Abel Brace, Capt.
Captain Abel Brace (1740–1832) was a Connecticut militia officer, civic leader, and Revolutionary War veteran who commanded a company in the 18th Regiment of Connecticut Militia against British forces during the American Revolution. A descendant of Stephen Brace — the Norman-French emigrant who settled Hartford, Connecticut around 1660 — Abel Brace bridged the colonial and early republic periods of American history. He is the great-grandfather of Charles Loring Brace (1826–1890), founder of the Children's Aid Society and architect of the Orphan Train movement. Abel's military-civic legacy and his family's deep roots in Connecticut's religious, educational, and political institutions helped shape the reform tradition that Charles Loring Brace would later carry into 19th-century New York.
Definitions
18th Regiment, Connecticut Militia: A colonial and Revolutionary War militia unit in which Abel Brace served as Captain. Connecticut militia regiments were organized by county and activated for defense of the colony during the Revolution.
Tryon's Raids (1777–1779): A series of British military incursions into Connecticut led by Royal Governor William Tryon, targeting coastal towns and supply depots. Abel Brace led his company against these forces.
General Assembly (Connecticut): The colonial and later state legislative body. Abel served as Representative from Hartland, Connecticut on multiple occasions, indicating civic standing and trust.
Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR): Lineage society for descendants of Revolutionary War patriots. Abel Brace is recorded under DAR Records 31756 and 10054.
Norman-French Origin: The Brace family traces to Rudulphus de Braceis and Aldulphus de Braci, who accompanied William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings (1066) and received charters of English lands.
Historical Timeline
ca. 1066 — Rudulphus de Braceis and Aldulphus de Braci accompany William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings; receive charters of English lands. The Brace name is established in England.
Source: John Sherman Brace, Brace Lineage (1927), Introduction.
Quote: "Rudulphus de Braceis and Aldulphus de Braci were with William the Conqueror at the battle of Hastings and received charters of English lands."
ca. 1660 — Stephen Brace (Bracey) emigrates from Swanzey, near London, to Hartford, Connecticut, establishing the American Brace line.
Source: John Sherman Brace, Brace Lineage (1927), pp. 1–3.
Quote: "The real home of Stephen Brace in the new world, the place where he finally settled, lived and died, is Hartford, Connecticut."
March 15, 1680 — Henry Brace I, son of Stephen Brace, is born in Hartford, Connecticut. He marries Ann Collier and continues the Hartford line.
Source: FamilySearch, Henry Brace (1680–1751), Record ID L6TP-6MR.
1713 — Captain Henry Brace II is born in Hartford, Connecticut, son of Henry Brace I. He marries Elizabeth Cadwell on July 15, 1740, in West Hartford. They have at least 11 sons and 9 daughters.
Source: FamilySearch, Captain Henry Brace (1713–1787), Record ID L6TP-6MR.
October 6, 1740 — Abel Brace is born in Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut. His father, Captain Henry Brace II, is 27; his mother, Elizabeth Cadwell, is 27. He is baptized at Hartford on September 28, 1740.
Source: Find a Grave, Memorial #12212702.
Quote: "Captain Abel Brace, son of Henry II, was baptized at Hartford (Connecticut), September 28, 1740."
April 2, 1761 — Abel Brace marries Keziah Woodruff of Farmington, Connecticut, in Hartford. Marriage published March 22, 1761. They will have at least 11 sons and 5 daughters.
Source: FamilySearch, Captain Abel Brace (1740–1832), Record ID K2NH-ZBC.
May 24, 1761 — Abel Brace Jr. is born in Farmington, Hartford, Connecticut — the first of Abel and Keziah's children on record.
Source: FamilySearch, Abel Brace (1761–1816), Record ID L41M-S3P.
ca. 1765–1770 — Abel Brace removes from Hartford to Hartland, Connecticut, where he becomes an active civic leader. He is repeatedly elected Representative to the Connecticut General Assembly.
Source: Find a Grave, Memorial #12212702.
Quote: "Later he removed from Hartford to Hartland, Connecticut. Here he took an active part in public affairs, being repeatedly sent as Representative to the General Assembly."
November 1, 1767 — James Brace is born in Hartland Center, Hartford, Connecticut — Abel's son and future grandfather of Charles Loring Brace.
Source: WikiTree, Charles Loring Brace Sr. (1826–1890), Profile Brace-893.
- 1775–1783 — The American Revolution. Abel Brace is commissioned Captain in the 18th Regiment of the Connecticut Militia. He commands a company and leads his men against British forces during Governor William Tryon's raids into Connecticut. He is listed as "Braw" and "Brau" in some military records. He serves with "honor and distinction."
- Source: Find a Grave, Memorial #12212702; WikiTree, Abel Brace (1740–1832), Profile Brace-733.
- Quote: "When the Revolution broke out he was made a Captain in the 18th Regiment of the Connecticut Militia and served with honor and distinction in the war. He led his company against the British forces when Tryon invaded the colony."
ca. 1805 — Abel Brace relocates from Connecticut to Winfield, Herkimer County, New York, where he lives for approximately 27 years. The Brace Farm in Winfield centers around an 1810 dairy barn built by the family after relocation.
Source: FamilySearch, Captain Abel Brace (1740–1832), Record ID K2NH-ZBC; Grokipedia, "Brace Farm."
April 7, 1833 — Abel's son James Brace dies in Hartland Center, Connecticut, at age 65. James had married Susan Pierce and fathered five children, including John Pierce Brace — father of Charles Loring Brace.
Source: WikiTree, Charles Loring Brace Sr. (1826–1890), Profile Brace-893.
July 20, 1832 — Captain Abel Brace dies in West Winfield, Herkimer, New York, at the age of 91. He is buried at Meeting House Green Road Cemetery, West Winfield, New York.
Source: FamilySearch, Captain Abel Brace (1740–1832), Record ID K2NH-ZBC; Find a Grave, Memorial #12212702.