This is where the Braden line gets confusing.
I am pretty confident about all I’ve written regarding
the children of Elizabeth Stevens and Robert Braden. And I feel fairly confident about my bio of
Elizabeth. But with Robert Braden, we
get into the realm of ‘Too Many Roberts.’
There are also, too many Joseph Bradens, so that confuses things even
more. For the purposes of this
biography, if I just refer to Robert Braden, I am talking about the Robert who
was born about 1765, married Elizabeth Stevens, and died in 1827. Other Roberts will be identified by their
dates, if I know them.
It is clear, as I review what I have gathered on Robert,
that there is a lot of work to be done here.
There is also too much to include in this blog post.
If I state that something is a guess/clue/conclusion,
etc., please don’t consider it fact. And
as always, my research should only be considered clues for your research. Verify verify verify. We all make mistakes and overlook the
obvious. Please let me know if you see
an error, can clarify anything, or have questions.
Ok. Here we
go. Robert Braden….
Robert Braden was born somewhere on some date to Sarah
(Wright) and Joseph Braden. I have seen
a number of different birth dates suggested for him; I think that about 10 June
1765 is the best guess. Likewise, no
birth place has been confirmed. I think
it most likely that he was born in Loudoun Co., Virginia; Sussex Co., New
Jersey; or somewhere in Pennsylvania, possibly in the Philadelphia area. But I have not been successful in confirming
any of those places as his birthplace. I
have found no primary documents to confirm his birth information. He was probably Sarah and Joseph’s first
born, and he was probably named for Joseph’s father, Robert Braden (or Breden)
(died 1794). Lots of “maybe” and
“probably,” you’ll notice.
The first mention of a Robert Braden I find in Loudoun
Co., Virginia is in a deed dated 22 April 1782 between William McClellon and a
Robert Braden. This is an assignment of
a lease for 300 acres of land in Cameron Parish of Loudoun County for which
Robert paid McClellon 46 pounds. If my
estimated birth date is correct, Robert would have been only 16 years old in
April 1782. That makes me suspect that
perhaps this deed is with his grandfather, Robert (d. 1794) or perhaps his
uncle, Robert (son of Robert d. 1794). I note it here because it is the earliest
confirmed Robert Braden I have found in Loudoun Co., Virginia. If anyone has found something earlier, I’d
like to see it.
Next, according to the Loudoun Deed book, a Robert Braden
witnessed a transaction between John Haddox of Loudoun and Jesse White of
Chester, PA in Loudoun on 9 May 1785.
Again, this could be any of three possible Roberts (that I know
of): Robert (d 1827) who would have been
about 19; Robert (d 1794); or Robert son of Robert (d 1794).
The first appearance in the records that I am fairly
certain is Robert (d. 1827) is on the Loudoun Property Tax Lists for each year
from 1787 through 1792. Joseph Braden is
listed in the First Battalion of Loudoun Co. and a Robert Braden is listed with
him. Since Robert (d. 1827) would be in
his 20s during these years and was not yet married, it is likely to be him
listed with his father, Joseph. It is,
however, possible that this is Robert (d. 1794) listed with his son, Joseph, as
head of household.
On 30 October 1788, Robert Braden, along with his father,
Joseph, and sister, Elizabeth, witnessed the will of John Carr in Loudoun
County. This will was entered into
probate in February 1795, which was after the death of Robert (d. 1794), so it
seems most likely that this is Robert (d. 1827).
The 1793 tax list shows "1793C First Battalion Braden, Robert and Wright, John and Shartel,
John". I have not determined which
Robert or which John Wright this is. I
have not found John Shartel in other Braden documents.
From this point on, I am fairly confident that the Robert
involved is Robert (d. 1827). Unless I
state otherwise, everything took place in Loudoun Co., Virginia.
