A certified hand written copy dated 16th July 1858 of the last Will & Testament of Thomas Branson of Portsea, Hampshire:

This is the last Will and Testament of me Thomas Branson of Clarenden Place, Southsea in the parish of Portsea, in the county of Southampton, Shipwright. I give all messuages, lands, tenements and hereditaments which I may be possessed of, interest in or a power of disposition over at the time of my decease with their appertenances to my dear wife Sarah Branson for her life if she so long confined my widow and on her decease or marrying again I give the same messuages and tenements unto my son and daughter William Brown Branson and Mary Ann Branson equally share and share alike.

I give all my household goods, furniture, plate, linen and china, ready monies and all other my personal estate unto my dear wife absolutely.

I appoint George Perfect of Hyde Park Road in the said Parish, Chemist and John Parsons, a layer of rope makers in Her Majesty's Dockyard, these Executors of this my Will dated this sixteenth day of July in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty Eight.

Signed - Thomas Branson

Signed by the said Testator Thomas Branson in our joint presence and we hereby in his and each others Attest and Subscribe the Will.
George Perfect, Hyde Park Road, Landport

Wills 1859
Effects under £100, 4 July
The Will of Thomas Branson late of Clarendon-place Southsea in the Parish of Portsea in the County of Southampton Shipwright deceased who died 30 November 1858 at Clarendon-place aforesaid was proved at Winchester by the oaths of George Perfect of Hyde Park-road in the said Parish Chemist and Joseph Parsons of Portsea aforesaid a Layer of Ropemakers in Her Majesty's Dockyard there the Executors.

Thomas Branson was baptised in St. Andrew's Church, Auckland, Durham, England on 19 March 1813. His parents were Lancelot and Elizabeth Branson. He was married to Sarah Brown in Bishop-Wearmouth, Durham, England on 24 July 1836 and died in Southampton on 30 November 1858.

The son William Brown Branson married Emily Earl at Alverstoke, Hampshire, England on 04 May 1861.
William and his wife Emily were the parents of Florence Emily Earl Branson who was baptised on 21 November 1862 in St. Mary, Southampton, Hampshire, England.