BRADFORD Thomas Bradford , Sr is first found in Georgia in Wilkes Co listed on the 1786 Tax list, in Capt CALLER's district, this district was created out of Capt ALEXANDER's 1785 tax district. Hosea BRADFORD (Josiah/Hosey/Osia/Osiah) is found in Capt Alexander's district for 1785 . Note: Information about Wilkes Tax Records is from, WILKES COUNTY, GEORGIA TAX RECORDS, 1785-1805, Volume 1 , FRANK PARKER HUDSON. This could indicate that Hosea and Thomas are related , probably brothers . These men both die in Hancock Co, Ga. Hosea passed away in late1799 ( his estate is appraised on 19 April 1800 and other entries pertaining to the estate assets and appointment of administrators date from 1799 to April,1800 , no will can be located). Robert Rivers is appointed administrator and signs the statement of "monies paid" (Robert Rivers is shown to be a neighbor of Thomas Bradford in later documents in Hancock Co). M. ( Myles?) Greene is listed as clerk . If this is in fact the same Myles Greene that is listed as "my friend" in Thomas Bradford's will, then it could indicate a connection or Myles Greene may be an official of the court which would account for his appearance in both estate papers of Hosea and Thomas Bradford). Thomas Bradford dies shortly after his will and deed to Thomas Hinson (For the 79 acres ) are signed in June,1811. Myles Greene and Tim Bradford (X) appear as witness to the signature of Thomas Bradford on the deed to Thomas Henson/Hinson in --- June 1811. Note by Fregly: Tim (Timothy) Bradford can be traced from Hancock Co to in 1811 to 1840 where he is living in Walton Co, GA . He cannot be located for 1850, no land records have yet been found and further research is contemplated to discover what legal and land records might be extant in the Walton and surrounding counties in order to establish wether the Brazil Ransom Bradford, (II), found in Walton Co, GA, in the 1850 Federal census is related to Timothy Bradford. If a family relationship can be established, it then could provide prima fascia evidence that, Thomas Bradford, Sr is in some way related to Thomas Bradford, Jr. Thomas Bradford, Jr. named his first born son Brazil Ransom Bradford, referred to as Brazil Ransom ( I). If this could be proved then there is a strong likely hood that Sarah Bradford , wife of Thomas Bradford, Sr is Sarah Ransom or Sarah Brassell (Brazil), although when the Bradford naming custom is considered, such as that used by Brazil Ransom Bradford when naming his children( Brazil R. Named his five of children HARGRAVES , as middle name. His mother was Polly/Mary Hargraves) Therefor the surname of the mother would become the middle name of the child, hence Brazil Ransom Bradford's mother would be Sarah RANSOM(E). Thomas Bradford's will is dated 5 June 1811, Thomas Bradford is listed as Senr. Indicating a need to differentiate him from Thomas " the younger" or Junr. probably Thomas Bradford b 1757 who married Polly Mary Hargraves in Granville co NC in 1782 (exhibit-- ) and was in near by Putnam Co at the same time Thomas, Jr in 1808 was listed next to Thomas Bradford SR on the same Hancock Co., GA tax list. (Exhibit )Thomas Senior's will lists him as "from Hancock Co, GA" it names " my beloved wife Sarah " and to her bequeaths all his property for her natural life. (Life estate) at her death the estate left is to be divided between "my daughter" Lena Amos (Amous/Ammos?) and the heirs or children of "my Daughter" Rebeccah Henson. Note: The deed for 79 acres to Thomas Hinson in June 1811 probably indicates Thomas Henson/Hinson is the spouse of Rebeccah. No marriage license can be found for Hinson to Bradford. Sarah Bradford is nominated as executrix and "my friend" Myles Greene as Executor. The will is witnessed by Jefse (Jesse) and Jeremiah Warren (signed) Thomas Bradford makes his mark (x) [Hancock Co ,GA records, Will book "F" page 52 also LDS film # 0222087 for transcribed copy] NOTE BY FREGLY: Thomas M. (Madison) Bradford, son of Thomas Bradford, JR ( who is hypothesizes by Fregly to be the son of Thomas and Sarah