| Thomas Bradbury migrated to New England during the Puritan Great Migration (1621-1640). (See The Great Migration (Series 2), by R. C. Anderson, vol. 1, p. 375) Join: Puritan Great Migration Project Discuss: pgm |
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Thomas Bradbury[1] was baptized on 28 Feb 1611 in Wicken Bonhunt, Essex, England, the son of Wymond Bradbury[2] and Elizabeth Whitgift.[3][4]
Thomas Bradbury was sent over by his great uncle, Sir Fernando Gorges as his agent. He was in London 1 May 1634 and here by 5 May 1636 when he was steward of Sir Fernando's Manor of Point Christian in York.[5]
"5 May 1636- Thomas Bradbury, Gentleman, now agent of Sr. Ferdinando Gorges, Knight, in these parts of New England doe... sell... unto Edward Johnson, Gentleman, for the proper use of John Treworgy of Dartmouth, merchante & his heirs... 500 Accors of Land bordering upon the North East side of Pascataquacke River... conditioned to pay annually one hundred of merchantable cod dried and well conditioned."[6] As Gorges' agent Thomas made some of the earliest deeds in Maine. He deposed that he was living in York when two of Willam Hooke's sons were born (1637 and 1638). He was "starved for spiritual food" at York 13 Sept. 1637 and so moved to Salisbury by 1640.
"To the Right Worpll John Winthrop, Esqr. Governour of the Massachusetts
Wee have found it written (Right Worshipfull) that where noe vision is the people perish. The Consederation where of forceth us to become humble Sutours to your worship, to solicite in our behalf some godly Minister, to pitty the miserable estate and Condicion wee are in for want of those blessed meanes which the lord hath appointed to the furtherance of our salvation: hoping he will stirre up your hart with all convenient speede to supply (out of your abundance) us his poore people here whoe are almost starved for want of the spirituall foode of our soules. Wee shall not neede to use many arguments to move you; whoe canne better apprehend our misery, then wee expresse itt. Maye it please you Mr. Blackstone heath formerly promised to come and live with us, but wee nowe finde by his answers to some, that his hopes are fedd with the expectation of farre greater profit by his husbandry there; then hee should have had by his ministry here, which God only knowes. Nowe Sir for the accommodation of a Minister thus farr wee canne goe at present; hee shall have a very good howse, with an Inclosure to it for the planting of corne, and allsoe a stipend of 20 li per annum; which wee hope in a short time wilbe doubled if not trebled. Neather will wee seeke to tye him to any other manor of discipline then what shalbe found approveable out of word of God: which must be the touchtone and trial of all our actions. Good Sir let not any former scandals which have beene (partly just and partly unjust raysed uppon us) be any obstacles to hinder the good and profit which by this meanes may through Gods blessing betide our poore soules here after. What wee have spoken vouchsafe to take into your serious Consideration: and affectually answer us by the ferst opportunity; soe shall wee praye for a continuall increase of Gods favour towards you, in derecting all your accions to his glory to home wee leave you and rest Your humble Suppliants ever to command.
Accomenticus the 13th day of September Anno 1637 William Hooke
Thomas Bradbury"[7]
If Thomas and his family did live in the Manor House until his move to Salisbury, they did not take particular care of it as upon Thomas Gorges arrival in 1640 he found it "in a state of great dilapidation and its furnishings missing- nothing of his household stuff remaining but an old pot, pair of tongs and a couple of cob-irons". And then this story: "Not long ago (1906) while tearing down a chimney in one of the old houses of York, and embedded in the back curve of one of the flues, the workmen found an old pewter teapot. The bottom of this old utensil showed signs of having been re-coppered, and it bore the marks of considerable use, the lid having been frequently mended. On the inner side of the lid were the figures '1644' and also the letters "Fer Gor', and from these it was easy to conjecture its former ownership. To my mind there is no doubt that this is the identical teapot which Thomas Gorges found here when he came to assume the administration of affairs".[8]
Thomas Bradbury married Mary Perkins[9][10] by 1637 (their eldest child was born in Salisbury in Apr 1637),[11][12] probably in Ipswich, Massachusetts.[13] Mary and Thomas had eleven children, as follows:[2][14]
Thomas took the freeman's oath at Salisbury in May 1640 and received land in the first division in 1640 and 1641.[15] He was one of the most prominent citizens of Salisbury: town clerk; schoolmaster; Constable; Justice of the Peace; representative to the General Court for seven years between 1651 and 1666; county recorder; Ensign in 1648 and Captain by 1661; and associate Judge.(24)[16] In 1651 and 1652 he was commissioned to lay out the bounds of Hampton and he served on a similar committee to lay out the land grant to Emanuel Downing. In May 1654 he was appointed a member of a special court to examine petitioners who asked the General Court to restore Lt. Pike who had been removed from office for some alleged conduct.
