As one compares the above photos of the Bragg House, built in 1848, other than amenities added internally to the house on the right and the high profile white paint, one can hardly imagine the lives of those who called this home, which transcended the period from the 1840's to today, as one views this stately home on the right. I suppose, one standing in the vestibule could hear faintly the children laughing, Mr. Bragg calling to servants to skin the deer that had just been killed, Mrs. Bragg attending to the servants while starting another day in the life of one of Ecore Fabre's most noted families, the Peter Newport Bragg, Jr., clan.
According to several articles and family notes, Mr. Peter Newport Bragg, Jr. moved to Ecore Fabre (Later Camden), Arkansas from Lowndes County, Alabama, with his wife and children who were made comfortable in carriages drawn by fine horses with the slaves following in wagons. Their travel time was reportedly quite slow, and each night a runner was sent back to the previous camp to secure fire for the new camp.
Mr. Bragg eventually purchased a farm which had previously been owned by the Levi Sloan family and upon which stood the old Sloan family log cabin. Mr. Bragg temporarily placed his family in the log house, while he proceeded to build the magnificently, handsome square colonial home, which stands beneath the shadows of large oak trees.
After a two year period Mr. Bragg was able to complete the "big house", and he and Mrs. Bragg along with their seven children, five (5) sons and two (2) daughters, moved in.
It was through Mr. Bragg's community influence that when Ecore Fabre was laid out as a town, it was named for a town in South Carolina and called it Camden. Over the years it has become a controversial subject, depending upon with whom you are speaking, as to whether Camden, Arkansas was named after Camden, South Carolina or Camden, Alabama. It is this writer's opinion that decision is best left for future historians.
Sadly, years later, Mr. Bragg was fatally injured in an accident at his saw mill, where he cut the lumber to build his beautiful home. The year was 1855, and he was laid to rest in the family cemetery several hundred yards from the main house.
Mrs. Bragg was a descendant of the Crook family of the Spartanburg District, South Carolina. It is said she inherited an intelligence of the highest order, which added to her great charm of mind and manner. Her influence, they say, proved a lasting blessing to the community.
Martha Crook Bragg was born in Spartanburg, SC in 1807 and died September 24, 1879 in Camden. She is laid to rest in a separate cemetery with her two daughters and three of her sons. Recorded in one of Mrs. Bragg's obituaries is a two line poem, which states:
"So softly death succeeded life in her.
She did but dream of Heaven and she was there"
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