John Bradshaw

Notes:

 

Bedford County, Virginia Tithe & Personal Property Taxes:

1783:

Whites Over 21-1

Blacks Over 16-4

Blacks Under 16-3

Total Blacks-7

Horses-2

Cattle-10

No. of White & Black Tithe-5

According to Jim Young, John Bradshaw's last name changed to BRATCHER in 1787 and that spelling was carried the rest of his life. (Note) This probably happened due to the illiteracy in those days. So many people could not read or write that a lot of times when someone spelled the names on different forms the spellings were numerous for the same people. The last recorded instance of the name John BRATCHER in Bedford County was the 1803 tax list.

Paid tithe: 1783, Bedford County, Virginia

John married Jane Canada 1759, Virginia. [Group Sheet]

1. Charles Bradshaw Bratcher
2. Canaday Bradshaw Bratcher
3. Benjamin Bradshaw Bratcher
4. John Bradshaw Bratcher died 22 Nov 1843, Gerard County, Kentucky.

Notes:

 

A certain WILLIAM BRADSHAW (born in Henrico Parish circa 1690 - died 1747/48) appears in Henrico Court records as early as 6th June 1711, when he receives a pewter dish from the last will of Anne PERRIN(T ?) (PYRANT /). In 1712, at age 22, he married Judith SCRUGGS (or Snuggs, or Suggs ?), born about 1696/98 - died 10th Juy 1749, daughter of Charles SCRUGGS (1665-1718) and his wife Mary Field Jones.

Judith was probably no older than 16 when she married (perhaps as young as 14).

William and Judith lived in Virginia on the north side of the James River on land she inherited from her mother's family (the Field's) and land that was purchased from other members of the Field family.

At one time William Bradshaw owned 1,530 contiguous acres in Cumberland County, Virginia. Part of his land was located at a place known today as Maxey's Mill. The last of this land was sold in 1777 by a grandson of William. The descendants of William and Judith Bradshaw migrated to North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, and westward.

Other accounts of his death in other databases list the date of death as December 18, 1748 in Cumberland Co., Virginia. As of this time I have not found out which date and place is correct.

William Bradshaw's will was recorded 15 September 1747. His wife Judith was executrix of the estate with John Merriman and Benjamin Bradshaw, security. (Goochland County Order Book 6, p. 375.)

Goochland Co., VA Order Book 6 p 375 15 Sep 1747

Judith Bradshaw comes into Court and makes Oath that William Bradshaw deceased died without any will so far as she knows or believes and on her motion a certificate is granted her for obtaining letters of Administration in due form. John Merriman and Benjamin Bradshaw entering themselves security for the same.

Ordered that Benjamin Mosby, Hezeekiah Mosby, Philip Poindexter and Samuel Scott or any three of them being first sworn before some Justice of the Peace do appraise the Estate of William Bradshaw deceased and that his Administratrisc do return an Inventory thereof to the next Court.

William married Judith Scruggs Abt 1712, Henrico, Virginia, British Colonial America. Judith (daughter of Charles Scruggs and Mary Field) was born 1692, Henrico, Virginia, British Colonial America; died 10 Jul 1749, Henrico County, Virginia. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

 

Judith was the executrix of her husband's estate along with her son, Benjamin. Tabitha Jones was her half sister.

Notes:

 

These Bradshaw records are from Howard and Lee Ann Propst, 5639 Catherine Ave., La Grange, IL 60525. They have done extensive work on the Bradshaw, Scruggs, Field, and Jones families and have published their work in newsletters and journals specific to these families. The earliest Bradshaw ancestor they have proved is John.

1688--12 October: John Breidshew, aged 24 years or thereabouts, ...saith...that he the depont being servant to John Granger did (sometime last spring on a Sunday morning) see Mary the wife of the said John Granger say that John Womack had six fletches of bacon in his house besides middling and other small meat and had killed but one hogg out of his own stock that year. (Henrico Co. VA 1677-1739, Book 5, p. 10.)

