Raphael Bradbury

1622 - 1685


Raphael's signature on his will in 1685 ⁽⁴⁰⁾

Raphael was born in 1622 ⁽¹⁾, probably in Youlgreave ⁽²⁾, the second child of Nicholas and Elizabeth. He had a sister Amy, two years his senior ⁽³⁾. It seems the family moved to Darley Abbey soon after his birth, where his father died in early 1624 ⁽⁴⁾.

His mother remarried soon afterwards, to George Birds ⁽⁵⁾, and the family lived somewhere within the parish of Youlgreave (A Birds family were owners of Stanton Hall at the time, and whilst its very possible that George was a member of this family, I have been unable to definitively link him to them). A younger half brother, Tristram, was born there when Raphael was three ⁽⁶⁾, followed by George in 1627 ⁽⁷⁾, and Elizabeth in 1630 ⁽⁸⁾.

The family then moved to Edensor, possibly following the death of his mother's father there in August 1629. Raphael's youngest half-sister must have died young, because another half-sister, also called Elizabeth was baptised in Edensor in 1631 ⁽⁹⁾, however she only lived a few months ⁽¹⁰⁾. His youngest half sister, Jane, was born in 1633 ⁽¹¹⁾. His mother died in 1634 ⁽¹²⁾.

Its unclear whether Raphael was raised by his step-father after his mother's death. Indeed, there is even a question over whether he ever lived with his stepfather. He may have gone to live with paternal relatives when his mother remarried ⁽¹³⁾.

Raphael married Mary Hallowes ⁽¹⁴⁾, and had a daughter Katherine baptised in Youlgreave in 1645 ⁽¹⁵⁾, followed by a son Nicholas in 1647 ⁽¹⁶⁾, before Mary died young in 1649 ⁽¹⁷⁾. His son Nicholas died just a couple of months later. It seems Raphael had maintained some sort of connection with Edensor, as Nicholas's burial is recorded there as well as at Youlgreave ^(18)(19).

Raphael remarried a couple of years later, this time to Maria Haslam, at All Saints, Youlgreave, on 28th October 1651 ⁽²⁰⁾. Their first child was probably John, born in 1653 ⁽²¹⁾, although they also had a daughter Lydia born around this time ^(44)(45). Another son, Obadiah, was born in 1656 ⁽²²⁾, followed by Maria in 1658 ⁽²³⁾ and then Samuel in 1659 ⁽²⁴⁾. Their son John died the following year ⁽²⁵⁾, but they had another son Francis in 1661 ⁽²⁶⁾ and a daughter Sarah in 1663 ⁽²⁷⁾. Raphael's eldest daughter Katherine died in 1664 ⁽²⁸⁾. Two more daughters then followed, Elizabeth in 1665 ⁽²⁹⁾, and Hannah in 1667 ⁽³¹⁾, but both died very young ^(30)(32). The two sons that came next, John in 1668 ⁽³³⁾ and George in 1669 ⁽³⁵⁾, also had the same fate ^(34)(36). Their youngest child was Rebecca, born in 1670 ⁽³⁷⁾.

That same year, Raphael was assessed for hearth tax, and was obvioulsy a wealthy man, as he had four hearths ⁽³⁸⁾. His wealth was also on display in his will, written in January 1685, which made his eldest survivng son Samuel his main benefactor, but still left £100 each to his other children ⁽⁴⁰⁾. Raphael died a few months after this, on 21st April ⁽⁴²⁾, and was buried in Youlgreave two days later ⁽³⁹⁾. A very detailed, and interesting, inventory of his possessions was taken shortly after his death ⁽⁴¹⁾. His wife survived him by over ten years ⁽⁴³⁾.

