Bio Updated on 8-4-2019 ~ By B. Bradford 2G Granddaughter
• William "Billy" Bradford was the son of John Bradford and Hannah (Choate / Shroate?) born about 1815/1816 at North Muddy Creek and Caleb Branch of Burke Co., (now McDowell) North Carolina. This is based on a land entry in which John Bradford filed on April 28, 1814, Entry #6240 for 100 Acres on Caleb Branch and North Muddy Creek located in now east Marion, McDowell Co. which was formed out of Burke Co. in 1842. John Duncan was his neighbor who also lived on Muddy Creek and acquired 100 acres (Grant No. 3766 issued 7 Dec. 1816). In the 1820 Burke Co., NC Census, "John Bradford" family was noted with: Males 2 = [0-10], 1 = [10-16], 1 = [45+]; Females: 1= [0-10], 2 = [10-16], 1 = [16-26] 1= [26-45] in the household. They were enumerated next door to Jesse Pendergrass and Moses Pendergrass households on one side and Thomas Robinson on the other; one door down was John Duncan.
• His father, John Bradford, was never granted his land entry on Muddy Creek and thus the family left the county sometime before 1830 for the Hortons Creek area of Buncombe (now Yancey Co.) NC. He was noted in the 1830 Buncombe Co., NC census with 2 sons (Billy and Sam) and 2 daughters (Elizabeth and Susannah) and wife Hannah. Daughters Jane and Mary were married by 1830. John and Hannah Bradford lived next door to John Pate on one side, John Whitson on the other; Nathan Horton one door down. Their son Samuel eventually married John Pate's daughter Elizabeth.
• When Billy was about 18 years old, on November 26, 1834, he entered for a 50 acre tract of land under “William Bradford” to include Snake Knob, in Yancey Co., NC. Entry #347. The survey was conducted on October 15, 1835, and certified on November 8, 1838. Witnesses were John Honeycutt (Billy’s brother-in-law) and John Bradford (father). There is no record this entry was ever granted. His sister Jane and John Honeycutt already established their homestead in this area. Snake Knob is located near the confluence of Little Bald Mountain Creek and the Cane River (now Little Creek - Lewisburg of Ramsey Twp.).
• On July 25, 1835, “John Bradford” applied for a 100 acre parcel lying in "Coxes Cove on the Tumbling Fork of the Indian Creek" (Hortons Creek area in Yancey Co.). which was granted by the State of NC Yancey Co., Grant #253, on June 1st, 1839. “Moses Honeycutt and John Midcalph” were chain bearers. John’s daughter, Jane married John Honeycutt, and he was the son of Moses Honeycutt.
• Billy was about 25 years old and continued to live with his parents in the 1840 Yancey Co., NC Census and noted in the 20-30 age group. There were two small girls also living in the household which appear to be his daughters, 0-5 age group (Hannah) and a girl in the 5-10 age group. The mother of Hannah was Mary “Polly” Cooper born abt. 1820 in Tennessee with whom Billy began a long term relationship. The John Bradford family lived next door to Malcolm Horton on one side and Joseph Ferguson on the other; one door down was Edmund Edwards Sr. who married Elizabeth Bradford (Billy's sister).
• John Honeycutt was killed sometime before 1839 leaving his wife, Jane Bradford-Honeycutt (Billy’s sister), and 4 children, Naomi, Noah, John and Austin alone. On February 11, 1842, “William Bradford” was appointed legal guardianship of the 4 orphaned children of John Honeycutt and ordered to take care of and improve the Estate belonging to them and settle his guardianship and accounts with the Yancey Co. Court until they become of lawful age. Signed by William Bradford, John Bradford, John Hensley and William Wilson. There was no mention of Jane in the document.
• On April 25, 1848, “John Bradford” paid $33 to James R. Love to survey 50 acres to include the Mill on Little Bald Creek for his son "William Bradford." And bond was issued and the parcel was located in Egypt Twp., Yancey Co. This was about the time when his parents left Horton's creek for Egypt Twp. settling near the Old John Honeycutt property.
• Billy’s sister, Jane Bradford-Honeycutt, widow of John Honeycutt, and her son Austin, moved in with Billy and were enumerated in the 1850 Census as follows: HH #343, William Bradford age 34, Jane age 40 and Austin age 15. Next door HH #342 were Howell Briggs and Naomi (Jane Bradford-Honeycutt's daughter and Billy's niece); HH #340 Edmund Edwards and Elizabeth (Billy and Jane's sister). Billy continued to court Mary Polly Cooper and by 1850 they had 4 children together: Hannah (age 13) John (age 6) and Belandrona (age 4) who were living with their mother in HH #908 and next door was her brother, William Cooper, on one side and Silas A. Hensley on the other in the Lotties Creek area of Yancey. Billy's father died sometime before 1855 and he was the Executor of his Father's Estate; his mother Hannah must have died before his father as she was not mentioned in the Estate receiving anything.
• On January 26, 1858, "William Bradford" sold a 100 acre parcel on “Big Bald Creek” as Executor of his father’s Estate, John Bradford deceased, to Calvin Duncan. L.S. Phillips was the witness. This parcel was located at the junction of 19W and Rt. 1395, Bald Creek Road. This parcel was adjacent to the Old John Honeycutt parcel which John Bradford also acquired but the deed was lost and then sold to John Duncan (see next paragraph).
