PERCY BRADLEY (1870-1946)

John Howard (Howard) (my father) born 5th May 1910 was the fourth child of eight born to Percy and (1) Dorothea Emilie Constance Young, and (2) Eleanor Hart. His siblings are (1)Percy Frederick George (George), William Albert Raymond (Ray), Connla John Osman (Osman), Dorothea Eleanor Constance (Nora), Arthur Sidney Nicholas (Dick), (2) Percy James (Jim) and John Christopher.

George (1905-1946) married Renee Shockley and had three sons. George went to Ruthin School and St Lawrence College, Ramsgate (the latter proving to be connected with the Bradley family more than was previously thought - see notes on Dr Samuel Messenger Bradley). George attended Liverpool University and obtained an Engineering Degree. Unfortunately he was not allowed to be awarded with the Degree as it was discovered he had never matriculated! He was in the RAF as a pilot and was killed in an aircraft accident while testing a new jet engine in 1946. He had just been promulgated Air Commodore, sadly with effect from a few days after his death.

Ray (1906-1933) also went to St Lawrence College and then into the Cotton trade with his father. He spent some time in Hamburg, Germany and has left some lovely photos of life in the late 1920s/early 1930s. He sadly died of cancer in 1933.

Osman (1908-2007), another pupil at St Lawrence. After work with cotton merchants in India, he later became a lay missionary with BCMS. At the outbreak of war he joined the Ghurka Rifles and became a Major. After the war he returned to England and attended Theological College and was ordained as a Church of England minister. He was vicar at Peckham, Frogmore, St Albans (1955-68) and Havering-Atte-Bower, Chelmsford (1968-76). Osman married and had 2 step-children and one child.

Howard, (1910-2004) the last sibling to attend St Lawrence had to leave aged 15 (family financial problems). He started out in the Cotton industry but during the war he served in the RAF. On his return his job was no longer available so he took up accountancy and joined the Liverpool firm of Glass and Edwards in 1946 (age 36) as an articled clerk. He eventually became senior partner in the firm Duncan Glass. He had the honour of being President of the Liverpool Society of Chartered Accountants in 1963.  He married Laura Dilys Jones.

Nora (1912-1998), the only daughter, attended Belvedere School in Liverpool and after running a small school in Brombrough,Wirral, trained as a nurse, specialising in midwifery and then became more involved in the administrative side, eventually holding a senior position in the NHS in South East England.

Dick (1916-) was a pupil at Ruthin School, N Wales. Following service in India in the RAF, he remained there for a few years teaching, specialising in woodwork and metalwork. On returning to England he taught at Monkton Combe School near Bath, Bruton Junior School, and St Probus in Salisbury. This he did for many years until, never having had official training, he went to Teacher`s Training College and qualified. He then taught at Spendlove School, Charlbury in the Cotswolds. He has been very involved in the Scouting Movement, becoming a District Commissioner. He has also been a Lay Reader at his church in Sway in the New Forest. Dick married later in life than most - age 84.

Jim (1923-) made his career in the RAF, joining virtually straight from school in 1943. He served in the bomber command during the war. After the war he moved to the secretarial/accounts branch. He obtained the rank of Squadron Leader, serving twice in Singapore and once in Cyprus. He married Norah Bowler.

John (1928-) also spent time in the RAF and then taught for a number of years at King James Grammar School on the Isle of Wight where he ran the CCF. He married Tina Wilson. For over 20 years John was sales director of a branch of Henley`s motors. He and Tina ran their own successful company J & T Bradley, in the New Forest restoring Cheltenham caravans. John was a pupil at Birkenhead Boys School.

Their father Percy married Dorothea Emilie Constance Young, (Percy`s descendants see separate Young chapter) daughter of Col. (Dr) Thomas Frederic Young, in 1904 at St Paul`s Church, Hooton on the Wirral. They were married by the Rev`d Ernest Cullwick (Percy`s brother-in-law) and Arthur and Bobbie (two of his brothers) were witnesses. Apparently Percy was a fluent linguist and spent some time in Germany. He worked for the German company Reiss Bros. (Cotton merchants) in Liverpool as a manager and then partner. They lived in Southport for a few years around 1910 and then to Somenos, Birkenhead Rd. Meols, Wirral until about 1916. The name 'Somenos' we have recently discovered originates from Vancouver Island, BC where Dorothea`s brother and parents lived in the early 1900s. Percy then moved to Liverpool to 22 Grove Park. Dorothea died in the Spanish flu outbreak in 1918 leaving Percy with the six children. Dorothea was pregnant again when she died. Percy then married Eleanor Hart. Reiss Bros. were obviously having a difficult time in the UK with WW2 and Percy did not have any more money to put into the business. Percy had been a fairly wealthy gentleman with a good lifestyle. Financial difficulties arose and eventually this lifestyle changed for the whole family. They lived from 1923 to 1930 at Chorlton Hall, nr Chester (modern photo below by kind permission of the present owners Mr and Mrs Hess), along with Eleanor`s 3 sisters and a brother, and then a few years at The Firs, Upton-by-Chester. Their next home was Wentworth on Meols Drive, Hoylake and then Glenetive, Smiths Hill, West Kirby. At this stage George, Ray, Osman and Howard had moved out of the family home. Percy died 25th December 1946 whilst temporarily living in a caravan in the garden of a house in Oxton, Birkenhead, the house being converted into flats.

Please click on the thumbnails for larger pictures.

Percy and Dora Wedding Day 1904.                                                                           Chorlton Hall -                                             

Percy was one of sixteen children born to Frederic and Eliza (Piggott).

