Nathaniel Bradley
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.
Nathaniel "Nathan" Bradley then married Harriett "Elizabeth" Harnden.
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
TIMELINE
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 was born July 22, 1754 in Abington, Plymouth, MA.
Elizabeth Harden was born 1760 in Connecticut.
Nathan and Elizabeth were married about 1777 in Washington Co., NY.
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.
Elgin County, Ontario, Estates:
Hello cousin,
I found your information on the Nathan Bradley family of Haldimand, Ontario. I am descended from Hannah Bradley and Moses Hinman Jr. I had found a book on the Massey family (‘Masseys Founding Family’ by Gillen and Ryerson) which states on page 11 that “Nathan Bradley left Illinois in 1777 with his wife Elizabeth and infant son William and eventually settled in Haldimand Township. They had fled from their home when they saw Indians approaching, Nathan carrying the baby and supporting his wife with his arm as they forded a river. On top of a hilltop they looked back to see their house in flames”
I attached a picture of William Bradley’s grave
William Gorman
The
Bradleys
Of
Northumberland; Dufferin;
And Simcoe Counties
A
Family History
WHY FAMILY HISTORY?
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.
AUTHOR’S NOTES
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.
Land Records:
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 19th 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.
Sources:
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:
National Archives – NA
Archives of Ontario – AO
Church of Latter Day Saints – LDS
Ontario Genealogy Society – OGS
Land Registry Offices - LRO
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
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.
David Webb
KEY DATES AND EVENTS
1. 1763 Treaty of Paris; New France (incl. present day Ontario) becomes a British colony
2. 1775-1783 The American War of Independence.
3. 1783-1784 Loyalist Immigration conducted by Gov. Frederick Haldimand.
4. 1788-1793 The French Revolution.
5. 1791 Canada Act – Quebec is divided into Upper and Lower Canada
6. 1812-1815 The War of 1812 – Britain (including Canada) vs. U.S.A.
7. 1837-1838 Rebellion in Upper and Lower Canada and American invasions.
8. 1841 Act of Union: Upper and Lower Canada become Canada West and Canada East with elected Assemblies
9. 1849 District System abolished in favour of County administration
10. 1850 Municipal Act establishes validity of Towns and Townships
11. 1867 Confederation and the BNA Act
12. 1871 First Federal Census for Canada
13. 1914-1918 WW 1
14. 1919 Influenza Epidemic throughout North America
15. 1929 Great Depression
16. 1939-1945 WW 2
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.
Settlement in Haldimand Township, Northumberland County.
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 18th 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 3rd 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 4th concession dated 12 January 1819. Nathan Bradley petitions for title to his property, lot 16 in the 3rd. 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.
Census Returns – 1803 to 1850 Haldimand Township, Northumberland County.
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).
Male
Female
Total
1803
< 60
16-60
>16
<60
Nathan Bradley
0
2
3
1
9
William Harden Bradley
Lemuel H. Bradley
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 format of succeeding census follows this same pattern.
Year
Name
1804
Apr. 9, 1804 Pop. = 356
4
8