1.In one source, The Broughton Memoirs, the author M. Leon Broughton speculates that Edward Broughton was actually Edward "Nathaniel" Broughton, son of Nathaniel Broughton and grandson to Thomas Broughton. However, no documented proof is given and the name "Nathaniel" or the initial "N" does not appear on any of the records which bear Edward Broughton's name, but he did name one of his sons Nathaniel.
2.Another claim to the Thomas Broughton line is based on the will of Thomas' son Andrew Broughton, who married Hannah Guerard. A descendant of Edward's son John claims Andrew's will states the possibility of an unborn son or daughter. If there was a male infant born shortly after the death of Andrew, he would have been born sometime in 1739-40 since the will was dated July 30, 1739.
3.Finally, another possiblity is that Edward was the son of Edward Broughton and Sarah Weatherly, widow of Thomas Weatherly, who were married in 1740 in St. Helene's Parish, SC. This possible patron is documented as a witness to several land deeds in the 1730's and early 1740's. Other records show Edward and his wife Sarah, of Granville County, St Helene's Parish, sold slaves to Joseph Jenkins on July 1, 1740.
Despite his now controversial paternity, we do know Edward married Elizabeth Ragan, the daughter of Revoluntionary patriot William Ragan of Sumter Co., South Carolina . The couple lived in South Carolina while it was still under British rule. As documented in a land grant dated May 10, 1773 (Sec. of State's Office, Book 000, Pg 638), King George III granted 250 acres north of the Santee River in "Craven County St Mark's Parish on a branch called Halfway Swamp" to Edward Broughton. It was signed by then Lieutenant Governor in Council, Geo. Davidson, certified by John Bremar and witnessed by the "Honorable William Bull Esq."
Another grant obtained by Edward Broughton followed the Revolutionary War. It states that for "Two pounds six shillings of sterling money paid by Edward Broughton into the Treasury for the use of this State (of South Carolina)" he is granted "a Plantation or Tract of Land, containing One hundred acres situation in the District of Camden on Halfway Swamp...." It was witnessed by "his excellency William Moultrie esq., Governor and Commander in Chief" of the State, at Charleston on May 2, 1784.
Edward would later have to sell part of his land to satisfy a debt he owed John Chesnut and Company in 1785. The court ruled that Chestnut and Company should recover the sum of 12 pounds, 6 shillings, 7 pence plus 3 pounds, 1 shilling, 5 pence for court cost. A writ of Furifacias issued by Honorable Thomas Waters, one of the judges, directed Sheriff Joseph Brevard to take over the lands and sell them to the highest bidder. A deed (indenture recorded 1797) confirms that one of Edward's own sons, Nathaniel was the highest bidder and bought the property at a public auction in 1785 for a flat 9 pounds. Fifteen years later Nathaniel would sell the land (350 acres) to James Harkneys (Harkness) for 140-150 dollars. (Deed Book AA, p. 61, Sumter Co., SC)
[Note: St Mark's Parish would later be charted as Sumter County, South Carolina]
Edward was active in the community. According to Camden District South Carolina Wills and Administration, 1781-1787 (B. Holcomb & E. O. Parker Southern Historical Press, p.53), Edward was one of three men who appraised the Estate and Inventory of John Felder of St Mark's Parish, Craven County. On February 4, 1784, in the Estate of Joshua Stone, the Warrant of Appraisement was issued for Edward and two others. According to South Carolina Jury Lists, 1718-1783 (Mary B. Warren, Heritage Press, 1977, p.35) Edward served on the Petit Jury in Camden District, Craven County, East of the Wateree in 1783.
According to the 1790 census of Clarendon Co. SC, Edward Broughton had 3 males over the age of 16 including himself, 2 boys under the age of 16 and 3 females living with him at the time.
Edward and Elizabeth had the following children during the 18th century:
•Jemima Broughton was born ca. 1765. She married John Cannon, but following his death in 1809, she married her second husband, John Randall.
•Nathaniel Broughton was born ca. 1768
. •John Henry Broughton was born ca. 1773.
•Edward Broughton Jr. was born ca. 1777.
•Martha Broughton was born ca. 1778. She married Jeremiah James.
•Sally Broughton whose date of birth is unknown.
Research information submitted by:
Mary Lee Barnes of Tennessee - a descendant of Edward Thomas Broughton Sr.
Herbert W. "Hub" Broughton of Frisco, Alabama - a descendant of Nathaniel Broughton
Edward Broughton's Children
Nathaniel
John Henry
Edward (Jr.)
Nathaniel Broughton married Sarah Benbow around 1800-1802, though no documented proof has been located. Sarah was also a South Carolina-native who was born in 1780 (according to the 1850 census of Monroe County). Sarah is believed to be the daughter of Richard Benbow, who listed a minor daughter Sarah in his will dated 1784.
