TIMOTHY KEARNEY Genealogical Research P.O. Box 27645 Raleigh, NC 27611 (919) 494-6786 27 December 1997 Mr. Terrance H. Fregly PO Box 3886 Tallahassee, FL 32315 BRADFORD REPORT ASSIGNMENT: To research the Bradfords of Granville County, North Carolina to determine whether Thomas who married Eve Kearney or Thomas who married Mary Hargraves both in 1782 was the son of Thomas Bradford Sr. who died in Granville County before May 1786 having written a Will naming son Thomas, etc. INTRODUCTION As I indicated by phone, I live in the house where Eve and Mary were born and raised, who were sisters of my direct ancestor Crafford Kearney, children of Shemuel Kearney. Needless to say, I am familiar with my own family, and am equally familiar with the vicinity. Of course, Mary Kearney married David Bradford Jr., son of Thomas Sr., and it has always been common knowledge that Bradford brothers married Kearney sisters. However, due to the mysterious marriage bond in Granville County for a Thomas Bradford and Mary Hargraves dated the same year (1782) as Thomas and Eve's marriage bond, it is necessary to cancel out one or the other as being the son of Thomas Sr. To avoid confusion, I will refer to the two couples as Thomas/Kearney and Thomas//Hargraves for easier indentification and reference. Geography The geographical details of Granville County play a key role in this case. I have enclosed various maps for your examination. Thomas Sr. owned several tracts of land on Fort Creek, Beaverdam Creek and Cedar Creek. The census records and tax lists consistently place the Bradfords in Granville's Beaverdam District. The Kearney land is on Cedar Creek after it flowed from Granville into Franklin. At the time of our study and concern, the Beaverdam District was just over the county line from here, being the closest Granville district to the Kearney land in Franklin. In other words, the two districts bordered each other separated by the county line. Fort Creek lay just a few miles north of Beaverdam and many of the same names appear in both districts, such as Bradford, Heflin, Champion, etc. The Hargraves do not appear in these areas. "Drunken" Thomas Let us begin with an analysis of Thomas Bradford who married Eve Kearney. Much is known about his scandalous behavior which is fully described and documented in the records of John Hunt, Esqr. and the numerous records generated due to the controversy involving the slave Phillis, as well as the Estate of Thomas Bradford, which was recorded in both Franklin and Granville counties - very important! DOCUMENT: Granville Co., NC Estates, CR.044.508.14. ESTATE of Thomas Bradford. 7 August 1809, Administrator's Bond for William Williams with Bridges Williams and Bryant Cavenau bondsmen. 6 February 1810, Inventory of estate of Thomas Bradford decd consisted only of "A Claim to five? negroes in the possession of the Executors of John Hunt for which suit is now defending in the Superior Court of Franklin. Also, a claim to six other negroes in the possession of Catherine Kearney for which suit is now defending in Franklin County Court.... no property of the said deceased has come to possession..." COMMENT: The Granville Court minutes revealed that widow and relict Eve Bradford refused administration of her husband's estate. It is very important to recognize that an estate file for Thomas was recorded in both counties! You must notice the mention of "no property" in relation to this man's financial status. DOCUMENT: Franklin Co., NC Estates, CR.039.508.7 - Estate of Thomas Bradford. (Undated) - Franklin Court of Equity} Complaint by Oratrix Eve Bradford widow & relict of Thomas Bradford dec'd and Orators Kearney, Elizabeth, Barbara, Robert & Mariah Bradford children of said Thomas Bradford..... that said Thomas "...having given himself up to intemperance and Drinking and otherwise careless and negligent in the management of his affairs the particular friends and relatives of your Oratrix & Orators were anxious to preserve ... some part or portion of his property - from the General Wreck which seemed to threaten it..." that among this friendly and Charactable number was