Braffett Family Notes

Recent Updates

Last update: 17-Jul-2006

1910 NY chauffeur's license for James Braffitt (1884-1948) - added (2005)

Raymond Braffitt - World War II service details and medals - added (2001)

1890 New York veterans census information - added (2001)

James H. Braffet and Ellen Savilla Billings info - updated (2001)

Casey Braffet info - added (2000)

Introduction

These notes cover four BRAFFETT families primarily in North America. The information covered begins in southeastern New York (Counties of Orange, Ulster, and Sullivan) and nearby eastern Pennsylvania (Luzerne/Bradford County) in the late 1700s. The most common surname spelling covered is BRAFFETT, but BRAFFET and BRAFFITT also figure prominently. The general organization of these notes devotes a major section to each of the four families. The subsections for each family usually focus on a particular geographic area and often include information on related families. References, descendants, and researchers are included. Several subsections are left as placeholders for future additional information. For additional details in an online genealogy database which includes these Braffett descendants and related families, go to

http://willbraffitt.org/roots/wc_toc.html

These notes were assembled with information provided by numerous people as detailed in the references including research James Matthew Braffitt Jr. started during World War II. The writer operates an informal BRAFFETT/BRAFFET/BRAFFITT exchange and genealogy database of BRAFFETT and related families. These notes are necessarily incomplete. Only a few of the county records have been explored in depth. The writer welcomes any correspondence related to BRAFFETT/BRAFFET/BRAFFITT descendants or ancestors.

James BRAFFETT -- Rebecca GORE

For the latest charts on this family, see

http://willbraffitt.org/phpGedView/family.php?famid=F30

Plainfield Township, Windham County, CT

James Braffett is the first known Braffett of this family line. He and Gamaliel Jaqua came about 1792 from CT to the area that is now Burlington Township, Bradford County, PA. The only Braffett reference located so far in CT is a 1936 LDS sealing for the dead for James Braffitt which gives his birth and marriage (to Rebecca Gore) in Plainfield Township. There is a good deal of information on both the Jaqua and Gore families in CT.

Burlington Township, Bradford County, PA

In PA, James began improvements on the Morley farm and erected the first framed house in Burlington Township in 1804. He married Rebecca Gore whose father Silas was slain at the Battle of Wyoming. James and Rebecca had five children before James died about 1808. Luzerne County was formed from Northumberland County in 1786, and Bradford from Luzerne in 1810. Burlington Township was formed from Wysok Township in 1802. Most of the five children were born and some married probably in what is now Burlington Township, Bradford County, PA.

After James's death, Rebecca married Joseph Bloom who occupied the farm. Gamaliel Jaqua married Eleanor Campbell, daughter of James Campbell, and their son Judson married Lucinda Braffett, daughter of Rebecca and James. Gamaliel did not stay long in Burlington Township moving eventually to Preble County, OH. Rebecca, Joseph, and most of Rebecca's children moved to Harrison Township, Darke County, OH about 1826. Rebecca's oldest son Silas appears to have gone to OH earlier (by 1820) since he was married in 1820 in Darke County. Lucinda and Moses Calkins moved to OH after 1850. The descendants of James and Rebecca lived mainly in Darke and Preble Counties in OH and in the adjacent county of Wayne, IN. About 1847, Silas moved with his family to Grant County, IN. Three of Silas's children moved to Mercer/Grundy Counties in MO between the 1850s and the 1870s. From MO, descendants of Silas's son Orris moved on to Clinton, Custer County, OK, and Houston, TX, and AZ, NV, and CA. There is much tradition among descendants of James and Rebecca that this Braffett family is of French origin. There are similar traditions in the Jaqua family about the origins of the Jaqua family. It is not currently known how James Braffett is related to the other four Braffett families which appear to have their North American origins in the southeastern part of New York (Orange, Ulster, and Sullivan Counties).

Here's a brief outline of the children of James Braffett and Rebecca Gore:

Darke and Preble Counties, OH

Lucinda BRAFFETT -- Judson JAQUA

The following account of the early life of Judson and Lucinda is from First Ladies of Indiana and The Governors by Margaret Moore Post (1984) which gives details on the parents of Eliza (Jaqua) Gray, wife of Indiana Gov. Issac Pusey Gray. Judson Jaqua, son of a cooper, was born 01-Apr-1792, at Columbia City, New York.

When Judson was 15, the family moved to Bradford County, Pennsylvania, and lived with his parents until he was 21. The family was not wealthy, and he had just 12 days of schooling. In Bradford County, he met Lucinda Braffett, whose father died when she was 11. During her teens she worked as a hired girl for two and a half years for 75 cents per week. On 15-Dec-1816, when he was 24 and she 19, they were married. On their 50th wedding anniversary, 1866, Judson wrote about their early life. Ten months after their marriage, they began a pilgrimage westward, driving an ox team as far as the Allegheny River. There they sold the team and wagon (on credit). After a brief rest, they came on a flat boat down the Allegheny to Pittsburgh, where they lost their boat because of high water. They had only about $200. They joined some other people in building a raft, and after a perilous trip down the Ohio, reached Cincinnati in 1817, a year and a half after they started. They were almost out of money, but they hired a team and moved to Warren County, Ohio, six miles east of Lebanon, into an old log cabin which had no chimney and no doors. By then the couple had one bushel of corn meal and fifty cents in cash; but they cut wood, fixed the cabin and grew and hunted food. With several other families of Connecticut Yankees they moved in Apr-1819 to Darke County, OH, and called their settlement Yankeetown. Judson bought land from the government for $1 per acre. He was a persevering worker and a leader in the community. He helped to get schools, was a watch and clock repairman for the village and made all the shoes for his large familiy.

Silas BRAFFETT -- Mary WOODS

Silas Braffett was born in what is now Burlington Township, Bradford County, PA in 1799, possibly named for his grandfather Silas Gore who was killed at the Battle of Wyoming. Silas moved to Harrison Township, Darke County, OH probably about 1820 when he married Mary Wood(s) who was born in 1799 in VA. Silas helped lay out the town of Braffetsville in Harrison Township. Silas and Mary had 12 children before the family moved to Richland Township, Grant County, IN about 1847 when Silas bought land in Richland Township. The family appears in the 1850 and 1860 federal census records for Richland Township. Mary died in 1866 and Silas died in 1867. Some of their descendants resided in Sims Township. Silas possibly remarried a Sarah Jane who appears as the widow of Silas Braffet in an Aug-1868 Grant County deed. Silas was appointed guardian of the children of James and Lydia St. Clair in 1866. The relationship of Silas to Lydia or James is not known. Three of the children of Silas and Mary (John, Minerva, and Orris) migrated to Grundy and Mercer Counties, MO between the mid 1850s and teh mid 1870s. Their descendants are detailed in the sections that follow on Grant County, IN, Greenville, Bond County, IL, Grundy and Mercer Counties, MO, Clinton, Custer Couty, OK, and Houston, Harris County, TX.

Alfred BRAFFETT -- Eliza LONG

Evaline BRAFFETT -- Moses CALKINS

Minerva BRAFFETT -- Rial LAWRENCE

One of Minerva's and Lawrence's daughters married a Miller.

Grant County, IN

John BRAFFETT -- Elizabeth WOOD

Minerva BRAFFETT -- William WOOD

Orris BRAFFETT -- Teressa HERNDON

Greenville, Bond County, IL

Orris and family stopped briefly in Greenville, Bond County, IL on their way from Indiana to Missouri. Here in Illinois, son Frank Wesley was born.

Grundy and Mercer Counties, MO

Some descendants of Silas and Mary stayed in Missouri, and others went west.

Clinton, Custer County, OK

Frank Wesley BRAFFETT -- Sarah Marie Stanturf

Kingman, Mohave County, AZ

Benjamin Herndon BRAFFETT -- Mary Elinore Mckenzie

Virgil Casey BRAFFET -- Mary Lou

Casey Braffet (cbraffet@bigfoot.com), a grandson of Mary Lou and Virgil Casey Braffet, had a web site for this family. The web site is archived at http://web.archive.org/web/20040511203354/braffet.com/braffet/index.html.

Houston, Harris County, TX

James Richard "J. R." BRAFFETT -- Edith Smith

Joshua BRAFFETT -- Mary MAPES

For the latest charts on this family, see

http://willbraffitt.org/phpGedView/family.php?famid=F61

Joshua Braffett is the first known Braffett of this family line. Joshua and Mary Mapes (daughter of Henry Mapes of Monroe, Orange County, NY) were married probably in Orange County, NY. In the will of Henry Mapes written 20-Oct-1812 and proved 04-Mar-1823 in Goshen, Orange County, NY, he leaves "my grandson, Hezekiah Braffit, the sun of $20." It is believed that this Hezekiah Braffit is the same Hezekiah Braffett that married Elizabeth Newbury.