[On a side-note: Sarah would name one of her sons Richard and one of Sarah's great-granddaughters would bear the name Benbow as her middle name.]
Nathaniel was on the Sumter County, South Carolina census in 1810, but he would not remain in his home state. He left what is present-day Sumter, SC area and settled in Monroe County, Alabama around 1814-7. Sarah Broughton appears on a list of charter members of the Old Salem Church, Monroe County, Alabama in 1817. Edward Broughton, believed to be Nathaniel's father, is listed as deceased in the same church records that same year. Also in 1817, church records indicate a Conference met concerning the baptism of several including Rachel and Mary Ann Broughton. In July 27, 1839, Nathaniel and Sarah Broughton were still listed as members on the church records.
Old Cahaba land records of Broughtons in Alabama list a Nathaniel Broughton in Monroe County on May 5, 1819 and an Edward T. Broughton in Monroe County on October 28, 1836.
Children:
Compiling information from a variety of sources indicates Nathaniel and Sarah had the following children...
•James R. Broughton, born 1803 in South Carolina
•Edward Thomas Broughton, born 1805 in South Carolina - married Rachel Winborne Walker
•Nathaniel William Broughton, born 1807-8 in South Carolina - married Ann Nettles
•Charles Richard Broughton, born 1810 in Green County, Georgia - married Mary R. Snell.
•Sarah Broughton - married William Brown
• Susannah Broughton, born 1814 in Alabama - married John O'Gwynne
One book written by a descendant shows Mary Ann ("Mary A. E.") Broughton as the daughter of Nathaniel and Sarah, born May 4, 1810 and died October 14, 1883 in Bucatunna, Mississippi - married to Jesse Cornelius Thames, a Baptist minister. But that same book quote another source Proud to Remember, by Kearl, that states Mary Ann is Edward Broughton's daughter and therefore Nathaniel's sister. Neither source gives documented proof of a connection.
Death:
For some unknown reason Nathaniel would head further west for a short time prior to his death. At age 82, he is listed on the 1850 census living with a grandson, Nathaniel W. Broughton (age 23) in Green County, Leakville, Mississippi. Nathaniel died in 1852. His handwritten will, witnessed by Walter Denny and Fasgeher M Leah, was filed in Monroe County, Alabama. In it, he left his wife Sarah, the estate of 4 slaves plus all household and kitchen furniture. After her death, the slaves were to be sold and the money equally divided between his two daughters, Sarah Brown and Susan O'Gwynne. His wife, Sarah died in Monroe County, AL in 1859. Nathaniel also left instructions in his will that his slave, Henry, was to learn carpentry and, at age 21, be given his freedom. Jesse Thames and Washington Aldreidge were appointed to remove the property and see "that the whole of said will be carried out" in Codicil dated June 23, 1852.
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John Henry Broughton, was born December 28, 1773 in St Mark's Parish, South Carolina to Edward and Elizabeth Ragan Broughton. (William Ragan's Will, dated January 15, 1785 leaves part of his estate to "John Broughton, the son of my daughter, Elizabeth Broughton. On March 3, 1800, John sold the land, consisting of 208 acres to James Harkness for $500. The deed was originally recorded Sept. 16, 1800.)
Like his brother Nathaniel, John would leave South Carolina behind and head west. He moved to Georgia around 1802, eventually settling in the Greene County area.
John would have several wives. His first was Sarah Dye, with whom he had no children. John Henry's second wife was Mary Jerdine, with whom he had four children:
•Ann (Annie) - married Vincent Sandford on Nov. 14, 1822. •Elizabeth - married Charles S. Lee on Oct. 2, 1826. •Edward, born 1804. •Mary, born 1808. She died in 1826.
Mary Jerdine Broughton died in 1808 (during childbirth?) and is buried in Greensboro Cemetery, Greensboro, Georgia. Her headstone is inscribed with:
Mary Broughton
nee Mary Jerdine
Consort of John Broughton
Born in Liberty County, Georgia 1776
Died Greene County, Georgia 1808
32 years old
Her and John's daughter, Mary, is buried there as well. Her tombstone reads:
Mary Broughton
daughter of
Mary Jerdine and John Broughton
Born 1808 - Died 1826
"Gentle Lady,
May Thy Grave Peace and Quiet Ever Have"
John's third wife was Margaret Wright, daughter of Robert Wright. To them were born the following children:
•Caroline - married William Carson on Dec. 23, 1835. •Jeanette (Genette) - married her cousin, John Ragan Broughton, son of her uncle Edward Broughton (Jr.) on May 8, 1833. Following his death three years later, she remarried. Her second husband was Augustus Tarpley. •Epsey (Essey), born circa 1817 - married her cousin, Edward Broughton, son of her uncle Edward Broughton (Jr.) and brother of the above mentioned John Ragan Broughton, on May 22, 1838. •Letitia, who died in infancy. •Sarah, born circa 1821 - married John Branch (born Jan. 21, 1830) •John T., born circa 1817 - married Ann Americus Perkins (born circa 1825) •Virginia, who died young. •Lorena - married Courtney Peyr. •Jacob Laurentine - married his cousin, Mary Cantey Broughton, daughter of his uncle Edward Broughton (Jr.)