• On March 24, 1858, "William Bradford" was a witness to the land transaction in which Robert Love sold 100 acres on “Big Bald Creek” to John Duncan. This could be the same John Duncan who was neighbors of John Bradford back at Muddy Creek in Burke Co. (now McDowell). This parcel was the old John Honeycutt land which John Bradford acquired, but the deed was destroyed and John was dead at this time. The parcel was located in Little Creek (Lewisburg) and Bradford Road currently exist and where this cemetery lies.
• In the 1860 Yancey Co. Census, Egypt Twp., "William Bradford" was noted in HH #744 age 45 and working as a Farmer. Also living in the house was his long-term companion "Polly Cooper" age 40 and their children: “Hannah Cooper” age 24, “John Cooper” age 16, “Belandera R. Cooper” age 14 and “Andrew Cooper” 9/12. Also living in the house was John Wilson age 20 working as a laborer. Hannah Cooper eventually married John Wilson. Billy served as a Yancey Co. Freeholder in 1862. The Civil War broke out and most of Billy Bradfords relatives were CSA supporters. His nephew, Austin Honeycutt, married Elizabeth “Betsy” Wilson, and served with the 29th Infantry CSA. He died in July 1862 from dropsy. In October that year, Billy was the Executor of his nephew’s Estate to administer one year’s provision to widow Betsy.
• On October 12, 1862, "William Johnson" sold 126 acres to "William Bradford" in Egypt Twp, Yancey Co., NC. witnessed by Robert Lewis and J.N. Lowery. The property was adjacent to his brothers land (Sam Bradford); David Honeycutt and Noah Honeycutt's parcels; adjacent to John Duncan old property line. This parcel was Snake Knob, 2907 feet above sea level on the Little Bald Creek in now Lewisburg Ramsey Twp. The GPS coordinates are 35.9964994 (latitude), -82.3973556 (longitude). This cemetery is located on this former parcel of land.
• On December 13, 1862, William Bradford sold 76 acres on Little Bald Mountain Creek, adjacent to John Duncan's and John William's lines to Alford Brackins. Witnesses: H.W. Briggs and Samuel Estep. This land transaction appears to be a carve out from the 126 acres acquired from William Johnson
• The Civil War ended and Billy and Mary “Polly” Cooper continued living together. In addition to farming, tax records showed that “William Bradford”, along with “William Cooper” (Polly’s brother) and “Noah Honeycutt” (Billy’s nephew) were distillers of alcohol and taxed as follows: Bradford $48 for 32 gallons of Cider Brandy; Cooper $6 for 4 gallons Cider Brandy; and Honeycutt $6 for 4 gallons Cider Brandy and $28 for 14 gallons of spirits.
• On October 29, 1866, Yancey County brought charges again Billy and Polly for an unlawful co-habitation and fornication for not being married and “Mary Cooper” was noted as a “spinster.” Their long- term relationship dissolved shortly afterwards when Billy developed an affection for widowed Betsy Wilson-Honeycutt who was 14 years his junior.
• On August 11, 1867, “William Bradford” sold a 50 acre parcel located on the Little Bald Mountain Creek to his daughter Hannah (Cooper) and her husband William Issam Hensley. The land was adjacent to Samuel Estep and John Williams’ homesteads. The witnesses were John Cooper (Billy Bradford’s son), J.W. Peek.
• Elizabeth “Betsy” already had 3 children sired by Austin Honeycutt deceased. I could not find a marriage record for Billy and Betsy and in the 1870 Yancey Co. Census, Egypt Twp., HH #82, “William age 52 - Farmer” and “Elizabeth age 38”, were living together with the following children: Mary Jane age 16, Thomas J. age 14, Emily Cora age 13 (children with Noah); Andrew age 4, Samuel age 3, Isom B. age 2/12 (children with Billy). Based on the birth declaration of Andrew age 4, Billy and Betsy must have established their relationship sometime in 1865 which may have something to do with the unlawful cohabitation / fornication charges presented against Billy and Polly Cooper in 1866. Polly was living next door in HH #83 with her son in law William Issam Hensley and daughter Hannah’s household. She was noted as “Mary Hensley age 50 born in TN.”
• In the 1880 Yancey Co., NC Census, Ramseytown, Billy and Betsy Bradford were listed as follows: William age 63 - Farmer, Elizabeth age 45, Andrew age 14, Sam age 12, Isham age 10, Cordelia age 7.
• On September 22, 1882, “William Bradford” personally appeared before the Yancey Co. Probate Judge to secure a grant on his land which was entered back in April of 1848. The court granted the land and registered the property with the county.
• On June 27, 1890, "William Bradford and John Cooper" were deposed to offer testimony for William Issam Hensley's invalid pension application. He was the widower of Hannah, Billy Bradford and Polly Cooper's daughter dec'd. That was the last record I could find on Billy Bradford.
• There was no death certificate for Billy and both he and Betsy were gone by the 1900 Census.
Children with Mary Polly Cooper, all of whom assumed the Cooper surname:
1) Hannah
2) John
3) Belandrona Ruth
4) Andrew
Children with Elizabeth Betsy Wilson who assumed the Bradford surname:
1) Andrew
2) Samuel L.
3) Isham B.
4) Cordelia "Delia"
• William "Billy" Bradford was the son of John Bradford and Hannah (Choate / Shroate?) born about 1815/1816 at North Muddy Creek and Caleb Branch of Burke Co., (now McDowell) North Carolina. This is based on a land entry in which John Bradford filed on April 28, 1814, Entry #6240 for 100 Acres on Caleb Branch and North Muddy Creek located in now east Marion, McDowell Co. which was formed out of Burke Co. in 1842. John Duncan was his neighbor who also lived on Muddy Creek and acquired 100 acres (Grant No. 3766 issued 7 Dec. 1816). In the 1820 Burke Co., NC Census, "John Bradford" family was noted with: Males 2 = [0-10], 1 = [10-16], 1 = [45+]; Females: 1= [0-10], 2 = [10-16], 1 = [16-26] 1= [26-45] in the household. They were enumerated next door to Jesse Pendergrass and Moses Pendergrass households on one side and Thomas Robinson on the other; one door down was John Duncan.
• His father, John Bradford, was never granted his land entry on Muddy Creek and thus the family left the county sometime before 1830 for the Hortons Creek area of Buncombe (now Yancey Co.) NC. He was noted in the 1830 Buncombe Co., NC census with 2 sons (Billy and Sam) and 2 daughters (Elizabeth and Susannah) and wife Hannah. Daughters Jane and Mary were married by 1830. John and Hannah Bradford lived next door to John Pate on one side, John Whitson on the other; Nathan Horton one door down. Their son Samuel eventually married John Pate's daughter Elizabeth.
• When Billy was about 18 years old, on November 26, 1834, he entered for a 50 acre tract of land under “William Bradford” to include Snake Knob, in Yancey Co., NC. Entry #347. The survey was conducted on October 15, 1835, and certified on November 8, 1838. Witnesses were John Honeycutt (Billy’s brother-in-law) and John Bradford (father). There is no record this entry was ever granted. His sister Jane and John Honeycutt already established their homestead in this area. Snake Knob is located near the confluence of Little Bald Mountain Creek and the Cane River (now Little Creek - Lewisburg of Ramsey Twp.).
• On July 25, 1835, “John Bradford” applied for a 100 acre parcel lying in "Coxes Cove on the Tumbling Fork of the Indian Creek" (Hortons Creek area in Yancey Co.). which was granted by the State of NC Yancey Co., Grant #253, on June 1st, 1839. “Moses Honeycutt and John Midcalph” were chain bearers. John’s daughter, Jane married John Honeycutt, and he was the son of Moses Honeycutt.
• Billy was about 25 years old and continued to live with his parents in the 1840 Yancey Co., NC Census and noted in the 20-30 age group. There were two small girls also living in the household which appear to be his daughters, 0-5 age group (Hannah) and a girl in the 5-10 age group. The mother of Hannah was Mary “Polly” Cooper born abt. 1820 in Tennessee with whom Billy began a long term relationship. The John Bradford family lived next door to Malcolm Horton on one side and Joseph Ferguson on the other; one door down was Edmund Edwards Sr. who married Elizabeth Bradford (Billy's sister).
• John Honeycutt was killed sometime before 1839 leaving his wife, Jane Bradford-Honeycutt (Billy’s sister), and 4 children, Naomi, Noah, John and Austin alone. On February 11, 1842, “William Bradford” was appointed legal guardianship of the 4 orphaned children of John Honeycutt and ordered to take care of and improve the Estate belonging to them and settle his guardianship and accounts with the Yancey Co. Court until they become of lawful age. Signed by William Bradford, John Bradford, John Hensley and William Wilson. There was no mention of Jane in the document.
• On April 25, 1848, “John Bradford” paid $33 to James R. Love to survey 50 acres to include the Mill on Little Bald Creek for his son "William Bradford." And bond was issued and the parcel was located in Egypt Twp., Yancey Co. This was about the time when his parents left Horton's creek for Egypt Twp. settling near the Old John Honeycutt property.
• Billy’s sister, Jane Bradford-Honeycutt, widow of John Honeycutt, and her son Austin, moved in with Billy and were enumerated in the 1850 Census as follows: HH #343, William Bradford age 34, Jane age 40 and Austin age 15. Next door HH #342 were Howell Briggs and Naomi (Jane Bradford-Honeycutt's daughter and Billy's niece); HH #340 Edmund Edwards and Elizabeth (Billy and Jane's sister). Billy continued to court Mary Polly Cooper and by 1850 they had 4 children together: Hannah (age 13) John (age 6) and Belandrona (age 4) who were living with their mother in HH #908 and next door was her brother, William Cooper, on one side and Silas A. Hensley on the other in the Lotties Creek area of Yancey. Billy's father died sometime before 1855 and he was the Executor of his Father's Estate; his mother Hannah must have died before his father as she was not mentioned in the Estate receiving anything.
• On January 26, 1858, "William Bradford" sold a 100 acre parcel on “Big Bald Creek” as Executor of his father’s Estate, John Bradford deceased, to Calvin Duncan. L.S. Phillips was the witness. This parcel was located at the junction of 19W and Rt. 1395, Bald Creek Road. This parcel was adjacent to the Old John Honeycutt parcel which John Bradford also acquired but the deed was lost and then sold to John Duncan (see next paragraph).
