Ancestor Sketch – William Cameron Bradley

Posted on April 11, 2019 by Don Taylor

Bradley-Hingston Project
Bradley Line
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.It is often difficult to keep track of individuals with the same name. In the case of William Cameron Bradley, there were two William C. Bradley’s that lived in Philadelphia at the same time and two other William Bradleys that were born the same year as the William Bradley of interest in this research.

One method I use to help keep individuals straight is to use the “Notes” section for a person to remind me of those different people. For example, for my William Cameron Bradley I added the following:

         Do not confuse with William Bradley (b. 1839), father of Harry Bradley of Venango, PA.

         Do Not confuse with William Bradley (b. 1839) who died 11 Apr 1899 in Philadelphia, PA.

As I was researching, the notes remind me of ways to keep focused on the person I am researching.

Bradley-Hingston-2019 – BH #8

List of Grandparents

  • Grandfather: Arthur Wilson Bradley (1887-1938)
  • 1st Great-grandfather: William Cameron Bradley (1839-1901)
  • 2nd Great-grandfather: Joshua Bradley (1809-1874)

William Cameron Bradley (1839-1901)

William Cameron Bradley was born on 26 July 1839, just a few days after the start of the First Anglo-Afghan War when British forces captured the fortress city of Ghazni, Afghanistan. He was the oldest of four known children of Joshua and Margaret (Cameron) Bradley.

During the 1840 Census, he appears to have been living with his parents in Spring Garden, Philadelphia, PA. His father was working in the manufacturing and trades industry.

During the 1850 Census, his father is identified as a “machinist.” Two of his siblings had been born. I note that there is a five-year gap between William and his brother John, so there may be an unknown missing child born in 1841 or 1842. In any event, the family of five was still living in Spring Garden, Philadelphia, PA.

Young adult

During the 1860 Census, he was still living with his parents, three siblings and a woman, Sallie Carr, whose relationship to the Bradley’s is unknown at this time.  Joshua is still working as a machinist. The value of his real estate is about $6,000, and his personal estate is $500. Young William is working as a clerk. His three younger siblings are attending school.

In 1863, when the 23-year-old registered for the Draft (Civil War), he was living at 1323 Mount Vernon Street, and address that would stay with him most of his life.

The 1870 Census finds the 30-year-old living with his two sisters, Margaret and Emma.  He is working as a telegraph operator.  His sister Margaret is “keeping house” and his sister Emma is “without occupation.”

Marriage

On 6 June 1872, William married Emma Smilley Earle.  The two of them had five children

William Apr 1873
David Cameron Mar 1875
Marian Nov 1877
Walter Cooper Apr 1879
Arthur Wilson May 1887

I note there was an eight-year gap between Walter and Arthur suggesting there may be one or two unknown pregnancies between 1880 and 1886.  However, the 1900 census indicates that Emma had five children and all five were living.

Adulthood

The 1880 Census indicates William and Emily are living with the four oldest children.  Living with them are two servants, 32-year-old Julia Grandly and 24-year-old Eliza Tagard, both from Ireland. William is a clerk and Emily is keeping house. This census also indicates they were living on Prospect Ave. I speculate this is the house at the corner of Evergreen and Prospect owned by William at the time of his death.

Sometime before 1898 the family moved to 1323 Mt. Vernon.  When Emily’s sister, Kate Earle Bixby died, the funeral services were held at the Mt. Vernon Street home.  Living there must have been frustrating.  In February 1898, people from the house across the street, 1322 Mt. Vernon, were arrested for running a house of ill-repute. William testified in court about the neighbors, but they were acquitted. Shortly after that, they moved to 608 North Seventeenth St.

The 1900 Census indicates that William and Emily were renting at 608 North 17th. William was a clerk in a chemical works and Emily was keeping house. Living with them are their five children (four are adults). Their sons include a mechanical engineer, a physician, and an art student. The fourth son, 13-year-old Arthur, is attending school. Marian is still single and living at home. With the family is a sister, Emma Bradley, and a sister-in-law Martha Earle. Finally, Mary McCrory, a servant of Scottish descent was living with them.

