Bradford finding aid...Bradford Family Papers Collection 1676 1 The Historical Society of Pennsylvania Bradford Family Papers, 1620-1906 (bulk 1770-1800) 28 boxes, 24 vols., 9 lin

© 2006 The Historical Society of Pennsylvania. All rights reserved.

Collection 1676

Bradford Family

Papers

1620-1906 (bulk 1770-1800) 28 boxes, 24 vols., 9 lin. feet

Contact: The Historical Society of Pennsylvania 1300 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 Phone: (215) 732-6200 FAX: (215) 732-2680 http://www.hsp.org

Processed by: Meghan Vacca Processing Completed: May 2006

Sponsor: Processing made possible by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Restrictions: None. Related Collections at

HSP: John William Wallace Collection (Collection 686)

Bradford Family Papers Collection 1676

1 The Historical Society of Pennsylvania

Bradford Family Papers, 1620-1906 (bulk 1770-1800)

28 boxes, 24 vols., 9 lin. feet

Collection 1676

Abstract The Bradford family has deep roots in Philadelphia dating back to 1682 when William Bradford (1663-1752) came to Pennsylvania from England and established the first printing shop in Pennsylvania. The Bradford family carried on the printing business for several generations while pursuing other interests in business, education and public service. Bradford’s grandson, William (1721-1791), is arguably the most notable figure in the Bradford family history for his accomplishments in printing, the military and other ventures. The Bradford family papers span 1620-1906 with the bulk of material created during the American Revolution. Many family members have contributed correspondence, notes and documents to the collection. The three most prominent contributions come from William Bradford (1721-1791), Thomas Bradford (1745-1838) and Thomas Bradford (1781-1857). The collection contains of military documents including certificates, accounts and correspondence. These documents most frequently pertain to prisoners of war during the American Revolution in both the army and navy. Correspondence, account books and subscription lists from the Bradford printing and publishing business are also found among the family papers as are personal correspondence.

Background note The Bradford family has deep roots in Philadelphia dating back to 1682 when William Bradford (1663-1752) came to Pennsylvania from England and established the first printing shop in Pennsylvania. The Bradford family carried on the printing business for several generations while pursuing other interests in business, education and public service. Bradford’s grandson, William (1721-1791), is arguably the most notable figure in the Bradford family history for his accomplishments in printing, the military, and other ventures. William (1721-1791) learned the family business through an apprenticeship with his uncle, Andrew Bradford, in the 1730s. He later set up a shop of his own in Philadelphia and began publishing the Pennsylvania Journal and Weekly Advertiser in 1742. The publication contained foreign and domestic news dedicated to the patriot cause sweeping through the colonies. It also published excerpts from letters of the city’s residents. In conjunction with the journal, William published books and was named “Printer to the



King & Most Excellent Majesty, for the Province of New Jersey” in 1744. In 1757 he created the philosophical journal, American Magazine and Monthly Chronicle, for the British Colonies. William was known as a devoted patriot and supporter of liberty through his publications and actions. His military career began in 1747 when he was appointed Lieutenant in the Philadelphia Associators’ Indian War, a precursor to the French and Indian war of 1756-1763. When this later conflict broke William was promoted to Captain. He fought in the American Revolution in July 1776 as Major of the Second Battalion Pennsylvania Militia and later made a Colonel of his regiment. William became Chairman of the Navy Board in February 1777 followed by an appointment in May 1779 as President of the Board of Inquiry, respecting Militia Officers. William’s interests did not end with printing and the military. He established the London Coffee House in 1754 as a forum for citizens to discuss questions and conduct business. The Coffee House became the foundation for the Philadelphia Stock Exchange in later years. The original Coffee House was located around the corner from his printing and book shops. William partnered with John Kidd in 1762 to form “The Philadelphia Insurance Co.” a marine insurance company. In 1742 William married Rachel Budd. They had five children; Thomas (1745-1838), William (1755-1795), Schuyler, Tace (1747-1828) and Rachel (1764-1805). Upon the close of his life William is reported as telling his children “though I bequeath you no estate, I leave you in the enjoyment of liberty” (Purple, 6). Thomas followed in his father’s footsteps as a printer and patriot. Thomas Bradford (1745-1838) attended the College of Philadelphia until his father, William, removed him from the school at the age of seventeen. Thomas immediately went into business with is father in 1762 and later took over the printing and publishing shop as well as the family’s bookstore. Publication of the Pennsylvania Journal and Weekly Advertiser was continued until 1801 when it became the True American. William’s devotion to America and the pursuit of liberty was ingrained in Thomas as he too had a successful military career. At the outbreak of the Revolution Thomas was appointed Captain of Militia Company in Philadelphia. He later became Deputy Commissary General of Prisoners in the American Army with a rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Thomas was active in the Brandywine, Trenton, Princeton, Germantown and Valley Forge battles. In 1768 he married Mary Fisher and had six children; Samuel Fisher (1776-1837), William, Thomas (1781-1851), Elizabeth, Marry and Susan. Samuel and William continued the family printing occupation.