the late John Hunt Esqr. ... that soon after the benevolent intention was formed an execution was levied upon a judgement obtained against the said Thomas Bradford before a Justice of the Peace upon a likely negro girl by the name of Phillis about the age of 15 or 16 the property of the said Thomas which negro was duly advertised for sale and on the day of the sale the said John Hunt Esqr attented together with sundry other persons some of whom were anxious to purchase said negro and would have given one hundred pounds or some other larger sum for said negro that the said John Hunt "...by entreaties and remonstrances prevailed with those persons assembled for that purpose not to bid for the said negro that he wished to save her together with her future increase for your Orators and Oratrix that he would bid the amount of the said Judgement and Execution which was only about 4 pounds 18 shillings and purchase her for the use and benefit of your Orators and that the persons assembled yielded to the entreaties of said John Hunt...etc. ANALYSIS: Reading between the lines, this paper speaks volumes. He was a drunkard and was careless and negligent in the management of his affairs and his property was a "General Wreck". Actually, he had no property left when he died which is extremely important to this case. John Hunt forced the assembled bidders to remain silent so that his own bid, a meager L4.18.0 would be all Thomas got for the girl, the exact amount owed Hunt by Thomas. This was a brilliant move by Hunt who was a powerful man in the community. Being a friend of the Kearneys, Hunt intended the girl to remain with Eve for her benefit. This event occurred around 1794 according to additional papers in the Hunt estate file. James Hervey's deposition in Court in 1813 referred to Thomas "...as in a way to spend all his property...". Thomas Jr son of Thomas Sr Now, let us incorporate the knowledge of the above Thomas with the son of Thomas Bradford Sr. of Beaverdam, Granville County, the family in question and the objectve. I will also insert notices of serious misinterpretations of the records by previous researchers. THE WILL: Thomas Sr's Will dated 22 March 1785 bequeathed large tracts of land to his sons except Thomas. He was to receive recently acquired 178 acres Thomas Sr. lent to wife Mary "that formerly belonged to James & Charles Heflin During her Natural Life...". Thomas Jr. was to receive the 178 acres "after her Death". He also received negro Demps (short for Dempsy). Thomas Sr. only purchased this land less than two years before his Will recorded in Granville Deed Book O, page 283 dated 24 July 1783 (from the Heflins). [I do not understand why someone thought this was Jr. buying the land before his father died and bequeathed to wife Mary???] Thomas Sr. never intended son Thomas to have this land, and no doubt hoped his wife Mary outlived him. However, only weeks after Thomas Sr.'s Will was probated (May 1786) Thomas and mother Mary sold the land back to Charles Heflin (Deed Book O, page 544). Thomas Sr was barely cold in the grave before this unruly son managed to force or coerce his mother into co-signing the sale, which was entirely against the Will and intention of Thomas Sr. The need must have been great because she did sign the deed and it was witnessed by brother or Uncle David Bradford. Apparently, Thomas was more interested in land in Franklin County. One would think that a man could be anxious to sell this property if he intended to migrate to another state, but this Thomas Jr. remained in Franklin/Granville until his death. Now, let us step back and view the family prior to Sr's death as they appear in the all-important Granville Tax Lists. Granville County Tax Lists [C.044.70012] 1780 Beaverdam District Richard Bradford L708.0.0 Mary Bradford L7359.15.0 David Bradford L2301.11.1 Capt Philemon Bradford L2252.10.8 Philemon Bradford Jr L1275.18.0 Thomas Bradford Jr L216.1.8 Fort Creek District John Bradford L3110.2.0 Thomas Bradford L5979.3.0 Nutbush District John Hargraves L19,378.5.0 Richard Hargraves L3806.8.0 COMMENTS: Thomas Sr is listed with his brother in Fort Creek District which was so close to Beaverdam (north) as to be the same neighborhood. His grown sons Thomas Jr and Phil. Jr are listed with Uncle Richard, David and Capt. Phil in Beaverdam. Thomas Sr owned land in both districts. Note that Thomas Jr has the least property value. NOTE: The Nutbush District was in the northern part of the county bordering Virginia and at the opposite end of the county from Beaverdam. More later on these people. 