Emilia Sophia Larson

Nathaniel "Nathan" Bradley was born July 22, 1754, in Abington, Plymouth, Province of Massachusetts Bay (America; Colony of England), and died 1833 in Haldimand Twp., Northumberland Co., Ontario, Canada, at about age 79. Buried most likely on Bradley Hallow (the name for the Bradley family property/farm), 16 - 3rd Concession, Haldimand Twp., Northumberland Co., Upper Canada (Ontario). Not buried in Eddystone United (Baptist) Church Cemetery as per their records. He is the son of George Bradley of Bridgewater, Plymouth, Province of Massachusetts Bay, and Susannah Pierce of East Bridgewater, Plymouth, Province of Massachusetts Bay.

Hannah Stowell was born June 8, 1755, in Hingham, Province of Massachusetts Bay, and died about 1777 in Unknown, at about age 22.

Harriett "Elizabeth" Harden was born 1760 in the Province of Connecticut or Granville, Charlotte County, Province of New York/Vermont (Note: Charlotte County, New York/Vermont became Washington County, New York in 1790), and died May 11, 1846 in Haldimand Twp., Northumberland Co., Canada West (Ontario), at about age 86. Buried most likely on Bradley Hallow (the name for the Bradley family property/farm), 16 - 3rd Concession, Haldimand Twp., Northumberland Co., Upper Canada (Ontario). Not buried in Eddystone United (Baptist) Church Cemetery as per their records. She is the daughter of Jonathan Harnden of Wilmington, Middlesex, Province of Massachusetts Bay, and Phebe Unknown.

Nathaniel "Nathan" Bradley and Harriett "Elizabeth" Harden were married about 1777 in Washington Co., NY.

Nathaniel "Nathan" Bradley and Harriett "Elizabeth" (Harden) Bradley had nine children:

Heading: Dutchess County Militia -- Regiment of Minute Men
Rank: Enlisted Men
Name: Nathan Bradley

Ontario was known as: "Upper Canada" from December 26, 1791, to February 10, 1841; "Canada West" from February 10, 1841, to July 1, 1867; and "Ontario" after July 1, 1867.

Nathan Bradley died about 1833 in Haldimand Twp., Northumberland Co., Ontario, Canada at about age 77.

Elizabeth (Harden) Bradley died May 11, 1846 in Haldimand Twp., Northumberland Co., Ontario, Canada at about age 86.

January 14, 2013

Dear Leigh,

I have been searching my family roots and I ran across your website. Our families intersect at the Bradley's in Haldimand, Ontario.

My grandmother was Mary Jane Hinman, the daughter of Edgar Byron Hinman. He was the son of Platt Hinman who was married to Almira Bradley (d. of Abraham Bradley, gr. d. of William Harnden Bradley). Platt Hinman was the son of Truman Hinman and grandson of Moses Hinman. Moses Hinman was one of the original settlers of Haldimand Township. His son, Moses Hinman Jr. married a Bradley and moved to Wisconsin.

You appear to have done some extensive and careful research on the Bradley's. I would love to pick your brain in hopes of filling in some of the gaps in my research. I do have some material that my mother had collected but never really organized. I have plans (hopes) of organizing it for my family (cousins, et al). Recently, my sister in Boston, who is caretaker of the memorabilia, sent me a photograph of Abraham and Ruth (Tucker) Bradley that she scanned. If you have an interest in this photo, I could send it on to you.

I have been attempting to track and document the Bradley line. I have not had much luck with Nathan and Harriet (Harden) Bradley to date. I have found a record of his birth in Addington, MA but have struck out so far finding any records of their marriage or births of their children. I have been intrigued by the story of their escape from the raid by the British and Indians.

Independently, I have wondered if it was associated with the Cherry Valley Massacre. I note that you had a note from a Bradley descendant that indicated that Nathan's family might have lived in that area. I have also noted in the book "The Masseys, founding family" by Mollie Gillen, that she states on p. 11 the family moved from Illinois in 1777 after being burned out by Indians. This puzzled me, since Illinois was still wilderness in 1777. My guess is that Mollie Gillen was told originally that the family moved from Cherry Valley and she construed it as Cherry Valley, Illinois. Do you have any thoughts on this matter?

Another point of interest is a possible connection to a Mayflower ancestor through the Bradley family. Nathan's mother was Susannah Pierce (sometimes spelled Peirce or Pearce). I believe that her parents were Anthony Pearce and Keturah Newland. Keturah Newland was a daughter of Jeremiah Newland and Susanna Harris. Susanna Harris was a daughter of Isaac Harris and Mercy Latham. Mercy Latham was a daughter of Robert Latham and Susanna Winslow. Susanna Winslow was a daughter of John Winslow and Mary Chilton. Mary Chilton was the daughter of James Chilton, a signer of the Mayflower Compact. Mary and James were passengers on the Mayflower. He died before setting foot on land. The Chilton family tradition maintains that she was the first woman to step onto land (Plymouth Rock) in the New World. I am working at documenting this.

I notice that we are located in close proximity, so perhaps we can get together to share information. Obviously, this will have to be in the summer since you escape to Arizona during the brisk Wisconsin winter.

Thank you for your attention.

Paul Schatz

ID: I5794
Name: Jonathan HARNDEN
Sex: M
Birth: 15 MAY 1733 in Wilmington,Middlesex,Massachusetts 1 2
Death: 30 JUL 1813 in Granville,Washington,New York 2
Burial: Lee-Oatman Cemetery,S. Granville,Washington,New York 2
Event: Military French & Indian War 2
Occupation: Hotel and Dance Hall Owner Granville,Washington,New York 2
Event: Fr. Indian War 1755 Connecticut to Canada
Event: DAR Sgt. New York 3
Note:
Jonathan died and is buried in the old buring ground at South Granville,Washington ,New York, and unmarked grave at his side is to be thought his wife's grave.

When a young man, he moved to the vicinity of Hebron and Salem, Connecticut with his parents and siblings. He was a soldier in the French and Indian War.

He served with the Connecticut Militia that invaded Canada in 1755.
He was in Capt. Isreal Putnam's company in the campaign against the French
around Lake George, Fort Edward, Fort Ticonderoga and at Crown Point.
He was at Quebec in 1760 under command of Isreal Putnam. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He saw active service as Sergeant of his company, on the march to West Chester following the "Lexington Alarm" and in the campaigns around New York City in 1776. In these campaigns he served as Sergeant in the 5th Company, Captain Ephraim Warren, Lieutenant David Waters, 11th Regiment, Colonel Ebinezer Williams of Pomfret,Conn. Lieutenant Colonel Isreal Putnam of Pomfret, 3rd Brigadier General
Gordon Saltonstall (Succeeded by Brigadier General John Tyler) Connecticut Militia
He was a Sargent in one of the celebrated Connecticut Regiments that won distinction under General Benedict Arnold at the battle of Saratoga in 1777.

After having seen Northeastern New York during the campaigns, both in French and Indian Wars and in the Revolutionary War, he moved to that locality in 1779, taking advantage of the "Land Grant" to Revolutionary Soldiers.

He was one of the seven original settlers at Granville,Washington Co,
(Charlotte Co. first) New York, in 1779. He built conaucted (spelled like it is in letter.) a hotel with a large hall connected with it at Granville. (The hotel burned down in 1930).

Jonathan had six children, born in the vicinity of Salem and Hebron, Connecticut and at Granville,New York.

Jonathan owned a dancing hall in Granville, Washington, New York per Harnden / Edgecomb Genealogy.
4
Change Date: 10 MAR 2003 at 11:25:05

Father: Barachias HARNDEN b: 10 JAN 1713 in Wilmington,Middlesex,Massachusetts
Mother: Sarah b: in Wilmington,Middlesex,Massachusetts

Marriage 1 Spouse Unknown 4Children Samuel HARNDEN b: 28 JUN 1751 in Wilmington,Middlesex,Massachusetts
John HARNDEN b: in Connecticut
Harriet (Elizabeth) HARNDEN b: 1760 in Connecticut
Barrachiah (Hoseakia) HARNDEN b: 12 FEB 1782 in Granville,Washington,New York
Joshua HARNDEN b: 1771 in Hebron,Windham,Connecticut
Lovicy (Levicy) HARNDEN

Sources: Title: Vital Records, Wilmington, Mass.
Author: Town Clerks Office
Abbrev: Vital Records, City of Wilmington, Mass.
Page: Wilmington Record of Births, page 43
Title: Individual Person
Abbrev: Individual Person
Page: From Susette Newberry of Ithaca, NY (3/98)
Title: Daughters of the American Revolution
Abbrev: DAR
Page: DAR Patriot Index - 1966, Vol.I-(1)
Title: GEDCOM File : GED mason3.ged
Author: George Crandall Mason
Abbrev: George Crandall Mason
Abbrev: GEDCOM File : GED mason3.ged

If you want to track the Harnden Canadians you can’t start with Samuel you have to start with his father Jonathan.

Here are a few of the migration generations as I have them right now:

1. SGT Jonathan HARNDEN was born 15 May 1733 in Wilmington, Middlesex, Massachusetts. He died 30 Jul 1813 in Granville, Washington, New York and was buried in Lee-Oatman Cemetery, S. Granville, Washington, New York.

In Lee-Oatman Cemetery, South Granville, Washington, New York, there is an unmarked grave at the side of Jonathan's grave which is thought to be his wife's grave.

As a young man, he moved to the vicinity of Hebron and Salem, Connecticut with his parents and siblings. He was a soldier in the French and Indian War.

He served with the Connecticut Militia that invaded Canada in 1755.
He was in Capt. Isreal Putnam's company in the campaign against the French around Lake George, Fort Edward, Fort Ticonderoga and at Crown Point. He was at Quebec in 1760 under command of Isreal Putnam.

He was also a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He saw active service as Sergeant of his company, on the march to West Chester following the "Lexington Alarm" and in the campaigns around New York City in 1776. In these campaigns he served as Sergeant in the 5th Company, Captain Ephraim Warren, Lieutenant David Waters, 11th Regiment, Colonel Ebinezer Williams of Pomfret, Conn. Lieutenant Colonel Isreal Putnam of Pomfret, 3rd Brigadier General Gordon Saltonstall (Succeeded by Brigadier General John Tyler) Connecticut Militia.
He was a Sergeant in one of the celebrated Connecticut Regiments that won distinction under General Benedict Arnold at the battle of Saratoga in 1777.

After having seen Northeastern New York during the campaigns, both in the French and Indian Wars and in the Revolutionary War, he moved to that locality in 1779, taking advantage of the "Land Grant" to Revolutionary Soldiers.

He was one of the seven original settlers at Granville, Washington Co, (Charlotte Co. first) New York, in 1779. He built conaucted (spelled like it is in letter.) a hotel with a large hall connected with it at Granville. (The hotel burned down in 1930).