Thomas Bradford (1781-1851) left the University of Pennsylvania at the age of fifteen to apprentice in his father’s printing shop. With his father’s consent he began studying law at the office of William Todd, Esq. In 1802 Thomas was admitted to the bar. Three years later he married Elizabeth Loockerman and they had several children. One of their



sons, Vincent (1808-1884), also became a lawyer and joined his father’s firm. Thomas was known as a philanthropist with interests in literature, science and religion. He received an honorary LL.D from Jefferson College in 1849.

Scope & content The Bradford Family Papers span a 286-year period that includes the formation and development of the United States of America. Items pertaining to the seventeenth century, late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries mainly refer to specific family history and events. The bulk of the collection was created from 1770-1800. While some of these items also concern the Bradford family history a majority of the documents relate to social, political and historical events and circumstances in American history; specifically the American Revolution. A majority of the material in this collection is attributed to William Bradford (1721-1791) and his son Thomas Bradford (1745-1838). Other family members that are represented less significantly include Cornelius Bradford, James H. Bradford (1802-1859), Rachel Budd Bradford (ca. 1720-1780), Rachel Bradford (1764-1805), Samuel Bradford (1776-1837), Tace Bradford (1747-1828), Thomas Bradford (1781-1851), Vincent L. Bradford (1808-1884), William Bradford (1663-1752), and William Bradford (1755-1795). As the Bradfords were well known early printers and publishers in Philadelphia, many documents relate to their printing business and customers. Pennsylvania Journal and Weekly Advertiser (later True American) subscriber lists, account books, correspondence and invoices pertaining to their business are included in the collection. The family also left a significant group of papers recounting military duties and responsibilities. Among these papers are army and navy prisoner of war documents. The remainder of the collection consists of correspondence, business ventures and family history notes. The collection is arranged in three series: Bradford family, William Bradford and Thomas Bradford. The first series contains documents regarding family history, business, events and correspondence between family and friends from 1620 to 1906. Researchers might be interested in the detailed correspondence of the Bradfords' lives and business dealings. Among the more miscellaneous items are a pencil drawing of William Meaver, the Bradford family seal, family and world history notes and poems, etc. The second series contains items relating to William Bradford (1721-1791). While the series ranges from 1682 to 1878, most of the items were created in the second half of the eighteenth century. Particularly early or late documents most likely belonged to other family members with the same name. The materials occupy two manuscript boxes with an additional twenty-three volumes. This series provides the most significant information regarding the Bradford printing business. Account books, subscriber lists, bibliographies and letters are among the contents as are volumes regarding maritime insurance. The largest series - occupying eighteen boxes and one volume - is the Thomas Bradford series. Thomas Bradford (1745-1838) worked in his father’s printing shop and also



served in the American Revolution. A strength of the collection is the wealth of military history revealed in the correspondence, paroles and bonds, returns of provisions and lists of names and certificates. There is a limited amount of material relating to his printing business. The series is subdivided into naval prisoners, army prisoners, and library records. The materials span 1776 to 1881 (items were added after his death).

Overview of arrangement

Series I Bradford family, 1620-1906 7 boxes a. Correspondence, 1747-1849 3 boxes b. Financial affairs, 1767-1821 1 box c. Genealogy, 1620-1859 3 folders d. Miscellaneous, 1675-1906 2 boxes e. Military, 1727-1853 1 box f. Prisons, 1799-1847 5 folders Series II William Bradford, 1682-1878 2 boxes, 23 vols. Series III Thomas Bradford, 1776-1881 18 boxes, 1 vol. a. Naval prisoners, 1777-1783 11 boxes b. Army prisoners, 1776-1881 6 boxes c. Library records, 1766-1806 1 box, 1 vol.

