Noble Stevens Braden was born 12 January 1800 in Loudoun Co., Virginia. His parents were Robert and Elizabeth (Stevens) Braden. The family lived in the Waterford area.
The first that I have found Noble is when he (along with Zachariah Dulaney) witnessed his grandmother’s will. Sarah (Wright) Braden’s will is dated 15 March 1816.
One interesting note about Noble is that when we visited Waterford in the mid-1990s, there was a note written on an upstairs wall in a house outside Waterford, Virginia formerly owned by Robert Braden. It said "Mary Eleanor Dulaney Pamela Andrews Fox When this you see think of me N S Braden"; Mary Eleanor was Noble’s older sister; Pamela Andrews Fox was his first cousin (daughter of his father’s sister, Elizabeth who married Bartleson Fox). We can date this note to probably about 1815 or 1816 because Mary Eleanor married Zachariah Dulaney sometime after 1814 and before 1818 and Pamela Andrews Fox probably died in 1816.
The next item I’ve found for Noble is that on 26 February 1823, Zachariah Dulaney and Noble were named as trustees for Samuel Hough, Jr. on a deed of trust with Thomas Donaldson for a woolen mill property in Loudoun Co., Virginia.
On 10 May 1824, Noble purchased a lot in Waterford from his father, Robert, for $500.
On 28 June 1827, Noble and his brother, Burr, were named as the executors in their father’s will. Robert died on 14 November 1827. His will was entered into probate 11 December 1827.
Noble appears on the personal property tax list in 1828 in the First District of Loudoun County. There are a number of entries in the probate records during 1828 that show Noble dealing with his father’s estate, including an entry on 7 May 1828 stating that he had paid $19.25 for tombstones. One would probably have been for his father. And on 14 November 1828, he noted paying A. S. Anderson $30 for a coffin.
On 28 May 1828, Noble married Elizabeth Williams, daughter of John and Lydia (Neill) Williams. The following appeared in the Genius of Liberty, published Sat., May 31, 1828: "MARRIED Mr. NOBLE S. BRADEN to Miss ELIZABETH WILLIAMS, both of Waterford, Wed. May 28 by Re. Septimus Tusten." Rev. Tusten was pastor of the Leesburg Presbyterian Church.
Elizabeth was a Quaker and a member of the Fairfax Monthly Meeting in Waterford. Noble was not. Elizabeth, therefore, married "out of unity," meaning she married someone who was not a Quaker. This was severely frowned upon by the Society of Friends.
The Fairfax Monthly Meeting of Women Friends held a meeting "the 12th of the 11th month 1828." During that meeting, a complaint was made against Elizabeth (Williams) Braden for "accomplishing her marriage contrary to discipline, with a man not in membership with friends." Two members of the meeting, Elizabeth Steer and Rachel Phillips, were appointed to visit Elizabeth about the matter and report back at the next meeting.
At a meeting held "the 10th of the 12th month 1818," the ladies who had visited Elizabeth reported that "she appeared very desirous of retaining her right of membership and willing to make any acknowledgment her friends required. The meeting expressed a willingnes that she should be at liberty to forward an acknowledgment." Beulah Janney was appointed to inform Elizabeth of the meeting's decision.
At a meeting of the Fairfax Monthly Meeting of Women held "the 14th of the 1st month 1829," it was noted that Elizabeth had "produced an acknowledgment which was satisfactory and Susan Walker was appointed to inform her thereof." (Thanks to Marty Hiatt, CG, for providing me with this information from the Fairfax Monthly Meeting records.)
After going through all that with the Friends, Elizabeth and Noble were only married 10 months. Elizabeth (Williams) Braden died 13 March 1829 in Waterford.
In a letter dated 5 July 1829 from Sarah Hough in Waterford, to Noble's sister-in-law, Mary (Jenners) Braden, in Indiana, Sarah refers to "Noble's great loss" and indicates that he is again living with his mother, Elizabeth in Waterford. This statement is tied to a mention of the death of Mary (Braden) Dulaney, wife of Zachariah Dulaney and sister of Noble. Sarah's statement apparently refers to the death of Elizabeth, Noble's first wife, and suggests that she may have died in childbirth. Sarah mentions that Elizabeth died 11 days after her "confinement." Elizabeth (Williams) Braden is buried in the Fairfax Friends Cemetery in Waterford.
