I am seeking information about the families of Tazewell Branch and Harriet Lacy. The two married and raised five children ("Clem," John, Hattie, Mary, and Helen) in Farmville, Va., before relocating to the New Jersey area.

Dear Cassandra, How are you!
My grandmother, Mary Branch Spencer, born 1873, was born in Appomattox Co. Va. My mother, Alma Tinsley Dodson Porter, now deceased, told me that her grandfather, was a Branch family member. They owned a plantation. Obviously, at that time that family, like others families, they owned slaves. Reportedly, "Mr. Branch, son of the plantation owner, fathered my grandmother. There were two children of this relationship. She had a brother who left the area. No one really knows where he went. An aunt said he left for Denver Co. And established another identity.

My grandmother was married at 16 to Mr. Stanhope Flournoy Dodson, Prince Edward Co. Educated at Hampton Institute in Hampton. His original plantation name was not Dodson, but Womack.

Most records were destroyed by fire in Appomatox County. I to find out, attempted years ago. No luck. Brick wall.

Grandparents had 12 children who left for the north for education and jobs during the 1920s. Most went to Washington, DC and NY and NJ.

I have always been curious about all this history of yesteryear.

How are you related to Mr. Branch? Are we distant relatives? It would be interesting to know. I do not want money. Just curious!

I am a highly educated artist/designer who has had great jobs (television designer, ad agency art director and page designer for The Washington Post.)

Drop me a line!

Ms Carol Porter

Dear Cassandra, How are you!
My grandmother, Mary Branch Spencer, born 1873, was born in Appomattox Co. Va. My mother, Alma Tinsley Dodson Porter, now deceased, told me that her grandfather, was a Branch family member. They owned a plantation. Obviously, at that time that family, like others families, they owned slaves. Reportedly, "Mr. Branch, son of the plantation owner, fathered my grandmother. There were two children of this relationship. She had a brother who left the area. No one really knows where he went. An aunt said he left for Denver Co. And established another identity.

My grandmother was married at 16 to Mr. Stanhope Flournoy Dodson, Prince Edward Co. Educated at Hampton Institute in Hampton. His original plantation name was not Dodson, but Womack.

Most records were destroyed by fire in Appomatox County. I to find out, attempted years ago. No luck. Brick wall.

Grandparents had 12 children who left for the north for education and jobs during the 1920s. Most went to Washington, DC and NY and NJ.

I have always been curious about all this history of yesteryear.

How are you related to Mr. Branch? Are we distant relatives? It would be interesting to know. I do not want money. Just curious!

I am a highly educated artist/designer who has had great jobs (television designer, ad agency art director and page designer for The Washington Post.)

Drop me a line!

Ms Carol Porter

Tazewell Branch was active and influential in the political scene of Prince Edward County in the 1870's. He was a elected to the Virginia House of Delegates and served from1 January 1874-4 April 1877.
I research and retrieve public records in Prince Edward County. My services are available at a reasonable fee.
Bill Andersen Jr.