Enlisted on May 21, 1861 as a Private in the 1st New Jersey Infantry, Company I. Commissioned into the 4th New Jersey Infantry, Company G on September 6, 1862. Promoted to Corporal September 6, 1861. Promoted to Second Lieutenant on September 6, 1862. POW on October 5, 1863 at Chantilly, Virginia. Confined at Macon, Georgia and Columbia, South Carolina. Mustered out on July 9, 1865 at Hall's Hill, Virginia.
John Bradford was born in Ireland in 1828. He was listed as a Clerk age 20 when leaving Liverpool England with his wife Isabella age 19 and infant son Henderson age 2 months, traveling in steerage aboard the Ocean Queen which arrived in New York on August 26, 1848, all three were noted as born in Ireland. Two years later on Aug. 15, 1850 John, again listed as a clerk, age 22, Isabella, age 21 and Henderson age 3 are found on the census residing in Brooklyn 3rd ward, Kings County, NY again all three were noted as born in Ireland.
On the July 16, 1860 census John, a clerk, age 32 and Isabella age 31 are found residing in Hoboken 2nd ward, Hudson Co, NJ with two daughters, Jane age 6 and Isabella age 2. Their only son Henderson died Wednesday August 5, 1857 at Hoboken age 9 years 7 months. It is thought daughter Jane was born in Brooklyn in 1854 prior to their move to New Jersey. Young Isabella was born August 25, 1858 in Hoboken.
With the outbreak of the Civil War John Bradford enlisted as a Private on May 21, 1861, enlisting in Company I, 1st New Jersey Infantry on June 4, 1861 and remained with the regiment being promoted to Full Corporal on Sept. 6, 1861. He was discharged for promotion to Full 2nd Lieutenant with Commission in Company G, 4th New Jersey Infantry on Sept. 6, 1862. It is also stated, without source, that he was a POW on October 5, 1863 at Chantilly, Virginia being confined at Macon, Georgia and Columbia, South Carolina. Later he enlisted as a Private on June 7, 1865 with commission joining Company K, 4th New Jersey Infantry on June 14, 1865. Mustered out Company K, 4th New Jersey Regiment on July 9, 1865 at Hall's Hill, VA.
For confirmation and further research of interest concerning John W. Bradford I suggest contacting the National Archives in Washington, DC for a copy of his Military Service and Pension Application files, they may be quite revealing.
While John was serving in the military it seems his wife Isabella must have died and at the taking of the census on July 28, 1870 the two girls are found together in Hoboken 1st ward both attending school, Jane age 16 Isabella age 12 residing with 44 year old carpenter Alfred Havens his wife Mary age 30 and their 2 year old son James Havens.
On the Sept. 20, 1870 census taken at Brownsville, Texas is found a John Bradford born in Ireland working with others as a cashier at the customs house with personal estate valued at $500.
In the June 30, 1879 "Official Register of United States Officers and Employes" on p36 under Office of the Commissioner of Customs is listed John W. Bradford as a Clerk in the First Auditors Office at the Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC noting he was born in Ireland, appointed from Texas and had compensation of $1000.
The June 5, 1880 census lists J W Bradford working as a Clerk in the First Auditors Office residing at 628 Rhode Island Ave Washington, DC both he and his parents born in Ireland, his wife Belle age 32 keeping house born in Virginia as was her father, her mother in DC, also daughter Jennie at home with the notation "by 1st wife" born in NY and both her father and mother in Ireland. One must comment that the names of John's first wife Irish born Isabella in 1829 and died say circa 1865 probably Hoboken and his second wife Belle born in Virginia in 1848 who outlived him and his daughter Isabella, later also called Belle, born in 1858 and lived out her life in New Jersey, make for possible confusion. Also, as is often the case, each census and yet even other source records show discrepancies in ages and such facts as can prove frustrating but when taken on the whole paint a clear enough picture helping enable us to view small windows into their lives.
