Dr. Robert Braden 1804 – 1833

Dr. Robert Braden was born on 23 August 1804, in Loudoun Co., Virginia. His parents were Robert Braden (d. 1827) and Elizabeth (Stevens) Braden.

He was still in Loudoun Co. in 1824 when he signed a petition regarding flour prices along with many other Waterford area residents on 6 May 1824 in Waterford.

He was educated at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he received his undergraduate degree in 1827 and his MD degree in 1828. The subject of his graduate essay was “Remittent Bilious Fever.”

He was named as an heir in the will of his father, Robert, dated 28 June 1827 in Loudoun Co., Virginia. He inherited $1,000 because his father had already paid $1,000 for his education. His father died on 14 November 1827 in Waterford, Loudoun Co., Virginia.

On 18 January 1828 in Loudoun Co., Virginia, at a sale of his father's personal property, Robert bought "one silver patent-lever watch."

On 23 February 1828, Robert's brother, Noble, as executor of their father, Robert's, estate, paid $175 for boarding Robert Jr. in Philadelphia.

In September 1828, John Braden (Robert’s uncle) paid Dr. Robert Braden $9.75 for a medical account on the estate of Joseph Braden.

In the Fall of 1828, he left Loudoun Co., Virginia, and moved "to the southwest." We find him in 1830 in Natchez, Mississippi. From 18 August 1830 to 4 March 1831, Robert reported deaths to Natchez, Mississippi's Sextons Records and City Clerks Records.

On 6 March 1833, Robert was mentioned in letter from his brother, Hector, to his sister, Elizabeth. Hector said that Robert has not been heard from and that he hoped that Robert was in Virginia. In a letter dated 19 April 1833, Robert's brother, Burr, mentioned that he had heard from Robert recently (for the first time since fall 1832). Robert was living in Vicksburg, Mississippi, but was planning to return to Loudoun Co., Virginia.

However, only a month later, Robert died of cholera. He died on 18 May 1833 in Mississippi, at age 28. According to the Natchez Courier newspaper of May 1833, he died at the office of Dr. Harrison in Natchez. According to various obituaries, he died in Vicksburg.

An obituary appeared 22 Jun 1833 in the Genius of Liberty, Leesburg, Loudoun Co., Virginia: 

"DIED, of the cholera, on the 18th of May, in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Dr. ROBERT BRADEN, In the 29th year of his age. -- The deceased was a son of the late Major R. Braden, of this county. The melancholy intelligence of his premature death is deeply afflictive to his numerous friends, by whom no one was more admired and beloved. -- Dr. B. was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, and emigrated to the south-west in the fall of 1828. -- His death has deprived the society of which he was a member, of one whose early promise gave the most flattering hopes of his future usefulness, and distinction, in an honourable profession. --[Commun." 

Several other obituaries and death notices have been found, but none give any additional information.

So far, his burial place has not been found. 

His estate was probated in Warren Co., Mississippi. The administrator of the estate was Daniel P. Harrison. The inventory of his estate lists mostly books and clothing, but there is also a violin, a silver patent lever watch (probably the one he bought at his father’s estate sale), a box of jewelry, a portrait, and a skeleton.

In a letter dated 16 April 1834, from Robert's brother, Noble, to their sister, Elizabeth, Noble wrote, 

"I received this week through Dr. Washington who has recently returned from Vicksburg a small box containing the jewelry that belonged to our lamented brother, Robert, and which he desired shortly previous to his death should be sent to you. Dr. Harrison forwarded this box to me and informed me that other articles which were designed for Addison and myself would be sent by him in a few days to Pittsburgh and amongst them I presume will be found poor Robert's portrait which he also desired should be given to you."

Mysteries: 
Did Robert die in Vicksburg or Natchez? 
Where is he buried? 
Did his portrait make it to Elizabeth and if so, might it be found among the missing Fenton family papers (missing papers to be addressed in another post)? 


Copyright 2015 Sue Beach.

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