Liberty in Liberty County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Edward Thomas Branch

(December 6, 1811 - September 22, 1861)

Photographed by Brian Anderson, March 16, 2024

1. Edward Thomas Branch Marker

Inscription. Virginia native Edward Thomas Branch came to Texas in 1835 and settled in Liberty. As a First Sergeant in the Texas Volunteers, he participated in the Battle of San Jacinto, and remained in the army as a Second Lieutenant until October 1836. He later served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Texas militia.

Branch was elected to represent Liberty County in the House of Representatives of the First and Second Congresses of the Republic of Texas (1836-1838). He moved to Nacogdoches in 1838 after he was elected judge of the Fifth Judicial District, comprised of Red River, Houston, Nacogdoches, Shelby, and Fannin counties. Resigning from the bench in 1840, he returned to Liberty, where he was postmaster from 1842 to 1843. In 1846 he was elected to represent Liberty County in the First Legislature of the State of Texas and served as Speaker of the House of Representatives for a brief period.

Branch married Anne Cleveland Wharton, daughter of Texas pioneer statesman William H. Wharton, on August 15, 1838. When not occupied by public business he was involved in farming, community activities, and the practice of law. Branch was a charter member of the Liberty Masonic Lodge, organized in 1848.

Erected 1992 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 9637.)

Topics. This historical

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marker is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • War, Texas Independence.

Location. 30° 3.607′ N, 94° 47.669′ W. Marker is in Liberty, Texas, in Liberty County. It is on Fannin Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 Fannin Street, Liberty TX 77575, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Houston Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Liberty Masonic Lodge No. 48, A.F. & A.M. (here, next to this marker); Liberty County Bank (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Plaza de Carcel y Casas de Correccion (about 500 feet away); Liberty Methodist Church (about 500 feet away); Site of the Liberty County First Court House (about 600 feet away); Commercial Corner (about 600 feet away); Tarver Abstract Company (about 600 feet away); Liberty County (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Liberty.

Also see . . . Branch, Edward Thomas (1811–1861) - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on March 16, 2024, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio.)

Photographed by Brian Anderson, March 16, 2024

2. Edward Thomas Branch Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 16, 2024, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. This page has been viewed 206 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 16, 2024, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio.