1. Nathaniel Bradford of Accomack County, Virginia - Lower ...

Though tobacco was the staple of Virginia’s economy, not all colonists were involved directly in its
cultivation. Nor was tobacco the sole basis of a planters’ livelihood in Virginia. It’s natural that Nathaniel
should have engaged in shoemaking on his estate, since he began his career as a currier. But in fact a large
number of the great planters of the colony were also engaged in tanning and shoemaking on their estates,
including Colonel Edmund Scarburgh, John West and other leading residents of Accomack. An Accomack
court record from 1674 allows a glimpse into the mechanics and magnitude of the shoe trade in Accomack:
“Willm. Fletcher gave an account of shoes shipped over the bay to Yorke by Mr. Edw. Greenely
from Mr. Wm. Whittington: shipped between 26 February 1672 and 2 May 1672, were 143 pair of
shoes, including French falls for men and women, plain shoes and children’s shoes. Fletcher
delivered 88 pair to Edward Greenley to take over the bay. Greenley admitted that he had received
the other 55 pair from Whittington; he, in turn, had gotten them from Fletcher, who was employed
by Mr. Devorax Browne to take account of all the shoes made and to whom they were delivered.
Signed 16 March 1673/74, Willm. Fletcher.” 254
If the root of the tobacco trade was the cultivation of the plant itself, the root of the shoe industry was the
leather from which the shoes were made, and therefore the livestock that was the source of that leather.
This Nathaniel possessed in abundance, owning 165 cattle at the time of his death. Another economic
activity Nathaniel was known to have engaged in was the production of woolen cloth - itself reliant on the
possession of sheep. In 1660, Nathaniel owned only 7 sheep, as appears from the sheep list taken that year;
by the end of his life he owned 57.
William Burton Livestock Suit
Livestock, in addition to land, servants and slaves, was a primary source of property in Virginia. As noted
above when discussing Nathaniel’s jury appearances, probably the majority of cases brought before the
court involved livestock. On 17 April 1678 Nathaniel himself was prosecuted for having mistakenly killed
a hog belonging to his neighbor William Burton. The depositions taken in the case tell the tale: 255
Deposition of James Euell aged about 30 years: Euell was working at Bradford's when his people
went hog hunting and brought home three hogs, one of which happened to belong to William
Burton. Bradford seemed to be very sorry and said he would have to go and pay Burton or give
him another. Signed, James (E) Ewell. (Side note: It was about three years since Euell heard Mr.
Bradford speak this.)
Deposition of Samuel Beach aged about 31 years: About 2 years 3 months ago, a sow belonging to
Wm. Burton came to Beach's house with two barrows that Beach assumed belonged to Nathaniel
Bradford. Two or three days later Beach sent word to Bradford, who came and said he had killed
one of the barrows and was looking for the other. Beach said the sow belonged to Burton, but
Bradford claimed she was his. The sow had always used the area around Beach's house, but after
this, he never saw her again. Signed 16 April 1678, Samuel Beach.
Deposition of Daniel Owin aged about 40 years: After Owin heard a gunshot, he heard Nathaniel
Bradford ask if the barrow were dead. Thomas Williams answered that it was a sow. Owin saw
Bradford and Williams stand by the dead sow, which Owin knew had belonged to William Burton
two years ago Christmas. Signed 16 April 1678, Daniel (O) Owin
Deposition of Barbery Owin aged about 30 years: "I was in Nickowansin a getting of walnuts. I
saw a sow of William Burton's that we let out of our one pen about three or four days ago, and
going along, I heard a gun something nigh to me, and presently the sow reeled and fell down, and
seeing Thomas Williams come out of the thicket and set his foot upon the sow and stuck her with
his knife. Nathaniel Bradford calling to him, asked if the barrow was dead. He answered, it was a
sow. My husband being a little space before me, I beckoned to him, and he came back and I told
my husband what happened." Signed 16 April 1678, Barbery (H) Owin
Deposition of Jno. Reeves aged about 28 years: Reeves saw three hogs lying in Nathanl.
Bradford's yard; one of them was white. Reeves saw James Euell pulling the bristles off the hogs,
but did not know to whom they belonged. Signed 16 April 1678, Jno. Reves.
Page 45 of 74 Copyright 2008 Adam M. Bradford