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FREDERIC BRADLEY (1843-1906)

His other siblings were:

The eldest Frederic Charles (Charlie) (born Wolverley 1869) married Mary Page (Sissy). He was a Mechanical Draughtsman. Not much is known about his business career but he ran Eagle Engineering, Warwick. It is believed he and his younger brother Neville bought all the shares and the company prospered. Amongst other things, they developed and patented the refuse vehicles which still collect household rubbish which is crushed as it is collected. Sissy had a very large income from her family trusts. When she died the capital reverted to her family. I have just discovered that extensive records of this company are held at Warwick Records Office, and that the company was incorporated in 1911. In the Kelly`s Directories for this area for 1912 and 1916 he is listed as living in Packwood, Warwick.

Mary Ellen (Nell) (born Wolverley 1870) was a boarder at a school in Hastings in 1881 aged 11. She married the Rev`d Ernest J Cullwick. He was vicar at Smethwick, Birmingham, Lyonshall, Kington and Westbury Salop. They had one daughter Grace (b.4 June 1894), who remained unmarried and died 25 October 1952.

Francis John (Frank) (born Wolverley 1871) was the naughty boy - (imprisoned for theft)! He was at school in Wolverley as a boarder when he was 9. He married Kathleen Jones (Kate), a publican`s daughter. She stood by him through all his troubles. She was licensee of a pub somewhere in Wiltshire and had very little money, but when Raymond (Percy`s son) was terminally ill, she sent Ray`s brother Howard an occasional £5 to help out. No children.

Henry Howard (Harry) (born Wolverley 1872) was a boarder at Needwood House School, Kidderminster aged 9 in 1881. He went to Australia and married Marjorie Phillips. They had one daughter Eliza Maud. Harry returned to England with Eliza after Marjorie died. Eliza was brought up at Thornton Hall and Northwick, and eventually lived at Oakfield House, Ombersley with her Uncle Bobby and Aunt Maud. Eliza remained unmarried. Harry took various jobs of a semi-labouring nature. He stayed with Percy at Chorlton for some time, working at Liverpool Warehousing Co.

Maud (born Wolverley 1873) never married and lived with her brother Raymond (Bobbie) in the family homes, and eventually at Oakfield House, Ombersley, with Eliza.

Ernest (born Wolverley 1874). He was apprenticed at Wilson`s, Birkenhead as an engineer. He spent some time in India helping build a bridge over the Ganges. After three years he caught malaria very badly, but recovered, returned home and was put in charge of the Caldwell Foundry (later Bradley & Turton), where at various times he was helped out by brothers Bobbie and Arthur. He married Maud Owen (Maudo) in 1902 and they had 3 children, Peter, Evelyn and James. Their homes included a house in Franche Road, nearly opposite the old rectory (one year), then to Goldness until 1911 and then to Ashfield, Torton, a house which had been built in 1895. Peter was a famous motor-cyclist and captained the English 7 day international trials team for a number of years, and Ernest travelled in the sidecar as navigator. Peter married Rita Gibson. Daughter Evelyn ran a school at their family home in Kidderminster. She was unmarried. She was very involved with the Girl Guides and received an OBE for her services. She was also a JP. The youngest son James (Jim) died about 17 years of age. He had frequent operations with a tubercular bowel and was always an invalid. Ernest died in 1932. He was found dead from gunshot wounds, the verdict being accidental death. His son Peter took over the business.

Jane (born Wolverley 1875) married the Rev`d James (Jim) Kempson who was vicar at Penkridge and later a Prebendary at Lichfield Cathedral. No children.

Lewis (born Wolverley 1877) died aged 12.

Neville (born Wolverley 1878) was a pupil at Repton School and qualified as a doctor from Liverpool. He married Margaret (Daisy) Cadbury (a quaker and part of the Cadbury family) and spent most of his life as a medical missionary in China. They had 6 children (5 boys and 1 girl). Marguerite the eldest married James Gibbons and had one daughter. Fred, the eldest boy was a finalist in the Diamond Sculls at Henley. He married Barbara Moon and had two children. James married Yvonne and had one daughter. Neville John (Jack) married Patricia Ann Deal, and they had an adopted son. The second to youngest, is living (2007). The youngest Patrick married Erica Appleton and had two sons. The two boys Jack and Malcolm were both Cambridge rowing blues.

Percy (born Wolverley 1879). See above.

Arthur Frederic (born Wolverley 1880) married Vivian Middleton, who came from a wealthy Yorkshire stockbroking family. For some time Arthur helped out his brother Ernest. He eventually went into the Church and he and Vivian spent about a year in China with Neville and Daisy, and Hubert and Amy. Unfortunately through ill-health they had to return to England. They had four children Ronald, John (married with 2 children and 6 grandchildren), Ilma who remained unmarried, and youngest son still living. He was vicar of a number of parishes and finally Braunton, Devon. He died aged about 95.

Alfred (born Southport 1882) survived only 2 weeks after birth.

Amy Constance (born Southport 1884) felt the call to become a missionary herself but the only way her parents would allow her to do so, was if she joined her brother Neville in China. There she met and married Hubert Gordon Thompson a medical missionary. They spent most of their lives in China. They had 4 children, John, Arthur, Greta and Peter. John, a doctor, married Margaret Earle and had 4 children and 7 grandchildren. Arthur died quite young while a pupil at St Lawrence College. A daughter (still living) now widowed - 3 sons and 6 grandchildren. Peter`s first wife was Bridget Winsor and they had 2 children and 4 grandchildren, and with his second wife Ilsa, had Daniel.

Raymond Lindsay (Bobbie) (born Southport 1885) was a bachelor. He always remained in the family homes with his widowed Mother together with Maud and young Eliza and from time to time other unmarried members of the family. After his Mother died, he moved with Maud and Eliza to Ombersley.