In October 1654, and again in 1656, 1658 and 1659 he was appointed on various committees to settle differences concerning lands, to fix boundaries and to locate grants. In May 1657, the law providing for commissioners for ending small causes having been repealed Mr. Bradbury was commissioned to bind over offenders in criminal cases. That same year he was part of a committee to inquire if ministers' widows and orphan children were properly provided for. May 1660 he was chosen to settle some difficulties at Portsmouth, requiring the intervention of the General Court. In 1665 Thomas served as guardian for Hepsibah Morrill, daughter of Abraham Morrill and widow Sarah Merrill. In 1666 he was a member of a committee to examine and report to the Legislature on the state of the defenses in and around Boston, constructed by Major General John Leverett. In April 1668 he was appointed one of the Commissioners of Customs for Norfolk County. In 1675, '76, '77 and '79 he appears as one of the associate judges for Norfolk. Although Mr. Bradbury's term as clerk properly expired with the separation of New Hampshire from Massachusetts Bay in Feb. 1680 he still acted as recorder or clerk up to July 8 1681, and he appears to have kept the records even before his appointment. These he may have completed from the memoranda of his predecessor. On 10 Apr. 1677 Capt. Thomas was appointed guardian to his grandson, Wymond Bradbury. In addition to these duties Thomas is found acting as captain of a military company at Salisbury in 1675, and in 1686 on the committee with Appleton and Gerrish "to take account of births and deaths." To crown it all, he was, of course, licensed as an innkeeper or retailer. He was an easy, legible and industrious penman, and evidently a man of sound judgment and more than ordinary ability. He was sometimes called "Judge" in Salisbury.[17]
On 8 Oct. 1647 John Harison of Boston, attorney for John Hodges of London, sold a house on a 3 acre lot, a planting lot of 12 acres, two 6-acre meadow lots, and a 40 acre lot of upland, all in Salisbury. Thomas sold one of the six acre lots on 23 Oct. 1647 to Valentine Rowell. On 21 Dec. of that year John & Abigail Severans of Salisbury sold to Thomas his dwelling house and old house with the adjoining house lots in Salisbury.[18] On 20 Feb. 1651/2 Thomas Bradbury of Salisbury, planter, sold to Edward ffrench of Salisbury, tailor, for 35s, meadow on the Little River bounded by Robert Pike. The deed was witnessed by Andrew Wiggin and Wymond Bradbury.[19] On 15 Jan. 1654/5 Henry and Susannah Ambrose of Boston sold to Thomas, along with John Stevens, 10 acres of meadow and 6 acres of salt marsh and all his commonage.[20] On 24 Apr. 1657 Thomas exchanged lands with Major Robert Pike with Thomas getting 3 acres of meadow and Robert getting 4 acres of meadow, both in the Great Meadows toward Beach Point in Salisbury.[21] On 6 Jan. 1657/8 Anthony and Anne Stanian of Hampton sold to Thomas, with John Stevens Sr. again, 36 acres of upland which was comprised of three 10 acre lots and a 6 acre lot which he had formerly bought from William Partridge of Salisbury, Anne’s former husband.[22] On 7 July 1673 John Stevens Sr. and Thomas divided “land they had bought of Mr Anthony Stanian in the 500 acres granted by Salisbury to the inhabitants”.[23] On 25 Mar. 1660 Thomas bought four divisions of upland in Salisbury from John Ilsly, barber and on 18 May 1661 Thomas bought the 10 acre “old Goodale’s Lot” and some upland from Samuel and Ann Winsley.[24] On 25 June 1662 Thomas bought from John and Phoebe Gill a house, house lot, orchard, one half of William Barns’ Island, and a 4 acre planting lot on Ferry Neck which John had bought from Anthony Sadler. And on 20 May 1663 Thomas bought a division of upland from John Ilsly the barber.[25] On 26 Sept. of that year Thomas bought 4 acres in the Higgledy Piggledy salt marsh and two acres of marsh instead of a division in Mr. Hale’s farm, from George Martin the blacksmith.[26] On 25 Mar. 1664 Thomas bought from Isaac Colby 3 acres of upland and ½ of the division of meadow that had been granted to Josiah Cobham that Isaac had purchased from John Clough, house carpenter.[27] On 13 Oct. 1664 Thomas “in consideration of a marriage consummated between J Stanian of Hampton and my daughter Mary Bradbury, as part of her portion, conveyed to my said son-in-law my share of land and marsh of Mr. Hall’s farm in Salisbury, and my part of the addition of land laid out by Salisbury to the said farm.”[28] On 23 Apr. 1666 Robert Ring sold to Thomas his interest in 6 acres on Robert Ring’s Island in Salisbury.[29] On 4 May 1668 Major Robert Pike “for land” sold to Thomas his 10 acre lot of upland in Salisbury.[30]
On 14 July 1670 Onesiphorus Page, weaver of Salisbury and his wife Mary, sold to “Mr. Tho Bradbury of Salisbury, planter, 2 acres of upland, being an addition to the planting lot of Tho Hauxworth sometime of Salisbury, deceased.” And on the same day “Thomas Bradbury of Salisbury, planter, in consideration of 2 acres of marsh in Salisbury in Mr. Hook’s farm… formerly belonging to Thomas Hauxworth of Salisbury, deceased, now made sure to me by Onezephorus Page of Salisbury who married Mary, daughter of said Thomas Hauxworth… do… sell… my four acre marsh granted to me by Salisbury in reference to the common right of Mr. Henry Bylie sometime of Salisbury deceased”. Also on the same day Onesephorus and Mary sold to “Capt Tho Bradbury 2 acres of marsh in Mr. Hook’s farm alias the hog house farm” and also some upland that belonged to the farm. [31]
On 11 Mar. 1671/2 Thomas sold to his son William his recently built dwelling house and all the other buildings on the lot, the orchards and adjoining uplands and his 120 acre at Beach Hill, his division of swamp land toward the ferry with the stipulation that Thomas and Mary can have the use of half the pasture towards the ferry and half the grass from Ambrose Marsh if they need it. When William’s estate was appraised for his inventory the property was worth £300, a considerable sum.[32]
On 14 Apr. 1663 Thomas sued George Goldwyer for mowing of his higgledy piggledy marsh and taking the hay. Unfortunately he lost the case. On 28 Nov. 1671 he sued John Davis Sr. for cutting his hay on the eastern end of Ring’s Island which he did win.[33]
On 23 June 1674 “Thomas Bradbury of Salisbury, gentleman, for love, conveyed to my daughter, Judith, wife of Caleb Moudie of Newbury, malster, 6 acres of land at the east end of Ring’s Island in Salisbury, which I bought of Robert Ring April 23, 1666… after my and my wife’s decease”.[34]
Mary (Perkins) Bradbury was tried for witchcraft in 1692 and was ably defended by Maj. Robert Pike (whose daughter was married to the Bradbury's son), convicted but not executed. By some accounts she was allowed to escape, others claim that she bribed her jailer. The papers pertaining to the case show the high esteem in which she was held.[35]
On July 26, 1692 Mary Bradbury was brought before the court of Essex in Massachusetts Bay in New England. "In the yeare aforesaid and divers other dayes and times as well before as after Certaine Detestable arts called Witchcraft & Sorceries Wickedly Matllitiously and felloniously hath used practiced and Exercised At and in the Township of Andivor in the County of Essex aforesaid in upon & against one Timothy Swann of Andivor In the County aforesaid Husbandman -- by which said Wicked Acts the said Timothy Swann upon the 26th day of July Aforesaid and divers other days & times both before and after was and is Tortured Afflicted Consumed Pined Wasted and Tormented, and also for Sundry other Acts of Witchcraft by the said Mary Bradbury Comitted and done before and since that time against the peace of our Sovr Lord & Lady the King and Queen theire Crowne and dignity And the forme Of the Statute In that case made and Provided."
Wittness Mary Walcott
Ann: Puttnam
(Reverse) Indictm't vs Bradbury for Bewitching Swan bila vera(2)[36]
On July 2nd Mary Bradbury was charged with "certaine detestable arts called Witchcraft and Sorceries Wickedly Mallitiously and felloniously hath used practised and Exercised at and in the Towne of Salem...the said Sarah Vibber the second day of July aforesaid & divers other days and times both before and after was and is Tortured Afflicted Consumed Pined Wasted & Tormented & also for sundry other acts of Witchcraft by the said Mary Bradbury Comitted Acted and done before and since that time against the peace of our Sovr Lord...."
Witness Mary Walcott
Eliz. Hobard
Eliz. Booth
Mercy Lewis
(Reverse) Indictmt. Bradbury -- Vibber bil a vera[37]
"The Answer of Mary Bradbury in the charge of Witchcraft or familliarity with the Divell I doe plead not guilty."
"I am wholly inocent of any such wickedness through the goodness of god that have kept mee hitherto. I am the servant of Jesus Christ & Have given my self up to him as my only lord & saviour: and to the dilligent attendance upon him in all his holy ordinances, in utter contempt & defiance of the divell, and all his works as horid & detestible; and accordingly have endevored to frame my life; & conversation according to the rules of his holy word, & in that faith & practise resolve by the help and assistance of god to contineu to my lifes end:"
"For the truth of what I say as to matter of practiss I humbly refer my self, to my brethren & neighbors that know mee and unto the searcher of all hearts for the truth & uprightness of my heart therein: (human frailties, & unavoydable infirmities excepted) of which I bitterly complayne every day:"
Mary Bradbury[38]
On May 26th 1692 those who made complaint against Mary Bradbury, Sarah Rice, Wilmott Reed, and Elizabeth Fosdick were: Mary Walcott, Ann Putnam, Marcy Lewis. "The same witch tells them that see afflicts mr Tufts Negro"
attest Geo Herrick Marshall"[39]
July 28, 1692
"Concerning my beloved wife Mary Bradbury this is that I have to say: wee have been maried fifty five yeare: and shee hath bin a loveing & faithful wife to mee, unto this day shee hath been wonderfull laborious dilligent & industryous in her place and imployment, about the bringing up or family (wch have bin eleven children of or owne, & fower grand-children; shee was both prudent, & provident: of a cheerful Spiritt liberall Charitable: Shee being now very aged & weake, & greived under her affliction may not bee able to speake much for herselfe, not being so free of Speach as some others may bee: I hope her life and conversation hath been such amongst her neighbours, as gives a better & more reall Testimoney of her, then can bee exprest by words.
ownd by mee Tho: Bradbury
(Reverse) Capt Bradberys testamony of his wif"[40]
"Wm & Mary by the Grace of God of England Scotland France & Ireland King & Queen defendrs of the faith & c.a"
{LS} "To Thomas Ring of Amesbury or Salsbury Timothy Swann of Andover Richard Carr & James Carr of Salsbury.