Meanwhile the census taken June 4, 1880 at Orange, NJ [p8] finds Isabel Bradford age 22 born in NJ working as a domestic servant to Henry A. Brown age 36 a hatter of William Street and his wife Josephine age 33 and two children Charles A. age 12 & Mary B. Brown age 4. The following page [p9] continues the listing of those residing on the same street, William Street in Orange, where widower Samuel O. Merritt age 31 working as a mason was boarding, both he and his parents born in NJ. Within the next six months between Aug. 1880 and Feb. 1881 the two, Isabella Bradford and Samuel Merritt, were married most likely there in Orange, NJ and soon after their son Carroll Bradford Merritt was born Nov. 15, 1881. Samuel had been married to Sarah Lurana Beach who died in 1875 and by him had son Joseph Beach Merritt born March 5, 1873 who in 1880 was living with his grandparents Joseph and Elvira C. Beach at Rockaway, Morris Co, New Jersey.
On the reverse of a photograph of John and Belle written in his own hand reads "To Isa from her father. JWBradford Washington D.C. January 10th 1882"
The July 1, 1885 "Official Register of United States Officers and Employes" p68 is listed John W. Bradford as a Clerk in the First Auditors Office at the Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC noting he was born in Ireland, appointed from Texas and had compensation of $1400. A year and a half later on Dec. 31, 1886 he made application for his Civil War Pension. In 1890 he was listed in the Washington, D.C. City Directory as John W Bradford 628 Rhode Island Avenue northwest 1st auditor clerk. Where he had been residing and working for the Treasury Department for over 10 years.
John W. Bradford died Oct. 31, 1892 and rests at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia; Section WE Lot 43A. There an impressive white marble monument was erected which reads; LIEUT. JOHN W. BRADFORD. Co. H. 4TH. N. J. INFT. DIED OCT. 31, 1892 AGED 59 YEARS. < o > AT REST. He was actually 64, having been born in 1828 and perhaps giving the impression he was 5 years younger and that much closer in age to his younger wife Belle, who on Nov. 9, 1892 filed for a Widows Pension.
Meanwhile John's daughter, Isabella's husband Samuel Merritt had died in 1883 and she married a second time in 1886 to a widower with four sons, Benjamin Collins, born 1838, with whom she had two daughters; Amy B. Collins born in May 1888 and Caroline A. Collins born October 1895. They are listed on the 1900 census residing on South Orange Ave in Livingston, NJ along with Benjamin's youngest son Clarence B. Collins who was born in October 1877. By 1910 Benjamin had died leaving Belle a widow and she, Clarence and Carrie are found residing at the corner of Freeman and Valley Streets in Orange, Amy was not listed with them. Belle and Carrie are still there in 1920 but without Clarence. 1920 was the year daughter Caroline married Robert MacGeorge the son of Scottish born Jane MacGeorge (b1855). Robert was born April 23, 1891 in Orange, NJ and together they had six children; Robert D. MacGeorge born 1922, Claire B. MacGeorge born 1924, Donald H. MacGeorge born 1925, Calvin A. MacGeorge born Aug. 1926, Stanley B. MacGeorge born 1928 and Walter MacGeorge born 1929. They were all living together in 1930 at 11 Tichenor Place, Montclair, Essex Co, NJ, Belle noted as a 73 year old widow and a Practical Nurse. She died August 20, 1937 in Parlin, Middlesex Co, NJ.
Isabella's son Carroll Bradford Merritt had been living in Newark with his father's sister Jane L. Merritt and her husband Phillip A. Carroll whom he was named for. They married November 4, 1866, Phillip was a Jeweler and they had a daughter Florence J. Carroll born in 1869 who had died young. Carroll is found to be listed twice in the 1900 census records; as a nephew with his then widowed Aunt Jennie Merritt Carroll on Walnut Street in Newark, NJ listed as Chas. B. Merritt, and also as a boarder on Main Street in Madison, NJ as Carroll B. Bradford, although both in error each notes him to be a Bookkeeper. It was there in Madison he met Jane Inez VanBlarcom Cook, the daughter of Susan Elizabeth Watson and Charles Ellis Cook. The two were married in Madison on November 15, 1906, the occasion of Carroll's 25th Birthday. Their union brought 4 daughters; Jane VanBlarcom born Aug. 16, 1907, Nancy Watson born March 10, 1909, Susan Elizabeth born Jan. 15, 1912 and Caroline Bradford Merritt born July 9, 1920, all at Madison. Carroll began working for Charles Scribner & Sons, Fifth Avenue, NYC and remained with them for many years, decades in fact. He died in Madison on April 7, 1979, his wife Jane some years earlier on Sept. 7, 1960 at Morristown, NJ.
