SYMBIOS

Two BRADFORD Families

of the Northeast and Northwest U.S.

Were They Related?

Compiled by Sandy Wilbur (Jan 2004)

I have been developing two BRADFORD family lines that may have a close connection in Massachusetts or New York in the late 1700s or early 1800s. I would be interested in additional information about either family (e-mail). The information that ties the two families together is tenuous, at best: (1) both families had people in New York City at about the same time; (2) when Willliam Bradford CRANE - associated with Family I - went West in 1862, he immediately made contact in Oregon with people from Family II; and (3) William Bradford CRANE and the Oregon-Washington Bradfords were both involved with steamships and silver mining during the same time periods.

To History-Genealogy Index

 

BRADFORD FAMILY I

1 William BRADFORD m. Elizabeth COBB. This is probably the William BRADFORD who lived in Newark, New Jersey, in 1841, and also likely the one who was associated with New York City establishments during the 1830s (Franklin Institute, U. S. Fire Insurance Co., and Jefferson Insurance Co.). So far, we have no vital records on either William or Elizabeth.

2. Sarah Theresa BRADFORD
---------------------------------------------
Birth: 2 Oct 1813, New York City, New York
Death: Around 1880 probably in Oakland, Alameda Co., California

Spouse: James Harvey CRANE
Birth: 29 Oct 1808, Parsippany, New Jersey
Death: Around 1870 probably in Oakland, Alameda Co., California
Father: John CRANE
Mother: Mary MINTON

CRANE Family Details

3. Angelina CRANE(ca1834-)
3. William Bradford CRANE(1835-1879)
3. D. E. CRANE(ca1836-)
3. Evanna CRANE(ca1842-)
3. Julia CRANE(ca1845-)
3. James Elbert CRANE(ca1848-)
3. Charles Wilson CRANE(ca1848-1890)
3. Josephine CRANE(ca1851-)
3. Alice CRANE (1854-1949)
3. Louis CRANE
3.Ferdinand/Fred CRANE

2. William BRADFORD

2. John Harrison BRADFORD
Birth: 5 Oct 1818, New York, New York
Death: 2 Nov 1905, Anaheim, Orange Co., California
Burial: San Diego, California

Spouse: Caroline WARD
Birth: 22 Oct 1822, Rockaway, Morris Co., New Jersey
Death: 18 Dec 1909, San Diego, San Diego Co., California
Father: Phineas WARD
Mother: Nancy WILLIS
Marr: 20 Oct 1844, Newark, Essex Co., New Jersey

3. George Ward BRADFORD
Birth: 23 May 1846, New Jersey
Death: 13 Aug 1940

Spouse: Ellen
Birth: ca 1857, Arkansas

4. Louis BRADFORD
Birth: ca 1876, California

4. John BRADFORD
Birth: ca 1877, California

4. Dalbert BRADFORD
Birth: ca 1879, California

3. Caroline Elizabeth BRADFORD
Birth: 10 Mar 1850 New Jersey
Death: 7 Apr 1932 Yreka, Shasta Co., California
Married Charles Benjamin HIGH August 8, 1870 Capay Valley, Yolo California.

4. LewisHamilton HIGH
4. Marion Govan HIGH
4. Mary Caroline HIGH
4. Charles Frances HIGH
4. Jesse Leroy HIGH
4. Daisie Annie HIGH

3. Lewis Renton BRADFORD
Birth: 3 Jun 1852
Death: 29 Apr 1941

3. Josephine Harrison BRADFORD
Birth: 29 Oct 1854
Death: 22 Mar 1877

3. Walter Cobb BRADFORD
Birth: 15 May 1856
Death: 19 Jul 1926

3. Jessie Eliza BRADFORD
Birth: 14 Nov 1860
Death: 2 Jan 1943

3. William David BRADFORD
Birth: 8 Oct 1864, California
Death: 27 Jun 1944

 

BRADFORD FAMILY II

1. Rev. James BRADFORD born ca. 1785. He may be one of the James Bradford's born in either Rowley, Essex Co., Massachusetts, or North Reading, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. He married Margaret FLINT in Reading, Massachusetts, 13 November 1813. They apparently lived most of their married lives at Sheffield, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. One record in the L.D.S. Ancestral File says he died in Sheffield in 1858. His parents may have been Ebenezer BRADFORD and Elizabeth GREEN; the L.D.S. Ancestral File that gives this information also provides a line back to William BRADFORD of Plymouth, but I haven't made any attempt to verify this information.


