BRADFORD, FISHER - Lower Delmarva Bradfords

9. Fisher 3 Bradford (William 2 Nathaniel 1 ) 

Page 1 of 26 Copyright 2008 Adam M. Bradford

Contents 

1. (9) Fisher 3 Bradford (Wm 2 Nath 1 ) 3 

2. (43) Anne 4 (Bradford) Bagge (Fisher 3 ) 18 

3. (44) Nathaniel 4 Bradford (Fisher 3 ) 20 

4. Citations 23 


9. Fisher 3 Bradford (William 2 Nathaniel 1 ) 

Fisher 3 Bradford (William 2 Nathaniel 1 ) was born possibly around 1706 1 in Accomack County, VA, the son of 

William 2 Bradford (Nathaniel 1 ) and Bridget Fisher. He was granted 400 acres in Matchapungo Neck by his father in 

a deed dated 7 February 1726 and witnessed by Morris Sheppheard and Jas. Smith. 2 This tract was in the 

northernmost part of William 2 ’s land, bordered on the west by the land of Edward Kellam. 3 In his will (dated 4 July 

1735), William 2 also granted Fisher “the plantation whereon I now live with Six hundred acres of Land” as well as 

“all my Lands that are not already given of all Sorts & kind.” 4 Fisher also received “four Negroes Namely Jack 

Appy Hannah & Levin” and was directed to either hand the slaves over to his sisters Bridget Addison and Anne 

Bonawell, brother John Bradford, and niece Comfort Armitrader, or to pay them each money in lieu of the slaves. 5 

* * * * * 

Marriage to Mary Mellichops 

Fisher Bradford married Mary Melichops, daughter of Nicholas Mellichops, before 26 November 1740, when “Mary 

the Wife of Fisher Bradford” filed a petition against John Lingo for assault. 6 Mary is mentioned in the will of her 

sister Naomi: 7 

MELICHOPS, NAOMI – 6 Jan. 1744/5 – 27 Aug 1745 – To sister Mary Bradford, wife of Fisher 

Bradford. To cousin Elizabeth Abbott, dau. of William Abbott. To sister Tabitha Abbott. To William 

Abbott. To bro. Nicholas Melichops. To cousin Elizabeth Melichops. Bro. Nicholas Melichops resid. 

legatee & Exr. Witt: William Beavans, Jr., Mary Mason, Temperance Abbott – p.219 

Naomi and Mary were the daughters of Nicholas Millichops: 8 

MILLICHOPS, NICHOLAS – 8 Aug 1742 – 30 Nov 1742 – To son Nicholas 108 A purchased of John 

Riggs adj my dwelling planta. To son Nicholas my dwelling planta & 218 A & water grist mill adj the 

same. To grandau Elizabeth Millichops, dau to John Millichops, dec. 164 A where Robert Jarvis formerly 

lived & 200 A on Mosongo Swamp. To Nicholas Abbott, son of William Abbott. To dau Naomi 

Millichops. Daus Tabitha, Naomi & Mary resid legatees. Son Nicholas Exr. Witt: John Tankred, Charles 

Ashby, Stephen Warrington. In order of prob: John Tankard app guardian to Elizabeth Millichops, heir at 

law to the testator 

Sidebar: Mellichops Family 

Mary (Mellichops) Bradford’s father Nicholas was the son of Nicholas Mellichops and Mary Barton, who 

came to Virginia in their youth as servants of Anne Toft. They were noted as headrights on the certificate 

granted Anne Toft on 30 October 1669, 9 and it is likely that they arrived in Virginia only a couple years 

before, since they are found as Toft’s servants when they first appear in the records of the Eastern Shore on 

16 August 1667. 10 On that date, they were presented by the grand jury of Accomack for fornication, or 

having a child out of wedlock. Both were taken into custody and ordered to receive 20 lashes on the bare 

back, but their whippings were remitted when Anne Toft agreed to pay their fines. 11 They were each 

ordered to serve Toft extra time, Mary an extra two years for the fornication and Nicholas an extra one and 

a half years for fathering the child. Nicholas was also ordered to serve an additional year for the 1000 lbs 

tobacco paid at his request to Robert Hill and his wife for nursing the child. Nicholas and Mary attempted 

to excuse the fornication by claiming they had been married in England. The court accepted that they were 

probably married beforehand, but let the fines stand since they had lied about their marital status in order to 

obtain better terms for their indenture. The abstract of the court order is worth quoting in full: 

“Nicholas Millichopp and Mary Barton, condemned for having a bastard child, pleaded that they 

were married in England but could not prove it. They confessed that they did not enter the country 

as man and wife, and did not declare themselves so until some months after living with Mrs. Anne 

Toft. They said they concealed their marriage at the advice of Mr. Baugh, who had brought them 

in and sold them for their times of service. The court considered this case and the testimony of Mr. 

Browne, who bought the servants from Mr. Baugh, and the testimony of Col. Edm. Scarburgh, 

who bought them from Browne for Mrs. Toft. Nicholas and Mary had presented themselves as 


single persons in no way related and came “by two different names, living as unconcerned in their 

mistress’s services until their fornication was discovered.” The precedent of accepting this 

marriage only on their say so would encourage “all whores and rogues” to make similar claims. It 

was fraud on the part of Mellichop and Mary Barton to conceal a marriage, for single servants 

were more costly to purchase. After pretending to be married they were admonished, were 

prevented from living together, and were told they would suffer the consequences of fornication if 

the act was proved. The grand jury having convicted them, and the concealing of their (supposed) 

marriage being a threat, the court ordered that “Nicholas Mellichopp and Mary Barton be from 

their own mouths condemned as fornicators and not to be accounted as man and wife.” Even if 

they were to bring proof of a marriage, they would be accounted as single because they had 

entered the country that way, had twice affirmed it, and had not claimed it until their fornication 

was discovered. They would not be allowed to live together until they had served Mrs. Ann Toft 

for their full terms plus time for fornication and debt. It was their own deceit that “occasioned this 

censure which ought only to bring damage to the cheats and deceivers themselves.” 

The two were officially married in the eyes of the Accomack Court by 10 May 1670, when “Mary 

Mellichop” gave a deposition in the case of Martin Moore’s violent assault of Colonel Edmund Scarburgh. 

(She deposed that she was “aged about 20 years”.) 12 On 16 June 1670, Mrs. Anne Toft brought a complaint 

against Nicholas Mellichops for pretending to be free and leaving her service; the order from 1667 

lengthening his term of service was confirmed and the constable was ordered to take him into custody and 

“carry him home to his mistress.” 13 Nicholas and Mary successfully petitioned for their freedom on 20 July 

1671; the court ordered Col. Scarburgh’s estate (the Colonel himself having died not long before) to pay 

them the corn and clothes customarily given to servants upon the expiration of their indenture. 14 Nicholas 

later became a freeholder in Accomack, purchasing 650 acres on 9 January 1674. 15 He died between 20 

December 1697 (the date of his will) and 4 January 1798, when Elias Taylor requested that new appraisers 

be appointed to inventory the estate of William Taylor since Nicholas Millechop Sr. had died. 16 

MILLECHOPPE, NICHOLAS, SR. 20 Dec 1697 – 7 June 1698 – 650 A in Pungoteague Neck on 

Assawoman Creek to 3 sons: eldest son Nicholas to have 218 A at the head of said Neck where 

my son in law William Lucas now lives; to second son John 216 A. To youngest son Richard 216 

A.at the bottom of said Neck where I now dwell. Wife Mary. To dau Mary Lucas 100 A in 

Messongo Swamp late bought of Capt. Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, the other 200 A in Messongo 

Swamp to be divided between my 3 sons. To the 3 children of my dau Mary Lucas, viz: Thomas, 

William & Comfort Lucas. Wife & 3 sons Exrs. Witt: Samuel Jester, John Abbot, William 

Dennison 17 

* * * * * 

Fisher 3 Bradford appeared in numerous Accomack records during his lifetime. Rather than group these records 

chronologically, I have decided to group them according to record type for the sake of clarity. 