The names of the seven children (who lived to adulthood) from John's last marriage are listed in his will which was reproduced in the Broughton Memoirs, written by M. Leon Broughton.
John is found on the 1850 census in Georgia at the age of 75. He's also listed in the Militia District 1854 Greene County, Georgia as "John F. Broughton" with 64 slaves.
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Edward Broughton and Elizabeth (Ragan) Broughton's son, Edward Broughton Jr., shared his father's name and unlike his brothers would remain in South Carolina where many of his descendants still live.
[NOTE: Jr. is added to his name for the sole purpose of maintaining clarity between father and son. It is not found on any legal historical records. Edward Jr.'s son, whom is also named Edward, will be referred to as Edward Broughton III for the same reason.]
He was born around 1778 (according to the 1850 census of SC which put his age at 72). He married Naomi Cantey whose birth (if calculated according to her age given on the 1840 census of SC) was probably around 1785.
Children:
According to the Broughton Memoirs, census records and other sources, Edward and Naomi had 11 children listed as follows:
•Martha, born ca.1806 - married (?) Butler. She's listed Mary Butler, age 44, on 1850 census of Sumter District along with 3 females and 1 male; Laura, age 23; Samuel, age 18; Livia, age 12 and Mary, age 7. All born in South Carolina. •Charlotte, born ca. 1808 - married Thomas Maples. •William C. - no more info. except record dated Feb. 5, 1835 showing Wm. C. Broughton was witness to Edward Broughton's purchase of a young male slave from James Brunson. •John Ragan (Ragin), born ca. 1812 - married his cousin, Jeanette (Gennette) L. Broughton, daughter of his uncle John, on May 8, 1833. John Ragan died about 3 years later. His father, Edward and uncle, John Henry Broughton, were administrators of his estate, "bond dated November 21, 1836, citation dated November 16, 1836, Sumter conveyance Sumter Roll 2001 1-8-1839. 'John Ragin Broughton moved to Georgia and since died.'" •Napoleon Laurentine, who according to father's will went to California - married a minister's daughter & had 3 daughters. •Edward Broughton (III), born June 24, 1816 - married his cousin, Epsey (Essey) Elliot Broughton, daughter of his uncle John Henry Broughton, on May 22, 1838. Edward III died on Christmas eve, Dec. 24, 1847. •Thomas Nathaniel, born 1818 - married Martha Starke. •Marie, born before 1820 and died young. •Naomi, born ca.1820 - James Lawrence. •Mary Cantey, born 1827 - married her cousin, Jacob L. Broughton, son of her uncle John Henry. She lived in Georgia and then later moved to Arkansas. •Jackson, born February 9, 1829 - married in 1859 to Leonora Harvin, daughter of Charles Richard & Ann Tindall Harvin. Jackson died on August 23, 1890.
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Other notable facts: There have been Broughtons in South Carolina since before 1700. The late 1700s and early 1800s in Georgia and South Carolina are difficult to make Broughton ties because of lost records during the Revolutionary War and the migration into the area from other parts of the country.
Research information submitted by:
Mary Lee Barnes of Tennessee - a descendant of Edward Thomas Broughton Sr.
Herbert W. "Hub" Broughton of Frisco, Alabama - a descendant of Nathaniel Broughton
Nathaniel and Sarah's son, Edward Thomas Broughton Sr. was born in 1805 in South Carolina. On December 18 1823, he married Rachel Winborne Walker, daughter of Dempsey Winborne, Jr. and Priscilla Owen. of South Carolina (Rachel was the grand-daughter of Dempsey Winborne Sr. a Revolutionary War soldier in York County, South Carolina. She had been married previously to Robert Walker - Monroe Co. Alabama. Her father, Dempsey Jr was an ordained minister of Old Salem Baptist Church in Monroe Co. AL) Owner of Land and Slaves
According to Alabama land records, Broughton acquired some land in Monroe County on October 8, 1826. Some sources written by descendants claim he was elected sheriff of Monroe County and served two terms in the General Assembly of Alabama "with credit to himself, satisfaction to his constituents and to the best interests of the commonwealth." But no official records in the Alabama archives have been found yet that could confirm this. Records were located that show Broughton served two terms (1826-1833) as the Justice of the Peace in Monroe County. [NOTE: Monroe County is one of many Alabama counties that suffered a loss of public records in a string of mysterious courthouse fires in the last part of the 19th century.]
According to deed records, on February 11, 1842, Edward Broughton and Rachel C. Broughton sold 400 acres in six tracts to Nathaniel Broughton, presumably Edward's father, for $12,000. On that same date, Nathaniel sold to Edward eight slaves for $4,000. In October of that same year, Edward purchased four more slaves from Nathaniel for $3,000.