Jonathan owned this dance hall in Granville, Washington, New York according to the Harnden/Edgecomb Manuscript.

Originally John S. Harnden, Jonathan's son supposedly died by drowning in the Niagara River according to family legend. This was suppose to have happened about 1812. However, John S. is found in Vermont until 1830. Given the fact that Jonathan died in 1813, I suggest it was probably he who died by drowning.

Jonathan married Phebe [scrapbook].

Daniel Thomas Harnden is the person that finally put a name to this woman, but I don't know what his source for this information is.

Jonathan and Phebe had the following children:

+ 2 M i CPT Samuel HARNDEN was born 28 Jun 1751 and died after 1820.
+ 3 M ii John S. HARNDEN was born 30 Mar 1755 and died 1812.
+ 4 F iii Harriet (Elizabeth) HARNDEN was born 1760 and died 11 May 1846.
+ 5 M iv William HARNDEN was born 1766.
+ 6 M v Joshua HARNDEN was born 1771 and died 6 Dec 1822.
+ 7 M vi Orpha HARNDEN was born 1772.
8 F vii Lovicy (Levicy) HARNDEN.

4. Harriet (Elizabeth) Harnden (Jonathan ) was born 1760 in Connecticut. She died 11 May 1846 in Haldimand, Northumberland, Ontario, Canada.

Harriet married Nathan (Nathaniel) BRADLEY, son of George BRADLEY and Susannah PIERCE, about 1777 in New York. Nathan was born Jul 1754 in Abington, Plymouth, MA. He died 1833 in Haldimand, Northumberland, Ontario, Canada.

The Mass. birth records for Nathan list his birth date as July 33, 1754, so it's anyone's guess what the correct day is in July of that year.

Almost all of the Bradley lines written here come through the kindness of Linda Ueland. She sent me a very nice workbook on the Bradley family, and I transcribed a lot of it.

Additional Notes on Nathan's family are from Rosemary Channel via Linda:

Elizabeth Harden\Harnden

Source for Death: "Bradley Hollow" old church records.

Nathan Bradley - Elizabeth Harden\Harnden

"Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Niagra County, New York" Page 519, as quoted by great-grandson "The family is of English Extraction. Nathan Bradley was a native of Connecticut and died in Canada at an advanced age."

Eddystone Church records: "Nathan and Elizabeth Bradley in the early part of the last one ___ being early in the present century moved from the states around the head of Lake Ontario, with his family in a wagon and driving his flock following the lake shore around ___ woods. And was three weeks on his journey. He settled a few miles north of his church (Eddystone) with is wife and family. They joined the church in 1802 (United) in February, age 46 and became a member. His son, William, a deacon, was one of his married sons. G. S. Bradley is a great-grandson. Mrs. Floyd, a gg grand-daughter, heirs ___ in her children, they are now members of the Sabbath school six generations in one century. Still there is but few living names on the church records. Gone, gone to be with their Lord in that beautiful land of the west."

Tradition has it that Nathan and Elizabeth Bradley came from Illinois with first born William. They were burned out by Indians and they crossed the river carrying their young son in their arms as they waded across. They probably settled for a time in Niagara Co., NY.

Nathan and Harriet had the following children:

+ 25 M i William Harnden BRADLEY was born 16 May 1778 and died 7 Dec 1861.
26 F ii Cynthia BRADLEY was born about 1780 in New York.

+ 27 M iii Lemuel H. BRADLEY was born 1782 and died 6 Jun 1865.
+ 28 M iv Oliver N. BRADLEY was born about 1784.
+ 29 F v Susanna BRADLEY was born about 1786.
+ 30 F vi Hannah (Henna) BRADLEY was born 1790.
+ 31 F vii Mary (Polly) BRADLEY was born 4 Jun 1791 and died 9 Apr 1862.
+ 32 M viii Hamilton (Jonathan) BRADLEY was born 1795.
33 M ix Nathan BRADLEY was born 1800 in Haldimand, Northumberland, Ontario, Canada.

Nathan married Polly BROWN.

+ 34 M x Hiram H. BRADLEY was born 1804.
+ 35 M xi Sylvanus BRADLEY was born 22 Apr 1807 and died 23 Jun 1872.
36 M xii George K. BRADLEY was born about 1811 in Haldimand, Northumberland, Ontario, Canada.

George married Patty MOORE.

5. William Harnden (Jonathan ) was born 1766 in Connecticut.

William married Elizabeth. Elizabeth was born 1766 in Massachusetts.

They had the following children:

+ 37 M i William Harvey Harnden was born 1795.
+ 38 M ii Washington F. HARNDEN was born 1810.

6. Joshua Harnden (Jonathan ) was born 1771 in Hebron, Windham, Connecticut. He died 6 Dec 1822 in Granville, Washington, New York and was buried in Lee-Oatman Cemetery, S. Granville, Washington, New York.

Military minutes of the Council of Appointment of the State of New York, 1783-1821 Vol. 1 & 2.

Joshua Harnden (1771)
1806 Adjutant, 1st Battalion 4th Regiment, Rensselaer Co., NY
1811 Paymaster, 4th Regiment of Artillery, 2nd Brigade, Rensselaer Co., NY
1814 Paymaster, 154th Regiment of Infantry, Washington Co., NY
1816 Quatermaster, 154th Regiment of Infantry, Washington Co., NY

Joshua married Lefa (Lesa) PIDGE, daughter of John PIDGE, on 9 Aug 1795 in Granville, Washington, New York. Lefa was born 31 Dec 1771 in Rhode Island. She died 31 Aug 1851 in Granville, New York.

They had the following children:

39 F i Lovicy (Levicy) Harnden was born 24 May 1796 in Windham, Connecticut. She died Jan 1872 in Granville, Washington, New York.

Lovicy married (1) John WHEDON on 25 Jul 1815. John was born 30 Jul 1798. He died before 1822.

Lovicy also married (2) General William COVELL on 3 Jan 1828. William was born 26 Feb 1783 in Westfield, Washington, New York. He died 4 Sep 1843 in South Hartford, , New York.

40 F ii Mary (Polly) Harnden was born 30 Jul 1798 in New York. She died 25 Aug 1889.

41 F iii Filora (Phylora) Harnden was born 26 Mar 1800. She died 9 Jan 1889 in Barrington, , Illinois.

Filora married (1) Samuel WHEDON on 15 Feb 1821 in Granville, Washington, New York. Samuel was born 24 Jun 1799 in West Paulet, Vermont. He died 10 Jun 1880 in Barrington, Illinois.

Filora also married (2) SCOVILL.

42 M iv Infant Harnden was born 19 May 1802. He died 22 May 1802.

43 M v Jonathan Harnden was born 18 May 1803. He died 28 Jan 1804 and was buried in Lee-Oatman Cemetery, S. Granville, Washington, New York.

+ 44 F vi Laura Cecilia Harnden was born 22 May 1805 and died 27 Mar 1892.
+ 45 M vii Joshua Streeter Harnden was born 16 Mar 1807 and died 27 Feb 1893.
46 M viii George Harnden was born 23 Jan 1809 in New York. He died 19 Oct 1814 and was buried in Lee-Oatman Cemetery, S. Granville, Washington, New York.

47 M ix Harvey Harnden was born 24 Jul 1815 in New York. He died 9 Aug 1830 and was buried in Lee-Oatman Cemetery, S. Granville, Washington, New York.

+ 48 F x Harriet Harnden was born 24 Jul 1815 and died 16 Feb 1894.

7. Orpha Harnden (Jonathan ) was born 1772 in Connecticut.

He had the following children:

49 F i Mary Harnden was born 1799 in New York.

9. HARNDEN (Samuel , Jonathan ) was born 1776. She died 1807.

HARNDEN married Allen Eddy, son of William Eddy and Elizabeth SMITH. Allen was born 16 Oct 1773 in Scituate, RI. He died Feb 1835.

They had the following children:

50 M i Harnden Eddy was born Jul 1796. He died 23 Sep 1881 in Eddystone, Ontario, CAN and was buried in Eddystone Cemetery Near Graffton, Ontario, Canada.

Harnden Eddy, b. about 1796, perhaps in RI; died at the age of 82 or 83 years; m. Nancy Purdy. When he was about seven years of age his family left New England and went to New York State and then later to Haldimand, Ontario, where he married. He lived in Eddystone, Ontario, a town seven miles from Grafton where he was a deacon in the church.
[Eddy Family In America; page 399]

Harnden was a veteran of the War of 1812 (Canadian Side)
Muster Roll and pay list of the 1st Regiment of the Northumberland militia; October 8-13, 1813
Private 42
Eddy, Harnden
No of days: 6
Amount of net pay sterling dollars: 0-3-0
Remarks: on command to Burlington

Harnden appears in the 1851, 1871 and 1881 Ontario Census Records.

Harnden is listed as applying in 1875 to participate in the gratuity voted by Parliament in 1875.
(Parliamentary Sessional Papers, 1876, No. 7, page 32)

He is also listed as a "Commissioner of Peace" December 13, 1858 in United Counties of Northumberland and Durham.(1803-1955)
http://www.trentu.ca/library/archives/84-020.htm

Also from the Trent Archives is a land transaction:
Eddy to Eddy 1884 - S 1/2 of N 1/2 Lot 14 Conc. 5 Haldimand

The Belden's 1878 Map Transcription shows:
EDDY, H. owned Lot 22, Conc., 3

Note you may come across the following person in your research it is not the same person:

Highland Cemetery, Highland Township, Oakland County, Michigan:

A. W. Eddy, served in the War of 1812 [Durant's Oakland County History gives the establishment of Highland Cemetery in 1849 and the first burial being that of Harden Eddy.] This Harden Eddy was the son of Allen W. EDDY, b. Mar. 23, 1793 in Rutland Co, VT; d. July 28, 1878 in Milford MI. His mother was Clorinda Castle...see p. 294 The Eddy Family in America. Harden was b. June 17, 1831 and died Oct. 4, 1849.

Harnden married Nancy Purdy, daughter of Benjamin Sr Purdy and UNKNOWN, on 9 Apr 1815 in Eddystone, Ontario, CAN. Nancy was born 1 Jun 1797 in New York. She died 6 Sep 1878 in Eddystone Cemetery, Eddystone, Ontario, CAN.