Ethel May (May) (born Cannock 1887) remained unmarried and was a nursing sister in Liverpool. She appears to have become a little eccentric. There is a story of suitcases lining the walls from floor to ceiling in her home, all carefully labelled or numbered containing her worldly goods. Some are of the opinion she starved herself to death.

The youngest of the 16 Marjorie (born Southport 1889) also remained unmarried. She was a teacher of the blind and learnt braille. Tragically she herself became blind.

It is interesting that the first 9 children were all born at the same house, Rock Mount, Wolverley (now Rock Hill). The house is still occupied, and I did visit with my father and my uncle, where the present owners were pleased to show us round, and even found documents mentioning Frederic Bradley. The house in Southport is no longer there, having made way for more modern architecture. Thornton Hall is now a motel/pub/restaurant. Northwick House, Worcester, is flourishing and I have also visited here with my father where the present owners were interested to see family photos of how the house used to look in the early 1900s.

It is perhaps a point of interest that Cannock, where May was born, was where their Grandfather (Eliza`s father, Francis Piggott) was living.

The couple who produced this large family were Frederic Bradley, and as mentioned above, his wife Eliza Piggott. (See separate chapter on the Piggotts and Tredwells). Frederic and Eliza were married on August 29th, 1867 at St Lukes Church, Cannock. The witnesses on this occasion were Eliza`s father Francis, and her sister Mary Sophia. The family rumour that the surname 'Piggott' had been changed at some stage is verified on Eliza`s birth certificate as her surname was 'Pigg'.

Eliza Bradley (nee Piggott)

Frederic was an Iron Founder and an Engineer. In 1860 his father John Henry acquired Clensmore Foundry, Kidderminster for him and it became part of John Bradley & Co., later F. Bradley & Co. For a while, the axle boxes used to mount Springbrook axles (see information on Frederic`s brother Samuel) were cast there. Around 1865 Frederic appears to have broken the business connections with his father and brother (Samuel) and to have formed his own company. In about 1910 he merged his business with that of George Turton, to form Bradley & Turton Limited  situated by the canal on Stourport Road and now the site of the Watermill pub. 2 foundries were worked - Clensmore and Caldwell both in Kidderminster. Later this firm became well known for its hydraulic presses and injection-moulding equipment, until it closed in the 1970`s with heavy losses. (This information obtained from Mr Peter Legat and also copies of Churchill & Blakedown Historical Notes.) Bradley & Turton was eventually taken over by Frederic`s sons Ernest and Bobbie and then to Ernest`s son Peter. The firm`s big contracts included work on the Severn Tunnel lining, London Underground, Birkenhead and Portsmouth Docks, Ryde and Margate Piers. A former employee has furnished me with some information and commented that it was always a pleasant place to work with a good spirit amongst the work force.

Frederic and his family lived at 'Rockmount', (now Rock Hill) Wolverley, Worcs. He was Chairman of the Governors of Sebright School, an old foundation from 1620 on Blakeshall Lane. Apparently three sons were pupils here. In the 1871 census Frederic, wife Eliza and children Charles (2), Nell (1) and Frank (2mths) were in residence along with 2 servants, a nurse and Eliza`s younger sister Mary Piggott who was probably helping with the baby. Victorian women were expected to rest after childbirth.  In 1881 6 sons were at home and one daughter, Maud was staying at Cannock with her maternal uncle John Piggott. 3 children were at boarding school: Nell (11) in Hastings; Harry (9) at Eastwood House, Kidderminster; Frank (10) at Bury Hall boarding house of Wolverley Grammar School.  The younger children had a governess at home. Frederic was also a church warden.

  Rockmount, Wolverley c.1880

The family then moved to Southport ('Wolverley' 11 Morley Road) in 1882 for a few years, and in the 1891 census his occupation is a 'Steam Crane Maker' and his interests were in J H Wilson & Co. of Liverpool Ltd. and Seacombe, and the North Wales Steam Packet Co. By now there were 11 children and Eliza became pregnant with Alfred who sadly only lived 2 weeks.  This was the only child to die in infancy.

      Wolverley, Southport  1897 (now demolished)

They then moved on to the Wirral to the rather grand looking abode of Thornton Hall, Childer Thornton. They were certainly there in 1899. Frederic died in 1906 aged 63 having spent only a few years at Thornton Hall and is buried in Eastham Parish Church along with his wife Eliza, and daughters May and Marjorie. Also buried there is his daughter-in-law Dora, Percy`s wife. He had been a successful business man and had passed on his engineering abilities to a few of his sons.   I like to think he was an affectionate family man as normally the Victorians loved children.  Hopefully he gave Eliza his full support during her many pregnancies.   Eliza herself appears to have come through life with a firm resolve and I`m sure must have been very proud of her family.   

     Thornton Hall, Wirral 1900 (now a motel/restaurant)

On Frederic`s death Eliza then moved to Northwick House, in Worcester which is where the wonderful photograph was taken of all the family outside the front door.