Series description Series 1. Bradford family, 1620-1906 (Boxes 1-7)

a. Correspondence, 1747-1849. This is the largest subseries, with letters documenting the Bradford family’s activities over 100 years. While many family members are represented in the correspondence William Bradford (1721-1791), his son Thomas Bradford (1745-1838) and his son Thomas Bradford (1781-1851) make up a majority of the items. The three boxes of correspondence files are arranged chronologically. Letters from William to Thomas in the 1760s reveal Thomas was ready to leave college as he was finding it difficult. William urged him to stay at college and work harder at his studies. He remarked that he would do everything possible to help his son but would not allow him to come home. He felt particularly strongly that Thomas should improve his Greek because it is a useful language in the printing business. However, in 1761 William pulled Thomas out of college. It is not clear why but Thomas went straight to work in his father’s printing house and continued to receive correspondence from former classmates. Correspondence regarding business matters reveals information about the Bradford printing business as well. Lists of subscribers, orders for books and journals as well as the publishing of books, journals, almanacs and newspapers are discussed. Later correspondence reveals the public service side of the Bradford family. Letters to Thomas Bradford, Deputy Commissary of Prisoners, illustrate his military



responsibilities. There are also letters regarding his son Thomas’s law career and devotion to prison discipline and religion. Thomas Bradford (1781-1851) received a Supreme Court nomination that did not result in an appointment. It is alluded to in the correspondence Thomas’s alliance with President John Tyler was the main blemish in the lawyer’s career. President Tyler was affiliated with the Whig political party, but many perceived that he did not act in the best interests of the party. The Whigs were determined he not be re-elected and they did not want anyone who aligned themselves with him in a position of power. Other family members represented in this series are Tace Bradford and Joshua M. Wallace, John H. Mercier, Cornelius and Catherine Bradford, Rachel Bradford, Schuyler Bradford, Samuel Bradford, Thomas Leaming and Vincent L. Bradford. A letter from William Bradford in 1854 in which he donates the original Declaration of Independence to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania is also included amongst the correspondence. The letter reveals how his grandfather, Thomas Bradford, collected signatures for the declaration and that it hung in his great-grandfather’s office at the London Coffee house. b. Financial affairs, 1767-1821. This second subseries occupies one manuscript box containing account records for the Bradford printing and publishing business, receipt books, invoices, county tax records, and a sales book belonging to Cornelius Bradford. The miscellaneous accounts folders contain business records of various family members including William Bradford, Cornelius Bradford, James Bradford, and Thomas Bradford. Several accounts were with Isaac Cox regarding insurance. The folders are arranged alphabetically with the documents arranged chronologically. c. Genealogy, 1620-1859. The Genealogy subseries is extremely small, three folders. The items necessitate this subseries because of previous arrangement and cataloging as well as the nature of the documents. Genealogists interested in the Bradford family will find these documents useful as they contain rich information about the family’s lineage from 1620-1859. Also found in the series is a bound handwritten genealogy of the Budd family depicted with several family trees. Rachel Budd (1720-1780) married William Bradford (1721-1791) in 1742. d. Miscellaneous, 1675-1906. This subseries contains an eclectic mix of materials gathered over a 231-year period. The items have been created by, collected by, or pertain to members of the Bradford family but unfortunately it is difficult to tell which Bradford the item(s) relate to, as many documents are unsigned. By browsing through the folders a researcher might find a poem written to Joseph Miller Esq., letters from Samuel Bradford proposing a printing partnership between himself and William and Thomas for the benefit of their subscribers, lists of subscribers and change of address notes as well as a pencil drawing of William Mavor LLD.



Claims to the Bradford estate in England and an account of the Earl of Bradford (1675-1716), also in the subseries, provide additional information on the Bradford family. A wax seal with the Bradford coat of arms is preserved with a description of the coat of arms containing a stag’s head above three stag’s heads in the center of the shield. “Nec temere ne timide” (Neither rashly nor timidly) is imprinted across the bottom. A series of notes and hypothesis regarding the history of China, America, Africa and the East indicate a member of the family was also a historian. Unfortunately it is difficult to tell which Bradford created these notes as they are not signed. Family history notes and a journal of Dr. James H. Bradford containing recipes and antidotes to common aliments also reside in this subseries. An interesting and random collection of newspaper clippings are also filed in this subseries. The items span 1791 to 1882 and discuss events, politics, religion, and legal matters. The following is a list of newspapers and journals included: Pennsylvania Journal, and the Weekly Advertiser, No. 97 & 224 Senate File, The Whig, the Public Ledger, Daily News, The Pennsylvanian, Daily Evening Bulletin, Sunday Dispatch, The Presbyterian, The Press, The Churchman and the Philadelphia Inquirer. e. Military, 1727-1853. The Bradford Family military series contains Commissary of Prisoners financial accounts, materials regarding naval prisoners, military appointments, correspondence, and certificates. The materials span over 100 years. Please note that this subseries covers a broad range of the Bradford family's military activities. The bulk of the information on Thomas Bradford's military career can be found in Series IIIa and IIIb.

