This was sent to me by Steve Freeman and I thought it would be of interest to anyone connected to this line. I couldn't understand why Mary Rhodes, daughter of a prominent landowner would marry the son of a convict, well beneath her. This offers an explanation. << This is extracted from the Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex County, VA 1653-1812: Mary Rhodes was born the 5th of January 1684. Mary Rhodes ye Daughter Ezehias & Eliza Rhodes was baptz 15th ffebry 1684/5. Mary and illegitimate Ye Daughter of Mary Rhodes was Baptized Ye Same Day (January 9th) Anno Domini 1708/9 John Bradley & Mary Rhodes (were married) 2nd of November 1711 Ezekiah & Wm being twin sons of Jno and Mary Bradley were all baptized 21st day of September 1712 Elizabeth daughter of John & Mary Bradley born MAy 18th, baptized June 5, 1715 John son of John & Mary Bradley born Octo 28, baptized Decemr ye 7, 1718 Robert son of John & Mary Bradley, born Janry ye 21,baptized Febry 18, 1721 Anne daughter of John & Mary Bradley born July ye 5, baptized Aug 8, 1725 Mary Bradley dyed March ye 15, 1727 John Bradley & Rebecca Jemson Married August ye 24, 1728 James son of John & Rebecca Bradley born Decemr ye 6, baptized Dec mr 21, 1729 Mary daughter of John & Rebecca Bradley born September ye 11, baptized Octo ye 1, 1732 So it would seem that Mary had an illegitimate child, making her a less attractive bride for the planters' sons of the area. Therefore her marrying into a "lower class" family isn't surprising. Hezekiah Rhodes was indeed a large landowner of Middlesex County, VA. For historical perspective, turn to "A Place in Time: Middlesex County Virginia 1650-1750," by Darrett and Anita Rutman. By carefully examining local records, they have created a remarkable social history for the county, and at a larger level, colonial America. >> I hope some of you are jumping for joy! The Bradleys seem to be a very quiet bunch of people unlike the Walkers on their list. I have a hard time just reading the volume of mail they generate e very day. Do you all have your lines worked out? Have you found interesting wills or deeds, census records, anything that you would like to share and get this list activated. I am not just a names and dates person, trying to end up with the largest data base. I don't see the point in that unless it's for religious reasons. I would like to know more about the human side of this family. What made them tick? Are there are little tidbits of information that would animate this family. Surely there must have been some that made their mark in history even if it was in a small way. Can't some of you older Bradleys remember stories told to you as a child. Dust off the cobwebs and let's hear them. Am I being too loud? I guess it's because my husband is the Bradley descendant, not me!! Philippa