Jury Service, Processioners Returns, Poll Lists 

Fisher Bradford served as a juryman in Accomack Court on the following dates: 7 March 1727, 18 2 May 1732, 1 

August 1732, 2 April 1734, 3 June 1735, 19 29 July 1740, 26 November 1740, 25 February 1741, 28 July 1741, 29 

July 1741, 20 31 July 1750, 21 29 Aug 1759, 28 May 1760, 27 August 1760, and 26 February 1761. 22 He was also 

named to at least three grand juries, on 26 May 1741, 29 May 1744, 23 and 26 May 1761. 24 

Fisher was listed on the processioners returns in 1736, 1739, 1747, 1755, and 1759. 25 

1736 Processioners Return 


Fisher Bradford was on the poll lists for election of a representative from Accomack to the Virginia House of 

Burgesses in 1740, 1742, 1746/48, 1748/50, 1756, 26 and 1758. 27 

1740 Poll 

* * * * * 

Road Issues 

On 7 July 1731, Fisher Bradford and his neighbor John Kellam petitioned to have a new road laid down through 

their land. 28 John Smith and John Snead were appointed to view the place where the new road was proposed and 

found it “sufficient all except about two hundred yards of Swamp which They are of opinion will in the Winter 

Season be very wett & miery.” The court ordered that Arthur Upshur (the Bradfords’ neighbor to the south) be 

allowed the use of his old road until the new road be made “as good & sufficient as the old Road”. 29 This may have 

been a revival of William 2 Bradford’s 1691 attempt to have the road leading from Upshur’s land through the neck 

altered because the old one was “very prejudicial and ruinous to his stock by reason it hindered his conveniency of 

fencing.” 30 At the time of William 2 ’s attempt, the old road was ordered to remain since the new one was “so mire in 

winter or wet weather that no horse or cart can possible pass without vast trouble and danger.” 31 Thirty-three years 

later, on 28 February 1764, Fisher Bradford presented another petition “setting forth that the road which Leads 

Down to Matchapungo is very Prejudicial to him & Praying Leave to Turn the Same.” Nathaniel Bell, Nathaniel 

Fosque and Rowland Savage were ordered to view the road and found “the road Petitioned for by Fisher Bradford . 

.. Ten Twelve Or Fifteen yards Longer than the Old road and in Our Opinion is a Sufficient well Cleared Road.” 

The court ordered that it be “Established as a County road and that [Fisher] have liberty to Stop the old Road.” 32 

Thus Fisher was at last able to have the road accepted by the court 73 years after his father’s first attempt. 

On 29 December 1747, Fisher Bradford petitioned that “the Road from Fisher Bradfords to the County Road by 

Mears’s Branch may be cleared by the Public & that an Overseer may be appointed over the same It being 

impassable for Carts.” Abel Upshur and Robert Coleburn were ordered to “Report the Conveniency of the said 

Road to the next Court.” On 26 January 1748, they reported that they had “viewed the Road from Fisher Bradford’s 

across the head of Matchapungo Creek to Meers’s Branch & find the necessity thereof that it ought to be cleared by 

the Public.” The overseer of the county road was then ordered to have responsibility for Fisher’s road. 33 

* * * * * 

Probate 

On 29 January 1740, Fisher Bradford and Bartholomew Twiford were securities for Fisher’s sister Bridget 3 

(Bradford) Pearce’s administration of the estate of John Pearce. 34 

Fisher Bradford was paid £1, 2s, 6d out of the estate account of his brother Nathaniel 3 Bradford on 27 May 1746. 35 

Fisher was an appraiser (the other appraisers were his brothers John 3 Bradford and William 3 Bradford) of the estate 

of William Bradford Gascoyne on 24 February 1747. 36 

Fisher was ordered to be an appraiser (with John 3 Bradford and Hugh Roberts) of the estate of his nephew Noah 4 

Bradford (Nath 3 Wm 2 Nath 1 ) on 30 November 1748. They returned the appraisal to court on 26 July 1749. 37 

Fisher Bradford was an appraiser of the estate of his sister Abigail 3 (Bradford) Trader in 1752. 38 


On 24 April 1759, Fisher Bradford, along with John Coleburn, William 3 Bradford and Richard Armitrader, were 

ordered to appraise the estate of Bartholomew Twiford, husband of Fisher’s sister Bridget 3 (Bradford) Addison 

Pearce Twiford. 39 

* * * * * 

Deeds 

Bartholomew Twiford to Fisher Bradford 

In a deed dated 25 July 1748, Bartholomew Twiford sold to “Fisher Bradford . . . Gent.” 85 acres at Watchapreague, 

“which said Land was heretofore by Indenture bearing Date the Fifth Day of December MDCCXXXVii [1736] 

conveyed by the said Fisher to the said Bartholomew.” 40 The deed was witnessed by William Cook, John Wise Junr, 

and Geo. Holden. I was unable to locate the earlier deed from Fisher to Twiford in Accomack land records. 

Whittington and Joanna Mary (Bradford) Addison to Fisher Bradford 

In a deed dated 27 February 1753, Whittington Addison and his wife Joanna Mary Addison sold Fisher 100 acres 

that had been deeded to them by Joanna Mary’s father (and Fisher’s brother) Bayly 3 Bradford in 1746. Witnesses to 

the deed were Edmund Scarburgh Junr, Major Rowles, Luke Luker and Willock Macky. 41 

Fisher Bradford to Daughter Anne Bradford 

In a deed dated 29 September 1756 and witnessed by Edward Ker and James Henry, Fisher Bradford, “for & in 

Consideration of the Naturall affection which he beareth to his sd. Daughter for her further Advancement in 

Marriage & for the Consideration of five shillings,” granted his daughter Anne Bradford 400 acres “on the sea bord 

side adjoyning to the Land formerly belonging to Edward but now to John Kellam.” 42 This was the same land 

Fisher’s father had granted him in 1726. The land given to Fisher by his father was not entailed, so he was legally 

able to dispose of it, unlike his elder brothers with respect to their lands. However, in the grant of the same land to 

his daughter Anne, Fisher himself placed the land under entail: “belonging to the said Anne Bradford & the Heirs of 

her Body lawfully begotten for ever in Fee Tail. . . & for want of such Heirs Remainder to Betty Bradford another of 

the Daughters of the said Fisher & the Heirs of her Body lawfully Begotten for ever and for want of such Heirs 

Remainder to Mary Bradford another of the Daughters of the said Fisher. . . and for want of such Heirs Remainder 

to the said Fisher Bradford.” Two years later, in a deed dated 2 March 1758 and witnessed by William Bagge, 

Jeremiah Booth, and Samuel [or Lemuel?] Bagge (Anne 4 ’s husband), Fisher confirmed his earlier grant: “for and in 

Consideration of . . . Samuel Bagg marrying the said Ann Daughter of the said Fisher and for and in Consideration 

of One Shill . .. . the said Fisher doth Demise grant and to farm let to the said Samuel Bagg and Ann his Wife and 

their Heirs and Assigns all the abovesaid Four hundred Acres.” 43 On 1 October 1760, Fisher’s daughter and son-inlaw, 

“Samuel Bagge and Ann his Wife” brought a chancery suit against Fisher. 44 The suit had to do with Fisher’s 

earlier deed of gift to them and was apparently filed in order to settle the boundary of the land. John Smith and 

Arthur Upshur were ordered to lay out the boundaries of the land and the two returned the confirmed boundaries to 

court on 29 July 1761. 45 The land was mentioned as bordering on John Kellam, John Bradford, Joseph Beach, and 

Levin Teackle. There was a further action brought by Samuel Bagge against Fisher: “In the Action upon the Case 

Brought by Samuel Bagge Plt against Fisher Bradford Deft . . . It is Adjudged that the rents resoned upon them Prior 

Leases in the Lands Leased by the Deft belong to the Plt And That the Plt hath Sustained Damages.” Fisher was 

ordered to pay 18 pounds six shillings and eight pence damages. 

Bayly Bradford to Fisher Bradford 

In Accomack Land Causes, a deed to Fisher from his brother Bayly is mentioned, though the deed is not found in 

Accomack land records: 46 

“. . . on the 1 Apr 1761 the said Bayly Bradford executed a deed to the said Fisher Bradford; that the lands 

in the declaration mentioned are a part of the lands mentioned and described in the last mentioned deed, 

and that the said Bayly Bradford at the time of the execution of the said last mentioned deed was not in 

possession of the lands in the declaration mentioned, nor had been possessed thereof at any time since the 

before mentioned conveyance to the said Whittington Addison and Joanna Maria, his wife; . . .” 