In 1829, there are again several probate records showing Noble’s work as executor of his father’s estate and he appears on the personal property tax list in the First District of Loudoun County.
On 2 January 1830, Noble (as executor of Robert Braden) advertised the following sale of land in The Genius of Liberty: "LAND FOR SALE. -- Will Be Offered, at public sale, on Friday, the 29th day of January instant, in the town of Waterford, a TRACT OF LAND, containing about 160 acres situate about 2 1/2 miles north of Waterford, in the county of Loudoun, adjoining the lands of Samuel Hough, and others -- This land is in a good state of cultivation, with a sufficiency of timber, and well watered. - A particular description is considered unnecessary. TERMS: -- One-third on the 1st April next, the balance in two equal annual payments, secured by a deed of trust. The land will be shown by the subscriber, living in Waterford, or by Mr. Daniel Cooper, adjoining said farm. -- Sale to take place at 5 o'clock, P.M. N.S. Braden, Executor of R. Braden, deceased. January 2, 1830 -- 52 ts"
As part of Robert Braden’s will, he freed any of his slaves that agreed to go to either Haiti or Liberia. In January, 1830, Noble accompanied the group of freed slaves from the Loudoun Co. area to Hampton Roads and Norfolk. The brig Liberia sailed from Norfolk, Virginia, on 15 January 1830 taking the freed blacks to Liberia as colonists.
In February 1831, Noble’s mother, Elizabeth (Stevens) Braden died.
The following ad appeared in The Genius of Liberty on 24 December 1831: "Waterford Clover Mill. -- The subscriber's Clover Mill is now in complete order, and ready for the reception of seed. The additions lately made to the mill house will enable him to take in any quantity of seed that may be sent. Noble S. Braden. Dec. 24, 1831. -- 51 4t"
Throughout the 1830s and 1840s Noble continued to manage the probate process for his father’s estate. There are too many of these entries to include them all here. There seems to have been no real hurry to close the estate; the last probate entry that I have recorded was 20 July 1850, more than 22 years after Robert’s death. Several of Robert’s heirs had died by this time.
In the summer of 1832, Zachariah Dulaney (who was now a widower) left Virginia. He left behind at least two of his children. Noble took them into his household to raise.
On 9 January 1834, Noble married Mary Ann Pusey, daughter of Joshua and Mary (Nixon) Pusey. A marriage notice published in the Virginia Free Press reads, "Married - On Thursday, Jan. 9, by Rev. Dorsey, Noble S. Braden, of Harper's Ferry, Va. to Mrs. Mary Ann Pusey, daughter of Joshua Pusey, of Loudoun County, Va."
On 16 May, 1834, Noble wrote the following letter to his sister, Elizabeth Braden:
"Harpers Ferry 16 th May 1834.
My Dear Sister,
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 & 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.
Your Bro Noble S. Braden
P.S. We shall be over on Sunday. I also enclose a number of letters rec'd yesterday from Addison at the hand of Mr. White who was here this morning from Washington. He may possibly return thru Waterford the latter part of next week. N.S.B."
Noble and Mary Ann’s first known child was born about 1836. Mary Elizabeth Braden was probably named for her grandmothers.
The 1836 personal property tax list shows Noble S. Braden in Loudoun’s First District. Sometime about 1836 – 1837, Noble was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates. On the personal property tax lists for 1837, 1838, 1839, and 1840, Noble is listed in Loudoun’s First District in conjunction with a free black man named Alfred Wright.
In 1839, Noble’s brother-in-law, Fleming Hixon, wrote his will and named Noble as the executor for his property in Virginia. Noble’s brother, Hector, was named executor of the property Fleming owned in Florida.
Noble is found on the 1840 federal census in the First District of Loudoun Co. The household included 1 male 10-15, 1 male 40-50, 1 female under 5, 1 female 10-15, 1 female 20-30. Also listed were the following "free colored persons:" 1 male under 10, 1 male 10-24, 1 male 24-36, 2 females 10-24. The boy and girl aged 10-15 were probably the two younger children of Mary (Braden) & Zachariah Dulaney: Mary and Charles.