f. Prisons, 1799-1847. Although the subseries comprised of just four folders, the items contain rich information pertaining to prisoners and prisons in the Philadelphia area. Prison financial accounts and drafts of reports to the Senate and House of Representatives can be found in this section. Correspondence regarding prison matters and bills before the Senate and House of Representatives are also included. Among items in the miscellaneous folder are resolutions and supplements to the Senate File discussing penal codes, enlarging the State Penitentiary and erecting a new prison. Most of these documents related to Thomas Bradford's (1781-1851) work with the prisons, and are distinct from his father's work as Deputy Commissary of Prisoners (see Series IIIa and IIIb).

Series 2. William Bradford, 1682-1878 (Boxes 8-10) This series includes the papers of the third William Bradford (1721-1791). Bibliographies by his grandfather, William Bradford (1663-1752) and uncle Andrew Bradford (1686-1742) are included among these records. Also grouped in this series are volumes belonging to his son, William Bradford (1755-1795.) The fourth



William Bradford was a Deputy Muster General, therefore, it is probable volume 13 Muster Rolls belonged to him. He was also admitted to the bar and became a Justice of the Supreme Court in 1791. Account Book – Hon. Wm. Bradford volumes 2 and 3 likely belonged to him as well. The scope of the series varies with account books of business dealings, lists of subscribers to the Pennsylvania Journal and American Magazine, muster rolls, and ledgers documenting ventures into insurance. The third William Bradford did have a military career and it is likely volume 1 (Account Book of Col. Wm. Bradford of Phila.) belonged to him. He also partnered with John Kidd to form The Philadelphia Insurance Company in 1762. Even though the number of materials in this series is limited they show the extent of William Bradford’s career spanning the family printing business, insurance, and the military. Many of the volumes in this series were donated by John William Wallace, former President of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and descendent of Col. William Bradford. He also arranged documents spanning 1682-1878 into two volumes, now labeled volumes 21 and 22, (Papers Relating to, or Formerly the Property of Colonel William Bradford of Philadelphia). Each volume begins with a table of contents. There is also a separate bound index, volume 23, which accompanies the volumes. Items included in the volumes range from pictures, correspondence, deeds, certificates and newspaper excerpts. Items are not in chronological order but are in subject order defined by section. The first volume has the following three sections: ancestral papers, autograph letters of Col. Bradford his family, domestic and personal papers; publishing and sale of books, bills and accounts, stationary and newspapers; subscriptions to the Pennsylvania Journal. The second volume is comprised of the following eight sections: advertisements and communications concerning the Pennsylvania Journal; letters from agents and posts concerning the journal; correspondence to Col. Bradford concerning the journal; the London Coffee House; American Magazine; Philadelphia Insurance Co.; Stamp Act; Revolutionary Epoch. Among the sundry items found in the first volume is Harper’s New Monthly Magazine No. 318 from 1876. The article “Tombs in Old Trinity” includes images of William Bradford’s tombstone. “A treaty between the government of New Jersey and the Indians inhabiting the several tracts of said province held at Crosswicks, in the County of Burlington” documents talks between the Cranberry, Pompton, Crosswick and Southern Jersey Indians and the English. An account list between William Bradford and Benjamin Franklin as well as a certificate signed by President George Washington appointing Elias Boudinot director of the U.S. mint can be found in the volume. The second volume contains the lease to the London Coffee House and the October 31, 1765, Pennsylvania Journal declaring the suspension of the journal due to the Stamp Act. The Stamp Act was to take effect November 1, 1765. Several pieces of poetry are included but not attributed to an author.