This 1761 deed to Fisher is referenced in Whitelaw’s account of the Bradford’s Neck land, in which he mentions 

“the 300 acres bought [by Fisher Bradford] from his brother Bayly by a General Court deed.” 47 


* * * * * 

Border Disputes 

On 31 July 1745, a lessee of Fisher Bradford filed an ejectment suit against John Shurdy or Shuly, who was a tenant 

of Fisher’s nephew William 4 Bradford (Nath 3 Wm 2 Nath 1 ). Shurdy was sued for erecting a fence on Fisher’s side of 

their common boundary. When the matter finally came to trial on 28 January 1746, it was made known that the land 

in dispute was that held by Bayly Bradford, whose 400-acre tract bordered that of William 4 Bradford on the north. 48 

Since no deeds from Bayly to Fisher are known of at this early date, it is unclear why the plaintiff would be a lessee 

of Fisher rather than Bayly, since the land was that originally given to Bayly in fee tail. According to Whitelaw, at a 

certain point a survey was made of the lands of Nathaniel 3 , Thomas 3 , and William 3 , in which an excess of 106 acres 

was found between Bayly 3 and Nathaniel 3 . 49 Fisher may have successfully claimed this land owing to the clause in 

William 2 ’s will which gave Fisher “all my Lands that are not already given of all Sorts & kind.” 50 

On 30 January 1754, there was an ejectment suit filed in Accomack court “of the Demesne of Fisher Bradford”, i.e., 

having to do with his land. In a later order on 26 February 1754 having to do with the suit the plaintiff is described 

as a lessee of Fisher Bradford, though the identity of the lessee is not given. The defendant in the case was Mary, 

wife of Samuel Benson. 51 

On 25 August 1754, Bayly 3 Bradford brought an action against Fisher Bradford. The case was postponed several 

times over the next two years until finally being dismissed on 30 June 1756. 52 It is unknown whether this was a suit 

over land, but that does seem to be the most plausible explanation given the issues that later arose among their heirs 

over Bayly’s land. 

Another land issue cropped up in 1763, when a lessee of Fisher Bradford filed another ejectment suit against 

Fisher’s nephew William 4 Bradford (Nathaniel 3 Wm 2 Nath 1 ). The matter was referred to the General Court and the 

issue of the matter is unknown. 53 

* * * * * 

Records Pertaining to Fisher’s Slaves 

On 29 May 1751, Jack & Appie “two Negro Men Slaves belonging to Fisher Bradford” were ordered to be taken 

into custody to answer a complaint against them “for directing the Negroes James Dollar & Greenock to take Mr. 

Upshur’s boat.” 54 These are undoubtedly the same Jack and Appy bequeathed to Fisher by his father in his will. 

On 28 November 1752, “Tamer a Negro Girl belonging to Fisher Bradford,” was judged by the court to be 12 years 

old. 55 

* * * * * 

Other Court Records 

On 5 July 1732, Henry Armitrader (husband of Fisher’s sister Abigail 3 Bradford) petitioned to have a public grist 

mill built on the branch dividing his land from that of Jacob Chance. Fisher Bradford and Robert Coleburn were 

ordered to “view the Land laying opposite to the place where the petitioner intends to build his Mill & if it take not 

away Houses Orchards or any other immediate Conveniences they are hereby impowered to lay out and value one 

acre” and to put it in Armitrader’s possession. 56 

On 6 July 1733, William Bagge (future father-in-law of Fisher’s daughter Anne) lodged a petition against Fisher 

Bradford that was dismissed at the agreement of both parties. 57 

On 2 June 1736, Fisher paid the fine of the woman Francis Window, who had been presented to the court for 

fornication with John 3 Bradford, probably John 3 Bradford (Wm 2 Nath 1 ). 58 On 7 December 1737, Fisher Bradford 

posted half the £50 bond for his brother (the other security was Bartholomew Twiford). John 3 was under bond to 

take care of the costs and charges associated with raising the child. 59 

On 26 November 1740, Fisher Bradford’s wife Mary filed a complaint against John Lingo, son of William, for 

assault. On 1 July 1741 a jury found John Lingo guilty and ordered him to pay 1 shilling to the county. 60 


On 29 June 1748, Fisher Bradford brought an action of trespass against his brother-in-law Jeodiah Bell (husband of 

Sarah 3 ). On 1 February 1749 a jury agreed “that the said Fisher hath sustained Damages by Occasion of the said 

Jeodiah’s Speakg. of the Words in the Declaration mentioned”. Nothing further was recorded about the incident. 

Fisher was awarded damages of 6 pounds, 5 shillings. Witnesses for Fisher were John Lingo Junr, Samuel Benson, 

John Taylor Junr, Whittington Addison (husband of Bayly 3 ’s daughter Joanna 4 ), Charles Haizlup, and Elizabeth 

Bradford (possibly the wife of Fisher’s brother Nathaniel 3 ). Fisher filed a second action of trespass against Jeodiah 

Bell on 28 February 1749; once again Bell was found guilty and ordered to pay damages of 25 shillings. In this 

second cause, Fisher’s witnesses were John 3 Bradford, William 3 Bradford, Thomas 3 Bradford, Samuel Benson, 

Bartholomew Twiford, William Lingo, Abel Upshur, John Taylor and Bartholomew Twiford Junr. 61 

On 30 August 1758, Fisher’s wife Mary was fined £10 for “Ensealing & detaining the Horses of Elizabeth 

Bradford.” 62 This was likely Elizabeth (Parker) Bradford, widow of Fisher’s brother Nathaniel 3 . 

On 29 April 1760, a suit was filed against Fisher Bradford “at the Suit of Our Lord the King.” On 1 October of the 

same year Fisher was ordered to pay 196 lbs tobacco and 15 shillings bond as a result of the suit, the nature of which 

is not specified in the court orders. 63 

* * * * * 

Fisher’s Will 

Fisher Bradford died between 28 February 1764, the date of a petition he filed in Accomack Court, 64 and 29 May 

1764, when his will was proved. 65 

In the Name of God Amen I Fisher Bradford ------mack County in the Parish of Saint George in the said 

County of ------ck being now in Perfect mind memory and understanding and --------ring the Uncertainty 

of this Transitory Life do make and ------his to be my Last Will and Testament revoking all other and ------ 

--lls by me heretofore made. Imprimis I give and bequeath my ---------the Earth from whence it Came and 

my Soul I humbly resign In ----hands of Almighty God hoping Thro the merits of Christ Jesus To Obtain 

remission of my Sins. Item I give and bequeath unto my Son Nathaniel Bradford and to the Heirs of his 

body Lawfully begotten of his body all my Land in Matchepungo Neck. Binding upon William Bradford 

Jun r . Containing five hundred & Six Acres by Estimation be the Same more or Less. to him the said 

Nathaniel Bradford and to the Heirs of his body Lawfully begotten for Ever; And in Default of Such Heirs, 

then the said Land to be Divided with its Appurts Between my five Daughters, Vizt. Susannah, Betty Mary 

Rachel and Esther or as many of them as Shall be then Living to Them my aforesaid five Daughters and to 

their Heirs Lawfull for Ever Provided Nevertheless and it is my True Intent & meaning Any thing 

Contained herein to the Contrary Notwithstanding that my Loving Wife Mary have the Sole and Only Use 

and property in and to the aforesaid Land Giving to my Son Nathaniel During her natural Life. I also Give 

And bequeath to my said Son Nathaniel One Negro man Called Appee to him and his Heirs for Ever, but 

not to have any Property therein Untill after my aforesaid Wife Decease During Whose Life I give the said 

Negro. I further give and bequeath to my said Son Nathaniel a Pair of Horse Mill Stones. One Horse Bridle 

and Saddle, one Gauging Rod & Slate and Two Ox Chains. -------------- 

Item I give and bequeath unto my Loving Daughter Anne Wife of Sam l . Bagge one Shilling in Lieu of any 

thing She might or Could Claim out of My Estate having already provided very amply for her. --------- 

Item I give and bequeath unto my Loving Daughter Susannah Bradford a negro man Named Levin to her 

and her Heirs for ever. Provided Nevertheless & it is my True Intent and meaning that my Loving Wife 

have the Sole & only use of the said negro named Levin During her Natural Life and after her Decease to 

my said Daughter Susannah and to her Heirs as aforesaid. 