Greeting Wee Comand you all Excuses Set apart to be and personaly appear at the next Court of Oyer & Terminer holden at Salem On Tuesday Next at Twelve of the Clock or as soon after as possible There to Testify the truth on Severall Indictments to be Exhibited against Mrs. Mary Bradbury & other prisoners to be Tried for the horrible crime of Witchcraft, hereon Make return fail not dated in Salem Sepr 5th 1692 & in the fourth year of Our Reign"
To the Sheriff of Essex or
Constables of Andover Haverill
Salsbury Amesbery, Bradford or Newbury.
Stephen Sewall Cler
(Reverse) Zerub. Endecot
Sam. Endecot
James Carr
Richd Carr
Timo: Swan
Jos: Ringg"[41]
"July 22d 1692
Concerning ms Bradburies life & conversation
A petition was signed concerning the character and disposition of Mary Bradbury by 118 people: "Wee the Subscribers doe testifie; that it was such as became the gospel shee was a lover of the ministrie in all appearance & a dilligent attender upon gods holy ordinances, being of a curteous, & peaceable dispostion & cariag: neither did any of us (some of whom have lived in the town wth her above fifty yeare) ever heare or know that shee ever had any difference or falling oute wth any of her neighbors man woman or childe-but was allways, readie & willing to doe for them wt laye in her power night & day, though wth hazard of her health: or other danger: more might be spoken in her comendacon but this for the prsent"[42]
"James Allen, Robert Pike, and John Pike for Mary Bradbury
"Being desired to give my testimony concerning the life & conversation of mrs. Bradbury of Salisbury amonst us: wch is as followeth. viz. I having lived nine years at Salisbury in the work of the ministry--& now four years in the office a Pastour; to my best notice & observation of mrs Bradbury she hath lived according to the rules of the gospell, amongst us, was a constant attender upon the ministry of the word; & all the ordinances of the gospell; full of works of charity & mercy to the sick & poor. Neither have I seen or heard any thing of her unbecoming the profession of the gospell:--
James Allin
"mr James Allin made oathe to the truth of wt is above written Septemr the 7th: 1692: before me Robt Pike Asst I do also aferm to the truth of wt is above testifyed upon upward of fifty years experience and shall so testify if opertunity do present wch I shall indever
Robt: Pike
Having lived many years in Salbury & been much Conversant there, according to my best notice & observation of Mrs. Bradbury. must needs affirm to what is above written & add my oath to it if Called thereto
John Pike"[43]
Ann Putnam, Jr. v. Mary Bradbury (Ann Putnam, Jr, who was the daughter to Ann Putnam & Thomas Putnam) "The deposition of Ann Putnam who tesifieth and saith that I being at Andevour on the 26 day of July 1692 I saw there Mis Mary Bradbery the wife of Capt Tho: Bradbery of Salisbury or hir apperance most grevious afflecting and tormenting of Timothy Swan of Andevor allmost Redy to kill him also sevrall times before and sence that time I have seen mist. Bradbery or hir Apperance most greviously afflecting Timothy Swan and I beleve that Mis Bradbery is a most dreadfull witch for sence she has been in prison she or her Apperance has com to me and most greviously afflected me ann putnam ownid before the grand Inquest this har evidens to be the truth one the oath that she hath taken: this: 8 day of September 1692
(Reverse) Anna putnam"[44]
(Samuel Endicott v. Mary Bradbury)
"Samll Endecott aged thirty one years or thereabout Testifies Thatt about eleven years since being bound upon a vioage to sea wth Capt Samll Smith Late of Boston Diceasd, just before we sayld mrs Bradbery of Salisbury the prisoner now att the barr came to Boston wth some firkins of butter of wch Capt Smith bought two, one of them proved halfe way butter and after wee had been att sea three weekes our men were nott able to eat itt, itt stanck soe and runn with magotts, wch made the men very much distrubd about itt and would often say thatt they heard mrs Bradbury was a witch and thatt they verily beleived she was soe or else she would nott have served the Capt soe as to sell him such butter. And further this deponent Testifieth that in four dayes after they sett sayle they mett wth such a violent storm that we lost our main mast and rigin & Lost fifeteen horses and thatt about a fortnight after we sett our jury mast and thatt very night there came up a Shipp by our side and Carried away two of the mizon shrouds and one of the Leaches of the mainsaile: And this deponent further sayth thatt after they arived att Barbados and went to Saltitudos & had Laden their vessell the next morning she sprange a leake in the hold wch wasted sevrall tunns of salt in soe much thatt we were forct to unlade our vessell again wholy to stopp our leake there was then four foot of water in the hold after we had taken in our lading again we had a good passage home butt when we came near the Land the Capt sent this deponent forward to looke out for land in a bright moone shining night and as he was sitting upon the windless he heard a Rumbling noise under him wth thatt he the sd deponent Testifieth Thatt he looked one side of the windless and saw the leggs of some pson being no wayes frighted & Thatt presently he was shook and looked over his shoulder, & saw the appearance of a woman from her middle upwards, haveing a white Capp and white neckcloth on her, wch then affrighted him very much, and as he was turning of the windless he saw the aforsaid two leggs.