On 1 July 1840, Noble and Mary Ann’s son, Flavius P. Braden, was born. Flavius died on 22 March 1842, aged 1 year, 8 months, 26 days. He was buried at Catoctin Free Church Cemetery.
On 9 June 1842, another son was born. He died 11 days later and was not named; he was buried at Catoctin Free Church Cemetery.
In October 1843, a son, Robert Pusey Braden, was born.
In October 1845, a son, Joshua Pusey Braden, was born.
On 18 January 1848, a daughter, Jeannette Theresa Braden, was born.
In June 1849, Noble was involved in the founding of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Loudoun County. The following notice was published in an unidentified Loudoun Co., Virginia newspaper on 15 June 1849: "To the public Notice is hereby given that the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Loudoun County has been organized by the adoption of a constitution and by-laws and by the appointment of the proper officers; and that they are now ready to receive applications for insurance. Daniel G. Smith, Washington Vandevanter, Joshua Pusey, Geo. D. Smith, Henry T. Gover, Nathan Walker, Henry Russell, Samuel C. Luckett, Sanford T. Ramey, Robert L. Wright, S.B.T. Caldwell, Noble S. Braden, and R.J.T. White, are appointed surveyors any two of whom when called on will pay the necessary attention to applications. Persons desiring information may obtain it by calling on the President Nathan Walker, or on the secretary, William Williams. June 15 - tf"
In September 1849, a daughter, Sarah Gertrude Braden, was born.
The 1850 census shows Noble’s household as: Noble, age 50, farmer, real estate valued at $38,000, born Va; Mary, age 36, born Va; Mary age 14, born Va; Robt, age 8, born Va; Janet age 3, born Va; Gurtrude, age 1, born Va (listed as male); Betsy Delaney, age 28, born Va; Eliza Russell, 23, born NY.
On 15 March 1851, Robert Pusey Braden died. He was buried at Catoctin Free Church Cemetery outside Waterford.
On 16 April 1851, Sarah Gertrude Braden died. She was buried at Catoctin Free Church Cemetery.
In October 1851, a son, Noble S. Braden, was born.
On 4 December 1851, Joshua Pusey Braden died. The following death notice appeared in the Loudoun Chronicle on 26 December 1851: "DIED At Eudora, on Thursday the 4th inst. JOSHUA PUSEY, son of Noble S. & Mary A. Braden, aged six years." He was buried at Catoctin Free Church Cemetery.
Son, Noble S. Braden, died 21 August 1853 of dysentery. He was buried at Catoctin Free Church Cemetery.
In May 1855, Noble was elected to the Virginia Senate.
The following story appeared in the Richmond Dispatch (Richmond, Virginia) on 27 June 1856: "SINGULAR AFFAIR. - Three weeks ago, says the Chambersburg (Pa.) Spirit, a negro arrived here with a white woman and little boy. He left the next day, leaving behind him a horse and buggy. A few days ago, a gentleman named Noble S. Braden, who said he was from Loudoun County, Va., called upon the landlord and claimed the horse as property of his father-in-law, to whom also the said negro belonged. The carriage is owned by somebody else in Loudoun county. Both horse and carriage were delivered to Mr. Braden, who obligated himself to restore them to their owners. Mr. B. exhibited some feeling against the woman, but did not seem inclined to give much information concerning her."
On 21 August 1856, Noble and Mary had a daughter, Florence May Braden. Florence was the last of the nine known children of Noble and Mary Ann. Six of those nine died as children. Only three daughters, Mary Elizabeth, Jeannette, and Florence, lived to adulthood.
On 20 May 1859, the Richmond Whig & Public Advertiser published the following notice: "Married - At Enders on May 18, by Rev. Thos. A. Ware, Henry Pettus, of --- County, to Miss Mary Elizabeth, dau. of Noble R. Braden of ---- County." This should read Henry Peyton, not Pettus.
The 1860 federal census for Loudoun Co., Virginia listed Noble’s family in the Waterford area. The household was listed as having 2 families. The information given is: Noble S. Braden, 60, male, Farmer, real estate valued at $9000, personal estate valued at $21,000; Mary A. Braden, 46, female; Jeannette S. Braden, 12, female; Florence M. Braden, 6, female; Henry E. Peyton, 26, male, farmer; Mary E. Peyton, 23, female. Also listed were two black laborers, Jno (18, male) and Pollie (24, female).