Item I give and bequeath unto my Loving Daughter B----------ord one Negro man named Peter to her and 

her Heirs for Ever reserving ------ of the said negro to my Loving Wife Mary During her Natur-------- 

---------- 

Item. I give and bequeath unto my Loving Daughter M------ford one Negro woman Called nan to her and 

her Heirs for Ever ----------thereon The only use of the said negro named Nan to my Loving -----ry 

Bradford During her Natural Life and after her Decease -------said Daughter Mary and her Heirs as 

aforesaid. 


------------- 

Item I give Devise and bequeath unto my Daughter Rachel bradford One negro Girl Called Sarah to her and 

her Heirs for Ever reserving Thereon the Sole use of the said Negro named Sarah to my Loving Wife Mary 

Bradford During her the said Mary’s natural Life, and after her Decease to my Said Daughter Rachel as 

aforesaid. 

----------- 

Item, I give and bequeath unto my Loving Daughter Esther Bradford One negro boy Called Joe or Joseph 

and one negro Girl Called Jenny or Janit to her the said Esther and to her Heirs for Ever, reserving thereon 

the Sole use of the said Negroes Joseph and Jenny unto my aforesaid Wife Mary for and During her natural 

Life and after her Decease to De---- To my said Daughter Esther and to her Heirs as aforesaid. 

-------------- 

Item I Leave unto my said Loving Wife Mary Bradford all the remainder of My Personal Estate During the 

time she remains my Widow and after her Marriage or Death the Same Except as hereafter Excepted to be 

Divided among my aforesaid five Daughters Namely Susannah, Betty, Mary Rachel and Esther, or as many 

of my said five Children as Shall be then Living. And if in Case my Wife Marry’s then my said Estate so 

remaining to be appraised and Divided into four Parts One part Whereof I give to my said Wife and the 

remaining Three Parts I give and bequeath unto my said five Daughters to wit Susannah, Betty, Mary, 

Rachel & Esther to be Equally Divided Between Them or Between as many of them as Shall be then 

Living. Lastly I Constitute & appoint my said Loving Wife Mary Bradford my Sole & only Extrix of this 

my last Will and Testament. In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this the 2 day of 

July in the Year of our Lord MDCCLXiii Fisher Bradford 

Signed sealed Published Pronounced & Declared by the said Testator as his 

Last Will and Testament We in the Presence of each other and at his request 

Signed our hands as Witnesses hereto. William Stockly, George Bell 

John Bradford, James Bradford. 

At a Court held for Accomack County May 29 th 1764 

The within Last Will and Testament of Fisher Bradford Deceased was Presented for Proof. Nathaniel 

Bradford Heir at Law to the Decedant Appeared by James Henry his Guardian for this Purpose appointed, 

and having nothing to Object, the same was Prov’d by the Oaths of William Stockly James Bradford & 

John Bradford, three of the Witnesses thereto and Admitted to record and on the Motion of Mary Bradford 

the Widdow & Executrix therein Named Taking the Oath and Giving John Wise And John Coleburn for her 

Security’s Who entered into and Acknowledged A bond for that purpose Certificate is granted her for 

obtaining a probate Thereof in due form. 

Exad. Geo. Holden Cl Cur Acco. 





Fisher’s Widow, Mary (Mellichops) Bradford 

After Fisher’s death, on 30 August 1764 Mary Bradford “Extrx &c of Fisher Bradford Deceased” brought a petition 

against Adam Muir Junr. and recovered from him 1 pound, 16 shillings, 3 pence. 66 This was likely a suit intended to 

recover a debt due to Fisher’s estate. On 25 March 1766, Nehemiah Stockly and Alexander Stockly, executors of 

Charles Stockly, filed a suit against Mary Bradford, seemingly for a debt owed by Fisher to the Stockly estate. 67 

In November 1766, Levin Teackle petitioned the Virginia Assembly, “setting forth that he is seized in fee of a Tract 

of Land in Accomack County, a considerable part whereof is low flat Land and would be very beneficial to him if he 

could be permitted to drain the same by a Ditch, to be cut from his Land at the Head of Matchapungo Creek, through 

the land of Samuel Bagg and Mary Bradford.” The assembly referred the petition to the Committee of Propositions 

& Grievances. On 28 March 1767, the committee judged the petition reasonable, but it was rejected by the 

Assembly. 68 

Mary Bradford was on the pew list for St. George’s parish in 1767, on pew #5 with her son-in-law Samuel Bagg and 

several other Bradfords, family members, and residents of Bradfords Neck. 69 

* * * * * 

Dispute over Bayly Bradford Land 

In a deed dated 27 June 1769, “Mary Bradford Widow and Devisee of Fisher Bradford” quit claim to “Nathaniel 

Bradford Son of the said Fisher and Mary” for “all the Land Devised unto her the said Mary by the Last Will and 

Testament of the afsd Fisher Bradford that is to say all that part Which the said Fisher purchased of his Brother 

Bayly Bradford by Sundry Conveyances”. 70 No witnesses are recorded to the quit claim. Bayly Bradford’s heirs 

eventually succeeded in laying claim to this land and ousting Nathaniel from its possession. This process seems to 

have begun with the ejectment suit filed on 27 June 1771 by James Henry, lessee of Ezekiel 4 Bradford (Bayly 3 ), 

against Mary Bradford. 71 Ezekiel’s brother and son later ended up as possessors of the land. [See chapter on Bayly 3 

Bradford.] 

* * * * * 

Mary (Mellichop) Bradford Will 

Mary (Mellichop) Bradford died between 27 June 1771, the date of the ejectment suit filed against her, and 26 May 

1778, the date her will was presented for probate. 72 

The Last will & Testament of Mary Bradford. In the Name of God the 28 Day of May One thousand seven 

Hundred & seventy & seventy One I Mary Bradford of Accomack County and Parrish of S t . George being 

weak in Body but of Perfect Mind & Memory thanks be to God for the same do Constitute make and 

appoint this my last will & Testament in manner as followeth to wit Item I give & bequeath to my beloved 


Daughter Betty Bradford One Negro Woman named Jenny to her and her proper Use as I bought s d . Negro 

since the Death of my Husband likewise I give my said Daughter Betty my Rideing Chair & all the Harness 

there belonging. Item I give unto my Daughter Rachel a Negro boy Called Joshua (the son of Jenny) 

likewise my s d . Daughter Rachel a mare Called Ginkins[?] Also a bridle & saddle Item I give Unto 

Susannah Bradford the wife Edmond Bayly a Negro Girl called Dinah the Daughter of Jenny [interlined: 

which negro Girl I give unto my said daughter] during her natural life and After her decease to her 

Daughter Mary Bayly. Item I give Unto my Daughter Esther Bradford a Negro fellow Called Luke like 

wise the best new bed And Furniture to me belonging Also a bay Horse Colt of one year old. Item As I 

stand Indebted to my Daughter Mary the wife of Caleb Harrison for a horse the sum of Eighteen Pounds. I 

give & bequeath to my said Daughter Mary a Negro boy called Appy the son of Jenny in lieu of said money 

then my Daughter Esther shall take said Negro boy & pay her sister Mary Harrison the sum of Eighteen 

Pounds Item I give and bequeath Unto Daughter Betty Bradford a mullatto wench Called Caidd[?] During 

the remainder of her time she hath to serve Also I give my said Daughter a mulatto boy named Aram[?] to 

Serve as long as the law Directs. Item I give my Daughter Esther a mulatto Girl named Adar during her 

Time Item I give my Daughter Rachel a mulatto Girl Called Doll during the time she is bound by Law Item 

I give unto my Daughter Mary Harrison a mulatto Wench called Comfort to my said Daughter & her 

Proper Use and Benefit during the Time said wench is bound by Law Item I give Unto my son Nathaniel 

Bradford the sum of Six pounds Due to me in the Hands of Jesse Hunt of New York. Item After the will of 

my Husband Fisher Bradford Dece d . is fullfilled All the Remainder of my ungiven Estate is to be Equally 

Divided between my Daughters Betty Bradford & Rachel Bradford & Esther Bradford And Any Debts that 

is or shall be come Due against my Estate my three last mentioned Daughters must pay it. I give Unto my 

three Daughters Betty Rachel & Esther all my Ready Cash that shall be found by me & all that is Due to 

me by bonds Notes or Accounts To be Equally Divided between them. Also I constitute and Appoint my 

beloved son Nathaniel Bradford And my son in law Edmond Baily Executors of this my last will & 

Testament in Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand. Affixed my seal the Day & year above 

written Mary [X] Bradford {seal} William Polk William Stockley 

At a Court held for Accomack County May 26 1778 The within last will & Testament of Mary Bradford 

Dec d was Proved by the Oaths of the witnesses thereto And Admitted to record And on the motion of 

Nathaniel Bradford One of the Executors therein named Taking the Oath & giving Thomas Hall & William 

Andrews (Andue) for his securities who Entered into And acknowledged bond for that Purpose Certifycate 

is granted him for obtaining Probate thereof in Due form 

Geo. Holden Cl Cur Acco. Exa d 




Fisher 3 Bradford (Wm 2 Nath 1 ) and Mary Mellichops were married before 26 November 1740 and were parents of the 

following children: 

+ 43*. i. ANNE 4 BRADFORD 

+ 44*. ii. NATHANIEL 4 BRADFORD 

+ 45. iii. SUSANNAH 4 BRADFORD. Married Edmund Bayly and had issue: 

150. i. MARY 5 BAYLY 

46. iv. BETTY 4 BRADFORD. 