Bradford of Hancoock Co., GA) marries Jane R. Lewis on 14 Nov 1814, in Baldwin co, GA , this location is adjacent to Hancock Co, GA and the significance of the fact they are married by Myles Greene, M. G. listed as "my friend in Thomas Bradford, Sr's, will could point to a connection between Thomas M. Bradford and Thomas Bradford, Sr. [Baldwin Co., GA Marriage records , Book "A" 1806-1836.] The second significant document that established Thomas Bradford's family relationships, is a deed dated ---- Day of June 1811, and was probably executed in anticipation of Thomas's death. This deed conveys the 79 acres originally granted to Thomas Bradford by Captain General George Mathews commander of Militia of Georgia. This grant while not specified for military service could have been for revolutionary service. The grant of 79 acres was dated on 14 January 1796 and was in the county of Hancock GA bounded by Harthorns on the south on the north by Abercrombys, the West by Harthorns land and East by Abercrombys land. The grant was signed by Geo Mathews , Governor and registered by J. Meriwether on 14 Jan 1796. The tract is irregular in shape and forms an "L' on the side. It is an unusual size, 79 Acres, when most land tracts granted for bounty /Revolutionary service were 287 « acres due to the act authorizing the bounty grants. The unique size allows for a certain way to identify the land and was owned by Thomas Bradford from the date of the grant in 1785-6 until Thomas Bradford's death in 1811. The analysis of the neighboring tracts owned by Abercrombie/(y) and Thomas Harthorn(e) /Harton also allow positive identification. The third characteristic the water course the tract borders or has access to, in this case Log Dam Creek. This creek is makes an accurate land mark which can also be identified with a high degree of certainty and one that is frequently listed on the tax digest lists for Wilkes, Greene and Hancock Co., GA. Even when the jurisdictional (county boundary) was realigned the creek name stayed the same and continued to be referenced in the tax digest for the period. Grant in GA State Archives Atlanta, Ga- Drawer 52, Folio 47 Further study of documents at The Georgia State Archives in Atlanta , GA by this researcher uncovered the original survey. This confirmed that the Thomas Bradford grant was bounded by Abercromby and Thomas Harthorny (sic) The survey is titled Hancock County , Warrt (Warrent?) Dates (sic) 5 of January 1795 surveyed 16 March 1795 by John Ragan , CS The survey added one other adjoining land owner as "Washington" which can be confirmed as William Washington, shown a bordering neighbor in the 1793 Greene Co., GA tax digest (see below).(exhibit ----) The ownership of the 79 Acres by Thomas Bradford can be traced from the original the grant to Bradford's conveyance to Thomas Henson in June of 1811 this deed described the land as "79 Acs in Hancock Co, GA as lying on the waters of Log Dam Creek, bounded by the Hartons (Harthorn) land on the west , by Abercrombies on the north , by Hartons land on the south and East by Abercrombies". It is with out a doubt the same land granted to Thomas Bradford by the governor in 1795 and that surveyed by Ragan in 1795. The subsequent conveyance from Thomas Henson to Jesse Warren takes place on Jan 18, 1819. This deed was witnessed by Jeremiah Warren Brother of Jessee and James Warren (relationship to Jessee unknown).[Deeds recorded in Deed Book "M"Hancock Co, GA page 201-202] ( Exhibit -----) Survey reproduced from microfilm at Georgia State Archives There is no other documented, land or other legal transaction found between these Hosea and Thomas Bradford. There is only the place of residence during1785-1786, in the same tax district of Wilkes Co, Ga and the place of residence at their death, Hancock Co, GA. This leads this researcher to speculate they could be Brothers. Further analysis of the extant Wilkes Co, GA Tax digests, find Thomas Bradford in 1790, located in Capt Freeman's District, here he is listed as a "defaulter" Excerpt From: Hudson's Wilkes