Ahnentafel #270 - Joseph Bradford, ver. 3

Joseph Bradford

Born: Apr. 18, 1675 Plymouth, Massachusetts
Died: Jan. 17, 1747 New London, Connecticut

Buried: Raymond Hill Cemetery, New London, Connecticut

Married:
1) Oct. 5, 1698 Anne Fitch in Norwich, CT
2) Feb. 25, 1716 Mary (Sherwood) Fitch, daughter of Matthew & Mary (Fitch) Sherwood and widow of Daniel Fitch.  

Religion: a member of the Congregational Church

Records:

1700 - Joseph Bradford was one of the 51 original proprietors of Lebanon, CT.

The people acted on these grants of privilege, and the town [of Lebanon, CT] was formally organized in 1700.  The church was embodied November 27th of the same year, and Mr. Joseph Parsons was ordained pastor of the church and minister of the town.  A military company called a "train band" was also formed, yet I find in the public records no mention of any officers commissioned until the May session of 1702, when Lieut. John Mason is appointed Captain of the "train band" in Lebanon, Ensign Jeremiah Fitch to be their Lieutenant, and Mr. Joseph Bradford to be their Ensign, and to be commissioned accordingly.  In 1708 there was a second train-band here, I conclude in that part of the town now called Goshen.

It is worthy of notice, that though the town was organized in 1700, and invested with all immunities, privileges, and powers of other towns, it did not send deputies to the General Assembly until the May session of 1705, the reason being, doubtless, that it had not been required by the colonial government to bear any portion of the public expense until a tax was levied on the inhabitants for that purpose, at the October session, 1704.  It was at that time a distinctly recognized and a cherished principle that representation should accompany taxation, and "no taxation without representation" at length became the war-cry of the Revolution.

Though the town was now fully organized, with church and minister, and train-band, and about to take its place by its deputies in the General Assembly with the other towns of the Colony, its settlement was hindered.  The bounds and titles to lands were in a very unsettled condition, and, growing out of this were uncertainties and controversies and frequent appeals to the Assembly for relief.  In 1704, the public records say, "there were great difficulties and trouble among the inhabitants of Lebanon, through the unsettledness of their lands," and they appointed a surveyor to run the south or southerly line of the five mile square purchase.  The boundary between this town and Colchester was not yet settled.  And in 1705, several of the inhabitants of the town of Lebanon made complaint of sundry difficulties and inconveniences under which they were laboring, respecting the purchase of a tract of land five miles square of Oweneco and the four proprietors.

It is not surprising that there was this uncertainty as to bounds and titles, when we consider that gifts and cessions were made by Indian chiefs, and Sir Edmond Andros said their deeds were so indefinite and contradictory; as "to be worth no more than the marks of a cat's paw," and that these chiefs, as to ownership were in controversy among themselves, while the settlers had gained a variety of titles from them.  In 1705 the General Assembly passed a broad healing act.  Referring to the deed of Owaneco to the four proprietors, Mason, Stanton, Brewster and Birchard, and to the deed of these proprietors to fifty-one proprietors most of whom were residing there, the Act is to this effect: "And the same recited deeds or conveyances, and the grants, sales, and bargains therein contained, are hereby allowed, approved, and confirmed to be firm and effectual to all intents and purposes, according to the true meaning and intent thereof, as shall be construed most favorable on the behalf, and for the best benefit and behoof of the grantees and purchasers (heretofore named) their heirs and assigns forever."  And by this Act a degree of satisfaction and quiet seems to have been established. 

At the May session of the Assembly, 1705, Mr. William Clark was deputy from this town to the General Assembly, the first whom it sent: at the October session, Mr. Samuel Huntington was deputy.  Lebanon was "listed," i.e., the property was put into the grand list to be taxed for general purposes, for the first time in 1704.  In the roll of persons and estates presented to the General Assembly in 1705, embracing thirty-three towns, Lebanon is rated at £3,736, and is the twenty-first in the list; it has ninety taxable inhabitants, perhaps indicating a population of 350.  The next year it stands £4,390 and 105 taxable persons. And this year, this town sent two deputies, viz: Ensign John Sprague, and Mr. William Clark.  The town sent as deputies the same persons repeatedly; the number from which selections were made from year to year being small, in strong contrast to the present practice of rotation, and never more than one term for the same person.  

The next year, 1707, Lebanon stands £5,179, and 135 taxable persons.  For a few years the settlement of the town appears not to have been rapid.  Privations and hardships must have been endured by those who came here; their dwellings must have been loghouses among the trees and bushes, with here and there a clearing, and all uncertainty as to the bounds and titles of lands had not ceased to perplex and embarras. 

That there was a great amount of danger or annoyance from the Indians does not appear, the Indians of this section being friendly to the English, in league with them, and very much dependent on them. 

There is a tradition that some Indians of a tribe at war with the Mohegans -- perhaps from a remnant of the Pequots -- possibly from the Narragansets, still further east in Rhode Island, took a Mohegan child from the house of Mr. Brewster, who lived on the Brewster place, near where Hon. Edwin M. Dolbeare now resides, and killed it, dashing its head against the garden fence.  This tradition comes, reliably, from one who lived near the time of the alleged event, and who spoke of it, as a fact well known.  There is also a tradition that the Abel house, which stood where Mr. Robert Peckham's house now stands was a sort of fort, (stockaded, I conclude,) to which the inhabitants fled in times of danger. 

1703 - June 29 - Joseph is mentioned in his father's will:

Item to my son Joseph Bradford a portion of Lands near Norwich aforesaid (which was his Mother's & part I Purchased) as may appear under hand & seal also I give to him the history of the Netherlands & a Rapior

Item I give & bequeath unto my four sons John Bradford, Thomas Bradford, Samuel Bradford & Joseph Bradford all that my Pattant Right which I have to the head of Cape Cod. 

1704 - Mar. 30 - Joseph is called Ensign when he bought land in Lebanon. 

1704 - July 28 - Joseph is called Lieutenant when he sold land in Lebanon.  

1707 - Served as Lebanon representative

1714/15 - March 1 - He sold 52 acres in Norwich and Windham, CT to Jonathan Lad

1716 - Moved to Mohegan, CT after the death of his first wife.

1717 - Moved to North Parish of New London, CT where he was an elder of the Congregational Church.

1731 - Joseph Bradford wrote his will at age 56 which he described as being of advanced age.

In the Name of God Amen. September the 14th Day Ano: Dom: 1731,  I Joseph Bradford of New London in the County of New London and Colony of Connecticut being advanced in years, but in perfect health and of sound mind yett Reflecting upon my mortality and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and Testament in manner and form following.

first and principally I Give and Recommend my Soul into the hands of God that gave it me ---- him through the M---- death and passion of my Lord Savior Christ Jesus to Receive the same and Grant me Remission of my sins and everlasting life my Body I Committ to the Grave to be buryed in decent Christian ---- and as Touching that worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me I Give devise and dispose of the same in the following manner.

I Give and Bequeath unto my Loving wife Mary Bradford one third part of all my Movable or personal estate to be att her dispose forever as also the improvement of one third part of my farm on which I live during her life with one third part of the buildings during her life.

Item I have Given my Son Joseph a deed of Gift of one farm of Land in New London where he is settling as also I have already Given him one hundred pounds in mony all which I Give to my Said Son Joseph in full of his portion out of my estate.

Item I Give unto my Son John my farm where I live with the appurtenances to him his heirs and assi[g]ns forever.

Item I have already given my Eldest daughter Anne Demick her full portion out of my estate.

Item I Give unto my daughter Priscilla Hide Twenty pounds to be paid her out of my estate which with what I have already Given her is in full of the portion out of my estate.

Item I Give unto my daughter Sarah Tuthill Twelve acres of land abutting upon Abraham Avory whereon she now lives as also Twenty pounds in mony to be paid her out of my estate To her and her heirs forever and also I do Give my said daughter the use of so much of the Indian Land adjoyning ---E[a]stward as  will make up the aforsaid Twelve acres to be  fourty acres its to be understood I don't Intend the fee of the Land in the last parcel of Land.

Item I Give unto my daughter Hannah Buell, Elizabeth Bradford, Alithea Bradford and Irene Bradford my farm at Stafford, and all my land not before disposed of in Lebanon, Hebron and New London to be equally divided amongst them, as also I Give unto my said four daughters Ten pounds each of them to be paid by my executors hereafter named in two years after my decease and the Remaining part of my estate, if any there be after my just debts and funeral expenses are paid shall be equally divided amongst all my children.

And Lastly I do nominate and appoint my Loving Wife and my Eldest son Joseph Bradford Executor to this my last will and Testament Confirming this and no other to be my last will and Testament In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seal this day and year first above written.

Joseph Bradford

Signed, Sealed, published and declared by the sd. Joseph Bradford to be his last will and Testament in presence of Will. Whiting

James Harris

John Richards

Sworn to by Mr. James Harris in due form.

James Harris one of the witnesses to the above Instrument appeared in a Court of Prob: held March 10, 1746/7 and made solemn oath that he saw Joseph Bradford the Testator sign & seal and heard him publish & declare the same to be his last will & testament and that he was then of sound mind and memory and --- --- then together with Col.  Will Whiting & John Richards Esqr. sett their hands as Witnesses in presence of the Testator.   ---- which --- the Judge of the Court asserts being one of the above Witnesses

1741 - Jan. 8 - Sold 20 acres of land to John Bradford

1747 - January 4 - New London Jany. ye 4 1747 Rec'd. of Mrs. Mary Bradford executrix to ye last will & testament of Mr. Joseph Bradford Late of N. London Dec'd. ye sum of eight pounds old tenor in full of a bond & interest thereon given by F.M. Bradford Dec'd. I say Rec'd. 

B.M. --- Miller

1747 - April 20 - The Inventory of the Estate of Mr. Joseph Bradford Excd. June 9th, 1747

Recorded Book E, page 522, New London, April ye 20th 1747

We the subscribers being chosen and sworn to aprize the personal estate of Mr. Joseph Bradford Deceased have priz'd the same as followeth.

• One Duroy Coat £6.0.0 
• One great Coat 5.5.0 
• Two woollen Jackcoats 2.05.0
• One strait bodyd coat 0.10.0 
• Leather briches 1.05.0
• five pair of Hockins 2.15.0 
• 1 pair of Linnen briches 1.05.0 
• one pair of boots 2.00.03 
• pewter platters 2.15.0 
• old pewter 0.16.6 
• Books 1.10.10 
• one bed, beding & furniture 20.00.0 
• Jack& his beding 1.10.0one Coat. 4.10.00

[subtotal] 55.02.4 

• one bed and beding 07.00.05 
• shirts & one handerchief 05.00.64 
• pair of sheets 10.00.004 
• napkins 00.06.004 
• pillow biers 00.16.002 
• table cloaths 01.10.001 
• brass kettle 06.00.001 
• warming pan 01.10.003 
• Iron pots 02.06.062 
• Chests 01.10.00 
• Trammel & tongs 00.10.004 
• pound & 1/2 of woll [wool] 01.07.003 
• Chairs 00.06.001 
• saddle & bridle 00.15.00 
• one mare 15.00.00 
• ten sheep 10.00.00 
• two old bedstead & cord 00.10.00 

[subtotal] 64.07.00 

[subtotal] 55.02.04 

[total] 119.9.4 

Joshua Baker, Elisha Mirick

Sworn to by Mr. Mary Bradford, Exec. June 7, 1747

1747 - Oct. 7 - New London Oct. 7, 1747

Rec'd of Mrs. Mary Bradford Executrix to the estate of Mr. Joseph Bradford of New London, Dec'd. the sum of Twenty-three pounds old tenor in full --- and Bonds ----- sd.  Bradford and --- -----

I lay Rec'd.

Dr. John Richards

Mr. Joseph Bradford, Sen. The old account is £2:17..0The last account £4.0.3

1747 - November 30 - New London, November 30, 1747

Received of Mary Bradford Execurtrix on ye Estate of Joseph Bradford Deceast ye full and just sum of six pounds, seventeen shillings and three pence in full of the accounts ----- Benjamin Wheat.

1748 - June 23 - James Harris and Robert Denison of New London, William Whiting of Norwich, Timothy Buel and wife Hannah of Hebron, Andrew Lisk and wife Elizabeth, David Hide and wife Alethea and Jonathan Janes and wife Irenia all of Lebanon sold 30 acres in New London to Ezekiel Fox.  

1749 - July 7 - An Aquittances from the Heirs Joseph Bradford Dec'd.  Ex'd. ---- to 1749

Recorded Book F, Page 93

We Samuel Hide and Priscilla Hide of Lebanon, acknowledge hereby to have Rec'd. of Mrs. Mary Bradford Executrix to the Last Will & Testament of the Late Mr. Joseph Bradford of New London Deceased the Sum of Twenty pounds in Bills of Credit old Tenour for the Legacy of the Sd. Deceased Joseph Bradford given to his Daughter Priscilla 

and We David Hide and Alithea Hide his wife of Sd. Lebanon, Do hereby also Acknowledge To have Received of Said Executrix, the Sum of Ten pounds in Like Bills for the Legacy of Said Deceased to his Daughter Alithea

And We Jonathan Janes and Irene Janes his wife of Sd. Lebanon Do hereby also acknowledge the Receipt of said Executrix, the Sum of Ten pounds in Like Bills for the Legacy of said Deceased To his Daughter Irene

And We Andrew Lisk and Elizabeth Lisk his wife of Sd. Lebanon Do hereby also acknowledge the Receipt of Sd. Executrix the Sum of Ten pounds in like Bills for the Legacy of Said Deceased To his Daughter Elizabeth. 

In witness and confirmation We have each of us hereunto sett Our hands this 18th day of June Ano Dom: 1747

Samuel Hide [signature] 

Alithea Hide [signature] 

Andrew Lisk [signature] 

Elizabeth Lisk [signature] 

David Hide [signature] 

Alithea Hide [signature] 

Jonathan Janes [signature] 

Irene Janes [signature] 

Israel Lothrop [signature] 

Sarah Lothrop [signature]

Signed & Sd. In presence of us Adonijah Fitch, Jon Trumble

We Israel Lothrop and Sarah his wife both of Norwich have Rec'd. Twenty Pounds old Tenor which is in full of my honored father's Deceased Joseph Bradford's Lecagy left to us and Received by us

interlined and ----- --- out before signed, George Doll----

Israel Lothrop [signature]

We Timothy Bewell & Hannah Bewell of Hebron acknowledge hereby to have Received of Mrs. Mary Bradford Executrix to the Last Will & testament of the Late Mr. Joseph Bradford of New London Deceased the sum of ten pounds in Bills of Credit ----- for the Legacy of the Deceased Joseph Bradford  given his ---- daughter Hannah in witness of Allen ------  ---- of we set our hand this Seventh day July 1749 in presence of us

1749 - Oct. 10 - John Bradfords Adm. Acct Estate Joseph Bradford Oct. 10, 1749

The Estate of Mr. Joseph Bradford late of New London dectsDr. Fuller (?) Executrix for sundry payments and in ---- --- To Jon Miller (?) Esq. £8, Benjamin Wheat £6.17.3  [subtotal]£14.17.3To John Richards £25 [subtotal] £25.0.0To sundrys of funeral expenses £15.0.0To charge of Accounts Court, Prbt. for ----- £25.0.0.

[Total] £79.17.3

Children by Anne Fitch:

Anne b. 1699, d. 1788 md. Timothy Dimmick 1723

• Anna b. 1724, d. 1779 md. Ebenezer Clark 1740, children: Temperance, Simon, Timothy, Joannah, Welcome, Abigail, Ebenezer, Daniel, Anna, Eunice, Jonathan, Mary & Solomon
• Timothy b. 1726, d. 1795 md. Desire Dimock 1749/50 children: Desire, Eunice, Anna, Lois, Sybel, Lucy, Timothy, Daniel, Mason, Rhoda & Roger
• John b. 1727, d. 1800 md. Hannah Smith 1753, children: John, Timothy, Simeon, Hannah, Amasa, William, Silvanus, Merriam, Abner, Mary, Ephraim, Matthew, Joseph
• Joanna b. 1730 md. John Babcock, 1728, children: Timothy, Martha, Anne, Joanna, Thankful, Jonathan, Eleazer, Sylvanus
• Josiah b. 1732, d. young
• Simeon b. 1735, d. 1737
• Sylvanus b. 1738 
• Oliver b. 1740, d. 1837 md. 1) Sarah Gurley 1744 & 2) Lucy Leony 1792, children: Oliver, Lusinda, Sarah, Samuel, Dan, Eunice, Oliver, Sophia, Mary, Unnamed Daughter, Roderick, Alpheus
• Daniel b. 1743, d. 1774 md. Phoebe Turner 1743, Children: Molly, Eunice, Levina & Diantha

Joseph (twin) b. 1702, d. 1777 md. Henrietta Swift 1730

• Elizabeth b. 1730/1, d. 1796 md. Richard Mays/Mayo 1773, no known children
• Anna b. 1732 
• William b. 1734 md. Sarah Rich 1762 children: Amos, Henrietta, Mercy, William 
• Henry b. 1736 md. Prudence Glover children: Henrietta, Anna, Simon, Cynthia, John, Polly, Silas, Priscilla
• Robert b. 1739 md. 1) Penelope Bonfrey 1768, 2) (--?--) children: Henrietta, Joseph, Perez, Susanna, unnamed child
• Hannah b. 1740/1, d. 1831 unmarried
• Joseph b. 1741

Priscilla (twin) b. 1702, d. 1778 md. Samuel Hide

• Samuel b. 1725, d. 1776 md. Anne Fitch 1750, children: Samuel, Sarah, Samuel 2nd, Joseph, Azel, Ann, unnamed child, Elizabeth
• Anne b. 1727, d. 1783 md. Jared Hinckley 1755, children: Dan, Jared, Dan 2nd, Priscilla, Timothy, Anne
• Sibil b. 1731, d. 1790 md. Jabez Metcalf 1718 children: unnamed daughter, Joseph
• Priscilla b. 1731, d. young
• Dan b. 1733, d. 1770 md. Mary Wattles children: Mary, Priscilla and several who died in infancy
• Priscilla b. 1735, d. 1759, unmarried
• Hannah b. 1738 md. Daniel Moulton 1763 children: Gurdon, Daniel
• Zerviah b. 1740, d. 1829 md. Andrew Metcalf 1736, children: Priscilla, Jabez, Luke, Sarah, Hannah
• Abigail b. 1744, d. 1830

Alithea (twin) b. 1704, d. 1704, less than a month old
Irena (twin) b. 1704, d. 1704, less than a month old
Sarah b. 1706 md. 1) Daniel (?) Tuthill / Tuttle & before 1731 2) Israel Lothrop 1747 (son of Israel Lothrop, grandson of Samuel & Elizabeth (Scudder) Lothrop). 

• John Tuttle b. 1736, d. Feb. 1756
• Prudence Lothrop b. 1747/8 md. James Crocker 1768 children: Israel, James, John, Joseph, Rufus

Hannah b. 1709 md. Timothy Buell 1730

• Timothy b. 1732, d. 1788 md. Mercy Peters 1751 children: William, Timothy, Jonathan, Bentsley, Samuel, Sabina, Mercy, Hannah
• Elijah b. 1735, d. 1807, md. Tamar Phelps 1756, children: Elijah, Elisha, Eli
• Hannah b. 1735, d. 1774 md. Jared Foote 1753 children: Hannah, Rhoda, Lucy, Mercy, Jared, Lucy, Jared 2nd
• Deborah b. 1738, d. 1813 md. Joseph Dewey 1756 children: Deborah, Joseph, Mary, Lydia, Anna, Jerusha, Elias, Chester, Sally, Hannah, Marcia
• Ichabod b. 1741, md. Hebsibah Dewey1 763 child: Ichabod
• Lt. Oliver b. 1746, d. 1790 md. 1) Judah Tilden 1769, 2) Sarah Dewey 1789 children: Judah, Oliver, Oledine, Oledine 2nd, Timothy, Bradford, Elisha
• Joseph b. 1749, d. 1828 md. Hope Loveland 1772 children: Sally, Joseph, David

Elizabeth b. 1712, d. 1808 md. Andrew Lisk 1736

• William b. 1738, d. 1808
• Ann b. 1740, died young
• Martha b. 1742, died young
• Andrew b. 1744, died young
• Betty b. 1746, died young
• Sarah b. 1748/9, died young
• Amy b. 1752, died young
• Huldah b. 1754, died young

Irene (twin) b. 1715
Alithea (twin) b. 1715 md. David Hide 1740

• David b. 1741, never married
• Simeon b. 1749
• Avis md. David Spencer 1792 no known children
• Anna md. Francis Griswold 1769, children: Anna, Polly, Francis
• Zebulon never married
• Elizabeth b. 1758 md. Ira Hinckley 1779 children: Philena, Lucy, Ira, Julia, Avis, Elizabeth,  Anna
• Eleanor md. David Cole 1758, children: David, Anna
• Joel

Child by Mary (Sherwood) Fitch:
John b. 1717, d. 1787 md. Esther Sherwood 1736

• Samuel b. 1736, d. 1810 md. Bridget Comstock, children: Bridget, Eleanor, Samuel, Nathaniel, Margaret, William, Sarah, Esther
• John b. 1739, d. 1818 md. 1) Mary Fitch ca. 1764, md. 2) Mary Rogers, children: James, Rachel, Rebecca, Abigail, Mary, Eleanor, John
• Joseph b. 1742, d. 1815 md. Eunice Maples, children: Joseph, Sherwood, William, Patience, John, Eunice, Benjamin, Sarah, Stephen
• Esther b. 1742, d. 1753 age 11
• Sarah b. 1744, d. 1768 md. Nathaniel Comstock, children: Sarah, Perez
• Perez b. 1746, d. 1817, children: Adonijah, Parthenia
• Benjamin b. 1748 md. Parthena Rogers 1775, child: Thomas
• Eleanor died young
• Rebecca b. 1754, d. 1839, md. Joseph Ford, children: Luther, Sarah, Eunice, Hannah, Joseph, Parthenia, Samuel, Eleanor, Benjamin
• Mary b. 1756, D. 1837 md. Seth Holmes b. 1738, d. 1821, children: John, Henry, Sally, Betsy

Children of Mary (Sherwood) Fitch & her first husband Daniel Fitch - who are cousins to us:

• Adonijah
• James
• Lemuel
• Mary
• Daniel

Revised 9/19/2020