Series 3. Thomas Bradford, 1685-1881 (Boxes 11-21)



a. Naval prisoners, 1777-1783. This is the largest subseries in the collection, spanning ten boxes. The contents, however, document a five-year period during the American Revolution. Correspondence, paroles and bonds regarding naval personnel and maritime matters make up the subseries. Thomas Bradford, as Deputy Commissary General, retained records of prisoners of war during the Revolution. Many of the prisoners were British but there are a considerable number of documents discussing the paroles and bonds of French and Hessian prisoners. A few documents discuss exchange of British POWs with American POWs. Among the correspondence are letters from family members seeking help freeing loved ones held as POWs. Other correspondence discusses paroles and exchanges of prisoners. Certificates can be found in this subseries which document these exchanges. When enemy troops were capture each person was made to sign a document or write a letter acknowledging themselves as a POW. Many of these letters can be found in the paroles section of the subseries. The correspondence, paroles and bonds were bound together at some point. They have been disbound with the volume and page number recorded. The items maintain this page number order which generally adheres to chronological order. b. Army prisoners, 1776-1881. The Army prisoners subseries is six boxes of correspondence, returns of provisions and lists of army as well as navy prisoners. The bulk of materials span 1778 to 1782, during Thomas Bradford’s position as Deputy Commissary General during the American Revolution. The correspondence contains intriguing accounts of wartime activities and opinions with many letters rich in detail. Warrants from Abraham Skinner appointing Thomas Bradford as Deputy Commissary General are included along with instructions for Bradford from the Commissary General of Prisoners, Elias Boudinot. As Deputy Commissary General, Bradford received letters from prisoners requesting parole. He also received letters from officers such as James Johnson placing a passionate request for removal from his post in 1778. A letter from March 1781 by David Sprout cites cruelties to which POWs in a Philadelphia prison were subjected. Among the list of complaints were prisoners required to stand in front of open windows during the extreme cold of winter. There are several letters requesting clothing and supplies as well as employment options for prisoners. One document suggests establishing a shoe making workshop for prisoners skilled in this craft. An account of an 11 or 12 year-old boy captured as a POW with the 10th Regiment British Foot in July 1781 is particularly captivating. The individual writing to Bradford took responsibility for the child’s care because “he is just a boy after all.”



While correspondence comprises most of the collection, Provision Returns were kept in a chart format an show the number and status of prisoners for each regiment or corps held captive. Some include information on sick or hospitalized prisoners An interesting item found in box 21 folder 2 is a 21-page narrative compiled in 1881 by various family members. The account reveals a legal case where Thomas and William Bradford were brought up on charges after they published letters between John Hughes and Benjamin Franklin. The charges were later dismissed, however, when Hughes failed to show up at the hearing. The document also gives a military account of Thomas Bradford. Correspondence, returns of provisions, and lists, navy & army items were each in bound volumes. They have been disbound and housed in folders preserving the volume and page number order they were originally arranged in. Generally this order is also chronological with dates of the folders’ contents recorded on the front. Oversized items have been removed to flat file storage with their original location noted in the folder. The navy prisoners’ lists have been included in this series because they were grouped with the army prisoners lists by previous custodians of the collection.

c. Library records, 1766-1806. This is a small group of diaries and books owned or collected by Thomas Bradford (1745-1838) spanning forty years. Included in this series is a library register from 1771-1772 that lists the name, date borrowed, date returned and borrower of each book as well as any fees incurred by the borrower. Also found in this series is a 1781 diary describing imprisonment by the British, and Poor Will’s Pocket Almanac from 1806. A memorandum book with notes relating to expenses and “News” book with lists of names round out the series.



Separation report None.

Related materials John William Wallace Collection (Collection 686), The Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Jasper Yeates Papers, Rutgers University Library, New Brunswick, N.J. Thomas Bradford Papers, Duke University.

Bibliography The Bradford Family. “The Warren S. and Josephine I. Ely Memorial Collection,” The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania. The Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Purple, Samuel S. Bradford Family. Genealogical Memorials of William Bradford, The Printer. New York, Privately Printed, 1873.

