This generation of Bradens is far enough in the past that records become harder to find and sort out. Unless there are church, cemetery, or Bible records, you mostly have to rely on land records, court documents, and wills. That is what I am facing as I search for this generation of Bradens. Any clues appreciated!
Sarah (or Sally) Braden, daughter of Joseph Braden and his wife, Sarah Wright, was probably born in the early to mid 1780s since she married Thomas Lacey about 1807 or 1808 in Loudoun Co., Virginia. Her father named her in his will (dated February 1810) as his daughter, "Sally Lacy."
I have a note that says Sally and Thomas were married by the Rev. John Mines.
Thomas Lacey may have been the Thomas named in Fairfax Monthly Meeting records of July 1792. If so, his father was also Thomas Lacey and he had brothers William and James. The records imply that Thomas (the father) was deceased and the three sons, who were all minors, needed "care." I need to do more research to be certain that this is the correct Lacey family.
I have found no children for Sally and Thomas.
Sarah's father, Joseph Braden, died between 27 February 1810 (date of his will) and 11 June 1810 (date of probate). On 22 June 1810, at the estate sale of the property of Joseph Braden (Thomas's father-in-law), Thomas bought: 1 broad axe, 2 barrels, 2 barrels & 1 twine, 4 bee gums, 1 gallon and pint measures, lantern, 1 brown mare, 1 waggon, 1 "Negro boy Jefferson", 1 (unnamed) "Negro child," 1 dutch tan, 2 bed quilts.
Sally and Thomas apparently lived in Waterford, Loudoun Co., Virginia, before 1814. They lived "on the Big Hill." In June 1814, Sarah (Braden) Lacey bought for $90 "Two lotts of land situate in the new addition to the town of Waterford" from Mahlon Janney's executors. The lots were "described in the Platt of said new addition by Lotts Number 38 and 39, lying on Second and Mahlon Streets... containing half an Acre."
On 20 February 1815, Thomas Lacey made his will. The will was filed in probate on 13 March 1815, so he died between those dates. In it he leaves everything to his wife, Sarah, and sets his slaves free when they reach age of 21 (Lige, Rachel, Rena, Jefferson, Amos, Westly, and Madison). The executor is Robert Braden. The will also mentions his step-mother Margaret Lacey, his brother William and William's son, Thomas. The will states that if Sarah should have a child after his will was written, then his estate goes to the child after Sarah's death.
Between 15 March 1816 (date of will) and 7 March 1817 (date of probate), Sally Lacey's mother, Sarah (Wright) Braden, died. Sally is mentioned in her mother's will as her daughter, "Sarah Lacey."
Sometime in 1817, Sarah (Braden) Lacey made her will. The text of the will reads:
"I Sarah Lacey of Waterford being in a weak state of body but of sound disposing mind and memory do make and ordain this my Last will and testament hereby revoking all others
1st I hereby direct my hereafter named executors to pay all my just debts
2'ly I give and bequeath to each of my two Sisters Francis Hough and Elizabeth Fox Fifty dollars each
3' I give and bequeath to my sister Mary Fox my black Mare
4th I give and bequeath to her daughter Francis Fox forty dollars
5th I give and bequeath To each of my two Nieces Matilda Hough & Betsey Fox of George Town twenty dollars and to my niece Betsey Fox of Waterford ten dollars
6. I direct my sisters to divide my wearing apparel and bed clothes among themselves as nearly equal in value as they can
7th I direct my hereafter named executor to sell my two Lotts in the new addition in Waterford for the best price that they will bring and invest the money in good Bank Stock or Lett [sic] it out to interest where it will be secure and pay the interest annually to my sister Margaret White during her natural life. if she has a child born after this time it is my will that the said Child have the proceeds of the Lotts at my said sisters decease. I also give to my said sister Margaret White my silk Pelisse and my white needle works counterpane. if my said Sister Margaret has no child Born after this time or if she has one and it dies in its minority then it is my will that the proceeds of the aforesaid Lotts be divided at my said sisters decease between her Daughter Sarah and son John Sarah to have forty Dollars & John the balance if either of them shall die in their minority the survivor to have their part.
8th Whereas my late husband in his Last will directed that two black Boys Amos and Westly and a black Girl named Lina should be free at Legal ages for white children to be free It is my will that my brother in Law Jozabed White have the ballence [sic] of their time and that he learn the boys his trade of mill wright
9th I direct my hereafter named executors to dispose of the residue of my estate and collect all my debts due to me and pay off all my just debts and the aforesaid Legacies if any of my sisters choose to take any part thereof at the appraisement it is my will that they have that priveledge [sic].
10th I Constitute my brother in Law Jozabed White my sole executor of this my Last will and testament and in consideration of his attention to my [sic] in my [sic] in my illness I give and bequeath all the residue of my estate to him his first paying all my just debts and the aforesaid Legacies.
Given under my hand and seal the [blank] day of the [blank] month 1817
acknowledged in presence of
Sarah Lacey {Seal}
Amasa Hough
Washington Hough
John Williams
At a Court held for Loudoun County December 8th 1817 [?]
This Last will and testament of Sarah Lacey dec'd was presented to the Court and proved by the affirmations of Amasa Hough and Washington Hough two of the subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. Jozabed White the executor therein named took the oath prescribed by Law and together with John H. Casady his security entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $1500 conditioned as the Law directs certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form
Teste C Binns Clk"
The will was entered into probate on 8 December 1817, so Sarah was deceased by that date.
On 23 January 1819, Jozabed White, Sarah Braden Lacey's executor, sold the Waterford lots for $300.
No burial place has been found for Sarah or Thomas Lacey.
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