Orange County, NY

Hezekiah BRAFFETT -- Elizabeth NEWBURY

Hezekiah Braffett was born in New York, probably in Orange County. Elizabeth Newbury is listed in most references as having been born in New York. One census record gives her birthplace as Ireland. Hezekiah and Elizabeth had at least five children, all probably born in Orange County, NY.

The family of Hezekiah and Elizabeth is ennumerated in the 1840 census (Blooming Grove Township), 1850 census (Hamptonburgh Township), and 1860 census again in Blooming Grove Township. The spelling of Hezekiah's name in the 1850 census Braffey hints at the early pronunciation of the name. Hezekiah is not found in the census after 1860. An Elizabeth Braffitt (age 62 and b: Ireland) is listed in the 1865 NY state census for the 2nd District. In the 1870 federal census for Blooming Grove Township, Elizabeth is listed in the household of her son Joshua.

Here's a brief outline of the children of Hezekiah Braffett and Elizabeth Newbury:

William Henry BRAFFETT Sr. -- Anne GILMORE

William H. Braffett enlisted in Company C, 56th Regiment NY Volunteers on 16-Aug-1861. He was discharged 17-Oct-1865 after having served 4 years, 2 months, and 1 day. He is listed in the History of Orange County, 1881, as one of the people who served in the "War of 1861-1865". He is listed as a laborer in Blooming Grove in A. V. Boak's 1879 Orange County, New York. A picture taken about 1891 in Craigville, Orange County, NY shows the family including five children. The Jun-1990 Federal Census of Civil War Veterans and Widows for Blooming Grove, Orange County, NY lists William H. Braffet as a re-enlisted veteran with a post office address of Craigville, Orange County, NY. He died in 1911 in Newburgh, Orange County, NY, where he had lived for the previous four years.

The Gilmore family is from County Antrim, Ireland.

Middlesex County, MA

James Matthew BRAFFITT Sr. -- Ada Catherine MOSHER

The origin of the name change from BRAFFETT to BRAFFITT in this family came about from James Sr.'s voting records. The family lived primarily in Newton, MA and Watertown, MA. Dorothy Jane (Braffitt) Greer lives with her family in Framingham, MA.

The Mosher family is from Nova Scotia.

Fulton County, GA

James Matthew BRAFFITT Jr. -- Dorothy Nadine Cook

Julie (Braffitt) Southworth, daughter of James Matthew Braffitt Jr. and Dorothy Nadine Cook, lives in Atlanta, Fulton County, GA with her family.

Montgomery County, VA

James Matthew BRAFFITT Jr. -- Dorothy Nadine Cook

Donald James Braffitt, son of James Matthew Braffitt Jr. and Dorothy Nadine Cook, lives in Blacksburg, VA with his wife Rebecca Will and daughter Sarah Elizabeth Will.

Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties, NH, eastern MA, and ME

Several descendants of Robert Gilmore Braffett live in southern NH, eastern MA, and ME.

John BRAFFET

John Braffet is the first known Braffet of this family line. A John Braffet appears in the following census records:

1793 Wantage, Sussex County, NJ
1800 Orange County, NY
1820 Canandaigua, Ontario County, NY

The descendants of this family seem to have fairly consistently used the spelling BRAFFET although the Mark BRAFFETT -- Rose KING branch of DeKalb County, IL uses the BRAFFETT spelling. The family is thought to be of Scotch ancestry. Numerous marriages occurred into families of Scandinavian ancestry (Icelandic, Swedish, and Norwegian)

Orange County, NY

James BRAFFET -- Melissa A. FURMAN

For the latest charts on this family, see

http://willbraffitt.org/phpGedView/family.php?famid=F32

The primary reference in Orange County, NY for this family is the 1850 Blooming Grove Township census which lists Jas. Braffet (age 48) and Jas. H. Braffet (age 18), both blacksmiths. Maria Braffet (age 32) is also listed (possibly Melissa (Furman) Braffet). In Monroe Township, Mary A. Braffet is listed (age 18) in the 1850 census. Mary might be one of two other children of James Braffet and Melissa Furman in addition to Dr. James H. Braffet.

Lee County, IL

Dr. James H. BRAFFET -- Ellen Savilla BILLINGS

James and Melissa Braffit are listed in the 1870 Melugin Grove, Lee County, IL census adjacent to the family of their son, Dr. James H. Braffit. Dr. James H. and Ellen Braffit are listed with their children Nellie, John, Charles, and Mark. Most of the early information on both the father and grandfather of Dr. James H. Braffet is summarized in the following portrait which appears in Portrait and Biographical Record of Lee County, Illinois:

James H. Braffet, M. D., of Paw Paw, is well known as one of the leading physicians of Lee County, whose skill, success in practice, and learning place him well at the head of his profession. He was born in the town of Florida, Orange County, N. Y., October 16, 1834. His father, James Braffet, for many years an honored citizen of this county, was born in Monroe, Orange County, July 22, 1802, a son of John Braffet, who is supposed to have been a native of that county also, and there he spent his last years. He is thought to have been of Scotch ancestry. When the father of our subject was five years old, his father took him to Orleans County, in his native State, and bound him out to a farmer, with whom he was to live until he turned twenty-one. In the meantime he was to have his board and clothes, and when he became of age was to have a new suit of cluthes, ten dollars in cash, and a horse, saddle and bridle. When he was eighteen years old, he bought his time in order to serve an apprenticeship to learn the trade of a blacksmith, but when he was twenty-one, the old farmer generously gave him the horse that he had promised him. At the close of his apprenticeship, he did journey working different places and finally at Newburg, Orange County, and carried on business in that county until 1855, when he came to Illinois to identify himself with the pioneers of this county, as he wisely thought that skilled mechanics would be in demand in a young and growing country. He came by rail as far as Earlville, then the nearest railway station, and after his arrival he established himself at his calling at East Paw Paw. He carried on business there until 1863 , when he removed to Melugin's Grove, and opening a shop there, was actively engaged as a blacksmith for several years. When the railway was completed throughBrooklyn Township, he took up his residence at the village of Compton, being one of its first settlers, and there he lived retired until his death, in April, 1888. The maiden name of his wife was Melissa A. Furman. She survives him and still make her home at Compton. She is also a native of Orange County, N. Y., and a daughter of Josiah Furman,who was born in the Empire State, and was of German ancestry. Mrs. Braffet and her husband were for many years members of the Methodist Eipscopal Church, but she now belongs to the Presbyterian Church, and is held in great esteem by all who know her. Our subject is the only survivor of the three children born to his parents. He was given liberal educational advantages, obtaining his knowledge of thecommon branches in the public schools of his native county, and he subsequently became a student at Chester Academy which he attended four years. While there he paid particular attention to mathematics and civil engineering, with a view of preparing himself for West Point. He successfully passed the examination required of those desiring admission to that institution, and receiving the endorsement of Mr. Wheeler, there representative to Congreess from the district in which he lived, his ambition seemed about to be realized, when his parents so strenuously objected to his entering military school, that he gave up his cherished dream of becoming a cadet, and turned his attention to the study of medicine under the instruction of Dr. C. P. Smith, of Chester, N. Y. He defrayed part of the expenses of his education by teaching, and alternately taught and attended school, and engaged in surveying. He came to Illinois with his parents in 1855, and taught the first term ofthe East Paw Paw Seminary. He devoted his leisure to his medical studies, and in the winter of 1861-1862 attended a course of lectures at Rush Medical College, at Chicago. He still further prepared himself later on by attendance at Bellevue Hospital College, New York City, in the winter of 1868-69, and was graduated from there in the Class of '69. He had already practiced medicine successfully, and went back to his work with renewed vigor. He had first established himself at East Paw Paw, and had gone from there to Melugin's Grove in 1862. In 1875 he opened an office at Paw Paw, and has remained here ever since, acquiring an extensive and lucrative practice. By identifying himself with various medical societies and by careful reading, he keeps well abreast of the times in his profession, to which he is devoted, and his patients feel that safety and confidence under his care that a true physician ever inspires. He is a member in good standing of the North Central Illinois Medical Association, of the Illinois State Medical Society, of the American Association, and in 1887 he became a member of theInternational Medical Association. He is also conected with the Masonic fraternity, of which he has been a member since 1858, but at the present time non-officiating; and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which he joined in 1881, and is a camp member. Dr. Braffet was happily married in 1860 to Miss Ellen S. Billings, who was born near Detroit, Mich., and is a daughter of James and Mrs. (Serville) Billings. They have seven children, namely: Nellie, John, Charles, Mark P., Harvey, William and Essie. Nellie married Sidney Stevens, of Beardstown, Cass County. John is superintendent of a vineyard in Tulare, Cal. Charles is a compositor on the Boston Daily Post. Mark is in the chief dispatcher's office, Rio Grande & Western Railroad, at Schofield, Utah Territory. The three younger are students.