1782 Beaverdam District Philn. Bradford Sr 474 acres 1 slave Booker Bradford 300 acres Philemon Bradford Jr 773 acres 2 slaves Mary Bradford 430 acres 6 slaves Thomas Bradford 1316 acres 8 slaves Ephraim Bradford (no acres) David Bradford Jr (no acres) David Bradford 1262 acres John Bradford 400 acres 1 slave NOTE: Thomas Jr. was not listed being the year he married (in April) and became a resident in Franklin County. Booker Bradford, of course, was the son of Philemon Bradford, who wrote his Will in Granville 23 June 1800. Harris Bradford was the other son. Booker was the bondsman for the marriage of Thomas and Eve Kearney in 1782, and was Thomas' cousin. The next availabe tax list is for 1785 immediately prior to Thomas Sr's death as follows: 1785 (alphabetically arranged) John Bradford 400 acres 1 white poll - 2 black polls Philip Bradford 779 acres 2w/1b Richd Bradford 208 acres 1w/0b Thos. Bradford 1493 acres 2w/4b Philemon Bradford 475 acres 1w/0b David Bradford 1987 acres 2w/3b Bird Booker Bradford 300 acres 1w/0b NOTE: When you add Thomas Sr's 1,316 acres in 1782 and the 178 acres he bought of the Heflins a year later, you get 1,494 acres, an acre off from the above - close enough. The next available tax list is 1786 immediately after Thomas Sr's death. 1786 (alphabetically arranged) John Bradford 400 acres 1-2 David Bradford Sr 1987 " 1-3 Philemon Bradford 778 " 1-2 Booker Bradford 300 " 1-0 Richd Bradford 108 " 1-0 Philen. Bradford Sr 475 " 1-0 David Bradford 450 " 1-2 COMMENTS: Thomas had died by this listing (usually taken in summer or fall of the year) and Thomas Jr and mother Mary had already sold the 178 acres of land, without allowing enough time to list it. David Jr. is shown with his 450 acres. One would ask - where are the two Thomas Bradfords? The Thomas who married Mary Hargraves was never a resident of Granville, which I will address in the second part of this report, and Thomas who married Eve Kearney was in Franklin County near the Kearneys. DOCUMENT: Franklin Co., NC Court Minutes, Volume I, 1785-1789: Page 14 - March Court 1786} A deed from Michael Dent to Thomas Bradford was acknowledged by said Dent and ordered to be recorded. NOTE: Michael Dent was in this same neighborhood. This places Thomas across the line in Franklin during the above Granville Tax year. This would be one of the tracts Thomas sold later to his brother-in-law Jones Fuller. DOCUMENT: 1786 State Census, Granville Co., NC, Beaverdam District, taken by John Pope, Esqr. David Bradford - 1 male 21-60, 1 male under 21, 3 females, 3 slaves. Philln. Bradford - 1 male 21-60, 2 males under 21, 2 females, 3 slaves Booker Bradford - 1 male 21-60 (living alone) Richd. Bradford - 1 male 21-60, 1 male under 21, 5 females Phil. Bradford Sr. - 1 male 21-20, 1 male under 21, 4 females David Bradford - 1 male 21-60, 3 females, 3 slaves NOTE: Also on this list are James Heflin, John Heflin, George Cavener, Jones Fuller, the Bridgers, and Joseph Fuller who Shem Kearney bought this land from. Also Jesse Carrell and Elizabeth Carrell families - Thomas and Eve's sons married into the Carrell family. Also, many of my direct forefathers. RECORD SOURCE: Franklin County was formed in 1779 from the lower half of Bute, however, its earliest records are lost, and most do not begin until 1786. Some consider the loss to be due to the fact that James Massey burned down the Jail complex in 1784. The tax lists are missing until several years later. (same Court Minutes) page 118 - June Court 1788, A deed from Nathan Thomas to George Winston was proved by the oath of Thomas Bradford. NOTE: I am related to both Nathan Thomas and George Winston who lived just south of here before