John Bradford was born in Ireland in 1828. He was listed as a Clerk age 20 when leaving Liverpool England with his wife Isabella age 19 and infant son Henderson age 2 months, traveling in steerage aboard the Ocean Queen which arrived in New York on August 26, 1848, all three were noted as born in Ireland. Two years later on Aug. 15, 1850 John, again listed as a clerk, age 22, Isabella, age 21 and Henderson age 3 are found on the census residing in Brooklyn 3rd ward, Kings County, NY again all three were noted as born in Ireland.
On the July 16, 1860 census John, a clerk, age 32 and Isabella age 31 are found residing in Hoboken 2nd ward, Hudson Co, NJ with two daughters, Jane age 6 and Isabella age 2. Their only son Henderson died Wednesday August 5, 1857 at Hoboken age 9 years 7 months. It is thought daughter Jane was born in Brooklyn in 1854 prior to their move to New Jersey. Young Isabella was born August 25, 1858 in Hoboken.
With the outbreak of the Civil War John Bradford enlisted as a Private on May 21, 1861, enlisting in Company I, 1st New Jersey Infantry on June 4, 1861 and remained with the regiment being promoted to Full Corporal on Sept. 6, 1861. He was discharged for promotion to Full 2nd Lieutenant with Commission in Company G, 4th New Jersey Infantry on Sept. 6, 1862. It is also stated, without source, that he was a POW on October 5, 1863 at Chantilly, Virginia being confined at Macon, Georgia and Columbia, South Carolina. Later he enlisted as a Private on June 7, 1865 with commission joining Company K, 4th New Jersey Infantry on June 14, 1865. Mustered out Company K, 4th New Jersey Regiment on July 9, 1865 at Hall's Hill, VA.
For confirmation and further research of interest concerning John W. Bradford I suggest contacting the National Archives in Washington, DC for a copy of his Military Service and Pension Application files, they may be quite revealing.
While John was serving in the military it seems his wife Isabella must have died and at the taking of the census on July 28, 1870 the two girls are found together in Hoboken 1st ward both attending school, Jane age 16 Isabella age 12 residing with 44 year old carpenter Alfred Havens his wife Mary age 30 and their 2 year old son James Havens.
On the Sept. 20, 1870 census taken at Brownsville, Texas is found a John Bradford born in Ireland working with others as a cashier at the customs house with personal estate valued at $500.
In the June 30, 1879 "Official Register of United States Officers and Employes" on p36 under Office of the Commissioner of Customs is listed John W. Bradford as a Clerk in the First Auditors Office at the Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC noting he was born in Ireland, appointed from Texas and had compensation of $1000.
The June 5, 1880 census lists J W Bradford working as a Clerk in the First Auditors Office residing at 628 Rhode Island Ave Washington, DC both he and his parents born in Ireland, his wife Belle age 32 keeping house born in Virginia as was her father, her mother in DC, also daughter Jennie at home with the notation "by 1st wife" born in NY and both her father and mother in Ireland. One must comment that the names of John's first wife Irish born Isabella in 1829 and died say circa 1865 probably Hoboken and his second wife Belle born in Virginia in 1848 who outlived him and his daughter Isabella, later also called Belle, born in 1858 and lived out her life in New Jersey, make for possible confusion. Also, as is often the case, each census and yet even other source records show discrepancies in ages and such facts as can prove frustrating but when taken on the whole paint a clear enough picture helping enable us to view small windows into their lives.
Meanwhile the census taken June 4, 1880 at Orange, NJ [p8] finds Isabel Bradford age 22 born in NJ working as a domestic servant to Henry A. Brown age 36 a hatter of William Street and his wife Josephine age 33 and two children Charles A. age 12 & Mary B. Brown age 4. The following page [p9] continues the listing of those residing on the same street, William Street in Orange, where widower Samuel O. Merritt age 31 working as a mason was boarding, both he and his parents born in NJ. Within the next six months between Aug. 1880 and Feb. 1881 the two, Isabella Bradford and Samuel Merritt, were married most likely there in Orange, NJ and soon after their son Carroll Bradford Merritt was born Nov. 15, 1881. Samuel had been married to Sarah Lurana Beach who died in 1875 and by him had son Joseph Beach Merritt born March 5, 1873 who in 1880 was living with his grandparents Joseph and Elvira C. Beach at Rockaway, Morris Co, New Jersey.
