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William (Broadley) Bradley (bef. 1611 - 1691)

William Bradley formerly Broadley aka Bradly, Bradely, Bradlee [uncertain]
Born before in Shipley, Bradford, Yorkshire, Englandmap
Ancestors ancestors
Son of and
Brother of , [half], [half], [half], [half] and [half]
Husband of — married 18 Feb 1645 in Springfield, Hampden, Massachusettsmap
Descendants descendants
Father of , , , , , , and
Died after age 80 in New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticutmap
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Profile last modified | Created 25 Nov 2016
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Contents

Biography

Origins of William Bradley

Many of the early Bradley genealogies[1] mention early Bradleys in assorted places, in England, starting as early as 1183. None of these early persons has any known association with the Bradleys who emigrated to America.

Two main theories have evolved. Keep in mind that we know from probate records that William Bradley, his step-mother, Elizabeth, and half-siblings, Ellen, Joshua, Daniel, Nathan, and Stephen all went to the New Haven Colony. The Genealogical and Family History of the State of Connecticut..." volumes, edited by William Cutter, contain both theories.[2]

  • Page 1150 v2, gives the "fancy" version, which is a pedigree built on the the 1619 Visitations of Warwickshire. The Cutter authors specifically state that the line has not been proved. They make suitable arguments in favor of this and then make the leap from a listing of a male child of William Bradley and Joanna Waddington born Sept. 1619, to stating that he is William of New Haven.
    • I. William Bradley of Sheriff Hutton
    • II. William son of William, who was of Coventry England and married Agnes Margate
    • III. William son of William and Agnes Bradley, who married Joanna Waddington who allegedly had:
    • IV. William who died in New Haven in 1691
1619 Visits Warwickshire
Page 1150 G&FHCT
  • Pages 78 v1, 80/1 v1, and 1061 v2 contain the other theory. It has a much earlier version in print from an 1879 genealogy: "According to tradition, which is confirmed by careful research, the first Bradleys of the United States were descended from a family in the market town of Bingley, in the West Riding of Yorkshire. ... The were all Cromwell men and staunch dissenters. ... Bingley, ... is on the River Aire, about twelve miles northeast of Leeds. Bradley, ... was about six or seven miles north of Bingley."[3] This theory has been repeated multiple times, since 1879 generally with no specifics. Although the History of the Town of Canterbury, New Hampshire stated:
    • "Benjamin Bradley, an apothecary of London, England, came originally from Leicestershire in 1600; lived in the market town of Bingley in the West Riding of Yorkshre, England; d. about 1638; m. twice. His eldest son, William, emigrated to America ... Benjamin's children by his second wife were: i. Ellen, ii. Daniel b. 1615. iii. Joseph. iv. Nathaniel. v. Stephen." ii. Daniel is then given the life of Daniel Bradley of Haverhill, Massachusetts.[4] NOTE: There is no Benjamin mentioned in the Parish Registers at Bingley.

The parish register for the parish of Bingley was published in 1901.[5] Listed there are the following:

24 June 1632. Ellin, the daughter of Daniell Broadley de West Morton.[5]
1 May 1634. Joshua, the sonne of Daniell Boadley de West Morto’ .[5]
8 May 1636 Daniell, the sonne of Daniell Broadley de West Morto’.[5]
18 Nov 1638, Nathan, the sonne of Daniell Broadley de Wil’.[5]
21 Aug 1642, Steuen, the sonne of Daniell Broadley De West mort’.[5]

These are the exact names of the five children the widow Elizabeth Bradley brought with her to New Haven. The mother's name is unlisted and there is no located record of her marriage to Daniel. It is clear from these records that Daniel married first Elizabeth Atkinson and they had children baptized in Bingley, Agnes 1607, Daniel 1613, Matthew 1615/6, Michael 1619, Abraham 1622, Marie 1624, at which the long gap between children would indicate that Elizabeth Atkinson had died. No Williams were baptized in Bingley.

William Broadley, son of Daniel Brodeley of Shipley, was baptized on 27 Jan 1610/11 in nearby Shipley (Bradford) St Peter's Cathedral, Yorkshire, England.[6][7]

Note: The baptism in 1619 took place in Warwickshire, for an unnamed child of William of Coventry. The 1621 baptism date is for a William son of John.

