John Branch (1782-1863) Papers, MfP.111
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- John Branch (1782-1863) Papers
- Call Number
- MfP.111
- Creator
- Unknown
- Date
- 1822-1865
- Repository
- State Archives of North Carolina
Collection Overview
Correspondence and other papers of Branch of Enfield, governor (1817-1820), U.S. senator (1823-1829), secretary of the navy (1829-1831), U.S. congressman (1831-1832), and territorial governor of Florida (1843-1845). Correspondence is mostly personal during Branch's residence in Florida (1838-1851), relating especially to finances, farming, and sale of cotton. Letters from Branch's nephew L. H. B. Whitaker of Enfield and son- in-law Gen. Daniel S. Donelson concern family and local matters; and a few letters relate to Branch's service as Florida-Georgia boundary commissioner (1846, n.d.). Items from his earlier career are congratulatory or social. From the periods of his residence in Enfield are letters from Spier Whitaker concerning disagreement with Branch (1831) and a letter from Branch in 1861 commenting on secession sentiment in the state. Several letters and other items concern the removal of son William from Alabama to Florida (1850) and William as executor of his father's will (1863). Also included are William's Florida law license (1845); deed of gift of Negro girl (1854); list of slaves, with ages and values (1849); and requisition of slaves to complete fortifications around Tallahassee (1864).