Ellen "Ella" Savilla (or Serville) Billings was the daughter of James Billings and Miss Felt. Two references give her birthplace as Richmond, Macomb County, MI. 1910 census records for Ellen and her children Nellie N. and Howard J. along with the death certificate for her son Mark Pomeroy all point to Wisconsin as Ellen's birthplace. Bill Acheson (achesonb@home.com), a Billings descendant, thinks the Wisconsin connection is because several Billings family members moved to Downsville, Wisconsin. In the 1910 census for Paw Paw Village, Wyoming Township, Lee County, Ellen Braffett is widowed (mother of 9 children, 6 still living) and living with her widowed daughter Nellie N. (Braffet) Stevens and Nellie's two daughters Connie Stevens and Helen N. Stevens. This family is living near the family of Ellen's son Howard J. Braffit, a printer.

Here's a brief outline of the children of Dr. James H. Braffet and Ellen Savilla Billings:

James Harvey BRAFFET -- Minnie "Dolly" KIDNEY

The information on these descendants is mostly from Descendants of Orsamus & Betsy (Herrington) Kidney by Guy & Joy Kidney, 1973. Guy & Joy Kidney based most of their information on these descendants on 1973 letters and information from Clifford Paul and Alice T. (Magnusson) Braffet, and Olive Guilda. These notes list James Harney Braffet, and no indication is given in the notes that James Harney Braffet is, in fact, James Harvey Braffet. The death certificate for son Mark Frances Braffett gives his father's names as Harvey Braffett. The death certificate for son Clifford Paul Braffet gives his father's name as Harvey Braffet as does information from the wife of James's older brother Mary Pomeroy. These facts coupled with the timeframe, the location, the name Mark for both the child of James Harvey and Dr. James H., and the fairly consistent spelling BRAFFET all point to the probability that this James is in fact the son of Dr. James H. Braffet.

Minnie "Dolly" Kidney supposedly died Eaton, Preble County, OH, but no death certificate has been located for her. She and James had four children, all born Pawpaw, Lee County, IL: Bertha BRAFFET, Mark Frances Braffett, and twins, Clifton BRAFFET and Clifford Paul BRAFFET. Minnie is buried Pawpaw, Lee County, IL.

Bertha BRAFFET -- Ed OLSON

Ed Olson (born Stavanger, Norway, died and buried DeKalb, DeKalb County, IL) and Bertha Braffet were married 24-Nov-1915 Baker, IL and had three children: Roy Edward Olson, Mildred Olson, and Hazel Olson. Roy Edward Olson was born Shabbona Park, La Salle County, IL. Mildred Olson married first 16-May-1936 Raymond W. King and second Bert Holle. Hazel Olson married first 11-Sep-1937 Glen Coan and second Francis Farthing.

Roy Edward OLSON -- Nora Bell NEPEAN

Roy Edward Olson and Nora Bell Nepean (born Anderson County, KY) were married 21-Nov-1947 DeKalb, DeKalb County, IL where their three children (Lonnie Edward Olson, Rosemary Olson, and Carolyn Sue Olson) were born. Rosemary Olson married George King. Carolyn Sue Olson married 28-Oct-1966 Charles Simpson.

Mark Frances BRAFFETT -- Rose KING

Mark Frances BRAFFETT and Rose KING (born Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky, daughter of John and Mary (Stratton) King) were married 03-Jul-1920 Sycamore, DeKalb County, IL. Both their children were born DeKalb, DeKalb County, IL. Helen L. Braffett married first Ekdahl and second 24-Oct-1958 Noble Ray Clark. Robert E. Braffett married 21-Nov-1947 Bernice Moore. In 1973, Alice T. (Magnusson) Braffet wrote Guy and Joy Kidney:

We spell our name with 1 T Braffet. Mark and his son spell with 2 T Braffett. I don't know why. Down at the cemetery the old timers spell it with 1 T. Mark was a truck driver and served in World War I. He died in DeKalb, DeKalb County, IL and is buried there in Fairview Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Clifford Paul BRAFFET -- Alice T. MAGNUSSON

Clifford Paul Braffet and Alice T. Magnusson (born Sweden, daughter of Martin Magnusson and Amelia G. Larson) were married 28-Apr-1923 in Sycamore, DeKalb County, IL. Clifford was a farmer. He died in Sandwich, DeKalb County, IL and is buried at Fairview Memorial Gardens Cemetery, DeKalb, DeKalb County, IL.

James Clifford BRAFFET -- Alberta Marie GRISWOLD

James Clifford "Pat" Braffet and Alberta Marie Griswold (born Plano, Kendall County, IL, daughter of Wayne Jay Griswold and Katherine Emily Vilmin) were married 30-Jul-1947. James was a farmer and factory worker. They had four children: Gary Eugene Braffet (born Aurora, Kane County, IL), Craig Martin Braffet (born DeKalb, Dekalb County, IL), James Alan Braffet (born Mendota, La Salle County, IL), and Curtis Paul Braffet (born Sandwich, DeKalb County, IL).

Gary Eugene BRAFFET -- Laurie P. BOURDON

Gary Eugene Braffett and Laurie P. Bourdon were married 17-Jun-1966. They had two children both born Sandwich, DeKalb County, IL: Steffanie Ann Braffet8 and Terrance Eugene Braffet8. Gary and Laurie are now divorced.

Price, Carbon County, UT

Mark Pomeroy BRAFFET -- Hannah JOHNSON

The following portrait of Mark P. Braffet, written about 1916, is from Prominent Men and Pioneers of Utah:

Mark P. Braffet, attorney-at-law, and president of the Salt Lake Stock &Mining Exchange, ranks high in both legal and mining circles. Hiselection to the presidency of the local exchange in January, 1916, was a tangible recognition of his knowledge of mining. His knowledge of law, especially of that relating to mining operations, was recognized a number of years ago when he was retained as attorney by the Utah Fuel company, one of the largest fuel concerns in the United States, and by its subsidiaries. Mr. Braffet was born at Malugin's Grove, Lee county,Illinois, and is the son of Ella S. Billings-Braffet and Dr. James H.Braffet. Mr. Braffet came to Utah in 1891, after he had become convinced that this state offered the best field for a young man starting out in life. He settled in Carbon county and served as county clerk and recorder in 1895-96. During that time he applied himself diligently during his spare moments to the study of law, with the result that he was admitted to the bar. Information about coal minng gained while in Carbon county proved of great value when he was made attorney for theUtah Fuel company. Mr. Braffet is interested in the Paloma and a numberof mining companies. He is director of the May Day Mining company, the Lower Mammoth Mining company and the Uncle Sam Mining company. He is a member of the executive committee of the Utah Chapter of the American Mining Congress. The Alta club claims him as a member. Mr. Braffet is married his wife's maiden name having been Hannah Johnson. The following children were born to the union: R. I., 22 years old; Maude, 20, and James H. Braffet, 18. Hannah Johnson was born Westland, Iceland, the daughter of Einar Johnson. Mark Pomeroy Braffet died of pneumonia Price, Carbon County, UT. Mark and Hannah are buried Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Salt Lake City, UT.

The Utah Historical Quarterly; Spring 1990, included a portrait of Mary Braffet by Nancy J. Taniguchi:

A January 1927 obituary announcing the death of Mark Braffet, recognized him "as a political power in Carbon County". This was a modest understatement. For over a dozen years Braffet had virtually ruled the county by controlling the votes of the employees of the Utah Fuel Company, the major coal-mining subsidiary of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. From his power base in the legal department of UFC he manipulated first the judiciary and, later, city and court officials to meet his company's audacious political and financial goals.

Braffet maintained his ascendancy, enriching himself and his employers, until his "friends" turned on him. Local independent (non railroad-affiliated) coal operators could never permanently remove him from power, despite their alliance with the Progressive party, active as nationwide reformers in the early 1900's. He remained in command until corporate infighting eroded his power base. His acerbic pesence etched an impression on Carbon County politics that long outlasted the man himself.

Braffet was a man of decisive preferences who decided early on who his friends were. He joined the colorful crowd who exercised free rein in eastern Utah, often without benefit of law. When he arrived in Utah from Illinois in the late 1800's, he settled in Scofield, then one of Carbon County's largest towns. He began his local poliitical career by serving as the first Carbon County clerk in 1894. Then he struck up a friendship with C.L. "Gunplay" Maxwell, a notorious outlaw of eastern Utah. In 1897 Braffet and Maxwell liberated accused thieves from the custody of the sheriff at Scofield.

Whatever The hidden corporate reasons for Braffet's rise and fall, his reign had long-time political repercussions within Carbon County. It is still the stronghold of the Democratic party in Utah, despite Republican ascendancy of the rest of the state. Although most political scientists have attributed this aberratioin to the support won by the Franklin Roosevelt administration with the passage of the Wagner Act allowing unionization, the negative Braffet legacy is also a factor. For years he ran the county for the Utah Fuel company under the banner of the Republicans. When the union arrived only sixteen years after Braffet's release, many of the electorate remembered all too well theunsavory reign of Carbon County's "king". The miners, freed by union strength from having to vote the will of the bosses, were undoubtedly doubly delighted to support the organization traditionally opposed to the party of "King"Braffet.