touching Wake County - a very short distance. (same) page 142 - December Court 1788, Ordered that the following persons be Summoned to attend on the Jury Next Court - Includes Thos Bradford. Let us return to the Granville Tax lists for these years: 1787 Tax List (alphabetically arranged) John Bradford 400 acres 0-2 Benjamin Bradford 450 acres 1-1 David Bradford Jr 451 acres 1-1 David Bradford Sr 1987 acres 1-3 Ephram Bradford 418 acres 1-1 Richard Bradford 108 acres 1-0 Booker Bradford 300 acres 1-0 Philemon Bradford Sr 475 acres 1-0 Philemon Bradford Jr 773 acres 1-3 NOTE:: This was the large family of Thomas Bradford Sr including brothers Richard, John and David, and grown sons Ben, David, Ephraim and Philemon. Richard Hargraves 564 acres 2-2 John Hargraves 2885 acres 1-1 Stephen Hargraves 1-0 1788 Tax List (alphabetically arranged) Benj. Bradford 450 acres 1-0 Jno. Bradford 400 acres 3-0 Richd Bradford 108 acres 1-0 Philen. Bradford 770 acres 0-4 David Bradford 1987 acres 0-5 Philen. Bradford 475 acres 0-2 Bookr. Bradford 300 acres 1-0 Ephrm. Bradford 418 acres 0-2 David Bradford 450 acres 0-2 Hargraves are same as 1787. NOTE: When you read the Bradford deeds and bequests in Bradford Wills, it is simple to identify the above individuals. Again, the Franklin Court Minutes places Thomas Jr in Franklin at this time. 1789 The Granville tax list for 1789 remain about the same, yet things are going on in Franklin County involving Thomas Jr. Franklin Co., NC Deed Book 7, page 12 - 3 Dec 1789, Thomas Bradford of Franklin to Jones Fuller of Granville, for 88 pounds, sold 106 acres in Franklin adj Jeffreys. Witnessed by Thomas Bridges and Bartholomew Fuller. NOTE: This would be part of the tract he bought of Michael Dent. Jones Fuller was of course son- in-law of Thomas Bradford Sr. Franklin Co., NC Court Minutes, Vol. II, 1789-1793: Page 179 - December Court 1789} Ordered that James Fuller have license to keep a tavern in his House in Franklin County who entered into Bond in the sum of fifty pounds with Thomas Bradford his Security. COMMENTS: This is the second reference to whiskey in this case. First, is the Will of Thomas Sr. leaving his still to his two sons Philemon and David, and no doubt, Thomas Jr. spent more time around it than anyone else. Next is his security with a Fuller to establish a Tavern in Franklin the same month he sold land to Jones Fuller son-in-law of Thomas Bradford Sr. Extremely important references! and connections! 1790 (same) page 185 - March Court 1790} Michael Dent acknowledged a deed to Thomas Bradford. (same page) - March Court 1790} A Deed from Thomas Bradford to Jones Fuller was proved by Oath of Bartholomew Fuller. DOCUMENT: 1790 Census, Franklin Co., NC, page 58 (alphabetically arranged): Thomas Bradford - 1 male over 16, one male under 16, 3 females, 7 slaves. NOTE: I have no idea why Sandlund was confused about the identity of this man. I suspect he did not know the Kearneys were of Franklin County. He also made many other mistakes with interpreting other census records in relation to these Bradfords. NOTE: The 1790 Census for Granville was lost, however, the tax list survived: 1790 Granville Tax List John Bradford 600 acres 3 polls (white and black) David Bradford Jr 450 acres 2 polls Benja. Bradford 450 acres 2 " Phil. Bradford Sr 325 acres 1 " Booker Bradford 300 acres 2 " David Bradford Sr 1987 acres 0 " Harris Bradford 150 acres 1 " Ephram Bradford 418 acres 2 " Philemon Bradford 773 acres 4 " In 1791, the data is nearly the same with a few minor changes in acreage and Phil with 773 acres is listed as "Esqr". In 1793 Esqr is listed with 1600 acres. As indicated, the earliest Franklin tax lists are missing, and the first list available is 1792 and only one district survived, being Thomas Bradford's area: DOCUMENT: 1792 Franklin Taxables, Capt. Perry's District: Thos. Bradford 240 acres 1 white 2 black polls NOTE: Associative names in this area are Osborn Jeffreys, his neighbor, and the Bridges, the Morgans, James Harvey and others. Thomas is listed between Elliot and Williams. John Hunt Esqr. is shown with land in Franklin, Granville and Wake