On The Move Edward and his family moved to Arkansas in 1842 and since their stay in Arkansas was not early or long enough, the Broughtons are not shown on either the 1840 or 1850 Census of Arkansas. However, Masonic records confirm they were living in Ouachita County until about 1847.
The family of E.T. Sr. and his mother-in-law, Priscilla Winborne came to Texas in 1848 settling first in Jasper County for about a year, then to Old Larissa in Cherokee Co. in 1850. In the report of Larissa Masonic Lodge No.57 in 1852, among the Master Masons named were E. T. Broughton, (his son) D.W. Broughton and J. G. James (his son-in-law).
On the 1850 Census in Cherokee County, E. T. is 45-years-old, a farmer originally from South Carolina. Also listed in his household are: (his wife) R. C. Broughton, 50-year-old female from South Carolina; (his children) Edward T. age 16 of Alabama, Amanda M. age 14 of Alabama and Ann age 11 of Alabama; and (his mother-in-law) 72-year-old Priscilla Winborne of South Carolina. Edward's sons, Nathaniel W. and Dempsey W. were also listed on the Cherokee County Census on 1850 as heads of their own households.
[NOTE: J.C. Walker is also found on the 1850 Census and, despite a conflicting middle initial, some researchers believe him to be Rachel Broughton's son J. O. Walker from her first marriage. The circumstantial evidence to support this assumption is that J.C. Walker had a son named Dempsey and was a Baptist minister. Rachel's father and grandfather were both named Dempsey, as was her son Dempsey W. Broughton. Also, her father and her son, Dempsey, were both ministers. And, in a special issue of The Chronicles of Old Omen, it is mentioned that John O. Walker was the proprietor of the first mercantile store in 1852, and he was from Cherokee County. J.C. Walker also had a son listed on the 1850 census of Cherokee County named W. H. Walker, age 9. Ten years later, the 1860 census of Smith County TX shows a 19-year-old W. H. Walker living with Rachel's mother, Priscilla Winborne, age 81.] Children Various research shows Edward Thomas Broughton and Rachel Winborne (Walker) Broughton had seven children as follows:
i. Dempsey Winborne Broughton born August 15, 1824, Monroe County Alabama. , Presbyterian minister
ii. Nathaniel William Broughton born June 30, 1826 near Birmingham Alabama
iii. oSarah Priscilla Broughton, born December 31, Monroe Co. AL - She married Joseph G. (Gabe) James (b.May 1824, d.Dec. 28, 1875)- She died Sept. 2, 1880 and is buried with her husband at Kaufman Cemetery in Kaufman County Texas. [NOTE: J.G. James is listed with his father-in-law as Master Masons in the report of Larissa Masonic Lodge No. 57 in 1852.]
iv.Rachel Elizabeth Broughton, born Monroe Co. AL - She married Henry M. Arnold on September 29, 1853 in Smith County. [Note: This was apparently her second marriage, because marriage records on file in Smith Co. give her name as Rachel Neel] She died on June 13, 1896 and is buried in Elkins Cemetery in Smith Co. Texas.
iv.Edward Thomas Broughton (Jr)born April 3, 1834, Monroe County, Alabama.
v.Amanda M. Broughton, born May 6, 1836 Monroe Co. AL - She married John C. Collier on November 17, 1853 - She died December 5, 1911 and is buried with her husband in Elkins Cemetery in Smith County Texas located just west of Arp on Farm-to-Market road 345.
vi.Ann Broughton, born ca. 1839 in Alabama - She married Lt. James F. Walker CSA (b.ca 1832 in Georgia) - In 1860, the couple lived in Smith County where they had 2 daughters: Nannet (b. 1858) and Laura (b. 1860) [Note: Ann's father, Edward T. was named as a witness on several probate records in Smith County including one for her family's estate. In 1863, E. T. was named guardian of Ann's two children. "E. T. Broughton petitioned as guardian 3/17/1863. Nanette James Walker and Ann Mariah Walker, under 14, heirs of Lt. James Walker who died September 1862 in the service of the Confederate States (of America) leaving no widow. Appraisers: Joseph G. James, James Wesley Weeks, William Weeks, household articles $268, additional inventory watch $25. Report of 2/23/1866 states that N. J. Walker is deceased." ]
From 1852 through the Civil War, Edward T. Broughton Sr. lived in Smith County where he records show he became Clerk of Court in the Commissioner's Court from June 20, 1853 to Augusst 21, 1854. The 1860 Census of Smith County shows Edward had amassed an estate worth $3,000 with an additional $12,000 in personal property. After the Civil War, E. T. Broughton and his wife Rachel moved to Kaufman County, Texas where they lived near their sons, Dempsey W. and Edward T. Jr.