2. Daniel Flint BRADFORD b. 1819 Sheffield, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts; m. 2 Jan 1844 [in Sheffield?] Chloe H. BUSHNELL; d. Bolinas, Marin Co., California 18 July 1896; buried Mt. Tamaulpias Cemetery, San Rafael, Marin Co., California. Lived in Washington and New York, in addition to Massachusetts and California. Involved with steamships in Puget Sound, Washington, and on the Columbia River (Oregon Steam Navigation Company).

3. William B. BRADFORD - apparently their only child; had been Mayor of San Rafael, Marin Co., California

2. Ann P. BRADFORD married George Hamlin of Red Hook, NY, [at Sheffield?] 4Aug 1835

2. Mary E. BRADFORD married Norman Briggs of Schaghticoke, NY [at Sheffield?] 2 July 1845.

2. Putnam Flint BRADFORD christened 22 July 1827 Sheffield, Berkshire Co. Massachusetts; wife's name not determined. Lived in Washington and Oregon, and possibly New York. Involved with steamships on Puget Sound, Washington, and on the Columbia River [Oregon Steam Navigation Company]. Also had mining interests at Silver City, Owyhee Co., Idaho.

3. Son BRADFORD

2. James BRADFORD b. ca 1828 Sheffield, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts; m. Mary (b. Connecticut ca 1824). He was a district court judge in Sheffield in 1880.

3. Putnam T. BRADFORD b. ca 1848 Sheffield, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. A druggist.

2. Cordine BRADFORD b. ca 1838 Sheffield, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Apparently never married. Living with her brother James in 1880.

 

BRADFORD REFERENCES - So far, I have made little effort to verify the L.D.S. records.

1. J. C. Ainsworth. Reminiscences of John C. Ainsworth. Portland, OR: Oregon Historical Society. Manuscript 504-1.
Included in the Manuscript Collection of the Oregon Historical Society in Portland, Oregon, is a hand-written journal of John C. Ainsworth. He prepared it over a period of years, as a record for his children. Most of what is written is about the Oregon Steam Navigation Company, and about his time on the Frazer River in British Columbia. There is no mention of the Peoples Transportation Company, or of any of Ainsworth's ventures into gold and silver mining.

D. F. [Daniel Flint] BRADFORD and P. F. [Putnam F.] BRADFORD owned the portage on the Washington side of the Cascades of the Columbia River, and had a tramway built to carry freight and people past the cascades. The Bradfords were involved in organization of the Oregon Steam Navigation Company, and owned about one-sixth of the company. D. F. Bradford was the first vice-president of OSNC until his resignation 27 July 1864, when his brother Putnam Bradford took the position.

2. Anonymous. City directories for Newark, New Jersey, 1835-1852. Microfiche, Family History Library, Salt Lake City.
BRADFORD names in various Newark, New Jersey, city directories. There were no Bradfords prior to 1840, and none from 1841 to 1852.
1840-1841 -
-William BRADFORD, 196 Bank (no occupation listed)
-William H. BRADFORD, law student, 196 Bank

3. Anonymous. 1896. Death of Daniel F. BRADFORD. 7 Aug 1896:
A news clipping, obviously from an Oregon newspaper but no other identification, was found in the historical Scrapbooks of the Oregon Historical Society:
Daniel Flint BRADFORD born 1819 Sheffield, Massachusetts, a "lineal descendant" of William Bradford of the "Mayflower." His father was Rev. James BRADFORD, pastor of the Sheffield church for 44 years. Daniel was the second son in a large family. He attended school in Sheffield, then was in the mercantile business locally. He and his brother Putnam F. BRADFORD landed at Portland, Oregon in July 1850 "via California." [The article says he got interested in the Gold Rush, so I asssume that means they came for gold originally, but that is not stated.. I assume "landed" means they came by ship from California.]. They settled on the Washington side of the Columbia River at the Cascades [present day Cascade Locks area], where they had a donation land claim and established a trading post. They are credited with building the first steamboat to run between the Cascades and The Dalles, and they built a portage road around the Cascades, consisting of a train track where wagons were pulled by mules.
In 1858 the Bradfords had steamboating interests in Puget Sound. In 1860 they joined with J. C. Ainsworth to form the Oregon Steam Navigation Company. Daniel served as vice-president of OSNC for some years. In 1868 they sold their interests in OSNC and moved to New York. [NOTE: the article just talks about "the Bradfords," without specifically mentioning Daniel or Putnam. Putnam was living in Hood River in 1896, so he may or may not have gone East.]
Daniel Bradford returned to California in 1876 [hard to read; maybe 1875], and settled in San Rafael. He lived there until his death, the last years with his wife of 53 years [so, married ca. 1843?] at his only child's home [William B. Bradford, ex-mayor of San Rafael]. He died at Bolinas, California, 18 July 1896, a few days after a boating accident had thrown him into the water. He didn't appear to be hurt, but speculated the shock was too much for him. Funeral services were held at Bolinas, then the body was returned to San Rafael, and he was buried in the Mount Tamalpais

4. S. Ferrall. 2000. Company officers, NYC, 1837. world wide web.
Sharyl Ferrall had posted on the New York USGenweb site lists of company officials in New York City in 1837, mostly insurance companies. The list was transcribed from the newspaper "New-York American" for Saturday, 7 Oct 1837.

United States Fire Insurance Company, 288 Pearl Street, New York City:
Among the Directors were William BRADFORD

5. S. Ferrall. 2000. Franklin Institute, Westchester, New York. world wide web.
Sharyl Ferrall posted the following on the New York U.S. Genweb site.
Franklin Institute, New Rochelle, eighteen miles from New York.
Judah A. Lee, A.M. has opened the above institution for the Board and education of young gentlemen. The situation is on a fine eminence, commanding a delightful view of Long Island and the Sound, and for salubrity as well as beauty is surpassed by no place in this country.
The course of instruction embraces all the studies necessary to prepare youth for admission into any college or counting house, or to enter immediately upon the study of any of the learned professions. Geography and Astronomy will be illustrated by transparent diagrams which will render those sciences familiar and intelligible to the youthful mind. In addition to these and the other studies, pupils will be taught the French Language for its purity, together with the arts of Surveying, Drawing, Mapping and Planning.
Every attention will be paid, not only to the instruction of the pupils, but to their morals and manners, diet, cleanliness, and health. The dormitory is an extensive range of rooms, and only two pupils will be allowed to occupy one sleeping apartment. The garden and pleasure grounds are extensive; and it is the intention of the proprietor to instruct his pupils in Horticulture and Botany.
For further particulars, apply to Mr. W. W. Holmes, 50 William St., Wm BRADFORD, 72 Maiden Lane; and John Pearson, 169 Broadway.

This was an advertisement in the "New York Evening Post" Friday 2 Dec 1831.

6. S. Ferrall. 2000. Insurance Co. officers NYC, 1831, New York. world wide web.
Sharyl Ferrall posted a list of 1831 New York City insurance company officers on the New York Genweb site. It was transcribed from the "New York Evening Post" 2 Dec 1831

Jefferson Insurance Company, Office No. 108 Chatham street corner of Pearl.
This company continues to insure against loss or damage by fire; also on vessels and cargoes against loss or damage by inland navigation at the customary rates of premium: and assures the public that all losses sustained by them will be adjusted with promptitude and liberality. The rates of insurance are as favorable as any other office in this city.
Among the Directors was William BRADFORD

7. S. Horton. Stagecoach Passenger Lists from the "Owyhee Avalanche" Newspaper. World Wide Web.
Sherri Horton compiled the passenger lists of people arriving and leaving Owyhee County, Idaho, from 1865 to 1868. In her introduction, she states: "Hill Beachey, owner of the stage coach line from Silver City to Nevada eventually bought out the competition between Boise City and Silver City so that by 1868 Beachey has a stage line running from Boise City to Sacramento, California. The reference to a railroad line is only a stagecoach that ran to Winnemucca, Nevada, where passengers could catch a train to the east or west."

1865 Arrivals - no BRADFORD
1865 Departures - 4 November 1865: P. F. BRADFORD
1866 Arrivals - 16 May 1866, Beachey's Stage Line: P. F. BRADFORD
29 June 1866 Beachey's Stage Line: Pat [Putnam?] BRADFORD
19 July 1866 Beachey's Stage Line: Mrs. P. F. BRADFOR
1866 Departures -
3 August 1866 Beachey's Stage Line: Ash BRADFORD
15 August 1866 Beachey's Stage Line: Mrs. P. F. BRADFORD and Master BRADFORD (son?)
9 October 1866 Beachey's Boise Line: P. F. BRADFORD
1867 Arrivals:
27 July 1867 Beachey's Boise Line: J. BRADFORD
28 July 1867 "Railroad Line": J. BRADFORD

8. International Genealogical Index. 1827. Putnam Flint Bradford.
A miscellaneous record pulled from the Mormon Church I.G.I. computer files (did not copy references):
Putnam Flint BRADFORD, christened 22 July 1827 Sheffield, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts.

9. Latter-day Saints Church. Ancestral File information on John Harrison Bradford.
I took the following information from the L.D.S. Ancestral File on the apparent brother of Sarah Theresa [Bradford] CRANE.
1. William BRADFORD m. Elizabeth COBB
2. John Harrison BRADFORD b. 5 Oct 1818 John Street, New York, New York; d. 2 Nov 1905 Anaheim, Orange Co., California; buried in San Diego, San Diego Co., California. He married 20 Oct 1844 in Newark, Essex County, New Jersey, Caroline WARD [daughter of Phineas WARD and Nancy WILLIS - I think there is more info on these people on Ancestral File, if I need it]. Caroline WARD b. 22 Oct 1822 Rockaway, Morris Co., New Jersey; died 18 Dec 1909 San Diego, San Diego Co., California; buried in San Diego.
3. William David BRADFORD b. 8 Oct 1864 Mooretown, Butte Co., California; died 27 June 1944 Arbuckle, Colusa Co., California; buried Odd Fellows Cemetery, Arbuckle, CA
3. Josephine Harrison BRADFORD b. 29 Oct 1854; d. 22 March 1877
3. Cardine Elizabeth BRADFORD b. 10 March 1850; d. 7 April 1932
3. Walter Cobb BRADFORD b. 15 May 1856; d. 19 July 1926
3. George Ward BRADFORD b. 23 May 1846; d. 13 Aug 1940
3. Lewis Renton BRADFORD b. 3 June 1852; d. 29 Apr 1941.
3. Jessie Eliza BRADFORD b. 14 Nov 1860; d. 2 Jan 1943.

10. Owyhee County-Idaho. Grantor and grantee records, William B. Crane and associates. Microfilm at Family History Library, Salt Lake City.
GRANTOR records:
-From J. C. Ainsworth to Josiah Myrick 4 Aug 1870; Vol. P, p.499
-From J. C. Ainsworth to P. F. Bradford 19 Oct 1870; Vol. P, p.559
-From Ainsworth Mill Co. to Putnam F. Bradford 19 Oct 1870; Vol. P, p.560
-From Putnam F. Bradford to North Oro Fino Mining Company 29 Dec 1871 (2 records); Vol. Q, pp.105-107
-From Putnam F. Bradford to Henry L. Preston 1870; Vol. P, p. 567.

GRANTEE records:
-To Putnam Bradford from J. P. Gabriel et al 31 July 1865; Vol. I, p.23.
-To P. F. Bradford from John Mitchell et al 6 July 1865. Vol. I, p. 29.
-To Bradford & Co. from Peter Donnelly 5 Sept 1865. Vol. I, p.291.
-To P. F. Bradford from D. C. O'Bryan 20 Sept 1865; Vol. I, p.385.
-To P. F. Bradford from Milton White 23 Sept 1865; Vol. I, p. 521.
-To P. F. Bradford from Josiah Myrick 6 Oct 1870; Vol. P, p.506.

*Note: these are all Volume "eye," not Volume One.

11. Sheffield-Massachusetts. Sheffield vital records of Bradfords. Microfilm - Family History Library, Salt Lake City.
-Daniel BRADFORD of New York and Chloe H. Bushnell of Sheffield married 2 Jan 1844
-George Hamlin of Red Hook, NY, and Ann P. BRADFORD of Sheffield married 4Aug 1835
-Norman Briggs of Schaghticoke, NY, and Marry E. BRADFORD of Sheffield married 2 July 1845.

-Rev. James BRADFORD of Sheffield m. Margaret FLYNT in Reading, Massachusetts, 13 Nov 1813.

12. C. Slater. 1999. Owyhee "Avalanche" articles August 1865 thru December 31, 1879. Twin Falls, ID: Privately printed.
This is a book of articles selected and transcribed by the compiler from the Owyhee "Avalance," a newspaper published in Silver City, Nevada. Most of the articles she selected are people-related [gunfights, Indian wars, accidents], but there are a few good mining selections, as well, that relate to the period when Putnam BRADFORD was working in the area.

--Article of 7 Oct 1865 about the Ainsworth Mill: One of the first mills brought to Owyhee; had 10 stamps; first erected as a water mill, with a turbine wheel, but the summer of 1864 was too dry for efficient use - it still ground ore, but not too profitable. They shipped their first brick Auug. 1864. In October it was converted so that it can run on steam. They started out thinking they would mainly process gold, so had to change the pans in spring 1865, and are adding more pans in Oct 1865, which will increase capacity to 15 tons per day. Currently, they are crushing second class Oro Fino rock, but had first worked ore from the Crane 7 Driggs mine.
The Crane & Driggs mine has a 100-foot shaft, and the ore has averaged $100/ton. Before the mine can be further used, steam hoisting works will have to be erected "to raise the water, which come in too rapidly for hand labor."
The superintendent of the Ainsworth Mill is P. F. BRADFORD. The amalagamator is R. H. LEONARD, "a man of large experience in his profession."
"The mill company has a spendid site for a water mill with a center discharge wheel, and is said to be the only site of its kind in the camp." They get wood for $6-8/cord.
"The company has recently purchased a controlling interest in the surplus ground of the Oro Fino ledge, commencing at the mouth of Oro Fino tunnel and extending north. They have sunk two shafts at different points, and find the ore to be the same as at the original location. They have a good road from the mine to the mill, and can easily be kept open all winter."

Note of 11 May 1867: "a dispatch from W. D. Walbridge to Charles S. Peck announces his departure from New York by steam of May 1st, for Owyhee. We also hear that P. F. BRADFORD, Mr. SCRIMAGEOT and D. C. BAKER will return here this spring."

13. State of California. 1880. Bradfords in California census.
In Orland, Colusa County, California
George BRADFORD, age 34, born New Jersey; teamster; father born New York, mother born New Jersey. [NOTE: I think this is a nephew of Sarah Theresa [Bradford] Crane.]
Ellen BRADFORD, wife, age 23, born Arkansas; both parents born Tennessee
Louis BRADFORD, son, age 4, born California
John BRADFORD, son, age 3, born California
Dalbert BRADFORD, son, age 1, born California
Caraline BRADFORD, mother, age 56, born New Jersey; parents born (father) Massachusetts and (mother) New Jersey.
John BRADFORD, father, age 61, born New York; father born England (?), mother born New Jersey.
William BRADFORD, brother, age 15, born California; at school.

14. State of Massachusetts. 1880. Bradfords in Massachusetts census
In Sheffield, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts.
James BRADFORD, age 52, b. Massachusetts; district court judge; both parents born Massachusetts.
Mary A. BRADFORD, wife, age 56, b. Connecticut; both parents b. Connecticut
Putnam T. BRADFORD, son, age 32, born Massachusetts; single; druggist
Cordine BRADFORD, sister, age 42, b. Massachusetts; single.

 

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