On the reverse of a photograph of John and Belle written in his own hand reads "To Isa from her father. JWBradford Washington D.C. January 10th 1882"
The July 1, 1885 "Official Register of United States Officers and Employes" p68 is listed John W. Bradford as a Clerk in the First Auditors Office at the Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC noting he was born in Ireland, appointed from Texas and had compensation of $1400. A year and a half later on Dec. 31, 1886 he made application for his Civil War Pension. In 1890 he was listed in the Washington, D.C. City Directory as John W Bradford 628 Rhode Island Avenue northwest 1st auditor clerk. Where he had been residing and working for the Treasury Department for over 10 years.
John W. Bradford died Oct. 31, 1892 and rests at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia; Section WE Lot 43A. There an impressive white marble monument was erected which reads; LIEUT. JOHN W. BRADFORD. Co. H. 4TH. N. J. INFT. DIED OCT. 31, 1892 AGED 59 YEARS. < o > AT REST. He was actually 64, having been born in 1828 and perhaps giving the impression he was 5 years younger and that much closer in age to his younger wife Belle, who on Nov. 9, 1892 filed for a Widows Pension.
Meanwhile John's daughter, Isabella's husband Samuel Merritt had died in 1883 and she married a second time in 1886 to a widower with four sons, Benjamin Collins, born 1838, with whom she had two daughters; Amy B. Collins born in May 1888 and Caroline A. Collins born October 1895. They are listed on the 1900 census residing on South Orange Ave in Livingston, NJ along with Benjamin's youngest son Clarence B. Collins who was born in October 1877. By 1910 Benjamin had died leaving Belle a widow and she, Clarence and Carrie are found residing at the corner of Freeman and Valley Streets in Orange, Amy was not listed with them. Belle and Carrie are still there in 1920 but without Clarence. 1920 was the year daughter Caroline married Robert MacGeorge the son of Scottish born Jane MacGeorge (b1855). Robert was born April 23, 1891 in Orange, NJ and together they had six children; Robert D. MacGeorge born 1922, Claire B. MacGeorge born 1924, Donald H. MacGeorge born 1925, Calvin A. MacGeorge born Aug. 1926, Stanley B. MacGeorge born 1928 and Walter MacGeorge born 1929. They were all living together in 1930 at 11 Tichenor Place, Montclair, Essex Co, NJ, Belle noted as a 73 year old widow and a Practical Nurse. She died August 20, 1937 in Parlin, Middlesex Co, NJ.
Isabella's son Carroll Bradford Merritt had been living in Newark with his father's sister Jane L. Merritt and her husband Phillip A. Carroll whom he was named for. They married November 4, 1866, Phillip was a Jeweler and they had a daughter Florence J. Carroll born in 1869 who had died young. Carroll is found to be listed twice in the 1900 census records; as a nephew with his then widowed Aunt Jennie Merritt Carroll on Walnut Street in Newark, NJ listed as Chas. B. Merritt, and also as a boarder on Main Street in Madison, NJ as Carroll B. Bradford, although both in error each notes him to be a Bookkeeper. It was there in Madison he met Jane Inez VanBlarcom Cook, the daughter of Susan Elizabeth Watson and Charles Ellis Cook. The two were married in Madison on November 15, 1906, the occasion of Carroll's 25th Birthday. Their union brought 4 daughters; Jane VanBlarcom born Aug. 16, 1907, Nancy Watson born March 10, 1909, Susan Elizabeth born Jan. 15, 1912 and Caroline Bradford Merritt born July 9, 1920, all at Madison. Carroll began working for Charles Scribner & Sons, Fifth Avenue, NYC and remained with them for many years, decades in fact. He died in Madison on April 7, 1979, his wife Jane some years earlier on Sept. 7, 1960 at Morristown, NJ.