+ 47. v. MARY 4 BRADFORD. Married Caleb Harrison, who left a will (16 January 1797 – 17 Oct. 

1797) naming his six children: 73 

151. i. ELIZABETH 5 HARRISON 

152. ii. CALEB 5 HARRISON. 

153. iii. JAMES 5 HARRISON. 

154. iv. BENJAMIN 5 HARRISON. 

155. v. LEAH 5 HARRISON. 

156. vi. THOMAS 5 HARRISON. 

48. vi. RACHEL 4 BRADFORD 

49. vii. ESTHER 4 BRADFORD 


43. Anne 4 Bradford (Fisher 3 Wm 2 Nath 1 ) 

Anne 4 Bradford was born probably before 1740 in Accomack County, Virginia. 74 She married Samuel Bagge, son 

of William Bagge, not long after 29 September 1756, when her father Fisher Bradford gifted her the 400 acres that 

had been gifted him by his father William 2 Bradford. 75 In the deed, she is referred to as “Anne Bradford One of the 

Daughters of the sd. Fisher” and it is also noted that the gift was “for her further Advancement in Marriage.” The 

land was entailed, as it was given “to the said Anne Bradford & the Heirs of her Body lawfully begotten for ever in 

Fee Tail”. Witnesses were Edward Ker and Jas. Henry. In a further deed, dated 2 March 1758, Fisher gave the 

same land to “Samuel Bagge and Ann his wife [later described as Fisher’s daughter]” in the form of a lease; the 

instrument was witnessed by William Bagge (Samuel’s father), Jeremiah Booth, and Samuel Bagge. 76 On 1 October 

1760, “Samuel Bagge and Ann his Wife” brought a chancery suit against Fisher Bradford to settle the boundaries of 

their 400 acres. 77 On 29 July 1761, the boundaries of the 400 acres were settled by a more precise survey. 78 The 

land was described as bordering on the lands of John Kellam, John Bradford, Joseph Beach, and Levin Teackle. In 

his will, dated 2 July 1763, Fisher bequeathed “Daughter Anne Wife of Saml. Bagge one Shilling in Lieu of any 

thing She might or Could Claim out of My Estate having already provided very amply for her.” 79 

Sidebar: Bagge Family 

According to Whitelaw, Samuel Bagge’s father William Bagge “was a lawyer and seems to have been 

highly respected and prominent during his whole life.” 80 He appears to have been the first of his family on 

the eastern shore, and begins showing up in Accomack records in 1708. 81 He served as a justice of the 

peace for Accomack and was one of those who signed an order in 1766 protesting the Stamp Act and 

sanctioning court officers to disobey it. 82 William Bagge left a will in Accomack County: 83 

BAGGE, WILLIAM – 3 Aug 1769 – 25 Feb 1772 – To Sarah Henry, Jr. To Mary Henry “a Tea 

table which Mr. James Henry presented me with.” To Elijah Addison. To Peggy Williams. To 

John Addison, son of Elijah. To Bridget Addison. To wife planta. I now live on for life & then to 

John Addison. To wife 1/3 of my negroes for life & then to be div. bet. James Henry, John & 

Bridget Addison. To James Henry my planta. called Linseys & the other 2/3 of my negroes. Wife 

(no name) & James Henry Exrs. Not witnessed. Proved by Samuel Bagge & George Holden – 

p.657. In order of prob: Samuel Bagge heir at law to the testator. 

William Bagge seems to have been close to the Accomack Bradfords. He was an appraiser of Nathaniel 3 

Bradford 84 and was bequeathed £40 by Nathaniel’s wife Elizabeth (Parker) Bradford and named executor 

of her will. 85 He was also appointed guardian of Harman Gascoyne, the orphan of William Bradford 

Gascoyne, on 24 February 1747. 86 William Bagge left his primary plantation to Nathaniel 3 and Elizabeth’s 

grandchildren by Jemimah 4 (Bradford) Addison, all of whom were also grandchildren of Bridget 3 

(Bradford) Addison. 87 

Samuel Bagge appears on the 1767 pew list for St. George’s Parish, on pew #5 with numerous other Bradfords: 88 


Samuel Bagge died on 9 October 1774, age 47. He left a will in Accomack County: 90 

BAGGE, SAMUEL – 30 Jan 1774 – 27 Dec 1774 – Son William Baggs (under age). Bal of est. to be div. 

bet. the remainder of my children which is eight, & unborn child. Wife (no name) Exec., she to pay my 

children their estates when they come to age or marry. Not witnessed. Proved by James Henry and William 

Polk, Gent. – 276 

Ann 4 (Bradford) Bagge also left a will in Accomack: 91 

BAGGE, ANN – 7 Nov 1796 – Partly proved 25 June 1798 – Further proved 30 July 1798 – Prob: 31 Dec 

1799 – To son William Bagge 200 A. adj. the land of John Kellam & Thomas Hall Bradford, being the land 

where I now live, provided he pay to his 3 daus. (being the children of his first wife), namely Nancy, Axy 

& Elizabeth, the sum of 35£ each as they arrive to the age of 21 years or marry. To son Luke Bagge 100 A. 

adj. the above, provided he pay to my dau. Nancy Read 20£ & 30£ to my dau. Molly. To my son 

Theophilus Bagge 40 A. adj. the land belonging to the heirs of Arthur Teackle & Kendall Beach for life. To 

son Samuel Bagge the remainder of my land including the 40 A. lent my son Theophilus, provided he pay 

to my 3 grandchildren Andrew Wyatt, Ismae Wyatt & Sally Wyatt, children of William Wyatt, the sum of 

10£ as they severally arrive to the age of 21 years. To graudau. Sally Bunker. Sons William & Luke Bagge 

Exrs. Witt: William Gibb, John Beel Gibb, William Gibb Jr. In order of prob: Thomas Smith qualified 

Samuel and Ann 4 (Bradford) Bagge had issue: 

+ 136. i. WILLIAM 5 BAGGE. Died before 29 January 1798, when administration on his estate was 

granted to Isma Wyatt, with John Addison, Sacker Stringer and Arthur Savage as 

securities. 92 He probably married twice, since his mother mentioned three children by his 

first wife. He had issue, all of whom were orphans at his death and the wards of Thomas 

Smith 93 : 

269. i. ANN/NANCY 6 BAGGE. Mentioned in will of Anne (Bradford) Bagge as child 

of William by his first wife. 

270. ii. AXY/ACHSAH 6 BAGGE. Mentioned in will of Anne (Bradford) Bagge as 

child of William by his first wife. Married Robins Mapp. 94 

271. iii. ELIZABETH 6 BAGGE. Mentioned in will of Anne (Bradford) Bagge as child 

of William by his first wife. 

272. iv. SAMUEL 6 BAGGE. Not mentioned in will of Anne (Bradford) Bagge; 

probably son of second wife. 

273. v. SUSANNAH 6 BAGGE. Not mentioned in will of Anne (Bradford) Bagge; 

probably son of second wife. 

