Author Archives: bropubco

When Shepard Bryan Broadfoot was born on December 19, 1924, his father, William, was 36 and his mother, Elizabeth, was 29. In 2009, Bryan released his autobiography, My Life As I Rember It. Throughout this post, direct passages from his book are used as he tells his own story the best. “I started my life,Continue reading “Shepard Bryan Broadfoot, 1924 – 2011”

When Mary Burnham Bason was born on February 17, 1920, in Ithaca, New York, her father, George Francis Bason, was 32, and her mother, Mary Isabel Reuther, was 28. Over the next several years, Mary became a big sister to Johnsie (1921), Frances (1923) and George (1931). She married William Gillies Broadfoot on April 1,Continue reading “Mary Burnham Bason Broadfoot 1920-2005”

Just two months shy of their first wedding anniversary, William (30) and Lizzie (22) welcomed baby boy, William (Billy) Gillies Broadfoot, Jr. into the world on August 17, 1918 in Selma, North Carolina. By March of 1919, the family had moved to Wilmington and Broadfoot Iron Works was incorporated in March of 1919. Another son,Continue reading “William Gillies Broadfoot, Jr. 1918-2000”

When Elizabeth “Lizzie” Avera Winston was born on August 29, 1895, in Raleigh, North Carolina, her father, Moses, was 41, and her mother, Mary, was 31. She spent her early years in Selma, NC. At age 10, her father named The Lizzie Cotton Mill in Raleigh, NC in her honor. Unfortunately, at age 16, Lizzie’sContinue reading “Elizabeth “Lizzie” Avera Winston Broadfoot 1895-1991″

When William Gillies Broadfoot was born on December 27, 1887, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, his father, Major John Barrett Broadfoot, was 27 and his mother, Sarah Frances Bryan, was 25. WGB attended North Carolina Agricultural and Mechanic Arts College and graduated in the class of 1907 at the age of 20. From there, he movedContinue reading “William Gillies Broadfoot 1887-1961”

When Sarah Frances Bryan was born on March 29, 1862, her father, Henry, was 26, and her mother, Mary, was 21. She married Major John Barrett Broadfoot on October 15, 1885, in New Bern, North Carolina. They had four children during their marriage: Mary Norcott, 1886-1972, William Gillies, 1887-1961, Frances Bryan, 1890-1960, and Henry Bryan,Continue reading “Sarah Frances Bryan Broadfoot 1862–1950”

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, FrancesContinue reading “Major John Barrett Broadfoot 1860-1931”

When William Gillies Broadfoot was born on March 5, 1806, in Amelia, Virginia, his father, Charles, was 31 and his mother, Purify, was 26. He married Frances Rebecca Wetmore on February 3, 1842, in Cumberland, North Carolina. They had ten children in 23 years. Charles Wetmore 1842-1919, William Wilson 1843-1864, George Badger 1844-1885, Thomas WetmoreContinue reading “William Gillies Broadfoot 1806 – 1872”

Charles Broadfoot was born on AUGUST 17, 1774 in Pustrie, Wigtownshire, Scotland. Based on information from Hometown Heritage, by Lucille Johnson, Charles emigrated to the United States via Petersburg with two business friends, Freeland and Gillies in 1787. **Note: This is where the Gillies name becomes part of our family story. Charles settled in AmeliaContinue reading “Charles Broadfoot 1774-1833, Coming to America”

When Andrew Broadfoot (Broadfute) was born on March 1, 1729, in Isle of Whithorn, Cutoloy, Wigtownshire, Scotland, his father, David, was 54 and his mother, Grizall, was 36. His baptism is recorded in the Parochial Register of Whithorn Parish. He married May Conning in 1750 in Wigtown, Wigtownshire, Scotland. They had ten children in 31Continue reading “Andrew Broadfoot 1729-1802, son of David and Grizall”