Cromwell's Army?

It is frequently repeated that William was a friend of Oliver Cromwell, and was a Major in his army.[8][9] From the History of Bingley: "“Broadley. One of the oldest Nonconformist families of Bingley bore this name, and their descent may be traced in the Parish Registers. It was occasionally spelt Bradley, and one of them Major William Bradley, of Cromwell’s army, is traditionally said to have emigrated to New Haven, Conn. about 1643."[10] How true could this be? The English Civil War began August 1642. The first record of William in Connecticut is 1644. So maybe, but this just seems doubtful. Had he been a major in Cromwell's army, certainly he would have held some office in the New Haven trainband.

Immigration

Some of the same sources[8] above state that William came to New Haven with Theophilus Eaton in 1638. He later had enough status that had he come that early, he would have signed the fundamental agreement in 1639 or the following couple of years. His earliest record is his taking the Oath of Fidelity to New Haven in August 1644.[11] This was followed shortly by his marriage to Alice Prichard in Springfield, which would indicate that he may have spent some time in Springfield.

Marriage

"William Bradley (of Newhaven) & Alice Prichard of Springfeild joyned together in mariage 12 mon: 18 day 1644." in Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts[12][13][14] in Springfield. 1644/5[14] Alice was perhaps the daughter of Roger of Springfield.[13] Jacobus' Families of Ancient New Haven, confidently confirms that she was daughter of Roger.[14][15]

New Haven

Reading the town records gives us a picture of William Bradley as an industrious, intelligent, hard working, responsible man and leader.

In the first ten years while William Bradley was a resident in New Haven, his appearance in the records was minimal. He took the Oath of Fidelity in 1644,[11] was a fence viewer in 1645,[16] was mentioned in the records on matters of little interest.[17][18] [19] We can assume he was busy getting on with his life, raising children, planting crops, etc. He was fined in 1651 for neglecting to register the birth of one of his children.[20]

In 1645, he was on a committee to look into finding a suitable place to build a bridge,[21] and later in 1651, the East River became unsafe and William Bradley offered the use of his canoe as a makeshift roped ferry.[22] [23] In 1669, he and Sgt. Munson undertook to the building of a bridge across the "great swamp as wee goe to ye iron-workes”[24]

The town records don't name him as having a specific profession, but he owned farmland including 150 acres he purchased from Thomas Pell.[25] He was also a fence viewer starting in 1645, just after his marriage, and then again 1660, 61, 64, 67, 68[26]

William and his wife did not have assigned seats at the meeting house in 1646, however in Feb 1655/6 he was in row four of the cross seats at the upper end and Goody Bradley was in row six of the long seats.[27] and in the 1661/2 seating he had moved up to row five of the long seats.[28]

4 Jan 1656. "The Gouernor acquainted the Towne that there is an Order of the Generall Court (wch hath bine published) that this Towne should prouide six horses, wth furniture, towards the raising of a small troope for publique seruice" William Bradley and others were willing to keep one of the horses on trial for a year. "Likewise twelue doggs were to be prouided wch were thought to be in ye Towne allready till better could be prouided, and were in ye hands of seueral men now named in ye margent. William Bradley was one of the men with an appropriate dog.[29] Several years later he was intrusted with some of the communally owned trainband gear. Feb. 1th 1657. "The Amunition and goods belonging to ye Towne are disposed of by ye Townsmen, that they may be secured from dammage, as followeth : 3 Indian Coats are kept by William Bradley also To bro. William Bradely one case of pistolls."[30]

The following speaks well of the citizens of New Haven, Bradely included: 23 April 1660 "Mrs Goodyeare & her farmer Rich. Sperry haveing lately sustained much losse by fire, it was propounded that some help might be afforded vnto them,... Wm Bradely for Mr Kichells quarter, ...who are to speake wth their neighbours to see what will be freely contributed for their help seuerally."[31]

Elections for new town officers were held every year in the spring. William served as townsman for the years 1656; 1657, 1658, 1662[32] 1668, 1669, and 1673-1680.[33] He also served as constable for the year following 21 Dec 1669.[34] 13 Mar 1676/7, as townsman, he proposed having a separate herd for dry cows (the ones not currently producing milk), so that they don't eat up the choice feed.[35]