which is precisely the area in question just a few miles south of me (see maps). The first complete Franklin tax list is in 1798, but Thomas will not be present, and I will give the reason shortly. Franklin Co Court Minutes (continued): Page 246 - June Court 1791} A Bill of Sale from Thomas Bradford to James Harvey was proved by oath of Joseph Peace. (next item) - A Bill of sale from Shemuel Carney to James Harvey proved by oath of Joseph Peace. (next item) - A Bill of Sale from William Young to James Harvey proved by oath of Joseph Peace. NOTE: Bills of sale were for slaves, livestock, etc., and were most often not recorded in Deed Books. (same) page 299 - June Court 1792} Ordered that any 12 of the following jury lay off a road beginning at the Franklin County line near the Holley Springs and directing its course the most direct & convenient way to the road leading from Lewisburg to the falls of Nuse & thence directing its course to Powells bridge on Nuse [River] ... and James Harvey be appointed overseer of said road. Names include Thomas Bradford, Shemuel Karney, John Eliot, Nathan Thomas, George Winston, Michael Dent, John Dent, Robert Morgan, etc. NOTE: This is this exact neighborhood leading from here to the Neuse at Wake County about 7 miles due south of here. (same) page 304 - June Court 1792} A Bill of Sale from Thomas Bradford to James Harvey proved by John Hunt. NOTE: We are seeing Thomas selling off slaves which was indicated and suggested in the Hunt papers in years to come. (same) page 351 - June Court 1793} Ordered that Thomas Bradford be overseer of the road from Cedar Creek to James Harvey's & that he keep the same in repair. NOTE: On page 331, December Court 1792, James Harvey was granted a license to keep a Tavern at his House in Franklin. Another indication of Thomas' connections, etc. (same) page 358 - September Court 1793} A Bill of sale from Thomas Bradford to James Harvey was proved by oath of Bartholomew Fuller. NOTE: He is continuing to sell off any slaves he had owned, and surely Demps was among the sales. Very soon hereafter, the "event" occurred involving John Hunt's "benevolent" rescue of any possible good fortune for Eve and her children. Skipping a few years to 1796, the Bradfords in Beaverdam, Granville are thinning out. David Jr. had sold off and moved to Tennessee. Only David Sr., Phil Sr and Phil Esqr, Booker and Harris remained, and John still in Fort Creek. 1797 Franklin Co., NC Deed Book 11, page 83 - 3 July 1797, Thomas Bradford of Franklin to Jones Fuller of Granville, for 90 pounds, sold 129 acres on waters of Rays Creek adj Jeffreys, Fuller, Elliott. COMMENT: Here, Thomas is so deep in debt he is selling off all remaining land. By the time the tax collector in Granville made his round, Thomas shows up "back home" in the following disposition: 1797 Granville Tax List Beaverdam District Phillemon Bradford Esq 1200 acres 1-5 Philemon Bradford Sr 129 acres 0-0 Booker Bradford 300 acres 1-1 David Bradford 1987 acres 1-7 Harris Bradford 227 acres 1-0 Thomas Bradford 0 acres 1-1 NOTE: Thomas is back home with his nearest of kin, and being taxed only for himself and the "slave Phillis" which was spared by John Hunt for Eve's benefit. Note: One of the papers in the Hunt file referred to Eve as a "weakly woman". On some following lists, Thomas seems to elude taxation and mysteriously ommitted. He then appears in Granville the same as above from 1800 to 1803. The complete run of Franklin Tax lists begin about 1804. In 1804 Beaverdam, Thomas is listed with only one poll (himself). That is because, according to the Hunt Estate file, the slave Phillis was retrieved by the Hunts in 1804. Thomas Bradford remained listed as 1 poll in Beaverdam District until his death there in 1809. In 1808, his son Kearney Bradford is listed with him. CONCLUSION: The combination of the above records prove that Thomas Bradford who married Eve Kearney was the son of Thomas Bradford Sr. of Granville County. Familiarity with the people and geography of this area is necessary to understand this Thomas, combined with the recognition of the human condition and incorporating