1688--12 October: John Bradshaw aged 24 years or thereabouts examined and sworn saith that about two days before John Granger's tobacco house wherein was Sam'l Fowlers tobacco was burned Lain Fowler did say that had to have John Granger's barn...and that he would bring more danage on him the said Granger than he was aware of and the next day such was...day before the house was burned. Fowler said to Depont (John Bradshaw) that he dreamt Mary the wife of John Granger had fired the tobacco house and burnt all his tobacco. (Henrico Co. Records 1677-1739).

1688--October Court: John Bradshaw having attended two days as evidence for John Womack against Jno Granger has order granted his against Agent ye sd. Womack for 80 pounds of tobacco. (Henrico Co. VA Records 1677-1739, p. 286).

1690--Court: Richard Kennon patents 8,000 acres, headrights include: John Bradshaw. (Henrico Co. Va. Records 1677-1739, p. 327).

1696--1 June: John Bradshaw having attended two days as an evidence against Will Arrington on be halfe of ffra Reeve judgement is awarded against him the sd. Reeve for 80 pounds of tobacco according to the law with costs. (Henrico Co. Records 1677-1793, Book 3).

After the above records, no further records seem to exist on this John Bradshaw; however, very shortly the name of Elizabeth Bradshaw surfaces in Henrico County. It is believed that she was the wife of John. It is also believed that Larner, Benjamin, and William of Henrico and later Goochland and Cumberland counties and a younger John Bradshaw II were all descendants of this John and Elizabeth.

"Cavaliers and Pioneers" by Nell M. Nugent says Ed Walsh received 900 acres for bringing 18 people to Virginia. John Bradshaw was one of them.

It is yet to be found for sure when and how John Bradshaw arrived in the United States. One account has John Bradshaw arriving in America in 1687 on the ship "Endeavor". Another account of his arrival as coming from Ireland transported by Richard Kennon in 1683. This account is somewhat backed up by court records in Henrico County, Virginia, which show this transportation Kennon did not put in his claim for land until April 1, 1690, at which time he put in a claim for 8,000 acres.

Henrico Co., Va. Court Orders 1678 - 1693: pg 362 April 1, 1690 There is due to Mr. Richard Kennon , 8000 acres for importation of ...... John Bradshaw....... The list includes 89 whites and 70 Negroes.

Ages as given by deposition in county records in 1688 - 1697 Book, Henrico Co., Va. October 12 1688, pg 10 John Bradshaw, 24. This puts his birth year at 1664.

There is also an account that John, the 4th child of Ralph and Rachel sailed from England with his brother James, and his brother-in-law, Admiral William Crispin around 1680. They stopped over in Barbados, where the Admiral died, and they went on to Philadelphia, where their cousin, William Penn, was presiding. Some researchers then maintain that he went on after a bit to Henrico County, Virginia. There, he surrounded himself with people of the same names that appeared with his family back in England: Robinson, Marham, Radcliffe, etc.

John married Elizabeth Pleasants Between 1665 and 1702, Henrico County, Virginia. Elizabeth (daughter of John William Pleasants, daughter of John Pleasants and Jane Larcome) was born 1668, Henrico, Virginia, United States; died 1721, Henrico, Virginia, United States. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

 

The following records, found by Howard and Lee Ann Propst, suggest that John Pleasants, Sr. may have been the father of Elizabeth Bradshaw.

1698--1 April: John Pleasants, Sr. sells to Gilly Gromarin for 5,000 pound of tobacco 180 acres of land he had mortgaged from Edward and Mary Jones. The deed was witnessed by Frances Reeve and Elizabeth Bradshaw. (Henrico Co. VA W/D1697-1704, p. 73.)

1698--1 June: John Pleasants prepared his will which mentioned a daughter named Elizabeth. Pleasant's signature was witnessed by his wife Jane and Elizabeth Bradshaw. (Henrico Co. VA Records 1677-1739).

After the death of John Bradshaw, Elizabeth married Arthur Marcum, which is proved by Henrico County records naming Elizabeth as wife of Arthur Marcum and as mother of Benjamin Bradshaw. (Henrico Co. VA Court Orders 1710-1714, pp. 80, 84, 89, 248.)