• On March 24, 1858, "William Bradford" was a witness to the land transaction in which Robert Love sold 100 acres on “Big Bald Creek” to John Duncan. This could be the same John Duncan who was neighbors of John Bradford back at Muddy Creek in Burke Co. (now McDowell). This parcel was the old John Honeycutt land which John Bradford acquired, but the deed was destroyed and John was dead at this time. The parcel was located in Little Creek (Lewisburg) and Bradford Road currently exist and where this cemetery lies.
• In the 1860 Yancey Co. Census, Egypt Twp., "William Bradford" was noted in HH #744 age 45 and working as a Farmer. Also living in the house was his long-term companion "Polly Cooper" age 40 and their children: “Hannah Cooper” age 24, “John Cooper” age 16, “Belandera R. Cooper” age 14 and “Andrew Cooper” 9/12. Also living in the house was John Wilson age 20 working as a laborer. Hannah Cooper eventually married John Wilson. Billy served as a Yancey Co. Freeholder in 1862. The Civil War broke out and most of Billy Bradfords relatives were CSA supporters. His nephew, Austin Honeycutt, married Elizabeth “Betsy” Wilson, and served with the 29th Infantry CSA. He died in July 1862 from dropsy. In October that year, Billy was the Executor of his nephew’s Estate to administer one year’s provision to widow Betsy.
• On October 12, 1862, "William Johnson" sold 126 acres to "William Bradford" in Egypt Twp, Yancey Co., NC. witnessed by Robert Lewis and J.N. Lowery. The property was adjacent to his brothers land (Sam Bradford); David Honeycutt and Noah Honeycutt's parcels; adjacent to John Duncan old property line. This parcel was Snake Knob, 2907 feet above sea level on the Little Bald Creek in now Lewisburg Ramsey Twp. The GPS coordinates are 35.9964994 (latitude), -82.3973556 (longitude). This cemetery is located on this former parcel of land.
• On December 13, 1862, William Bradford sold 76 acres on Little Bald Mountain Creek, adjacent to John Duncan's and John William's lines to Alford Brackins. Witnesses: H.W. Briggs and Samuel Estep. This land transaction appears to be a carve out from the 126 acres acquired from William Johnson
• The Civil War ended and Billy and Mary “Polly” Cooper continued living together. In addition to farming, tax records showed that “William Bradford”, along with “William Cooper” (Polly’s brother) and “Noah Honeycutt” (Billy’s nephew) were distillers of alcohol and taxed as follows: Bradford $48 for 32 gallons of Cider Brandy; Cooper $6 for 4 gallons Cider Brandy; and Honeycutt $6 for 4 gallons Cider Brandy and $28 for 14 gallons of spirits.
• On October 29, 1866, Yancey County brought charges again Billy and Polly for an unlawful co-habitation and fornication for not being married and “Mary Cooper” was noted as a “spinster.” Their long- term relationship dissolved shortly afterwards when Billy developed an affection for widowed Betsy Wilson-Honeycutt who was 14 years his junior.
• On August 11, 1867, “William Bradford” sold a 50 acre parcel located on the Little Bald Mountain Creek to his daughter Hannah (Cooper) and her husband William Issam Hensley. The land was adjacent to Samuel Estep and John Williams’ homesteads. The witnesses were John Cooper (Billy Bradford’s son), J.W. Peek.
• Elizabeth “Betsy” already had 3 children sired by Austin Honeycutt deceased. I could not find a marriage record for Billy and Betsy and in the 1870 Yancey Co. Census, Egypt Twp., HH #82, “William age 52 - Farmer” and “Elizabeth age 38”, were living together with the following children: Mary Jane age 16, Thomas J. age 14, Emily Cora age 13 (children with Noah); Andrew age 4, Samuel age 3, Isom B. age 2/12 (children with Billy). Based on the birth declaration of Andrew age 4, Billy and Betsy must have established their relationship sometime in 1865 which may have something to do with the unlawful cohabitation / fornication charges presented against Billy and Polly Cooper in 1866. Polly was living next door in HH #83 with her son in law William Issam Hensley and daughter Hannah’s household. She was noted as “Mary Hensley age 50 born in TN.”
• In the 1880 Yancey Co., NC Census, Ramseytown, Billy and Betsy Bradford were listed as follows: William age 63 - Farmer, Elizabeth age 45, Andrew age 14, Sam age 12, Isham age 10, Cordelia age 7.
• On September 22, 1882, “William Bradford” personally appeared before the Yancey Co. Probate Judge to secure a grant on his land which was entered back in April of 1848. The court granted the land and registered the property with the county.
• On June 27, 1890, "William Bradford and John Cooper" were deposed to offer testimony for William Issam Hensley's invalid pension application. He was the widower of Hannah, Billy Bradford and Polly Cooper's daughter dec'd. That was the last record I could find on Billy Bradford.
• There was no death certificate for Billy and both he and Betsy were gone by the 1900 Census.
Children with Mary Polly Cooper, all of whom assumed the Cooper surname:
1) Hannah
2) John
3) Belandrona Ruth
4) Andrew
Children with Elizabeth Betsy Wilson who assumed the Bradford surname:
1) Andrew
2) Samuel L.
3) Isham B.