Death & Burial

William Cameron Bradley died on 6 August 1901 at his home at 608 North Seventeenth St. of “angina pectoris.” He was buried at Woodland Cemetery, Section H, Lot 251.

After his death, his estate was probated; his wife, Emily, was the executrix and the sole recipient of the sizable estate. It is interesting to note that he appeared to be renting the home at 608 North Seventeenth St. However, he still owned the property at 1324 Mt. Vernon and the property on the S.E. Corner of Evergreen and Prospect (400 Evergreen).

Events by Location

Philadelphia, PA – All events in William Cameron Bradley’s life took place in Philadelphia.

————–  Disclaimer  ————–

Sources

  • 1840 Census, NARA – Joshua Brady – Spring Garden, Ward 1, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. “United States Census, 1840,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHTB-R4B : 8 September 2017). Citing p. 280, NARA microfilm publication M704, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 487; FHL microfilm 20,555.
  • 1850 Census, NARA – Joshua Bradley – Spring Garden, Ward 4, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. “United States Census, 1850,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4CL-1R4 : 12 April 2016). Citing family 475, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration).
  • 1860 Census, NARA – Pennsylvania – Philadelphia, Philadelphia – Josh Bradey. “United States Census, 1860”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXR1-VL6 : 13 December 2017), Wm C Bradley in an entry for Josh Bradley, 1860. Enumerated on 5 July 1860.
  • 1870 Census, NARA – William Bradley – Philadelphia Ward 14 District 41, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Year: 1870; Census Place: Philadelphia Ward 14 District 41, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Roll: M593_1398; Page: 182B; Family History Library Film: 552897 – Source Information Ancestry.com.
  • 1880 Census, NARA – Wm C. Bradly – Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. “United States Census, 1880,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWJP-SFQ : 21 August 2017), Wm C Bradly, 1880; citing enumeration district ED 458, sheet 527D, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d), roll 1181; FHL microfilm 1,255,181.
  • 1900 Census – William Bradley – Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. “United States Census, 1900,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M37J-4CH : accessed 30 May 2018), William Bradley, Philadelphia city Ward 15, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 268, sheet 4.
  • 1901-08-25 – Register Admits Wills to Probate. The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) · 25 Aug 1901, Sun · Page 7 Downloaded on Mar 23, 2019 ., Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Newspapers.com).
  • Find a Grave Memorial, Find a Grave, William Cameron Bradley – Memorial 157643237- No Image. Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 22 March 2019), Citing Woodlands Cemetery, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA; Maintained by Crypt Tonight (contributor 48494116). https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/157643237.
  • Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1669-2013, Ancestry.com, Death – William C. Bradley 8 Aug 1901. Historical Society of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Historic Pennsylvania Church and Town Records.
  • Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950, Family Search, William C Bradley & Emilie S. Earle – 6 Jun 1872 – No Image. “Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q281-Q7PZ : 28 November 2018), Wm C Bradley and Emile S Earle, 06 Jun 1872; citing Marriage, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, various county courts and registers, Pennsylvania; FHL microfilm 1,765,398.
  • Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1966, Ancestry.com, Arthur Bradley – Died 5 Jan 1938.
  • Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Births, 1860-1906, Family Search, Marian Bradley – Birth 27 Nov 1877 – No Image. “Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Births, 1860-1906,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VBTN-N55 : 10 March 2018), Emily E. in an entry for Marian Bradley, 27 Nov 1877; citing Birth, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, City of Philadelphia, Department of Records, Pennsylvania.
  • Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803-1915, Family Search, Walter G. Bradley – Death – 13 Feb 1913 – No Image. “Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803-1915,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JDR3-T9L : 8 March 2018), William C. Bradley in an entry for Walter G. Bradley, 13 Feb 1913; citing cn 3986, Philadelphia City Archives and Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; FHL microfilm 1,421,367.
  • Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803-1915, Family Search, William C. Bradley – Death – 6 Aug 1901. “Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803-1915,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JKQB-2JV : 8 March 2018), William C. Bradley, 06 Aug 1901; citing 3573, Philadelphia City Archives and Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; FHL microfilm 1,853,175.
  • Pennsylvania, Septennial Census, 1779-1863, Philadelphia Philadelphia Ward 14 1863 – Bradey. Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Septennial Census, 1779-1863 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
  • Pennsylvania, Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993, Ancestry.com, William Cameron Bradley – 16 Aug 1901. Pennsylvania probate record; Probate Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
  • Philadelphia Times – 1896-05-06 – page 5 – column 2 – Died – Bixby (Bradley). Via NewspaperArchives.Com. Philadelphia Times, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
  • Philadelphia Times – 1898-02-11 – League Would Not Prosecute – Ref: William C. Bradley. See last paragraph.. NewspaperArchives.Com, Philadelphia Times, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
  • Philadelphia Times – 1901-08-25 – Page 9 – Register of Wills – admitted to probate the will of William C. Bradley. Philadelphia Times, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (NewspaperArchives.Com).
  • Civil War Draft Registrations Records, 1863-1865, Ancestry.com, William C Bradley – Age 23. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington, D.C.; Consolidated Lists of Civil War Draft Registration Records (Provost Marshal General’s Bureau; Consolidated Enrollment Lists, 1863-1865); Record Group: 110, Records of the Provost Marshal General’s Bureau (Civil War); Collection Name: Consolidated Enrollment Lists, 1863-1865 (Civil War Union Draft Records); NAI: 4213514; Archive Volume Number: 1 of 11.