From Richard Bradshaw: In March 1698 ELIZABETH BRADSHAW, William's widowed mother (so it seems) had appeared in Henrico Court, along with Francis REEVES, as witnesses for John PLEASANTS. Pleasants had made a mortgage to Edward and MARY JONES, dated 4th April 1694. Pleasants paid them 5600 lbs of tobacco and they deeded over to him 180 acres of land which was said to have been the land of their brother FIELD's. By 1698 the Jones's had not repaid the mortgage and Pleasants was going to sell the land to Gilly GROOMARRIN (MARRIN ?) for 5500 lbs of tobacco, reserving the mineral right to himself.

Notes:

 

"Henrico County, Virginia Deeds 1677-1705" by Benjamin B. Weisiger III, 1996, pg. 104

Wills Deeds Etc. 1697-1704:

p.73 Edward Jones and Mary his wife for 5,600 lbs. tobacco made over to John Pleasants 180 acres, part of land which was their brother Field's, by deed of mortgage 4 April 1694. Mortgage has not been paid, and Pleasants sells said land to Gilly Groomarrin for 5,500 lbs. tobacco, reserving mineral rights.

14 March 1697/8

Wit: Fra. Reeve, ELIZABETH BRADSHAW

Signed: John Pleasants Recorded 1 April 1698

This is the only reference I can find for Elizabeth Bradshaw linking her to the Pleasants family so far. There is a strong inference here in so far as this transaction has nothing to do with her other than the possibility that she was related to John Pleasants. This is still being checked. There is a researcher who says that his will has the signature of Elizabeth Bradshaw on it, but I can find no proof of that so far.

There is also the possibility that her last name was JONES or even GROOMARRIN since she was witnessing this deed.

Notes:

 

WILLIAM BRADSHAW appears in the last Will of Charles SCRUGGS/ Snuggs on 20th December 1718 in Henrico County. SCRUGGS names his "son WILLIAM BRATCHER" and "my daughter JUDA" (common usage for Judith) to receive "all my wordly goods". He left a heifer and calf to his grand daughter Mary PERRINT [Perrin ?, Pyrant ?], and appoints WILLIAM as Executor. Witnesses were Thomas Cardwell, John ROBERTSON [Robinson ?], Thomas ROBERTSON, and William ESLEE [Easley].

The Will was probated 2nd February 1719 and the Executor's bond is posted by WILLIAM BRADSHAW. ("Colonial Will of Henrico County, Virginia, Pt I, 1677-1737" Benjamin B. Weisiger, Richmond 1976, quoted by Virginia Easley Demarce, genforum message # 839, 20 Jan 2000). In the Innventory of Scruggs's goods, the names BRADSHAW and BRATCHER are used interchangeably when referring to WILLIAM. (Walter Lee Bradshaw's book "The Bradshaws of Henrico and Goochland Counties..", pg 3].

Charles married Mary Field Abt 1697, Henrico County, Virginia. Mary (daughter of Thomas FIELD and Mary Ann Burton) was born Abt 1664, Henrico, Virginia, British Colonial America; died 20 Dec 1718, Henrico County, Province of Virginia; was buried , Henrico County, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet]

Rauffe married Rachell Penn 26 Oct 1630, St Gregory by St Paul, London, England. Rachell (daughter of Lawrence Bradshaw and Sarah Hinchman, daughter of Giles Penn and Joan Gilbert) was born 24 Feb 1607, Bristol, Gloucestershire, England; died 1669, Eccles, Lancashire, England. [Group Sheet]

John married Jane Larcome 29 Nov 1680, Henrico County, Virginia. Jane (daughter of Rene Larcome and Katherine England, daughter of John Bradshaw and Elizabeth Harper) was born 29 Nov 1638, Curles Plantation, Henrio County, Virginia; died 1708, Curles Neck, Henrio County, Virginia. [Group Sheet]

Richard married Anne Gross. Anne was born 1642, Henrico Co., Virginia. [Group Sheet]

Thomas married Mary Ann Burton 1670, Henrico, VA. Mary (daughter of John Burton and Rachel Hutchins) was born 1636, Henrico County, Virginia; died Abt 1670, Henrico, Henrico, VA, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married:
Spouse: Mary Field (born Burton)