Sunday, April 24, 2016

Sarah Wright (d 1816), wife of Joseph Braden

Sarah Wright, wife of Joseph Braden, is currently a brick wall.  While I have many clues about her, she is mostly still a mystery.

All of my sources for her maiden name come from secondary data and other undocumented research.  I do not have a birth date for her, nor do I know her parents' names.  I've drawn some conclusions and done some speculating based on what I've been able to document, but there is much research still to do on Sarah. 

I will try to clearly state what is documented about Sarah versus what is speculation.  Please keep that in mind.

Sarah's oldest son, Robert Braden, was born in June 1765 (based on age given on his tombstone).  So if she was 20 when she had Robert, she was probably born about 1745 or so.  And she and Joseph probably married about 1763 or 1764.   I do not know where she was born or where she and Joseph married.  I have not confirmed where son, Robert, was born, either, since the first documentation I've found of the family in Loudoun Co., Virginia, is the tax list for 1771.

Based on naming patterns I've noticed in this family, I suspect that Sarah's father's name was John and her mother was either Elizabeth or perhaps Mary.  This is just a theory.  They named their oldest son, Robert, for Joseph's father.  They named their third and youngest son, Joseph, for Joseph.  The middle son was John, so I suspect he was named for his maternal grandfather.  The eldest daughter was Elizabeth and if they were following the traditional patterns, she would be named for her maternal grandmother.  I have not yet found an earlier Mary in the family, so it is also possible that Sarah's mother was Mary. 

An early and consistent associate of Joseph and Sarah in Loudoun Co. is Robert Wright.  This is probably the same Robert Wright that was married to Joseph's sister, Margaret.  I know Margaret was married to a Robert Wright because of her father, Robert's, will and because of a chancery suit filed by his children challenging that will.  I suspect that Robert Wright was Sarah's brother, but have not yet proven that.   Siblings marrying siblings seems to be a pattern in this family. 

So I might be looking for a family of John and Elizabeth (or Mary) Wright with children Robert and Sarah.  But I've few ideas of WHERE to look just yet.  And I could be totally wrong in these theories.  For example, Joseph and Sarah's son, Robert, named his oldest son, Hector Wright Braden, and his youngest daughter, Elizabeth Wright Braden.  So maybe I'm looking for Hector and Elizabeth?  Lots of possibilities, so little fact!

Not much confirmed, yet, as I mentioned.

So the oldest son, Robert, was born about 10 June 1765, place unknown. 

The second child, Elizabeth, was born 8 November 1768, place not confirmed.  Again, undocumented secondary research is the source for her birth date as well as for potential birth places: either Loudoun Co., Virginia or "George Town."  George Town could be the current Georgetown (part of D.C.) or it could mean Leesburg, since at that time, many still called Leesburg "George Town."

The third child, Mary, was born 22 November 1769.  We have some confirmation of Mary's birth date because in a deed dated 1 April 1790, her age is given as 20 years old.

Another daughter, Frances (called Fanny), is confirmed, but her birth date is not known.  

Husband, Joseph, first appeared on the tax list in Loudoun in 1771, so they were in Loudoun by that date.

Middle son, John, was born 25 January 1777 in Loudoun Co., Virginia.  His birth date is confirmed by his tombstone.

Daughter, Margaret (called Peggy), was probably born about 1783 in Loudoun Co., but this date is not confirmed.

On 13 September 1784, Sarah is named as Joseph's wife in a deed between them and Joseph Lewis for 48 acres located in Cameron Parish in Loudoun Co.

Daughter, Sarah (called Sally) was probably born about 1785 in Loudoun Co., but this date is not confirmed.

Son, Joseph, was born about 30 December 1788 (date calculated from age given on his tombstone).

On 22 February 1790, daughter Mary married William Fox in Loudoun Co., Virginia.

On 11 February 1793, daughter Elizabeth married Bartleson Fox in Loudoun Co., Virginia.

On 29 January 1795, son Robert married Elizabeth Stephens in Loudoun Co., Virginia.

On 9 November 1798, daughter Fanny married Isaac Hough in Loudoun Co., Virginia.

Sometime before 1805, Joseph built his home, "Bell Mont," in Loudoun Co. (from the Mutual Assurance Society records).