137. ii. LUKE 5 BAGGE 

138. iii. ANNE/NANCY 5 BAGGE. Married Severn Read (bond 15 October 1785), 95 who died before 28 

January 1799, when administration was granted to his widow, with Thomas Smith and 

James Lewis securities. 96 

139. iv. MOLLY 5 BAGGE 

140. v. THEOPHILUS 5 BAGGE 

141. vi. SAMUEL 5 BAGGE 

+ 142. vii. ELIAZABETH 5 BAGGE. Married William Wyatt, who died before 27 December 1802, when 

administration on his estate was granted to James Wyatt. She afterwards married Stephen 

Fletcher (bond 26 November 1804). 97 

274. i. ANDREW 6 WYATT 

275. ii. ISMAE 6 WYATT 

276. iii. SALLY 6 WYATT 

+ 143. viii. UNKNOWN 5 BAGGE. Married ____ Bunker. 

277. i. SALLY 6 BUNKER 


44. Nathaniel 4 Bradford (Fisher 3 Wm 2 Nath 1 ) 

Nathaniel 4 Bradford (Fisher 3 Wm 2 Nath 1 ) was born probably around 1750 in Accomack County, Virginia, 98 the only 

son of Fisher 3 and Mary (Mellichops) Bradford. He was granted land in his father’s will: “unto my Son Nathaniel 

Bradford and to the Heirs of his body Lawfully begotten of his body all my Land in Matchepungo Neck. Binding 

upon William Bradford Junr. Containing five hundred & Six Acres.” Nathaniel’s mother was given the use of the 

land during her natural life; if Nathaniel died without heirs, the land was to be divided between Nathaniel’s five 

sisters. Fisher also gave Nathaniel “One Negro man Called Appee . . . a Pair of Horse Mill Stones. One Horse Bridle 

and Saddle, one Gauging Rod & Slate and Two Ox Chains.” 99 In a later deed dated 27 June 1769, “Mary Bradford 

Widow and Devisee of Fisher Bradford” quit claim to “Nathaniel Bradford Son of the said Fisher and Mary” for “all 

the Land Devised unto her the said Mary by the Last Will and Testament of the afsd Fisher Bradford that is to say all 

that part Which the said Fisher purchased of his Brother Bayly Bradford by Sundry Conveyances”. 100 No witnesses 

are recorded to the quit claim. Note that Fisher conveyed 506 acres, whereas the tract Bayly inherited was only 400 

acres. According to Whitelaw, “After Fisher Bradford had become the owner of the Bayly Bradford part, a survey 

was remade for the three 500-acre parts of William, Thomas and Nathaniel, which revealed that between the north 

line of Nathaniel and the Bayly (now Fisher) south line there was an excess of 106 acres. Both Nathaniel and Fisher 

claimed it but after a complicated land cause suit, it was awarded to Fisher.” 101 This disputed claim between 

Nathaniel 3 and Fisher may have actually been between William 4 (Nath 3 Wm 2 Nath 1 ) and Fisher; on 31 July 1745, a 

lessee of Fisher Bradford filed an ejectment suit against John Shurdy or Shuly, who was a tenant of William 4 

Bradford (Nath 3 Wm 2 Nath 1 ). 102 When the matter finally came to trial on 28 January 1746, it was made known that 

the land in dispute was that held by Bayly Bradford, whose 400-acre tract bordered that of William 4 Bradford on the 

north. Fisher won the suit. His possession of the 106 acres may have been due to the following clause in William 2 

Bradford’s will: “I also give to my Son Fisher Bradfoord all my Lands that are not already given of all Sorts & kind 

soever.” 103 

Nathaniel was underage when his father’s will was proved on 29 May 1764. As heir at law, he assented to his 

mother’s administration, but with “James Henry his Guardian for this Purpose appointed” appearing on his behalf. 

Nathaniel was still an orphan on 30 August 1770, since he came into court on that day and chose Americus 

Scarburgh as his guardian. 104 He probably turned 21 sometime between then and 26 March 1771, if he may be 

identified as the Nathaniel Bradford who was security for Jacob 4 Bradford (Wm 3 Wm 2 Nath 1 ) in the administration of 

the estate of John 4 Bradford (Wm 3 Wm 2 Nath 1 ). 105 In his mother’s will (dated 28 May 1771), Nathaniel was named 

executor along with his brother-in-law Edmund Bayly. He received from his mother “Six pounds Due to me in the 

Hands of Jesse Hunt of New York.” 106 

Sometime after 27 January 1770, Nathaniel married Jean/Jenny Hall, daughter of Col. Thomas Hall of Accomack. 

Jean is mentioned in the will of her father: 107 

HALL, THOMAS – 27 Jan 1770 – 31 Oct 1775 – Dau Jean Hall. Dau Tabitha Hall. To dau Margaret 

Fisher the articles I bought out of Francis Roberts’ estate & left on said Roberts’ planta. Grandson Thomas 

Hall Parker. Grandson Thomas Hall Fisher. Bal of est to be div in 5 parts, 1/5 to dau Anna Maria Andrews; 

1/5 to Jean Hall; 1/5 to dau Tabitha Hall & 1/5 to my grandau Elizabeth Roberts, & the other 1/5 to my 

grandchildren Sarah Roberts, Margaret Roberts, Edmund Roberts, Arthur Roberts, Thomas Hall Fisher & 

Obediah Fisher. Planta to be div in 3 equal parts, the 2 lower parts I give to my dau Anna Maria Andrews 

& Jean Hall, the 3 rd & upper part I give to my dau Margaret Fisher for life, reversion to my grandson 

Thomas Hall Fisher & for want of heirs to my grandson Arthur Roberts. To dau Tabitha Hall planta called 

Sambo’s. To grandau Elizabeth Roberts house & lot in the town of Portsmouth. William Andrews Exr. 

Witt: Edward Ker, Obadiah Johnson, John Colony, Thomas Jacobs, Richard Cutlar 

That Nathaniel 4 married Jean Hall is confirmed by a 26 January 1797 deed from Thomas Hall Fisher and Margaret 

Bradford to George Ker, in which a boundary is mentioned of “the lands willed to Jean Bradford by Col. Thomas 

Hall.” 108 On the 1780 processioners return, Nathaniel Bradford is listed on land bordering Ann Andrews (daughter 

of Thomas Hall) 109 and on the 1783 processioners return he is listed adjacent to Thomas Hall Parker (grandson of 

Thomas Hall) and near several members of the Andrews family. 110 Nathaniel Bradford was named an executor in 

the will of William Andrews (31 March 1777 – 30 June 1778) along with Thomas Hall Parker, Edward Ker, and the 

widow Anna Maria (Hall) Andrews. 111 


Nathaniel also appeared on the processioners return for his land in Matchapungo Neck. In the procession of 1772 he 

was listed adjacent to John 3 Bradford, William Stockley, Timothy Kelly, and William 4 Bradford (Nath 3 Wm 2 Nath 1 ) 

and in 1775 his land bordered on John 3 Bradford, William Bell, Betty Lingo, Timothy Kelly, and William 4 Bradford 

(Nath 3 Wm 2 Nath 1 ). 112 Nathaniel must have lost Bayly’s land sometime between 1775 and 1780, since on the 1780 

processioners return he is listed as bordering on George Bell, John 3 Bradford, William Bell, and Ann Bagge, but not 

adjacent to William 4 Bradford (Nath 3 Wm 2 Nath 1 ). 113 The change from 1775 to 1780 indicates that he lost his land 

probably somewhere in that time frame. The ejectment suit by which he lost Bayly’s land is mentioned in 

Accomack Land Causes: “Nathaniel Bradford, [Fisher Bradford’s] son & heir at law entered into and became 

possessed of the said land, and continued possessed until the ___ day of ___ 17__ when the same was recovered by 

an ejectment in the Court of Accomack County by the heirs of the said Bayly Bradford.” 114 This is probably a 

reference to the suit mentioned in Adventures of Purse and Person: “On 29 July 1779 in a suit of Ezekiel Bradford, 

lessee, vs Nathaniel Bradford in ejectment for lands (Accomack Co. Order Bk. 1777-80, p.405) a verdict was 

entered for the plaintiff for all the lands except 120 acres.” 115 This 120 acres presumably represents the excess 

acreage discovered in the survey of William, Thomas and Nathaniel’s land. On the 1783 processioners return, 

Nathaniel 4 ’s Matchapungo land bordered on Caleb Lingo, George Bell, and James 4 Bradford (John 3 Wm 2 Nath 1 ), 