4) Cordelia "Delia"
Bio Updated on 8-4-2019 ~ By B. Bradford 2G Granddaughter
• William "Billy" Bradford was the son of John Bradford and Hannah (Choate / Shroate?) born about 1815/1816 at North Muddy Creek and Caleb Branch of Burke Co., (now McDowell) North Carolina. This is based on a land entry in which John Bradford filed on April 28, 1814, Entry #6240 for 100 Acres on Caleb Branch and North Muddy Creek located in now east Marion, McDowell Co. which was formed out of Burke Co. in 1842. John Duncan was his neighbor who also lived on Muddy Creek and acquired 100 acres (Grant No. 3766 issued 7 Dec. 1816). In the 1820 Burke Co., NC Census, "John Bradford" family was noted with: Males 2 = [0-10], 1 = [10-16], 1 = [45+]; Females: 1= [0-10], 2 = [10-16], 1 = [16-26] 1= [26-45] in the household. They were enumerated next door to Jesse Pendergrass and Moses Pendergrass households on one side and Thomas Robinson on the other; one door down was John Duncan.
• His father, John Bradford, was never granted his land entry on Muddy Creek and thus the family left the county sometime before 1830 for the Hortons Creek area of Buncombe (now Yancey Co.) NC. He was noted in the 1830 Buncombe Co., NC census with 2 sons (Billy and Sam) and 2 daughters (Elizabeth and Susannah) and wife Hannah. Daughters Jane and Mary were married by 1830. John and Hannah Bradford lived next door to John Pate on one side, John Whitson on the other; Nathan Horton one door down. Their son Samuel eventually married John Pate's daughter Elizabeth.
• When Billy was about 18 years old, on November 26, 1834, he entered for a 50 acre tract of land under “William Bradford” to include Snake Knob, in Yancey Co., NC. Entry #347. The survey was conducted on October 15, 1835, and certified on November 8, 1838. Witnesses were John Honeycutt (Billy’s brother-in-law) and John Bradford (father). There is no record this entry was ever granted. His sister Jane and John Honeycutt already established their homestead in this area. Snake Knob is located near the confluence of Little Bald Mountain Creek and the Cane River (now Little Creek - Lewisburg of Ramsey Twp.).
• On July 25, 1835, “John Bradford” applied for a 100 acre parcel lying in "Coxes Cove on the Tumbling Fork of the Indian Creek" (Hortons Creek area in Yancey Co.). which was granted by the State of NC Yancey Co., Grant #253, on June 1st, 1839. “Moses Honeycutt and John Midcalph” were chain bearers. John’s daughter, Jane married John Honeycutt, and he was the son of Moses Honeycutt.
• Billy was about 25 years old and continued to live with his parents in the 1840 Yancey Co., NC Census and noted in the 20-30 age group. There were two small girls also living in the household which appear to be his daughters, 0-5 age group (Hannah) and a girl in the 5-10 age group. The mother of Hannah was Mary “Polly” Cooper born abt. 1820 in Tennessee with whom Billy began a long term relationship. The John Bradford family lived next door to Malcolm Horton on one side and Joseph Ferguson on the other; one door down was Edmund Edwards Sr. who married Elizabeth Bradford (Billy's sister).
• John Honeycutt was killed sometime before 1839 leaving his wife, Jane Bradford-Honeycutt (Billy’s sister), and 4 children, Naomi, Noah, John and Austin alone. On February 11, 1842, “William Bradford” was appointed legal guardianship of the 4 orphaned children of John Honeycutt and ordered to take care of and improve the Estate belonging to them and settle his guardianship and accounts with the Yancey Co. Court until they become of lawful age. Signed by William Bradford, John Bradford, John Hensley and William Wilson. There was no mention of Jane in the document.
• On April 25, 1848, “John Bradford” paid $33 to James R. Love to survey 50 acres to include the Mill on Little Bald Creek for his son "William Bradford." And bond was issued and the parcel was located in Egypt Twp., Yancey Co. This was about the time when his parents left Horton's creek for Egypt Twp. settling near the Old John Honeycutt property.
• Billy’s sister, Jane Bradford-Honeycutt, widow of John Honeycutt, and her son Austin, moved in with Billy and were enumerated in the 1850 Census as follows: HH #343, William Bradford age 34, Jane age 40 and Austin age 15. Next door HH #342 were Howell Briggs and Naomi (Jane Bradford-Honeycutt's daughter and Billy's niece); HH #340 Edmund Edwards and Elizabeth (Billy and Jane's sister). Billy continued to court Mary Polly Cooper and by 1850 they had 4 children together: Hannah (age 13) John (age 6) and Belandrona (age 4) who were living with their mother in HH #908 and next door was her brother, William Cooper, on one side and Silas A. Hensley on the other in the Lotties Creek area of Yancey. Billy's father died sometime before 1855 and he was the Executor of his Father's Estate; his mother Hannah must have died before his father as she was not mentioned in the Estate receiving anything.
• On January 26, 1858, "William Bradford" sold a 100 acre parcel on “Big Bald Creek” as Executor of his father’s Estate, John Bradford deceased, to Calvin Duncan. L.S. Phillips was the witness. This parcel was located at the junction of 19W and Rt. 1395, Bald Creek Road. This parcel was adjacent to the Old John Honeycutt parcel which John Bradford also acquired but the deed was lost and then sold to John Duncan (see next paragraph).