Los Angeles and San Francisco, CA

The information on the descedants of Mark Pomeroy Braffet and Hannah Johnson is primarily from notes L. Vadeina (Gifford) Whitley made of a 1960s phone conversation she had with Mrs. Robert Ingersol Braffet of Gardena, Los Angeles County, CA. The notes include a list of the children of Dr. James Harvey Braffet. Mrs. Braffet said that their immediate family were the only Braffets in America. She said a man in Nevada, a counterfeiter assumed the Braffet name. The Braffets she mentioned included Mark P. Braffet, a telegrapher and attorney, who was self educated and died in Price, UT; Robert Ingersol Braffet, a mechanical engineer born Nov-1893 died 1958 CA; James Harvey Braffet of Watsonville, CA, an attorney and physician from Pawpaw, IL, father of Mark P. Braffet; Nell and Effie Braffet, daughters of James Harvey Braffet; Maude V. (Braffet) Waring who lived 680 Sutter, San Francisco, CA, phone 36980; Robert Mark Braffet, son of Robert Ingersol Braffet, who was married and divorced and said to have hemophilia; Joeen Lynn Braffet born 04-Jan-1948 Lynwood, CA, dauther of Robert Mark Braffet; John Braffet, son of James Harvey Braffet, who did not marry and died age 30; and Charles, Harvey, and William Braffet, all sons of James Harvey Braffet. Some of the family were Baptists, and the family became alienated from one another.

Robert Ingersol BRAFFET -- Mary E.

Robert Ingersol was a mechanical engieer and aircraft inspector for Northrop Aircraft. He lived in Inglewood, Los Angeles County, CA. He died of lung cancer at Gardena, Los Angeles County, CA and was cremated at the Sunnyside Crematory.

James William BRAFFETT -- Lucretia KING

For the latest charts on this family, see

http://willbraffitt.org/phpGedView/family.php?famid=F1162

James William Braffett is the first known Braffett of this family line. There is some debate as to his given name (James or William). The descendants in this family line have consistently used the BRAFFETT spelling. Much of the information on this family is from an FGS on George Washington Braffett prepared by LaDean Sherwood Mellor and from information collected by L. Vadeina (Gifford) Whitley.

Lumberland, Sullivan County, NY

William Wiban BRAFFETT

William Wiban Braffett appears in the 1830 and 1850 Lumberland, Sullivan County, NY censuses. Besides these census records and some later Pike County, PA census records, the only other reference so far collected on this family is a list of names from the bible of Rene Paul Braffett (died 1941). Only a few of the relationships among the names listed in the bible are given - most must be inferred from the order of listing when matched with the limited additional information available from the census records. One speculation is that William is the older brother of Hezekiah Braffett. William had a grandson named John Henry Braffett, and Hezekiah named a son William Henry Braffett. In both cases, the name Henry might be from Hezekiah's father Henry Mapes.

Except for the children of Edwin William Braffett (born 1885), no specific parent-child relationships are listed in the bible record. The relationship of Margaret, Richard James, Jennie E., and Frank W. in the chart is the speculation most likely to be in error. L. Braffett (born about 1840) is the only person in the chart above NOT listed in the bible record Lumberland, Sullivan County, NY The 1830 census for William Braffett shows a female aged 20-30, but no other reference for this woman that was probably the wife of William has been found. The 1830 census also indicates that William may have had at least 3 sons. John Braffett who appears in the 1880 Lackawaxen, Pike County, PA might be the third son, but no mention of the family of John is made in the bible of Rene Paul Braffett. The 1850 Lumberland, Sullivan County, NY census has Joseph Braffet, a blacksmith, living alone and Wm. living in the household of Elisha Braffet, a lumberman. This census for Elisha is the only direct evidence linking William Braffett to either Elisha or Joseph. A female (initial L.) living in Elisha's household does not appear in the bible record but might possibly be a younger sister of Elisha. Elisha's wife of 2 years (Sarah M. Casle born CT married 23-Feb-1848, daughter of Joseph Casle) does not appear in the household, but their oldest child Henrietta (born 24-Dec-1848 NY) is listed.

Here's a brief outline of the children of William Wiban Braffett:

Lackawaxen, Pike County, PA

Elisha next appears in the 1880 Lackawaxen, Pike County, PA census with his wife Sarah and children Flora E. (born 05-Sep-1868 NY), Serenes (born 24-Mar-1871 NY), and Arties (born 1876 PA). Thus it appears that the family moved from NY to PA sometime between 1871 and 1876. However, the bible record indicates that Elisha's son Wm. J. Braffett was born 16-Apr-1858 Lackawaxen, Pike County, PA. This is the only place reference in the bible other than Arthur Braffett's death place of Brooklyn, NY (died 28-Feb-1916 age 39). The relationship of John Braffet who is living nearby in 1880 (household 67/67) to Elisha Braffett is not known. The 1900 Lackawaxen census lists James Braffett (born Jan-1870 OH), a teamster. Both his parents were also born OH indicating a possibility that he is a descendant of James Braffett and Rebecca Gore.

Ulster County, NY

James William Braffett was born about 1772 (about 1784?) in Ulster County, NY (or possibly Thornhill, Yorkshire, England) and died in 1812 in Dacketts Harbor. His parents may have been Edwort Breffoert and Roedy Comstock. He married Lucretia King (daughter of James King and cousin to George Washington). Their son William Wiban Braffett was born in 1795 in NY. Their son George Washington Braffett was born either 1801 or 1804 in Shandaken, Ulster County, NY.

Onondago County, NY

George Washington BRAFFETT -- Amanda DAVIS

George Washinton Braffett married Amanda Davis who was born in Pompey, Onondago County, NY. Her birthdate is given as Mar-1797 and 02-Apr-1805 in two references. From her church death record, he birthdate would be computed as Mar-1787. Their first two children, Edward and Loren, were born in Onondago, Onondago County, NY. Their remaining children were born in NY, probably mostly in Oswego County, NY. Information on the family of George Washington Braffett and Amanda Davis is primarily from an FGS prepared by LaDean Sherwood Mellor. Oswego County, NY The family of George Washington Braffett and Amanda Davis moved from Onondago County, NY to Oswego County, NY between 1822 and 1829. Nauvoo, Hancock County, IL and Iowa Territory The family of George Washington Braffett and Amanda Davis is listed in the 1840 census for the Territory of Iowa. He lived in Mt. Pisgah, Iowa and helped move members of the LDS church across the Mississippi River until it became too dangerous to return to the Illinois side of the river. He was a cooper (maker repairer of barrels). Amanda and her two youngest children (Lucinda and Henry) died between Aug-1844 and Sep-1844 in Nauvoo, Hancock County, IL. Utah George Washington Braffett lived in Kimball Valley, Kane County, UT, American Fork, Utah County, UT, and supposedly Parowan, Iron County, UT before moving to Levan (near Nephi), Juab County, UT where he lived in a small house by his daughter, Lucretia Hofheins until his death. He is listed in the 1850 census for Salt Lake County, UT. He went down to Parowan with son Horace at the request of Brigham Young and was again listed in the 1850 census, this time in Parowan, Iron County, UT. The 1850 UT census was actually taken early in 1851. George Washington Braffett married Sarah Ann Webber, widow of Ethan Allen Moore, on 02-Dec-1852 in the H. C. Kimball House. He died 1886 Levan, Juab County, UT and is buried Levan Cemetery, Lot 56, Section 2E1/2.

Here's a brief outline of the children of George Washington Braffett and Amanda Davis:

Horace BRAFFETT -- Harriet MEREDITH

Horace Braffett (Bravat) was born in NY; Harriet Meredith was born in England. They had three children: two born England and one born UT. This family appears in the Farmington, UT records. L. Vadeina (Gifford) Whitley has more details on this family.

Almira Ann BRAFFETT -- Henry Dill GIFFORD

Almira (or Elmira) Ann Braffett was born in 1829 in Oswego County, NY. Henry Dill Gifford (son of Alpheus Gifford and Anna Nash) was born in 1825 either in PA or Ulster County, NY. They married 05-Nov-1848. The both died in Woodville, Bingham County, ID and are buried in Idaho Falls, Bonneville County, ID. Details on this family are from a pedigree chart for their granddaughter Lala Vadeina Gifford. Their son Levi Samuel Gifford was born 03-Jul-1870 in Manti, Sanpete County, UT. He married 06-Dec-1894 Sarah Elizabeth James (born 23-Feb-1877 Anabella, Sevier County, UT, daughter of William E. James and Emma Prudence Hale). Levi died 11-Mar-1954 in Prescott, Yavapai County, AZ, and Sarah died 07-Jun-1956 in Phoenix, Maricopa County, AZ. They are both buried in Mesa Cemetery, AZ. Their daughter Lala Vadeina Gifford was bon 10-Nov-1917 in Lehi, Maricopa, AZ. She married 30-Jun-1936 James David Whitley (born 30-Jun-1916 in Happy, Swisher County, TX, died 19-Apr-1984 Lebanon, Linn County, OR, buried Lewis Cemetery by Foster Lake, Linn County, OR.

