Branham Family Papers

Branham Family Papers
S 3199, V 76, OB 3 folder 29
1812-1896
4 folders, 11 vols., 1 os. folder

Manuscripts & Rare Books Division
Indiana State Library

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Reprocessed by: Barbara Hilderbrand, April 2007

Biographical Note:

David C. Branham was born August 29, 1812.  He worked as a railroad man, miller, farmer, contractor, lumber dealer, served as superintendent of Jeffersonville, Madison, and Indianapolis Railroad for 12 years, and was a contractor for the Shelbyville and Rushville Railroad, the Indianapolis and Vincennes Railroad, and the Rockport and Southwestern Railroad.  He was a Whig and Republican member of the Indiana House of Representatives 1855-1867, and 1873; he served as speaker in 1867.  He was elected to the Indiana Senate in 1877 to complete the term of John Loften Roe.  He married Cynthia A. Watson in 1833 and they had seven children.  David C. Branham died February 20, 1877.

Cynthia A. Watson Branham was born about 1819 in Kentucky.  She married David C. Branham in 1833. 

William Branham was born about 1848 to David C. and Cynthia A. Branham.  He served in the 137th Indiana Infantry Regiment during the Civil War and was honorably discharged in 1864.

Source:

Rebecca A. Shepherd ... [et al.], eds. A Biographical directory of the Indiana General Assembly v. 2. Indianapolis : Select Committee on the Centennial History of the Indiana.

Ancestry Library. Indiana State Library. 23 Apr. 2007. <http://www.ancestrylibrary.com>

Scope and Content Note:

This collection contains David Branham’s letters to his wife, Cynthia, written while he was supervising railroad construction in Martinsville, his diaries discussing politics, railroad work, and personal matters.  Also included are family letters written during the Civil War, legal and business papers, minutes of the Soldiers Aid Society of North Madison, Indiana, and a certificate of thanks to William Branham for serving as a volunteer during the Civil War.

Photocopying Policy:

Manuscript materials CANNOT be photocopied or digitized in their entirety. Photocopies and/or digital images cannot exceed 25% of a collection or a folder within a collection. In some cases, photocopying may not be permitted due to the condition of the item. Check with a Manuscript Librarian for other options.

Folder Listing:

Folder 
1. Correspondence, 1812-1865
2. Correspondence, 1867-1893
3. Papers, 1877-1896
4. Specifications for building the new State Capital of Indiana, circa1870s

Volumes.

V76-1 Diary, 1861
V76-2 Soldiers Aid Society of North Madison Minutes, 1862-1864
V76-3 Diary, 1866
V76-4 Diary, 1866
V76-5 Diary, 1867
V76-6 Diary, 1868
V76-7 Personal Memorandum Book, 1869
V76-8 Reference book for Mechanics and Engineers, 1869
V76-9 Diary, 1872
V76-10 Diary, 1873
V76-11 Scrapbook, undated

OB3 Folder 29.

1864 Oct. 1 Certificate of thanks to William Branham for serving as a volunteer during the Civil War.

Collection Information

Size of Collection: 4 folders (46 items), 11 volumes, 1 oversize folder (1 item)
Collection Dates: 1812-1896
Provenance: Helen M. Crane, 22 September and 17 October 1950
Access : The collection is open for research use
Restrictions: None
Reproduction Rights: Permission to reproduce, exhibit, or publish material in this collection must be obtained from the Manuscript Section, Indiana State Library.
Language: Materials are entirely in English
Alternate Formats: None
Related Holdings: 
Notes: