Colonel John Branch was born circa 1750 in Halifax County, North Carolina to John Richard Branch and Martha Louise Henry.  He was married to Rebecca Bradford who was born on 25 December 1752 to Colonel John Bradford and Patience Reed.  Christopher Branch, resident of Jamestowne (1620) was the G3 Grandfather of Colonel Branch.  Christopher Branch was also Thomas Jefferson’s G3 Grandfather and is noted as being the “earliest American ancestor of record” of the 3^rd President of the United States.[1]

     Colonel Branch served as the High Sheriff of the County of Halifax at the beginning of the American Revolution and in performing duties in that capacity, it is stated that he was a “terror” for the Tories.[2]  He also served as Justice of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions and between the years of 1776 and 1780, he was Commissioned Lieutenant Colonel in the Halifax Regiment of the North Carolina Militia and it is stated that he also had service in the army of General Nathanael Greene. Following his time as a Commissioned Officer of the Halifax Regiment, Colonel Branch served in numerous positions: State Auditor for the Halifax District; Member of the House of Commons during two sessions in 1781 and 1782 and then again in 1788.  Colonel Branch also served as a Delegate to the Convention of North Carolina in 1788 where among many actions, due to the lack of a Bill of Rights, the Convention voted to reject ratification of the proposed 1788 US Constitution. He closed out his public life serving as a member of the Council of State during the Governor Richard Spaight Administration.  As a member of the Royal White Hart Lodge, No. 2, Colonel Branch belonged to the Masonic Fraternity[3]

     Colonel Branch’s son, Governor John Branch served three terms as Governor of North Carolina, a State Senator, a Member of the US House of Representatives, a US Senator and the first Secretary of the Navy during the Administration of President Andrew Jackson and finally served as the last Territorial Governor of Florida shepherding the territory into statehood.  Colonel Branch was the Grandfather of Lawrence O’Bryan Branch, US Congressman and Brigadier General, CSA.

    As a final tribute to his significant role in the American Revolution, the Marquis de Lafayette was invited to tour all 24 States during the period 1824-1825.  During his journey through North Carolina, the Branch Family hosted General de Lafayette at the “Cellar” in Enfield, North Carolina, which was the home of the late Colonel John Branch. His son, Governor John Branch who was serving as a US Senator from North Carolina at the time, owned the house in Enfield in which Lafayette was received. It was reported that following refreshments, General de Lafayette “made a speech from the porch of the Branch family home to the assembled throng.”[4

    Colonel John Branch passed away in 1806 at Elk Marsh Plantation in Halifax County, NC.  Colonel Branch was married twice: 

• His first wife, already mentioned was (G4 Grandmother) Rebecca Bradford and left by her the following children: James Branch, Martha Branch, G3 Grandfather John Branch Jr. (Governor), Joseph Branch, and Patience W. Branch. 
• His second wife was Elizabeth Norwood, daughter and by her he left three children: William Joseph Branch, Washington Lenoir Branch and Elizabeth Ann Branch.

The newspaper announcement stated:

“Departed this life on the 14^th of March, 1806, at Elk Marsh, in Halifax County, NC Col. John Branch, a soldier of the Revolution.  Of this good man, the voice of panegyric is wont to sound praises exalted strain.  As a man, he was brave, open and ingenious; as a citizen, active and useful; as a husband, father and master, he was kind, tender and affectionate.  The child of sorrow found in him a protector; the man of worth, a sincere friend; the poor and needy sought shelter beneath his hospitable roof, and a numerous circle of acquaintances will partake of his glad cheer no more forever.  His morning sun was fair and unclouded; its meridian, bright and effulgent; and its descending rays insured him a glorious immortality.”[5]