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Archiver > BRADFORD > 1999-08 > 0935793538


From: George McSwain <>
Subject: [BRADFORD-L] Lafayette
Date: Fri, 27 Aug 1999 18:38:58 -0400


RE: Lafayette

In reference to Martha Lewis Henry Branch wife of Dr. Edward (Ned)
Bradford:

Daughter of Governor John Branch of Enfield, NC and Florida.
According to family tradition, when her father was entertaining Lafayette,
she played piano for him as a child of 14 while Thomas Jefferson's grandson
(Francis Eppes) turned the music. Married her cousin at age eighteen.

According to Charlton W. Tebeau "A History of Florida"(Coral Gables:Univ.
of Miami Press, 1971)p.136, "The Lafayette Land Grant did much to advertise
Middle Florida. The American people never forgot the generous support that
they received from the Marquis de Lafayette in the American Revolution. In
1824, the grateful government of the United States granted him $200,000 and
a township of land, which he selected near Talahassee, because of his
friendship with Richard Keith Call. Hopes that the illustrious Frenchman
might come to Florida and that he might himself develop the land never
materialized, and he eventually sold it to Florida speculators. In 1850 two
of his grandsons visited Florida and received a welcome that would have
pleased their famous ancestor."

Her father was Governor in 1844-45 and didn't come to Florida until the
late 1830's since in 1834 he was a NC State Senator. In 1835 he served on
the State Constitutional Convention. Lafayettes last visit to America was
in 1824 and he died in 1834. I can't find where he visited North Carolina
or Florida although cousin Capt. Henry Bradford Crowell was supposed to
have entertained him at his Flint River, Crawford Co, GA plantation in
1825.

Any comments?

George McSwain
1219 62nd St. NW
Bradenton, FL 34209
e-mail:

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