John Henry BRADFORD

Father: John BRADFORD
Mother: Elvira HENDLEY

Family 1: Lourenda A. PINSON

(1) Source: Alabama, U.S., County Marriage Records via Ancestry.com.

  1. Mary E. L. BRADFORD
  2. Archie BRADFORD
  3. Lella F. BRADFORD
  4. John Frank BRADFORD

Family 2: Martha McGAUGHY

(1) Source: Alabama, U.S., County Marriage Records via Ancestry.com.

  1. Etta L. BRADFORD
  2. Samuel J. BRADFORD
  3. William H. H. BRADFORD
  4. Earley T. BRADFORD
  5. Mary Ellen BRADFORD
  6. Ida E. BRADFORD

Family 3: Callie "Mollie" ALDREDGE

(1) Source: Alabama, Texas and Virginia, U.S., Confederate Pensions via Ancestry.com.

Family 4: Mary Frances ELLIS

(1) Source: Alabama, Texas and Virginia, U.S., Confederate Pensions via Ancestry.com. 
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 _John BRADFORD__|
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|--John Henry BRADFORD
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|_Elvira HENDLEY_|
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Notes

Updated June 12, 2026. Compiled by Howder (www.howderfamily.com) from the following source(s):

(1) 1850 United States Census for Alabama, Shelby Co.: Page 8; September 19, 1850.

John BRADFORD is the son of John BRADFORD (age 50, b. South Carolina, a farmer) and Elvira BRADFORD (age 27). He is 3 years old, and his brother James H. BRADFORD is 7 years old. Everyone in the household was born in Alabama.

(2) 1860 United States Census for Alabama, Bibb Co., on the E. Side of Cahaba River (Oakleyville Post Office): Pages 101-102; July 26, 1860.

John H. BRADFORD is the son of Jno. BRADFORD (age 56, b. South Carolina, a farmer) and Elvira BRADFORD (age 38, b. Alabama, cannot read/write). John is 13 years old, born in Alabama, and is not attending school unlike his next older and younger sibling. His siblings are James H. (age 16), James N. (age 7), Joseph (age 5), Martha J. (age 5), Sarah A. (age 3), and Ada (age 10 months), all born in Alabama

(3) Alabama, Texas and Virginia, U.S., Confederate Pensions via Ancestry.com

John Henry BRADFORD passed away on 9 Mar 1928 in Calera Co., Alabama. Two of his former wives, Mollie (ALDREDGE) BRADFORD and Mary Frances (ELLIS) BRADFORD, both applied for a widow's pension. As the Hon. L. B. RIDDLE, Judge of Probate for neighboring Shelby Co., in Columbiana, Alabama, stated: "Never before have I had two women claim the pension of a soldier. I am enclosing both applications and will let you pass on the claims. Mollie claims they were never divorced and Mary Jane was living with him at time of his death." Ultimately Mollie withdrew her application and Mary received the pension.

The file contains a wealth of facts relating to the lives of John Henry BRADFORD, his wives, and his other familial relationships. Those specific to this record will be noted below as "From Pension File".

(4) National Park Service, Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System (CWSS) database.

- Name: BRADFORD, J.H.
- Battle Unit Name: 1st Regiment, Alabama Reserves (62nd Regiment Infantry)
- Side: Confederacy
- Company: I
- Soldier's Rank In: Private
- Soldier's Rank Out: Private
- Film Number: M374 ROLL 5
- Notes: Sometimes called the Boys Regiment; "Most of the enlisted men were between the ages of sixteen and eighteen... The regiment was assigned to General B.M. THOMAS' Brigade, and served at Mobile and the bay forts. Part of four companies were captured in October [1864] and a large part when Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely fell."

(5) Alabama, U.S., Civil War Soldiers via Ancestry.com

- Name: John H BRADFORD
- Birth Date: 15 Aug 1846
- Birth Place: USA, Alabama, Shelby County, Montevallo
- Enlistment Date: 1 Jan 1864
- Enlistment Place: Alabama, USA
- Enlistment Age: 17
- Military Branch: Infantry
- Regiment or Unit: 62nd Alabama
- Company Unit: I
- Enlistment Info: Alabama, Selma, Private
- Remarks: Served until he was paroled at Big Black, 12 miles this side of Vicksburg.
- Address, 1921: Montevallo, Shelby County, Alabama
- Author: 1921 Census of Confederate Soldiers

(6) From Pension File: John BRADFORD was a prisoner of war held on Ship Island, a barrier island off the coast of Mississippi. He served until the end of the war, and his captain was George SHORTER. He was receiving a Confederate pension (number 6120) in Shelby County, Alabama, at the time of his death.

