Christopher Branch
Christopher Branch (circa 1602-1681) was an early English settler in North America. He was born in Kent County, England. He married at the age of 17, shortly before leaving England.
Christopher and Mary Branch sailed to Virginia on the "London Merchant" in 1620, and eventually settled at Kingsland Plantation on the south side of the James River in Henrico (now Chesterfield) County, probably at Henricus. The census of January 1625 listed Christopher Branch, his wife Mary, and son Thomas. Christopher was a member of the House of Burgesses from Henrico County in 1629.
On October 20, 1634, Christopher Branch patented 100 acres (0.40 km2) of land on the south side of the Appomattox River. In September 1636, he patented land in the same section as the first patent, and on December 18, 1636, he patented 250 acres (1.0 km2) known as Kingsland Plantation. Branch dealt with many matters from the early American tobacco industry.
Remnants of Kingsland Plantation can be seen from Kingsland Road, which runs from Highway 5 across old Kingsland plantation to the James.
Christopher Branch has thousands of living descendants today from coast to coast. Many famous Richmonders from the Branch family are related to Christopher Branch. His granddaughter Mary became the great-grandmother of President Thomas Jefferson. The Branch House is one such name that lingers.