***Use Nancy's parental relationship with caution. A number of researchers are still trying to prove Nancy's parents.***

The IGI lists a Nancy Purdy born 1797 in Westchester, NY daughter of Roger and Ann Purdy. Another IGI listing shows a Nancy Purdy born c. 1798 who married a "Harding" Eddy. The book, "Eddy Family in America" shows Harnden's wife as Nancy Purdy, but no parents of Nancy are mentioned. Roger and Ann Purdy as the parents is doubtful as this family was in Westchester after 1815. We know that a number of Purdy's from Westchester, NY went to Canada after the American Revolution. Nancy was born in 1797, the census notes she was born in the US. Harnden and his family went to Canada sometime between 1803 and 1815. A sister of Harnden's, Dorcas, married a Benjamin Purdy, possibly a brother to Nancy. This Benjamin may be descended from Francis Purdy through Joseph5, Obadiah and Phoebe Underhill4, Joseph3, Joseph2, Francis1. This Benjamin Purdy and his wife, Dorcas Eddy, shown in the 1871 census living with a Hiram and Nancy Brisbin (both born in 1830) - Nancy is probably their daughter. Was she named after Benjamin's sister Nancy? More recent information places Benjamin, b. 1792 as born in Vermont.

A Joshua Purdy is listed as an early settler of Haldimand Twp. being granted land along with Bays Eddy. A "Jos." and Caleb Purdy are early grantees in Hamilton Twp. In the list of Residents in 1797 are listed Joseph Purdy Lot 3 1st concession; Gilbert Purdy Lot 4 1st concession; Gilbert Purdy Lot 4 2nd concession; Joseph Purdy, Jr. Lot 28 2nd concession [Taken from the Report of the Department of Public Records and Archives of Ontario 1930 and Report of the Department of Public Records and Archives of Ontario 1931. Taken from the original reports of Asa Danforth and Aaron Greeley June 17, 1797 and Sept 1, 1797.]

A Nancy P. Eddy is listed in Middlesex County, Massachusetts Probate Index, 1871-1909 (Part A-K):
Eddy Nancy P. Providence R.I. 1879 Administration 3307

Judd Bacon believes that Nancy McLaren is the d. of Peter McLaren and Mercy?. A Peter McLaren b. c. 1750 married Mercy Buell (b. October 15, 1753 in Marlborough, Hartford Co, CT) and had at least one daughter, Mercy McLaren. Is Nancy McLaren another daughter? Mercy Buell's 2nd husband was Samuel Wright. They married in Montreal, Ontario, Canada on March 07, 1784. Mercy Buell had a brother William who was supposedly the founder of Brockville (Elizabethtown). (See: History of Leeds and Grenville Chapter XLIV page 181.) Brockville is located just across the St. Lawrence from Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence Co, NY where children of Mercy BUELL McLAREN and her second husband, Samuel WRIGHT are found. Samuel died there in 1815.

51 F ii Dorcas Eddy was born 1799 in USA. She died 31 Mar 1876 in Eddystone, Ontario and was buried in Eddystone Cemetery.

Dorcas married Benjamin Purdy, son of Benjamin Sr Purdy and UNKNOWN, about 1823. Benjamin was born 1791 in USA. He died 17 Mar 1877 in Eddystone, Ontario and was buried in Eddystone Cemetery.

Last NAME: BRADLEY
First NAME: DAVID KING
Residence: SOUTH DORCHESTER
Date: NOV 21, 1859
File: 40
MFNo.: 1375
Notes:

Formerly of the Township of Whitby, Home District

Executor was Lovicia Bradley, widow

Mention of brothers Levi Bradley, Nathaniel Bradley, Isaac Bradley, Nathan Bradley, and Hiram Bradley

What prompts us to get involved in family history? How do we start? Is it the stories we hear as youngsters about some long lost relative or key family event of long ago? Or are we just curious about all those faces staring at us from the family albums? What are they trying to say to us?

We realize that for many we do not even know their names. What key events intersected with their lives to change the course of their history? And as a researcher is our interest really detached? Maybe we are attempting to enrich our own heritage with a record that attempts to speak for those long since passed from our life. And possibly we want those generations succeeding us to understand and remember what went before.

There is no doubt that these ancestors are our heroes. They are the ones who tamed the land and forged a society that is the envy of the world. They toiled in the forests, on the farms and in the cities to provide the essentials of life for their families. We know that they did all this under incredible hardship, especially those living in the rural areas. We acknowledge that the comforts we live with today have really only been with us since the middle of the twentieth century but it is so easy to forget even our own early hardships. In all likelihood future generations will have an even more comfortable existence. It is to be hoped that they will have the interest and motivation to learn about their roots and experience some enjoyment from the history of their ancestors.

This is the story of the Bradley Family of Northumberland, Dufferin and Simcoe Counties of the Province of Ontario, Canada.

It has been claimed that the name Bradley has its origins in the Celtic tribes of Ireland (O’Brollachain – from the Irish “brollach” meaning “breast”) around the 5th. century A.D. It has also been claimed that the name originated in England. In the subsequent conquests of Ireland by the English there are many instances of the name arising both in Ireland and England. The Bradley family in this story has its roots in Ireland.

The name Bradley when found in use in England has historically meant “ dweller of the broad field”. Thus sometimes the name appears as “Broadley or Broadlee or Bradlee or Bradly”.

Families usually perpetuate cherished stories of the adventures of their ancestors. Family myths do hold clues about the reality and events that impacted the lives of our ancestors. Unfortunately, these stories are also full of embellishment and invention. In developing this family history I have tried to portray our history as accurately as possible. In this regard I have been diligent in the use of as many primary sources as possible. These include census data, vital statistics, land records, church records, cemetery records, and family Bibles, records of the Church of Latter Day Saints, newspapers and libraries. Oftentimes these intriguing family stories are the reason we start researching our roots. These stories should always be recorded, preserved and examined for clues but they should also always be identified as fiction mythologies. Much of the data uncovered from primary sources date to many generations ago and in some cases centuries ago and therefore, are subject to errors and interpretation. Through much of the nineteenth century most people could not read or write. Entries to official records were often made by the only literate or semi-literate official based on input from the subject being interviewed. As a result oftentimes dates are wrong, names are misspelled, or events recalled from memory have been altered by time. Throughout this history events and facts that have been confirmed will be footnoted. All other events will be stated as though they are fact. Information passed to me by others has been assumed to be correct and is presented unaltered unless shown by official records to be wrong. Work on our family history will continue. I would very much be pleased to hear from other researchers interested in this family. Please e-mail me at: jas.bradley@ sympatico.ca or write me at RR#3, Prescott, Ont. K0E 1T0.

With respect to discussions on land holdings it should be noted that the original surveys for the Crown Patents usually comprised lots of 200 acres.

The province now known, as Ontario was first divided into districts, then counties. The counties were then divided into townships, with the township being the basic unit of division. Unlike the USA where townships can be any shape, a township in Ontario is usually rectangular in shape unless it borders a river or a lake. Townships were then divided into concessions. Each concession is a strip of land 1 and 1/4 miles wide. Concessions can run in any direction and are generally divided by a road. Each concession is numbered usually with a Roman Numeral (X, V, IV). When concessions do not run the length or width of the township because of water, they are usually labelled with letters (A, B, C. etc.). A gore is a piece of a township that does not fit in the rectangular shape, ie. “extra” land or land that goes around a body of water.

Concessions are divided into lots that use Arabic numbers (4, 5, 7). A lot was originally 200 acres, and then could be subdivided into 2 parcels of 100 acres each. The lots ran parallel to the road, and were often divided by direction, ie. the N ½ or the N part of Lot 4, or the SE ½ of Lot 4. Further sub-divisions could then be made, ie. the W ¼ of the N ½ of Lot 4, or in more recent times, into parcels of acreage, ie. 5 acres.

We must also keep in mind that a farm in the early 19^th century was never meant to be a commercial enterprise but rather a means to provide sustenance for one’s family. Therefore, a farm of 100 acres or even 50 acres was usually more than adequate to provide for a family.

A history of this type is never really finished because there is always a missing individual or branch of the family. Documentation of ancestors is also spotty and often not readily available. Therefore, this history is a work in progress with future additions and changes to be made as new or amended information becomes available.

Abbreviations in this history are used mainly to identify major sources. The following list of abbreviations is used:

I would like to thank the following people for their support and assistance throughout the preparation of this story.

Melba Bradley, widow of my uncle Thomas Bradley, who provided recent history along with names and addresses of cousins that I have not seen in over fifty years.

Herbert Johnston, son of Jesse Isobel Bradley and George Johnston, a cousin of mine who also has an interest in family history and was in possession of his mother’s notes and old photos of family members.

Doreen Tosh (Bradley) a descendant of a brother of my great grandfather, who also has an interest in family history and who provided a great deal of research that she carried out in the period 1960 to 1990. Her contribution was invaluable and saved me many months of research.

Jean Stock a cousin of mine and daughter of Bertha Bradley who was able to shed some light on the early life of her mother.

Myrna Bradley who provided valuable information on that branch of the family that migrated to the west in the early 1900’s

Don MacLaren and his wife Ardilla who is descended from Lemuel Bradley for valuable insight into the very earliest Bradleys in North America.

Warren Bradley

Elaine Mason

Linda Ueland

1. 1763 Treaty of Paris; New France (incl. present day Ontario) becomes a British colony

8. 1841 Act of Union: Upper and Lower Canada become Canada West and Canada East with elected Assemblies

Our story begins July 22 1754 with the birth of Nathan Bradley at Bridgewater, Plymouth County, Massachusetts to parents George Bradley and Susannah Pierce. Little is known of Nathan’s early life but it is recorded that he married Elizabeth Harden in 1777. The recorded marriage is to have taken place in Washington County, New York, USA. We next find Nathan and Elizabeth in Haldimand Township, Northumberland County, Ontario and the year is 1797. We do not know why they left the USA or how many of their children, of which they had twelve, may have come to Canada with them. Notes passed to me by Warren Bradley suggest the family lived for a while in Cherry Valley, New York. The next best picture of the family comes from an analysis of the 1803 to 1850 census returns for Haldimand Township, Northumberland County. A following section is devoted to an analysis of these returns.

Northumberland County lies on the north shore of Lake Ontario just slightly west of the Kingston/Belleville area. This corridor from Montreal to Toronto along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario was first settled in the late 18^th century. We know that the first settlement in the township occurs in this period and that many of the first settlers came to Canada from the USA. A great many were United Empire Loyalists or UEL and much documentation exists on these brave and early settlers to Canada.

The area settled by the Bradley’s around Centreton lies squarely in the region known as the Great Pine Ridge. This area is part of a large moraine formed at the time of the last ice age. The terrain is quite hilly and the soil tends to be sandy – great for the growth of pine forests and quite beautiful – but I believe quite difficult to farm. The hardships facing settlers to this area and on this land are described in great detail by the first hand account of Catherine Parr Traile in her book entitled “The Backwoods of Canada” first published in 1836. Catherine Parr Traile was the wife of a British officer who immigrated to Canada in 1832 and took up a homestead in the Peterborough area not far from the location of our story.