Amanda Lucretia BRAFFETT -- Jacob HOFHEINS

Jacob HOFHEINS, son of Johann Michael Hofheintz and Elizabeth B. Kornmuller, was born in 1812 in Rueppur, Karlsruhe Baden, Germany.

Other BRAFFETT families

Some of the information on these other BRAFFETT families was collected by L. Vadeina (Gifford) Whitley.

England and Belgium

The following place names are taken from The Times Index - Gazeteer of the World:

Braffe - Belgium Brafferton - Durham, England Braffetton - Yorkshire, England Braffield on the Green - England

England

The IGI lists numerous BRAFFET(T)/BRAFFIT(T) families in Yorks, England.

Stephen BRAFFITT -- Rebecca SEDGEWICK

Stephen Braffitt and Rebecca Sedgewick were both born in Rothwell, Yorkshire, England were they were married 18-May-1740.

Joseph BRAFFIT -- Hannah CASH

Joseph Braffit and Hannah Cash were married 15-May-1758.

Mary Braithwaite and Thomas Taylor were married 09-Apr-1780. Elizabeth Braithwaite and John Preston were married 05-Aug-1790.

Joseph BRAFITT -- Ann SALLOW

The Banns Publication lists the marrirage of Joseph Brafitt and Ann Sallow as Aug 13, 20, 27 1780-1781 in Thornhill, Yorkshire, England.

William Braithwaite was baptized in Flockton, England.

Joseph BRAFFETT -- Alice DUNFORD

Joseph Braffett and Alice Dunford were married 20-Jun-1788 in Thornhill, Yorkshire, England. The reference for this family is the Thornhill, Yorikshire, England Register, Book 71, from the records of Lydia D. Alders.

Nanny Braithwaite was born in Flockton, England.

North Carolina

John BRAFFETT

The North Carolina Historical and Genealogical Record lists a John Braffett of Edenton, Chowan County, NC and Beaufort, Carteret County, NC.

Arthur BRAFFITT

Arthur Braffitt (possibly spelled Braffett) is listed in the 1810 NC census, p. 33.

Virginia

Ann BARFOOTE

Early Virginia Immigrants 1636 lists Ann Barfoote.

Kent, St. Paul's Parish, MD

John and Elizabeth BRIFFETT

John Briffett, son of John and Elizabeth Briffett was born 01-Oct-1714 in Kent, Saint Paul's Parish, MD.

Orange County, NY

Edtwort BREFFOERT -- Roedy COMSTOCK

Ulster County, NY

Joseph BRAFSETT

Joseph Brafsett is listed in the 1800 Marble, Ulster County, NY census (age 45 and over) with three male children (1 10-16 and 2 under 10). One of the younger male children might possibly be William Braffett (born about 1800) of Sullivan, Lumberland County, NY who named a son Joseph Braffett. Joseph might also be a brother to Joshua Braffett of Orange County, NY, father of Hezekiah Braffett. There are also numerous Joseph Braffett's in England.

Jasper and Barry Counties, MO

BRUFFETT

The IGI lists 4 BRUFFETT marriages in Jasper County, MO, 2 BRUFFETT births in Jasper County, MO, and 1 BRUFFETT marriage in Barry County, MO.

Tooele, Tooele County, UT

Orson BRAFFETT and James BRAFFETT

The Tooele County History includes a short biography of Orson Braffett which says that Orson was the first white settler to be killed by the Indians in Tooele Valley. He was supposedly "standing guard" against further attacks from the Indians and fell asleep on his horse and was killed by an Indian. Also, James Braffett and his wife and five children were among the first settlers of Tooele Valley and settled on a little creek, but due to impossible conditions existing at that time, left. There is speculation that Orson and James are related to George Washington Braffett.

REFERENCES

Locality References

Plainfield, Windham County, CT

16-Dec-1936 LDS sealing for the dead for James Braffitt
b:ABT 1763 Planfield,Windham,CT
m:1785 Rebecca Gore, Plainfield,Windham,CT

Wantage, Sussex County, NJ

Census
1793 (John Braffet)
Canandaigua, Ontario County, NY
Census
1820, p. 25 (John Braffet)

Orange County, NY

Census
1800, p. 381 (John Braffet)
1840 Bloming Grove, p. 28 (Hezekiah Braffet)
1840 Windsor, p. 60 (James Brafatt)
1850 Hamptonburgh, p. 156, 1417/1427
1860 Blooming Grove, 105/101
1865 (NY state) 2nd District, 71 (Joshua), 111 (Elizabeth)
1870 Blooming Grove, 88/86 (Joshua and Elizabeth), 240/233 (Wm. and Eleanor)
1880 Blooming Grove, 83/85 (Charles), 84/85 (William H. and Annie), 85/86 (Joush)
Jun-1890 (Federal Census of Civil War Veterans and Widows) Blooming Grove (William H. Braffet)
1900 Blooming Grove, 279/291 (William H. and Lizzie), 280/292 (William and Anne G.), 419/454
(Mary C.), 428/464 (Katie)
1910 Chester, 3/4 (William H. and Elizabeth)

Marriages
IGI - Julie Ann Newberry m: John Gilderoy Runyan 04-Jul-1841 Monroe

Miscellaneous
Will Book G, p. 78 (Henry Mapes: written 20-Oct-1812; proved 04-Mar-1823)
A. V. Boak's Orange County, New York, published 1878 at Newburgh, NY by D. S. Lawrence & Co, p. 442
Craigville, Blooming Grove residents: Wm. H. Braffet and Mrs. Elizabeth Braffet
History of Orange County, New York, Vol. 2, 1881, p. 643 (Blooming-Grove)
Wm. H. Braffit served Co. C, 56th Regiment NY Volunteers; enlisted 16-Aug-1861
Picture taken about 1891 in Craigville showing family of William H. Braffett Sr. with five children
06-Apr-1911 Newburgh death certificate for William H. Braffitt
Lists parents (mother b:NY) and residence as 128 Brodway, 2nd Ward.06-Apr-1911 Newburgh death
certificate for William H. Braffitt
Calvary Cemetery, Monroe
William H. and Annie Braffett

Lumberland, Sullivan County, NY

Census
1830 - p. 18 (William Braffet)
1850 - 72/72 (Elisha and Wm. Braffet), 130 (Joseph Braffet)

Ulster County, NY

Bradford County, PA

Census
1800 Wysok Township, Luzerne County, p. 207
1810 Burlington Township, Lycoming County, p. 861
1820 Burlington Township, Bradford County, p. 106
1850 Burlington Township, Bradford County, p. 46

Miscellaneous
History and Geography of Bradford County 1615-1924, p.341
History of Bradford County, Pennsylvania 1770-1878
pp. 109, 288, 291, 424
Pioneer and Patriot Families of Bradford County, Pennsylvania 1770-1800 (1913) by Clement F. Heverly
Vol I: pp. 4, 121-122, 202, 240, 247, 267, 280-281, 301
Vol II: pp. 193-194, 385
The Settler (Bradford County, PA)
Vol. II, No. 2, Dec-1953, p. 41 - Gore
Vol. II, No. 4, Nov-1954, p. 119 - James and Gamaliel Jaqua

Lackawaxen, Pike County, PA

Census
1880 - 67/67 (John Braffet), 120/121 (Elisha Braffet)
1900 - 212/215 (James Braffett b:OH)

Miscellaneous
Bible record from old bible of Rene Paul Braffett (d:1941) transcribed by William A. Wasson
27-Jan-1946

Darke County, OH

Census
1830 Harrison Township, p. 18
1840 Harrison Township, pp. 23-24
1850 Harrison Township, p. 357 (63/65 - 68/71)

Miscellaneous
Marriage Book 1, p. 9
Silas BRAFFETT and Mary WOODS
Minerva BRAFFITT and Royal LAWRENCE
Greenmound Cemetery, New Madison
LAWRENCE: Celinda, Rial and Minerva (BRAFFETT)
Yankeetown Cemetery, New Madison Township
Land records (Section 34 1821-1842)
17-May-1833 plat for Town of Braffetsville (Bk. D-1, p. 292)
BLOOM: Rebecca and Keziah A.
HOSSAFOUS, Welthy A. (JAQUA)
JAQUA: Judson & Lucinda, Allen, Perry, Morris, G. M. G.
SNODGRASS, Ladessa
Genealogical and Biographical Record, 1900
pp 557-559: Daniel MILLER and Rebecca LAWRENCE

Hamilton County, OH

History of Hamilton County, Ohio, 1881, by Henry Ford, p. 174
Charles Braffitt, 5th Ohio Cavalry (existed Aug-1861 - Oct-1865) was a Saddler Sergeant in the 3rd
Battalion

Preble County, OH

Census
1840 New Paris, p. 167
1850 Somers, p. 308 and Jefferson, pp. 484, 485, 489