County , Georgia Tax records Vol 1, page vii. Defaulters "White males of age subject to Militia service, moving into a district were required to report to the Captain of the district within three weeks after arrival. The captain was required to turn over a list (the Captain's return) to the receiver. Captains seldom identified those below the age of twenty-one, subject to militia duty, but not subject to the poll tax. There was no requirement from a male departing the district to notify his Captain. Most defaulters can be proved to have been underage for the poll tax, or had moved from the district. A defaulted was not one who failed to pay a tax, but one who failed to make a return, and many of those listed as defaulters owed no tax". Note by Fregly: Thomas Bradford appears in 1793 Greene Co.,GA tax digest Capt --------------and may have moved from Wilkes Co, Ga to Greene Co, GA , abt 1790. He is listed on Log Dam Creek where he is in 1796 granter 79 acres, is shown with no land in 1793 tax digest and is adjacent to William Washington, who is listed with 287 1/2 acres adjacent to Thomas Heatherton. Thomas Bradford is listed between Isham Westmoreland and Jno. Sturdivant, Sturdivant appears in several tax lists with Bradford in later years in Hancock Co, GA.(exhibit -----) Insert definition of Tax digests Neither Hosea or Thomas BRADFORD is taxed for any land during 1785-1786 while listed in Wilkes Co, GA tax lists. They therefor must have been "of age" but without any land. Two land grants are on file, one for Osiah(Hosea) Bradford for revolutionary service (grant is in Franklin Co, GA 17 May 1794) , it appears that Hosea may have assigned this land and may never have taken title( no deed or land records are found in Washington , Greene, Wilkes , Hancock Co, GA), Franklin Co needs to be researched).The grant is for 287 « acres and J. Oates signs "for Osiah Bradford" . The original grant reproduced here can be found in the Georgia State archives in Atlanta. Note by Fregly: A Georgia resident living on the parcel of land , granted to him in 1785 could be listed in different Capt's districts every year and in as many as 3 counties , all the wile not moving from the same spot.  The testimonial letter which certifies the revolutionary service for Osiah Bradford reads as follows: State of Georgia This is to certify that Osiah Bradford has steadfastly done his duty since the taping out at Augusta to wit, 20 August 1779. Until the ------ ? expulsion of the Brittes from -----? that he cannot to my knowledge or belief be convicted of plundering or destroying the country is therefor under said act entitled to a bounty of 250 acres of 250 acres of land ( 250 repeated in original ) August April 1784. Elijah Clark Col. (Signed) By his order H. Freeman (signed) Note: Could H Freeman be Capt Holman Freeman listed in Wilkes 1790 Tax Digest where Thomas Bradford is listed as Defaulter, and is Col Elijah Clark the Capt Clarke listed in 1785 as Capt of the tax district? Hosea Bradford's appears to die intestate in 1799, Hancock Co, GA . There is no will on file but several pages of Estate appraisal and appointment of administrator and subsequent sale records are found for Hosea. The only Bradford mentioned and the possibly beneficiary appears to be "Barary"(Barbra) BRADFORD she appears to be paid the proceeds of the sale in 1800, no further mention of Barbra Bradford is found in Land, marriage or tax records of Middle GA before or after the sale in 1800. It is possible Barbra is Hosea's widow and may die soon after her husband, therefor leaving no further record. Hosea owns no Real Estate at his death, there are no deeds or "waver of dower" to establish the exact relationship of Barbra to Hosea. A Gaby or Laby Bradford is a purchaser of several items at the sale and may be the same person as Barbra Bradford. Further examination of the franklin Co, GA land records should be undertaken to determine the disposition of the tract granted to Hosea/Osiah Bradford, if sold the deed should name the wife or establish a " release of dower".