On 14 May 1793, he was listed as a member of the 56th
Militia: "Robert Braden, Ensign of the Company of the first Battalion to
the fifty sixth Regiment." On 13
July 1793, Robert and his father, Joseph, witnessed the will of Jane Eblen; her
will was entered into probate on 9 September 1793. On 12 August 1793, Robert
witnessed a deed to William Myres for 110 acres adjoining his father’s land.
The 1794 tax list shows Robert in the First Battalion as
head of household. Also in 1794, he
witnessed the will of Thomas Phillips.
This will was entered into probate 17 November 1796.
On 29 January 1795, Robert married Elizabeth Stevens,
daughter of Thomas Darnell Stevens and his wife, Mary Eleanor Webster. They were married by the Rev. John
Littlejohn. Robert was about 29 years
old.
From this point on, Robert was very active in the affairs
of Loudoun County, witnessing many wills and deeds and acting as a
surveyor. In addition, he acted as
executor to many wills and served as guardian to a number of children,
including Fleming Hixon. And he made many purchases of land. There are too many of these deeds, wills, etc.
to list here; the ones listed are just representative. He was also involved in his father’s
mills. For example, in September 1795,
he received payment from the estate of Dr. John Sinclair for “fulling.” He is listed on the 1795 tax list as head of
household in the First Battalion.
On 15 September 1795, Robert purchased two tracts of land
in Loudoun Co. from the Earl of Tankerville.
One tract bordered land owned by his father, Joseph Braden; a detailed
description of the land is given in Deed Book W 174-175. This tract was 119 acres in the Catoctin area
and had formerly been leased by Peter Eblin; it adjoined Peter Eblin's land. The second tract consisted of 128 3/4 acres,
and is described in Deed Book W 177; it was adjoining land owned by his father,
Joseph Braden.
Robert and Elizabeth’s first child, Mary Eleanor, was
born 16 January 1796. She was named for
Elizabeth’s mother, Mary Eleanor (Webster) Stevens.
The 1796 tax list for the First Battalion shows Robert as
head of household with a Robert Kenney listed in his house. He is found in the
First Battalion in 1797, 1798 (with William Copeland), 1799, 1800.
On 4 October 1796, Fleming Patterson purchased a lot in
Waterford, Virginia next to Robert Braden's lot. Fleming Patterson’s grandson, Fleming Hixon,
would later marry Robert’s youngest child, Elizabeth.
On 2 January 1798, a son, Hector Wright Braden, was born
to Robert and Elizabeth. Given the
family’s naming patterns, I have long wondered about this name. The “Wright” is certainly for Robert’s
mother’s maiden name, but what of “Hector?”
So far, this is the first instance of this name I have found in the
family, though it recurs often in succeeding generations. If there is a Hector Wright in his paternal
grandmother’s family, I’d like to find him; it would be a great lead in sorting
out the Wright family.
On 10 April 1798, Joseph Braden deeded to his son,
Robert, 6 acres in Loudoun Co. The late
Loudoun Co. historian, John Divine, wrote, "This is where Robert built (ca
1804-1806) his brick house, still standing at the Crossroads."
On 29 August 1799, Robert bought 25 acres from Thomas
Chapman. About 1800, Robert Braden built
a merchants mill and jointly owned and operated it with his father,
Joseph. It was called Union Mill and was
located on 2 acres with a dwelling house. The mill was built of "Rubble
Stone & Frame" and was located at Unionville. Robert also held a merchant’s license (ca
1800) and was also a farmer.
Robert and Elizabeth’s next child, a son, was born 12
January 1800. They named him Noble Stevens Braden. Stevens was Elizabeth’s
maiden name, so the middle name is understandable, but was there another Noble
in the family? Perhaps Noble and Hector
were named for friends or maybe they just liked the names. It is clear, however, that they don’t fit the
naming patterns seen in the name choices for many of the other children.
About 1800, Robert built a home across
the road from his father, Joseph, and called it "Pleasant Hill" or
“Mont Pleasant.” The house credited as
belonging to Warner family was believed by John Divine (Loudoun Co. Historian)
to have actually been built by Robert Braden on 14 acres in the middle of his
farm which he purchased from George Warner.
The Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission Survey says this about the
house, "property long associated with the Warner family from post
Revolutionary period.... Apparently
built in the early 1800s…."
 |
| Robert Braden called his house "Mont Pleasant." This is how it looked in the mid 1990s. |
Robert is still in the First Battalion
when he appears on the 1801 tax list with a Zingo McNapp in his household. Zingo is still there in 1802 when he is
listed as “Negro Zingo” and in 1803 and 1804.
Robert continued to buy and sell land
as evidenced by multiple deeds and transactions found in the Loudoun deed
books. On 10 May 1802, Joseph
Talbott sold to Robert Braden the plantation where Joseph’s father, Joseph
Talbott, deceased, formerly lived, adjoining Mahlon Janney and in possession of
Joseph’s widow that was devised to Joseph (the son) by his father’s will.
On 27 July 1802, son
Burr was born. I have never found a
second name for Burr; most of his siblings have first and middle names. Nor do we know the origin of his name. Was he named for a neighbor or friend or
family member? Or perhaps for Aaron Burr
who was Vice President of the United States at the time? Or maybe it was a reference to the burr
stones that millers used? This is one
mystery I’d really like to solve, though I have no idea how to solve it.
Robert and his father,
Joseph, insured their Union Mill with the Mutual Assurance Co. for $2,000 in
August 1803. The mill was described as
"Mill one story of stone and one of wood 30 by 31 feet, one pair of Burr
stones, etc." On 11 October 1803,
Robert bought 103 acres “in the Piedmont” from Joseph Lewis, Jr.
On 23 August 1804, a
son, Robert, was born. Again, no second
name has been found for him. It seems
likely he was named for his father and paternal great-grandfather (Robert d. 1794).
On 29 April 1805, Robert purchased fire insurance on his
"dwelling house" called “Mount Pleasant,” located “between the lands
of Joseph Braden and that of George Warner” and valued it at $2,500. The building was described as a brick
dwelling house, two stories, 28 by 35 feet, covered with wood. There was a sketch of the house on the
insurance document. On that same date,
Robert and his father, Joseph, purchased insurance for their “wooden merchant
mill… situated between the houses of Joseph Braden and Robert Braden.” They insured the mill for $2,000 with the
Mutual Assurance Society. The mill was
described as "…two stories 30 by 37 feet - one story is Built of stone."
 |
| Sketch from Mutual Assurance Society papers insuring Mount Pleasant |
Son, William Fenton Braden, was born 24 August
1806. I do not yet know of any apparent
namesakes for William.
Robert is found on the tax lists (First Battalion) for
1806, 1807, 1809, 1810. There are
multiple land deed transactions recorded for Robert during these years.
On 22 June 1809, son Nelson Braden was born. Nelson died 16 February 1810. The only source for the birth of Nelson is
old family history documents handed down through the Braden family. These
documents have proven very reliable, so I believe Nelson is indeed a son of
Robert and Elizabeth who died as an infant.
It would be wonderful to find some primary evidence of his existence,
but so far I have not found any.
On 13 December 1809, Robert was named executor in the
will of his brother-in-law, William Fox.
In his will, William names his heirs as his wife, Mary; and his
children, Mary, Francis, Alfred B., Elizabeth, and Bushrod M. All the children are apparently under age
21. His wife Mary and his
brother-in-law, Robert Braden, are named executors. The will was witnessed by Joseph Braden, Jr.,
Cephus Fox, Charles Bennett, and John Braden.
According to the notes in the Tavenner collection (found at
Thomas Balch Library), Robert was the owner of property that "... included
3 farms (557 acres) + 130 acres timber + mill + 3 houses in Waterford, 1 house
in Hillsboro, 1 house in Snickersville, 1 store in Waterford, 10 slaves;
grantee Catoctin S.Fk 1795 247 acres."