On 7 January 1806, son John married Mary D. Stephens in Loudoun Co., Virginia.

About 1808, daughter Sarah married Thomas Lacey in Loudoun Co., Virginia.

On 6 February 1809, daughter Margaret married Jozabed White in Loudoun Co., Virginia.

On 27 February 1810, Sarah's husband, Joseph, made his will.  He named Sarah as his wife and left her an annual maintenance allowance.

Sometime before 11 June 1810, Sarah's husband Joseph died.  His will was probated on that date.  At the probate filing of Joseph Braden's will, "Sarah Braden the Widow under hand and Seal renounced all benefit by the Will, which was proved by William Wright & Thomas D. Stephens and claims her Dower according to Law."  Note that Thomas D. Stephens was the father-in-law of her sons Robert and John.  I don't know how or if William Wright was related, but suspect he is related somehow.

The 1810 Federal Census lists Sarah Braden without a husband and living near her sons, John Braden and Robert Braden.  Her household consisted of one female over age 45 and one slave.

On 14 June 1810, the following allotment of dower was made and recorded for Sarah: "Agreeable to the within Order we have provided to allott unto Sarah Braden Widow & Relict of Joseph Bradens Deceased her dower in said Estate and do allott  to her one negro Lad named Alexander and one negro girl named Jane,  given under our hands this 14th day of June 1810.    Sanford Ramey, Abiel Janney, W.S. Neale,    N.B.  we made no allotment of the Land the Widow having agreed with John Braden to take a stipulated rent in lieu of her Dividend of the Land.   W.S.Neale, Abiel Janney, Sanford Ramey     At a court held for Loudoun County the 13th day of May 1811 This allotment of dower was returned & Ordered to be recorded.   Teste  C Binns Cl.C." 

On 22 June 1810, at the estate sale of her husband Joseph's property, Sarah purchased: 1 barrel & pipkin[?], 1 bee hive, loom & yarn, 1 cow with a bell, 1 heifer- red & white, 1 bed & furniture, 1 flax wheel, 1 set drawers, andirons, shovel & tongs, 11 chairs, 1 "boffet" [buffet?], 1 clock, 1 walnut table, 5 milk pots, 1 trammel [?], 1 strainer & skimmer, 1 pot oven & tea kettle, 1 churn bucket & pig gin, 2 wheels & old reel, 1 cupboard, 1 looking glass, 15 geese, 2 bags, 1 roan horse, 1 bed & furniture, 1 coverlet & quilt. 

On 12 June 1811, in statement of estate accounts filed by John Braden and Charles Bennett, executors of Joseph Braden, they state "$13.60 [?] of the above sum is not subject to the Widow's Dower, She having taken her third of the negroes which were not sold. "  

On 15 March 1816, Sarah made her will which she signed with her mark.  Sarah's will reads: 

 "In the Name of God Amen,  I Sarah Braden of Loudoun County, do make ordain and declare this to be my last will and testament, in Manner and form following --    I give to my Granddaughter Sarah Ann White Two hundred dollars in Bank Stock, or in cash, one feather bed and bedding, and one Cow, three silver spoons, Together with all my Chinaware and set Silver Tea Tongs, To her, her heirs and assigns, but if she should die before she arrives at the age of twenty one years then the above Mention'd Cash and property to be equally divided amongst her brothers and sisters if any --
 

  I give to Theodore Braden White son of Josabed White, one lot of Ground adjoining the Town of Waterford, purchased of David Janney, to him his heirs and assigns forever - but if he should die before he arrives to the age of Twenty one years then the said lot to go to the said Josabed White's son John Randolph White his heirs and assigns --
 

 I give I give [sic] to Pamelia [?] Fox Daughter of my Daughter Elizabeth Fox one feather bed and bedding to her her heirs &c --
 

 I give to Sarah Ann Hough, Daughter of Frances Hough - one feather bed and bedding or the money arising from the sale of the same when sold --
 

 All the Balance of my property to be sold by my Executor, and the Money arising from the sales of said property together with whatever may be in my possession or owing to me at my death (except as before Mentioned) to be equally divided between my daughters - to wit - Elizabeth Fox, Mary Fox, Frances Hough, Margaret White, and Sarah Lacey --
 

 And lastly I do hereby appoint my son Robert Braden Executor of this my last will and Testament Revoaking [sic] all former will by me Made
 

  In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 15th day of March eighteen hundred and Sixteen  1816 --         
          her
Sarah        X   Braden   {seal}
         Mark
Signed Sealed Published and pronounced [?] in the presence of Zachariah Dulaney, Jr.     Noble S. Braden "


About a year later, Sarah died.  On 7 March 1817, Sarah's son, Robert, paid Edward Dorsey $9.50 for Sarah's coffin.  Her estate was probated 9 December 1817.

