Comments on Bobbie (Madison) Hall

Question

On 8 Jun 2021 Rebecca (Holtz) Reed wrote on Madison-125:

Hello Bobbie, I have been researching my possible connection to the Mayflower Bradfords.  There is a paucity of “legal” documentation but I think I have found something to confirm that I am a cousin of your’s and a descendent of Hosea Bradford (Bradford-6352), a 5th generation descendant of William Bradford, through his son, Hiram Bradford (Bradford-6621).

 When I started looking into my lineage I concentrated on the work of living relatives, mostly 1st. cousins, and the consensus was that the father of Ezra Bradford (Bradford-7120), my great grandfather, was Myron Bradford (Bradford-7121), son of Hosea Bradford. Myron is not listed in the Silver Books as a descendent of Hosea. 

My family concluded that the Silver Books had made a transcription error and that Miriam Bradford (Bradford-6622), who is listed, is actually Myron Bradford.

 As I have continued my research I found 2 probated wills, one for Hiram Bradford mentioning his *son* Ezra Bradford and one for David Eddy (Eddy-4316), Hiram’s Father in Law, mentioning his ‘grandson’ Ezra. Would that info suffice for documenting the parentage of Ezra Bradford?

When I was looking into the probated wills I came across an old note attached to a FamilySearch tree for Philo Bradford stating in effect that Philo Bradford had recorded all his siblings in his family Bible. That list included Myron Bradford but did not include a Mariam Bradford. According to the note the Underhill Foundation has possession of the Philo Bradford family Bible (or records relating to the Bible). There was no source given for that statement and the author of the note appears to be inactive, so I’m trying to track down the Underhill Foundation. I was wondering if you know of the Underhill Foundation and might help me locate it. 

My linage going on the assumptions stated above: Rebecca Holtz Reed > Earl Ezra Holtz > Laura M Bradford > Ezra Bradford > Hiram Bradford > Hosea Bradford > Simeon Bradford > Ephraim Bradford > William Bradford > Gov Wm. Bradford

 I appreciate your work on WikiTree. Thank you, Rebecca Reed

Answer 1

Hi Rebecca,

I notice that among the sources given in the Silver book, p. 529, is this: 

Hall, Ruth G., ''Descendants of Governor William Bradford,'' (1951), p. 150. This is available on FamilySearch.org

It appears that all of the data on the children in the Silver book are taken from this book, so I don't see a transcription error in the Silver book. 

On page 150 of the Bradford book, she lists Hiram b. 31 Aug 1821, d. 20 Mar 1851 unm.; and Miriam b. 14 Sep 1824, d. 16 Oct 1850 Olmstead O.

She carries the line further on page 527, though because they had no children she only mentions Hiram, and not Miriam. Now whether that data is correct is a different issue, since she doesn't list her sources in the Bradford book. 

You mention the wills of Hiram Bradford and David Eddy naming Ezra. I assume you mean Myron Bradford? If not, please explain. That would certainly prove the connection of Ezra to Myron and Myron to a wife named ____ Eddy. What is the reference/citation for Myron's will? This will would not prove Myron's connection to his father Hosea, though. Did Hosea or Hannah leave wills? That needs to be checked. Additionally, I would suggest checking for any deeds where Hosea might have transfered land to his children. 

The battle you'll be fighting is to prove that Myron was actually the son of Hosea, and in trying to disprove the Bradford Genealogy. Stretch out to find if Hannah Eastman's parents left wills, or unmarried siblings of hers. Also go through all of the children of Hosea & Hannah to see if they mention a brother Myron (or a sister Miriam) in a will. Did Miriam leave a will? Etc.

Re: Underhill Foundation. I find a few very small mentions in the area around the Adirondacks (NY) as though they are sponsors for some artistic endeavors, but nothing that I can find that would explain what they are or do. Probably a lot of googling will get you a little closer.

Comments

Hi Bobbi, 

Thank you for clarifying the issue regarding the Silver Books and Myron Bradford. And thank you for the suggestions, I have made a ToDo List with them. 

To answer your question regarding the Hiram Bradford and David Eddy wills, both name EZRA as a beneficiary. Neither will mentions Myron.

The reference/citation for Hiram’s will is:

Ohio, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1786-1998 [database on-line]. https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8801/images/007820330_00115. 

The description is: Will of Bradford, Hiram N, Columbia Township, Ohio. Made March 17, 1856; Probated April 29, 1857. Mentions Wife, Eunice Bradford; 2 sons, Henry O. Bradford, Ezra Bradford; 2 Daughters, Sylvia Alevira Bradford, Susannah Viola Bradford; Father-in Law, David Eddy. Executors, Wife, Eunice Bradford, Constant G. Cole. Image 40 of 131.

The citation for David Eddy’s probated will is:  Ohio, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1786-1998 [database on-line] Pg.440, Image 50 of 131.https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8801/images/007820330_00125. 

The description is: Pg. 440 

“ Will of Eddy, David, Columbia Township, Ohio. Made December 31, 1955; Probated July 3, 1856. Mentions Wife, Elizabeth Eddy; Son, Jesse Eddy; Daughter Eunice Bradford (husband Hiram N. Bradford); 2 Grandsons, Lester G. Eddy, EZRA BRADFORD; Pithenl Stillwells, (relationship not stated). Executor, Jesse Eddy. Witnesses, Constant G. Cole, Nathan Nichols. “  

I think that Hiram is my G.Grandfather Ezra Bradford’s father so I am working on connecting Ezra to Hiram and then Hiram to Hosea.  

In light of the above information do you have suggestions, other than those you suggested in your initial response, modified to include Hiram’s wife and children?   

This is exciting, I feel like I’m making real progress and can’t wait to start on my ToDo List.  :) 

Rebecca

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Just for fun, I went and found Hiram's and David's wills on FamilySearch. It's always interesting to see what the actual wording is, and to check that the transcripts are correct. These are a bit blurry, but legible:

Hiram:

"Ohio Probate Records, 1789-1996," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89QK-J6HL?cc=1992421&wc=S2CC-C6X%3A266277001%2C266420301 : 1 July 2014), Lorain > Wills 1840-1870 > image 217 of 839; county courthouses, Ohio.

David:

"Ohio Probate Records, 1789-1996," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99QK-JDGZ?cc=1992421&wc=S2CC-C6X%3A266277001%2C266420301 : 1 July 2014), Lorain > Wills 1840-1870 > image 218 of 839; county courthouses, Ohio.

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That is incredible. I was able to make out the names of both wills and able to find Ezra Bradford in both. In David Eddy’s will I was able to decipher “grandson __ Ezra Bradford!