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Archiver > BRADFORD > 2003-09 > 1064088636


From: Adam Bradford <>
Subject: Re: [BRADFORD-L] SAMUEL BRADFORD
Date: Sat, 20 Sep 2003 13:10:39 -0700 (PDT)
In-Reply-To: <1a9.1a2bce86.2c9dfdcb@aol.com>


Jean,

I'm very glad you and others are trying to make the
same connection between Snowhill Sam and John of
Accomack. Definitely more likely than any mayflower
connection. Samuel's my ggggg-grandfather. My
grandfather Vance Bradford wrote the book "Bradford
Descendants" about Snowhill Sam's progeny.
(Incidentally, I'm sure many of you own it, but if
anyone wants any of the info contained in this book,
let me know and I'd be glad to post it.)

I also think there's a strong possibility, which many
others have mentioned, that Samuel's wife Tabitha was
the daughter of John Tarr, Sr., as mentioned in the
latter's will. Not only are there no other contender
Bradfords that I have seen as yet, but there are lots
of Tarr-Samuel connections in Samuel's generation and
the one after. Samuel himself appears as a bond for
Michael Tarr who died intestate, and Samuel's son
James married John Tarr's granddaughter Sarah H. Tarr.


If anyone can uncover the identity of Samuel's first
wife Sarah I imagine it would be a tremendous clue as
to Samuel's parentage. The tradition that she is a
Fitzgerald comes from a letter of Snowhill Sam's
grandson Samuel Hancock, who mentions that his
grandmother was a Fitzgerald and that he didn't know
her first name. But then when you go looking for
Fitzgeralds in Worcester - what you find is very
disappointing. There is a tremendous dearth of
Fitzgeralds in Worcester County. There is a Peter
Fitzgerrold who appears in some of the Somerset tax
lists of the 1730s, but then . . . I haven't found
anything yet. Was this where Samuel's son Peter's name
came from? The possibility also exists that Sarah was
originally a Fitzgerrald, but then married, was
widowed and married Samuel with her deceased husband's
last name.

Also - the 1730-40 Somerset tax lists reveal the
existence of 5 Bradfords. There's John Sr. and his 3
sons John, William & Nathaniel - these guys we know.
But then there's also an Adam Bradford. Where did this
guy come from?

I haven't seen evidence of this Adam's existence past
the 1740 Somerset Co tax list. I would guess he also
is related to John and sons - but how? And since Adam
appears as a dependant earlier in the 1730s, I would
guess that means he was young and so was in the
generation after John the elder. Is he a son who died
young? Did he move? Was he a nephew? Who knows? Very
tantalizing. Could this Adam be where Samuel's son
Adam's name came from, or was that name passed down
via his wife Sarah?

So many tantalizing hints and clues, so little actual
proof.

--- wrote:
> Adam, I am so glad to see your post on Snowhill Sam.
> There are a number of
> us actively researching this Samuel Bradford who are
> also researching this
> particular John Bradford line from Accomack, VA as a
> possible connection. Please
> keep us informed of anything you find. This
> Samuel Bradford was my gggg
> grandfather.
> Jean Alexander
>


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