Death Rachel died in Kaufman County Texas in 1869 however the location of her gravesite is unknown. Sometime during the following year Edward moved further west with his son , Nathaniel W. Broughton where he lived another two decades. In 1891, at the age of 86, Edward Thomas Broughton (Sr.) died. He is buried in the Great Rock Bluff Cemetery in Comanche County, Texas located about 6 miles west of DeLeon, Texas. E.T. Broughton ,Sr. b. march 10, 1805; d. April 30 1891. Deleon, Tex. A great man gone to his reward.Edward T. Broughton departed this life April 30, Inst. Bro. Broughton was born on march 10,1805 in the State of South Carolina ; moved with his father to Alabama when a boy; was mararied to Mrs. Rachel C. walker Nov. 14 , 1823; professed faith in Christ in early life, and united with the Baptist Church over sixty years ago; moved to Arkansas and to Texas in 1848 ;wife died in Kaufman Co. 1869.
He was the father of D.W.Broughton who died in Dallas in 18--. There nine children born to them and only 3 survive him. Bro Broughton was a man of great integrety and faith . He suffered much he died but bore it as a good soldier of the cross.
He was a man of prominence in the state as well as church. He was elected sheriff several times in Alabama and was chosen by his people to represent them in the legislature of that State from 1825 to 1830. He was one of the Lords noblemen. May the blessings of the heavenly father rest on the loved ones left behind. Frank B. Neely.
Research information submitted by: Mary Lee Barnes of Tennessee - a descendant of Edward Thomas Broughton Sr.
Edward Thomas "Tom" Broughton Jr. was born
The following is an excerpt from an unpublished book written by Mary Lee Barnes in 1990 on The Broughton Family (Part 1, pg 27).
"It is stated in an article written in The Encyclopedia of the New West in 1881 that he was educated in the common schools of the country, but not being satisfied with these 'meager attainments,' he began to study law and classical literature and taught school. One family legend says that at age 18 he went back to Jasper to teach and, apparently, to continue his study of the law. In 1858 he was admitted to law practice and he immediately went into partnership with T. B. Greenwood of Athens, in Herderson County, Texas. His brother D. W. had already joined the firm."
The above quote is footnoted - based on the following sources: Broughton Memoirs by Milton Leon Broughton, 1972, 3rd edition, p 170. and from copies of Broughton Family Papers, Mars Collection from Shirley Frain, Tucker, Georgia.
Tom, as Edward T. Broughton Jr was called, married Mary Elizabeth Douglas (daughter of Rev. Alexander Douglas of Smith County, Texas) on June 6, 1856 in Smith County, Tx.
These notes are transcribed from Shirley C. (Power) Frain's original notes. Parenthetical notes are hers, made for her own memory-jog; they were not meant to be read by others before she finished her research. "scf" are Shirley's initials. Unfortunately, Shirley died before she could finish her research. Square brackets are my notes; my initials are ghp. Guy H. Power _____________________________________________________________________ THOMAS BROUGHTON LT. GOVERNOR of SOUTH CAROLINA 1731-1737 Thomas Broughton was the second son of Andrew and Ann Overton Broughton. The Broughton Family lived in Seaton, England. However in at least two sources researched, these sources indicate that Thomas Broughton was not born in England [she does not cite the sources, ghp]. Where he was born I have not been able to determine as of 7 August 1982. Not all of the Broughton family emigrated to south Carolina, some of the family remained in England, two of his sisters (Mrs.) Christiana and Lydia are mentioned in his will dated 22 July 1725 as residing in England. One sister Constantia Broughton did emigrate to South Carolina and married John Ashby, 2nd Cacique [??, ghp], who died in 1716. Constantia Broughton Ashby died in 1729-1721. Many of her descendants are located in Charleston, South Carolina. Thomas Broughton emigrated to South Carolina from the West Indies (footnote 1. Biographical directory of The South Carolina House of Representatives, Vol II, Commons House of Assembly 1692-1775, pp. 103-105). He possibly emigrated from the Leeward Islands where his father-in-law Sir Nathaniel Johnson was Governor from 1686-1689. South Carolina was not settled until 1670-1680. The list of passengers aboard the ships bringing colonists to South Carolina did not survive according to the South Carolina Archives. The first record of Thomas Broughton in South Carolina was in 1692 when he pledged allegiance to the King and Queen of England. Trying to determine his character from information that is available is very difficult. He appears to be a very complex individual. He is alternately portrayed as a plain, honest, family man, and very generous in donations to the church. On the other hand, his political life appears to have been dishonest or at the very least questionable. It must be understood that this period for the colonists was very difficult. The political climate during these early years was filled with dissention in every section. There was continuing conflicts with the Indians, the Spanish in St. Augustine, Florida, and later with James Oglethorpe in the colony of Georgia. There was also great concern about the slave population, which greatly outnumbered the white population. In the 1720s there was a slave uprising. During his military career he rose from Captain (1696), to Major (1697), to Colonel (1700), to Major General (1706). Although he held the rank of Major General, he was usually referred to as Colonel Broughton. (Footnote 2, Ibid). He served South Carolina in the following offices: 1695. Capt. Thomas Broughton, for a Committee for "Caryed for a Tax upon Skinns and furns" [sic – possibly "furrs," ghp] (#3, see B-Misc File). 