Connecticut: Phillip Bradley

Phillip Bradley embodied President Washington’s ideal for a U.S. 

marshal, with his upright nature and devotion to country. Born in 

Ridgefield, CT on March 26, 1738, Bradley worked as a farmer, merchant 

and a local politician. Like many of his contemporaries in the U.S. 

Marshal Service, Bradley fought in the American Revolution as the 

colonel of the 5th Connecticut.59 60 In this capacity, Bradley participated 

in battle of Ridgefield (April 27, 1777), General Washington’s 1777 

Pennsylvania Campaign, and then distinguished himself at the Battle of 

Monmouth in 1778. He served until January 1781.61 62

When the Revolutionary War ended in 1783, Bradley returned home to 

Connecticut and resumed his past occupations, including his role a as a 

member of the Connecticut General Assembly. Bradley furthered his own political ambition by 

voting in favor of ratifying the new U.S. Constitution. Almost a year-and-a-half later, Bradley 

utilized his newly-acquired political capital to lobby President Washington to become 

Connecticut’s first U.S. marshal.

63

In this capacity, Bradley ensured that the twelve deputies under him completed the 

enumeration of the towns within their assigned counties in a timely manner. Additionally, 

Bradley got the final return, with Connecticut’s total population of 237,946 people, to Secretary 

of State within the deadline of September 5, 1791.64 65 Ultimately, Bradley served as a U.S. 

marshal for thirteen years, including two years, under the administration of President Thomas 

Jefferson and Vice President Aaron Burr (his first cousin). Unfortunately, there is little known

about Bradley’s later years except that he lived to be 82 years old and died on January 4, 

1821.66

 

59 “History - The First Generation of United States Marshals/The First Marshal of Connecticut: Philip Bradley,” U.S. 

marshals Service, last estimated release October 16, 2019, 

https://www.usmarshals.gov/history/firstmarshals/bradley.htm. (Accessed October 16, 2019). 

60 “Col. Philip Burr Bradley,” Find a Grave, last estimated release August 24, 2004, 

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9348409/philip-burr-bradley. (Accessed October 16, 2019). 

61 “History - The First Generation of United States Marshals/The First Marshal of Connecticut: Philip Bradley.” 

62 “Col. Philip Burr Bradley.”

63 History - The First Generation of United States Marshals/The First Marshal of Connecticut: Philip Bradley”.

64 “Connecticut”. Return of the whole number of persons within the several districts of the United States: according 

to "An act providing for the enumeration of the inhabitants of the United States," passed March the first, one 

thousand seven hundred and ninety-one, pg. 35. PDF. Retrieved from 

https://www.census.gov/content/census/en/library/publications/1793/dec/number-of-persons.htm. (Accessed 

October 16, 2019).

65 "Assistant marshals for the state [Massachusetts]: 1790," in Heads of Families/1790/A Century of Population 

Growth Massachusetts, Connecticut, & Rhode Island, 2:9. 

66 History - The First Generation of United States Marshals/The First Marshal of Connecticut: Philip Bradley”.

Philip Bradley’s Letter to President 

Washington expressing his interest in the

position of U.S. marshal.

Courtesy of the Library of Congress