Northwick House, Worcester 1916/17

Back row standing l-r

Henry Howard (Harry) Bradley, Arthur Frederic Bradley and Vivian (nee Middleton), Francis John (Frank) Bradley and Kathleen (nee Jones), James (Jim) and Jane Kempson (nee Bradley)

Middle row standing l-r

Marjory, May, Ernest Bradley and Maud (Maudo) (nee Owen), Mary (Sissy) (nee Page) and Frederic Charles (Charlie) Bradley, Maud, Ernest (EJC) Cullwick, Neville Bradley and Raymond Lindsay (Bobby) Bradley

Front row sitting l-r

Dorothea (Dora)(nee Young) and Percy Bradley (my grandparents), Eliza Bradley (nee Piggott - my gt.grandmother) Mary Ellen (Nell) Cullwick (nee Bradley) and Margaret (Daisy) Bradley (nee Cadbury)

Missing from photo – Amy Constance Thompson (nee Bradley) and Hubert Thompson in China

Many more photographs appear in the albums of life at Northwick. Eliza died in 1918. Raymond, Maud and Marjorie continued to live there until they sold in 1926. Raymond, Maud and young Eliza (Harry`s daughter) moved to Ombersley.  I have  the Wills for both Frederic and Eliza.

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Frederic was the eighth of nine children born to:

John was a successful businessman and Saltworks Owner.  John Henry was born in Birmingham 1807 and was living in Rusholme, Manchester around 1829 when he married Susannah Lovatt by licence in the Parish of Bowden, Cheshire. We don`t know if he was involved in the salt industry at this time. Their two eldest children, Elizabeth and Benjamin (the latter died in infancy) were born at Stoke Prior, Worcs. Jane, Benjamin(2), Mary Emma, Samuel and Frederic were born in Droitwich, John (between Benjamin and Mary Emma) was born in Claines and Charles the youngest in Salwerpe. In 1841 they were living in Salwerpe with Elizabeth age 10, Jane 6, Benjamin 5, John 4, Mary 3 and Samuel 2. In 1851 they had moved to St.Andrew St. in Droitwich along with Frederic and Charles. In 1861 they were living at the Oaklands, Witton.

The Oaklands

John Henry became a wealthy man through the Salt industry. The above portrait, owned by David Bradley, grandson of Neville, has kindly been photographed for me by David. The portrait was presented to John Henry by his employees on his retirement. John Henry became a manager/owner of Chapel Bridge Salt Works and then owned Bradley Salt Works in Hanbury Road, and Droitwich Salt Works, Droitwich. He eventually built and lived in the Oaklands, a large and impressive house which was at a later date used as a nursing/convalescent home and then a children`s home in 1920. It has now been pulled down and is part of a housing estate. He became a prominent member of the community and was Mayor of Droitwich in 1848 - 1850, 1853, 1855, 1858 and 1859. His eldest son John took over the Salt interests, and it seems that John Henry then arranged for Samuel and Frederic to start up in the Iron Foundry business, Samuel in Blakedown and Frederic in Kidderminster. He died in 1880 while living at The Oaklands (Will). Susannah died in 1886.

Daughter Elizabeth died age 29 in 1860.

The first Benjamin as mentioned above, died in infancy.

Jane died age 10 in 1845.

The second Benjamin died in 1852 age 15.

John was born in 1836. In 1851, according to the census for that time, he was staying with his Uncle Benjamin in Rusholme, Manchester. He went on to become an accountant and took over the Saltworks business from his father. He too became Mayor of Droitwich for a number of years in 1875, 1876, 1882, 1883, 1904, and 1905. He was a member of the town council and served continuously for 46 years from 1867. He became an Alderman in February 1884. In 1900 he became a county magistrate. He managed the design and erection of the Droitwich Covercroft Works. He became a member of the first County Council in 1889. He was also on the management committee of the St Johns Brine Baths, a Coventry Almshouse Trustee, Vice President of the Primrose League and ensign of the local company of the Worcestershire Rifles. He married Kate Nash and had a daughter Kate (remained a spinster), and three sons, Benjamin, Herbert and Grove. He lived at the Oaklands after his father died. Kate died in 1911 (Will). John died in 1916 (Will) .

John`s sister Mary Emma died in 1852 age 14.

Samuel, (born 1839), a younger brother of John, married his first cousin Sarah Oldham from Dublin and they married in Ireland 1868. There are further Bradley/Oldham connections in other generations which prove interesting - the first that we know of is Mary Anne Bradley (this Samuel`s aunt) marrying Thomas Wilson Oldham. Also Benjamin William Smith Bradley`s daughter Lucy married James Oldham.  Samuel`s father John Henry acquired the Springbrook Forge in Blakedown for Samuel in 1856. More Information on Samuel

Frederic.

Charles (born 1844) was an accountant/merchant. His address on his marriage in 1874 was Charlton Kings, Glos. He married Florence Augusta Abell, a solicitor`s daughter from Gloucester and they lived in Twigworth House, Twigworth, Gloucester. In 1872 he was an agent of the Droitwich Salt Co. They had a son Charles Howard who married Mabel White, and they had  a daughter Muriel Florence b. 1901 and possibly a further son and daughter who, family rumour has it, emigrated to Australia about 1919. It would be nice to track them down. Charles died 1898 in Richmond, Surrey (Will).

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John Henry was one of 6 children born to:

John Henry was born to Benjamin and Eliza (Baker) and was the fourth child of six. His older siblings were Benjamin, Samuel and Elizabeth. There were two younger sisters Jane and Mary Anne and a half sister and brother Helen Sarah and Henry Anthony, by Benjamin`s second wife Mary Anne. Elizabeth`s birthplace is unknown as yet. Benjamin (jnr) was born in Derby in 1801. The remaining children were all born in Birmingham. John Henry, Jane and Mary Anne were all  baptised in the Carrs Lane Independent Chapel, the two girls being baptised by 'Mr Bradley'. This turns out to be their father Benjamin`s brother the Rev`d Samuel Bradley. Eliza died in Birmingham 1811 and Benjamin remarried to Mary Ann (?).

Benjamin and Eliza(beth) Baker were married by licence at St Martin`s Birmingham.

Witness on the Licence is William Nevile, Benjamin`s brother-in-law having married Benjamin`s sister Catherine a few years earlier.