Jurat in Curia Sepr 9th 1692
(Reverse) Sam. Endecott"[45]
(Mary Warren v. Mary Bradbury)
"The Deposition of mary warren who testifieth and saith that I have ben along time afflected by a woman which tould me hir name was Mis Bradbery and that she came from Salisbury but on the 2th day of July 1692: being the day of the examination of mis mary Bradbery I then saw that she was the very same woman which tould me hir name was mis Bradbery and she did most greviously Afflect and torment me dureing the time of hir examination for if she did but strick look upon me she would strick me down or allmost Choak me also on the day of her examination I saw mis Bradbery or hir Appearance most greviously afflect and torment mary wallcott Sarah vibber Eliz Hubbard and Ann putnam and I beleve in my heart that mis Bradbery is a witch & that she has very often afflected and tormented me and several others by hir acts of wicthcraft.
Mary warrin ownid this har testimony one the oath which she hath taken before the grand Inquest this 9th of September 92
(Reverse) Mary Warren Depoition"[46]
(Richard Carr and Zerubable Endicott v. Mary Bradbury) "The deposition of Richard: Carr who testifieth and saith that about 13 years ago presently after sume Diferance that happened to be between my Honrd father mr Geoge Carr: and Mis Bradbery the prisoner at the barr upon a Sabboth at noon as we ware riding hom by the house of Capt Tho: Bradbery I saw mis Bradbery goe into hir gate turne the corner of and Immediately there derted out of hir gate a blue boar and darted at my fathers horses ledgs which made him stumble but I saw it no more and my father said boys what doe you se: we both answed a blue bore:
Zorobabell Endicott testifieth and saith that I lived att mr George Carr: now deceased att the time above mentioned and was present with mr George Carr and mr Richard Carr and I also saw a blue bore dart out of mr Bradberys gate to Mr Gorge Carrs horses ledges which mad him stumble after a strange manr and I also saw the blue bore dart from mr carrs horses ledgs in att mis Bradberys window: and mr carr immediately said boys what did you see and we both said a blue bore then said he from whence came it and we said out of mr Bradberys gate. then said he I am glad you see itt as well as well as I. Jurat in Curia Sepr 9th 92
& they both further say on their Oathes that mr Carr discoursed wth them as they went home about what had happened and they all concluded that it was mrs Bradbury that so apprd as a blue boar.
(Reverse) Richard Carr Zorobable Endecott"[47]
(James Carr v. Mary Bradbury)
"The Deposition of James carr. who testifieth and saith that about 20 years agoe one day as I was accidently att the house of mr wheleright and his daughter the widdow maverick then lived there: and she then did most curtuously invite me to com oftener to the house and wondered I was grown such a stranger and with in a few days affter one evening I went thether againe: and when I came thether againe: william Bradbery was there who was then a suter to the said widdow but I did not know it tell affterwards; after I came in the widdow did so crosely treat the sd william Bradbery that he went away semeing to be angury: presently after this I was taken affter a strange maner as if (every) liveing creature did run about every part of my body redy to tare me to peaces and so I continued for about 3 quarters of a year by times & I applyed myself to doctor crosbe who gave me a grate deal of visek but could make non work tho he steept tobacco in (bofit) drink he could make non to work where upon he tould me that he beleved I was behaged: and I tould him I had thought so a good while: and he asked me by hom I tould him I did not care for spaking for one was counted an honest woman. but he uging I tould him and he said he did beleve that mis Bradbery was a grat deall worse then goody mertin: then presently affter this one night I being a bed and brod awake there came sumthing to me which I thought was a catt and went to strick it ofe the bed and was (seud) fast that I could not stir hedd nor foot but by and by coming to my strength I hard sumting a coming to me againe and I prepared myself to strick it: and it coming upon the bed I did strick at it and I beleve I hit it: and affter that visek would work on me and I beleve in my hart that mis Bradbery the prisonr att the bar has often afflected me by acts of wicthcraft. Jurat in Curia Septm 9: 92
(Reverse) James Carr Depoition" [48]
"The deposistion of mary walcott who testifieth and saith that I being at Andevor on the later end of July 1692: and on the 26 day of the same month I saw there Mis mary Bradbery the wife of Capt Tho: Bradbery of salisbury or hir Apperance most greviously affleting and tormenting of Timothy Swan of Andevor allmost Redy to kill him: also before and sence that time I have seen mis Bradbery or hir Apperance most greviously affleting and tormenting Timothy Swan and I doe beleve in my heart that Mist. Bradbery is a most dreadffull witch sence she has been in prison she or hir Apperance has come to me and most greviously tormented me
Mary Walcot: affirmed: the truth of the above written evidence before the Jury of Inquest upon oath Septr 9: 1692
(Reverse) Mary Walcot"[49]
(William Carr for Mary Bradbury)
"The testimony of william Carr Aged 41 or ther abouts is That my brother John Carr when he was yong was a man of as good capasity as most men of his age but faling in Love with Jane Tru (now wif of Capt John march) and my father being pswaded by some of the family (wch I shall not name) not to Let him mary so yong: my father woold not give him a porsion wr upon the mach broke of wch my brother layd so much to hart that he grew melencoly & by degrees much crazed not being the man that he was before to his dying day