(7) Alabama, U.S., County Marriage Records via Ancestry.com

- "The State of Alabama – Shelby County. To any of the Judges of said State, or Justice of the Peace of said County, or any other Person Legally Authorized thereon, to authorize you to solemnize the Rites of Matrimony between John H. BRADFORD and Miss S. A. PERSON [e.d., Lourenda A. PINSON] of said county, agreeable to the Statute in such cases made and provided. Given on the office of the Judge of Probate this 20th day of June 1866. N. BELLARDIS, Judge of Probate."
- "BY virtue of the above License, I have solemnized the Rites of Matrimony between the above named persons on the 21st day of June 1866. R. S. WOODWARD, M.G."

(8) 1870 United States Census for Alabama, Baker Co. [now Chilton County], Precinct No. 2 (Chestnut Creek Office): Page 23; July 24, 1870.

J. H. BRADFORD is head of household, married to Lurenda [PINSON] BRADFORD (age 21). He is 24 years old and is a farmer with no real estate and personal estate valued at $200. Children in the household are Mary (age 3) and Archie (age 1). Everyone in the household was born in Alabama.

(9) SPECULATIVE: Several family trees on Ancestry.com state that Lourenda A. PINSON BRADFORD passed away on 17 November 1871 in Shelby Co., Alabama. I could not find any primary records to confirm this information although it seems to fit within the narrative of John BRADFORD's life.

(10) Alabama, U.S., County Marriage Records via Ancestry.com

- "The State of Alabama – Shelby County. To any Judge of said State, any Justice of the Peace of said County, or any other Person Legally Authorized: YOU are authorized to celebrate the Rites of Matrimony between John H. BRADFORD and Martha McGAUGHY of said county, agreeable to the Statute in such cases made and provided. Witness–, My hand this 20th day of February 1873. J. T LEEPEN, Judge of Probate."
- "BY virtue of the above License, I have solemnized the Rites of Matrimony between the above named persons on the 20th day of February 1873. T. B. DISON."

(11) 1880 United States Census for Alabama, Shelby Co., Beat No. 4, Village of Montevallo: Supervisor's District 2; Enumeration District 134; Pages 4-5; June 3, 1880.

John H. BRADFORD is head of household, married to Martha L. [McGAUGHY] BRADFORD. He is 39 years old and was born in Alabama, as were his parents. He is a farmer. Children in the household (probably by his 1st marriage to Lourenda PINSON) are Mary E. L. (age 13), Lella F. (age 9), and John F. (age 9); and (probably by his 2nd marriage to Martha L. McGAUGJHY) Etta L. (age 6), Samuel J. (age 4), and William H. H. (age 2). Everyone in the family was born in Alabama.

(12) 1880 United States Agricultural Census for Alabama, Shelby Co., Beat No. 10: Supervisor's District 2; Enumeration District 126; Pages 9; June 11, 1880.

- Name: Jno. BRADFORD
- Tenure: Rents for Share of Products
- Improved, Tilled Land (acres): 27
- Value of Farm Implements: $10
- Value of Live Stock: $100
- Value of All Farm Production: $200
- Horses: 1
- Milch Cows: 1
- Other Cattle: 1
- Calves Dropped: 1
- Cattle Purchased: 1
- Butter (pounds): 25
- Swine: 6
- Barn-Yard Poultry: 15
- Eggs (dozen): 50
- Indian Corn: 10 acres; 50 bushels
- Wheat: 2 acres; 13 bushels
- Cotton: 14 acres; 3 bales
- Potatoes (Irish): 1/15 acre; 4 bushels
- Potatoes (Sweet): 1/2 acre; 50 bushels
- Tobacco: 1/8 acre; 15 pounds
- Wood: 50 cords; $50

(13) From Find a Grave (Memorial ID: 59752140): John BRADFORD's wife, Martha "Mattie" McGAUGHY BRADFORD died on 3 August 1893 at 41 years old.