I have not found Sarah's grave, but I suspect she is buried in Catoctin Free Church Cemetery.  Her sons Robert and John had purchased the land for the church and burying ground shortly after her husband, Joseph, died in 1810.  And her son, Dr. Joseph Braden, was buried there in October 1816, just a few months after Sarah's death.  Since there is no longer a stone for her, I doubt her burial place will ever be confirmed.

So there is still a lot of research to do about Sarah:

What are her parents' names?
When and where was she born?
When and where did she and Joseph marry?
When exactly did they arrive in Loudoun Co., Virginia?
Is Robert Wright her brother?  Did she have other siblings?  What are their names?
Is Sarah related to the other Wrights found in Loudoun Co.?


Descendants of Sarah (Wright) Braden:



Sarah Wright, b. circa 1740, d. between 15 Mar 1816 and 7 Mar 1817 at Loudoun Co., VA
+Joseph Braden, b. circa 1738 at PA, d. before 11 Jun 1810 at Loudoun Co., VA
Robert Braden, b. circa 10 Jun 1765, d. 14 Nov 1827 at Waterford, Loudoun Co., VA
   +Elizabeth Stevens, b. 15 Apr 1772 at King George's Parish, Prince George's Co., MD, m. 29 Jan 1795 at Loudoun Co., VA, d. 22 Feb 1831 at Loudoun Co., VA
   Mary Eleanor Braden, b. 16 Jan 1796 at Loudoun Co., VA, d. 18 Apr 1829 at Waterford, Loudoun Co., VA
   Hector Wright Braden, b. 2 Jan 1798 at Loudoun Co., VA, d. 19 Sep 1846 at near Hearn's Plantation, Loachoatco,, north of Tampa, possibly Benton Co., FL
   Noble Stevens Braden, b. 12 Jan 1800 at Loudoun Co., VA, d. 19 Jul 1871 at "Eudora Farm", near Waterford, Loudoun Co., VA
   Burr Braden, b. 27 Jul 1802 at Loudoun Co., VA, d. 6 Dec 1861 at Jefferson, Clinton Co., IN
   Dr. Robert Braden IV, b. 23 Aug 1804, d. 18 May 1833 at Vicksburg or perhaps Natchez, MS
   William Fenton Braden, b. 24 Aug 1806 at Loudoun Co, VA, d. 1 Jun 1832 at Tallahassee, Leon Co., FL
   Nelson Braden, b. 22 Jun 1809, d. 16 Feb 1810 at Loudoun Co., VA
   Dr. Joseph Addison Braden, b. 8 May 1811 at Loudoun Co., VA, d. 7 Feb 1859 at LaGrange, Troup Co., GA
   Sarah Elleanor Braden, b. 8 May 1811 at Loudoun Co., VA, d. 19 Dec 1828 at Loudoun Co., VA
   Elizabeth Wright Braden, b. 16 Dec 1813 at probably Loudoun Co., VA, d. 10 Oct 1838 at about sunrise at 27 degrees latitude
Elizabeth Braden, b. 8 Nov 1768, d. 2 May 1819 at Georgetown, Washington Co., DC
   +Bartleson Fox, b. 10 Jan 1768, m. 11 Feb 1793 at Loudoun Co., VA, d. 6 Jan 1816 at Georgetown, Washington Co., DC
   Mary Fox, b. 2 Feb 1794 at Loudoun Co., VA
   Cemelio? Fox, b. after 1795
   Sarah Fox, b. 3 Jul 1796 at Loudoun Co., VA
   Pamela Andrews Fox, b. 10 Oct 1798 at Loudoun Co., VA, d. 1816 at at sunset
   Joseph Braden Fox, b. 5 Dec 1800, d. 10 Mar 1874 at Christian Co., IL
   William Parkerson Fox, b. 11 Jun 1803 at Loudoun Co., VA
   Elizabeth Fox, b. 6 Oct 1805 at Loudoun Co., VA
   Delilah Braden Fox, b. 1807 at ? Loudoun Co., VA, d. 1849
Mary Braden, b. 22 Nov 1769 at Loudoun Co., VA, d. circa Jul 1828 at Loudoun Co., VA
   +William Fox, b. circa 1765 at Loudoun Co., VA, m. 22 Feb 1790 at Loudoun Co., VA, d. between 13 Dec 1809 and 12 Feb 1810 at Loudoun Co., VA
   Francis A. Fox, d. 7 Mar 1822
   Mary Fox, b. circa 1793 at Loudoun Co., VA
   Elizabeth Fox, b. circa 1797 at Loudoun Co., VA, d. Jun 1825
   Alfred Braden Fox, b. after 17 Mar 1803 at Loudoun Co., VA, d. before 17 Mar 1824 at Loudoun Co., VA
   Bushrod Mason Fox, b. circa Nov 1806 at Loudoun Co., VA, d. between 1822 and 1823
John Braden, b. 25 Jan 1777 at Loudoun Co., VA, d. 26 Nov 1847 at Loudoun Co., VA
   +Mary Darnall Stevens, b. 1 Dec 1774 at St. Johns Parish, Prince Georges Co., MD, m. 7 Jan 1806 at Loudoun Co., VA, d. 11 Mar 1848 at Loudoun Co., VA
   Nimrod Braden, b. 25 Oct 1806 at Loudoun Co., VA, d. 31 Jan 1808 at Loudoun Co., VA
   Mary Eleanor Braden, b. 4 Oct 1808 at Loudoun Co., VA, d. 30 Apr 1836 at Leesburg, Loudoun Co., VA
   Rodney Caesar Braden, b. 19 Mar 1811 at Loudoun Co., VA, d. 24 Apr 1864 at Loudoun Co., VA
   Caroline Stephens Braden, b. 29 May 1813, d. 1 Jul 1841 at Loudoun Co., VA
   Cecilia Elizabeth Braden, b. 22 Nov 1816 at Loudoun Co., VA, d. 25 Aug 1853 at Loudoun Co., VA
   Oscar Stevens Braden, b. 9 Aug 1819 at Loudoun Co., VA, d. 4 Jan 1896 at the home of his nephew, Walter Braden, near Waterford, Loudoun Co., VA
Francis Braden, b. circa 1777
   +Isaac Hough, b. circa 1773, m. 9 Nov 1798 at Loudoun Co., VA
   Sarah Anne Hough
   Matilda Hough
   Robert Hough
   Fenelon Hough
   Julia Hough
   Emily Hough
Margaret Braden, b. 1783 at VA
   +Jozabed White, b. 9 Sep 1785 at VA, m. 6 Feb 1809 at Loudoun Co., VA, d. 1 Feb 1828 at Loudoun Co., VA
   Margaret White, b. after 1809
   Sarah Anne White, b. 17 Apr 1810, d. 25 May 1848 at Loudoun Co., VA
   Theodore Braden White, b. 9 Nov 1812, d. at Loudoun Co., VA
   John Randolph White, b. 9 Nov 1812, d. 17 May 1879 at Loudoun Co., VA
Sarah Braden, b. circa 1785, d. before 8 Dec 1817 at Waterford, Loudoun Co, VA
   +Thomas Lacey, b. circa 1780, m. circa 1808 at Loudoun Co., VA, d. between 20 Feb 1815 and 13 Mar 1815 at Waterford, Loudoun Co., VA
Dr. Joseph Braden II, b. circa 30 Dec 1788, d. 12 Oct 1816 at Waterford, Loudoun Co., VA
    +Mary Neale, b. 17 Oct 1786 at VA, new. 3 Aug 1846 at Alexandria Gazette, Alexandria, VA
    Flavius J. Braden, b. between Aug 1810 and Dec 1810 at Loudoun Co., VA, d. 13 Oct 1832 at on a ship travelling down the Ohio River

 



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