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Two New Fourth Greats – McAllister and Bell

Posted on April 11, 2019 by Don Taylor

Darling-McAllister-Bell

It is always a good day when you receive an envelope with new information. A few weeks ago, I ordered a copy of a marriage register entry for my wife’s third-great-grandparents on her Darling-McAllister line. I had found them in the GRO (General Register Office) index, which indicated her third-greats were married in October, November, or December in 1845.  I was pretty sure that the registry entry would provide an exact date and might provide other bits of information. And sure enough, it did. Although many other records are available electronically, the marriage records from the 1840s are still “they’ll send you a copy via mail.”

Marriage Registry Entry – Joseph McAlister and Hannah Bell – Married 8 November 1845 in Cockermouth, Cumberland, England

After a number of weeks, the registry entry arrived, and I learned that Joseph McAllister and Hannah Bell were married on the “Eighth of November 1845.” There were married in the Register’s Office with William Scott and Arin Bell as witnesses. I’ll bet Arin Bell was probably related to Hannah. The registry entry shows Joseph was a “Mariner” (I knew he was a sailor before). But most interesting I learned that Joseph’s father was Peter McAlister, a miller, and Hannah’s father was Jonathan Bell, also a mariner.

The registry document provided the exact date for the marriage of her 3rd-great-grandparents and the names for two of my wife’s 4th-great grandparents, Peter McAllister and Johnathan Bell. Definitely a good day (And clues for further research.)

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William C Bradley in the Pennsylvania, Wills & Probate Records

Posted on April 8, 2019 by Don Taylor

Part 2 of 2 – Cover Page & Will Papers

Amanuensis Monday[i]
Project Bradley-Hingston
Transcription by Don Taylor

Intro/source

Probate Record for William C. Bradley – Probate Date 16 Aug 1901, Philadelphia, PA, Case number 1405 – 10 images. Original data: Pennsylvania County, District and Probate Courts.[ii]

Document Image

Cover Page

No. 1405 1901
Estate of William C Bradley

Application for Probate and Letters Testamentary
Filed: Aug 16 A.D. 1901
Jacob Singer, Register

Fees
Letters Testamentary  $15.50
Certificate, 2                         1.00
=====
Paid                 16.50

Will Papers – Pages 2-4

Page 1 of 3

I, William C. Bradley, of the City of Philadelphia, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Clerk being of sound mind, memory and understanding, do make my last will and testament in manner and form following:

I give, devise and bequeath unto my beloved wife, Emily Smillie Bradley, her heirs and assigns forever, all my property, real, personal and mixed, of what nature or kind soever, and wheresoever the same shall be at the time of my death.

And I do nominate, constitute and appoint my said wife sole executrix of this my last will and testament.

In witness whereof, I William C. Bradley the testator, have to this my will, written on one sheet of paper, set my hand and seal this nineteenth day of July, A.D., one thousand eight hundred and eighty seven.