(14) From Pension File: John BRADFORD married Callie "Mollie" ALDREDGE on 15 October 1894 in Chilton Co., Alabama. Mollie was born 10 January 1865 in Coosa Co., Alabama. She listed her children as George, Fannie & Roan CROXTON of Montevallo, Alabama; and Johnie BRADFORD of Chicago, Illinois. Mollie explained in a letter to the court: "I married John BRADFORD more than thirty years ago, but later a former husband whom had been absent sometime, was heard from, hence Mr. BRADFORD left me..."

(15) From Pension File: John BRADFORD married Mary Frances ELLIS on 21 December 1896 in Chilton Co., Alabama. Mary was born 2 July 1846 in Alabama. She had previously been married to John JOHNSON on 12 November 1875 and he died on 4 November 1879 in Shelby Co., Alabama.

(16) 1900 United States Census for Alabama, Chilton Co., Jemison Precinct: Supervisor's District 2; Enumeration District 25; Sheet 3A; June 5-6, 1900.

John H. BRADFOR is head of household, married to Mary F. [ELLIS] BRADFOR (b. Jul 1846). Children in the household are Earley T. (b. Apr 1882), Ellen (b. Mar 1884), and Ida E. (b. Feb 1886). Everyone in the household was born in Alabama.

- Birth date: August 1847; age 53
- Number of Years of Present Marriage: 2 years
- Birthplace: Alabama, with his father born in South Carolina and his mother born in Alabama
- Occupation: Sawmill Man
- Home: Rents his home; it is not a farm

(17) 1910 United States Census for Alabama, Chilton Co., Precinct 13 Ocampo: Supervisor's District 4; Enumeration District 47; Sheet 1B; April 15, 1910.

John BRADFORD is head of household, married to Mary F. [ELLIS] BRADFORD (age 64, no children). There are other BRADFORD family members present: a "servant" Hettie BRADFORD (age 20) and grandchildren, Lenniah (age 10), Annia A. (age 8), Perry L. (age 6), Mary E. (age 5), ang Laura (age 1). Everyone in the household was born in Alabama.

- Address: Montevallo and Montgomery Road
- Age: 63; married for 10 years
- Birthplace: Alabama, as were his parents
- Occupation: Farmer of his own farm
- Home ownership: Owns a farm free of mortgage

(18) Alabama, U.S., Confederate Pension and Service Records via Ancestry.com

- Date: January 2, 1912
- County: Shelby
- Warrant Number: 26217
- Amount: $16.00
- Name: Jno. H. BRADFORD

(19) 1920 United States Census for Alabama, Chilton Co., Precinct 13 Ocampo: Supervisor's District 4; Enumeration District 52; Sheet 7A; January 15-19, 1920.

John H. BRADFORD resides in the farm household of his daughter and son-in-law, Ida [BRADFORD] MILLS (age 32) and Bennie G. MILLS. John is 73 years old and born in Alabama, with his father born in South Carolina and his mother born in Alabama. His wife is not included in the household, and in fact, he is listed as a widower.

(20) Alabama, U.S., Deaths and Burials Index via Ancestry.com

- Name: John H BRADFORD
- Death Date: 9 Mar 1928
- Death Place: Calera, Chilton, Alabama
- Death Age: 81
- Marital Status: Married
- Gender: Male
- Father Name: John BRADFORD
- Spouse Name: Mary BRADFORD
- FHL Film Number: 1908451

(21) From Pension File: Mary Francis (ELLIS) BRADFORD was living with John BRADFORD when he passed away on 9 March 1928. "Me and Jno. H. Bradford was living to geather at his death March 9th 1928 at Benny MILLS, Jno. H. BRADFORD’s son in law"

(22) From Pension File: Mollie (ALDREDGE) BRADFORD withdrew her application for a survivor's pension on 23 April 1928. She wrote to the court and said, "I want to withdraw the application. I feel I’m not entitled to this pension. His widow Mary Frances BRADFORD was with him in his declining years and waited on and nursed him, hence I feel she is entitled to the pension and deem it a favor to give her this pension at your earliest convenience… very truly, Mrs. Mollie HALL - Mrs. Mollie BRADFORD, Montevallo, Ala % George CROXTON. In a separate letter she specified, "He [i.e., John BRADFORD] has not lived with me in thirty years. I was influenced by his children to make this application, through envy to his wife Mrs. Mary Frances BRADFORD. Trusting this explains all in regard to this matter."