Subjects Book industries and trade – Pennsylvania – Philadelphia Military history--United States. Naval history--United States. Pennsylvania Journal and Weekly Advertiser (Philadelphia: Pa). Printing industry – Pennsylvania – Philadelphia. Printing – Periodicals. Prison administration – Pennsylvania – Philadelphia. Prison discipline – Pennsylvania – Philadelphia. Prisoners' writings. Prisons--Law and legislation--Pennsylvania. Prisons--Officials and employees. Publishers and publishing—Pennsylvania—Philadelphia. True American (Philadelphia: Pa.) United States. Army--History--Revolution, 1775-1783. United States. Navy--History--Revolution, 1775-1783. United States--History--French and Indian War, 1755-1763. United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783. United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--German mercenaries. United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Prisoners and prisons.

Biddle, Nicholas, 1786-1844. Boudinot, Elias, 1740-1821. Bradford, Andrew, 1686-1742. Bradford, Catherine.



Bradford, Cornelius. Bradford, James H., 1802-1859. Bradford, Rachel Budd, ca. 1720-1780. Bradford, Rachel, 1764-1805. Bradford, Samuel, 1776-1837. Bradford, Schuyler. Bradford, Tace, 1747-1828. Bradford, Thomas, 1745-1838. Bradford, Thomas, 1781-1851. Bradford, Vincent L., 1808-1884. Bradford, William, 1663-1752. Bradford, William, b.1688. Bradford, William, 1721-1791. Bradford, William, 1755-1795. Buchanan, James, 1791-1868. Hallam, Lewis, 1740-1808. Hazard, Ebenezer, 1744-1817. Hutchins, Thomas. Lathrop, John. Leaming, Thomas, Jr., 1748-1797. Matlack, Timothy. Peters, Richard, Jr., 1779-1848. Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829. Ramsey, David. Read, James. Rivington, James. Wallace, Joshua M. Wallace, Thomas.



Administrative Information

Restrictions The collection is open for research.

Acquisition information Four separately acquired collections make up the Bradford Family Papers, Collection 1676. These collections were merged at some point and provenance is unknown for a majority of the papers. Items marked as part of Collection 71 were a gift of the Bradford family and also contain materials purchased by HSP. Items marked “72,” a large majority being volumes, were a gift of John William Wallace in 1878 and some items were purchased by HSP.

Alternative format None

Preferred citation Cite as: [Indicate cited item or series here], Bradford Family Papers (Collection 1676), The Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

Processing note Series III, with the exception of subseries c. Library Records, was originally arranged in bound volumes. At some point the documents were disbound and the original volume and pages numbers were recorded on each document. They have been kept in page number order which, generally, mimics the chronological order of the documents. This is not always the case, however. Some documents are out of chronological order but do maintain page number order. In previous processing attempts the archivist(s) recorded on the outside front cover of the folder the dates of all the documents contained in the folder. Any large documents have been removed from their original locations and placed in oversized folders stored in flat files. The original location of the document is recorded in both the original folder and oversized folder.



Box and folder listing Series 1. Bradford family. a. Correspondence

Folder title Date Extent Box Folder

Correspondence 1747-1760 10 items 1 1









Correspondence 1780 11 items 1 10






























Correspondence n.d. 14 items 3 11

Correspondence n.d. 13 items 3 12

Series 1. Bradford Family. b. Financial affairs


Accounts-bills for publishing 1782-1789 6 items 4 1

Cornelius Bradford’s sales book 1761 1 item 4 2

Thomas Bradford’s receipt book 1781 1 item 4 3

County tax for 1763 township, wards collectors. Etc

1763 1 item 4 4

Invoice of sunderys 1777 1 item 4 5

Miscellaneous accounts (1 of 3) 1765-1821 14 items 4 6




Series 1. Bradford Family. c. Genealogy


Genealogy (1 of 2) c. 1620-1859 14 items 5 1

Genealogy (2 of 2) c. 1620-1859 11 items 5 2

Genealogy (on parchment) n.d. 1 FF

Budd family n.d. 1 item 5 3

Series 1. Bradford Family. d. Miscellaneous


Miscellaneous (1 of 4) 1675-1872, n.d

12 items 5 4


12 items 5 5


19 items 5 6


7 items 5 7

Miscellaneous 1715-1840 14 items 5 8


Miscellaneous (1 of 5) 1745-1906, n.d.