1696-1703. Member of Assembly – Berkeley and Craven Counties. 18 June1702. Appointed a deputy for John Lord Carteret – one of the Lords Proprietor. (#4 – Biographical Directory of the South Carolina House of Representatives, Vol. II, Commons House of Assembly 1692-1775, pp 103-105). 1703. Commissioner, Under the Wild Cattle Act. (#5, ibid). 1704-1706. Commissioner, Church Acts. 1707. Surveyor General (1709?) (check on this scf) 1707-1708, 1710, 1716. Commissioner to Sign Bills of Credit (#6, ibid). 1708. Controller and collector of customs. 1710, 1712. Commissioner of Free School at Charleston (Charles Towne). 1715. In Yamassee Indian War. 1717, 1719. Commissioner, under Several Revenue Acts (#7, ibid). 1716, 1717, 1720. Named as an Assistant to Judge of Admiralty to try men accused of Piracy (#8, ibid). 1716-1717. Speaker of 15th Assembly (#9, ibid). 1717. Member of the Council. 1718-1719. One of the Commissioners to regulate Indian Trade. This act among others was ratified on 20 March 1718/1719 and "…were the last attempted legislation under the Proprietary Government" (#10, The History of South Carolina Under Proprietary Government 1670-1719, p. 406). 1719. Commissioner to receive taxes (#11, Biographical Directory of the South Carolina House of Representatives, Vol II, Commons House of Assembly 1692-1775, pp. 103-105). 1721. Collector of the Port of Charleston (#12, ibid). 1721. Commissioner of the High Roads for St. Johns Berkeley (#13, ibid). 1721, 1734. Justice of the Peace for Berkeley County (#14, ibid). 1725-1717 [sic, "1727"? ghp]. Speaker of the Assembly. 1730. Member of Council (#15, ibid). 1731-1735. Lt. Governor of south Carolina by Commission of the King of England. 1733. Commissioner of the Free School at Childsbury (#16, ibid). 1735-1737. Acting Governor of South Carolina. Col. Thomas Broughton served twice on the South Carolina Jury in 1720, once as Grand Juror and another as Petit Juror. The district or area he represented is not given (#17, SC Jury Lists, 1718-1783, by: Mary B. Warren, p. 35). 4 May 1704. Introduction of Church Act Bill. "Its title, for the more effectual preservation of the government of this province by requiring all persons that hereafter be chosen members of the Commons House of Assembly, and sit in the same to take the oaths and subscribe the declaration appointed by the act and to conform to the religious worship in this province according to the Church of England, and to receive the sacrement of the Lord's supper according to the rite of said church." It bears the date 6th of May, and was signed by (Governor and Council) Sir Nathaniel Johnson, and Colonel Thomas Broughton, Col. James Moore, Robert Gibbes, Esq., Henry Noble, Esq., and Nicholas Trott, Esq., of the council." ["]Later passed in the Assembly by a majority of one, twelve voting for it and eleven against it. Seven members were absent" (#18, The History of South Carolina Under the Proprietary Government 1670-1719, by: Edward McCrady, p. 406). Thomas Broughton was one of the signers of this celebrated Church Act Bill. This was a civil conflict turned into a religious one by Thomas Broughton's father-in-law and governor of the colony, Sir Nathaniel Johnson. "One of the Proprietors lord Grainville was a bigot and since the Charter and the Fundamental Constitution of the colony state…according to the Church of England which being the true and Orthodox and the only national religion, of all the king's dominions is also of Carolina and therefore it alone shall be allowed to receive public maintenance by grant of Parliament" (#19 Charleston, Mrs. Julien Ravenel, pp 42-43). Lord Grainville's argument was "If a man holds a false and illegal religion, he cannot be fit to sit in Parliament and legislate for people who know the truth" (#20, ibid). "There was dissention especially Collecton County. There were also a large group of French Hugenotes who had been naturalized some years before and had the right to vote" (#21, ibid). "An appeal to the Proprietors and finally Queen Anne, declared these laws null and void in the colony" (#22, ibid). In 1708 Thomas Broughton being prevented from enslaving free Indians by the Indian Agent Nairne hatched a plot with some of his men and accused Nairne of "seeking to dethrone Queen Anne in favor of the Pretender." Bail was not allowed in the charge of high treason and Nairne lay in jail for five months. He was never tried. Nairne's complaints to the Proprietors may have helped to remove Gov. Nathaniel Johnson (#23, The History of South Carolina, by: David Wallace, Vol. I, p. 185). In 1710, Thomas Broughton came close to starting a civil war in South Carolina. "Gov. Johnson's successor Col. Edward Tynte died after a seven-month administration and the three deputies in the colony proceeded to choose a governor. At the morning session Robert Gibbes and Thomas Broughton each voted for himself. Turbeville voted for Broughton but in the afternoon changed his vote to Gibbes, who was thus declared elected. But wen Turbeville was found to have been bribed, a battle between the town militia was barely averted…" (#24, South Carolina, A Short History 1520-1948, by: David Duncan Wallace, p. 80). Several sources have indicated that Turbeville died of apoplexy (stroke) the dame day. An excellent account of this incident is given in The Early History of the Southern States, Virginia, North and South Carolina, by Lambert Lilly, Schoolmaster, 1833, pages 138-142 (#25) Upon the death of Governor Tynte, in 1710, a civil war was on the point of breaking out. It seems that a Mr. Gibbes was chosen to succeed Tynte; but he received only one vote more than Mr. Broughton; and this one vote, as Broughton said, was obtained by bribery. He insisted, therefore, on his own claim to act as governor. But Gibbes insisted on his with the same perseverance, and the greater part of the people took sides with him. Broughton, however, collected a number of armed men at his plantation, for the defence of his own supposed rights, and marched to Charleston. Gibbes, who resided in that town, soon got intelligence of his approach. He immediately caused a general alarm to be fired, and the militia to be called together. Broughton, by this time, had approached the walls and gates of Charleston. Gibbes ordered the drawbridge, standing near the intersection of Broad and Meeting streets, to be hauled up. After a short parley, Broughton's party who had now come up, the latter demanded admittance. Gibbes called out to them from within the walls, and asked why they came armed in such numbers, and whether they would acknowledge himself their rightful governor. "We have understood," answered they, "That there is an alarm about something or other in the town, and have come to see what is the matter. As for Gibbes, they said they would not won him for their governor." "Gibbbes now denied them entrance. Before this, many of them began to gallop round the walls, towards Craven's bastion," so called, to get entrance there; being prevented, however, they soon returned to the drawbridge. But by this time, some of the people of the town, and quite a number of sailors, appeared to be mustering together from vessels then in the harbor, in favor of the Broughton party. The latter undertook, therefore, to force down the drawbridge, and effect a passage. Gibbes' party opposed, but were not allowed to fire upon them. Several blows and wounds, however, were given and received on both sides. The sailors, who were within, and Broughton's own party without, finally prevailed so far as to lower the drawbridge. They entered it and proceeded to the watch-house in Broad Street. There the two town companies of militia were posted, under arms, and with colors flying. Broughton's party approached them and halted. One of them drew a paper from his pocket. It was probably some proclamation of Broughton's. The man undertook to read it; but the militia made such a tremendous uproar with their drums, and all other means in their power, that the poor fellow stretched his voice to its utmost compass in vain. Not a syllable of the proclamation could be heard. Broughton's party now marched off towards "Granville's bastion," being escorted by the sailors on foot, who were ready for any mischief. As the party passed the front of the militia, whose guns levelled, loaded and cocked, some of Broughton's sailors catched at the colors, and tore them from the staff. On this provocation, a few of the militia, without any orders, fired their pieces; but nobody was hurt. One Capt. Brewton resolutely drew his sword, at this moment, stepped up to the sailor who had committed the outrage, and demanded the torn ensign. Capt. Evans, one of Broughton's best men, alighted, and prudently obliged the sailor to return it. Broughton's party continued their march about the town for sometime. They then proclaimed Broughton governor. After hurraing as loudly as they were able, and making various other noises, they approached the gate of the town fort, and made a show of forcing it. Here, however, they observed Capt. Pawley with his pistol cocked, and many other gentlemen with their guns presented, who forbade them, at their peril, to attempt the gate. This attempt seemed to have a salutary effect in cooling down these hot headed people. They soon withdrew a tavern on the bay, where their proclamation was read a second time. After much altercation and several messages and answers between the Parties, the dispute was referred to the decision of the lords proprietors; the later decided in favor of neither Gibbes or Broughton, though the former acted as Governor. Meanwhile, Charles Craven was soon appointed to take the place of Gibbes; and thus ended all this mighty noise and smoke. Such, generally, is the result of hot-headed quarrels. The proprietors declared Gibbes election illegal because of bribery. He was allowed to continue in office for practically a year and made an excellent governor (#26 South Carolina – A Short History 1520-1948, By: David Duncan Wallace, p. 80). After the Proprietary Government, south Carolina was made a Royal Colony. "The Crown appoints the Governor, (Constitutional, Judicial, Executive, etc.) all these powers, as they exist in the Crown. The Council was appointed by the King. The Assembly consists of the representatives of the people and are elected by them as the House of Commons in Great Britain" (#27, The History of South Carolina, by: Alexander Hewatt, p.2). Under the Royal Government, "It was one of the grievances of the colonists that none of them could ever hope to receive the highest appointments in the province. These were reserved for placement from