John 3 having died by this time. 116 

Nathaniel appeared in a handful of other records in Accomack: 

Land Records 

Nathaniel Bradford was a witness to the 20 October 1771 deed from Thomas 3 and Edmund 4 Bradford to William 

Hyslop Bradford and his wife Luraner. 117 On 20 October 1783, Nathaniel was ordered with cousin Zephaniah 5 

Bradford (Levin 4 Wm 3 Wm 2 Nath 1 ) & William Bull to procession the lands from Mears Branch to Richard Savage’s 

Branch. 118 On 27 July 1784, Nathaniel Bradford sold William Bell a tract of 3 acres “near the head of 

Matchapungo;” witnesses were John Bell, Levin Mears, and Hillary Mears. 119 

Probate Records 

Nathaniel Bradford and Americus Scarburgh (his former guardian) were securities for Edmund Bayly’s 

administration of the estate of Benson Kellam, granted 26 March 1776. 120 (Edmund Bayly was Nathaniel’s brotherin-law, 

husband of Susannah 4 Bradford.) Nathaniel Bradford and Thomas Bayly were securities for Sarah Major’s 

administration of the estate of Littleton Major, granted 28 February 1781. 121 Nathaniel Bradford and Abel Upshur 

were appointed executors of the will of William 4 Bradford (Nath 3 Wm 2 Nath 1 ) (31 January 1784 - 28 June 1785). 122 

Nathaniel Bradford was one of the appraisers (others were William Stockley and William Polk) of the estate of 

Jacob 4 Bradford (Wm 3 Wm 2 Nath 1 ), which was returned to court on 25 January 1785. 123 [Note: William Polk was 

married to Nathaniel’s cousin Sabra 5 Bradford (Wm 4 Nath 3 Wm 2 Nath 1 ).] 

Nathaniel left a will in Accomack County, dated 15 January 1785 and proved 28 April 1785. 124 Not long after his 

death, his widow Jenny remarried Richard Read (bond 10 March 1786, Edmund Read security). 125 

In the name of God Amen I Nathaniel Bradford of Accomack County in the Parish of 

St. George in the Colony of Virginia being now in perfect mind and memory well knowing 

the uncertainty of this Transitory life, do make and ordain this to be my last Will and 

Testament revoking all other former wills by me heretofore made. 

Item I give and bequeath to my eldest son Thomas Hall Bradford my manor plantation where 

I now live to him and his heirs forever, 

Item I give and bequeath to my son Nathaniel Bradford all my lands I hold down Matchipungo 

neck only reserving seven years of Samuel Longs lease and then to go to my son Nathaniel Bradford 

to him and his heirs forever. I Then give and bequeath to my son Thomas Hall Bradford a negroe 

boy called William one horse bridle and saddle two cows and calves and four head of sheep to 

him and his heirs forever, my true intent of meaning is that my wife Jenny Bradford is to 

keep the whole estate for to bring up the little children until my son Thomas Hall Bradford 

arrives to the age of eighteen years provided she remains my widow, if she marries to have what 

the law allows her, if my son Nathaniel Bradford should die before he comes to age without 

Issue then I give the said land to my youngest son Severn Bradford to him and his heirs forever, 

and then the remaining part of my estate equally divided among Elizabeth Bradford Annamariah 


Bradford and Caleb Bradford, Nathaniel Bradford and Severn Bradford. 

Lastly I appoint Colo. Levin Joynes my Executor this my last Will and Testmaent dated this 15 th 

day of January 1785. 

Signed & Sealed in the presence of } 

Andrew Bagge, Anne Bagge } Nathaniel Bradford 

Elizabeth X Mears } 

At a Court held in Accomack County April 28 th 1785 

This Will was proved by the oath of Anne Bagge and Andrew Bagge witnesses thereto and ordered 

to be recorded, and on the motion of Levin Joynes taking oath and giving Robert Pitt for his 

security who enterede into and Acknowledged a bond for that purpose, certificate is granted for 

obtaining a probate thereof in due form 

Litt: Savage CLK 

Nathaniel 4 (Wm 3 Wm 2 Nath 1 ) and Jenny (Hall) Bradford had issue: 

+ 144. i. THOMAS HALL 5 BRADFORD. Born around 1771 in Accomack and died near Pungoteague in 

Accomack on 7 May 1845. 126 He married Elizabeth Bundick, 127 who died 29 July 1874 

aged 93 years. 128 According to Purse & Person, he served several short tours in the 

Accomack County militia, 1813-1814. 129 Thomas and Elizabeth had issue: 

278. i. GEORGE 6 BRADFORD. Born 13 March 1811 and died 29 December 1888. 

George was baptized on 29 December 1838 and was ordained a Baptist 

elder in 1841. 131 He married Elizabeth M. Christian on 7 April 1842. 132 

279. ii. ANNA 6 BRADFORD. Born around 1806, died 2 August 1886. 130 

280. iii. HARRIET 5 BRADFORD. Born around 1813. She is mentioned by implication 

in the obituary of her father, which notes that he was survived by two 

daughters, 133 and is found listed with brother George and sister Anna in 

the censuses of 1850 134 and 1860. 135 

145. ii. NATHANIEL 5 BRADFORD. Named in his father’s will: “all my lands I hold down 

Matchipungo neck only reserving seven years of Samuel Longs lease.” Died before 27 

July 1801, when Annamariah Bradford mentions “Nathaniel Bradford My Brother Lately 

deceased” in a deed to brother Caleb Bradford. 136 

146. iii. SEVERN 5 BRADFORD. Named in his father’s will; he was to receive a fifth part of the 

remainder of the estate. He seems to have died before 27 November 1806, when his 

surviving brother and sisters united in a deed to Frederick Floyd. 137 The deed mentions 

“the Supposed death of the said Severn.” Since the death is “supposed” it may be that he 

had left the county and could not be found. 

147. iv. EILZABETH 5 BRADFORD. Named in her father’s will; she was to receive a fifth part of the 

remainder of the estate. She married Arthur Laylor before 27 July 1801, when the two of 

them sold their portion of the land that had fallen to Elizabeth at the death her brother 

Nathaniel. 138 

148. v. ANNA MARIA H[ALL?] 5 BRADFORD. She was still unwed on 29 December 1806, when, as 

“Anna Maria H Bradford”, she united with her surviving siblings in a deed to Frederick 

Floyd. 139 She married Stewart Kellam. 140 

149. vi. CALEB 5 BRADFORD. Named in his father’s will; he was to receive a fifth part of the reminder 

of the estate. Along with Isma Bayly and Margaret Richardson, he was a witness to the 

will of Zorobabel Laylor on 17 December 1801. 141 On 27 July 1801, Caleb received 25 

acres each from his siblings: sister Anna Maria Bradford, sister Elizabeth Laylor and her 

husband Arthur Laylor, and brother Thomas H. Bradford; 142 these were the siblings’ 

portion of the land that had belonged to their deceased brother Nathaniel. Caleb freed his 

slave Annis in 1802. 143 


Citations for Fisher 3 Bradford (William 2 Nathaniel 1 ) and Descendants 

1.Fisher was 21 by 1727, since he appears as a juryman in that year [See note 18.] His father granted him land 

in the same year and other evidence indicates that William2 made a habit of granting land to his sons at the time 

they turned 21. 

2.Accomack County Deeds, Wills, etc. 1715-1729, part 2, FHL microfilm 30025, p.121. [typescript copy] 

3.For tract location see Ralph T. Whitelaw, Virginia’s Eastern Shore (Maine: Picton Press, 2001), 779. 

4.Accomack County Deeds & Wills 1729-1737, FHL microfilm 3002, folio 229-230. 

5.It is presumed that Fisher opted to keep all the slaves. Appy and Levin were bequeathed in his will [see note 

65] and Jack was mentioned in a court order from 1751 [see note 54]. 

6.Accomack County Virginia Orders 1737-1744, FHL microfilm 30139, folio 302. 

7.Stratton Nottingham, Wills and Administrations of Accomack County, Virginia 1663-1800 (Baltimore: 

Genealogical Publishing Company, 1999), 147. 

8.Nottingham, Wills, 127. 

9.JoAnn Riley McKey, Accomack County, Virginia Court Order Abstracts, Electronic Edition (Bowie, 

Maryland: Heritage Books, Inc., 2001); 2: 145-146. 

