Francis T.J. Brandon was born in Gwinnett County, Georgia, May 22, 1832 and departed this life July 31, 1909. Bro. Brandon, under the influence of a devoted uncle, Dr. David Smith Brandon (1821-1878 Jones Cemetery, Thomasville, Georgia) was inspired with the ambition to become a lawyer but another call came--a call to service opening a way for a heroic ministry to fellow men.
Rev. Francis Brandon married Susan Carolyn "Carrie" Woodward on Aug. 22, 1867 in Jacksonville, Calhoun Co., Alabama.
His parents were Francis and Zillah Brandon, of Gaylesville, Alabama. Rev. Brandon lived in Georgia in the counties of Gwinnett, Bartow, and Chattooga, and from there he came into Cherokee County, Gaylesville, Alabama.
His pastoral appointments for fifty-two years follow: 1855, Uniontown Circuit; 1856, Athens, Miss.; 1857, Navy Yard, Pensacola; 1858-59, Montevallo; 1860, Jacksonville; 1861, East Selma; 1862, Wetumpka. He joined the Confederate army and appointed as a regimental chaplain for 1862-64. He was present at Gettysburg and Little Round Top and helped form Company E of the 47th Ala. Regiment. He began as a lieutenant of that company and on May 8, 1863, was promoted to Captain. He served as both Captain and Chaplain. Shortly after the end of the War, Rev. Brandon spoke at a Brandon family reunion in Halifax County, Virginia. In 1865 he returned to Wetumpka; 1866, Gadsden; 1867-1868, Talladega; 1868-69, Jacksonville; 1870, Harpersville. In 1908, Govenor Comer, without solicitation, appointed him to a chaplaincy of state convicts, Flat Top Mines. He remained there for the rest of his life.
His mother Zillah wrote in her journal: Aug. 22, 1863. Thanks to my blessed Lord that Frank (Francis) has returned home after a campaign of over a year in Virginia...
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Last Name: Brandon
Birth Information: USA, Georgia
Discharge Information:
Branch: Infantry
Regimental Unit: 47th Alabama Regiment
Company Unit: E
Authority: Historical Record Roll near Richmond, Virginia 1865/01/12
First Name: F MI: T J
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: Minister
Enlistment Date: 1862/04/30
Enlistment Information: Age 29, Alabama, Cedar Bluff, 2nd Lieutenant
Engagements: Present at Cedar Run, Virginia 1862/08/08;Absent sick at 2nd Manassas 1862/08/30, Sharpsburg 1862/09/17, Fredicksburg 1862/12/13;Present at Saffolk 1863/05/03, Gettysburg 1863/07/03
Remarks: Promoted Captain 1862/11/10. Resigned 1863/09/01. Residence; Gaylesville, Alabama.