8 items 5 9


9 items 5 10


15 items 5 11




16 items 6 1


13 items 6 2

Descriptions of Lands Paint Township Venango County

n.d. 1 item 6 3

Legal 1702-1852 9 items 6 4

Legal (1 of 2) 1738-1842 10 items 6 5

Legal (2 of 2) 1738-1842 15 items 6 6

Legal (2 of 2) 1738-1842 3 items 28 1

List of members & expenses, Unid. Phila. Club

1772 1 item 6 7

List of names 1796, n.d. 3 items 6 8

List of names n.d. 16 items 6 9

List of names n.d. 1 item 28 1

Newspaper clippings 1791-1882 20 items 6 10

Newspaper clippings 1791-1882 8 items 28 2

Newspaper and journal notes 1743-1779 4 items 6 11

Series 1. Bradford Family. e. Military


Accounts-Commissary of Prisoners

1777-1785 28 items 7 1

Accounts-General 1776-1786 15 items 7 2

Accounts-Naval prisoners 1776-1781 7 items 7 3

Accounts-Naval prisoners 1776-1781 3 items 28 2

Certificates 1727-1783 14 items 7 4



Claims 1778-1840 12 items 7 6

General 1775-1781 6 items 7 7

Letters and certificates 1838-1840 9 items 7 8

Letters of military appointments 1838-1853 8 items 7 9

Navy Board 1777-1778 2 items 7 10

Navy Board 1777-1778 1 item 28 2

Series 1. Bradford Family. f. Prisons


Accounts 1807-1821 9 items 7 11

Thomas Bradford drafts of reports, letters, etc. (1 of 2)

c. 1820s-1830s

11 items 7 12

Thomas Bradford drafts of reports, letters, etc. (2 of 2)

c. 1820s-1830s

13 items 7 13



Letters 1820-1826 10 items 7 14


Series 2. William Bradford


Account Book of Col. Wm. Bradford of Phila.

1742-1760 Vol. 1

Account book 1760 1 item 8 1

Account Book – Hon. Wm. Bradford

1780-1791 Vol. 2

Account Book – Hon. Wm. Bradford

1780-1791 Vol. 3

Bibliography – Andrew Bradford etc.

1710-1737 Vol. 4

Bibliography – Wm. Bradford 1st 1685-1734 Vol. 5

Diary 1775 1 item 8 2

Invoice Book of W. & T. Bradford of Phila.

1767-1769 Vol. 6

John Kidd & William Bradford – Maritime Insurance Accounts

1762 Vol. 7

Journal of Underwriters Phila. Insurance Co - Kidd & Bradford – W. Bradford

1768-1774 Vol. 8

Ledger 1766-1767 1 item 8 3

Ledger for schooner Rachel 1766-1768 1 item 8 4

Letters etc. W.M. Bradford A.G.U.S

1773-1775 Vol. 9

Letters of William Bradford 1773-1775 Vol. 10

List of Subscribers to the American Magazine

1757 Vol. 11

Col. Wm. Bradford’s Memoranda 1757-1773 Vol. 12

Muster Rolls 1778 Vol. 13

Newspaper and Postage Accounts

1742-1775 Vol. 14

On Capital Punishment 1811 1 item 8 5

“Orations 4th July, 1793” 1793 Vol. 15

Pennsylvania Journal subscribers 1766-1772 1 item 8 6

Pennsylvania Journal subscribers 1767-1774 2 items 9 1

Pennsylvania Journal subscribers 1774 2 items 9 2

Hon. WM. Bradford’s Register May-June 1776

Vol. 16

The Rising Story of America 1784 1 item 9 3

Student lecture notes n.d. 1 item 9 4



Subscribers to the Pennsylvania Journal

1764 Vol. 17

Subscribers to the Penna. Journal 1764 Vol. 18


1775 Vol. 19


1778 Vol. 20

Papers Relating to, or Formerly the Property of Colonel William Bradford of Philadelphia

c.1682-1878 Vol. 21

Papers Relating to, or Formerly the Property of Colonel William Bradford of Philadelphia

c.1682-1878 Vol. 22

Table of Contents of Volumes I and II of Papers Relating to, or Formerly the Property of Colonel William Bradford of Philadelphia