In 1810, Robert and his father, Joseph, were operating a
mill on "Kettoctin Creek" and living near the mill. The 1810 census lists Robert with a household
consisting of 3 males under 10 (born after 1800); 2 males 10-16 (born ca
1795-1800); 1 male 16-26 (born ca 1785-1794); 1 male 45 & up (born before
1765); 2 females 10-16 (born 1795-1800); 1 female 26-45 (1765-1784); 8
slaves.
Robert’s father, Joseph, died sometime between February 1810
(when he wrote his will) and 11 June 1810 (when Joseph’s will was entered into
probate). In his will, Joseph left a
slave, George McPherson, to Robert. On
22 June 1810, at an estate sale of his father’s personal property, Robert
purchased: 1 grind stone, 4 bee gums, 1 wheel barrow, 1 desk, set of old iron,
1 calf, a parcel of old pails[?].
Robert served in the War of 1812 as a major in the 56th
Virginia Militia. He probably served in the Baltimore campaign in 56th Regiment
of Virginia Field & Staff under Col. Timothy Taylor. He seems to have enlisted 25 May 1810 and he
was released in a return dated 1 June 1814.
On 4 August 1810, Robert Braden bought 160 acres in Loudoun
Co. from his brother-in-law Isaac Hough and his sister, Fanny (Braden) Hough.
On 12 October 1810, Peter R. Beverley deeded to Robert
Braden, Thomas D. Stevens, and John Braden, as 'Trustees two acres of land for
the purpose of building a Meeting House or Church and a Burying Ground.' This
became known as Catoctin Free Church....
The oldest gravestone shows a death date of 1808, indicating that there
were burials in the cemetery prior to the conveyance." It was a nondenominational meeting house
that was blown down by a tornado May 7, 1929. This is the cemetery where many
members of Robert’s family are buried.
Several deeds were executed by John, Joseph and Robert
Braden in early February 1811. On 14
February 1811, Joseph Braden (Robert’s brother) and his wife, Mary, sold to
Robert Braden, 1/2 of the mill and 2 1/4 acres of land left to Joseph by their
father, Joseph. In addition, Joseph, Jr. sold land to his other brother, John
Braden.
On 8 May 1811, twins (a boy and a girl) were born to Robert
and Elizabeth. They named them JosephAddison and Sarah Eleanor. Since
Robert’s parents were Joseph and Sarah, it is likely they were named for their
paternal grandparents.
On 11 March 1812, Margaret Wilson Patterson Hixon gave
Robert Braden power of attorney to handle her affairs and duties as executrix
of the estate of her late husband, Timothy Hixon. Margaret and Timothy were the parents of
Fleming Wilson Patterson Hixon who eventually married Robert Braden’s youngest
daughter, Elizabeth.
By April 1813, Robert was serving as a Justice of the Peace
for Loudoun County. He may have been
serving in the capacity earlier, but the first documentation I have is a power
of attorney witnessed on this date and signed “Robert Braden, J.P.”
Robert and Elizabeth’s youngest child, Elizabeth WrightBraden, was born 16 December 1813. She
was probably named for her mother, Elizabeth.
The Wright name was the surname of her paternal grandmother, Sarah.
A note on the children’s names: Robert & Elizabeth named children for
Robert’s parents, for Elizabeth’s mother, and for themselves. What I find surprising is that they did not name
any of their children for Elizabeth’s father, Thomas Darnell Stevens.
In 1814 (exact date not known), Robert was named as one of
the executors of the will of Thomas Darnell Stevens, his father-in-law. On 25 May 1814, Robert and his brother, John,
were named executors of the will of their other brother, Dr. Joseph
Braden.
In May 1815, Robert was unanimously elected president of the
Loudoun Company, which had been organized to form a bank in Waterford.
Between 1816 and 1821, Joseph Eaches, Robert Braden and John
Morgan were in partnership as Braden Morgan & Co. Located on South Fairfax Street in
Alexandria, Virginia, the organization was an importing and exporting company
focused on dry goods and especially fine cloth.
