This is the first in what I hope will become a series, in which I want to share some information about our family history with anyone who may be interested.
Did you know that during the Civil War the Bragg family supplied two Generals, one Northern and the other Southern?
The Bragg family also provided two state govenors during this same general period. Thomas was governor of NC (he was Braxton's older brother, the Confederate general alluded to above). He served as NC Governor from 1855-59, then as a NC senator from 1859-61, and finally as the Attorney General for the Confederate States of America, 1861-62. After the war Edward S. Bragg, the northern general mentioned above, was elected Governor of Wisconsin.
David
PS Thomas and Braxton had another brother, John, who held various offices in AL, including Senator and Supreme Court judge.
Hello I am your niece Robin. Your brother Jesse's daughter. I came across your blog while doing some research into out family history. You have some very interesting information and I would like to know more. First question I have is how are we related to Braxton and his brothers? Is it a direct line or cousins of some sort? any help you can give would be much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteHi Robin, it is good to hear from you. I hope you are doing well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your interest in our family history. I have really enjoyed my research, especially finding interesting connections or intersections with other families in history.
Here is what I can tell you about our relationship with Braxton Bragg, the famous Confederate General during the American Civil War. He was born in Warrenton, North Carolina (not very far from where I live and also not too far from Fayetteville, NC, which is the home of Fort Bragg, named in his honor). Either his father or grandfather migrated to North Carolina from their ancestral home of Virgina.
His great-great grandfather was Joseph B. Bragg (about 1690-1747), who was married twice. First, he was married to Mary Settle with whom he had five children. His oldest son with Mary was Joseph (1719-1816) through whom Braxton T. Bragg was descended.
After the death of Mary Settle Bragg, Joseph B. married his second wife, Elizabeth Nash, with whom he had seven children. One of their sons was named John Bragg (1733-1812). John married twice. His first wife was Mary Newport, with whom he had ten children. John and Mary Newport Bragg are your 6th great-grandparents.
The families of these two step-brothers, Joseph (born 1719) and John (1733) continued to live in their ancestral home of Virginia for two generations. It would be grandson of Joseph B. and Mary Settle Bragg, John Bragg (1741-1799), who would relocate his family to North Carolina, and the great-grandson of Joseph B. and Elizabeth Nash Bragg, Hugh Lewis Bragg (born 1795), who would relocate his family to Sullivan, IL.
John Bragg (1741-1799) and Hugh Lewis Bragg (born 1795) were first cousins one time removed. The chart below might clarify what this actually means.
1st generation - Joseph B. Bragg
2nd - John Bragg (1733) and Joseph (1719) [1/2 brothers]
3rd - Richard Bragg (b.1762) and John (b.1741) [1st cousins]
4th - Hugh Lewis Bragg (b.1795)
John (1741) and Richard (1762) are first cousins. Hugh Lewis (1795) is just one generation separated from John, or one time removed. It was these cousins who represented the north and south division of the Bragg family under discussion.
Now we can fill in the lines of descent from these ancestors to Braxton T. Bragg and you.
1st generation - Joseph B. Bragg
2nd - John (1733) and Joseph Bragg (1719) [1/2 brothers]
3rd - Richard (b.1762) and John Bragg (b.1741) [1st cousins]
4th - Hugh Lewis (b.1795) and Thomas C. Bragg (b.1778) [2nd cousins]
5th - William (b.1834) and Braxton T. Bragg (b.1817) [3rd cousins]
6th - Frank M. Bragg (b.1867) [1 time removed]
7th - Orval B. Bragg (b.1895) [2 times removed]
8th - Don C. Bragg (b.1920) [3 times removed]
9th - Jesse E. Bragg (b.1948) [4 times removed]
10th - Robin (b.1973) [5 times removed]
Braxton and William Bragg were 3rd cousins. Braxton and Frank were 3rd cousins one time removed. Since there are five generations between you and the Braxton-William generation, you and Braxton Bragg are 3rd cousins 5 times removed.
I hope this is clear and answers your question. If you have any further questions let me know. I would be glad to help you if I can.