George Branch was born around 1817 in Fyfield, Essex, England, the son of Joseph and Mary Branch. At age 22, he was convicted of housebreaking in Essex and sentenced to 15 years’ transportation. He arrived in Hobart, Tasmania, aboard the Layton in December 1839. Described as a red-haired farm labourer from Chelmsford, George served his sentence without further offence, receiving a conditional pardon in 1848. By the 1860s, George had settled at Weasel Plains near Bothwell and began acquiring property in the township. He owned land and buildings in Elizabeth Street and Dennistoun Road, which he leased to tradesmen and tenants, including his stepsons. One notable property was a blacksmith’s shop and cottage that he advertised for rent as early as 1863. Though not formally married until late in life, George lived with Eliza Saxon (née Pegram) for many years, raising her children as his own. He later married her at Green Ponds in 1898, at the age of 82. George remained active in Bothwell’s civic and property affairs well into his 80s. He died on 6 February 1904 at his home in Bothwell, aged 88, and was buried in the local cemetery.

GEORGE BRANCH, son of Joseph Branch and Mary Unknown.

b: abt 1817, Fyfield, Essex, England; d: 9 Feb 1904, Bothwell, Tasmania; bur: 9 Feb 1904, Public Cemetery, Bothwell, Tasmania.

Spouse - ELIZA PEGRAM, daughter of James Pegram Connell and Ann Unknown.

b: abt 1821, Hertfordshire, England; m: 14 Sep 1898, Green Ponds, Tasmania; d: 29 Aug 1912, Bothwell, Tasmania; bur: 31 Aug 1912, Public Cemetery, Bothwell, Tasmania.

George Branch and Eliza Pegram had no children.

Eliza Pegram and her first husband, Matthew Saxon, had the following children, who took on the surname of Branch.

1. William (Saxon) Branch - b: abt. 1843, Tasmania; d: 14 Dec 1924, Hobart, Tasmania.

2. Matthew (Saxon) Branch - b: 4 Aug 1845, Launceston, Tasmania; d: 22 Aug 1896, Bothwell, Tasmania.

3. Henry (Saxon) Branch - b: 10 Aug 1847, Launceston, Tasmania; d: 4 Dec 1925, Bothwell, Tasmania.