18th century Braddock coat of arms slated for auction

An English auction house will accept bids on a coat of arms belonging to Gen. Edward Braddock, an ill-fated British military leader during Southwestern Pennsylvania’s involvement in the French and Indian War.

Painted in oil on canvas, the heraldic design dates from the mid-18th century and is about 10 inches wide. It’s expected to fetch at least in the neighborhood of 280 pounds — the equivalent of close to $360 — as part of Halls Fine Art’s militaria auction Aug. 21 in Shrewsbury.

Braddock died on July 13, 1755 — after he was fatally wounded at the Battle of the Monongahela, during an attempt to drive French forces from Fort Duquesne, the forerunner of Pittsburgh. Upon Braddock’s death, George Washington took command of the retreating British troops.

“We anticipate that the coat of arms will attract of lot of interest from America, not only because of the link with George Washington, but because General Braddock is buried there and his name lives on with landmarks and place names,” said Caroline Dennard, militaria specialist with Halls.

Washington helped carry Braddock from the battlefield and officiated at his burial near Great Meadows — a short distance west of Fort Necessity, where Washington in the summer of 1754 had surrendered to French foes during what is considered the opening salvo the international war.

Braddock’s Battlefield History Center in North Braddock tells the story of the 1755 battle, also known as “Braddock’s Defeat,” and is located on the site where the conflict took place.

While a sash Braddock gave to Washington was housed at Mt. Vernon, the North Braddock center displays other artifacts from Braddock’s Defeat.

“We have items that were found on the battlefield, ranging from musket balls to artillery shells and pieces of wagon parts,” said Matthew Gault, director of education at the affiliated Fort Ligonier.

Born in 1695, the son of a major-general, Braddock followed his father in serving in the British Army, beginning at age 15. Appointed to lead British forces against the French in America, Braddock arrived in Hampton, Va., with two regiments of British regulars, on Feb. 20, 1755.

The coat of arms that will go under the hammer was provided by a Braddock descendant.

According to House Of Names, the surname Braddock is derived from a combination of Old English words meaning “broad” and “oak.”

Washington ordered wagons to run over Braddock’s original resting place, to prevent its potential desecration. About 50 years later, road workers discovered the grave, and the general was re-interred nearby. His second grave is marked with a marble monument erected in 1913.