He was also Deputy to the General Court of the Connecticut Colony, 4 Oct 1675, 25 April 1676, 29 April 1679, 27 April 1680, 27 Sept 1680, 24 Aprl 1683.[36]

William served on at least one jury;[37] was part of assorted committees;[38] viewed lands and staked it for other settlers;[39] was chosen Lifter;[40] was a Surveyor of Highways.[41]

December 1680, when third division lands were granted William had 4 persons, in his household, andestate valued at £120 estate and received 40 acres.[42]

The Mill

The grist mill was an essential part of the economy of the town of New Haven. Grains were taken there to be ground into meals and flours. Taking it somewhere else cost the farmers extra money and time. So when the grist mill burned, December 1662, the town was at some pains to rebuild it speedily. As with any project, there was a lot of discussion in the town meetings and it was decided that the citizens would like an individual to see to the mill, rather than it become a town project. After giving it thought and a few days, and no doubt having talked it over with his wife, William Bradley agreed to see to building a new grist mill and hiring a miller.[43] The mill was up and running by 18 May 1663 when a lot of rain caused a breach in the mill dam. Once again the town was concerned that it be repaired speedily, but Bradley reported that he and some workers had been to take a look, but there was too much water yet to repair the damage.[44]

The New Haven town records are often cryptic and unclear. In August 1663, there is some discussion over the mill, it is mentioned that Christopher Todd now has a share in the mill. Bradley is asked to come to the next court.[45] But the next time it's in the records is November 1663, when it's mentioned that Bradley never got a miller to run the mill.[46]

11 April 1665, the subject comes up again, the committee that was supposed to draw up articles of agreement between the owner/s and the town had met and gone over the articles. Todd and Bradley, objected to something in the articles, but eventually yielded. At the town meeting Bradley said something that he had to apologize for. The town finally voted and decided to let Christopher Todd and William Bradley own the mill as partners.[47]

The articles of agreement between the town and the mill owners are part of the Jan 1665/6 record, and are summarized on Christopher Todd's profile (Contract Highlights).[48]

In Feb 1672 Bradley gave up his half of the mill to Christopher Todd with the town's permission.[49]

Death and Probate

William died in 1691.[14]

He made a will, 22 Jun 1683, making bequests to sons Joseph Bradley, Abraham Bradley, Benjamin Bradley, and three daughters "viz my daughters Munson, Todd and Brocket. He left land and goods to his beloved wife or son Nathaniel and named his wife and son, Joseph as executors. His inventory was taken 29 May 1691 and valued at £380.02.00. An agreement was made by the heirs 17 Jun 1691, signed by Alice Bradley (mark), Joseph Bradley, Abraham Bradley, Benjamin Bradley, Nathaniel Bradley, and in the right of their wives, Samuell Munson, Samuell Todd and Samuell Brocket.[50]

Children

  1. Joseph, bapt. 4 Jan. 1646;[13] 1645/6[14]
  2. Martha, 8 Oct. 1648;[13] m. 26 Oct. 1665 Samuel Munson[13][14] in New Haven[14] Jacobus says bapt. Oct 1648[14]
  3. Abraham, b. 24 Oct. 1650,[13][14]
  4. Mary, 30 Apr. bapt. 1 May 1653;[13][14] m. 26 Nov. 1668 Samuel Todd[13][14]
  5. Benjamin, b. 8, bapt. 12 Apr. 1657; [13][14]
  6. Esther, 29 Sept. bapt. 25 Nov. 1659; [13][14] died probably unmarried,[13] young[14]
  7. Nathaniel, b. 26 Feb. 1661;[13] [1660/1][14]
  8. Sarah, b. 21,[14][13] bapt. 25 June 1665;[13] or 23 June[14] m. 23 May 1682 Brockett[13][14]

Sources

  1. ↑ Doggett, Samuel Bradlee, History of the Bradlee Family, with Particular Reference to the Descendants of Nathan Bradley, of Dorchester, Mass. (Boston: Rockwell and Churchill, 1878) pp 5-7
  2. ↑ Cutter, William Richard (ed.) et al. Genealogical and family history of the state of Connecticut; a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation. New York: Lewis historical publishing company, 1911. Several Volumes but pages are numbered consecutively. (Vol 1.) (Vol. 2 p. 601) (Vol. 3 p. 1203) (Vol. 4 p. 1701) Link at HathiTrust Volume 1 at Archive Volume 2 at Archive Volume 3 at Archive Volume 4 (Index) at Archive
  3. ↑ Lloyd, Abigail Parkman, Genealogy: Family of Aaron and Sarah Bradley of Guilford, Conn. (Hartford: Case, Lockwood & Brainard, 1879) pp 5-7
  4. ↑ Lyford, James Otis. History of the town of Canterbury, New Hampshire, 1727-1912. Volume 2. Concord, N. H.: Rumford Press, 1912 p. 34
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Bingley, England. The Parish Register of Bingley: In the County of York, 1577-1686. [Leeds]: Priv. print. for Yorkshire Parish Register Society, 1901. at Archive Daniel p. 12; marriage p. 84; death p. 255; Agnes p. 31; Daniel jr. p. 38; Matthew p. 41; Michael p. 45; Abraham p. 49; Marie p. 52; Esther pp 56, 137; Ellin p. 66; Joshua p. 70; Daniell (again) p. 73; Nathan p. 162; Steven p. 169
  6. ↑ Descendants of Danyell Broadley de West Morton © 1995-2006, Saul M. Montes-Bradley. Well sourced website, Many of the facts have been confirmed. Cites: Empsall, E. T., The Bradford Parish Register, Bradford Antiquarian Society Publications, Bradford, 1881. This is not online Nov 2016 and has not been verified.
  7. ↑ West Yorkshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1512-1812 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data:Yorkshire Parish Records. Leeds, England: West Yorkshire Archive Service. link Ancestry page image only archived at Wayback machine
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Virkus, Frederick Adams. Immigrants to America Before 1750: an Alphabetical List of Immigrants to the Colonies, Before 1750, Compiled From Official And Other Records. (Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1965.)
  9. ↑ Cutter. Vol 1 p. 80.81
  10. ↑ [https://archive.org/stream/ancientbingleyor00turniala#page/236/mode/2up/search/Bradley p. 237. Turner, J. Horsfall. Ancient Bingley: or, Bingley, its history and scenery. Bingley: T. Harrison, 1897
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 #Hoadley1 p. 139
  12. ↑ Vital Records of Springfield, Massachusetts, to 1850. Volume One. (Clifford Stott: compiler) Boston: NEHGS, 2003. p.19.
  13. ↑ 13.00 13.01 13.02 13.03 13.04 13.05 13.06 13.07 13.08 13.09 13.10 13.11 13.12 13.13 13.14 Savage, James. A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England (Boston, Little, Brown and Company, 1862)
  14. ↑ 14.00 14.01 14.02 14.03 14.04 14.05 14.06 14.07 14.08 14.09 14.10 14.11 14.12 14.13 14.14 14.15 14.16 14.17 Jacobus, Donald Lines. Families of Ancient New Haven (Clarence D. Smith, Rome, New York, 1923; originally published as New Haven Genealogical Magazine) The Bradley Family, Volume: 1, Clarence D. Smith, Rome, NY, 1923 p. 261
  15. ↑ "Massachusetts Marriages, 1695-1910," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FHH9-8X2 : 4 December 2014), William Bradley and Alice Prichard, 18 Feb 1644; citing reference p 55; FHL microfilm 14,766.
  16. ↑ #Hoadley1 pp 228,
  17. ↑ #Hoadley1 pp 175, 427
  18. ↑ #Hoadley2 pp 158, 447
  19. ↑ #Dexter1 pp 24, 66,
  20. ↑ #Dexter1 72
  21. ↑ #Hoadley1 pp 188
  22. ↑ #Dexter1 pp 104,
  23. ↑ #Dexter2 86, 202, 230,
  24. ↑ #Dexter2 p. 249
  25. ↑ #Dexter1 pp 218, 225
  26. ↑ #Dexter1 446, 476
  27. ↑ #Dexter1 pp 271,
  28. ↑ #Dexter1 pp 511,
  29. ↑ #Dexter1 pp 291 310,
  30. ↑ #Dexter1 pp 532/3,
  31. ↑ #Dexter1 p 448
  32. ↑ #Dexter1 p 277, 313, 354, 518,
  33. ↑ #Dexter2 pp 229, 248, 310, 318, 337, 353, 360, 375, 384, 397
  34. ↑ #Dexter2 chosen 6 Dec 1669 p. 251 took the oath on the 21st.
  35. ↑ #Dexter2 p355
  36. ↑ #Dexter2 341, 352, 383, 396, 400, 430
  37. ↑ #Dexter2 p 274
  38. ↑ #Dexter2 p 311, 294, 394, 401, 404
  39. ↑ #Dexter2 p 326
  40. ↑ #Dexter2 p340 . Lifter ?
  41. ↑ #Dexter2 p352
  42. ↑ #Dexter2 p 406
  43. ↑ #Dexter2 pp 17, 18
  44. ↑ #Dexter2 p 44
  45. ↑ #Dexter2 p 58
  46. ↑ #Dexter2 p 62
  47. ↑ #Dexter2 p 138/9 166-8
  48. ↑ #Dexter2 p 166-168
  49. ↑ #Dexter2 p 303
  50. ↑ New Haven (Conn.) probate records . Probate records v. 1-2 1647-1703 Film # 007626739 Vol 2 part I pp 91, 92