Signed, sealed, published           }
and declared by the above         }       William C Bradley {SEAL}
named William E. Bradley         }
as and for his last will                }
and testament, in the presence  }
of us, who have hereunto sub-  }
scribed our names at his            }
request as witnesses thereto,     }
in the presence of the said        }
testator and of each other.        }

Charles M. C. Durlovow
Ed. J. Schofield
Jno. L. Davis

Page 2 of 3

Will of William C. Bradley

Philadelphia July 19, 1887

Page 3 of 3

City and County of Philadelphia, ss.

Personally came before me, Register of Wills, in and for the said city and county

William E. Bradley and Dr. D. Cameron Bradley who upon their solemn oath did say that at the request of the Executrix they did “well and truly, and without prejudice or partiality, value and appraise the Goods and Chattels, Rights and Credits,” which were of William C. Bradley deceased, “and in all respects perform their duties as appraisers to the best of their skill and judgement.”

Sworn and subscribed this 3th        }           William E. Bradley
Day of September 1901, before me.}           C Cameron Bradley, m.d.

Chat Irwin Deputy Register

Inventory and Appraisement of the Goods and Chattels, Rights and Credits, which were of William C. Bradley late of Philadelphia taken and made in conformity with the above deposition

Cash on deposit in Philadelphia Savings Fund of Philadelphia          $ 300=
Cash on deposit in Western Saving Fund of Philadelphia                     $ 360=
22 Shares stock American Bank Note Co. @ $56, per share                 1232=
                                                                                                                                     ——-                                                                                                                                                $1892=

Discussion

$1,892 in 1901 is the equivalent of $56,264.96 today.[iii]

Conclusion

We learned that William’s wife, Emily, and is two sons, William E., and Dr. Cameron Bradley were living.

Endnotes

[i] John Newmark started the “Amanuensis Monday” category in 2009 on his Blog,  Transylvanian Dutch  and many bloggers have followed suit using the tag. Google provides the following meaning for amanuensis: “A literary or artistic assistant, in particular one who takes dictation or copies manuscripts.”

[ii] Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.

[iii] CPI Inflation Calculator https://www.in2013dollars.com/us/inflation/1901?amount=1892

 

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Surname Saturday – Beardsley

Posted on April 6, 2019 by Don Taylor

Darling Line
By Don Taylor

Name Origin

According to Forebears, the surname “Beardsley” is a derivation of “Bardsley,” which was derived from being from a place, ‘of Bardsley.’ Bardsley is a parish between Ashton and Oldham, near Manchester. The American Bardsleys, and all the North English Bardsleys, and perhaps all the Beardsleys, hail from the Lancashire parish[i].

Ancestry suggests the name may be based upon an unidentified place, possibly in Nottinghamshire, where the surname is particularly common[ii].

Of course, I need to see things in order to understand the relationships of locations in England. Using Google Maps, I learned that Forebears puts the Beardsleys up near Manchester and Ancestry suggests a location 60 miles southeast of Manchester.  Oddly enouth, my Beardsley are from Ilkeston and Stratford-upon-Avon (50 and 90 miles from Manchester).

Locations of Beardsleys based on Forebears and Ancestry are in Gray and the locations of my wife’s Beardsley ancestors births. 

It seems odd to me that William and his son were born so far apart. It makes me wonder if my data regarding their birthplaces is incorrect.  Additionally, I’m relying mostly upon the research of others for those specific locations (sources I’ve found only say they were born in England). In any event, I haven’t had a chance to research these individuals in depth yet. However, the Interregnum may explain the relocation.

Geographical

Worldwide there are approximately 12,390 people who bear the Beardsley surname.

It is most prevalent in the United State where over three-quarters of the people with the Beardsley surname live. Little Montserrat (a small island in the Lesser Antilles has the highest density of Beardsleys with 1 in 1,220 people having the surname.

Earliest Beardsley Ancestors

My wife’s ninth-great-grandfather, William Beardsley was born about 1604 in Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England. I, of course, like to imagine that young William Beardsley was named for William Shakespheare, a contemporary of the town of Stratford on Avon. Likewise, little William was about 12-years-old when Shakespeare died, so I speculate that William had seen, or at least knew of Shakespeare. William moved to Ilkeston, Darbyshire, England sometime before 1630 where he married Marie Harvie.