The earliest Bradley to settle in this area was Nathan Bradley. As will be shown he and two of his sons William and Lemuel were settled in Northumberland in 1797.

Furthermore, a local historical record published by Belden in the late 1800’s reports that Nathan Bradley ancestry from Vermont. This may be an error, as it is known that the ancestors of Nathan were originally living in Massachusetts.

The Report of the Department of Public Records and Archives of Ontario 1930 records landholders in the county as recorded by Asa Danforth and Aaron Greeley in June 1797 and Sept. 1797. In this documentation Nathan Bradley is shown to have held lot 16 in the 3^rd concession. Research of the Upper Canada Land Petitions at the National Archives yields additional verification of the Bradley land holdings. Firstly, there is a copy of a petition on behalf of Lemuel Bradley and others namely, Jonathan Greeley, Zacheus Burnham, Nathan Burnham, John Doren, Samuel Currier, John Eastman and Liberty White dated April 20, 1799 and addressed to His Honour Peter Russell, Esq. President, Administering the Government of the Province of Upper Canada.

This petition indicates all are current residents who, “ having resided and laboured in Haldimand from the beginning of this settlement” and “are now desirous of settling in this Province and becoming subjects to His Majesty” would like to obtain title to their land. Secondly, there is a reference in a letter May 1, 1799 and signed by the Township Administrator that Nathan Bradley had property on the 3 rd. Concession and that he had cleared 10 acres. Furthermore there is a second letter signed by Aaron Greeley dated 18th. June 1799 indicating that Nathan Bradley and family had settled and improved the aforementioned property.

Other land petitions of interest are found in the NA. Oliver Bradley petitions for lot 27 in the 4^th concession dated 12 January 1819. Nathan Bradley petitions for title to his property, lot 16 in the 3^rd. concession dated 17 May 1815. Lemuel Bradley petitions for a lease on a lot in Alnwick twp. to set up a passenger ferry service across Rice Lake dated 1820. These petitions are quite difficult to read therefore, I have typed them and placed them alongside photocopies of the originals as an attachment. It is interesting to note that Nathan and Oliver both sign their petitions in a hand that is less than confident. Lemuel does not sign his petition but makes his mark. I think we can conclude that Oliver and Nathan had a basic writing literacy whereas Lemuel was unable to write.

At this juncture some discussion of the migration of settlers from the United States to Canada may be helpful. The American War of Independence covers the period 1775 to 1783.

During that time people in the thirteen colonies had to take a position either for or against this independence movement. Many of these people were just ordinary folk whose main objective was to start a new life on property that was their own. They were not all politically engaged in these events that the times were forcing them to consider. Those that had strong political beliefs in the Empire came out strongly in favour of Great Britain. Many of them were enlisted in the service of the Crown and would eventually take up arms against the independence army.

These people and their descendants would become known as United Empire Loyalists and most of them along with their families immigrated to Canada during and after the conflict. In addition, “momentum built up from the first year of the Revolution to penalize royalist sympathizers. Fines, imprisonment, seizure of goods, dispossession, and gradually eviction were the lot of the hapless families who tried to remain in their homes.”

“Vigilante groups like “Committees of Safety” and “Commissioners for Detecting and Defeating Conspiracies” were formed”. Many of these persecuted left their homes for Canada and settled in the loyalist territories along the corridor from Montreal to Toronto. Our Bradley ancestors settled in Canada at this time and against the backdrop of this conflict.

These census returns are contained on microfilm Reels # M 7740 and M7741 at the NA. The government of Upper Canada operating under statutes of King George III, George IV and William IV ordered these census returns to be carried out yearly beginning in 1793 by the Town Clerk or Administrator under provisions set down by the Province. The censuses that survived are on file at the AO and also have been turned over to the NA.

The censuses are head of household only, but did enumerate the number of people living in the household by age classification.

This format was essentially the same throughout with minor variations until 1848 at which time an agricultural schedule was added along with more details on the members of the household.

I have included a series of charts covering the census years 1803 to 1841 for all the Bradleys of Haldimand. In later years (1848 to 1861) there are more Bradleys listed.

I have not included all these Bradleys even though I know they are members of the Bradley clan. Inclusion of this group can be a work to be carried out in future.

Census Returns – 1803 to 1850 Haldimand Township, Northumberland County (cont’d).

The first census we have is the 1803 census. At this time the population of Haldimand is 312 persons and there are three Bradley households enumerated. The households are those of Nathan Bradley with 9 family members, William Harden Bradley with 3 family members and Lemuel H. Bradley with 3 family members. We know from other research that Nathan Bradley is married to Elizabeth Harden, William Bradley is married to Deborah Tripp and Lemuel Bradley is married to Catherine Waite. Both the Tripp and Waite families were prominent families in Haldimand who also came to Canada from the USA after the American Revolution. Furthermore, we know from this census that Nathan and Elizabeth have 3 male children less than 16 years of age (likely Hamilton; Nathan and an unknown male child), 3 female children under 16 years of age (likely Susanna; Hannah and Mary) and one male child over 16 years of age (likely Oliver). We also know that William and Deborah have only one child, a female under 16 years of age (likely Lucinda or Lucina), whereas, Lemuel and Catherine have one child, male under 16 years of age (likely Sisson).

The 1804 census adds an Oliver Bradley family consisting only of Oliver and his wife. It can also be noted that the Nathan Bradley family decreases by one in the category of males over 16 years of age in this census. Therefore, it stands to reason that Oliver was the son of Nathan enumerated as the male child over 16 years of age that was listed in the 1803 census. The number of male children increases by one and I have assumed this represents the birth of Hiram. We can further make an educated guess at the birth year of Oliver. Assuming he was 18-20 years of age when he married, his birth year would be 1786-1788. What was the name of Oliver’s wife? It will be shown later (1822 census) that a Bradley widow – named Dorcas Bradley is enumerated and Oliver no longer appears in any later census returns. I have assumed that Oliver’s wife’s name is Dorcas Abbey and not Brown as reported in the family Bible of Irene Price of Kentucky.

In the 1805 census we can see that there is a shift in category on the female side. I believe this represents the capture of the age of Hannah who was reported to have been born 1790. The remaining female is I believe Mary who was born in 1791. We can also see the families of William and Lemuel increase. In the case of William’s family the additional male child probably represents the birth of Abraham or Abram. In the case of Lemuel’s family we cannot identify the name of the additional female child.

Examination of the 1806 census reveals that Oliver and Dorcas now have a son less than 16 years of age. I take this to represent the birth of Levi Bradley and to have occurred between April of 1805 and April of 1806. We also see the reduction of one female in the adult category from Nathan’s family. This could mean that a marriage took place since the last census --- possibly the marriage of Hannah.

The 1807 census shows an increase of a male child in Nathan’s family. This is likely the birth of Sylvanus, which is recorded as Apr. 1807.

The April 1807 census shows us that Oliver now has another child, a female under the age of 16 years of age. Unfortunately, we do not know the name of this child.

The 1808 census shows us another male child born to Oliver and Dorcas. We might assume this child is Isaac. We can note also that by the 1808 census the infant female child no longer appears raising the possibility that she died in infancy. We also see Lemuel’s family increase by one male under 16 years of age.

In the 1809 census we note that William’s family increases by 1 female child and Lemuel’s family increases by 1 female child but drops 1 male child. This may be the case of another infant or child death. In the 1810 census we see that one of Nathan’s female children moves into the category age 16 to 60 years. We do not know the name of this child but it may be Mary.

The census of 1815 shows an addition of a George Bradley family consisting of 3 persons. George Bradley, his wife and a female child under the age of 16. Also note that the family of Nathan Bradley decreases by one male over the age of 16 years in this census. It is reasonable to assume then that George is a son of Nathan and Elizabeth.

Note that the April 1816 census reports that the Nathan Bradley family has one male over the age of 60. This would be Nathan himself and thus we can place his birth year at 1754 or 1755.

Note that in the 1817 census his wife Elizabeth becomes over 60 years of age. Therefore, her birth year is calculated as 1756 or 1757. Other sources have indicated that Elizabeth was born in 1760. I have assumed that 1760 is the correct year and this recording of the census data is an error.

The census for the year 1818 misses accounting for the Nathan Bradley family.

If we now examine the 1819 census we see that the Nathan Bradley family has only one person over the age of 60 years. This changes to two persons over the age of 60 in the year 1821. This is likely a simple error in recording of the 1819 and 1820 data. I have assumed that Elizabeth’s birth occurred in 1760 and therefore, she would have turned 60 years of age in the year 1820. The 1821 census would therefore capture her as a female over 60 years of age.

The census of 1821 indicates the first enumeration of a Hamilton Bradley family. Again the family of Nathan decreases by two males and we can assume that this Hamilton is the son of Nathan and Elizabeth.

The 1822 census records the listing of a Dorcas Bradley (widow) with a family size of 11 persons. This is the census year in which Oliver disappears and a look at 1821 indicates Oliver’s family to consist of 14 persons. We could hypothesize that possibly two of the infant children died along with Oliver or that one male child moved to his uncle William’s home. In any event there is a decrease of 3 persons. Dorcas Bradley is enumerated in one more census, that of April 1823, then she disappears from these census returns for Haldimand Township. A search of the census and assessment rolls for Hope Township, an area a little to the west of Haldimand, for the year 1824 reveals and indication that Dorcas Bradley re-located to Hope Township. The census information did not survive but the assessment rolls are available at the NA. In this roll Dorcas is enumerated in both the years 1824 and 1825. From this roll we know that she did not own land but that she did own 1 horse, 0 oxen, 3 milch cows and 3 horned livestock --- probably goats. A very interesting aspect emerges from this roll. There has been some controversy as to what was Dorcas’ maiden family name. Some researchers have indicated Potts; some have suggested Brown; still others have suggested Abbey. Well, on this role in both years she appears, her name is adjacent to a Ann Abbey, who does own property --- 20 acres on Lot 26 in Concession 1. We notice also that the family of Lemuel Bradley does not appear in this or following census returns for Haldimand.

If we move forward to the April 1839 census we now have the introduction of the Levi Bradley family. At this time the family consists of 5 persons, Levi his wife and three children, two boys and one girl. Since the census returns for the years 1826 to 1838 did not survive, we must assume that Levi probably married around the year 1835. If this were the case he would have been 29 years of age. For the times 29 years of age for a first marriage is an unlikely age, thus it is quite possible that he was married earlier as family folklore indicates. Furthermore, who are these three children? No names are evident – Richard one of the oldest children of Levi and Mary Ann is not born until May of 1839.