Vol. 23

Series 3. Thomas Bradford. a. Naval prisoners


Correspondence, Vol. 1 pg. 0 1777-1780 1 item 10 1

Correspondence, Vol. 1 pg. 5 1777 1 item 10 2






Correspondence, Vol. 1 pg. 11 1778 2 items 10 8




































































Correspondence, Vol. 1 pg. 75 1778, 1779 3 items 11 27










Correspondence, Vol. 1 pg. 85 n.d. 1 item 11 37


Correspondence, Vol. 1 pg. 87 n.d. 2 items 11 39





























































Correspondence, Vol. 2 pg. 13 1778, 1780 3 items 13 10





















Correspondence, Vol. 2 pg. 32 1780 1item 13 29


































































































Paroles, Vol. 1 pg. 0 1778-1782 1 item 16 1

Paroles, Vol. 1 pg. 5 1778 1 item 16 2

Paroles, Vol. 1 pg. 6 1778 3 items 16 3











































Paroles, Vol. 1 pg. 47 1779, 1780 2 items 16 44



























































































Paroles, Vol. 1 pg. 135 1780, 1781 3 items 18 34



















































Paroles & Bonds, Vol. 2 pg. 0 1777-1782 1 item 20 1

Paroles & Bonds, Vol. 2 pg. 5-15 1778-1780 11 items 20 2

Paroles & Bonds, Vol. 2 pg. 5-15 1778-1780 2 items 28 3

Paroles & Bonds, Vol. 2 pg. 16-26

1778-1781 12 items 20 3


1778-1781 3 items 28 3


1778-1782 9 items 20 4


1777-1779 12 items 20 5


1779-1780 21 items 20 6


1780-1781 12 items 20 7


1779 14 items 20 8


1779-1781 11 items 20 9

Series 3. Thomas Bradford. b. Army prisoners



Correspondence, Vol. 1 pg. 1-15 1776-1778, 1881

15 items 21 2

Correspondence, Vol. 1 pg. 16-31

1778 17 items 21 3




1778 20 items 21 4


1778 20 items 21 5


1778 17 items 21 6


1778, n.d. 22 items 21 7


n.d. 22 items 21 8


n.d. 22 items 21 9


Correspondence, Vol. 2 pg. 1-15 1779 12 items 22 2


1779 21 items 22 3


1779 18 items 22 4


1779 17 items 22 5


1779 15 items 22 6


1779 23 items 22 7


1779 28 items 22 8


1779 22 items 22 9


1779 13 items 22 10




1780 19 items 23 3


1780 18 items 23 4


1780 17 items 23 5


1780 21 items 23 6


1780 17 items 23 7


1780 18 items 23 8


1780 18 items 23 9




1780 19 items 23 10


1780 13 items 23 11



1781 15 items 24 2


1781 2 items 28 3


1781 20 items 24 3


1781 18 items 24 4


1781 17 items 24 5


1781 1 item 28 3


1781 17 items 24 6


1781 1 item 28 3


1781-1782 21 items 24 7


1782 17 items 24 8


1782 18 items 24 9


1782 17 items 24 10


1782 7 items 24 11

Returns of provisions, Vol. 1 pg. 0

1778-1782 1 item 25 1

Returns of provisions, Vol. 1 pg. 1-15

1780 26 items 25 2


1780 1 item 28 4


1780 26 items 25 3


1780 4 items 28 4


1780-1781 18 items 25 4


1780-1781 4 items 28 4




1781 15 items 25 5


1781 1 item 28 4


1781 16 items 25 6


1781 17 items 25 7


1781-1782 21 items 26 1


1782 21 items 26 2


1782 7 items 26 3

Lists, navy & army prisoners, Vol. 1 pg. 0

1778-1782 1 item 26 4

Lists, navy & army prisoners, Vol. 1 pg. 1-15

1778 11 items 26 5


1778 4 items 28 4


1778-1779 13 items 26 6


1778-1779 9 items 28 5


1779-1780 15 items 26 7


1779-1780 6 items 28 5


1780 12 items 26 8


1780 11 items 28 6


1781 16 items 26 9


1781 3 items 28 6


1781 14 items 26 10


1781 8 items 28 6


1781-1782 17 items 26 11


1781-1782 2 items 28 6


1782 16 items 26 12




1782 1 item 28 6

Series 3. Thomas Bradford. c. Library records


Thos. Bradford library register 1771-1772 Vol. 24

Anonymous diary of imprisonment by British

1781 1 item 27 1

“Memorandum Book” c. 1766 1 item 27 2

“News Book” 1782 1 item 27 3

“Poor Will’s Pocket Almanac” 1806 1 item 27 4

Documents

Bradford finding aid...Bradford Family Papers Collection 1676 1 The Historical Society of Pennsylvania Bradford Family Papers, 1620-1906 (bulk 1770-1800) 28 boxes, 24 vols., 9 lin