Miscellaneous
17-Mar-1855 marriage for Gamaliel Jaqua (son of Darius) and Christina Thomas
Old New Paris Cemetery, New Paris
BRAFFETT: Alfred and Eliza, Charles F., Mrs. Nettie L., Alva G., Mrs. Kath and J. L., Sarah Ann,
Eddy A.
IRELAND: John F. and Jane L. and Mary J.
JAQUA: Gamaliel
1866 will and 1866-1867 probate for Alfred Braffett
22-May-1935 Eaton Register-Herald "Early Settlers in Preble"

Grant County, IN

Census
1850 Richland Township, pp. 211-212
1860 Richland Township, 750/750-751/751

Miscellaneous
Marriage Book C
BRAFFETT: John, Lavina, Evaline, Celinda, Marinda
Land records
Deed Book G, p. 234 - Silas bought land 08-Dec-1847
Deed Book 3, p. 159 - Sarah Jane Braffett - widow of Silas Braffett 24-Aug-1868
Numerous other deeds to Silas and Mary Braffett and their children

Wayne County, IN

1866 photograph of Alfred Braffett

Bond County, IL

DeKalb County, IL

Death Record
#77 012333 - Clifford Paul Braffet

Lee County, IL

Marriage Record
James H. Braffet m:19-Sep-1860 Ellen Savilla Billings in Pawpaw (IGI A458645 0406)

Census
1870 Melugin Grove, Brooklyn Township
1910 Paw Paw Village, Wymoming Township

Miscellaneous
Portrait and Biographical Record of Lee County, Ilinois, published by Chicago Biographical
Publishing Co. (977.31 L47P), pp. 433-434
Biographical sketch of James H. Braffet, M. D.

DeKalb County, IL

Death Certificates
#1210 for Mark Frances Braffett
#77 012333 for Clifford Paul Braffet

Burial Records: Fairview Memorial Gardens Cemetery, DeKalb: Mark Frances Braffett and Clifford
Paul Braffet

Grundy County, MO

Census: 1860, 1880, 1900

Miscellaneous
History of Grundy County, 1908
Laredo, MO 1887-1987

Mercer County, MO

Census: 1860, 1880, 1900

Clinton, Custer County, OK

Houston, Harris County, TX

08-Mar-1987 Austin American-Statesman listing of Texas Treasury unclaimed money fund
R. L. Braffett from Houston

Utah

Miscellaneous
Prominent Men and Pioneers of Utah
Biographical sketch and picture of Mark P. Braffet

Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, UT

Birth records (IGI)
Elizabeth M. Braffet b:15-May-1855, daughter of Horace Braffet and Harriet Meredith (5003119 26)

Marriage records (IGI)
Lucretia Braffett m:31-Jan-1852 Jacob Hoffheins (M183395 0381)
George Washington Braffit m:02-Dec-1852 Sarah Webber (M183395 1249)
Almira Ann Braffett m:29-Nov-1862 Henry Dill Gifford (M183395 6899)

Miscellaneous
Sketches of the Inter Mountain States, Utah, Idaho, and Nevada 1847-1909. Published by the Salt
Lake Tribune Publishing Co., 190 (Gen R979 S627).
p. 23: M. P. Braffet, general solicitor, Salt Lake City, of the Utah Fuel Company

Levan, Juab County, UT

Obituary for George Brafford from Deseret Weekly News 36 (09-Feb-1887) 51

Price, Carbon County, UT

Death certificate #2700498 for Mark Pomeroy Braffet

Miscellaneous
Prominent Men and Pioneers of Utah, 1916
Sketch of Mark P. Braffet which includes his picture

Utah Historical Quarterly; Spring 1990, volume 58, Number 2, by Nancy J. Taniguchi.
Portrait of Mark P. Braffet.

Gardena, Los Angeles County, CA

Death certificate #58-068904 for Robert Ingersol Braffet

Virginia

Early Virginia Immigrants 1636 by Richard Cocke & Co., p. 21
Ann Barfoote

North Carolina

Census
1810 p. 33 (Arthur Braffi(e)tt)

England and Belgium

The Times Index - Gazeteer of the World published by Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston
Braffe, Brafferton, Brafield place names

England

Yorks IGI
LDS FGRA: Stephen Braffitt and Rebecca Sedgewick, both born and married in Rothwell, Yorkshire,
England, and children. Submitted by Elvira B. Sudweeks

Surname References

BILLINGS Family

25-May-2001 email from Bill Acheson (achesonb@home.com) on Ellen Savilla Billings.
This email references a family history written by his great aunt Nell Rosseter.

CALKINS Family

Genealogy of the Calkins Family (1949) by Mrs. Turney Sharps

JAQUA Family

FRI 7148 from Nancy C. Robinson for Gamaliel Jaqua

KIDNEY Family

Descendants of Orsamus & Betsy (Herrington) Kidney by Guy & Joy Kidney, 1102 18th Street, West
Des Moines, IA 50265, Nov-1973 with additional notes Dec-1977.
This book includes descendants of Minnie "Dolly" Kidney and James Harney Braffet.

MAPES Family

The Mapes Family in America (1962), edited by Frank Mapes Ham, p. 10, 16
Hezekiah Braffitt was son of Mary Mapes (b: 13-Jun-1757) and Joshua Braffit

Miscellaneous

DAR

50697 (1904) for Mrs. Clara Barton Jaqua Meck, p. 313
71768 (1908) for Mrs. Genevra Jaqua Hawkins, p. 273
72495 (1909) for Mrs. Estella Hawkins Faul, p. 174
72496 (1909) for Mrs. Sarah G. Hawkins Fulton, p. 174
72499 (1909) for Mrs. Zillah P. Hawkins Jones, p. 175
77822 (1910) for Mrs. Mary Stakebake Hinshaw, p. 305
77824 (1910) for Mrs. Ann E. Stakebake, p. 307
81918 (1910) for Mrs. Magnolia Jaqua Uplinger, p. 342
119978 (1915) for Miss Ina Jaqua, p. 303
153169 (1920) for Mrs. Melissa T. Miller Miller, p. 50
153170 (1920) for Mrs. Minnie Miller Shepherdson, p. 50
153291 (1920) for Mrs. Alice Ruth Jaqua Mitchel, p. 85
Patriot Index (1966), p. 110 (Calkins), p. 276 (Gore), p. 366 (Jaqua)

Letters, FGSs, Pedigree Charts

Information collected by James Matthew Braffitt Jr.

1940s letters from William A. Wasson (grandson of Alfred Braffett) to James Matthew Braffitt Jr.

10-Sep-1970 letter from LaReah to L. Vadeina (Gifford) Whitley

FGS from L. Vadeina (Gifford) Whitley for James Braffett and Rebecca Gore

FGS for Silas Braffett and Mary Woods prepared by Mrs. Fina Florence
Davidson of Livergston, MT from personal records kept by Benjamin F.
Wood, grandson of Silas, of Laredo, Grundy County, MO

Pedigree chart for Maude V. (Braffet) Waring prepared by L. Vadeina
(Gifford) Whitley from research done ABT 1965 L. Vadeina (Gifford)
Whitley's notes from her 1960s phone conversation with Mrs. Robert
Ingersol Braffet

Census Records

NJ/NY/MA and Pike, PA

1793 Wantage,Sussex, NJ
BRAFFET, John

1800 Orange, NY, p. 381
         BRAFFET, John
          males:          1 26-45
          females: 1 <10, 1 26-45

1820 Canandaigua, Ontario, NY; p. 225
         BRAFFET, John   1 in agriculture
          males:          1 >45
          females: 1 <10, 1 >45

1830 Lumberland, Sullivan, NY, p. 19
         BRAFFETT, William
          males:   1 <5, 2 5-10,          1 30-40
          females:               1 20-30

1830 Olive, Ulster, NY, p. 132
         BRAFSET, Joseph Jun.
          males:   1 <5,         1 40-50
          females: 1 <5, 1 5-10, 1 40-50

1840 Blooming Grove, Orange, NY, p. 28
         BRAFFET, Hezekiah
          males:
          females:

1840 New Windsor, Orange, NY, p. 60
         BRAFATT, James
          males:
          females:

14-Sep-1850 Hamptonburgh, Orange, NY, p. 156
1416/1426 DUSENBERRY, Daniel   16 NY     Labourer
1417/1427 BRAFFEY, Hezekiah    46 NY     Labourer
          Elizabeth            46 NY
          James W.             18 NY    Labourer
          Joshua               22 NY
          William              16 NY
            Veulda? A.         14 NY
1418/1428 COLEMAN, William N.  40 NY       Farmer $8000 (and family)

27-Jul-1850 Monroe, Orange, NY, p. 287
301/301 BRAFFET, Mary A. 18 NY

30-Aug-1850 Blooming Grove, Orange, NY, p. 339
312/312 BRAFFET, Jas.         48 NY    B Smith $500
          Maria                32 NY
         BRAFFET, Jas. H.      18 NY    B Smith

