Is there a Brooks -

Bradford Connection?

Recently, this researcher found out, thanks to Jim Brooks of Spartanburg, SC, about Jesse Bradford Brooks who left Ansonville, NC in 1831 for SC. He had married Anne Phillips in Anson Co, NC and eventually winds up in Dora, Walker Co, AL where he died. As far as could be determined through careful study of census records and other early Anson Co, NC records (tax lists, petitions, deed, etc.), it is probable that Jesse Bradford Brooks is William Brooks I’s son. He left the Rocky River area after his first wife died and remarried to Anne Phillips (who he met while living there… another “next door neighbor” thing). Settling for 16 years in Ansonville, he finally decides to leave for Grassy Pond, SC in 1831.

So, if there is a Bradford family connection, where is it? Where did William and his wife get the name “Bradford”?

The 1790 Mecklenburg Co, NC Census shows a James Bradford and a Mary Bradford. Cabarrus Co, NC records show a James Bradford b.1762 PA d.29 Nov 1844 Cabarrus Co, NC, son of David Bradford & Mary Lancaster. David died 1779 and was buried in Poplar Tent Pres., Concord, Cabarrus Co, NC. This may be the James and Mary found on the 1790 census. Click here for a terrific display of records on the Bradford family.

Anson Co, NC records show a Richard Bradford getting land on Hitchcock’s creek c1756. He doesn’t stay there long… say, three years or so (last known record – 1758). Estate records for NC show a Richard Bradford who died in 1757 in Granville Co, NC. The Anson Richard may have been a younger son of the Granville bunch that came through Anson County. Hitchcock’s creek is located on the NE side of Pee Dee River in present day Richmond County.

The Bradford family of Plymouth, Mass. is the one that seems worthy of note in this investigation. Major William Bradford is the progenitor of this line:

The Will of William Bradford "living in the Township of Plimoth,"dated 29 June 1703, (MD4:143-7, Plymouth Co. PR 2:40-43) probated 10March 1703 (/4), names wife Mary Bradford; sons David, Ephraim, Hezekiah, eldest son John who was to have "my father's manuscript viz.: a Narrative of the beginning of New Plimouth"; gradson William, son of son William deceased; son Thomas to have lands in Norwich, Ct, which were the lands of my brother John Bradford; sons Samuel and Joseph, the latter to have"a portion of lands near Norwich part of which was his mother's"; sonIsrael; grandsons John Bradford and William Bradford, sons of son John;daus. Mercy Steel, Hannah Ripley, Melatiah Steel, Mary Hunt, Alice Fitch and Sarah Baker; Hannah wife of son Samuel; sons John, Samuel and Israel executors.

On the 17th of March 1704/5, acknowledged on the 15th December 1713,Israel, Ephraim, David and Hezekiah Bradford divided land given them by their father Major William Bradford.

William Bradford's son, Ephraim was born 1685 in Plymouth, Mass. Among numerous children, two were named Ephraim and Jesse. Ephraim Bradford, Jr. was born 1719 and Ezekiel was born about 1720-25. The interesting part of the Bradford family and its name relation to the Brooks is with this Ezekiel Bradford who died 1816 in Turner, Maine. He also had numerous children. Four of them were:

Ephraim Bradford b. 13 Dec 1750

Rebecca Bradford b. 22 Sep 1756

Jesse Bradford b. 7 Mar 1758 m. Judith Weston 1781

Ezekiel Bradford b. 15 Dec 1759 m. Mary House 1786

Another son of Major William Bradford and 3rd wife Mary Atwood Holmes was Israel Bradford b. 1678 in Plymouth, Mass. Israel,s son was Joshua Bradford (another popular early Brooks family name) b. 23 Jun 1710. This Joshua had a son named Cornelius Bradford b. 10 Dec 1737.

Whereas this isn't the best of connections, it suggests that there may be others. In fact, another son of William and Mary Holmes Bradford, David Kingston Bradford had a grandson named Cornelius and a daughter named Lydia (Lydia, although another Brooks name, was rather common, especially in New England at this time.) Still, it suggests further a New England connection to the Brooks family.

Nothing has been found to date to prove a Bradford-Brooks connection. In fact, these highly religious folks (Quakers, Baptists descending from Quakers, etc.) used names from the bible… literally, in a religious fashion. Names like Ephraim, Ezekiel, Joshua, Jesse, Rebecca, Lydia, etc. are all common usage, especially in Quaker and Baptist families. But, there are many different biblical names. One or two of these such coincidences between both families could be looked over. But, there's enough here to provide a good basis for further investigation.

Is it possible that John Brooks "of Va" married a Bradford?… possibly a daughter of an Ephraim or Ezekiel Bradford? Is it possible that the Brooks family met the Bradford family while living in Anson Co, NC?

Making this connection would be really nice if it exists. It would put our Brooks family in with other Mayflower descendants and also descent from Governor William Bradford of Mass. That wouldn't be a terrible thing, would it? J

If any Brooks or Bradford researchers get wind of this idea, please contact me at bcbrooks@delabrooke.com to discuss it. What we're looking for is a possible Brooks-Bradford connection in Virginia or in New England just prior to a move to Virginia… possibly near Frederick, Spotsylvania, Orange and Culpeper Co's, VA… another good research point is Matthew Brooks of Frederick Co, VA whose family has similar names to ours and seems to be connected in a roundabout way through Person, Pitt Co, NC and an even closer possible relation to Chatham Co, NC Brooks whom Rev. E. M. Brooks believed us to be connected with.

Please remember that this entire line of reasoning (guessing?) is just a hunch. Please don't quote any of this as gospel until we've had a chance to parley it into some proof. Thanks.