I include the Christopher Branch outline family tree in this blog because I often see questions about it versus Branch lines in North Carolina and across the South. Virginia author, James Branch Cabell, researched this line as well as other prominent Virginia researchers. Christopher Branch of 1620 Jamestown. was a “gentleman colonist” with money, land, and influence. His legacy telegraphed through the generations. So much so that most of this family did not move from the Henrico/Chesterfield area near Richmond until after 1800 because… they did not need to seek new opportunities for wealth. In fact, the Richmond and Petersburg Branch family ran banks and mercantile firms and generated much wealth. The much poorer George Branch line — not so much until later. So economic need somewhat fuels the need to immigrate at least in the Virginia Colonial era. Note that this is an “outline family tree” with only male lines. Its abbreviated to help simplify the understanding of Christopher Branch’s line as compared to George Branch’s line. We, that is North Carolina, Branch descendants are largely not a part of this group. Christopher’s people did not migrate south to North Carolina before 1800 with only the exception of what I call the Burke Branch group. The Burke group, from Olive Branch, settled in Burke County NC near Morganton; they were escaping a criminal case in Chesterfield VA. Otherwise, most of the North Carolina Branch families descend from George Branch 1637-1688 of Isle of Wight Virginia. If you see the Halifax group of Branches associated with a John Branch of Chesterfield that is wrong. ANY post that describes George Branch as a son of Christopher Branch is very wrong.
March 08, 2025 Dawn Branch King
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