to a Nancy Philips ??

Randal J. Branham was the eldest son of Wm. and Nancy Branham. It would seem that Randal had a brother named George 1819 - March 5, 1864. George was a Confederate soldier and died in the Civil War at 45 years of age . It was thought at one time that a William Branham was our George Branham's father. Further study reviled that were brothers.

Both were son's of Randal J. Branham and Mary Jane Day Branham. It would seem that the names George and William were passed down in the Branham Family.

Burial: 1888, Dry Fork Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

Relocated: Abt. 1818, Came with his parents William and Nancy ( Philips ) Branham to Sumner Co. TN. as a small boy.

Susan's parents were James Horsley and Jenny Land Chiles. James parents were Rowland and Nancy Talbot Horsley. In 1816 they all moved to Sumner Co. TN. Rowland was a soldier of the American Revolution he was also a descendant of Roland Horsley who was granted land in 1672 in New Kent County, Virginia.

Nancy's parents were James Talbot who died in the American Revolution in 1779, last account he was a Lieutenant paid as a wagon master in the Cherokee Expedition on Oct. 12, 1779. his family goes back to Colonel Matthews Talbot (1699-1758) and Mary Williston.

Will of James Horsley 15 Jun 1834

James Horsley will, dated 15 June 1834 was proven in court in the November Term of Court, Sumner Co., TN, 1839.

'' In the name of God, Amen, I James Horsley of the County of Sumner in the State of Tennessee, being weak in body but in perfect mind and memory, thanks be to God, and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, I make and ordain this my last will and testament. That is to say principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul to the hand of Almighty God who gave it and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in decent Christian burial at the discrission (sic) of my Executors and as touching my estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life, I give devise of in the following manner. "First I will that all my just debts be paid. "Second" I will that after my just paid that the residue of my property shall remain in the hands of my beloved wife Jane or her to give it to our children as she may have it to afford to them as long as she lives, and at her death what she leaves to be equally divided among the seven children that is now existing, biz: James R., Louisy E., William W., John W., Robert G., Susan J. and Eliza F.. Thirdly, I will that James R. and Louisy E. have no more than what I have given them until the rest are made equal with them (*) If I should give the rest anything before I die that must be seen to as that much of their .. (illegible) "Fourthly (sic), I will that my beloved wife Jane and my beloved son James R. Horsley shall be my administrators to take care of the residue of my property and see that the children above named have it equally and I do hereby utterly disallow revoke and (illegible) all and every other to be my last will and testament. Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 15th of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four, Signed sealed and acknowledged in the presence of:

If my wife should marry she may retain my property .. (several illegible words) in her possession witness my hand as above named until her death... (several illegible words) named children.

Teste:

Tolbert Horsley James Horsley (seal)

Elijah Rutledge

(illegible) Newman

The will was proven in court by Elijah Rutledge, Robert Horsley and

(illegible) Newman.

Will Book, 2, pg. 61, Sumner County, TN.

Note: Called " POLLY "

Military service: Served as 5th. Sargent until March 1, 1883 when reduced to Private. Captured at Rodgersville. Died in captivity at Richmond of diarrhea.