'Mr Benjn Bradley and Mrs Benjn Bradley' are mentioned in the Carrs Lane Church minute book 1783-1810 on the 15 May 1805.

Sept. 8 1805 the entry reads ' Mrs Jane Bradley was admitted into full communion with this Church in virtue of a regular and honourable dismissal from the Church in Derby under the pastoral care of the Rev`d James Gawthorne.' This Jane Bradley is Benjamin (snr)`s mother, who is obviously moving from Derby to Birmingham.

Feb. 26 1806 '4) That Mr Orme be requested to converse with Mr and Mrs B. Bradley (who were proposed for admission into this Church at a former meeting) in place of Mr Tutin.'

June 4 1806 ' ...Mr and Mrs Benjamin Bradley unanimously admitted as members of the Church'.

October 1809 ' Mr and Mrs Thornton proposed, also Mr Bradley snr...'

Benjamin (senior) appears to have been a wharfinger in Birmingham at this time and possibly an agent to Francis Egerton, Duke of Bridgewater who was heavily involved in canal building.

Benjamin Bradley is listed in Trade Directories in 1808 - 1821. It is possible he then moved to Manchester and then arrives in Liverpool where an 1839 Directory lists him as 'Gentleman, of Summerseat, Bootle Marsh'. He appears in the 1841 census at Bootle Summerseat with Mary Ann (2nd wife) and Helen and Henry. He is listed in the Trade Directories until 1845 and then Mary Ann is listed until 1851 in Richmond Vale. There are entries in Manchester directories in Pendleton and Salford but whether these are for him or his son Benjamin is not known. Here he is described as a Dry Salter ('dealer in chemical products used in the arts, drugs, gums, etc.; occas. also in oils, sauces, pickles etc. Hence Drysaltery, the store or business of a d.; the articles dealt in by a d.') He appears in the Trade Directories from 1824-1836, his house address being 2 Aldred St. Crescent, Salford and his business at Ridings Court, St. Mary`s Gate. He died in Liverpool in 1848 and is buried at St Mary`s Church, Walton-on-the-Hill, Liverpool.

In the notes I was given there was reference to a sister of John Henry who married a Figgis, and this turns out to be Elizabeth. She died in 1849 in Dublin. (See information on the Figgis Family). In the book 'Figgis of Brighton' there is reference to Elizabeth visiting her father in Liverpool in 1843.

Benjamin and Eliza`s eldest son:

Benjamin William Smith (son of Benjamin) appears in 1841 in Park Place, Highbury Vale, Islington with his wife Emma and children Charles, Lucy and 4 day old Samuel Messenger. Benjamin is a Commission Agent and I think was probably working in Islington when he met and married Emma Johnson. Marriage licence applied for 27 January 1835. In 1851 he is in Birch Lane, Rusholme nr Manchester together with wife Emma and four children, Charles Howard, Lucy Jane, Samuel Messenger and John Bellhouse. This is from the 1851 census for that area and Benjamin`s birthplace is stated as Derby, and his children and wife Emma were all born in Holborn, Middlesex. So it seems that for a period of at least ten years he moved to the London area. After Birch Lane we find him in the 1861 census at 5 Queens Terrace, Moss Side with only son Samuel at home and he is a medical student. He then lived in Longsight Old Hall, Longsight where he is registered as being a cashier/bookkeeper. Emma died in 1869 in Bray Co. Wicklow, and in 1871 Benjamin is a widower living with just his servant Mary Harding at 177 Plymouth Grove, Manchester. Benjamin died (Will) in 1876 at 177 Plymouth Grove, Manchester.

The eldest son Charles Howard (born 1836) appears in the 1851 census with the family in Rusholme and is a scholar at home aged 15, but I can find no trace of him after that.

Lucy Jane has proved another link with the Oldham family by marrying James Oldham, a Dublin merchant in Manchester 1859. They had James Howard, Benjamin, Ernest, Walter F. Winifred, and Lucy. It is presumed they lived in Dublin.

Samuel Messenger (born 1842) was a highly respected doctor in the Manchester area. Click the link for more information.He married Annie Gertrude Cope 11th November 1869 in Ashton Upon Mersey, in the County of Chester. He was a member of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1862 and in 1869 became an FRCS. He worked at the Royal Infirmary and then ran a private practice for a time in Bowness, Windermere. He also made several transatlantic trips between Liverpool and New York while working for Cunard. It appears he was a bit of an artist and showman as he had been known to deliver a lecture in rhyme! He made it known that he was very much against women becoming doctors. It appears he did not enjoy good health and he died while 'resting' and visiting his two sons in 1880 in Ramsgate. He left a widow Annie Gertrude, two sons John Mackenzie and Richard Walter, and a baby Gertrude. His personal estate was 'under £8,000'.

Dr Samuel Messenger Bradley (picture from Manchester Archives and Local Studies)

It would be interesting to find out the origin for the 'Messenger' name. Samuel`s wife Annie Gertrude was a daughter of Richard Cope a Manchester merchant. Her younger sister Alice Maud married Emile Cornet d'Auquier, who became headmaster at St Lawrence College, then known as South Eastern College, Ramsgate, Kent. This school appears to have survived a few generations of Bradley attendance! After Samuel`s death in 1880 the two boys remained at St Lawrence under the guidance of their uncle. Sadly both boys died through tragic circumstances - John Mackenzie died age 17 whilst on a walking holiday with his uncle in Switzerland, and Richard Walter died in the Jamaican earthquake in 1907.

Samuel is buried in Ramsgate Cemetery along with his wife Annie who died in 1884 (graves BC 224/225). The grave has a kerb and low railing but is now in a poor condition.