Enlisted on May 21, 1861 as a Private in the 1st New Jersey Infantry, Company I. Commissioned into the 4th New Jersey Infantry, Company G on September 6, 1862. Promoted to Corporal September 6, 1861. Promoted to Second Lieutenant on September 6, 1862. POW on October 5, 1863 at Chantilly, Virginia. Confined at Macon, Georgia and Columbia, South Carolina. Mustered out on July 9, 1865 at Hall's Hill, Virginia.
John Bradford was born in Ireland in 1828. He was listed as a Clerk age 20 when leaving Liverpool England with his wife Isabella age 19 and infant son Henderson age 2 months, traveling in steerage aboard the Ocean Queen which arrived in New York on August 26, 1848, all three were noted as born in Ireland. Two years later on Aug. 15, 1850 John, again listed as a clerk, age 22, Isabella, age 21 and Henderson age 3 are found on the census residing in Brooklyn 3rd ward, Kings County, NY again all three were noted as born in Ireland.
On the July 16, 1860 census John, a clerk, age 32 and Isabella age 31 are found residing in Hoboken 2nd ward, Hudson Co, NJ with two daughters, Jane age 6 and Isabella age 2. Their only son Henderson died Wednesday August 5, 1857 at Hoboken age 9 years 7 months. It is thought daughter Jane was born in Brooklyn in 1854 prior to their move to New Jersey. Young Isabella was born August 25, 1858 in Hoboken.
With the outbreak of the Civil War John Bradford enlisted as a Private on May 21, 1861, enlisting in Company I, 1st New Jersey Infantry on June 4, 1861 and remained with the regiment being promoted to Full Corporal on Sept. 6, 1861. He was discharged for promotion to Full 2nd Lieutenant with Commission in Company G, 4th New Jersey Infantry on Sept. 6, 1862. It is also stated, without source, that he was a POW on October 5, 1863 at Chantilly, Virginia being confined at Macon, Georgia and Columbia, South Carolina. Later he enlisted as a Private on June 7, 1865 with commission joining Company K, 4th New Jersey Infantry on June 14, 1865. Mustered out Company K, 4th New Jersey Regiment on July 9, 1865 at Hall's Hill, VA.
For confirmation and further research of interest concerning John W. Bradford I suggest contacting the National Archives in Washington, DC for a copy of his Military Service and Pension Application files, they may be quite revealing.
While John was serving in the military it seems his wife Isabella must have died and at the taking of the census on July 28, 1870 the two girls are found together in Hoboken 1st ward both attending school, Jane age 16 Isabella age 12 residing with 44 year old carpenter Alfred Havens his wife Mary age 30 and their 2 year old son James Havens.
On the Sept. 20, 1870 census taken at Brownsville, Texas is found a John Bradford born in Ireland working with others as a cashier at the customs house with personal estate valued at $500.
In the June 30, 1879 "Official Register of United States Officers and Employes" on p36 under Office of the Commissioner of Customs is listed John W. Bradford as a Clerk in the First Auditors Office at the Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC noting he was born in Ireland, appointed from Texas and had compensation of $1000.
The June 5, 1880 census lists J W Bradford working as a Clerk in the First Auditors Office residing at 628 Rhode Island Ave Washington, DC both he and his parents born in Ireland, his wife Belle age 32 keeping house born in Virginia as was her father, her mother in DC, also daughter Jennie at home with the notation "by 1st wife" born in NY and both her father and mother in Ireland. One must comment that the names of John's first wife Irish born Isabella in 1829 and died say circa 1865 probably Hoboken and his second wife Belle born in Virginia in 1848 who outlived him and his daughter Isabella, later also called Belle, born in 1858 and lived out her life in New Jersey, make for possible confusion. Also, as is often the case, each census and yet even other source records show discrepancies in ages and such facts as can prove frustrating but when taken on the whole paint a clear enough picture helping enable us to view small windows into their lives.