• On March 24, 1858, "William Bradford" was a witness to the land transaction in which Robert Love sold 100 acres on “Big Bald Creek” to John Duncan. This could be the same John Duncan who was neighbors of John Bradford back at Muddy Creek in Burke Co. (now McDowell). This parcel was the old John Honeycutt land which John Bradford acquired, but the deed was destroyed and John was dead at this time. The parcel was located in Little Creek (Lewisburg) and Bradford Road currently exist and where this cemetery lies.
• In the 1860 Yancey Co. Census, Egypt Twp., "William Bradford" was noted in HH #744 age 45 and working as a Farmer. Also living in the house was his long-term companion "Polly Cooper" age 40 and their children: “Hannah Cooper” age 24, “John Cooper” age 16, “Belandera R. Cooper” age 14 and “Andrew Cooper” 9/12. Also living in the house was John Wilson age 20 working as a laborer. Hannah Cooper eventually married John Wilson. Billy served as a Yancey Co. Freeholder in 1862. The Civil War broke out and most of Billy Bradfords relatives were CSA supporters. His nephew, Austin Honeycutt, married Elizabeth “Betsy” Wilson, and served with the 29th Infantry CSA. He died in July 1862 from dropsy. In October that year, Billy was the Executor of his nephew’s Estate to administer one year’s provision to widow Betsy.
• On October 12, 1862, "William Johnson" sold 126 acres to "William Bradford" in Egypt Twp, Yancey Co., NC. witnessed by Robert Lewis and J.N. Lowery. The property was adjacent to his brothers land (Sam Bradford); David Honeycutt and Noah Honeycutt's parcels; adjacent to John Duncan old property line. This parcel was Snake Knob, 2907 feet above sea level on the Little Bald Creek in now Lewisburg Ramsey Twp. The GPS coordinates are 35.9964994 (latitude), -82.3973556 (longitude). This cemetery is located on this former parcel of land.
• On December 13, 1862, William Bradford sold 76 acres on Little Bald Mountain Creek, adjacent to John Duncan's and John William's lines to Alford Brackins. Witnesses: H.W. Briggs and Samuel Estep. This land transaction appears to be a carve out from the 126 acres acquired from William Johnson
• The Civil War ended and Billy and Mary “Polly” Cooper continued living together. In addition to farming, tax records showed that “William Bradford”, along with “William Cooper” (Polly’s brother) and “Noah Honeycutt” (Billy’s nephew) were distillers of alcohol and taxed as follows: Bradford $48 for 32 gallons of Cider Brandy; Cooper $6 for 4 gallons Cider Brandy; and Honeycutt $6 for 4 gallons Cider Brandy and $28 for 14 gallons of spirits.
• On October 29, 1866, Yancey County brought charges again Billy and Polly for an unlawful co-habitation and fornication for not being married and “Mary Cooper” was noted as a “spinster.” Their long- term relationship dissolved shortly afterwards when Billy developed an affection for widowed Betsy Wilson-Honeycutt who was 14 years his junior.
• On August 11, 1867, “William Bradford” sold a 50 acre parcel located on the Little Bald Mountain Creek to his daughter Hannah (Cooper) and her husband William Issam Hensley. The land was adjacent to Samuel Estep and John Williams’ homesteads. The witnesses were John Cooper (Billy Bradford’s son), J.W. Peek.
• Elizabeth “Betsy” already had 3 children sired by Austin Honeycutt deceased. I could not find a marriage record for Billy and Betsy and in the 1870 Yancey Co. Census, Egypt Twp., HH #82, “William age 52 - Farmer” and “Elizabeth age 38”, were living together with the following children: Mary Jane age 16, Thomas J. age 14, Emily Cora age 13 (children with Noah); Andrew age 4, Samuel age 3, Isom B. age 2/12 (children with Billy). Based on the birth declaration of Andrew age 4, Billy and Betsy must have established their relationship sometime in 1865 which may have something to do with the unlawful cohabitation / fornication charges presented against Billy and Polly Cooper in 1866. Polly was living next door in HH #83 with her son in law William Issam Hensley and daughter Hannah’s household. She was noted as “Mary Hensley age 50 born in TN.”
• In the 1880 Yancey Co., NC Census, Ramseytown, Billy and Betsy Bradford were listed as follows: William age 63 - Farmer, Elizabeth age 45, Andrew age 14, Sam age 12, Isham age 10, Cordelia age 7.
• On September 22, 1882, “William Bradford” personally appeared before the Yancey Co. Probate Judge to secure a grant on his land which was entered back in April of 1848. The court granted the land and registered the property with the county.
• On June 27, 1890, "William Bradford and John Cooper" were deposed to offer testimony for William Issam Hensley's invalid pension application. He was the widower of Hannah, Billy Bradford and Polly Cooper's daughter dec'd. That was the last record I could find on Billy Bradford.
• There was no death certificate for Billy and both he and Betsy were gone by the 1900 Census.
Children with Mary Polly Cooper, all of whom assumed the Cooper surname:
1) Hannah
2) John
3) Belandrona Ruth
4) Andrew
Children with Elizabeth Betsy Wilson who assumed the Bradford surname:
1) Andrew
2) Samuel L.
3) Isham B.