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Images: 5
Jacobus, Families of Ancient New Haven (rpr 1923), v. 1 pg. 261
Jacobus, Families of Ancient New Haven (rpr 1923), v. 1 pg. 261
Jacobus, Families of Ancient New Haven (rpr 1923), v. 1 pg. 262. 262
Jacobus, Families of Ancient New Haven (rpr 1923), v. 1 pg. 262. 262
Jacobus, Families of Ancient New Haven (rpr 1923), v. 1, , pg. 263
Jacobus, Families of Ancient New Haven (rpr 1923), v. 1, , pg. 263
Savage, Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers, pg. 233
Savage, Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers, pg. 233
Savage, Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers, pg. 234
Savage, Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers, pg. 234


Comments: 8

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B-404 Anne B
William has an extra dtr. Mary attached (the first one) objections to disconnecting.
posted by Anne B
B-404 Anne B
I'm still working on the body of this profile, but it's pretty clear after researching that William and Joanna were not the parents of this William who immigrated to New Haven. I am going to disconnect them and then propose a merge with the William Bradley-1241 who had the right parents. Objections?
posted by Anne B
B-404 Anne B
Bradley-2732 and Bradley-84 appear to represent the same person because: There was only one William Bradley dying in New Haven about 1690/1
posted by Anne B
B-404 Anne B
Bradley-6742 and Bradley-84 appear to represent the same person because: Definitely the same person. I'm not sure about these parents. And Isaac is not their child.
posted by Anne B
Bredehoft-6 Tom Bredehoft
Birth in 1619 in New Hampshire (North America) is questionable.
posted by Tom Bredehoft
John Balow
I adopted his profile in order to merge it. Bradley-84 is the most attractive destination. I intend to show with source images that for dob and parents there are no good sources. Note here that Jacobus and Savage are silent on those details.
posted by John Balow
Bredehoft-6 Tom Bredehoft
Are Bradley-84 and Bradley-1241 the same person? They have different parents and birth dates, but the same wife and death date. Both seem to have satisfactory sources. These differences need resolved!
posted by Tom Bredehoft
Bredehoft-6 Tom Bredehoft
Are Bradley-84 and Bradley-1241 the same person? They have different parents and birth dates, but the same wife and death date. Both seem to have satisfactory sources. These differences need resolved!
posted by Tom Bredehoft

Rejected matches › William Clifford Bradley (1899-) › William Thomas Bradley (abt.1863-) › Bill C. Bradley › George Merriman (abt.1585-bef.1656)

William is 12 degrees from Maria Mitchell, 22 degrees from Carl Sagan, 18 degrees from Tycho Brahe, 26 degrees from Nicholaus Copernicus, 20 degrees from Eise Eisinga, 16 degrees from Caroline Lucretia Herschel, 21 degrees from Thomas Maclear, 11 degrees from Simon Newcomb, 15 degrees from Isaac Newton, 22 degrees from Pierre Henri Puiseux, 18 degrees from Beatrice Tinsley and 12 degrees from Edith Woodward on our single family tree. Login to find your connection.

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