In 1862, the following people from Noble’s household were listed as parishoners of St. James Episcopal Church, Leesburg, Virginia: "Mr. & Mrs. Noble Braden of Eudora, Jeanette Braden, Florence Braden, Miss Lizzie Dulany of Eudora, Mr. & Mrs. Henry E Peyton of Eudora and Winston Beauregarde Peyton of Eudora."
On 24 August 1865, Noble signed a Confederate application for a presidential pardon from President Andrew Johnson in which he swore to uphold the U.S. Constitution.
In January 1866, Mary Ann (Pusey) Braden died. Her tombstone says she died on January 18; her obituary says January 17. She was 52 years old. She is buried in Catoctin Free Church Cemetery. A death notice appeared in the Alexandria Gazette on 21 February 1866: "DIED. At Eudora, in Loudoun county, on the 17th day of January, Mrs. MARY ANN BRADEN, wife of Noble S. Braden, esq."
In July 1866, Noble is listed on the tax list as living in Waterford, and he was charged tax on a watch.
On 12 January 1869, Noble made a will that he later revoked. He wrote a new will dated 12 October 1870 in which he left his property to his three surviving daughters: Mary E. Braden Peyton, Jeanette S. Braden, and Florence M. Braden. He specifically directed that his library and bookcases, as well as his "old china ware," NOT be sold, but be divided among his daughters. He left his silver and plated ware to his daughter, Florence; left his "double barreled gun" to Robert Braden, son of Rodney Braden; and he left his gold watch to Robert D. Fenton, son of his niece, Bettie Fenton (daughter of Elizabeth W. Braden and Fleming Hixon). He also apparently owned land in Iowa at time he made his will. The executor of his will was William C. Shawen.
On the 1870 census, the family is just Noble and his daughters, Jeanette, Florence, and Mary E. Peyton. It is not clear where Mary E.’s husband and son are.
Noble’s home Eudora was located on route 9 about a mile past where route 704 crosses it. There is a stone wall on the north side of the road. The old house burned down about 1910.
Noble Stevens Braden died at his home, Eudora Farm, on 19 July 1871. He was 71 years old and the last surviving child of the ten children born to his parents, Robert and Elizabeth Braden. He was buried near his wife, Mary Ann, and children in Catoctin Free Church Cemetery, not far from his home.
An obituary appeared on 27 July 1871 in the Alexandria Gazette: "OBITUARY: The intelligence of the death Mr. NOBLE S. BRADEN, who has been in declining health for many months, will be received with painful regret by his many friends in Loudoun, and his acquaintances in the State. Mr. B. was a gentleman of fine business talent, and possed a fund of intelligence which rendered him through life a most valuable and useful citizen. For many years a magistrate of Loudoun county, and Presiding Justice of the County Court, he was identified with the most responsible business interests of the people, and discharged every trust confided to him to the entire satisfaction of the public. In May, 1855, he was elected by a large majority to represent the county of Loudoun in the Senate of Virginia, where he won the approval of his constituents and gained the confidence and esteem of the body of which he was a member. In public, as in private life, every responsibility was discharged by him with a conscientious regard to the duty of the officer and the citizen. He attained the venerable age of seventy-two years, and died beloved and esteemed by all who knew him. --[Lees. Wash."
His will was probated 14 August 1871 in Loudoun Co., Virginia.
The children of Noble Stevens Braden and Mary Ann Pusey Braden:
Mary Elizabeth Braden, born ca 1836; died 1878; married Henry Peyton.
Flavius R. Braden, born 1840; died 1842.
unnamed son Braden, born 1842; died 1842.
Robert Pusey Braden, born ca 1843; died 1851.
Joshua Pusey Braden, born ca 1845; died 1851.
Jeannette Theresa Braden, born 1848; died 1914; married Eugene F. Raphel.
Sarah Gertrude Braden, born ca 1849; died 1851.
Noble Stevens Braden, Jr., born ca 1851; died 1853.
Florence May Braden, born 1856; died 1910. Did not marry.
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