I do farther testify that my sd brother was sick about a fortnight or three weeks & then dyed & I was present with him wn he dyed & I do aferm that he dyed peacibly and quietly never manifesting the Lest troubl in the world about any body nor did not say anything mrs. Bradbury nor any body else doing him hurt & yet I was with him till the breath & Lif was out of his body Jurat in Curia
(Reverse) William Cars Testamony"[50]
(Elizabeth Hubbard v. Mary Bradbury) "The deposition of Eliz: Hubberd who testifieth and saith that I have along torn ben afflected by a woman which tould me hir name was Mist. Bradbery of salisbury but on the : 2 day of July 1692 being the day of the Examination of Mist. Mary Bradbery I then saw that it was the very same woman that tould me hir name was Mist' Bradbery: and she did most greviously torment me dureing the time of hir Examination for if she did but look upon me she would strick me down or allmost choake me also on the day of hir Examination I saw Mist. Bradbery or hir Apperance most greviously afflect & torment mary wolcott Sarah Vibber and Ann Putnam and I beleve in my hart that Mist. Bradbery is a witch and that she has very often afflected and tormented me and the afformentioned persons by hir acts of wicthcraf for sense she has ben in prison she or hir Apperance has com to me and most greviously tormented me which if she were not a witch she cold not doe.
Elizabeth Huberd on hear owned this har testimony to be the truth before the grand Inquest this 9 day of September 92"
"The deposition of Ann putnam who testifieth and saith that ever sence the begining of May 1692 I have ben afflected by a woman which tould me hir name was Mis Bradbery and that she came from Salisbury, but on the 2th day of July 1692 being the day of the Examination of Mis Mary Bradbery I then saw that she was the very same woman that tould me hir name was Mis Bradbery and she most greviously afflect and torment me dureing the time of hir Examination for if she did but look upon me she would strick me down or almost choak me also on the day of hir Examination I saw mis. Bradbery most greviously afflet and torment mary walcott. Sarah Vibber and Eliz. Hubburd and I beleve in my hart that Mis Bradbery is a witch & that she has often affected me and severall others by hir acts of wicthcraft: also there Appered to me my uncle Jno Carr in a winding sheet: whom I very well knew in his life time: and he tould me that mis Bradbery had murthered him and that his blood did Crie for venjance against her: also mis Bradbery or his Apperance tould me that it was she that made my fathers sheep to run a [torn] they were all lost: and that she had killed my fathers [torn] and also kiled that horse he took such delight in An: Putnam affirmed to the Jury of inquest: to the truth of the above written evidence on oath Septr 9:1692"
[Torn] "Deposistion of Sarah Vibber who testifieth and saith [torn] have along time ben afflected by a woman whch tould me hir name was Mis Bradbery and that she came from Salisbury but on the 2 day of July 1692 being the day of the Examin of Mis Mary Bradbery I was most greviously tormented by hir dureing the time of hir Examination: tho for a good while she would not let me se hir parsonally but at last I saw hir and then I saw that it was the very same woman that tould me hir name was Mis Bradbery and she has most greviously affected me sence that time allso I have seen Mis Bradbury is a [Torn] tnam and I beleve in my heart that mis Bradbery is [Torn] nd that she has often affected and tormented me and the [Torn] med persons by hir acts of wicthcraft [Torn] bber ownd to Jury of Inquest that the above written evidence is the truth upon her oath [Torn] 1692"
[Torn] "posistion of mary walcott who testifieth and saith that I [Torn] een along time afflected with a woman which tould me hir [Torn] was Mis: Bradbery: and that hir husband was Capt of Salisbury [Torn] the 2 day of July 1692: being the day of the Examination [Torn] Bradbury of Salisbury I then saw that she was the very [Torn] woman that tould me hir name was Mist. Bradbery and then [Torn] most greviously afflect and torment me dureing the time [Torn] xamination for if she did but look upon me she would strick [Torn] wn or allmost choak me: also on the day of hir Examination [Torn] mist mary Bradbery or hir Apperance most griviously afflect [Torn] torment [mercy lewes] Eliz. Hubberd mary warren [Sarah bibber ] [Torn] Ann putnam and I verily beleve that mistris mary Bradbery is a [Torn] most dread wicth and that she hath very often afflected me and the [Torn] e named parsons by acts of wicthcraf for sence she has been in – [Torn] son she or hir apperanc has come to me and has most greviously tormented [Torn] me: also their appeared to me a yong man in a winding sheet [Torn] tould me his name was Jno Carr and that Mis Bradbery had murth [Torn] that his blood did cry for venjance against hir
[Torn] Walcot affirmd: to the truth of the above written evidence before [Torn] the Jury of Inquest: upon her oath [Torn] 1692"