The census of 1848 is similar in format but includes an agricultural schedule. This schedule exemplifies the nature of farming in Ontario at this time. The pursuit of farming was not taken up as a commercial enterprise but as a method of employment to support one’s family. In this census Levi is shown to own a farm of 50 acres on lot 16 in concession 5. This particular property may not be the only property owned by Levi, as the census did not attempt to enumerate all properties owned by an individual. The family consisted of 9 persons. Levi and his wife plus 2 male children under 5 years of age and 3 male children over 5 years and under 14 years as well as 2 female children over 5 years and under 14 years. Analysis of later census returns allows us to identify these children as Hiram and Levi (Jr.) as the two boys under 5 years of age, Oliver, Isaac and Richard as the 3 boys over 5 years of age but under 14 years of age. We have no information on the names of the 2 girls over 5 years of age but less than 14 years of age. It is too early for the birth of Olive Emaline and Dorcas. Three of the children are attending school. The agricultural schedule indicates that the farm consists of 18 acres of tilled land, 10 of which is in pasture. Another 22 acres is bush or wooded. Crops consisted of 3 acres of wheat with a yield of 25 bushels, 11/2 acres of barley with a yield of 40 bushels, 3 acres of oats with a yield of 100 bushels, 11/2 acres of corn with a yield of 30 bushels and 1 acre of potatoes with a yield of 100 bushels. The farm also produced 150 pounds of maple syrup, 20 pounds of wool, 6 pounds of fulled cloth, 10 pounds of flannel and 1 barrel of pork. Livestock consisted of 2 milk cows, 2 horses and 2 hogs.

The 1850 census is incomplete but a breakdown of property owned does survive. The Bradley families have expanded greatly in 50 years and own a significant amount of property in the township as the following list indicates.

The known ancestors of Nathan Bradley are listed in Appendix A. It has been shown that they originated in the colony of Massachusetts and that sometime in the 17^th. or 18^th. century some members migrated to the colony of New York.

Nathan’s wife, Elizabeth Harden is listed as being born in Washington County, New York. It is possible and likely that some of their children were also born in New York.

There is a family story that tells of a last minute escape of Oliver Bradley and his wife Dorcas from an Indian attack that resulted in the burning of their home. Oliver, accompanied by his wife, is supposed to have carried his son Levi (Sr.) in his arms across a river as their house was in flames. I have received slightly different versions of this story from different family members who have supplied information to me.

Research evidence does not support this story, however, we may draw some clues from this myth. Firstly, Oliver Bradley does not show up as married in official census data until 1804. Also, we know that Oliver Bradley was born between 1780 and 1784---- too late for the Cherry Valley massacre. Land petition records however, place him in Northumberland as early as 1798. Oliver and Dorcas Bradley are first shown to have a child – Levi – only in 1806. As well, there is no evidence of any Indian uprisings in Northumberland. In fact, the first nations in that region were unusually friendly with their new neighbours.

Let us return to the myth. We do know that Nathan and his family of Elizabeth and children did live in the Cherry Valley area of New York State. During the Revolutionary War this area was a hotbed of political activity. Those sympathetic to the British cause were known as “Tories” and those sympathetic to the independence movement were known as “patriots.” In the fall of 1778 Chief Joseph Brant of the Mohawk nation led several attacks in the Cherry Valley area. Since Brant was allied with the British, these attacks were targeted at those settlers and townspeople who were sympathetic to the independence movement. Finally, on December 10^th. he led a major attack on the settlement of Cherry Valley, which resulted in the killing of about fifty men, women and children. The militia of the patriots beat back these attacks and as we all know ultimately prevailed.

Nathan Bradley and Elizabeth Harden were married in 1777, thus these attacks occurred in the first year of their marriage. Their first child, Cynthia, is reported to have been born in 1780, also too late for the events at Cherry Valley. It is, however, possible that Nathan and Elizabeth and other family members were somehow present at the tragedy that occurred at Cherry Valley.

Prior to moving on into the individual family members, a review of the War of 1812 may prove interesting.

British military forces in Canada at the time were comprised of regular military and militia. The militias were drawn from the general population and rather poorly trained. This was the case with the Northumberland Militia. Although they were never involved in a battle, the Northumberland Militia did have some important duties locally, and militarily. On the military level their most important function was to escort American prisoners of war from York (Toronto) to Kingston. Sometimes the prisoners would be escorted to Amherst (Coburg) by another militia and then turned over to the Northumberland Militia to continue the journey to Kingston. Now all of this sounds pretty easy and uneventful, however this was not the case. A journey of almost 300 kilometers in winter on foot and with inadequate clothing and rations meant that many of the militiamen and prisoners fell seriously ill. Some even died from their illnesses or exposure. On more than one occasion their officers reported serious breaches of discipline and conduct due mainly to the poor treatment received as members of the British military. On these journeys the militia usually stopped each night at a local inn or tavern for food and rest. The innkeepers became less and less helpful usually due to the unduly slow process by which they received their payment from the Paymaster in Kingston. The militiamen also became disgruntled over the length of time it took to receive their pay for military service. The militia became so disgruntled that they even proposed that the pacifists namely the Quakers and Mennonites living in Northumberland be required to pay five pounds annually to help fund the chronically under-funded militia. It was also a good thing that they were never required for battle because the Northumberland Militia had no weapons. It was not until 1814 two years after the war started that the militia received any arms from the government. Even then many of the weapons were useless due to damage in shipment. In addition, the government neglected to send any flints with which to fire the guns. To make matters worse there was no gunsmith resident in the area to repair these weapons.

It can be said that although the militia never fought in any of the battles of the war, they did do their part to retain Canada’s sovereignty. It should also be noted that the militia was very involved in their communities. They were concerned with the ways that the land was being surveyed, and what was being done with the Native Peoples of the area. The enclosed attachment relating to the First Regiment of the Northumberland Militia indicates the names of some of the Bradleys who served during this wartime period.

As previously mentioned, the first appearance of Oliver Bradley is in the 1804 census. This census shows Oliver and a wife – we assume to be Dorcas Abbey. The 1805 census shows Oliver and wife as the only family members of the Oliver Bradley branch. It is the 1806 census that first indicates a male child less than 16 years of age. This child is assumed to be Levi as his birth has been recorded as 1806.

We can assume Levi spent his childhood years growing up and learning farming on the family farm in Haldimand Township. As a young man he married Mary Ann Shannon, a woman five years his senior who was born in Cork, Ireland. There is evidence that a Shannon family was living in Haldimand Township at this time and we can assume Mary Ann to be a member of that family.

The 1839 census is the first to show a Levi Bradley family. This census shows a family of Levi, his wife and 2 male children and 1 female child. All the children are less than 16 years of age. It should be noted that no census data for the period 1825 to 1839 survived. We have to assume that Levi and Mary Ann were married about 1830 and started their family. The 1840 census shows Levi and Mary Ann’s family to include 3 male children and 1 female child. All children are less than 16 years of age. The 1841 census shows the family to have 3 male children and 2 female children, all less than 16 years of age. The 1848 census, taken April 1848, is the next census record to survive and it indicates the family to consist of 7 children, 2 boys under 5 years of age, 3 boys under 14 years but over 5 years of age and 2 girls under 14 years but over 5 years of age. The 1851 census is a complete family census as of March 1852 and shows Levi and Mary Ann to have the following children, Oliver and Isaac with age next birthday to be 15 and 13 respectively. Daughters Lucinda and Mariah are shown with age next birthday to be 10 and 9 respectively. Sons Hiram, Levi and Jonathan with age next birthday to be 7, 5, and 4 respectively. Next, is Emaline with age next birthday to be 2 years. The combination of the census returns from 1839 to 1851 now allow us to construct the family birth years, probably as close as we will be able to estimate without a primary source document such as a birth notice.

Son: Isaac born about 1839. This son is actually the son that is later known as Richard.

The 1861 census shows Levi and Mary Ann’s family to be as complete as we are to see it in subsequent census data. The birth of Oliver is followed by the births of several other children: Richard 1839 (the 1851 census shows only an Isaac – no Richard. Later census returns show no Isaac but only a Richard. Their birth years are, however, virtually the same), Hiram 1844, Levi (Jr.) in 1848, then Jonathan in 1849, then Olive Emmeline in 1850, Edward 1854 and Dorcas in 1856.

We know from the land records that on January 13, 1819 Oliver Bradley, Levi’s father, purchased the property identified as lot 27 in the 4 th. Concession of Haldimand Township.

We also know from land records that Levi Bradley, by now married and with children, purchases 100 acres or one half the property of lot 15 in the 5 th. concession. This transaction is dated March 4 1844 and was sold under a Bill of Sale from the Hon. G.S. Boulton to Levi Bradley. The portion sold was the south half of the lot. On a Bill of Sale dated March 8 1844, Levi Bradley sells 50 acres of this lot to a Mr. Thomas Tuck. This leaves Levi with a holding of 50 acres, which he sells to Mr. Alfred Dade on June 22, 1867. It is at this time that Levi moves the family to the Tosorontio area of Simcoe County.

Levi purchased a farm property situated on the Tosorontio town line denoted in the 1871 census as Conc. #1 Lot 27. This farm is the second property north of Simcoe County Rd. # 12. The Beard family owned the first farm north of this county road. Levi (Jr.), the son of Levi would eventually marry Margaret Beard. When Levi first moved to the farm in Tosorontio he built a log cabin on the property. This was later replaced by a brick home, which still stands today. In the 1871 census the family is enumerated as follows;

Head of Family: Levi Bradley, age 64 born in Ont., a farmer and follower of the Baptist faith, and of Irish origin.

Wife: Mary Ann, age 64, born in Ireland, a follower of the Wesleyan Methodist faith.

From this census we learn that both Edward and Dorcas are attending school. We also learn that Mary Ann can neither read nor write and Levi is unable to write. This seems unusual because from earlier census returns we know that in general all the Bradley children attended school while the family was living in Haldimand. We don’t know for how long they went to school or what level of education they completed. We know also from family lore that all the Bradleys were musically inclined. Levi (Sr.) is reported to have been a master violinmaker, as well as an accomplished player. His children inherited this trait as can be seen in later descriptions of this history.

The agricultural schedule for this census (schedules 4, 5, 6, and 7) indicates nicely the status of production of the farm in this period. The farm is 100 acres and has a house, barn, one wagon, one plough and one fanning mill.

There are 55 acres being farmed with 3 acres in pasture and 1 acre in gardens/orchards. For the year of this census the farm produced 100 bushels of wheat, 30 bushels of barley, 6 bushels of beets, 250 bushels of oats, 60 bushels of peas and 50 bushels of corn. In addition, 150 bushels potatoes, 150 bushels of turnips, 10 tons of hay, 1 pound of hops and 150 pounds of maple syrup were produced. The livestock on the farm consisted of 2 horses, 3 milk cows, 6 oxen, 6 sheep, 6 swine, 7 hives of bees, 2 minks and 2 foxes. For the census year the family produced 60 pounds of butter, 20 pounds of honey and 23 pounds of wool, 23 yards of home made fabric. The family cut 140 scaled pine logs and 20 cords of firewood.

