BRANNON, WILLIAM, COLONEL OR CAPTAIN, (Please see Brannon in the Military Log and notes in the Brannon Research Log for American Revolution Service data)
It might be noted that Col. and/or Capt. Brannon has been referred to in books relating to the Battle of Cowpens. In "Devil of a Whipping", author Lawrence Babits indicated that there was some name confusion due to same name soldiers. Although it is not impossible that Wm. Brannon was a Captain since merging of troops went on continually wherein new leaders were needed within the new groupings. Unfortunately, it will probably never be proven at this point. Gen. Daniel Morgan (under General Pickens) was the mastermind behind the Battle of Cowpens. He was a simple man, but obviously a genius and a great leader. In his letter to Gen. Greene, I quote him: "Such was the inferiority of our numbers, that our success must be attributed, under God, to the justice of our cause, and the bravery of our troops. My wishes would induce me to mention the name of every private centinel in the corps. In justice to the bravery and good conduct of the officers, I have taken the liberty to enclose you a list of their names, from a conviction that you will be pleased to introduce such characters to the world." Morgan's letter did mention Col. Brannon (aka Col. Thomas Brandon??).
KENNEDY MYSTERY
I've often wondered where the name "Kennedy" came to the Brannons, e.g. Alexander K. & his son, William K. However, there is evidence that it is possible that Alexander Kennedy became acquainted with William Brannon (VA/SC patriarch) at the time of the Battle of Cowpens. Revolutionary War records show that Alexander Kennedy was a saddler in the SC Militia and that he served under Alexander William whose war record includes the Battle of Cowpens. Also, SC Archives & History shows a 1786 record wherein Alexander Kennedy surveyed property in Camden Dist. for Moses Ayres. "William Brannon" is named as being indexed on this record.
There is an Alexander Kennedy shown on 1810 and 1820 SC Fairfield Co. Census records and web family data indicates he died about 1826.
Another clue would be that in "Devil of a Whippin" by Lawrence Babits, it is noted that the dragoons were often at Wofford's Iron Works on Lawson's Fork to repair equipment & shoe horses. Land records of SC indicate that Wm. Brannon lived on property at Lawson's Fork. Thus, it might be concluded that William Brannon's likely contact with Alexander Kennedy fostered an admiration that trickled down through family lore and family names.
Also, Rootsweb SCSPARTA-L Archives, 1998-01, Gerald Teaster wrote: regarding your question about Wofford'S Iron Works -- The iron works was located on Lawson's Fork Creek a few hundred yards above where the bridge for South Carolina highway 30 is located. A state historical marker on the north side of the bridge discusses the site. There is little left to see of the works itself. The Iron Works was a critical operation during the Revolutionary War ........
WILLIAM AND SAMUEL BRANNON LAND ACQUISITION, BARNWELL DIST., AUG 4, 1800 for 1,000 acres adjacent to the Big Saltcatcher Swamp [aka Salkehatchie]
It has puzzled me why Wm. Branham [aka Brannon] appeared on the 1790 SC Spartanburg Census, but in 1800 he suddenly appears in Barnwell Dist. This is further substantiated by the land grant to Wm & Samuel Brannon dated August 4, 1800 [my birthday by the way]. But then in 1810, Scarvery [aka Scarberry] reappears in Spartanburg. Ancestry.com lists Samuel Branham [aka Brannon],Georgia, as a recipent of a Revolutionary War Bounty Land Grant, dated 17 May 1784, for 287-l/2 acres in payment for duty as a Minute Man. Since Georgia Militia were present at the Battle of Cowpens, it may be possible that William & Samuel became acquainted at that time, or were in fact blood related. Nevertheless, it does appear as a joint adventure in order to secure land wherein both men could benefit financially.
WILLIAM BRANHAM is listed on the American Genealogical Biographical Index (AGBI) as Head of Family at the 1st U.S. Census. This data shows him born in South Carolina in 1750. There is evidence that there were early Brannons in South Carolina. For instance:
1768 land grant to William Brynan [Branyon??]in Craven Co. at Broad River
1767 plat record for William Brynan [Branyon??] in Craven Co. at Broad River
1768 plat record for Alexander Brannon, Granville Co.[later Beaufort Dist.]
1768 land grant for Alexander Brannon, Granville Co.[later Beaufort Dist.]
1769 land memorial for Alexander Brannon [ditto]
1773 Bond Lease & Release William Brannam to William Bond
1775 land grant for Edmund Bellinger, Craven Co.[Thos. Branon indexed on doc]
All this must be weighed against the Revolutionary War Bounty Land Grant List as follows: William Branham, VA, Private, 27 Aug 1784, 200 acres.