1850 Lumberland, Sullivan, NY
72/72    BRAFFET, Elisha       22 NY    Lumberman       [20-Jul; p. 5]
          L.                   10 NY    (female)
          Henrietta             2 NY
          Wm.                  50 NY

130/130 BRAFFET, Joseph 25 NY Blacksmith [23-Jul; p. 10]

1860 Blooming Grove, Orange, NY
8/8 BRAFFETT, Jas. 38 IR Laborer

105/101 BRAFFIT, Hezekiah     59 NY    Laborer         [06-Jun; p. 16]
          Elizabeth            57 NY
          William H.           26 NY     Laborer
          James W.             21 NY    Laborer
          Hannah?              23 NY

1865 Blooming Grove, Orange, NY State Census
10 BOFFAT?, Henry Ford [05-Jun]

1865 2nd District, Orange, NY State Census
71 BRAFFITT, Joshua 33 Orange,NY Laborer (single) [05-Jun]

111      BRAFFITT, Elizabeth   62 Ireland $200 wood (7 child.) [19-Jun]
         HEARD, Charles         5
          William               3

1870 Blooming Grove, Orange, NY, P.O. Box Turners
88/86    BRAFFIT, Joshua       40 NY    Farm Laborer $1000/$500
          Elizabeth            66 NY    Keeping House
          Charles              10 NY
                                                          [09-Sep; p. 30]
240/233 BRAFFAT, Wm. A.       45 NY    Farm Laborer /$200
          Elleanor             23 IR    Keeping house /$400
          Wm. H.             1/12 NY    b:May

1880 Blooming Grove, Orange, NY, Vol. 75,ED 2,Sh 9,L 16
83/85    BRAFFETT, Charles     20 NY NY NY Farm Laborer
84/84    BRAFFETT, William H.  45 NY NY NY Farm Laborer
           Annie             W 37 NY IR IR Keeping house
          William H.         S 10 NY NY IR
          Ella E.            D 7 NY NY IR
85/86    BRAFFETT, Joush       52 NY NY IR Laborer

1880 Lackawaxen, Pike, PA, Vol. 60,ED 240,Sh 13,L 21
67/67    BRAFFET, John         57 NY NY NY Laborer      [10-Jun; p. 8]
          Catherine          W 24 NY NY NY Keeping house
          Sarah E.           D 6 NY NY NY
          John N.            S 3 NY NY NY

120/121 BRAFFET, Elisha       52 NY NY NY Laborer      [14-Jun; p. 13]
          Sarah A.           W 47 CT CT NY Keeping house
          Flora E.           D 12 NY NY CT
          Serenes             S 8 NY NY CT
          Arties              S 4 PA NY CT

1890 Blooming Grove, Oranage, NY veterans, SD 4, ED 24, P.O. Craigville

76/79    BRAFFET, William H., Private Co. C, 56th NY Vols
          16-Aug-1861 enlisted
          17-Oct-1865 reenlisted veteran (4 yr. 2 mo. 1 day)

18-19-Jun-1900 Washingtonville Village, Blooming Grove, Orange, NY
                                    SD 10, ED 1, p. 13, line 93
279/291 BRAFFITT, William H.  30 NY NY IR May-1870 Track Hand RR m:3
          Lizzie             W 19 NY NY NY Sep-1880           2/2 m:3
          Victoria           D 2 NY NY NY Nov-1897
          Josephine        D 1/12 NY NY NY Apr-1900
280/292 BRAFFITT, William     67 NY NY NY Nov-1832               m:34
          Anne G.           W 58 IR IR IR Apr-1842 U.S. 1860 6/5 m:34
          James              S 15 NY NY IR Sep-1884

         MILLER, James
         DUSENBERRY, Charles C.21 NY NY NY Oct-1878 Plumber single nephew
          Hattie L.            18 NY NY NY Nov-1881 Diskwasher single niece

397/428 DUSENBERRY, J. Frank 43 [p. 19; 23-25-Jun]
          Alice              W 41 NY NY NY
          Russel             S 10 NY NY NY
          Raymond             S 7 NY NY NY
          Ruth                D 3 NY NY NY
          Everill             S 1 NY NY NY

419/454 BRAFFITT, Mary C. 17 NY NY IR Aug-1882 Servant single [p. 20; 25-Jun]

428/464 BRAFFITT, Katie 18 NY NY IR Jun-1881 Servant single [p. 21; 25-26-Jun]

1900 Deerpark Township, Orange, NY
CODY, William
BRAFFET, Arthur Sep-1876 boarder

BRAFFET, Charles Apr-1860 NY residence Middletown,Orange,NY

1900 #1249 Centre St., Newton, Middlesex, MA, ED 407, Sh 10, L 4
         MOSHER, Alfred M.     40 Oct-1859 Can NA
          Sadi               W 32 Sep-1866 Can NA
          Edna                D 6 Jul-1893 Can NA
          Ada                 D 5 Dec-1894 MA
          Alfred              S 2 Nov-1897 MA
          Giles           S 11/12 Jun-1899 MA

15-Jun-1900 Lackawaxen, Pike, PA
212/215 BRAFFETT, James 30 OH OH OH Jan-1870 Boarder / Teamster

1910 Chester, Orange, NY
3/4      BRAFFET, William H.   37 NY NY IR m1:13 Railroad Track Walker [15-Apr]
          Elizabeth          W 34 NY US US m1:13 3/3
          Victoria           D 11 NY NY NY
          Josephine           D 8 NY NY NY
          Anna                 D 5 NY NY NY

84/91 COLEMAN, Mary J. 49 widowed

PA/OH

1800 Wysok, Luzerne, PA, p. 207
         BRAFFET, James
          males:   1 <10, 1 26-45
          females: 1 <10, 1 26-45

1810 Burlington, Lycoming, PA, p. 861
         BRAFFET, Reb. widow
          males:   1 <10, 1 10-16
          females: 2 <10, 1 10-16, 1 26-45

1820 Burlington, Bradford, PA, p. 106
         BLOOM, Joseph
          males:
          females:

1830 Harrison, Darke, OH, p. 18
         BLOOM, Joseph
          males:                 2 10-15, 1 15-20,          1 30-40
          females:               1 10-15,                   1 40-50

         BRAFFETT, Silas
          males:   3 <5, 2 5-10,                   1 20-30, 1 30-40
          females:                                          1 30-40
     [note: is the 20-30 male possibly Alfred living with his brother?]

1840 Harrison, Darke, OH
         BLOOM, Joseph                                           [p. 23]
          males:                 1 10-15, 2 20-30, 1 50-60, 1 60-70
          females:                                          1 60-70

         BROFFIT, Silas                                          [p. 24]
          males:    1 <5,        1 10-15, 3 15-20,     1 30-40
          females: 1 <5, 4 5-10,                       1 30-40

1840 New Paris, Preble, OH, p. 167
         BRAFFIT, Alfred
          males:
          females:

27-Aug-1850 Somers, Preble, OH, p. 300
989/996 BRAFFIT, Howard L. 35 IN Cooper $500
Hannah 27 OH

1850 Jefferson, Preble, OH
1461/1461 BRAFFET, James L.    25 OH      Physician $100 [p. 484; 11-Oct]
          Catharine            22 OH
          Frances               9 PA

1467/1467 BRAFFETT, Orlando    21 PA      Merchant      [p. 485; 12-Oct]
          Sarah                20 OH
          Eliza              7/12 OH
          Ambrose               2 OH

1533/1533 BRAFFET, Alfred      48 PA     Merchant $1200 [p. 489; 13-Oct]
          Eliz.                46 NY
          Chalres              17 OH     Clerk
          Wreadville           13 OH     (female)
          Volney                8 OH

1850 District 31, Harrison, Darke, OH
63/65    LAWRENCE, Richard     52 PA     [and family]   [p. 357; 14-Nov]
64/66    HART, Dennis          57 CT     [and family]
65/68    BLOOM, Joseph         58 NY     Farmer $9000
          Rebeca               74 PA
67/(90?) JAQUA, Judson         58 NY     Farmer $3500
          Lucinda              53 PA
          Eliza                22 OH
          Ladefsa              19 OH
          Morris               18 OH     Farmer
          Allen                15 OH
          Lenifsa              12 OH
          Cafsius M. C.         8 OH
68/71    LAWRENCE, Riale       48 PA     Farmer $3600   [p. ; 15-Nov]
          Minerva              43 PA
          Ralph                23 OH     Farmer
          Rebecca              21 OH
          Celinda              18 OH
          Emily                15 OH
          Obidiah              10 OH
          Estephen              4 OH

1860 Darke, OH

1860 Preble, OH

IN/MO

08-Aug-1850 Sims, Grant, IN, p. 207
47/47    BRAFFITT, James       26 OH     Farmer $500
          Lydia                27 OH
48/48    SLAGLE, Conrad        69 VA     Farmer $32
49/49    WOOD, William         21 IN     Farmer $600
          Levina               19 OH
          Mary               1/12 IN
50/50    HEVERLAND, Joseph     38 NJ     Farmer $600
          Margaret             40 VA
          Charles              12 OH
          Emily                11 OH
          John                  8 OH
          Lucy E.               3 OH
          BRAFFITT, Rexaville   2 IN