Another son Richard would purchase the property across the road from the Beard farm.

This farm is situated in Mulmur Township of Dufferin County and is the first farm north of Dufferin County Rd. # 21. This farm would eventually pass into the hands of Charles Richard Bradley a son of Richard Bradley.

Mary Ann Shannon, Levi’s wife and the matriarch of our branch of the family passed away on Jan. 5, 1891 at the age of 89 years. Mary Ann is buried at Banda cemetery, which is west of Glencairn and Airport Rd. in the township of Mulmur. Levi Bradley the patriarch of our family branch passed away Jan. 15, 1897 at the ripe old age of 90 years and 5 months. Levi was laid to rest in Banda cemetery on the same site as his beloved wife Mary.

Other descendants of Oliver and Dorcas follow but little research has been undertaken on these family members.

Little is known of this member of our Bradley family. This Oliver is shown in the 1851 census. He 15 years of age at the time of the census, thus his birth year is about 1836.

Richard Bradley was born May 25 1839 and was the second son of Levi and Mary Ann. He was born in Haldimand Township of Northumberland County in the province of Ontario. Even though these census show that all the Bradley children were attending school we can assume that the young Richard learned his farming skills early in life. Notably, Richard/Isaac does not show up in the 1861 census. By the time of the 1861 census (March 1862) he would be about 23 years of age and likely was not living at home. In fact, a review of the marriage registers at the AO indicate that he was married to Mary Stickles on Nov. 5, 1860. The record shows Richard Bradley, son of Levi and Mary Bradley, born in Haldimand, and Mary Stickles, daughter of John and Catherine Stickles, born in Haldimand, married on Nov. 5, 1860. Witnessed by Jos. Young and Catherine Nobles and recorded by Rev. William nobles, pastor of the Christian Church. An interesting coincidence is that I and my wife were married on Nov. 5, 1960 exactly 100 years to the day from the marriage of my great grandfather.

By the time of the 1871 census we find Richard and Mary living on their farm located in Mulmur Township in Dufferin County. Richard Bradley and Mary Stickle purchase the farm previously mentioned which is located on the Mulmur/Tosorontio townline. This particular farm is the first farm north of Dufferin County Rd.# 21 on the west side of the townline. In addition to farming, Richard also kept the “Old Airlie” Post Office. Research of the 1871 Federal Census enumerated as of April 2, 1871 indicates the property is 100 acres with 75 acres improved and is identified as Lot 26 in Concession # 8. The census also lists family members as follows:

Head of Family: Richard Bradley; age 32; born Ontario; religion is Wesleyan Methodist; from Irish descent; occupation is farmer.

Also listed is a John White; age 15; born in Ontario and employed as a labourer. Note: Mary Ann is enumerated along with Richard’s family but she is also enumerated with Levi and family, thus she is duplicated in this census. Her age is listed as 62, however, we are informed from the inscription on her headstone that she was born in 1801, therefore, she should be 70 years of age when this census is recorded. It seems the ladies of the day were just as sensitive about their age as are our modern day women.

Schedule 4 of the census also gives us a good idea of the farm and it’s production. As mentioned the farm was 100 acres with 75 improved. I assume this means land that has been cleared and in cultivation. The Bradley’s had 1 acre of pasture; ½ acre of garden; 3 acres of wheat and 13 acres of hay. As well the farm produced 50 bushels of spring wheat, 5 bushels of barley and 30 bushels of oats. The family had 1 acre in rootcrops, which produced 60 bushels of potstock, 100 bushels of turnips and 40 bushels of peas.

It is also about this time that the brick home that fronts on the townline was built. It is a beautiful two-story home with a summer kitchen and buggy shed at the back. This is the home that ultimately passes to Charles Richard, my grandfather. It is the home in which my father and his brothers and sisters were born and raised. I visited the home in the fall of 2001 and found it to be in excellent condition and beautifully maintained by the present owners (Kelly). They have kept it period sensitive and the gingerboard; windows, doors and porches were all in good shape. The grounds around the house are also immaculately kept.

The family of Richard and Mary eventually grew to seven children of which five survived to adulthood. All the children were quite well educated for the times. The oldest child Helen, born 1862 was an accomplished pianist and vocalist having received her training at a conservatory in Hamilton. The next oldest child, a boy named John Levi was born in 1866. The third child, William was born in 1867, the year of Confederation. A fourth child, Charles Richard was born in 1870. This child grew to adulthood and took up farming on his father Richard’s farm. The next two children born were Marshall W. and Adella May who both died in infancy. Both children are laid to rest in Banda cemetery alongside their parents. Another son Clarence Wilmot was born in 1877 and as an adult became a pharmacist.

Little or no information is available at this time about this daughter of Levi and Mary Ann.

Little or no information is available at this time about this son of Levi and Mary Ann.

Little or no information is available at this time about this son of Levi and Mary Ann. We do know that Levi married Margaret Beard. Margaret was a daughter of the Beard family who owned the farm at Tosorontio that was adjacent to Levi (Sr.). The descendants of Levi (Jr.) are identified in the attached descendant charts.

Jonathan Bradley, son of Levi Bradley and Mary Ann Shannon was born about 1849 on the family farm in Haldimand Township, Ont. Jonathan Bradley also shows up in the 1861 census as a 12 year old.

As previously mentioned Levi moved his family to Simcoe County in 1867 and it is presumed that Jonathan age 18 moved with the family although no definite proof of this is available. There is no record of him in the 1871 census for Simcoe County. It is assumed that he has at the age of 22 established himself at some other location. We do however; have a record of his marriage to Elizabeth Cunningham, 24 September 1873 at Collingwood, Simcoe, Ont. Elizabeth was born in Ireland, had emigrated to Canada and was working for the Nicholas Hilborn family of Collingwood. She would later name her 11^th child Nicholas Hilburn. Their first child Robert B. was born 7 Aug. 1874 near Stayner, Ont. A second son Levi was born 9 Mar. 1876. The 1881 census places the family in Muskoka in the district of Proudfoot, Chaffey & Bethune & Parry. This census shows the family to consist of Jonathan and Elizabeth and four children. The children are Robert B., Levi, Richard E., and Emily May Bradley. As well Elizabeth’s mother Eliza Cunningham, age 56, is living with them. The family’s move to the Parry Sound District of Muskoka, Ont. is confirmed in notes from Myrna Bradley.

Jonathan Bradley and his large family were the first settlers on the quarter section NE 10-24-2-5 which became known as the Poplar Grove Ranch. Jonathan and his three eldest sons went west in the late 1890’s to look at the possibilities for land on the suggestion of Tom Edworthy a former neighbour from Ontario.

In 1890 Jonathan brought the rest of his family to Alberta to homestead and for a time lived with his friend Tom Edworthy. They later settled on a homestead filed on by their son Robert, north of High River on Tongue Creek. Here their son Nicholas Hilburn Bradley was born in 1892. Jonathan then filed on the Poplar Grove property west of Calgary. It was here in 1894 that their son Louis was born bringing the family total to eleven children. A daughter Martha had been born in Ontario but had passed away before the migration to Alberta.

The Bradley homestead prospered and they soon found that they had more stock than their quarter could handle so they purchased the next quarter to the north. Jonathan also was an active member in his community being instrumental in getting the first Spruce Vale School built. He was also adept at building and the broad axe trimmed logs with neatly cut dovetail corners were a specialty of his capabilities.

As time went on the eldest son Robert gave up his homestead and eventually settled in California. Son Levi later sold his quarter and moved to High River where in 1902 he took over his brother John’s harness shop and subsequently developed a very successful harness and saddle shop, the forerunner of Bradley’s Saddle and Western Store. His son Louis operated this business for a time but I believe as of now (2002) it has passed into the hands of others. Son Richard, like Levi sold his quarter and became involved in herding and breaking cattle. Following this he was engaged in the house construction business for many years. Son John carried on in the harness business and shoe repair for many years operating shops in Olds, Carstairs, Kamloops and Armstrong. Wilfred became a locomotive engineer for the railroad but due to injuries received in a head on railway accident was unable to continue in this work and he later settled in California. Nicholas Hilburn attended McGill University and was graduated with a degree in engineering. For many years he was Provincial Government Road Engineer in Southern Alberta based in Lethbridge. He retired to Florida and passed away in Oct. 1991 at the ripe old age of 99. The youngest son Louis was in sales for Burns Packing Co. and later owned a butcher shop in Nelson, BC. He was also later in the motel business in Nelson.

The girls of the family married and with their families settled in Alberta with the exception of May, the eldest, who settled in Ontario. The eleven surviving children of Jonathan and Elizabeth Bradley produced for their parents, forty grandchildren.

Little or no information is available at this time about this daughter of Levi and Mary Ann. We do know that Olive Emaline Bradley married William Beard, a son of the neighbouring Beard family in Tosorontio. Their children are identified in the attached descendant charts.

Little or no information is available at this time about this son of Levi and Mary Ann.

Little or no information is available about this daughter of Levi and Mary Ann. Dorcas married Henry Madill. The children of Dorcas and Henry are listed in the attached descendant charts and are based on information obtained from Isobel Bradley’s personal notes and confirmed by Doreen Tosh’s notes. Dorcas is buried in Glencairn cemetery in Simcoe County.

The first child born to Richard and Mary was their daughter Helen born in 1862. Not a great deal is known about Helen except that she was reasonably well educated for the times. Helen received her musical training in Hamilton and became an accomplished singer and pianist at a young age. Unfortunately, Helen contracted tuberculosis and passed away in 1883 at the very young age of 23 years. Helen is buried in the family plot at Banda cemetery in Mulmur.

In 1866 a second child John Levi was born to Richard and Mary Bradley. John Levi’s childhood was spent learning the skills of farming at the family farm in Dufferin County. He was also well educated for the times and eventually attended Trinity College at the University of Toronto and graduated as a medical doctor in 1894. He was made a Fellow of Trinity Medical College in 1895. He practised medicine first in the town of Creemore for many years and later moved to Toronto. He was married to Charlotte Compton and they had I believe two sons. Dr. John practised medicine in Toronto at 312 Brunswick Ave. until his retirement. He passed away Oct. 14, 1939 and is buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto. His wife Charlotte passed away in 1948 and is buried alongside him in Toronto. My mother knew Dr. John Bradley and his wife quite well and often told me what a wonderful family they were. When I was born in Sept. 1938 she named me for him and I am very thankful that I carry the name for this wonderful man.