John Mackenzie (Jack) born in Manchester 1870. He was one of the first five pupils at St Lawrence College, Ramsgate (formerly South Eastern College). The following is an extract of the description of the accident in Switzerland,  from the school magazine December 1887 which the school have very kindly allowed me to reproduce:

'THE LATE JOHN MACKENZIE BRADLEY

Those of our readers who are not already acquainted with the news will share in the sorrow universally felt and expressed by all who have learnt the sad intelligence of Jack Bradley`s death.  He was one of the very first pupils of this College, having entered it only a few days after its foundation in 1879, when he was almost a child barely 9 years old, and he continued a pupil until his death.  No boy ever was more popular.  Of a singularly loveable nature, gentle, pure, unselfish, winning in all his ways, of great promise intellectually and, both morally and spiritually such that those who most deeply mourn his loss can feel the deepest consolation, in the knowledge that he has gone up to the Master whom he loved and served upon earth.

The following details have been supplied by one who was with him up to the moment when he was last seen alive.

 'Jack Bradley had gone to Switzerland, where he had been invited to spend his holidays with his uncle, the Headmaster. The party had been at Finshauts only 3 days when the sad accident occurred. During those three days Jack had been full of fun and merriment. On the 3rd August some time in the afternoon, a walk was proposed as far as the Hotel de Tete Noire a distance of not much more than an hour from Finshauts. The party consisted of Mr and Mrs d'Auquier, Mr Montgomery, Jack and Walter Bradley and Haire. Every one was in the highest possible spirits and Jack contributed his full share to the merriment of the party.

Cari`s note - For those Bradleys who were pupils at St Lawrence - did you ever notice the memorial brass which is in the passage at the entry to the present Chapel (1927)? Dr D A Scales, Senior Classics Master and de facto archivist has been most helpful in supplying all this information after my initial enquiry some years ago. On reading the above, my father Howard, recalled from his school days, a talk mentioning the recovery of a body many years later.

Richard Walter, the second son, attended St Lawrence College and was school captain in his uncle`s last year as headmaster (1888-1889). In 1891 he went to Magdalene College, Cambridge to read Maths. He died in the Jamaican earthquake in 1907. He had married Flossie Ivy Louis Verley and lived at Bamboo Cottage, Kingston. On his death his effects totalled £45.19! It is believed that Flossie was not killed or injured in the earthquake but her whereabouts after this are not known.

Gertrude age 1 and born in Manchester on the 1881 census, a visitor with her mother in the household of James Blain a farmer of Washway Road, Sale. On the 1891 census Gertrude is living with her aunt (mother`s sister?) Edith Penelope Findersen and her husband Ernest, also in Washway Road. In 1901 Edith and Gertrude are living in Duke Street, Southport.  In 1909 Gertrude Messenger Bradley married William Thomas Cope in Brentford Register Office, Middlesex. William was a Foreign Banker and 12 years older

Benjamin`s youngest son John`s second name of Bellhouse was the maiden name of his Uncle Samuel`s wife.

Samuel (son of Benjamin and Eliza) born 1802, married his first cousin Jane (daughter of Rev`d Samuel). They lived first at Grosvenor St. Manchester and then 14, and later 24 Nelson Street, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester where Samuel was, in the early days a Timber Merchant (1843-52). Then he is listed as an Iron Founder in connection with Edward T Bellhouse (connections with his mother-in-law`s family). Samuel and Jane produced seven children, Frederick, John Samuel, Eliza, David, William Milne, Louisa Jane and Russell.  Jane died 1854 and Samuel married again to a widow Mary Hodges (formerly Mary Oldham). There is reference to a Coat of Arms on a watch presented to Samuel - a talbot passant! (See reference in 'American Connection'). Samuel died in 1861 (Will). Mary survived until 1888 (Will).

Frederick died age 6 and John Samuel died age 20.

Eliza married Henry Fuller an architect in 1864 and they had one son and three daughters, Wilfred, Mabel, Jessie and Janet. She was a widow by 1881. Wilfred became a clergyman and married Ana Carlotta, who was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Wilfred was curate of St George`s, Newcastle Under Lyme, Staffs. They had 3 children: Mary Charlotte,  Gardner Henry and Hilda. In 1861, before she married, Eliza was acting as housekeeper to Robert Milne, widower of her aunt Catherine. Robert was an Independent Minister in Tintwistle, Cheshire.

Eliza Fuller (nee Bradley) with daughter Janet about 1875.

David never married and emigrated to America (via Canada) with his younger brother William in 1860, not long before their father Samuel died. It appears he might have qualified as a teacher. He died in 1899.

William Milne also emigrated to America (see American Connection). The second name of 'Milne' has proved intriguing as again referring to the notes I was given, it was stated that Milne was a colleague of Rev. Robert Morrison who was a well known missionary to China. It was discovered that the Robert Milne mentioned above was the son of the missionary William Milne (born Aberdeenshire 1785) who accompanied Robert Morrison on his travels and became an eminent translator of parts of the Old Testament into Chinese.  Robert had an older brother, William Charles, also a missionary to China. The puzzle that still remains is that William Milne Bradley was born in 1842 in Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester and his aunt Catherine did not marry Robert Milne until 1845.  Were the Bradley and Milne families acquainted earlier on perhaps.

Russell, on the death of his father Samuel in 1860, Russell was taken to Ireland by his step-mother Mary where he was educated.

  Rev. Russell Bradley (photo from Bill Miller).