There, he had a son, Joseph Beardsley, who was born in Ilkeston, Darbyshire, England in 1635.

It was sometime before 1665 that William, Marie, and Joseph located to the Colonies and settled in Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut.

Flag of the United Kingdom

Immigrant Ancestor

The Interregnum of England took place from 1649 to 1660. (The between the execution of Charles I and the arrival of Charles II and the start of the Restoration[iii]. It was the time of Oliver Cromwell. More research is needed to know if they arrived in the Colonies before during, or after the Interregnum. In any event, it was a time of great upheaval in England and that chaos might have been the cause for leaving England for the new world.

So, both William and Joseph were immigrant ancestors from England.

Joseph married Abigail Phebe Dayton in Connecticut in 1665. They had a daughter, Hannah Beardsley, who is my wife’s seventh-great-grandmother.

My wife’s direct Beardsley ancestors:

  • Grandfather: Robert Harry Darling (1905-1969)
  • Great-grandfather: Rufus Harry Darling (1857-1917)
  • 3nd Great-grandmother: Elizabeth Jane Swayze (1818-1896)
  • 3rd Great-grandfather: David Swayze (1796-1850)
  • 4rd Great-grandfather: David Swayze (1762-1838)
  • 5th Great-grandfather: Amos Swayze (1739-1813)
  • 6th Great-grandfather: Mathias Swayze (1699-1728)
  • 7th Great-Grandmother: Hannah Beardsley (1671-1742)
  • 8th Great-Grandfather: Joseph Beardsley (1634-1712)
  • 9th Great-Grandfather: William Beardsley (1602-1661)

Known relatives.

Although I only have 11 Beardsley in my data, my records have identified 271 direct-line descendants of William Beardsley.

Sources:

Endnotes:

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Donna Darling Collection – Part 46

Posted on April 4, 2019 by Don Taylor

Treasure Chest Thursday
Vaudeville
By Don Taylor

For this week’s Treasure Chest Tuesday, I’m looking at “DSCN1419” from the Donna Darling Collection. There were five items on this page.

Loew’s … On the Stage – Donna Darling The Scintillating Beauty in “Her Jewel Review” and two other big acts.

The accompanying movie was Constance Talmadge in “Her Sister from Paris.” There were many Loew’s Theatre’s, so it isn’t clear which of the 147 Loew’s theatres this one was[i].

The second and third clippings provide the answer. One is a long, thin page header which indicates, “London Evening Advertiser, Friday, February 26, 1926.” The other is an article, “At the Theatres,” which describes what was playing at Loew’s Theatre. Together, with the advertisement clipping, they show Donna played at the Loew’s Theatre in London, Ontario, from February 25th through the 27th, 1926.

Donna Darling Revue is one of the best dancing and singing acts seen at Loew’s for some time. All the girls are beautiful, and they can dance. Miss Darling proves her versality by appearing in four different roles, singing and dancing in each. A splendid selection of costume dances brings calls for many encores and on the whole the girls prove a huge success.

Further searching on Cinema Treasures, indicated there was a Loew’s Theater, which was built in 1924, existed in London Ontario.  I know that Donna played at the Capitol Theatre in Toronto, Ontario, from February 8th through the 13th, and at the Colonial Theatre in Detroit from February 28th through March 3rd, so her playing in London between them makes sense.

Sammy Clark, c. Feb 1926.

The fourth image was one of her dog. The photo was severely damaged over time and not worth trying to clean it up.

The final image was one of her husband, Sammy. It is a lovely photo that adds to my collection of Sammy photos. Long coat, hat, gloves, he looks so gangster from the 1920s. He clearly dressed in the style of the mid-1920s.

Conclusion

February 25-27, 1926 – Loew’s Theatre, London, Ontario – Donna Darling in “Her Jewel Revue” added to Donna’s list of performances.

Actions

  • Research Loew’s Theatre in London, Ontario and write about her show there and the theatre.

Sources

[i] Internet: Cinema Treasures – Search for Loew theatres. https://cinematreasures.org/theaters?q=Loew&status=all

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