Jeptha Bradley

Jeptha Bradley (December 31, 1802 – June 8, 1864) was a mid-1800s Vermont political figure who served in several elected and appointed offices, including Vermont Auditor of Accounts.

Early life

Bradley was born in Fairfield, Vermont on December 31, 1802.^[1] He studied law and was admitted to the bar, afterwards establishing a practice in Franklin and Grand Isle Counties.^[2][3] A Whig, From 1835 to 1839 Bradley served as Sheriff of Franklin County.^[4]

Start of political career

Bradley later moved to St. Albans and served in local and county offices including Justice of the Peace and High Bailiff.^[5][6][7]

He was appointed Inspector of Customs for the station in Alburgh in 1845.^[8] In 1847 Bradley was named Postmaster in Highgate Springs.^[9]

Additional activities

Bradley was active in the Episcopal church, and served as a Delegate to the 1822 and 1850 annual state conventions.^[10][11]

In 1844 Bradley received a patent for an improved air-heating furnace.^[12][13]

Bradley was one of the founders of the Horticultural Society for the Valley of Lake Champlain in 1850.^[14][15]

Later political career

In 1849 Bradley was elected county Probate Judge, serving until 1850.^[16]

Bradley served as Register of Probate from 1850 to 1852, and again in 1854.^[17]

He became a Republican when the party was founded in the 1850s. In 1860 he was elected State Auditor by the Vermont General Assembly, and served until his death.^[18][19]

Death and burial

Bradley died in St. Albans on June 8, 1864.^[20] He was buried at Greenwood Cemetery in St. Albans.^[21]

References

1. Journal of the Senate of the State of Vermont, published by Vermont General Assembly, 1863, page 202
2. 1860 U.S. Census entry, Jeptha Bradley family
3. Vermont Year Book, published by E.P. Walton, Montpelier, 1863, page 69
4. History of Franklin and Grand Isle Counties, Vermont, edited by Lewis Cass Aldrich, 1891, page 121
5. Journal of the General Assembly of the State of Vermont, published by Vermont House of Representatives, 1834, page 65
6. Journal of the House of Representatives of the State of Vermont, published by Vermont General Assembly, 1839, page 293
7. Journal of the House of Representatives of the State of Vermont, published by Vermont General Assembly], published by Vermont General Assembly, 1850, page 300
8. Universalist Watchman and Christian Repository, edited by Eli Ballou, Volume 16, 1845, page 359
9. Register of all Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, published by United States Department of State, 1847, page 31
10. Proceedings of the Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of Vermont, published by the convention, 1832, page 32
11. Protestant Episcopal Church of the Diocese of Vermont, Convention Proceedings, 1850, page 4
12. Journal of the Franklin Institute, published by Franklin Institute (Philadelphia, Pa.), 1845, page 423
13. Executive Documents, Printed by Order of the House of Representatives During the Second Session of the Thirty-Fifth Congress, published by James B. Steedman, 1859, page 26
14. The Journal of the New York State Agricultural Society, published by the society, 1850, Volumes 1-4 B, page 74
15. The Water-cure Journal, published by Fowlers and Wells, New York, 1851, Volumes 11-12, page 99
16. Journal of the Vermont House of Representatives, published by Vermont General Assembly, 1849, page 284
17. The Vermont historical gazetteer, compiled by Abby Maria Hemenway and Carrie Elizabeth Hemenway Page, Volume 2, 1871, page 95
18. Early History of Vermont, by LaFayette Wilbur, Volume 3, 1902, page 381
19. Inaugural Address of John Gregory Smith, published by Vermont General Assembly, 1864, page 12
20. Newspaper article, Death of Judge Bradley, Vermont (Brattleboro) Phoenix, July 1, 1864
21. Gravestone photos by Barb Destromp, Jeptha Bradley page, Findagrave.com web site, accessed November 23, 2011