15-Aug-1850 Richland, Grant, IN
95/95    SLAGLE,Joseph         32 OH      Farmer $800         [p. 211]
96/96    BRAFFITT, Silas       50 PA      Farmer $1500
          Mary                 51 VA
          Evaline              17 OH
          Celinda              15 OH
          Marinda              15 OH
          Orris                13 OH
          Rebecca              11 OH
          David                 9 OH
97/97    BRAFFITT, John        22 OH      Farmer
          Elizabeth            17 IN
          Sarah              1/12 IN

114/114 SINCLAIR, James       43 OH      Farmer $1000        [p. 212]
          Lydia                33 OH
          Sarah A.             14 IN
          David W.             11 IN
          James M.             10 IN
          Jackson B.            8 IN
          Nathan                6 IN
          Braffitt              1 IN
          Sithera            1/12 IN
          Nancy A.             16 OH

116/117 HARNDEN, Jeduthon 59 MA

13-Jul-1860 Richland, Grant, IN, p. 114/344, P.O. Mier
750/750 WOOD, William         32 KY      Farmer /$300
          Marinda              23 OH
          Benjamin              3 IN
          Urildah               1 IN
751/751 BRAFFITT, Silas       60 PA      Farmer $5000/$500
          Mary                 62 VA
          Rebecca              21 OH      House hand
          David                19 OH      Laborer
          Oneada                9 IN
752/752 SLAGLE, Joseph        37 OH      Farmer (and family)

762/762 HEARNDON, Benjamin 41 (and family) [p. 116]

19-Aug-1870 Sims, Grant, IN; p. 209; P.O. Mier town
132/130 WOOD, William         43 KY      Farmer $6400/$1100
          Merinda              35 OH      Keeps House
          Ben                  13 IN      Works on Farm
          Rexaville             9 IN
          Sherman               4 IN
          Frank                 1 IN

07-Oct-1870 Richland, Grant, IN, p. 10, P.O. Box Mier
68/68 BRAFFET, Sarah J. 40 OH Keeping house $300/$160

1880 Richland, Grant, IN, ED 167, Sh 15, L 44
         BRAFFETT, Sarah       50 OH
         BAGLEY, Marion      S 22 IN
         BAGLEY, SÈqua       S 19 IN
         JEMPER, John        S 28 IN
         JEMPER, Lydia       GD 8 IN

1880 126 8th St., Richmond, Wayne, Wayne, IN, ED 72, Sh 19, L 10
BRAFFET, Frank 10 IN

1880 294 Vine St., Cincinatti, Hamilton, OH, Vol. 28, ED 139, Sh 46, L 47
        BRAFFET, A. M.         40 IN
         Laura                 35 KY
         Eddie              10/12 OH

1860 Mercer, MO
9/9     BRAFFETT, John         32 OH
         Elizabeth             27 IN
         Sarah                 10 IN
         Lewis                  8 IN
         W. B.                  6 IN
         George                 3 MO
         Agnes               3/12 MO

1880 Washington, Mercer, MO, ED 231, Sh 19, L 34
        BRAFFETT, Orris        43 OH
         Teressa             W 39 OH
         Mark                S 18 IN
         Thomas              S 16 IN
         Frank               S 13 IL
         Evaline             D 11 MO
         Bengerman           S 5 MO

03-Jun-1880 Princeton, Mercer, MO
59/64   PATTON, Abram R.       40 OH WV WV Collector
         Sarah                 30 IN IN IN Keeping House
         Hadley J.             11 MO OH IN
         Aura                   9 MO OH IN
         Elisabeth              7 MO OH IN
         Jesse M.               3 MO OH IN
         Fredrich            7/12 MO OH IN (b:Dec)
        BRAFFET, Elisabeth     43 IN      (mother in law)
         William W.            25 IN IN IN Clerk in store (bro-in-law)

06-Jun-1900 Washington, Mercer, MO, Vol. 61,ED 122,Sh 4,L 63
BAKER, David W.
BRAFFETT, Melvin GS 2 Mar-1898 MO MO MO

08-Jun-1900 Mill Grove Vil., Wash., Mercer, MO, Vol. 61, ED 122, Sh 2, L 75
        BRAFFETT, Thomas       36 Feb-1864 IN OH OH Dry Goods & Grocer
         Emma                W 32 Dec-1867 MO VA OH
         Virgil              S 11 Dec-1888 MO IN MO (at school)
         Jessie              D 9 Sep-1890 MO IN MO (at school)
         Ray                 S 7 Dec-1892 MO IN MO (at school)

11-Jun-1900 Prin., Morgan, Mercer, MO, Vol. 61, ED 119, Sh 9, L 36, p. 208A
        BRAFFET, William W.    46 Apr-1854 IN IN OH m:6 Grocer
         Martha E.           W 47 Mar-1853 MO VA VA m:6 1/1
         Augie M.            D 3 Dec-1896 MO IN MO
        PATTON, Susan E.    SL 63 May-1837 MO VA VA 0/0 Housekeeper

08-Jun-1900 Mill Grove Vil., Wash., Mercer, MO, Vol. 61, ED 122, Sh 6, L 16
[p. 247] BRAFFITT, Richard 20 Aug-1879 MO IN OH (servant,farm lab)
[is this possible James. R.?]

1900 Franklin, Grundy, OH, Vol. 35, ED 49, Sh 8, L 69
BRAFFETT, Oris 63 Dec-1836 OH
Terrisa 59 Nov-1840 OH

1900 Spickardsville, Franklin, Grundy, MO, Vol. 35, ED 79, Sh 2, L 91
        BRAFFETT, Frank        33 Aug-1866 MO
         Sallie M.           W 31 Aug-1869 MO
         Grace C.            D 7 Mar-1893 MO
         Clarence G.         S 5 Mar-1895 MO
         Fred W.             S 3 Jan-1897 MO

1900 Farmington, St. Francois, St. Francois, MO, Vol. 82, ED 919, Sh 4, L 58
BRAFFET, Chas. C. 32 Mar-1868 IL (living alone)

Illinois

1860 East Pawpaw, IL
25-Jan-1870 Melugin Grove, Brooklyn, Lee, IL, p. 258
38      BRAFFETT, James        68 NY /$300
         Melissa               58 NY
39      BRAFFETT, James H.     35 NY Physician $800/$1000
         Ellen                 29 MICH
         Nellie                16 IL
         John                  13 IL
         Charles               11 IL
         Mark                   5 IL

1880 Lee, IL

1900 Lee, IL

1910 Paw Paw Village, Wyoming Township, Lee, IL, ED 63
47/49   BRAFFIT, Howard J.    35 IL NY WI Printer m2:3       [p. 2B, 18-19-Apr]
         Vertie M.          W 28 IL PA PA    1/1 m1:3
         Donald              S 1 IL IL IL

97/99   STEVENS, Nellie N.    45 IL NY WI widowed 2/2 [p. 4B, 20-21-Apr]
         Connie             D 17 IL IL IL
         Helen N.           D 13 IL IL IL
        BRAFFETT, Ellen     M 67 WI NY NY widowed 9/6

Descendants and Researchers

Descendants of Silas BRAFFETT and Mary WOODS

Jay Brooks Braffett, 600 Santa Fe, Clinton, OK 73601
Christine B. Rubio, 2615 Chicago, Kingman, AZ 86401
husband of Hattie M. Braffett, 5526 Hillman Street, Houston, TX 77023
Chester Claudine Ismael, Rt. 2, Box 70, Trenton, MO 64683
Elaine (Ishmael) Lehr, 1602 E. 8th Street, Trenton, MO 64683
Casey Braffet, cbraffet@bigfoot.com

Descendant of Joshua BRAFFETT and Mary MAPES

Don Braffitt, 680 Deercroft Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24060, don@willbraffitt.org

Descendants of George Washington BRAFFETT of NY and UT

L. Vadeina G. Whitley, P. O. Box 621, Sweet Home, OR 97386
husband of Erma Morris, HCR 01 Box 375, Naples, ID 83847

BILLINGS Descendant

Bill Acheson, achesonb@home.com

BRAFFETT Descendant

Loyd Braffett, 17191 Corbina Lane, Huntington Beach, CA

BRAFFETT Researcher

Elvira B. Sudweeks, 280 East 18 Street, Idaho Falls, ID

JAQUA Researchers

Nancy C. Robinson, 1750 Audrey Court, Benicia, CA 94510
Margaret E. Ostrum, 6145 Prospect St. Star Rt. 1, Indian River, MI 49749
Ruth J. King, 20683 Waalew Rd. 97, Apple Valley, CA 92307

VAN ZILE Researcher

Susan Roedder, roedder@pol.net

Descendant of Mary MAPES and Samuel SMITH

Myrtle S. Edwards, P. O. Box 112, Chester, NY 10918

[end of Braffett Family Notes]