Edward Broughton (III), was born June 24, 1816 in Clarendon, Sumter Dist.,South Carolina. His parents were Edward Broughton (Jr) and Naomi Cantey Broughton. There is some conflicting reports concerning Edward's middle name, but at least one researcher claims his name is Edward Nathaniel Broughton, a name which was shared by both his father and grandfather before him.

Note: For the purposes of keeping the family line clear on this web site, we refer to him as Edward III, however it is important to note that there are no known historical/legal records to indicate this suffix (III) was ever actually used by Edward himself.

Edward III married his cousin, Epsey (Essey or Epsie) Elliot Broughton, the daughter of Edward's uncle John Henry Broughton, on May 22, 1838 in Green County, Georgia. Ironically, Edward's brother, John Ragan Broughton, had also married a cousin - namely Epsey's sister, Jeanette.

Edward and Epsey would have three children, before Edward's death in the late 1840's.

• Letitia Broughton, born August 5, 1839 in Georgia. She married James L. Richardson on October 7, 1858 in Walton County, Georgia. Letitia passed away on November 5, 1879 in Camden, Quachita County, Arkansas and is buried at Greenwood Cemetery.
• John Ragan Broughton, born October 3, 1841 in Sumter, South Carolina. He married three times, the first time to Mattie Lee Holloway on September 27, 1868 in Dallas County, Arkansas. His other wives' names are: Melissa Terrell and Anna Burnett.
• Margaret (Maggie) Levisa Broughton, born the day after Christmas December 26, 1845 in Clarendon Dist. South Carolina. She married Henry Francis Richardson on December 14, 1870 in Moro Bay, Bradley County, Arkansas. She died November 18, 1922.

Edward III died two days before his youngest child's second birthday. He passed away on Christmas eve, Dec. 24, 1847 in Clarendon South Carolina. His widow, Epsie, would raise there children and live on past the turn of the century. Her death is recorded as October 25, 1909 in Bradley County, Arkansas.

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