There is a memorial to Raphael in Youlgreave church which bears a coat of arms ⁽⁴²⁾, but this is something of a mystery. The arms (a chevron ermine between three round buckles pointing downwards) is very similar to the one borne by the Bradburys of Ollerset, except that they also have a fleur-de-lys for difference. This implies that they were descended from a younger branch of the family, whilst Raphael was from the elder (main) branch. However, the family name very likely comes from Bredbury near Stockport, close to Ollerset, and the Ollerset family can apparently trace their lineage back there to the twelfth century, making it seem far more likely that they were the elder line. Also, Raphael did not claim arms in the visitation of 1662 (nor his ancestors in the prior visitaions of 1569 or 1611), and indeed I can find no other evidence of any member of the Youlgreave Bradburys bearing arms. I am left to suspect that this may have been something of an affectation on his part (or whichever of his family commissioned his monument), in an attempt to climb the social ladder. There's no doubt that the Bradburys were an important local family, nor that he had numerous armigerous ancestors through maternal lines, so the arms were perhaps unofficially adopted (albeit temporarily) in order to match their status. Whilst Raphael was described as a gent in the inventory of his estate ⁽⁴¹⁾, he had only been described as a yeaman when donating 10 shillings to the "free and voluntary present" to King Charles II in 1661 ⁽⁴⁶⁾.

• Katherine was born in Youlgreave in 1645, and died there in 1664.
• Nicholas was born in Youlgreave in 1647, and died there in 1649.
• John was born in Youlgreave in 1653, and died there in 1660.
• Lydia was born in Youlgreave, probably in the early-mid 1650s. She married Cornelius Dale, and they lived in Flagg. They are not known to have had any children.
• Obadiah was born in Youlgreave in 1656. Nothing more is known of him, but he probably died before his father wrote his will in 1685.
• Samuel was born in Youlgreave in 1659. He was the main heir to his father's estate in 1685. Nothing more is known of him.
• Francis was born in Youlgreave in 1661. He was mentioned in his fathers will in 1685, but nothing more is known of him.
• Sarah was born in 1663. She was mentioned in her father's will of 1685, but nothing more is known of her.
• Elizabeth was born in Youlgreave in 1665, but only lived for a day or two.
• Hannah was born in Youlgreave in 1667, but she lived for less than a month.
• John was born in Youlgreave in 1668, but only lived for about a month.
• George was born in Youlgreave in 1669, but was buried the same day he was baptised.
• Rebecca has her own page.

1. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave includes the entry:
   [1622] Yolgr. Bapt Raphael fil Nicholas Bradbury Sept primo die
2. His father was originally from Youlgreave, and Raphael was baptised there, but its possible that his parents had set up home in Darley Abbey prior to Raphael's birth.
3. See his parents' pages for details
4. Administration of Nicholas Bradbury (ref: B/C/11/Nicholas Bradbury, Darley, 1623/24 @ Lichfield Record Office) reads:
   Be it known to all men by theies presente that I Elizabeth Bradburie relicte of
   Nicholas Bradburie late of Darlie Abbie in the Countie of Derbie yeoman decea
   sed for certeyne good causes and consideracons mee thereunto movinge tdo by theies
   presente give full power and authoritie unto my wellbeloved freind Richard
   Brandrith one of the procters of the Lord B^ps consistorie Courts of Lich
   feild to bee for mee my lawful procter and for me and in my name to
   appeare before the right wor^ll M^r Robert Master Comissarie generall
   of the dioces of Coventrie and Lichfield or his lawfull Surrogate, and
   for mee and in my name to renounes the administracon of the goodes of
   my said husband deceased, and to consent that the same administracon maie
   bee grannted unto Richard Bradburie of Yolgrave in the Countie of
   Derbie yeoman one of the natural and lawfull brothers of my said husband
   deceased, And further to do all and everie such thinge and thinges as hee
   the said Richard Brandrith my proctor shall thinke meeke and ex
   pedient in and concerninge the renunciacon of the said Administracon
   and the consent aforemencioned And I the said Elizabeth Bradbury
   do promise to hold good ratefie and confirme all and everie such thinge
   and thinges as my said proctor shall do for mee in and concerninge
   the premisses and everie of them. In witness whereof I have hereunto
   set my hand and seale the nyne and twentieth daie of Januarie in
   the yeare of our Lord god accordinge to the computcon of the Church
   of England one thousand sixe hundred twentie and three *. And in
   the yeares of the Raigne of our Soveraigne Lord James by the grace
   of god king of England France and Ireland defender of the faithe
   the one and twentieth And of Scotland the seaven and fiftieth
   Sealed and delivered to the use of                     Elizabeth Bradburie
   the above named M^r Richard Brandrith                            E
   in the presence of                                                           her mke
   Francis Bradbury
   John Bradburie
   Reginald [B]ynder
   * Note: The date is from the Julian calendar, so for 1623, read 1624. See note in glossary.
5. Parish Register of St Anne's, Beeley includes the entry:
   George Birds et Eliz: Bradburie matrimonie [commitiere] 5^o die Sept Anno Domini 1624
6. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave includes the entry:
   [1625] Bapt. Tristram filius Georgii Birdes Novem 14
7. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave includes the entry:
   [1627] Bapt. George filius Georgii Birdes Marcii 13
8. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave includes the entry:
   [1630] Bapt Elizabetha fil: Georgii et Elizabetha Birdes Marci 7
9. Parish Register of Saint Peter's, Edensor [Transcript by Val Neal] lists the baptism of Elizabeth Birds, daughter of George, on 23rd February 1631.
10. Parish Register of Saint Peter's, Edensor [Transcript by Val Neal] lists the burial of Elizabeth Birds, daughter of George, on 1st August 1631.
11. Parish Register of Saint Peter's, Edensor [Transcript by Val Neal] lists the baptism of Jane Birds, daughter of George & Elizabeth, on 6th October 1633.
12. Parish Register of Saint Peter's, Edensor [Transcript by Val Neal] lists the burial of Elizabeth Birds, wife of George, on 27th July 1634.
13. It was relatively common for children of first marriages to be "palmed off" onto relatives when a parent remarried, and if Raphael went to live with relatives in Youlgreave, that would explain why he next appears there (rather than in Edensor). His maternal grandfather's will of 1629 makes reference to his widow bringing up Raphael's sister Amy, so perhaps one child went to live with their mother's side of the family, and the other with their father's?
14. Probate records of Mary Hallowes, widow, of Youlgreave (ref: B/C/11/Mary Hallowes, Youlgreave, 1647 @ Lichfield Record Office) show that administration was granted to her daughter Mary Hallowes als Bradbury, and Raphaell Bradbury, yeoman, on 25th May 1647.
15. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave includes the entry:
    [1645] Yolgrave Bapt Katherine fil Rapheli et Marie Bradburie July 30
16. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave [Transcript by Val Neal] lists the baptism of Nicholas Bradbury, son of Raphael & Maria, on 29th September 1647.
17. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave includes the entry:
    [1649] Yolgrave Sepult Maria uxor Raphaelli Bradbury Aprill 23
18. Parish Register of St Peter's, Edensor [Transcript by Val Neal] lists the burial of Nicholas Bradbury, son of Ralph of Youlgreave, on 6th June 1649.
19. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave includes the entry:
    [1649] Sepult Nicholas filius Raphaelli et Maria Bradbury June 16
20. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave includes the entry:
    [1651] [....] Raphaell Bradbury et Maria Hashlom Octo 28
21. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave includes the entry:
    [1653] Bapt Johannes fil Raphael et Maria Bradbury Octob 4
22. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave [Transcript by Val Neal] lists the baptism of Obadiah Bradbury, son of Raphael & Maria, on 29th June 1656.
23. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave includes the entry:
    [1658] Bapt Maria filia Raphaeli & Maria Bradburie March 18
24. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave [Transcript by Val Neal] lists the baptism of Samuel Bradbury, son of Raphael & Maria, on 21st October 1659.
25. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave [Transcript by Val Neal] lists the burial of John Bradbury, son of Raphael & Maria, on 4th September 1660.
26. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave includes the entry:
    [1661] Yolgrave Bapt Francis y^e son of Raphaell & Mary Bradburie Sep: 19
27. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave includes the entry:
    [1663] Yolgrave: Sarah y daughter of Raphael & Mary Bradbury bapt Sept xxi^th
28. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave [Transcript by Val Neal] lists the burial of Katherine Bradbury, daughter of Raphael & Maria, on 31st December 1664.
29. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave [Transcript by Val Neal] lists the baptism of Elizabeth Bradbury, daughter of Raphael & Mary, on 23rd October 1665.
30. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave [Transcript by Val Neal] lists the burial of Elizabeth Bradbury, daughter of Raphael & Mary, on 24th October 1665.
31. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave includes the entry:
    [1667] Youlgr: Hannah filia Raphaelis et Maria Bradburi baptiz. Januar 10
32. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave [Transcript by Val Neal] lists the burial of Hannah Bradbury, daughter of Raphael & Mary, on 5th February 1667.
33. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave includes the entry:
    [1668] Johannes filius Raphaelis et Maria Bradbury baptiz Mar 25
34. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave [Transcript by Val Neal] lists the burial of John Bradbury, son of Raphael & Mary, on 24th April 1668.
35. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave [Transcript by Val Neal] lists the baptism of George Bradbury, son of Raphael & Maria, on 28th March 1669.
36. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave [Transcript by Val Neal] lists the burial of George Bradbury, son of Raphael & Maria, on 28th March 1669.
37. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave [Transcript by Val Neal] lists the baptism of Rebecca Bradbury, daughter of Raphael & Maria, on 14th April 1670.
38. Derbyshire Hearth Tax Assessments 1662-1670, published by the Derbyshire record Society, lists Raphaell Bradbury of Youlgreave being assessed for 4 hearths in 1670
39. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave [Transcript by Val Neal] lists the burial of Raphael Bradbury of Youlgreave, on 23rd April 1685.
40. Will of Raphael Bradbury (page 1, page 2, page 3) (ref: B/C/11/Raphael Bradbury, Youlgreave, 1685 @ Lichfield Record Office) reads:
    In the name of God Amen the eight & twentyeth day of January
    in the xxxvi^th yeare of the Raigne of our Sovraigne Lord
    Charles the second by the Grace of god of England Scotland
    France & Ireland King defender of the faith Anno Dni
    1684 I Raphaell Bradbury of Youlgreave in the County of
    Derby weake in body but of sound mynd & undrstanding
    praysed bee god Doe make & ordaine this my last will and
    testament in manner & forme following. First I comend my
    soule into the hands of Almighty Gd my creator trusting
    through ye merits & passion of Jesus Christ my most mercifull
    Redeemer to inherit eternal glory And [...] touching my
    temporall estate I dispose thereof as followes. Imprimis
    if is my will & mynd that my just debts & funerall expences
    shall bee first paid & discharged. Item I give to my younger
    son Francis Bradbury to my daughters Mary & Sarah to
    eich of them one hundred pounds to bee rayzed & paid by
    my executors in manner & forme hereafter mencened. Item
    I give & bequeath to my loving Brother Peter Barker & to my
    son Cornelius Dale & their heires, the two closes with the appurtenances
    in Youlgreave abovesaid called the two [windley] hills foure
    Beasts gates in Molstone, & my [Lott oure] to be sold
    as soone after my death as they can [thereby] & with all my
    personall estate which I likewise devise to my said executors
    to raise money to pay my just debts funerall & ye porcons
    aforesaid. Item I give devise & bequeath to my said
    executors & their heires my [A.....] messuage And all
    other my messuages or dwelling houses & the remainder
    & residue of all my lands tenements & hereditaments for & during
    the terme of Ten yeares next after my decease In
    trust
    nevertheless that they shall by & out of the profits of said messuages
    tenements & lands last before devised [...] raise & pay to my
    said younger son & two daughters what ye said lands devised
    to bee sold as aforesaid & my said personall estate fall short
    to rayse for ye payment of my said debts, they first paying
    out of the said profits the yearley sume of sixteene pounds
    every yeare yearly to my son Samuel for his mayntaynance & subsistance
    & to my daughter Rebeccha the sume of six pounds yearly
    for her mayntaynance & subsistance untill over & besides ye
    payment of my debts & ye three severall porcons aforesaid
    she shall by & ought of the profits of the said [p.....]
    not devised to bee sold as aforesaid have raysed for my
    said daughter Rebeccha the sume of one hundred
    pounds for her porcon; and in case the said debts & porcons
    may can or shall bee raysed within ye
    said Terme of Ten Twelve yeares Then from & immediately
    after ye raysing thereof I give devise & bequeath [...]
    All my said messuages tenements lands & hereditaments not
    devised to be sold as aforesaid to my said son Samuel
    Bradbury and the heires males of his body And for
    want of such issue to my said son Francis & the heires
    males of his body and for want of such issue to my
    right heires: Item I hand to the minister to preach my
    Funeral sermon Tenn shillings: Item: I hand to ye
    poore of the towne of Yolgrave the sum of Fortie shill
    ings to bee disposed of at the discetion of the minister
    & my executors Item I give & bequeath to my son [Dale]
    & his wife the sum of Twentye pounds. Item I give &
    bequeath to my lo: Brother Peter Barker the sum of
    five pounds:
    Item I doe heereby revoke all former & other wils & I doe
    heereby constitute & appoint my lo: Brother Peeter Barker
    & my son Cornelius Dale the executors of this my last
    will & Testament in witness wereof I have put to
    my hand & seale the day & yeare first above written
    sealed & signed in the
    presences of us:                                         Raphael Bradbury
    John Edwards Clerke
    Fra: Staley
    [LATIN: Probate granted to Cornelius Dale on 27th October 1685, at Chesterfield, reserving a power for the other executor.]
41. Inventory of Raphael Bradbury (page 1, page 2, page 3) (ref: B/C/11/Raphael Bradbury, Youlgreave, 1685 @ LRO) reads:
                            May the second 1685
    A true Inventory of the Goods Cattals & Chattells
    of Raphaell Bradburey late of Yolgreave in the
    parish of Yolgreave & County of Darby Gent desceased
    as Followeth by us whose names are hereunder
    written.

    	li	-	s	-	d
    Imprimis his Purse & Apparell	10	-	0	-	0
    Item his bed in the Parlour	2	-	0	-	0
    One Table & Carpet	0	-	10	-	0
    Eight Cheres	0	-	16	-	0
    In the Parlour entrie
    One Cutbord	0	-	13	-	4
    In the Chamber over the Parlor
    One Bed & Furniture	1	-	10	-	0
    One Livery Cutbord	0	-	10	-	0
    Five Chaires	0	-	5	-	0
    One little Round table & 3 pictures	0	-	3	-	4
    One Looking glass & a little stand	0	-	2	-	0
    One Silver Tankard	6	-	6	-	0
    Foure silver spoones	1	-	10	-	0
    In the Chamber over the hall
    One Bed & Furniture	1	-	10	-	0
    One Truckle bed & furniture	0	-	19	-	0
    One Press	0	-	15	-	0
    Three chests	0	-	15	-	0
    In his closset
    One chaire table	0	-	5	-	0
    A little chest	0	-	2	-	0
    Twenty & two Fleeces of Wooll	1	-	6	-	8
    In the hall
    One great table	0	-	6	-	0
    One square table	0	-	10	-	0
    Foure chaires, two Bufetstooles, two shelves A glasscase, foure Pictures, A carpet, one other square buffet, one payre of tables & six cushons	1	-	5	-	0
    One land iron & A skreene	0	-	3	-	4
    Books	1	-	0	-	0
    In the Kichen
    One Range, two payre of tongues, Racontails one warming Pan, one [Morter], A Tosteringiron, one Fire shovell, two spits & one payre of [Gobards]	1	-	3	-	4
    two Bacon Flicks	0	-	15	-	0
    One Gub & one Rapier	0	-	13	-	4
    One [freeled steate] & one little Round table & one Dresser, 2 chairs & two bufets & two [shebuds]	0	-	10	-	0
    Two Brass Potts, A little kettle, one brass ketle one scellet one [skimer]; three Brass candlesticks & one Frying pan	2	-	5	-	0
    Five Pewter dishes, A Pewter chamberpott A pewter Flagon & a tank	0	-	15	-	0
    In the Kichen chambers
    One Bed & A chest	0	-	10	-	0
    One little bed	0	-	5	-	0
    In the Pantry
    Two duzen of [trenckers], one long Farme & A drink loome & A hatt	0	-	6	-	0
    In the celler
    three Barells	0	-	10	-	0
    In the chamber over the Pantry
    one bed & foure loose bords	0	-	10	-	0
    In the Derey
    One [salteing Cymnell], and dresser, one [breding] tub, eight shelves, and salting tub, two churnes two wooden bottles, thre funells, one Bowle and brass Pan, foure cheese [salts], and cheese board, one baksprittle & one sigh	1	-	14	-	4
    In the Brewhouse
    One Iron bottle, one Copper, one old brass bottle, one Brewing salt, one strike and Iron backstone, foure bords, two [kills]	3	-	5	-	0
    In the Court
    foure stone trowes	0	-	15	-	0
    In the Corne Chamber
    One Meale arke & eight old striks of [Mod] [mit]	3	-	0	-	0
    One Mault chest	0	-	10	-	0
    Six sacks & three colesacks	0	-	18	-	0
    A little chest, a new Beckaborad & shovell	0	-	3	-	0
    Mault & barley	0	-	5	-	0
    over the oxehouse
    One Plow, two pair of horse hooks, one long lader & other wood	1	-	6	-	8
    In the stable
    Two Park sadles, one hackney sadle, one cheese press, two payre of horsegeres, two teames two yoks, A shovell & spade,3 forkstwo new [Gerth] & two wantons	1	-	15	-	0
    In the Barne
    One Plow & Plow Irons, one oxeharrow & one horse harrow, foure [.....] A scuttle & A hoper A bill hooke an Axe A cuting knife, A sheep hooke	0	-	19	-	0
    One great Arke, & other wood & an old slead	1	-	0	-	0
    Two horses	8	-	0	-	0
    Five kine	17	-	10	-	0
    six [twinters]	11	-	0	-	0
    five calves	7	-	0	-	0
    Two swine	1	-	10	-	0
    Ninteene hogs	4	-	15	-	0
    twelve ewes & eleven lambs	5	-	8	-	0
    suma totalis	110	-	14	-	4
    Apraised by us.
    William Melland
    the Marke of
    William H Hodghkinson

42. Memorial inscription to Raphael Bradbury in Youlgreave Church, reads:
    Hic jacet Raphaelis Bradbury de Youlgreave qui obiit vicesimo primo die Aprilis Anno Dni 1685
    It also bears the coat of arms of the Bradbury family - "Sable a chevron ermine between three round buckles pointing downwards argent" (although of course the colours aren't shown on this memorial).
43. Parish Register of All Saints, Youlgreave [Transcript by Val Neal] lists the burial of Mary Bradbury of Flagg, on 12th January 1696.
44. "Familae Minorium Gentium", by Joseph Hunter, published by the Harleian Society, 1894. Volume 3 page 1040, gives the pedigree of the Dale family, which states that Cornelius Dale, born c1654, was married to Lydia Bradbury of Youlgreave.
45. Contemporay probate copy of the will of Cornelius Dale dated 15/6/1719, proved at PCC 11/3/1724. Held at The National Archives. Includes mention of: "Liddia my dear Wife".
46. DD/3P/2/2 at Nottinghamshire Archives is the subscription list to the free and voluntary present, for the High Peak Hundred. One entry under Youlgreave township reads:
    Raphaell Bradbury of the same [Youlgreave] yeom: ten shillings

Confirm all transcripted PR entries.