“Honred Gentlemen We have received your notification & send this to signify our desiers that our good mother Mrs Mary Bradburys name may be inserted in the bill proposed for ye takeing off the attainder she therefforth obtained a good report among all Christians for her exemplary piety & vertye & was over Lookt on as an Innosent in Her suffering in that dark & gloomi day & we doubt not but youl = se cause as far as can be in this [ ] to recover her reputation & She indured aboute six months imprisonment which putt our Honred ffather & sum of us her children upon very great expence of which we have indeed no purticuler accounte but are well [ ] by what we have herd our father Capt Bradbury say of he money he [ ] on that account or accasion & by our own observation & [ ] as well as others of the family that it could be not less than twenty pounds at the lowest calculation be [ ] time & truble = we doubt not but sum others might suffer more in their estates & it semes very just & reasonable that restitution be in sum measure made as far as the case will beare & therefore we will not discourage so just & good a desine by any [ ] demands but rather comply with any thing which your Honors shall think meet to allow there fore we not expressly fix upon any sum but leave it to your honers favorable consideration only pray that we may have that reasonable consideration & allowance which you make to others of eaquall surcomsstances & which may be consistant [ ] rather Incurrage then Discourage the genll desire now on foot [ ] busness is shuch at home we cant well attend your Honers at this Jynture but hope our writing may as effectively Answer the ende being confident that such is your juste & cander that you will not improve our moderation in our demands to our disadvantage we subscribe & your most Humble servants & petisioners
Salisbury Septr 11th = 1710
Henry & Jane True
Executor to ye will of
Mrs mary Bradbury
Condemed for witchcraft Sept 1692
Not executred: made her [ ]”
On 17 Dec. 1711 the governor and council authorized payment of £578.12s to the claimants representing twenty-three persons condemned at Salem, and the heirs of Mary Bradbury received £20. A petition to reverse the attainder of twenty-two of the thirty-one citizens convicted and condemned as a result of the trials was passed by the Massachusetts General Court in 1711, and in 1957 The Commonwealth of Massachusetts reversed the stigma placed on all those not covered by earlier orders.
Thomas Bradbury died on 16 Mar 1694/5 in Salisbury, Massachusetts.[2][4][51]
The Will of Thomas Bradbury 14 Feb. 1694, proved March 26 1695:
"In the name of God, amen. The fourteenth day of February, in the year of Lord one thousand six hundred and ninety-four. I Thomas Bradbury of the town of Salisbury in the Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, aged, weak in body, but of a good and perfect memory, thanks be to God Almighty for the same, do make, ordain, constitute and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following: revoking and annulling by these presents, all and every testament or testaments, will or wills heretofore by me made and declared either by word or by writing, and this to be taken only for my last will and testament an none other : And being penitent for my sins, I give and commit my soul unto Almighty God my Saviour and my redeemer in whom by the merits of Jesus Christ I trust and believe it assuredly to be saved; and my body to be buried in such place where it shall please my executors to appoint: And for the settling of my temporal estate, such goods, chattels and debts as it hath pleased God far above my deserts to bestow upon me, I do order, give and dispose the same in manner and form following, that is to say:
first, I will that all those debts and duties that I owe in right and conscience to any manner of person or persons in favor, shall be well and truly contented and paid or ordained to be paid within convenient time after my decease. So by my executor or executrixes hereafter named,
Item. I give and bequeath unto my grandchildren, Thomas Bradbury and Jacob Bradbury, all my housing and lands which I now situate, lying and being within the bounds of Salisbury aforenamed and which arable lands and meadow marsh, pasture and swamp lands, or of what sort soever they be, with all rights privileges and commonages thereunto belonging or any ways appertaining; unto them my said grandchildren and their heirs of their body lawfully begotten; the given and bequeathed and demised to be equally divided between my said grandchildren Thomas Jacob, and not to be disposed by selling, letting or any other ways improved, but each to other, and my said grandchildren shall pay unto their Aunt True fourteen pounds, each of them in good pay within one year after they come to the age of one and twenty years. As also my said grandchildren shall acquit and discharge their brother, William Bradbury from all orders of court concerning the division of their father's estate; also my will is that my said grandchildren Thomas and Jacob shall pay unto their grandmother, twenty bushels of corn yearly, such as she shall have need of during her natural life and to find her sufficient wood, winter and summer cut and fit; as also winter and summer meat for two cows, all during her natural life or widowhood: and my will is that my wife what part of my house she thinks meet to require unto the half of it, shall have during her widowhood or natural life, unto her own particular use if she thinks good to require the same.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my grandchildren Thomas Bradbury all my implements of husbandry and also my young colt.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Stanyon twenty shillings she having had her portion upon marriage.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Jane True ten pounds to be made in good pay within one year after my decease.
