When Major John Barrett Broadfoot was born on August 31, 1860, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, his father, William, was 54 and his mother, Frances, was 35. He married Sarah Frances Bryan (1862-1950) on October 15, 1885, in New Bern, North Carolina. They had four children during their marriage: Mary Norcott, 1866-1972, William Gillies, 1887-1961, Frances Bryan, 1890-1960, and Henry Bryan, 1893-1980.
In 1886, John, age 26, was the President of the 24th Annual Fayetteville Fair. He seemed to try his hand at a variety of occupations and organizational positions. He was the VP of Cape Fear Canning, then managed Poe & Co.s Brick and Tile Company, served as President of the NC Insane Asylum, and tried his hand as a general insurance agent.
Major John Barrett Broadfoot commanded the Fayetteville Light Infantry from 1890-1893. As a side note, Andrew Broadfoot, a cousin, was a charter member of the Fayetteville Light Infantry in 1793. To learn more about this historic military command go to: https://www.fili1793.com/
Later, JBB and wife, “Fannie”, moved to Black Mountain. He started a supply store but it unfortunately burned to the ground and there was no insurance. For many years, the couple ran a boarding house as a means of making money.
He died on May 10, 1931, in Asheville, North Carolina, at the age of 70, and was buried in New Bern, North Carolina.
Young JBB 
1912
Black Mountain, NC
Front Row: Children – Emal?(2), Clarence Jr. (4) Middle Row: Clarence Pemberton, Mary Norcott Pemberton, Judge and Mrs. Henry Ravenscroft Bryan, Major and Mrs. John Barrett Broadfoot Top Row: Henry Bryan Broadfoot, Frances Bryan Broadfoot, William Gillies Broadfoot
Marriage to Sarah Frances Bryan, left side third row down 
1900 Census 
Review of fair when JBB was President 
Officers of the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Captain John B. Broadfoot is third from left on front row 
Death Certificate of JBB 
JBB Obituaries
Broadfoot Family 