10.McKey, 2: 53. 

11.McKey, 2: 59-60. 

12.McKey, 2: 200. 

13.McKey, 2: 201. 

14.McKey, 3: 6 & 34. 

15.McKey, 4: 18. 

16.McKey, 9: 9. 


18.Accomack County Orders 1724-1731, FHL microfilm 30138 Item 1, folio 72a. 

19.Accomack County Orders 1731-1736, FHL microfilm 30138 Item 2, folios 25a, 41a, 118a, 160. 

20.Accomack County Orders 1737-1744, FHL microfilm 30139, folios 275, 302, 312, 347, 348. 

21.Accomack County Orders 1744-1753, FHL microfilm 30114, folio 426. 

22.Accomack County Orders 1753-1763, FHL microfilm 30114, folios 304, 346, 359, 383. 

23.Accomack County Orders 1737-1744, FHL microfilm 30139, folios 329, 577. 


25.Gail M. Walczyk, transcriber, Accomack County Processioners Returns 1723-1792, (Coram, NY: Peter’s 

Row, 2003), 21, 51, 71, 85, & 96. 

26.Accomack County Virginia Deeds etc. 1737-1757, FHL microfilm 30003. Voter rolls for 1740 and 1742 at 

at end of roll. Folios 130 to 158 contain two polls, the first probably for either 1746 or 1748 and the second 

probably for 1748 or 1750. Poll for 1756 begins on folio 623. 

27.Accomack County Virginia Deeds No. 3, 1757-1770, part 1, FHL microfilm 29999, Part 4, folio 56. 

28.Accomack County Orders 1724-1731, FHL microfilm 30138 Item 1, folio 250. 

29.Accomack County Orders 1731-1736, FHL microfilm 30138 Item 2, folio 2a. 

30.McKey, 8: 41. 

31.McKey, 8: 54. 

32.Accomack County Orders 1731-1736, FHL microfilm 30115, folios 30 and 69. 

33.Accomack County Orders 1744-1753, FHL microfilm 30114, folios 241 & 250. 

34.Whitelaw, Wills, 114. 

35.Accomack County Virginia Wills Etc. 1737-1744, FHL microfilm 30004, folio 276. 


37.Accomack County Virginia Wills Etc. 1744-1753, FHL microfilm 30004, folios 299, 351, & 535. 

38.Accomack Wills etc. 1752-1767, part 3, 1761-1767, FHL microfilm 30005, folio 136. 


40.Accomack County Virginia Deeds, etc. 1746-1757, FHL microfilm 30152, folios 163-164. 




43.Accomack County Virginia Deed Records, no. 3, 1757-1770, FHL microfilm 30006 part 1, folio 40 

[photostatic copy of original deed.] 


45.ibid, folio 407. 

46.Stratton Nottingham, compiler, Accomack Land Causes, 1728-1825 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1990), 

67-68. 

47.Whitelaw, 775. 

48.Accomack County Orders 1744-1753, FHL microfilm 30114, folios 71, 80 , 82 and 105. 


50.See note 4. 

51.Accomack County Orders 1753-1763, FHL microfilm 30114, folios 33 & 37. 

52.ibid, folios 61, 69, 79, 95, 126, 143, 148. 




56.Accomack County Orders 1731-1736, FHL microfilm 30138 Item 2, folio 34. 

57.ibid, folio 80a. 



60.Accomack County Virginia Orders 1737-1744, FHL microfilm 30139, folios 302 and 342. 

61.Accomack County Orders 1744-1753, FHL microfilm 30114, folios 280, 315 & 320. 


63.ibid, folios 339 & 365. 


65.Accomack Wills etc. 1752-1767, part 3, 1761-1767, FHL microfilm 30005, folios 278-280. 



68.H. R. McIlwaine, editor, Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia, 1659/60-1693 (Richmond: Virginia 

State Library, 1914), 26, 35, 93 & 101. 

69.Gail M. Walczyk, transcriber, St. George’s Parish Accomack County Vestry Book 1763-1787, (Coram, NY: 

Peter’s Row, 1998), 20. 

70.Accomack County Virginia Deed Records, no. 3, 1757-1770, FHL microfilm 30006 part 3, folios 636-637. 

[photostatic copy of original deed.] 


72.Accomack County Wills &c 1767-72, FHL microfilm 30026, folios 709-710. 

73.Whitelaw, Wills, 413. 

74.A birth year before 1740 for Anne is arrived at by assuming she was at least 16 when her father gifted her 

land in 1756 for her marriage. 







81.McKey, 162. 




85.Accomack Wills etc. 1752-1767, part 3, 1761-1767, FHL microfilm 30005, folio 190. 


87.See chapter on Bridget 3 Bradford. 







93.Gail M. Walczyk, transcriber, Accomack County, VA Orphans Accounts 1798-1801 (Coram, NY: Peter’s 

Row, 2001), 93. Thomas Smith may have married William Bagge’s widow, hence his guardianship of William’s 

children. 


95.John Frederick Dorman, compiler and editor, Adventures of Purse and Person Virginia 1607-1624/5, 

Volume 3 (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 2007, 4 th Edition), 211. 



98.Nathaniel was still an orphan on 30 August 1770 [see note 104], but not by 26 March 1771 [see note 105]. 







105.Accomack County Wills &c 1767-72, FHL microfilm 30026, folio 516. 



108.Accomack County Deeds 9 1797-1800, FHL microfilm 30050, folio71. The Margaret Bradford of the deed 

was another daughter of Col. Thomas Hall and had previously been married to a Fisher; her Bradford husband has 

yet to be determined. 

109.Walczyk, Processioners Returns 1723-1792, 153. 



112.Walczyk, Processioners Returns 1723-1792, 138 & 143. 



115.Dorman, 3: 202. 


117.Accomack County Virginia Deeds Etc 1770-1777, FHL microfilm 30007, folios 99-100. 

118.Walczyk, Vestry Book, 88. 

119.Accomack County Deeds 6 1783-1788, FHL microfilm 30047, folios 141-142. 



122.Accomack County Virginia Wills &c 1784-1787, FHL microfilm 30028, folios 144-145. 



125.Nora Miller Turman, Marriage Records of Accomack County, Virginia 1776-1854 (Bowie, MD: Heritage 

Books, 1994), 233. 

126.Deaths in Eastern Shore Newspapers from 30 June 1881 to 31 Dec 1912, Eastern Shore Public Library 

Website (http://www.espl.org/genealogy/notices/Deathsab.htm). Original source was Richmond Whig & Public 

Advertiser, 20 May 1845. 

127.Dorman, 211. 

128.Jean Merritt Mihalyka, Graven Stones: inscriptions from Lower Accomack County, Virginia, including 

Liberty and Parksley Cemeteries (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1992), 33. 

129.See note 127. 

130.Mihalyka, Graven Stones, 33. 

131.Mihalyka, Graven Stones, 34. 

132.Jean Merritt Mihalyka, abstracter and compiler, Marriages, Northampton County, Virginia 1660/1-1854 

(Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1991), 13. 

133.See note 126. 

134.George Bradford and family on 1850 US Federal Census, St Georges Parish, Accomack Co, VA; roll 

M432_932, page 105, image 212. Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, 

USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Seventh 

Census of the United States, 1850. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1850. M432, 

1,009 rolls. 


135.George Bradford et al. on 1860 US Federal Census, St. George’s Parish, Accomack Co, VA; roll 

M653_1330, page 308, image 316. Ancestry.com. 1860 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, 

UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. 

Eighth Census of the United States, 1860. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1860. 

M653, 1,438 rolls. 

136.Accomack County Virginia Deeds 10 1800-1804, FHL microfilm 30051, folios 140-141. 

137.Accomack County Virginia Deeds 11 1800-1807, FHL microfilm 30052, folios 886-887. 

138.Accomack County Virginia Deeds 10 1800-1804, FHL microfilm 30051, folio 141. 

139.See note 137. 

140.Dorman, 211. 

141.Barry W. Miles and Moody K. Miles III, compilers, Abstracts of the Wills & Administrations of Accomack 

County, 1800-1860 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 2000), 323. 

142.See note 136. 

143.Accomack County Virginia Deeds 10 1800-1804, FHL microfilm 30051, folio 339.

BRADFORD, FISHER - Lower Delmarva Bradfords

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