Many people on Ancestry have trees which try to combine William Bradley of Coventry and William Bradley of Bingley. How do I phrase the following more succinctly and cogently? Thanks, cb
If we take it that William Bradley and Francis Bradley were not related (at least, not closely) but just ended up in the same place in America, both their trees make sense.
Francis Bradley of Fairfield, was born 1620-30, died 1689 and had a brother John who lived in Holborn 1623-1697.
They are supposed to have been the sons of Francis Bradley junior of Coventry. We know from the Visitation of Warwickshire that he was born in 1595, son of
Francis Bradley senior, born about 1565, married to Franciska Watkin of Monmouth, and son of
William Bradley of Coventry born about 1535 who married Agnes Margetts born about 1543.
The Visitation in 1619 gives three sons for William and Agnes. We know they were married in 1563, (TNA document C2/Eliz/B3/49) therefore it is likely Francis was born about 1565, the second son Thomas about 1570 and the third son William about 1575. S. found a baptism in Holy Trinity, Coventry for William Bradley, son of William 1 may 1574 and that ties up perfectly. He also found a baptism for Antony in 1581, but presumably Antony died before the Visitation in 1619.
According to the Visitation the father of William Bradley of Coventry was William Bradley of Sheriff Hutton, County York, probably born about 1500.
Meanwhile in Bingley;
William Bradley/Broadley was born about 1611. He ought to be the oldest son of Daniel Broadley because Daniel's father was named William and, as T. pointed out, William was very well off as he acquired land after he came to America. The eldest son is normally the wealthiest. He is connected to the second family of his father, because they also emigrated, with William's stepmother.
Daniel Broadley was baptized at Bingley 26 jan 1588/9. We know he was the second son of William Bradley because William Bradley of New Close left a will 22 December 1598, naming his surviving children as Michael, Daniel, Matthew and Sara. Michael, unmarried and childless, left Daniel £40 in his will 29 April 1613. Daniel had a legacy from his father and a legacy from his brother.
Michael was baptized at St John the Baptist, Halifax 21 August 1586 as the son of William Brodley of Hipperholme. William of Hipperholme was baptized at St John the Baptist, Halifax 8 August 1560 son of Robert Brodley and Margaret Roper.
Robert left a will 22 December 1560, mentioning his father Richard, still alive, wife Margaret and children Isabell, Sybil, Robert and William. The eldest child John had died soon after birth. A daughter Alice also died young. Sibyl died 1563. I have found no documents relating to Robert junior as an adult and believe he died young.
William Brodley's mother was Margaret Roper and the guardian chosen for Michael, eldest son of William Brodley, was Thomas Roper of Halifax Bank. This shows the connection of William of New Close, Bradford to the Ropers and to Halifax. Thomas Roper also had a son Michael. It was at that date a popular name in the locality of Halifax.
Richard Brodley, father of Robert, married Elizabeth Firth abt 1512. Richard paid tax on £10 in the Lay Subsidy of 1545. He died in 1562/3. He was born about 1485.
I still have no idea who Isaac Bradley was. William Brodley, 1560-1598 clearly had no close Broadley relations remaining or he would have named them in his will as guardians of his children. Therefore, either Isaac is the son/grandson of Matthew, brother of Michael and Daniel or he is a more distant relation, clearly with the same Y-DNA. The Lane End Broadleys of Hipperholme included several Isaacs and were certainly the same family but since Isaac and the family of William (?1611-91) would be by that date be 4th or 5th cousins I am surprised that they would know they were cousins. Most people can't remember past their grandparents.
