Francis Marion BROWNING, son of John BROWNING, was born in 1832 in Alabama. He married Marcena Ann PHILLIPS on 2 October 1851 in Lafayette Co., Mississippi. Marcena, the daughter of J. PHILLIPS and LETICIA, was born about 1833 in Tennessee. That fall they moved to Texas. They were living in Starrville, Smith Co, Texas when the 1860 Census was taken.

Children of Francis Marion and Marcena Ann:

• 1. Rufus T. BROWNING, born about 1852, Texas

• 2. Russell BROWNING, born about 1854, Texas

• 3. John Story BROWNING, born about 1856, Texas

From copy of the Company Muster Roll (part of file compiled by Horace Noel Browning, provided by his son, Thomas C. Browning in October 1999):

Muster in roll: Francis M. Browning, Pvt. in Capt. Josiah Ogburn's Company 1 regiment Johnson's Brigade Texas Mounted Volunteers. Age 29 years, roll dated Camp Likens, Feb 15, 1862. Joined for duty and enrolled 12 Dec 1861 at Canton by Josiah Ogburn. Valuation of horse: $175.00, equipment $25.00, gun $35.00, pistol $35.00, knife $5.00.

Company Muster Roll: F. M. Browning, Pvt Co B, 14th Reg. Texas Cavalry, appears on Company Muster Roll of the organization named above for Apr 30 to Aug 31, 1862. Enlisted 19 Dec 1861 at Canton, Tx of Johnson 12 mos. Last paid by J. B. Ford to 30 Apr 1862. Absent left at Chattanooga Hospital July 25.

Francis Marion wrote several letters to his wife Marcena during the war which have been preserved and may be read in the Smith County TXGenWeb Archives.

"After F. M.'s death, his wife, Marsena, moved to Hunt County, Texas where he had purchased land. Having known his son, John Story Browning, who was also my grandfather, and another son, Rufus T., I know that his wishes to rear the children to be good Christian men and to receive a good education were carried out by his wife." - Mrs. Alton T. Wilhite, Andrews, Texas, 1979.

In 1880, Marsena was in Upshur Co, Texas, living with her parents; the census lists her as M. A., age 46, widow. She applied for a penion in 1899 listing her husband's Military service: Civil War, Confederate, Pvt. Co. B, 14 Reg. Texas Cavalry.7,8, Pension: 1899, #05601 filed application. No other information is known about her.

Information provided by Peggy Brannon.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION:

Rowena Rucker, New Braunfels, Texas.

Family Group Sheet compiled by Horace Noel Browning, provided to me by his son, Thomas C. Browning on 10/21/99.

1860 Smith Co., Starville Beat census. Image 73b

Browning Civil War Letters, East Texas Family Records, Vol. III, No. 3, Fall 1979, Published by the East Texas Genealogical Society.

Copy of Company Muster Roll, part of Horace Noel Browning file, from his son, Thomas C. Browning.