From a biography written about Neville Figgis mentioning that a relative had become 'Canon Bradley of Limerick' set me off on another trail of investigation that confirmed this was Russell and he was actually a Church of Ireland Minister in Cashel, Newport and Waterford. Russell married Mary (Ellen) Burkitt (3rd dau. of Dr Robert James Burkitt of Waterford) October 20 1875. They had one son Samuel Robert and a daughter Mary Susan Ann. Russell died in Dublin 1937. (See the American Connection for more details on Samuel Robert.) Ellen died in 1917 in Rathgar and Russell died 1937.

Letter from Russell in Rathgan, Dublin to his son Samuel Robert in Woodruff Ave, Flatbush, Long Island, New York dated March 24th 1831.

'My Dear Sam, I recd your welcome letter of the 14th inst today and am glad to learn that you are all well and happy. I am sorry that business is so bad in New York but hope it will improve before long. As you want information about my father & mother I will give you some. My father Samuel Bradley was born in 1802 and died in 1861 when he was 59. He died of pleurisy 4 years after his 2nd marriage to Mrs Mary Hodges who brought me over to Ireland and educated me. He was a partner in an iron foundry, Eagle Foundry in Manchester. My mother, his first cousin Jane Bradley was born July 25th 1809 and died in Sept 1854 aged 45, of consumption. They both died at 40 (12) Nelson St. Manchester where I was born on June 2nd 1850. My fathers father Benjamine Bradley was agent to the Duke of Bridgewater. My mothers father Samuel Bradley was an Independent Minister. He was 84 when he died. My father and mother had 7 children in all, of whom only your Uncle Willey, now 88, and myself survive. With best love in which Mary joins me. Your ever affectionate father Russell Bradley.'

On the bottom of this letter is a PTO, and overleaf it states 'In a later letter Mr Bradley adds that his father Samuel was a partner with Edward Bellhouse in the Eagle Iron Foundry and mortgaged his house in order to buy in. Edward Bellhouse was a very extravagant and reckless man and nearly ruined the business. Samuel had a brother John, a successful man and manager of the Droitwich Worcs. Salt Works. He married and had sons, John, Samuel, Frederic and Charles.' It goes on to give a brief description of Droitwich and its parishes and then a short piece about Francis Egerton, Duke of Bridgewater.

John Henry.

Nothing more is known about Jane at present.

Mary Anne married Thomas Wilson Oldham from Dublin. They had eleven children Mary, Elizabeth, Jane, Frances Jane, Stanley, Christina, Jessie, Ellen Eliza, William Benjamin, Sarah Anne (who married her first cousin Samuel Bradley) and Marianne.

Helen Sarah appears on the 1841 census in Liverpool with her mother Mary Ann and father Benjamin and again on the 1851 census with her mother and with her brother.

Henry Anthony born in Birmingham and baptised in Manchester at Moseley St. Chapel. He was admitted to the Manchester School 1833. He became an Architect. He moved to Liverpool where he married Margaret Clay in St Mary`s Chapel, Bootle in 1854. He appears on census returns in 1851, 61 and 71 in Liverpool and the 1881 census in Claybrook Road, Fulham, London along with his family Charles (age 21), Benjamin (20), Annie (18), William (17) and Elizabeth (14). All these children born in Liverpool. No trace of any of them after this. Another son Henry Wentworth Bradley married Jessie Clay (cousin!) in 1885. They are living in Chorlton on Medlock, Lancs. in 1891 and Henry is an engineer.

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Benjamin was born to:

Benjamin was born to Thomas and Jane Granger. Jane`s parents were Benjamin Granger and Hannah Orme, the Orme surname appearing in the minute books of the Carrs Lane Chapel in Birmingham along with the Bradleys. Benjamin Bradley was the eldest child, his younger siblings being:

Anthony, John, Thomas, Catherine, Sarah, Samuel, Joseph and Harry. All these children were born and baptised at Atlow in Derbyshire. On Benjamin`s baptismal entry his parents Thomas and Jane are 'of Hallfield'. Thomas was a farmer.

Benjamin (bp1765-1848) and Eliza(beth) Baker were married by licence at St Martin`s Birmingham, after 1799.

According to the Carrs Lane Chapel minute book entry, Jane Bradley was admitted to Brookside Chapel, Derby 11 October 1787 moved from Derby 4 July 1805, to Birmingham, joining her eldest son Benjamin, in 1805.

Anthony (bp1767 - 1771)and John (1769-1771) both died within a few weeks of each other.

Thomas (bp1770- ?) It is possible this Thomas is the same listed on the 1841 and 1851 census in the Lunatic Asylum in Lichfield, the former census stating he is an 'independent and merchant'.

Catherine, (bp1772-? ) married William Nevill (who was bondsman for Benjamin and Eliza) 8 August 1797 at St Alkmund, Derby.

Sarah  (bp1774-?)

Samuel (bp1777-1860) married Helen Bellhouse. See Rev Samuel Bradley

Joseph (bp1778-1779) survived about six months.  

Harry (bp1780- ?)

I was only able to find out any more about Benjamin`s origins through posting a message on the Derbyshire message board asking if anyone knew anything about the Rev James Gawthorne.  This led to a response from Simon Martin, a professional researcher, who was wholly responsible for leading me to the Derbyshire records for Atlow and Bradbourne and consequently further information about Benjamin and his family.

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Thomas was born to

ANTHONY (1695-1760)

Thomas was the ninth child born to Anthony and Catherine Wittaker.  His siblings were:

Henry (bp 1728-1743 Bradbourne)

Sarah (bp1730-1739 Bradbourne)

Anthony (bp Atlow 1732-1743 Bradbourne)

John (bp Atlow 1733-?). He was a Linen Draper in Cornhill, London (mother Catherine`s Obligation 1761)

Anne (bp Atlow 1735-?)

