Person:Branson Armentrout (1)

About Branson Armentrout

Branson Armentrout was born 4 November 1830 likely in Rockingham County, Virginia. His Certificate of Death shows that he was a son of William Armentrout and Elizabeth ____, but which William Armentrout? Circumstantial evidence is provided in the 1850 U.S. Census in Rockingham County, Virginia, when 20-year old Branson Armentrout was living with three sisters, Mary {age 60], Elizabeth [age 58] and Susan Armentrout [age 56]. Their older sibling William Armentrout is Branson's likely father and the brother of the three Armentrout sisters that Branson was living with in 1850. It certainly makes sense that he would be living with his three aunts if Branson's parents had died prior to the 1850 Census. The identity of Branson's mother, Elizabeth, is at this point a bit of a mystery until additional records are found.

Branson married Mary Elizabeth Black on 3 October 1853, and in the 1860 Census, Branson and Elizabeth Armentrout were listed with their children, Clara J. Armentrout [age 6] and Alice E.V. Armentrout [age 2]. In addition, an Elizabeth Armentrout [age 62] was living with Branson, Elizabeth and their children. This may be either Branson's mother, or his Aunt Elizabeth that he was living with in the 1850 Census, although her age differs from the previous Census. Additional research needed. Branson Armentrout was a carpenter by trade as proven in several Census records, and records show while living in Rockingham County, Virginia he made coffins for the poor that could not afford them [see records below].

Records in Virginia

At a meeting of the overseers of the poor for Rockingham County held at the poorhouse on Tuesday the 14th June 1858

Branson Armentrout [paid to make] coffin for W Houckins $4.00 James Madison University Libraries

The board then proceeded to ascertain the amount that will be required for the year ending June 1860 chargeable on the parish of Rockingham and find that there will be the following actual and probable charges for the said year

Branson Armentrout [paid to make] coffin $5.50 James Madison University Libraries

1.   Find A Grave.

   Branson W. Armentrout
   BIRTH 4 Nov 1830
   Virginia, USA
   DEATH 5 Nov 1912 (aged 82)
   Maryville, Nodaway County, Missouri, USA
   BURIAL
   Miriam Cemetery
   Maryville, Nodaway County, Missouri, USA
   
   Father: William Armentrout, b: Virginia
   Mother: Elizabeth, b: Virginia
   Missouri D/C #36768
   
   https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/27446124/branson-w.-armentrout

2.   United States. 1850 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432).

   Name Branson Armentrout
   Gender Male
   Race White
   Age 20
   Birth Year abt 1830
   Birthplace Virginia
   Home in 1850 District 56, Rockingham, Virginia, USA
   Line Number 37
   Dwelling Number 1853
   Family Number 1856
   Household Members (Name) Age
   Mary Armentrout 60
   Elizabeth Armentrout 58
   Susan Armentrout 56
   Branson Armentrout 20

3.   United States. 1860 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M653).

   Name Branson Armentrout
   Age 29
   Birth Year abt 1831
   Gender Male
   Race White
   Birth Place Virginia
   Home in 1860 District 1, Rockingham, Virginia
   Post Office Harrisonburg
   Dwelling Number 347
   Family Number 344
   Occupation Carpenter
   Real Estate Value 800
   Personal Estate Value 125
   Inferred Spouse Mary E Armentrout
   Inferred Child[ren]
   Clara J Armentrout
   Alice E V Armentrout
   Household Members (Name) Age
   Branson Armentrout 29
   Mary E Armentrout 26
   Clara J Armentrout 6
   Alice E V Armentrout 2
   Elisabeth Armentrout 62 - is this Branson's mother Elizabeth or perhaps his aunt Elizabeth, although the age differs several years from the previous 1850 Census.

4.   United States. 1870 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publications M593 and T132).

   Name Branson Armentrout
   Age in 1870 39
   Birth Date abt 1831
   Birthplace Virginia
   Dwelling Number 156
   Home in 1870 Lachnane, Brown, Kansas
   Race White
   Gender Male
   Post Office Hiawatha
   Occupation Carpenter
   Male Citizen Over 21 Yes
   Personal Estate Value 200
   Inferred Spouse Mary Armantrout
   Inferred Children
   Clara Armantrout
   VA Armantrout
   Charles Armantrout
   Household Members (Name) Age
   Brasan Armantrout 39
   Mary Armantrout 37
   Clara Armantrout 16
   VA Armantrout 12
   Charles Armantrout 9
   John Mccharey 30
   Frisley Mccharey 25

5.   United States. 1880 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T9).

   Name B. W. Armentrout [Branson W. Armentrout]
   Age 49
   Birth Date Abt 1831
   Birthplace Virginia
   Home in 1880 Hiawatha, Brown, Kansas, USA
   Street Oregon St
   Dwelling Number 159
   Race White
   Gender Male
   Relation to Head of House Self (Head)
   Marital Status Married
   Spouse's Name Mary E. Armentrout
   Father's Birthplace Virginia
   Mother's Birthplace Virginia
   Occupation Carpenter
   Household Members (Name) Age Relationship
   B. W. Armentrout 49 Self (Head)
   Mary E. Armentrout 47 Wife
   Clora Armentrout 25 Daughter
   Charley Armentrout 19 Son

6.   Passenger Lists.

   1--Branson Armentrout
   s-Julia ??
   2--Alice Elizabeth Armentrout b.Rockingham co VA 5-9-1858
   s-Mary Black b.1834 m.Rockingham co VA 10-3-1853
   2--Charles Armentrout b.Rockingham co VA 4-18-1861
   
   http://www.geocities.ws/charlescuy/armentr.html
   Note: URL no longer active, accessed on Internet Wayback Machine