Norfolk City-Richmond-Fredericksburg City County Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Braxton, John S August 12, 1879 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Donna Bluemink http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00034.html#0008395 May 2, 2016, 11:11 am Norfolk Virginian, August 10 & 12 & 13th, 1879 MAJOR JOHN S. BRAXTON Major John S. Braxton, collector of this port, died at his residence in this city yesterday afternoon shortly after 6 o'clock, in the 52nd year of his age. He had been sick only a day or two and his death was as unexpected as lamentable. The Major returned on Thursday night from Richmond country, whither he had been to take his family, who were out of the city on a visit to their home in that county. He remained onboard the steamer Heliotrope until Friday morning owing to the fact that he was suffering from an attack of the gout, a disease to which he was subject. On Friday morning he was taken to his residence on Boush Street, where he continued to grow worse, and on yesterday afternoon about 3 o'clock he was seized with a chill, which terminated in his death. He was attended during his last moments by some of the best medical talent of the city, and everything that human ingenuity could suggest was done to relieve his sufferings. Major Braxton was a gentleman of many admirable qualities and was most highly esteemed in this city. He was a descendant of the eminent Virginia family of Braxtons, being a member of that branch which for many years lived in King and Queen county, and a grandson of Carter Braxton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was the son of Rev. Thomas Braxton of Richmond County, where he was born and raised. In early life he moved to Fredericksburg, where he studied law in the office of J. L. Marye, Sr., and subsequently he removed to Richmond County and engaged in the practice of his profession. He was a prominent man in his section and for several years served his county in the Legislature of Virginia. He was also at one time a candidate for Congress from his district. Major Braxton was a gallant Confederate officer, and served with distinction during the memorable struggle between the States. In 1863 he served as Adjutant General on Lieutenant General Holmes' staff in North Carolina, and subsequently served as Major of cavalry, taking part in the campaign of 1864-'65 in Pennsylvania and around Richmond. After the war he returned to his home and was appointed Register of Bankruptcy for that portion of Virginia known as the Northern Neck. He afterward succeeded B. B. Foster as Register in Bankruptcy in this district when this and the Northern Neck were consolidated. In January, 1877, he was appointed by President Grant collector of customs for the port of Norfolk, to succeed Luther Lee, who died in December, 1876. Since his appointment as collector of this port Major Braxton has lived in Norfolk, where he has gained many warm friends. His death will be a blow to the community that will occasion general and profound sorrow. He leaves a wife and several grown several grown children, who will return to the city from Richmond County today. They have the sympathy of the entire public in this hour of adversity and distress. August 12th. Died: At his residence on Saturday, August 9th, 1879, after a brief illness, Major JOHN S. BRAXTON, Collector of Customs of this port, aged 51 years. His funeral will take place from Christ Church today (Tuesday)at 5 p.m. His friends and acquaintances are respectfully are invited to attend without further notice. August 13th. . . .His remains were interred in Elmwood Cemetery . . . File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/norfolkcity/obits/b/braxton11453gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/vafiles/ File size: 4.0 Kb