Laura Virginia Watt (1839-1911), wife of William M. Braden

Laura Virginia (Watt) Braden (date unknown)

Laura Virginia Watt was born 21 September 1839 in Jefferson, Washington Township, Clinton Co., Indiana.  Her parents were Robert Watt and his wife, Jane.  Family information gives Jane's full maiden name as "Jane McClellan Fagundus," but so far I have not been able to verify this.  Laura was the sixth child (of seven known) born to Robert and Jane Watt.

Laura lived her whole life in the Washington Township area of Clinton Co., Indiana.

The first mention I find of her is in a letter from Sarah (Jenners) Bradfield to her sister, Mary (Jenners) Braden dated 18 December 1844:  "I've got a tin-cup a piece for you and Mrs. Watt give her the one with the work bag in it tell her I took her eleven pence and bought a bag for little Laura and the one with your shawl in is of course for you."

Laura is found on the 1850 census with her parents in Clinton Co., Indiana.  The household is listed as follows:  Robert Watt, age 50, farmer, real estate valued at $1,000, born England; Jane Watt, age 42, born Pennsylvania; Susan Watt, age 17, born IN; James W. Watt, age 15, farmer, born IN; Samuel Watt, age 12, born IN; Laura Watt, age 10, born IN; Sarah Watt, age 9, born IN. 

Laura's mother, Jane, died on 10 June 1857 in Clinton Co., Indiana.  Laura was 18 years old.

She was still living at home with her father when the 1860 census was taken.  The household was listed as follows:  Robert Watt, age 60, farmer, real estate valued at $4,700, born - England; Samuel G. Watt, age 22, farmer, born IN; Laura Watt, age 20, born IN; Sarah Watt, age 18, born IN; John Watt, age 24, laborer, born IN.


On 16 May 1865, Laura married William M. Braden, son of Burr and Mary (Jenners) Braden, in Clinton Co., Indiana.  It was her first marriage and Will's second.  Laura was 25 years old. 


On 14 December 1866, Laura and Will's first child was born:  Mary Jane Braden.  Their son, Robert Floyd Braden, was born 20 July 1868.  Their third child, another son, Alba Ellsworth Braden, was born 27 March 1871.  All of the children were born on the family farm in Washington Township, Clinton Co., Indiana.


The 1870 census lists the family in Clinton Co. as follows:  Braden, Wm, 33, Farmer; Laura 28, ; Mary 3; and Robert 1.  All were born in Indiana.
 
Many letters that Laura received over the years (ca 1875-1907) have been passed down through the family and are currently in our possession.  Most of these letters are from Laura's nieces, Mary and Clara Richards, daughters of Laura's sister, Susan and her husband Samuel Richards.  We don't, however, seem to have any letters written by Laura.

In October 1875, Laura spent some time visiting her sister, Susan, and family in Lafayette, Indiana.  She was away from home long enough that her husband, Will, wrote her a letter informing her about how the family was managing at home.

In June 1893, Laura traveled to Chicago to see the Chicago World's Columbian Exposition (Worlds Fair).  A postcard she sent home to her daughter, Mary, mentions that they will be headed to "the Fair" as soon as it opened that day. 

Another family item we have from this period is an issue of the Chicago Inter-Ocean from 9 October 1893 showing images from the Chicago Fire and the World's Fair.  Here is a (not very good) snapshot of that old newspaper.

I found several examples of this issue on line, so you can get a better look at this interesting piece, if you like.

Old Braden Farmhouse (destroyed by a tornado in the mid 1960s)

At some point during their marriage, Laura and Will built a new home.  That must be what we call the "Old Farmhouse."  My husband remembers it, but it was destroyed by a tornado in the mid 1960s. 

On 15 May 1897, Laura and Will's youngest son, Alba, married Emily Amina Crane. 

The 1900 census shows the family as being Will, Laura, Robert and Mary Jane. 

On 1 April 1907, Laura's husband, William M. Braden, died of pneumonia.  Then on 10 November 1907, Laura's youngest son, Alba E. Braden, died of an "epileptic convulsion;"  he was only 36 years old.

On 14 January 1908, in the Clinton County court in Frankfort, Laura filed a written relinquishment of the right to administer her husband, William's, estate and requested the appointment of their son, Robert F. Braden.  William had died without a will.

On 21 July 1908, Laura wrote and signed her will.

The 1910 census shows son, Robert, as the head of the household which also included Laura and Mary Jane.

Laura Virginia (Watt) Braden died of heart disease on 14 March 1911 at her home on the Braden family farm.  She was 71 years old.  She was buried next to her husband, Will, in Jefferson Cemetery, Clinton Co., Indiana.  


An obituary appeared in an unidentified newspaper that reads:  "Mrs. Braden Passes Away.  The death of Mrs. Laura Braden, widow of William Braden occurred at 7 o'clock Tuesday morning, at the family residence west of Jefferson after an illness of three weeks duration.  Death was due to a complication of ailments.
   Mrs. Braden was a daughter of Robert and Jane Watt and was born near Jefferson on September 21st 1839.  She was married to William Braden in 1865.  She leaves two children, Robert and Mary Braden, at home, also two grandchildren.  One son, Alba Braden, died here in Mulberry a few years ago.  The funeral was held yesterday, Rev. Odell of the Frankfort Presbyterian church conducting the services."

Another obituary from a Frankfort newspaper dated 18 March 1911 reads:  "MRS. LAURA BRADEN ANSWERED SUMMONS [handwritten date on clipping: Mar. 14, 1911] - Aged lady died at home near Jefferson - funeral services tomorrow [2nd clipping says "Thursday"].  -  Mrs. Laura V. Braden died at her home three miles west of Jefferson and about eight miles northwest of this city [Frankfort] yesterday morning about 7 o'clock.  Her death followed an illness of three weeks or so and was due to a complication of diseases, the most marked of which was probably heart trouble.  The deceased, who was seventy-one years of age, was born in Jefferson, September 21, 1839, and was the daughter of Robert and Jane Watt.  She was married May 16, 1865 to William Braden, who died about three years ago.  She resided at the Braden homestead from the time of her marriage until the present time.  She is survived by two children, Robert and Mary J. Braden, both of whom reside at home, and two grand children.   The funeral will be held at the homestead Thursday morning at 10 o'clock.  The services will be in charge of the Rev. A.L. Odell of the Presbyterian church of this city.  The interment will be made in the Jefferson cemetery." 


Laura's will was probated 23 March 1911.  A news article states:  "Will of Mrs. Braden Has Been Probated -- Two Children Receive Equal Shares - Grandchildren Receive $1,000 Each. -- The last will and testament of Laura V.  Braden was probated yesterday in the Clinton Circuit Court.  She bequeathed $1,000 to each of her grandchildren, Laura and William Braden, which they will receive when they reach the age of 21 years.  The residue of her estate goes to her two children, Robert P. [should be "F."] Braden and Mary J. Braden, each receiving an equal share.  Robert F. Braden is named as executor.  The names of Charles Guenther and William Fernald are appended to the document."