4) Cordelia "Delia"
• William "Billy" Bradford was the son of John Bradford and Hannah (Choate / Shroate?) born about 1815/1816 at North Muddy Creek and Caleb Branch of Burke Co., (now McDowell) North Carolina. This is based on a land entry in which John Bradford filed on April 28, 1814, Entry #6240 for 100 Acres on Caleb Branch and North Muddy Creek located in now east Marion, McDowell Co. which was formed out of Burke Co. in 1842. John Duncan was his neighbor who also lived on Muddy Creek and acquired 100 acres (Grant No. 3766 issued 7 Dec. 1816). In the 1820 Burke Co., NC Census, "John Bradford" family was noted with: Males 2 = [0-10], 1 = [10-16], 1 = [45+]; Females: 1= [0-10], 2 = [10-16], 1 = [16-26] 1= [26-45] in the household. They were enumerated next door to Jesse Pendergrass and Moses Pendergrass households on one side and Thomas Robinson on the other; one door down was John Duncan.
• His father, John Bradford, was never granted his land entry on Muddy Creek and thus the family left the county sometime before 1830 for the Hortons Creek area of Buncombe (now Yancey Co.) NC. He was noted in the 1830 Buncombe Co., NC census with 2 sons (Billy and Sam) and 2 daughters (Elizabeth and Susannah) and wife Hannah. Daughters Jane and Mary were married by 1830. John and Hannah Bradford lived next door to John Pate on one side, John Whitson on the other; Nathan Horton one door down. Their son Samuel eventually married John Pate's daughter Elizabeth.
• When Billy was about 18 years old, on November 26, 1834, he entered for a 50 acre tract of land under “William Bradford” to include Snake Knob, in Yancey Co., NC. Entry #347. The survey was conducted on October 15, 1835, and certified on November 8, 1838. Witnesses were John Honeycutt (Billy’s brother-in-law) and John Bradford (father). There is no record this entry was ever granted. His sister Jane and John Honeycutt already established their homestead in this area. Snake Knob is located near the confluence of Little Bald Mountain Creek and the Cane River (now Little Creek - Lewisburg of Ramsey Twp.).
• On July 25, 1835, “John Bradford” applied for a 100 acre parcel lying in "Coxes Cove on the Tumbling Fork of the Indian Creek" (Hortons Creek area in Yancey Co.). which was granted by the State of NC Yancey Co., Grant #253, on June 1st, 1839. “Moses Honeycutt and John Midcalph” were chain bearers. John’s daughter, Jane married John Honeycutt, and he was the son of Moses Honeycutt.
• Billy was about 25 years old and continued to live with his parents in the 1840 Yancey Co., NC Census and noted in the 20-30 age group. There were two small girls also living in the household which appear to be his daughters, 0-5 age group (Hannah) and a girl in the 5-10 age group. The mother of Hannah was Mary “Polly” Cooper born abt. 1820 in Tennessee with whom Billy began a long term relationship. The John Bradford family lived next door to Malcolm Horton on one side and Joseph Ferguson on the other; one door down was Edmund Edwards Sr. who married Elizabeth Bradford (Billy's sister).
• John Honeycutt was killed sometime before 1839 leaving his wife, Jane Bradford-Honeycutt (Billy’s sister), and 4 children, Naomi, Noah, John and Austin alone. On February 11, 1842, “William Bradford” was appointed legal guardianship of the 4 orphaned children of John Honeycutt and ordered to take care of and improve the Estate belonging to them and settle his guardianship and accounts with the Yancey Co. Court until they become of lawful age. Signed by William Bradford, John Bradford, John Hensley and William Wilson. There was no mention of Jane in the document.
• On April 25, 1848, “John Bradford” paid $33 to James R. Love to survey 50 acres to include the Mill on Little Bald Creek for his son "William Bradford." And bond was issued and the parcel was located in Egypt Twp., Yancey Co. This was about the time when his parents left Horton's creek for Egypt Twp. settling near the Old John Honeycutt property.
• Billy’s sister, Jane Bradford-Honeycutt, widow of John Honeycutt, and her son Austin, moved in with Billy and were enumerated in the 1850 Census as follows: HH #343, William Bradford age 34, Jane age 40 and Austin age 15. Next door HH #342 were Howell Briggs and Naomi (Jane Bradford-Honeycutt's daughter and Billy's niece); HH #340 Edmund Edwards and Elizabeth (Billy and Jane's sister). Billy continued to court Mary Polly Cooper and by 1850 they had 4 children together: Hannah (age 13) John (age 6) and Belandrona (age 4) who were living with their mother in HH #908 and next door was her brother, William Cooper, on one side and Silas A. Hensley on the other in the Lotties Creek area of Yancey. Billy's father died sometime before 1855 and he was the Executor of his Father's Estate; his mother Hannah must have died before his father as she was not mentioned in the Estate receiving anything.
• On January 26, 1858, "William Bradford" sold a 100 acre parcel on “Big Bald Creek” as Executor of his father’s Estate, John Bradford deceased, to Calvin Duncan. L.S. Phillips was the witness. This parcel was located at the junction of 19W and Rt. 1395, Bald Creek Road. This parcel was adjacent to the Old John Honeycutt parcel which John Bradford also acquired but the deed was lost and then sold to John Duncan (see next paragraph).
• On March 24, 1858, "William Bradford" was a witness to the land transaction in which Robert Love sold 100 acres on “Big Bald Creek” to John Duncan. This could be the same John Duncan who was neighbors of John Bradford back at Muddy Creek in Burke Co. (now McDowell). This parcel was the old John Honeycutt land which John Bradford acquired, but the deed was destroyed and John was dead at this time. The parcel was located in Little Creek (Lewisburg) and Bradford Road currently exist and where this cemetery lies.
• In the 1860 Yancey Co. Census, Egypt Twp., "William Bradford" was noted in HH #744 age 45 and working as a Farmer. Also living in the house was his long-term companion "Polly Cooper" age 40 and their children: “Hannah Cooper” age 24, “John Cooper” age 16, “Belandera R. Cooper” age 14 and “Andrew Cooper” 9/12. Also living in the house was John Wilson age 20 working as a laborer. Hannah Cooper eventually married John Wilson. Billy served as a Yancey Co. Freeholder in 1862. The Civil War broke out and most of Billy Bradfords relatives were CSA supporters. His nephew, Austin Honeycutt, married Elizabeth “Betsy” Wilson, and served with the 29th Infantry CSA. He died in July 1862 from dropsy. In October that year, Billy was the Executor of his nephew’s Estate to administer one year’s provision to widow Betsy.
• On October 12, 1862, "William Johnson" sold 126 acres to "William Bradford" in Egypt Twp, Yancey Co., NC. witnessed by Robert Lewis and J.N. Lowery. The property was adjacent to his brothers land (Sam Bradford); David Honeycutt and Noah Honeycutt's parcels; adjacent to John Duncan old property line. This parcel was Snake Knob, 2907 feet above sea level on the Little Bald Creek in now Lewisburg Ramsey Twp. The GPS coordinates are 35.9964994 (latitude), -82.3973556 (longitude). This cemetery is located on this former parcel of land.
• On December 13, 1862, William Bradford sold 76 acres on Little Bald Mountain Creek, adjacent to John Duncan's and John William's lines to Alford Brackins. Witnesses: H.W. Briggs and Samuel Estep. This land transaction appears to be a carve out from the 126 acres acquired from William Johnson
• The Civil War ended and Billy and Mary “Polly” Cooper continued living together. In addition to farming, tax records showed that “William Bradford”, along with “William Cooper” (Polly’s brother) and “Noah Honeycutt” (Billy’s nephew) were distillers of alcohol and taxed as follows: Bradford $48 for 32 gallons of Cider Brandy; Cooper $6 for 4 gallons Cider Brandy; and Honeycutt $6 for 4 gallons Cider Brandy and $28 for 14 gallons of spirits.
• On October 29, 1866, Yancey County brought charges again Billy and Polly for an unlawful co-habitation and fornication for not being married and “Mary Cooper” was noted as a “spinster.” Their long- term relationship dissolved shortly afterwards when Billy developed an affection for widowed Betsy Wilson-Honeycutt who was 14 years his junior.
• On August 11, 1867, “William Bradford” sold a 50 acre parcel located on the Little Bald Mountain Creek to his daughter Hannah (Cooper) and her husband William Issam Hensley. The land was adjacent to Samuel Estep and John Williams’ homesteads. The witnesses were John Cooper (Billy Bradford’s son), J.W. Peek.
• Elizabeth “Betsy” already had 3 children sired by Austin Honeycutt deceased. I could not find a marriage record for Billy and Betsy and in the 1870 Yancey Co. Census, Egypt Twp., HH #82, “William age 52 - Farmer” and “Elizabeth age 38”, were living together with the following children: Mary Jane age 16, Thomas J. age 14, Emily Cora age 13 (children with Noah); Andrew age 4, Samuel age 3, Isom B. age 2/12 (children with Billy). Based on the birth declaration of Andrew age 4, Billy and Betsy must have established their relationship sometime in 1865 which may have something to do with the unlawful cohabitation / fornication charges presented against Billy and Polly Cooper in 1866. Polly was living next door in HH #83 with her son in law William Issam Hensley and daughter Hannah’s household. She was noted as “Mary Hensley age 50 born in TN.”
• In the 1880 Yancey Co., NC Census, Ramseytown, Billy and Betsy Bradford were listed as follows: William age 63 - Farmer, Elizabeth age 45, Andrew age 14, Sam age 12, Isham age 10, Cordelia age 7.
• On September 22, 1882, “William Bradford” personally appeared before the Yancey Co. Probate Judge to secure a grant on his land which was entered back in April of 1848. The court granted the land and registered the property with the county.
• On June 27, 1890, "William Bradford and John Cooper" were deposed to offer testimony for William Issam Hensley's invalid pension application. He was the widower of Hannah, Billy Bradford and Polly Cooper's daughter dec'd. That was the last record I could find on Billy Bradford.
• There was no death certificate for Billy and both he and Betsy were gone by the 1900 Census.
Children with Mary Polly Cooper, all of whom assumed the Cooper surname:
1) Hannah
2) John
3) Belandrona Ruth
4) Andrew
Children with Elizabeth Betsy Wilson who assumed the Bradford surname:
1) Andrew
2) Samuel L.
3) Isham B.
4) Cordelia "Delia"
Gravesite Details
Field Stone and a White Cross marker
Family Members
Siblings
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