(23) Find a Grave

- Name: John H. BRADFORD
- Birth: 15 Aug 1844; Alabama, USA
- Death: 9 Mar 1928 (aged 83); Calera, Shelby County, Alabama, USA
- Burial: Salem Cemetery; Montevallo, Shelby County, Alabama, USA
- Children: Mary Ellen BRADFORD RAY (1884–1949); Ida BRADFORD MILLS (1887–1970)
- Memorial ID: 81064242

(24) Edelman & Adams family records.

(25) Alabama, U.S., Census of Confederate Soldiers via Ancestry.com

- Give your full name: "John H BRADFORD"
- Your complete postoffice address: "Montevallo Shelby county Ala."
- Your number on pension roll: "13"
- In what county did you live when you were first placed on the roll?: "Chilton"
- In what other states have you lived, and when? "None"
- When did you move to Alabama?: "Borned hear"
- Where were you born? Place: "Montevallo," County: "Shelby," State: "Ala."
- When were you born? Month: "August," Day: "15," Year: "1846"
- Where did you enlist?: "Selma Ala."
- When did you enlist: "In January the first 1864"
- In what branch of the service?: "Intfery Survis"
- What was the number of your Regiment?: "62"
- Was it an Alabama Regiment?: "Yes"
- What was the name of your Captain? "George SHORTRIDG"
- What was the name of your Colonel? "Col Daniel HEGER 62 Ala infantry"
- Name some of the battles in which you took part: "Fort Gains then Blackey’s have give you all that’s can and the best that’s can recollect’s have wrote you a letter of a great many things whils’s was during the War yours truley"
- Were you ever wounded?: "No"
- If so, state when: "at Fort Gains"
- And in what battles?: "When Fort Gaines and Fort Shorgain was captured
- Were you captured?: "Yes"
- If so, when?: "When"
- And where?: Fort Gains was captured
- Were you imprisoned?: "Yes"
- If so, when?: "At Fort Gains"
- Where?: "At New Orleans 3 months"
- And for how long? "Ship Island 3 months"
- How were you discharged?: "Exchange"
- Did you ever transfer or belong to any other Company or Command other than the one in which you first enlisted?: "Yes"
- If so, give the Company: "Lockharts Burtalion in about 2 months change to the co i redgment 62 Alabama"
- Give name of the Captain: "George SHORTRIDGE"
- And Colonel: "Daniel HALGER"
- What was the length of your service as a soldier?: "From January the 1 1864 to May the 7 1865"
- Are you married?: "Have"
- If so, state the age of your wife: "Himm but"
- Where she was born: "the 2 wifes air dead"
- When, where and under what circumstances did you quit the service?: "Was paroled at big black 12 miles this side Victbarg"
- Were you paroled at close of war? "Yes"
- If so, when?: "May the 7 1865" and where?: "At big black"
- Have you your parole?: "No"
- Where are you registered as a voter? Precinct: "13", County: "Chilton"
- What is your occupation: "Not able to work"
- With whom are you living? "B.G. MILLS, sunin law"
- Give Names of Living Children, post office address, occupation: "William BRADFORD, Front Filet Texas, saw milling; S.J. BRADFORD, Fertson Ga., some farming; W.H. BRADFORD, Red Water Texas, some farming; Norman BRADFORD, Gimerson Ala, some farming; E.T. BRADFORD, Plesant Hill Ala, some farming; Ida MILLS; Ellin REY; Mary PARKER
- Have you received your pension warrant regularly since you have been on the roll? "No’s concernst"
- If not, please give us any information regarding the same that you may see fit to give: "In July the 13 1910’s give in mi name but some times the pay was short some 60 dollars’s sarpose short sense the raise it has come up all rite"
- Sign your name: "John W. BRADFORD"
- Witness: "B.G. MILLS"
- Postoffice address of witness: "Montevallo Ala R2"
- Date: "August the 8 1921"