England. Broughton and the Bulls, however well they might administer the government in the absence of a governor, could never aspire to be more than Lieutenant Governor" (#28, The History of South Carolina Under the Proprietary Government 1670-1719, by: Edward McCrady, p. 36). Thomas Broughton was Speaker of the Assembly 1725-1727. At a joint meeting of the two houses held on December 18, 1727, for purposes of ratifying the Governor's thirty-fifth instructions. The Speaker of the Assembly, Thomas Broughton, "advanced a very ingenious interpretation of the bill. It allowed the Council an equal power with the Assembly in framing, altering, and amending money bills and enjoined the Governor not to allow the assembly or any of its members any power or privilege which was not permitted by the King to the House of Commons or the Members thereof in England. By a process of negative reasoning, Broughton argued that the Assembly in South Carolina possessed all the powers and privileges of the House of Commons. As the Commons in England had the sole right of framing, altering, and amending money bills, the representative assembly of South Carolina had the same right. He went on to say that the term money bills used in the instructions must mean paper money bills and not pure tax measures." "This was the greatest victory yet achieved by the Assembly. It was the first time that they had definitely denied the right of the Council to amend money bills. Although there were numerous other disputes over the question, the advantage thus gained was never given up" (#29, South Carolina as a Royal Province 1719-1776, by: W. Roy Smith, pp. 294-295). Thomas Broughton was appointed by the King of England in 1731 as Lt. Governor of South Carolina, along with his brother-in-law, Robert Johnson who was appointed Governor of the colony. Robert Johnson died in 1735, and Lt. Governor Thomas Broughton became Acting Governor of the colony until his death in 1737. His term as Acting Governor was "more remarkable for another Constitutional struggle. This time it was between the Commons House of Assembly on one side and himself as Governor with his Council on the other." The Assembly refused to acknowledge any right of the Council as to it being the same as the House of Lords in England, the Assembly maintained it was an advisory board to the Governor" (#30, This History of South Carolina Under the Royal Government 1719-1776, by: Edward McCrady, p. 169). There are conflicting reports on the governing abilities of Thomas Broughton. In some references he is referred to as a "plain, honest, but little distinguished, says Hewatt, for qualities suited to the position to which he was…called; and it was charged that during his brief administration many leading men acquired large possessions without many scruples in the way in which they were obtained. The Lt. Gov. without suspicion, freely granting warrants for the lands they desired" (#31, ibid). "On another occasion Gov. Broughton and the Council voted to each of themselves 6,000 acres apiece, on the theory, perhaps, that their public labors deserved it" (#32, South Carolina, A Short History 1520-1948, by: David Duncan Wallace, p. 145). Indian trade was very serious business in Charleston, SC. When James Oglethorpe founded the colony of Georgia, he began to require that the South Carolina Traders have Georgia permits. This led to serious conflicts which almost started a war with South Carolina. Thomas Broughton was primarily responsible for this. Oglethorpe did not actually have the authority regarding the Indian Trade at the time he was enforcing it. Relations became so severe that Gov. Broughton let it be known that South Carolina would back up its position with armed troops. About the same time the Spanish in Florida were threatening the Georgia colony. In case of war with the Spanish, Oglethorpe knew he would have to have support from South Carolina. A compromise was worked out, although Oglethorpe never conceded that he did not have the rights to the Indian Trade. Relations between South Carolina and Georgia remained strained and were never the same. It was during Gov. Broughton's administration in July 1736, that the two Wesley brothers -- John the elder, the founder of Methodism, and Charles, better known as the hymn writer – made their first visit to Charles Town (Charleston). "John Wesley brought letters to Gov. Broughton regarding the respective rights of Georgia and South Carolina in the Indian Trade from General Oglethorpe. John Wesley's second and third (last) visits to Charleston were also made during the Broughton Administration, both in 1737" (#33, History of South Carolina, edited by Snowmen Yates, LLD, pp. 227-228). Thomas Broughton died 22 November 1737, apparently in South Carolina. The notice of his death – the weekly issue of the Gazette is missing, but the following week's issue mentions the great loss that the province had sustained by the death of the Lt. Gov. Where he is buried remains a mystery. There is no evidence today of a cemetery at his home, Mulberry Plantation. No one seems to know and in my research there is no mention of his burial plot. Compiled By: Shirley C. Frain
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Broughton Genealogy Pages: Hub Broughton , descendant, of Edward of Sumter Co., S.C. lists wills and other documents of this family and also Lt. Governor Thomas Broughton of S.C. Broughton Family Tree : A page hosted by Brandi Broughton Loyd , giving history of many Broughton Families. |