BRANCH - Christopher Branch I, one of our immigrant ancestors, was born in Kent Co., England, about 1600. He died in Henrico Co., Va., 1681. His great grandfather Sir John Branch was Mayor of London, England, 1450. Christopher Branch married Marry Addie at St Peters in London, in 1619. They and their son Thomas, age 9, months came to Va in the ship "London Merchant" in 1620. They settled in the part of Henrico Co which became Chesterfield Co. Their estate became known as Kingsland. (Page 437, History and Register Colonial Dames of America, State of Va.) He was a member of the House of Burgesses 1629. (Stanard . 60) His will is recorded in 1681. (Stanard (3) . 70 Henrico).

Christopher Branch I had several children, among them Christopher Branch II who married Sarah Almond. They lived in Charles City County, whose records were destroyed in Bacon's Rebellion and little is known of him. However, Christopher I in his will, dated June 20, 1678, gave lands to his grandsons Christopher III, Samuel and Benjamin, all under age, and to his daughters Sarah and Mary Branch, the wife of Thomas Jefferson. (Ancestor of President Jefferson).

Christopher Branch III (born 1659,d 1728) m. Ann SHerman about 1689, d. 1726. She was the daughter of Henry Sherman of Henrico county and wife Sissarah (Cicely). Christopher Branch III and wife had the following children:

1. Henry Branch
2. Christopher Branch IV
3. Mary Branch, m ---- Walter
4. Sissarah Branch, m. ------ Bass
5. Obediance Branch (d 1774), m. William Cheatham.

Christopher Branch III's will, dated Aug 1, 1727, and recorded Henrico Book 1725/37-part 2, page 163 contains the following: "Item, I give and bequeath to my daughter Obedience Cheatham a young brown and white cow and feffer in the possession of William Cheatham and fifteen shillings for a ring." (See reference to her will in allied families-Cheatham)

Obedience Branch Cheatham (Died 1774) and William Cheatham (died 1752) had the following sons: William, Thomas and Christopher Cheatham. Their son Christopher died a comparatively young man. His will is dated, Sept 30, 1770, probated, Dec court 1770. His heirs: wife Elizabeth (family name unknown) and unborn child; sons Christopher, Thomas, and William CHeatham, daughters Mary and Lucy. Lucy Cheatham, b. 1764, d. 1836, m. Valentine Winfree II 1783. He was born 1762, d. 1824. Valentine II and Lucy C Winfree became the great grandparents of Winfree Ellery, who married 8 John G Famer II (1850-1915). (See allied families Winfree and Ellery)

3 Henry Farmer II's wife Sarah Ward was the daughter of Edward Ward, who was the son of Richard Ward and wife Martha Branch Ward. She was the daughter of Thomas Branch, son of the immigrant ancestor Christopher Branch I.

Mrs. Pierrepont, the genealogist, in a letter dated Sep 23, 1943, stated that direct descent from Obedience Branch Cheatham constitutes eligibiltiy for membership in the Society of Colonial Dames. From the context it is believed she meant that direct descent from Obedience Branch Cheatham's great grandfather, Christopher Branch I, constitutes eligibility for membership in the Society of Colonial Dames.

Extract from a letter from Mrs Pierrepont:

"Petersburg, Va Nov 14, 1941

Dear Col Farmer

After I sent off your work Tuesday afternoon, I began a search for some work I knew I had done and for proof that Obediance Branch married your ancestor William Cheatham and I found it The result is wonderful..Descent from Christopher Branch I takes you back to descent from the Barons of Runnemeade and Magna Charta. It has been proved. I, as a descendant also of Christopher Branch I, have been invited to membership. I come in on the same line as you, Christopher II and his sister Mary Branch, who married Thomas Jefferson, ancestor of President Thomas Jefferson. I think I have a pencil chart of the Branch line going back to the eleventh century. I'll look for it for you."

All of the descendants of Thomas Farmer named in this record beginning with the fourth generation, are descendants of Christopher Branch I thru his son Thomas Branch (see Ward family). Some of I Thomas Farmer's descendants are also descendants of Christopher branch I, thru his son Christopher II, and his grandson Christopher III. (see Cheatham family)