logic in comprehending the data leaves no doubt as to his identity. IF! (a big word) - If the deaths of John Hunt, Shem Kearney and Thomas Bradford occurred the other way around, Eve's life would have been much different. John Hunt died in 1807 without designating Phillis properly. Shem Kearney died in 1808 disinheriting Eve (5 shillings) for fear of Thomas' wasteful habits. And Thomas died in 1809, and Eve fought for the slaves in Court through the 1820s to no avail. Note that Nathaniel Hunt and sister Amarylis married Hilliards, who were the children of Shem Kearney's Niece Leah Crafford Hilliard, daughter of Shem's sister Elizabeth Kearney Crafford. John Hunt was Shemuel Kearney's Attorney. THOMAS BRADFORD/MARY HARGRAVES Introduction The reason Thomas who married Mary Hargraves was never mentioned in the first part of this report is due to the fact that he was never a resident of Granville County, and the only record in Granville pertaining to him is the 1782 marriage bond. As a non-resident, his marriage took place here because his wife's family were apparently of Granville County, although I could not prove her parentage. On page 22 of Sandlund's book, he misplaces Thomas Jr. as being the same in Orange County in 1790, which is false. He was in Franklin County as indicated above. Orange County, North Carolina should be the focus of your concern. There were at least two other David Bradfords in Orange besides those in Granville. Sandlund got them mixed up. There were also more Thomas Bradfords in Orange than in Granville, which has obviously been omitted from your research. One of your papers stated a Lady saying the Hargraves were an Orange County family. There were a few in Orange, but many in Granville. A striking clue to this reasoning is the naming of Thomas & Mary's son Brasil Bradford. The given name of Brazil/Brasil was extremely common in Orange County where numerous people were given that name. I have seen it often. HARGRAVES Let us examine some Hargraves records for clues, as well as trying to identify Mary's parentage: DOCUMENT: Granville Co., NC Unrecorded Wills: WILL of Richard Hargraves written 15 January 1766, probated August Court 1766. To natural son Richard, the plantation whereon I now live and also part of tract adjoining and running to the line this day made between the lands of my two sons Richard and John, and also a tract of "...land in Orange County known as the Upper Beaver Ponds of Haw River...", negroes, livestock, etc. To natural son John the remainder of my land, negroes, etc., and named Executor. WIT: George White, Michl. Satterwhite, Robert Gilliam. NOTE: The Hargraves lived in the northern part of the County on Nutbush Creek and District bordering Mecklenburg County, Virginia, however, this Richard Sr. also had land in Orange County, which is enormously important! The sons were illegitimate (Shepherd). DOCUMENT: Granville Co., NC Will Book 2, page 326 - WILL of John Hargrove written 9 Nov 1790, probated November Court 1792: To wife (not named) half my plantation on Little Nutbush Creek., etc. To son John all lands he holds on south side of Dodsons Creek (except that given son William) and half land in Warren County on Great Nutbush Creek. Other half to son William adj Leonard Sims, Henry Lyne. To daughter Fanny Hanks land on Lower Great Fork adj Wm Dodson, Richard Hargrove, Argen Hanks. To daughter Nancy Collins land adj Robert Galligher and Henry Lyne. To daughter Molley land adj Fanny Hanks at Taylors Ferry. To daughter Amey rest of land, etc. "...if either dies without heirs, their part to the survivors and also if daughters die, that part to survivors...". Executors Leonard Sims and sons John & William. No witnesses. DOCUMENT: Granville Co., NC Estates, CR.044.508.69 - ESTATE of Richard Hargraves - 22 February 1792. Widow Martha. Nine children: Division to Stephen Johnston & wife, Gilliam Hargrave, James Hargrave, Robert Hargrave, John Newton & wife Amey, Rebecca Hargrave, George Chapman & wife, Richard Hargrave, and Israel Hargrave. NOTE: Two of the daughters were named Elizabeth and Lydia. Israel Hargrave died 3 May 1835 leaving