From 1817 until his death, Robert was the owner of the Waterford
Mill. And he apparently had a store,
since the postmaster listed deliveries to “Braden’s Store” in Waterford.
His mother, Sarah, died between the date her will was
written (15 March 1816) and the date it was entered for probate (9 December
1817).
On 27 March 1817, Robert Braden and Josabed White (his
brother-in-law) purchased the Waterford Mill and dwelling house and three lots
adjoining the mill from Emanuel and Catherine Newcommer. This is probably the property now called “Mill
End.”
 |
| House associated with Waterford Mill where Robert Braden lived at his death. Now called "Mill End." |
In May 1818, Robert was appointed as one of the school
commissioners.
On 1 January 1820, the following advertisement appeared
in the Alexandria Gazette:
In the spring of 1821, Robert was elected to represent
Loudoun County in the Virginia House of Delegates. In September 1822, Braden Morgan & Co.
"removed from Fairfax St. to King St., 2 doors west of Paton &
Butchers" and had a "sale of fall goods. Braden Morgan & Co. was located opposite
John Adam, Silversmith. Adam was located
on the south side of King St. in "the house lately occupied by J. & A.
Douglass as a book store."
In his autobiography, Robert Dulaney
wrote, "I remember very well when my grandfather, Robert Braden, took me
in his gig to Leesburg in 1825 to see General Lafayette. There was a tremendous crowd, including many
children, who shook hands with the General."
On 3 February 1825, the following notice appeared in the
Alexandria Gazette:
On 12 July 1825, the following advertisement appeared the
Leesburg newspaper, Genius of Liberty:
"Valuable Property for
rent: The subscribers offer for rent,
that valuable merchant and saw mill situate in the town of Waterford, Loudoun
County, Virginia, together with the dwelling house, now occupied by Robert Braden,
esq. and the one occupied by his miller.
Also, the meadow adjoining the mill, containing about sixty acres, well
set in timothy. A description of the
property is deemed unnecessary, as persons wishing to rent will no doubt view
the premises, which will be shown by R. Braden, Esquire. --- Possession may be had of the meadow
immediately, and of the other property on the first of August next, or sooner
if required. Colvin Auld, W.H.
Miller Trustees of Braden, Morgan &
Co., April 5, 1825 - 13tf."
I wonder if Robert's health was failing at this point, since there are numerous items indicating he was starting to sell off holdings. Also, his son, Hector, was named as the person handling the affairs when Braden Morgan & Co. was dissolved.
On 28 June 1827, Robert wrote his will. There are a number of interesting items in
this will, especially regarding his slaves, so I have included a full transcription. The will reads:
"In the name of God
Amen. I Robert Braden in the County of
Loudoun do make this my last Will and testament as follows;
Viz, First. I give to my beloved Wife Elizabeth Braden
the House and Lot I now live in with the Stable and lot attached to it,
together with all my household and kitchen furniture, Also my Negro Woman
Hannah during her natural life, and at her death to be sold and divided as my
other property, except my Negro Woman Hannah, which is to be emancipated on the
same terms as my other slaves, and I do further direct that my executors pay to
my wife Elizabeth the sum of three hundred Dollars annually for her support
during her natural life --
I give to my son Hector W Braden the
sum of five hundred Dollars to be paid to him by my Exec. after my debts are
paid -
I have advanced to my son Burr Braden,
including Negro man Ned which I hereby give to him, about two thousand Dollars,
and about the same sum to my son in law Zachariah Dulaney who married my
daughter Mary E Braden - which I think will probably be their proportional part
of my estate - The said Dulaney to be discharged from the payment of all the
debts I have of him both note and Book, provided the said Dulaney is willing to
pay up any accounts he may have agt me, but if he is not willing to come into
that arrangement, then my notes and accounts stand open against him, him to
have credit for whatever share will be allotted to each of my children when a
division of my estate takes place -
My will is, and I hereby direct my
executors hereafter named to sell all my property both real and personal
(excepting my slaves) whenever they shall think it most advantageous to the