William the third child of Richard and Mary was born in 1867, the year of confederation. We do not know very much about William’s life except that he pursued farming. William died at a very early age of 26 from complications due to a ruptured appendix. William never married. William is buried in the family plot at Banda, Mulmur.

A fourth child Charles Richard (my grandfather) was born in 1870. We don’t know much about his childhood but may safely assume he learned the practice of farming at his father’s side. He married his first wife, Hannah Stevens in the late 1890’s. Their first child Mary unfortunately died shortly after birth in May 1900. Tragedy struck a second time when his wife Hannah died while giving birth to their second daughter Hannah Bertha Elizabeth Bradley. This daughter survived and grew to marry John Ross and together they raised their own family.

Charles being unable to care for the infant Bertha placed her in the care of two aunts on her mother’s side. She remained in the care of Fanny Wake and Sadie Heslop for a period of about 7 years.

Charles married a second time around 1907. His second wife, Jessie Caskie was from the Norval area, her family emigrating in the late 1800’s from Scotland. Bertha’s childhood came to an abrupt end as she was returned to the care of her father and stepmother. Her role changed dramatically and as young child of seven was expected to help on the farm and care for her sister and brothers that arrived regularly at two year intervals over the next four years. First came Jessie Isobel in 1907, then my father Charles Allan in 1909, then John Thomas in 1911 and finally James Albert in 1913.

This generation of Bradleys were all quite musical and they apparently had their own orchestra. This seems to be a Bradley trait passed down from Levi. I have been told by Melba Bradley, widow of Thomas Bradley, that Charles Richard was quite a good vocalist and was known to have sung in three different churches at Clougher’s Corners each Sunday morning. These three churches, all of different faiths, were on opposite corners to each other in the settlement known as Clougher’s Corners A recent visit to this area reveals only one church still operating the other two having been converted to other uses.

Charles Richard was my grandfather and although I was just six years of age when he passed away, I do have a faint memory of him. That memory is of a good-humoured man who seemed to be always laughing. The family story is that he suffered a heart attack while laughing about a bald neighbour lady who was hanging out her washing in the backyard opposite his home. Eventually, Charles took over the family farm and continued to work it until his retirement in the early 1940’s. Charles Richard passed away in 1944 and is buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto.

The fifth child born to Richard and Mary Bradley in 1877 was Clarence Wilmot. Clarence was also well educated for the times and eventually became a pharmacist, practising in Creemore, Ont. He married Louise Hart (possibly of Barrie, Ont.) and they had two children, both of whom died in childhood.

Hannah Bertha Elizabeth known throughout her life as Bertha was born April 20, 1901 to Charles Richard Bradley and his wife Hannah Stevens. They had a daughter Mary born in 1900 and who died in infancy in 1900 and Bertha became the second child born to them. Her mother Hannah however, died during childbirth and thus Charles Richard found that he was unable to care for his newborn daughter. The infant Bertha was given to her aunts Fannie Wake and Sadie Hislop who were willing to care for her. She remained with them for a period of seven years. When her father remarried a second time to Jesse Caskie and children from this second marriage started to arrive, she was resettled with her father and stepmother to help on the farm and to assist with the newborns of the second marriage.

This was not a happy time for Bertha and she often told me that she felt she had been deprived of her childhood. It is suspected that she possibly did not get along well with her stepmother. Her new siblings however, thought highly of her and often visited with her in later years when she had her own family.

Bertha married John (Jack) Ross March 31, 1927 and settled on their farm in the Woodbridge area. The farm was strategically located on the southwest corner of Steele’s Ave. and Highway # 27. As I recall it was about 110 acres in size and had a beautiful house, barns and a driving shed. Bertha and Jack had two children. A daughter Jean was born Jan. 26, 1928 and later a son James was born Sept. 27, 1929.

Jean Ross became a schoolteacher and married Kenneth Stock on Dec. 28, 1951. James helped with the work on the farm but was more interested in flying airplanes. He eventually received his commercial pilots licence and spent his career flying for Air Canada. James married Joanne Hoover on April 17, 1954.

Jesse Isobel Bradley, the first child and daughter of Charles and Jesse was born Dec.6, 1907. She spent her childhood on the family farm and attending the little red schoolhouse on Airport Road. Her personal notes recount some of the major events recalled from her childhood. Of special interest is her account of her school days, the family gatherings during which the musical talents of the Bradley’s were displayed, the soldiers from Camp Borden visiting during the bleak period of the First Great War.

The second child of Charles and Jesse was born April 23,1909. Like his sister, Charles attended school at the little red schoolhouse on Airport Road. The early part of his life is rather uneventful. Like most children of his time he was expected to help with the chores around the farm. As a young man he left the farm and settled in Toronto. The time was of the Great Depression. During this period he worked at a variety of jobs, such as delivering milk for one of the prominent dairies. At the time he met my mother he was driving truck for a laundry company.

On Jan. 1,1938 Charles married my mother, Etta Mae Shepheard. They were married in the family home at 72 Haig Ave. Scarborough. It is evident that this marriage was in trouble quite early as shortly after the marriage my father moved to northern Ontario where he worked for Leitch mines. During this time my mother remained with her parents and continued to work for Curries, a Toronto based company. Shortly after I was born in September of 1938, she moved north to the mining town of Lochalsh. This was a company town, which basically consisted of a few log cabins and the mine. Living conditions were not modern by any standard. My mother had to store her perishable food in an earthen cache dug into the floor of the cabin.

When Canada entered the Second World War Charles enlisted in the Canadian army, in the Provost Corps, the military police force. His main activity during the war years was to guard and escort German prisoners of war to the various camps in Ontario.

After the war, Charles once again went to work in the mining industry. My parents settled in Schumacher, Ont. where he worked for the McIntyre Mining Co. as a hoistman. During this period my sister Carol was born on Oct. 19, 1947.

As previously mentioned, my parents marriage was in trouble for a number of years, and in 1948 they separated and eventually divorced. Charles moved to the Northwest Territories where he worked in the uranium mines of that region. He married at least two more times, all of which ended in divorce. His last employment was on the Churchill Falls project in Northern Quebec and Labrador.

Charles had always had a love for the west and from time to time had lived for short periods in British Columbia. After the finalization of the Churchill Falls project, he settled in Campbell River, BC. Charles passed away 21 July 1969 at the early age of 60 years. He is buried in the family plot at the Stayner cemetery in Ontario.

To His Honour Gordon Drummond Esquire, President administering the government of the Province of Upper Canada and Lieutenant General Commanding His Majesty’s forces within the same etc. etc. etc.

That your petitioner was settled upon lot no 16 in the 3^rd concession of the township of Haldimand by the nominee of that township upwards of sixteen years ago and that he has erected large buildings on the said lot and cleared upwards of 80 acres thereof and that on applying for his deed he finds that no warrant can now issue from the Council for the same without special authority in consequence of an Order in Council in the year 1799 of which your petitioner has been until now totally ignorant.

Wherefore your petitioner humbly prays your Honour to take his case into consideration and grant him such relief as to your Honour shall appear needs

Note: This is followed by a note from the land book #1 microfilm reel # C 103 at the NA, dated 17 May 1815 that states as follows:

Nathan Bradley of the Township of Haldimand yeoman praying to be confirmed by patent in lot no 16 in the 3^rd concession of said township on which he has been settled under the nominee of the township upwards of 16 years but for which a warrant cannot be issued without special authority in consequence of an order in council in the ---- July 1799.

Ordered that a warrant issue to the petitioner for that prayed for under the order in council of the 1 st. of September 1797 in his favour.

This is followed by a receipt dated 13 May 1815 and issued by the Receiver General attesting that Mr Samuel Jarvis acting as agent for Nathan Bradley has paid the patent fee of 3 pounds and 5 shillings and 2 pence and the surveying fee of 1 pound 7 shillings and sixpence for lot 16 in the 3^rd. of Haldimand under Reg. 1796.

Sir Peregrine Maitland Knight Commander of the Most Honourable M.O. of the Bath, Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Upper Canada and Major General commanding His Majesty’s forces therein etc. etc. etc.

The Petition of Oliver Bradley of the Township of Haldimand in the District of Newcastle yeoman Humbly Sheweth;

That the Petitioner is a native of the United States of America, that he removed with his parents into the Township of Haldimand about eighteen years ago and has remained as a subject of His Majesty therein ever since, that the petitioner being desirous of leasing lot number 27 in the 4^th. Concession of the said township of Haldimand, a Clergy Reserve, it being in its original state of nature and adjacent to his place of residence, he therefore, thus, humbly requests that your Excellency may be graciously pleased to grant him a lease for the said lot and to accept of Henry Ruttan Esq. of the said township, as his surety for the payment of such Rents as the said Lease may be subject to,

Lemuel Bradley Petitions for a Lease to Lot 2 in the 1^st. Concession of Alnwick:

To His Excellency Sir Peregrine Maitland K.C.B (Knight Commander of the Most Honourable M.O. of the Bath ), Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Upper Canada and Major General commanding His Majesty’s forces therein etc. etc. etc.

That your Petitioner has lived in this Province upwards of Twenty-two years and has a family of a wife and seven children. That having been recommended by the Magistrates to Your Excellency for a lease of the Ferry from the Township of Alnwick to the town plot of Otonabee to accommodate the settlers of that and the other new Township of Asphodel, he is desirous to lease the adjacent Clergy Reserve lot No. 2 in the 1^st. Concession of Alnwick, and humbly offers Nathan Bradley Senior of Haldimand yeoman as the surety for the due payment of the rent and prays Your Excellency grant him a lease of said lot.

Received from A. (not readable) the Land Granting Officer’s Fees on the Clergy Reserve Lot No. 2 in the first Concession of the Township of Alnwick Ordered as a Lease to Lemuel H. Bradley in Council 29 July 1820. Thomas Ridout.

The following transcripts are from documents contained in microfilm # MS522 of the Archives of Ontario, AO.

Transfer of land in the 2^nd. Concession, Haldimand Twp. to Lemuel H. Bradley.