Catharine (bp Atlow 1736-?)

Joseph (bp Atlow 1737-1740 Bradbourne)

Benjamin (bp Atlow 1738-?)

Thomas (bp Atlow 1741-?) married Jane Granger at St Michael, Derby on 13 July 1763 (Jane aged 22). Thomas was a farmer of Atlow in Bradbourne. A Katherine Bradley (possibly his mother?) was a witness at the wedding, also Rebecca Orme.

Joseph (bp Atlow 1741-1772or1774 Bradbourne)

Sarah (bp Atlow 1744 -?) married William Allport of St Chad, Lichfield, Land Surveyor at Atlow 19 March 1775, witnessed by Thomas Bradley.

The marriage settlement (copy held) for Katherine Whittacre was between 'Anthony Bradley of Hallfield in the parish of Bradbourne and County of Derby Gent of the first part and Andrew Whittacre of the parish of Sudbury in the same County Gent and Katherine Whittacre spinster Granddaughter of the said Andrew Whittacre of the second part and Thomas Challoner of Lees Hall in the said County of Derby Gent and William Greaves of Mayfield in the County of Stafford of the Third part' and involved the sum of £700 and land at Upper or Over Mayfield in the County of Stafford or commonly known as Nether Lomfield Gate, Lower field gate, the Strongford, the Hasle Rows and the Ottomy Pingle. These lands it appear were acquired for the sum of £990 by Anthony`s brother Henry of Woodhead, Kniveton Gentleman, son and heir of the late Henry Bradley of Bradborne Gentleman in May 1724 from 2 spinster daughters of the late Gilbert Mathon late of the City of Durham, namely Deborah and Eleanor and also their mother Anne, now the wife of George Bowes of Durham, who in turn had made indenture dated 20 March in the same year with Anthony Salvin Gentleman of Durham. In 1727 Henry sold the lands to Anthony for the sum of £1200.

On 28 October 1743 Anthony was declared bankrupt and an indenture drawn up between William Fitzherbert of Tissington Esq, Francis Higginbotham of Ashborne Gentleman and John Chatterton of Ashborne Gentleman of the one part and Thomas Challoner of Sudbury Wood Gentleman and Joseph Bradley of Bradborne Yeoman both Creditors of Anthony Bradley of Hallfield Cheesefactor and Timber Merchant of the other part.

Anthony died in 1760 and Letters of Administration were granted to his widow Catharine, Samuel Wylde (Mercer) and Thomas Cantrell (cutler). Anthony was described as a Cheesefactor. An inventory of the stock and household goods was taken 8th September 1760 by John Greensmith and Francis Wheeldon.  For example: 10 calves £12 10s, 3 Stirks £6 6s, 71 sheep £63 18s, 19 milking cows and a bull £110 and various other livestock. Also livestock at Leehall (presumable the residence) and this included 200 cheeses £24. It then goes on to list all household goods in the 'garret', 'closet', 'best parlor', 'little parlor', 'kitchen', 'bed chamber', 'little chamber', chamber over house', and 'the next room'

Then in 1761 on Catharine`s death, son John was granted Letters of Administration.

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Anthony was born to

HENRY (d. 1720)

Anthony was one of 9 children born to Henry and Sarah (?).

Henry (eldest son according to his father`s Will dated 1720) married Mary Brough (daughter of Mr Samuel Brough Rector of Carsington)and had 3 children Mary (bp.Atlow 1716), John (bp. Atlow 1718-1721 Bradbourne) and Sarah (bp 1719 Atlow-1722 Bradbourne).

Elizabeth (bp Bradbourne 1693 -?) married William Greaves and had 2 children Sara and William.

Anthony (bp 1695 Bradbourne - 1760 Bradbourne) married Catherine Wittaker

Martha (bp 1697) married Thomas Buxton 1719 at Bradbourne.

Sarah (not 21 in 1720, - 1724 Bradbourne)

Joseph (not 21 in 1720, - 1772 or 4 Bradbourne) Yeoman, married Thomasin Beresford of Cold Eaton 6 January 1723 at Alsop en le Dale. Thomasin died 1768 at Bradbourne. 4 children, Henry (bp 1725 Bradbourne - 1784 at Bradbourne, of Ashbourne), Mary (bp 1727 Bradbourne - 1802 Bradbourne, of Ashbourne), Anthony (bp 1729 Bradbourne - 1811), a sister ?

Anice (not 21 in 1720) bur. 1727 Bradbourne)

John (not 21 in 1720)

Benjamin (not 21 in 1720) - according to the Greaves Family History, was vicar at Mayfield 1733-34.

My 7xGt.Grandfather Henry Bradley of Bradbourne, Derbyshire in the18th Century.  Henry died in October 1720 and I have a copy of his Will dated July 1720 in which provision is made for his Mother who was obviously living at the time.  It appears he was a man of some property in the surrounding area and into Staffordshire, e.g. Mathfield (to Henry), Hognaston, Turlowfield and Hallfield (to Joseph).  Anthony appears to have been given £50 and John and Benjamin £200? The daughters were also looked after. I have copies of various indentures regarding the transfer of some of these lands.

Joseph, Sarah, Anice, John and Benjamin were all mentioned in their father Henry`s Will in 1720 as being under the age of 21.

In an indenture dated 1725 concerning land at Mathfield, Staffs Henry (jnr) is 'of Woodhead in the parish of Kniveton', and also including George and Ann Bowers, Anne Mathon and Deborah and Eleanor Mathon.

In an indenture concerning land at Mathfield, Staffs. dated October 1727, Henry Bradley (jnr) is 'of Woodhead, Kniveton', and Anthony is 'of Hallfield'.

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