estate and to my heirs giving such credits as the situation of my debts will
admit of after making provision for my wife as before stated for her support
and payment of all my just Debts and paying to each of my Daughters Sarah and
Elizabeth the sum of one hundred Dollars per year until they arrive at the age
of twenty one or should marry or until a division of my estate takes place,
then they are to draw the interest of whatever dividend may be allotted to them
in lieu of the hundred Dollars until they arrive at the age of twenty one, at
which time they are to receive their dividend of my estate should it have been
made at that time, and I do further direct that if the sum left after the
payment of Debts and the provision for my wife and Daughters will admit, that a
dividend shall be made, and that I hereby give to my son Noble S Braden the sum
of two thousand Dollars, to my son Robert Braden Jr one thousand Dollars
allowing that his education has cost me one thousand Dollars, to my son Wm
Fenton Braden two thousand Dollars, to my son Joseph Adison [sic] Braden two
thousand Dollars, to my Daughter Sarah Braden two thousand Dollars, and to my
Daughter Elizabeth Braden two thousand Dollars to them and their heirs and
assigns forever --
But should the balance of my estate
after payment of my debts not be sufficient to make the dividend of two
thousand Dollars as aff. they are to be reduced in a Just proportion - But the
balance be more than sufficient to make the dividend of two thousand Dollars,
the balance over the $2000 each is to be equally divided between all my
children, Viz, Mary E Dulaney, Hector W Braden, Noble S Braden, Burr Braden,
Robert Braden Jr, Wm Fenton Braden, Jos Add.sn Braden, Sarah Braden and
Elizabeth Braden ---
My will is and I hereby direct that my
slaves shall have their freedom as soon after my decease as provision shall be
made to transport them to Africa or Haytai [sic], but it is to be understood to
be the express provision that they consent to and are actually transported to
one of the before mentioned places, - But should they or any of them refuse to
be transported as affs. they all or such of them as refuse to go are to be
valued by three disinterested persons and equally divided between all my
children heretofore named - a conveyance
which may be made by my executors to be rated and good in Law --
And lastly I do hereby appoint my sons
Noble S Braden & Burr Braden, Executors to this my last will and testament
revoking all others by me made - In
witness whereof I have hereunto set my had and seal this 28th day of June one
thousand eight hundred & twenty seven 1827
R Braden seal
At a court held for Loudoun County,
the 10th day of December 1827 a writing purporting to be the last will and
Testament of Robert Braden decd was produced in court by Noble S Braden one of
the Executors therein named, and there being no subscribing witnesses thereto,
Richard H Henderson & Wm Jenners were sworn and severally deposed that they
were well acquainted with the Testators hand writing, and verily believe the
said writing and the name thereto subscribed to be wholly in the testators own
hand. Whereupon the said writing is
ordered to be recorded as the last will and testament of the said Robert Braden
decd And at another day to wit, at a
Court [intended?] and held on the 11th Day of December in the year aforesaid On this motion of Noble S Braden one of the
executors therein named made oath as Executor and thereupon together with Jno
Braden & John Wright his securities entered unto and acknowledged a bond in
the penalty of forty thousand Dollars conditioned according to Law Certificate is granted him for obtaining a
probate thereof in due form. And at
another day to wit at a Court held for the County aforesaid the 11th Day of
February 1828 Burr Braden one of the Executors named in the last will and testament
of Robert Braden decd came unto Court and refused to Join in the probate of
said will, and therefore the said Noble S Braden together with John Braden
& John Wright his securities entered into and acknowledged a bond in the
penalty of forty thousand Dollars conditioned according to Law, certificate is
granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form. Teste
A[?] Binns"
On 8 October 1827, the following was entered in Loudoun
Co. Minute Book 8, page 307: "A deed of Emancipation from Robert Braden to
Alle and her daughter Susan was presented to the Court & proved by the
Oaths of David Shawen and Noble S. Braden & ordered to be recorded."