widow Mary & children: William R., Israel W., Charles W. and Hartwell W. Hargrave. Robert Hargrave died prior to 17 Dec 1804, date of inventory by Benjamin Norwood Administrator. No heirs given. A Stephen Hargrave died prior to 6 Feb 1797 with Peggy Hargrave as Administratix. No heirs given. While I read the tax lists for Bradford, I consistently saw these Hargraves in the Nutbush District bordering Mecklenburg Co., VA. Note the following: Orange Co., NC Deed Book 6, page 1 - 13 August 1797, Joseph Allison of Orange to Thomas Bradford of "Macklenburg" Co., Virginia, for 50 pounds, sold 224 acres in Sumner Co., Tennessee on Bradley Lick Creek adj James Saunders. WIT: David Ray, James Yarbrough. NOTE: Of course, Mecklenburg is just across the line from Nutbush District, Granville. I examined Katherine Elliott's Mecklenburg Co., VA abstracts Vol. I & II without seeing any additional mention. Sandlund's books clearly identify Bradfords of Northampton County, North Caroline TO Orange Co., NC and into South Carolina. This should be your sole focus, and completely disregard the Bradfords of Beaverdam, Granville County. There is no connection, unless it occurred much further back in Virginia, which is out of our focus at this point. Since Thomas is listed as being born in South Carolina and his children born there as well, it is imperative you study the South Carolina branch as it relates to Northampton and Orange counties in North Carolina. Even if Thomas came of age in South Carolina, he had plenty of reason to visit Orange County, NC as an adult and in relation to his marriage to a Granville County girl whose family no doubt had connections to Orange County. Let us view a few Orange County records. Orange County, NC Orange Co., NC Deed Book 1, page 113 - 24 September 1755, Thomas Bradford & wife Mary of Northampton to Thomas Bradford Jr. of Orange, for 30 pounds, sold 220 acres on Lick Creek granted said Thomas Sr. 25 March 1752. WIT: John Richardson, Justin Knott, William Day. NOTE: The following three deeds were all proved May Court 1794: Orange Co., NC Deed Book 5, page 92 - 6 May 1794, David Bradford of Orange to John Thompson, for 200 pounds, sold (no acres given) a tract of land on waters of Back Creek formerly belonging to David Bradford Senr. WIT: John Clour, William Bradford. Proved May 1794. Orange Co., NC Deed Book 5, page 96 - 20 May 1771, David Bradford of Orange to William Bradford "his son", gave 188 acres on Stags Creek granted to James Bird and sold to said David 19 May 1761. WIT: Thomas Bradford, George Bradford. Proved by George May Term 1794. Orange Co., NC Deed Book 5, page 99 - 28 April 1790, Thomas Bradford of Orange to David Gibson, for 200 pounds, sold 200 acres adj John Thompson, Andrew Paton and Cullen Pollock's former land. WIT: David Bradford, John Thompson. Proved May 1794. COMMENT: As you can see, there were David and Thomas Bradfords in Orange the same time the "names" were in Granville/Franklin, and Sandlund got many of them mixed up. They were NOT the same people by any stretch of the "imagination". Orange Co., NC Deed Book 3, page 170 - 29 March 1786, Cullen Pollock of Bertie Co to Thomas Bradford of Orange, for 60 pounds, sold 200 acres bounded on the north by land sold to David Bradford by Pollock, on the west by land sold Andrew Pattent by Pollock, on the south by Pollock's 5000 acre tract. WIT: James Tate. Orange Co., NC Deed Book 5, page 260 - 5 August 1795, Robert Tate of Orange to Thomas Bradford of same, for $500, sold 203 acres. WIT: George Bradford, Anderson Tate, George Spraage. Ack. August 1795. Orange Co., NC Deed Book 5, page 313 - 31 August 1795, Robert Tate of Orange to Thomas Bradford of same, for 50 pounds, sold 50 acres adj John Robinson, Armstrong. WIT: John Douglas, George Sprouge. Proved Nov 1795. Note the following Court Record: DOCUMENT: Orange Co., NC Court Minutes, Vol. III, page 50 - August Term 1778, William Bradford and Thomas Bradford who entered into Bond at the first Congress held at Halifax for their remaining within the County of Orange having informed the Court they are desirous to leave this County for a short time