Hi everyone, I have an elusive ancestor who supposedly served in the revolution and I'm having quite a time finding out his place of birth and service. This is what I have so far: Lt. John Bradford (on his grave) born between 1743-9 (either Mass. or NH) died 1822, buried in Atwood Cemetery, Pelham, NH married to Mary Cummings of Topsfield, Mass. 3 children: Polly Bradford, possibly born in Wilton, NH married to Benjamin Morgan Andrew Cummings Bradford, my ancestor, born abt 1780, married Jerusha Smith of Salem, NH one other child unknown They were all brought into the Cong. Church of Pelham, NH in June 1799, so they might have moved from another town, possibly Wilton. - There are 8 John Bradfords listed in Mass. Soldiers and Sailors - There are 8 John Bradfords listed in the Abstract of Graves of Rv. Patriots - my John B. is one of them - There are 8 John Bradfords listed in the Rev. War Service Records Wouldn't these all be the same 8 individuals? How can I trace them? He might not have been a lieutenant during the war - so I'm willing to check out other ranks. Where can I find personal info on these men? (Does it exist?) I thought since he married a woman from Topsfield he might have originally been from that area...I have written to the historical societies of Topsfield, Pelham, and Wilton, hoping to shed some light. Anyway, in my rambling... I am grateful for any info/advice you might have. Thank you Sue Tait Porcaro --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.313 / Virus Database: 174 - Release Date: 1/2/02

Hi Sue, My response is due to my interest in a NE Cummings family member, Stephen, who married a Mary Coburn, nee Brooks, and bore two sons by her first husband Francis Coburn/Colburn. The Bradord surname also surfaces as a partner of John Coburn and their KY ventures. So, I can offer you a couple items here below. If you have the opportunity to look at the CD set of the NEHGS Publications, entitled Registers, it may help further identify him through some of the town histories which were written and content published in these publications. Also, perhaps there may be some articles written for the Registers which would not be available through the Historical Societies and which would be of benefit to you. ------------------ Alphabetical List of Officers of the Continental Army B Fifteenth Virginia page 116 Bradford, John (Mass). Captain in Lexington Alarm, April, 1775; Captain of Cotton's Massachusets Regiment, 26th May to December, 1775; Captain Massachusets Militia, 1777–1779. (Died 1836.) [Perhaps this death date will help further identify] ---------------- Database: Boston Port Arrivals & Imm., 1715-1716, 1762-1769 Combined Matches: 1 Port Arrivals and Immigrants to the City of Boston page 42 – John Bradford Sloop Ginger from Virginia [There is a John Bradford born 1749, VA. He went west (KY) with John Coburn after war service] --------------- Biblio. Of Charleston MASS and Bunker Hill Au: Hunnewell pub 1880 Sutro G3 LH 9299 Apr 1999 A list of reference materials…. Bunker Hill - American Accounts New Hampshire troops engaged, see Rep. (vol. 2) for 1866, of Adj. Gen of N.H., also C.C. Cofin in Boston Globe, June 23, 1875, N.H. Provincial Papers, vol. 7. [I am unfamiliar with these Provincial Papers; perhaps a web search will give you a physical location] ---------------- Regards, Jan Sue Tait Porcaro wrote: > Hi everyone, > I have an elusive ancestor who supposedly served in the revolution and I'm having quite a time finding out his place of birth and service. This is what I have so far: > Lt. John Bradford (on his grave) > born between 1743-9 (either Mass. or NH) > died 1822, buried in Atwood Cemetery, Pelham, NH > married to Mary Cummings of Topsfield, Mass. > 3 children: Polly Bradford, possibly born in Wilton, NH married to Benjamin Morgan > Andrew Cummings Bradford, my ancestor, born abt 1780, married Jerusha Smith of Salem, NH > one other child unknown > They were all brought into the Cong. Church of Pelham, NH in June 1799, so they might have moved from another town, possibly Wilton. > > - There are 8 John Bradfords listed in Mass. Soldiers and Sailors > - There are 8 John Bradfords listed in the Abstract of Graves of Rv. Patriots - my John B. is one of them > - There are 8 John Bradfords listed in the Rev. War Service Records > > Wouldn't these all be the same 8 individuals? How can I trace them? He might not have been a lieutenant during the war - so I'm willing to check out other ranks. Where can I find personal info on these men? (Does it exist?) > I thought since he married a woman from Topsfield he might have originally been from that area...I have written to the historical societies of Topsfield, Pelham, and Wilton, hoping to shed some light. > Anyway, in my rambling... I am grateful for any info/advice you might have. > Thank you > Sue Tait Porcaro > > --- > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). > Version: 6.0.313 / Virus Database: 174 - Release Date: 1/2/02 > > ==== AMERICAN-REVOLUTION Mailing List ==== > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237