Meanwhile the census taken June 4, 1880 at Orange, NJ [p8] finds Isabel Bradford age 22 born in NJ working as a domestic servant to Henry A. Brown age 36 a hatter of William Street and his wife Josephine age 33 and two children Charles A. age 12 & Mary B. Brown age 4. The following page [p9] continues the listing of those residing on the same street, William Street in Orange, where widower Samuel O. Merritt age 31 working as a mason was boarding, both he and his parents born in NJ. Within the next six months between Aug. 1880 and Feb. 1881 the two, Isabella Bradford and Samuel Merritt, were married most likely there in Orange, NJ and soon after their son Carroll Bradford Merritt was born Nov. 15, 1881. Samuel had been married to Sarah Lurana Beach who died in 1875 and by him had son Joseph Beach Merritt born March 5, 1873 who in 1880 was living with his grandparents Joseph and Elvira C. Beach at Rockaway, Morris Co, New Jersey.
On the reverse of a photograph of John and Belle written in his own hand reads "To Isa from her father. JWBradford Washington D.C. January 10th 1882"
The July 1, 1885 "Official Register of United States Officers and Employes" p68 is listed John W. Bradford as a Clerk in the First Auditors Office at the Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC noting he was born in Ireland, appointed from Texas and had compensation of $1400. A year and a half later on Dec. 31, 1886 he made application for his Civil War Pension. In 1890 he was listed in the Washington, D.C. City Directory as John W Bradford 628 Rhode Island Avenue northwest 1st auditor clerk. Where he had been residing and working for the Treasury Department for over 10 years.
John W. Bradford died Oct. 31, 1892 and rests at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia; Section WE Lot 43A. There an impressive white marble monument was erected which reads; LIEUT. JOHN W. BRADFORD. Co. H. 4TH. N. J. INFT. DIED OCT. 31, 1892 AGED 59 YEARS. < o > AT REST. He was actually 64, having been born in 1828 and perhaps giving the impression he was 5 years younger and that much closer in age to his younger wife Belle, who on Nov. 9, 1892 filed for a Widows Pension.
Meanwhile John's daughter, Isabella's husband Samuel Merritt had died in 1883 and she married a second time in 1886 to a widower with four sons, Benjamin Collins, born 1838, with whom she had two daughters; Amy B. Collins born in May 1888 and Caroline A. Collins born October 1895. They are listed on the 1900 census residing on South Orange Ave in Livingston, NJ along with Benjamin's youngest son Clarence B. Collins who was born in October 1877. By 1910 Benjamin had died leaving Belle a widow and she, Clarence and Carrie are found residing at the corner of Freeman and Valley Streets in Orange, Amy was not listed with them. Belle and Carrie are still there in 1920 but without Clarence. 1920 was the year daughter Caroline married Robert MacGeorge the son of Scottish born Jane MacGeorge (b1855). Robert was born April 23, 1891 in Orange, NJ and together they had six children; Robert D. MacGeorge born 1922, Claire B. MacGeorge born 1924, Donald H. MacGeorge born 1925, Calvin A. MacGeorge born Aug. 1926, Stanley B. MacGeorge born 1928 and Walter MacGeorge born 1929. They were all living together in 1930 at 11 Tichenor Place, Montclair, Essex Co, NJ, Belle noted as a 73 year old widow and a Practical Nurse. She died August 20, 1937 in Parlin, Middlesex Co, NJ.
Isabella's son Carroll Bradford Merritt had been living in Newark with his father's sister Jane L. Merritt and her husband Phillip A. Carroll whom he was named for. They married November 4, 1866, Phillip was a Jeweler and they had a daughter Florence J. Carroll born in 1869 who had died young. Carroll is found to be listed twice in the 1900 census records; as a nephew with his then widowed Aunt Jennie Merritt Carroll on Walnut Street in Newark, NJ listed as Chas. B. Merritt, and also as a boarder on Main Street in Madison, NJ as Carroll B. Bradford, although both in error each notes him to be a Bookkeeper. It was there in Madison he met Jane Inez VanBlarcom Cook, the daughter of Susan Elizabeth Watson and Charles Ellis Cook. The two were married in Madison on November 15, 1906, the occasion of Carroll's 25th Birthday. Their union brought 4 daughters; Jane VanBlarcom born Aug. 16, 1907, Nancy Watson born March 10, 1909, Susan Elizabeth born Jan. 15, 1912 and Caroline Bradford Merritt born July 9, 1920, all at Madison. Carroll began working for Charles Scribner & Sons, Fifth Avenue, NYC and remained with them for many years, decades in fact. He died in Madison on April 7, 1979, his wife Jane some years earlier on Sept. 7, 1960 at Morristown, NJ.