Robert Braden died on 14 November 1827. He was about 62 years old. He was buried in Catoctin Free ChurchCemetery, the cemetery he help purchase the land to create. His tombstone reads "In Memory of Robert
Braden who Dept.d this life Nov.r 14th, 1827, Aged 62 Yr, 5 mo.s and 4
days. Reader pause and with a tear Honor
worth that's buried here." A notice
of his death appeared in the Genius of Liberty on 24 November 1827.
From various estate documents, I have found the
following names of individuals who were Robert’s slaves at the time of his
death and were therefore emancipated if they agreed to be transported to
Liberia or Haiti (for more on these individuals, see Loudoun Co. Slave Information:
Hannah (not freed
until after his wife, Elizabeth’s death),
Mariah Oliver,
John Oliver,
Helen
Oliver,
Samuel Oliver,
Harrison Oliver,
Emily,
and George McPherson.
On 7 January 1830, the following story was published
in The Evening Post (New York, New York) (page 2) which stated: "On Friday last, according to the
Washington City Chronicle, thirty-two people of colour, twenty-five of whom
were manumitted slaves, sailed from Washington to Norfolk to embark in the
Liberia, which has been chartered by the Auxiliary Colonization Society, for
the purpose of taking a number of emigrants to Africa. - Most of the manumitted
slaves belonged to the late Maj. Robert Braden, of Waterford, Loudon (sic)
County, Va., and were directed by his will to be liberated on the express
condition of their being transported, with their own consent, either to Liberia
or Hayti. Five slaves had also been
emancipated by Mr. Braden's brother, in order that they might accompany their
relatives and friends to Liberia, and three others, relatives to the emigrants,
by three other humane individuals."
The following appeared 9 January 1830
in the Leesburg, Virginia, newspaper, The Genius of Liberty:
"In our last number we mentioned
the passage through this town of certain manumitted slaves, destined for
Liberia. - The Washington city Chronicle has received the following
information, from the two gentlemen that accompanied them, which we take great
pleasure in transferring in our columns..
'Major Robert Braden, of Waterford,
Loudoun County, Virginia, anxious to emancipate his slaves, yet convinced that
in this country they could never enjoy the privileges and immunities of
citizens, directed by his will that all of them should be liberated, on the
express condition that they should, with their own consent be transported
either to Liberia or Hayti. To their
removal to Hayti there were strong objections, arising from the wide difference
between the habits, manners and language of that island and those prevailing in
out land, and from the dissimilar, and (as it was thought) unsettled character
of the government; and , consequently, every argument has been used to induce
these servants to emigrate to Liberia. - Their ignorance, attachment to the
family of their late master, apprehensions of danger, a partiality for the
place of their birth, have rendered them for some time reluctant to accept the
privilege secured to them by the benevolence of their late proprietor.
John Braden, Esq. (the brother of
Major Robert Braden) impelled by a sincere desire to confer blessings on those
entrusted to his care, has imitated the noble example of his brother and given
freedom to five slaves, that they might accompany their friends and relatives
to Liberia.
Dr. Albert Heaton and Mr. Townsend
Heaton each, cheerfully emancipated a valuable servant (one of which was the
husband of a female in the company) that they might be spared a separation from
their friends and be delivered from the darkness and degradation of
slavery. With similar general views a
man servant was liberated by Mr. Samuel B. Harris.
Various useful articles were
contributed by the liberal citizens of Loudoun, who were acquainted with these
people, and they are supplied with clothing for many months after their
arrival. The whole company are highly
recommended for their industrious and correct moral habits, and will doubtless
prove a valuable acquisition to the colony.'
The proposed emigrants to Liberia,
above spoken of, consist of thirty-two persons and are, with about one hundred
others, to proceed to their place of destination in a brig of the same name,
now lying at Norfolk, and expressly chartered for the purpose by the Auxiliary
Colonization Society of Pennsylvania."
Robert’s estate was apparently large and complex. Noble was still serving as executor and
disposing of property as late as July 1850.
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