Item. I give to my grandchild Elizabeth Buss five pounds in good pay.
also my will is that five pounds be delivered to the selectman in good pay, then in being of said town of Salisbury by them to be disposed to such of the poor as they judge to have most need of it.
And lastly I do ordain and appoint my dearly and well beloved wife, Mary Bradbury and my dearly and well beloved daughter Judith Moody my executors or executrixes to this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above named.
Thomas Bradbury
Signed sealed and declared to be the last will and testament of Mr. Thomas Bradbury in ye presence of William Buswell, Isaac Buswell, William Buswell, jr."
“An Inventory of ye Estate of Capt Thomas Bradbury Late of Salisbury Dessesed ye 16th of march: 1694/5 : taken ye tenth of Aprill: 1695…
Imprim: his waring Clothes att..................09 07 06
Itt in Books...................................................02 00 00
Itt in Sheetes napkins & other linnin........21 06 00
Itt: one Beed & furniture in ye parlor:......09 00 00
Itt: one Beed & furniture in the parlor
chamber 07 00 00
Itt: one Beed in ye Chiching Chambr........06 10 00
& bolster 2 kiverleds & a Rug Itt: one Beed 2 blankets
2 kiverleds & a ruge : in Leanto Chamber.06 10 00
Itt: Iron potts Brass Kittells & two paire of Cobirons &
other small Things Iron & brass................06 12 00
Itt: a paire of Stillyards pestall & morter..00 15 00
Itt: Chests Trays & other Lumber..............02 10 00
Itt: in puter : 8 : platters 2 basones and other
small puter...................................................02 10 00
Itt a sadle & meale [ ].................................01 00 00
Itt Chests Chaiers a Cerpet a table & Joyn
Stoles............................................................03 10 00
Itt Joobes Killeres & other Caske...............01 00 00
Itt two muskets............................................02 00 00
Itt 4 : beedsteads and beed Cords............01 10 00
Itt more Trays & milke vesells...................00 10 00
Itt Husbantary Implements as Cart Whelles yoakes
Chaines & Other Husbandry Implaments.05 00 00
.......................................................................88 10 6…
Itt six oxen att..............................................18 00 00
Itt tenn Cowes att........................................25 00 00
Itt one year old heifer.................................01 00 00
Itt thirteen sheepe......................................04 00 00
Itt in Swine...................................................04 00 00
Itt two horses..............................................06 00 00
Itt Howsing & upland of all sorts medows marsh
Common rights in Salisbury....................250 00 00
Depts due to ye Estat by bills & obligations as
mony............................................................27 07 04
Depts due by booke as mony as is
supposed....................................................09 00 00
Depts due from ye Estate as is supposed
about...........................................................10 00 00
In mony........................................................22 19 00
In plate.........................................................08 00 00
....................................................................463 16 10…
Apprised by us Epharim winslow Natt Browne… 17th day of may 1695” [52]
“In the name of god amen the 17th day of ffebruary 1695/6 in the 8th yeare of his maigsties reign King William the 3d of England Et I mary Bradbury widow of the towne of Salisbury… in the province of the massachusets bay in newengland… do make this my last will & testament…
Item I give & bequeath unto my well beloved daughters: mary Stanyon of Hamton… & my daughter Jane True of Salisbury… all my Estate… to be equally devided… namely good chattels Lands Debts [ ] mony plate housall stuff apparel Brass puter beding and all other my Substance what so ever & I do Constitute & make my well beloved son in Law Henry True to be my soule Executor of this my Last will and Testament…
The marke M of mary Bradbury widow
Wittnes
The mark O of Elizabeth
Stanyan
The marke R of Richard
Long”[53]
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B > Bradbury > Thomas Bradbury
Categories: Salisbury Colonial Burying Ground, Salisbury, Massachusetts | Wicken Bonhunt, Essex | Puritan Great Migration | Salisbury, Massachusetts
"... can you add the following:
His grave stone is in the Salisbury Colonial Burying Ground #190 next to his wife Mary Perkins #189 Someone (about year 1915) Scratched the names of Mary Perkins and Thomas Bradbury on Pieces of the stones. The problem is that the map at the site that they provide, has got the stones reversed, so the scratched stones are reversed. These two stones lie flat on the ground and have been run over by the lawn mower, and therefore are now in many pieces. The death date of Mary Perkins should be 1700 not 1694 when she was condemned as a witch.
Thanks.
Thomas Bradbury 9th great grand son."
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