John Bradford was born in Ireland in 1828. He was listed as a Clerk age 20 when leaving Liverpool England with his wife Isabella age 19 and infant son Henderson age 2 months, traveling in steerage aboard the Ocean Queen which arrived in New York on August 26, 1848, all three were noted as born in Ireland. Two years later on Aug. 15, 1850 John, again listed as a clerk, age 22, Isabella, age 21 and Henderson age 3 are found on the census residing in Brooklyn 3rd ward, Kings County, NY again all three were noted as born in Ireland.
On the July 16, 1860 census John, a clerk, age 32 and Isabella age 31 are found residing in Hoboken 2nd ward, Hudson Co, NJ with two daughters, Jane age 6 and Isabella age 2. Their only son Henderson died Wednesday August 5, 1857 at Hoboken age 9 years 7 months. It is thought daughter Jane was born in Brooklyn in 1854 prior to their move to New Jersey. Young Isabella was born August 25, 1858 in Hoboken.
With the outbreak of the Civil War John Bradford enlisted as a Private on May 21, 1861, enlisting in Company I, 1st New Jersey Infantry on June 4, 1861 and remained with the regiment being promoted to Full Corporal on Sept. 6, 1861. He was discharged for promotion to Full 2nd Lieutenant with Commission in Company G, 4th New Jersey Infantry on Sept. 6, 1862. It is also stated, without source, that he was a POW on October 5, 1863 at Chantilly, Virginia being confined at Macon, Georgia and Columbia, South Carolina. Later he enlisted as a Private on June 7, 1865 with commission joining Company K, 4th New Jersey Infantry on June 14, 1865. Mustered out Company K, 4th New Jersey Regiment on July 9, 1865 at Hall's Hill, VA.
For confirmation and further research of interest concerning John W. Bradford I suggest contacting the National Archives in Washington, DC for a copy of his Military Service and Pension Application files, they may be quite revealing.
While John was serving in the military it seems his wife Isabella must have died and at the taking of the census on July 28, 1870 the two girls are found together in Hoboken 1st ward both attending school, Jane age 16 Isabella age 12 residing with 44 year old carpenter Alfred Havens his wife Mary age 30 and their 2 year old son James Havens.
On the Sept. 20, 1870 census taken at Brownsville, Texas is found a John Bradford born in Ireland working with others as a cashier at the customs house with personal estate valued at $500.
In the June 30, 1879 "Official Register of United States Officers and Employes" on p36 under Office of the Commissioner of Customs is listed John W. Bradford as a Clerk in the First Auditors Office at the Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC noting he was born in Ireland, appointed from Texas and had compensation of $1000.
The June 5, 1880 census lists J W Bradford working as a Clerk in the First Auditors Office residing at 628 Rhode Island Ave Washington, DC both he and his parents born in Ireland, his wife Belle age 32 keeping house born in Virginia as was her father, her mother in DC, also daughter Jennie at home with the notation "by 1st wife" born in NY and both her father and mother in Ireland. One must comment that the names of John's first wife Irish born Isabella in 1829 and died say circa 1865 probably Hoboken and his second wife Belle born in Virginia in 1848 who outlived him and his daughter Isabella, later also called Belle, born in 1858 and lived out her life in New Jersey, make for possible confusion. Also, as is often the case, each census and yet even other source records show discrepancies in ages and such facts as can prove frustrating but when taken on the whole paint a clear enough picture helping enable us to view small windows into their lives.
Meanwhile the census taken June 4, 1880 at Orange, NJ [p8] finds Isabel Bradford age 22 born in NJ working as a domestic servant to Henry A. Brown age 36 a hatter of William Street and his wife Josephine age 33 and two children Charles A. age 12 & Mary B. Brown age 4. The following page [p9] continues the listing of those residing on the same street, William Street in Orange, where widower Samuel O. Merritt age 31 working as a mason was boarding, both he and his parents born in NJ. Within the next six months between Aug. 1880 and Feb. 1881 the two, Isabella Bradford and Samuel Merritt, were married most likely there in Orange, NJ and soon after their son Carroll Bradford Merritt was born Nov. 15, 1881. Samuel had been married to Sarah Lurana Beach who died in 1875 and by him had son Joseph Beach Merritt born March 5, 1873 who in 1880 was living with his grandparents Joseph and Elvira C. Beach at Rockaway, Morris Co, New Jersey.
On the reverse of a photograph of John and Belle written in his own hand reads "To Isa from her father. JWBradford Washington D.C. January 10th 1882"
The July 1, 1885 "Official Register of United States Officers and Employes" p68 is listed John W. Bradford as a Clerk in the First Auditors Office at the Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC noting he was born in Ireland, appointed from Texas and had compensation of $1400. A year and a half later on Dec. 31, 1886 he made application for his Civil War Pension. In 1890 he was listed in the Washington, D.C. City Directory as John W Bradford 628 Rhode Island Avenue northwest 1st auditor clerk. Where he had been residing and working for the Treasury Department for over 10 years.
John W. Bradford died Oct. 31, 1892 and rests at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia; Section WE Lot 43A. There an impressive white marble monument was erected which reads; LIEUT. JOHN W. BRADFORD. Co. H. 4TH. N. J. INFT. DIED OCT. 31, 1892 AGED 59 YEARS. < o > AT REST. He was actually 64, having been born in 1828 and perhaps giving the impression he was 5 years younger and that much closer in age to his younger wife Belle, who on Nov. 9, 1892 filed for a Widows Pension.
Meanwhile John's daughter, Isabella's husband Samuel Merritt had died in 1883 and she married a second time in 1886 to a widower with four sons, Benjamin Collins, born 1838, with whom she had two daughters; Amy B. Collins born in May 1888 and Caroline A. Collins born October 1895. They are listed on the 1900 census residing on South Orange Ave in Livingston, NJ along with Benjamin's youngest son Clarence B. Collins who was born in October 1877. By 1910 Benjamin had died leaving Belle a widow and she, Clarence and Carrie are found residing at the corner of Freeman and Valley Streets in Orange, Amy was not listed with them. Belle and Carrie are still there in 1920 but without Clarence. 1920 was the year daughter Caroline married Robert MacGeorge the son of Scottish born Jane MacGeorge (b1855). Robert was born April 23, 1891 in Orange, NJ and together they had six children; Robert D. MacGeorge born 1922, Claire B. MacGeorge born 1924, Donald H. MacGeorge born 1925, Calvin A. MacGeorge born Aug. 1926, Stanley B. MacGeorge born 1928 and Walter MacGeorge born 1929. They were all living together in 1930 at 11 Tichenor Place, Montclair, Essex Co, NJ, Belle noted as a 73 year old widow and a Practical Nurse. She died August 20, 1937 in Parlin, Middlesex Co, NJ.
Isabella's son Carroll Bradford Merritt had been living in Newark with his father's sister Jane L. Merritt and her husband Phillip A. Carroll whom he was named for. They married November 4, 1866, Phillip was a Jeweler and they had a daughter Florence J. Carroll born in 1869 who had died young. Carroll is found to be listed twice in the 1900 census records; as a nephew with his then widowed Aunt Jennie Merritt Carroll on Walnut Street in Newark, NJ listed as Chas. B. Merritt, and also as a boarder on Main Street in Madison, NJ as Carroll B. Bradford, although both in error each notes him to be a Bookkeeper. It was there in Madison he met Jane Inez VanBlarcom Cook, the daughter of Susan Elizabeth Watson and Charles Ellis Cook. The two were married in Madison on November 15, 1906, the occasion of Carroll's 25th Birthday. Their union brought 4 daughters; Jane VanBlarcom born Aug. 16, 1907, Nancy Watson born March 10, 1909, Susan Elizabeth born Jan. 15, 1912 and Caroline Bradford Merritt born July 9, 1920, all at Madison. Carroll began working for Charles Scribner & Sons, Fifth Avenue, NYC and remained with them for many years, decades in fact. He died in Madison on April 7, 1979, his wife Jane some years earlier on Sept. 7, 1960 at Morristown, NJ.
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