and return again, and it appearing to the Court that they have taken the Oath of Allegiance to this State and become good citizens it is Ordered that they have leave accordingly to go and come as good Citizens. NOTE: Sandlund got the Orange Bradfords mixed up with the Granville Bradfords, obviously. On page 259 of the above, dated November Term 1785, Thomas Bradford was appointed Constable in the room of Reuben Smith. Orange Co., NC Will Book B, page 277 - 25 February 1794, Quit Claim Deed from David Bradford to George Bradford, ".. a parcel of land bequeathed by George Bradford's father David Bradford of Orange to George Bradford..." adj Andrew Pattin. WIT: John Armstrong, John Allison. Orange Will Book B, page 197 - 17 May 1792, Thomas Bradford, Abraham Allen, Reuben Smith witnessed Will of John Woods. NOTE: In Orange Deed book 3, page 327 dated 7 June 1770, John Hargrove witnessed a deed from Hugh & Mary Wood of Orange to Richard Lewis of Granville. Orange Will Book B, page 228 - 21 May 1797, Bill of Sale from Joseph Bradford to Benjamin Piggott. NOTE: Keep the above Joseph in mind especially regarding his adulthood at this time 1797. Orange Will Book B, page 149 - 2 June 1791, William Bradford and Thomas Bradford witnessed Will of William Hamilton. Thomas Bradford named Executor. Orange Will Book C, page 65 - 27 August 1795, Thomas Bradford witnessed Will of Alexander McCracken. Orange Will Book C, page 94 - 17 Feb 1797, Thomas Bradford and David Bradford witnessed Will of John King. Orange Will Book C, page 104 - 27 May 1797, Thomas Bradford witnessed Will of William Rodgers. Orange Will Book D, page 489 - 11 August 1810, Thomas Bradford Junr. and David Bradford Senr. witnessed Will of Edmund Gilliam. Orange Will Book E, page 14 - WILL of William Bradford written 28 December 1821: SONS: Thomas Bradford and Joseph Bradford. Daughter Sarah McCauley and grandsons Hamilton & Grandison McCauley. Daughters: Elizabeth Douglas, Margaret Ray, and Jane Ray. Executors: Son David Bradford and Robert Ray. WIT: James Bradford, Thomas Reeves. Conclusion The above records should give you plenty incentive to redirect your attention in regard to proving the identity and parentage of Thomas Bradford who married Mary Hargraves. Serious study needs to be given to the Orange group as well as those who went directly from Northampton to South Carolina, because they are related to this Orange County group of Bradfords who are NOT the same as the Granville Bradfords. Re-examine Sandlund's books in this regard, but without paying serious attention to his "remarks" column. He made so many mistakes, misinterpretations and illogical assumptions as to pay little attention to his conclusions. I respectfully submit this report for your examination. Timothy Kearney TIMOTHY KEARNEY Genealogical Research P.O. Box 27645 Raleigh, NC 27611 (919) 494-6786 27 December 1997 Mr. Terrance Fregly PO Box 3886 Tallahassee, FL 32315 Dear Terry: Sincere thanks for allowing me the opportunity to assist with your Bradford research project, and I am sorry for the delay. I spent much time studying the volumes of papers you sent and I regret to inform you that it is impossible for your Thomas Bradford to have been the soon of Thomas Sr. of Granville. Actually, your Thomas was never a resident of Granville at any time, and the only record for him is the marriage bond to Mary Hargraves, due to the logical reason that she was a Granville resident, yet she remains unidentified. You have much work to do in redirecting your focus to other areas, particularly Orange County, NC and of course in South Carolina. I regret that the Granville Bradfords did not work out, but the records and logic prove otherwise. I will explain the complete details in my attached report. Thank you for the payment (deposited after this date) for 20 hours work. No charge for additional time spent on Sandlund's mistakes and in other areas of research. Proving your Thomas' lineage will be extremely difficult, and I wish you the best of luck with your research endeavors. Sincerely, Timothy Kearney MR. TERRANCE H. FREGLY P.O. BOX 3886 TALLAHASSEE, FL 32315-3886