Italics represent those sections completed in the handwriting of the solicitors:

This Indenture made the Fourteenth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventeen at West Flamborough in the Province of Upper Canada, between James Crooks of West Flamborough in Gore District, Esquire of the one part and Lemuel Harden Bradley of Haldimand, Newcastle District of the other part, WITNESSETH: That the said James Crooks for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred pounds lawful money of the said Province, to him in hand paid by the said Lemuel Harden Bradley the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, Hath granted, bargained, sold, aliened, transferred, conveyed and confirmed, and by these Presents Doth grant, bargain, sell, alien, transfer convey and confirm, unto the said Lemuel H. Bradley Heirs and Assigns forever, ALL AND SINGULAR that certain tract or parcel of land lying and being situate in the Township of Haldimand in the Newcastle District of the said Province, being Lot number Seventeen in the Second Concession of the said Township of Haldimand and containing Two Hundred Acres, be the same more or less, and is butted and bounded as may be otherwise known as follows(that is to say) commencing where a post is planted in front of the said concession, at the South East angle of the said Lot, then north sixteen degrees, west one hundred chains, then south seventy four degrees west, twenty chains, then south sixteen degrees east one hundred chains, then north seventy four degrees east twenty chains to the place of beginning, Together with all Houses, Out-Houses, woods and waters theron erected, lying and being and all and singular, the hereditaments and appurtenances to the said premises in any wise belonging, and the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders, rents, issues and profits thereof. And of the estate right, title, interest, claim, property and demand, whatsoever, either at Law or in Equity, of him the said James Crooks of, in, to or out of the same and every part thereof. TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the same with the appurtenances, freed and discharged from all incumbrance whatsoever, unto the said Lemuel Hardin Bradley heirs and assigns, to the sole and proper use, benefit and behoof of the said Lemuel Harden Bradley his heirs and assigns, forever, under the reservations, limitations and conditions, expressed in the original Grant from the Crown. And the said James Crooks for himself and his heirs, Doth covenant, grant and agree to and with the said Lemuel Harden Bradley his heirs and assigns, that he the said James Crooks now is the true, lawful and rightful owner of all and singular the said Lot of Land and premises above mentioned, with the appurtenances, and of every part and parcel thereof, and now is lawfully and rightfully seized in his own right, of a good, sure, perfect, absolute and indefeasible estate of inheritance in fee simple, of and in the premises hereby granted, bargained, sold, or intended to be granted, bargained and sold, without any condition, limitation of use or uses, or any other matter or thing to alter, charge, incumber or defeat the same. AND ALSO that he the said James Crooks his Lemuel H Bradley his heirs and assigns, shall and may from time to time, and at all times hereafter forever, peaceably and quietly enter into, have, hold, occupy, possess and enjoy, all and singular, the said premises above mentioned, and every part and parcel thereof, with the appurtenances,without the let, trouble, hindrance, molestation, interruption or denial of him the said James Crooks his heirs and assigns, or any other person or persons whomsoever, claiming or to claim, by from, or under him them or any or either of them; AND FURTHER, that he the said James Crooks him and his heirs, and all and every other person or persons, and their heirs, having or claiming any estate right, title, trust, or interest of, in or to the said premises above mentioned, or any part thereof, by from, or under him them or any or either of them, shall and will at all times hereafter, upon the reasonable request, and at the proper costs and charges of the said Lemuel Harden Bradley heirs and assigns, make, do and execute, or cause or procure to be made and executed, all and every such further and other lawful and reasonable act or acts, devices, conveyances and assurances in the law whatsoever, for the further, better and more perfect granting, conveying and assuring of all and singular the said premises abovementioned with the appurtenances, unto said Lemuel Harden Bradley his heirs and assigns, as by the said Lemuel Harden Bradley his heirs or assigns his or their counsel shall be reasonably devised, advised or required. IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties to these presents, have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year above written, and in the fifty seventh year of his Majesty’s Reign.

Transfer of Land in the 3^rd. Concession from Nathan Bradley to Lemuel H. Bradley

This Indenture made and concluded the seventeenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventeen between Nathan Bradley of the Township of Haldimand, County of Northumberland, District of Newcastle, Province of Upper Canada, Yeoman of the one part and Lemuel H. Bradley of the same place, Yeoman of the second part, Witnesseth that the said Nathan Bradley for and in the consideration of the sum of ten pounds of Lawful money of the Province of Upper Canada, to the said Nathan Bradley by the said Lemuel H. Bradley in hand paid, at or before the sealing and delivering of these presents, the receipt and payment whereof the said Nathan Bradley doth hereby acknowledge, hath granted, bargained, sold, aliened, released and confirmed; and by these presents doth grant, bargain, sell, alien, release and confirm unto the said Lemuel H. Bradley his Heirs and Assigns forever all that certain tract or parcel of Land, situate, lying and being in the Township of Haldimand aforesaid County, District and Province of Upper, containing by a measurement Three Acres be the same more or less, being the south west corner of Lot number sixteen in the Third Concession of Haldimand aforesaid which said contain certain parcel or tract of Land is Butted and Bounded as may be otherwise known as follows that is to say commencing at the South West corner of said Lot number Sixteen running thence North twenty four degrees East Five chains Sixty Two links more or less, Thence North Sixteen degrees West Five chains Thirty Three links more or less, Thence South Seventy Four degrees West Five Chains and Sixty Two links, Thence South Sixteen degrees East Five Chains Thirty Three links more or less to the place of beginning.

LDS – Intn’l. Gen. Index – Film 1260642

Illustrated Historical Atlas of Durham &Northumberland Counties of Ontario – 1878 – H. Belden & Co.

NA. U.C. Land Petitions -- RG1 L3 Vol. 222 1794 – 1830 – M/F Reel C 2042 Bundle “G” Misc. Frame # 25 ½.

NA. U.C. Land Petitions – RG 1 L3 Vol. 224 – M/F Reel C2044 Bundle H3 Ref. Frame168

NA. U.C. Land Petitions – RG 1 L3 Vol. 86 – M/F Reel C1645 Bundle Ref. Frame 156

NA. U.C. Land Petitions – RG 1 L3 Vol. 27 – M/F Reel C103 Ref. Frame 259

NA. U.C. Land Petitions – RG 1 L3 Vol. 86 – M/F Reel C 1645 Ref. Frame 192a & b.

Genealogy in Ontario, Brenda Dougall Merriman p221.

LDS – Intnl. Gen. Index – Film 1985505

Research provided by --------

Note: This info from Doreen Tosh and her research on the Bradley Family

Microfilm #7740 at the National Archives.

LDS – Intl. Gen. File

AO - Marriage Registers - MS 248 Reel # 11 Vol. 39

Federal Census of 1871, schedule #4.

Ibid, schedule #1.

NA. 1851 Census Film # C11739, Dist.# 2, p40

NA. 1861 Census Film # C1055, Dist.# 2, p74

LDS – Intnl. Gen. Index – Source Call # 1126321, sheet 89

Notes provided by Myrna BRADLEY

Notes provided by Myrna BRADLEY – material excerpted from an article written by Mrs. Joyce McNeill, a granddaughter of Jonathan BRADLEY

Isobel’s BRADLEY Johnston’s personal notes.

If you want to track the Harnden Canadians you can’t start with Samuel you have to start with his father Jonathan.

Here are a few of the migration generations as I have them right now:

1. SGT Jonathan Harnden was born 15 May 1733 in Wilmington, Middlesex, Massachusetts. He died 30 Jul 1813 in Granville, Washington, New York and was buried in Lee-Oatman Cemetery, S. Granville, Washington, New York.

In Lee-Oatman Cemetery, South Granville, Washington, New York, there is an unmarked grave at the side of Jonathan's grave which is thought to be his wife's grave.

As a young man, he moved to the vicinity of Hebron and Salem, Connecticut with his parents and siblings. He was a soldier in the French and Indian War.

He served with the Connecticut Militia that invaded Canada in 1755.
He was in Capt. Isreal Putnam's company in the campaign against the French around Lake George, Fort Edward, Fort Ticonderoga and at Crown Point. He was at Quebec in 1760 under command of Isreal Putnam.

He was also a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He saw active service as Sergeant of his company, on the march to West Chester following the "Lexington Alarm" and in the campaigns around New York City in 1776. In these campaigns he served as Sergeant in the 5th Company, Captain Ephraim Warren, Lieutenant David Waters, 11th Regiment, Colonel Ebinezer Williams of Pomfret, Conn. Lieutenant Colonel Isreal Putnam of Pomfret, 3rd Brigadier General Gordon Saltonstall (Succeeded by Brigadier General John Tyler) Connecticut Militia.
He was a Sergeant in one of the celebrated Connecticut Regiments that won distinction under General Benedict Arnold at the battle of Saratoga in 1777.

After having seen Northeastern New York during the campaigns, both in the French and Indian Wars and in the Revolutionary War, he moved to that locality in 1779, taking advantage of the "Land Grant" to Revolutionary Soldiers.

He was one of the seven original settlers at Granville, Washington Co, (Charlotte Co. first) New York, in 1779. He built conaucted (spelled like it is in letter.) a hotel with a large hall connected with it at Granville. (The hotel burned down in 1930).

Jonathan owned this dance hall in Granville, Washington, New York according to the Harnden/Edgecomb Manuscript.

Originally John S. Harnden, Jonathan's son supposedly died by drowning in the Niagara River according to family legend. This was suppose to have happened about 1812. However, John S. is found in Vermont until 1830. Given the fact that Jonathan died in 1813, I suggest it was probably he who died by drowning.

Jonathan married Phebe [scrapbook].

Daniel Thomas Harnden is the person that finally put a name to this woman, but I don't know what his source for this information is.

Jonathan and Phebe had the following children:

+ 2 M i CPT Samuel Harnden was born 28 Jun 1751 and died after 1820.
+ 3 M ii John S. HARNDEN was born 30 Mar 1755 and died 1812.
+ 4 F iii Harriet (Elizabeth) Harnden was born 1760 and died 11 May 1846.
+ 5 M iv William Harnden was born 1766.
+ 6 M v Joshua Harnden was born 1771 and died 6 Dec 1822.
+ 7 M vi Orpha Harnden was born 1772.
8 F vii Lovicy (Levicy) Harnden.

Lovicy married DRAPER.

Last NAME: BRADLEY
First NAME: DAVID KING
Residence: SOUTH DORCHESTER
Date: NOV 21, 1859
File: 40
MFNo.: 1375
Notes:

Formerly of the Township of Whitby, Home District

Executor was Lovicia Bradley, widow

Mention of brothers Levi Bradley, Nathaniel Bradley, Isaac Bradley, Nathan Bradley, and Hiram Bradley

Warren Bradley

Elaine Mason

Linda Ueland

Year

Name

Apr. 12, 1803 Pop. = 312

Year

Name

Name

Name

Name

Last NAME: BRADLEY First NAME: DAVID KING Residence: SOUTH DORCHESTER Date: NOV 21, 1859 File: 40 MFNo.: 1375 Notes:

Formerly of the Township of Whitby, Home District

Executor was Lovicia Bradley, widow

Mention of brothers Levi Bradley, Nathaniel Bradley, Isaac Bradley, Nathan Bradley, and Hiram Bradley

Warren Bradley

Elaine Mason

Linda Ueland

Year

Name

Apr. 12, 1803 Pop. = 312

Year

Name

Name

Name

Name

Last NAME: BRADLEY
First NAME: DAVID KING
Residence: SOUTH DORCHESTER
Date: NOV 21, 1859
File: 40
MFNo.: 1375
Notes: