The Newtown bee., 1900-03-23
A Student IF Nature and An Ardent
Lover OF Birds

| the town, died on Sunday evening at his
nome In Gray's Plain district, after a
brief Illness with pne umonia.
Mr. Bradley was 70 years old, born
March IS, 1927, in Half Way River dis
trict. He was widely known throughout
Western Connecticut through HE contri-
buttons to THE BEE, under the signature
of &c. w. B." and the nom de plume
Shiloh. He had q gift as q writer of
verse, and q number OF his poems have
appeared in these columns in recent
years. He was often spoken of as "The
poet of Shiloh"
He also delighted to write on theolog-
ical and political subjects. Mr. Bradley
was q great lover of nature, and was es-
pecially interested in birds. He undoubt-
eddy was the best posted man on this
subject in town. He knew intimately
the birds that made their homes In this
section, and has written many interest
ing articles for THE BEE on their habits
and mode of living.
On the paternal side Mr. Bradley is of
Irish descent. His ancestors probably
came to this state at an early period, the
fret to locate In Newtown being his
grandfather, AbJah Bradley, who was
born in Cheshire, New Haven county,
Conn. This worthy pioneer was farmer
by occupation, and for many years he
trlct. He had five children, viz Abii al,
Jr., who married q Miss Skeeles, and mad
a son, James W., now proprietor of the
''Contine hotel" st New Haven. (Abijah.
Jr., lived TO the patriarcha1 age OF 80
years) George, our subjects father
Harriet, who married David Peck of
NeWtoWn; Julia, who married John CAL
noun, tailor of New York City; and
Della, who married George Wheeler.
George Bradley, the father of 1.-THE
poet of Shiloh" was born In Half Way
River district, and became q chair maker
by trade, but after following that occu-
patton successfully for about 30 years he
gave 1t up and devoted his attention to
farming In his native town, where he
owned at one time over 500 acres Of land.
While In the business OF manufacturing
chairs he was in partnership with his
brother, Abijsh, and for some time they
made a speciality of scroll work and tops
of chairs, their business being an extern
sive one for those early days, and they
were classed among the successful men
of the town. In religious belief they
we're Quakers. George Bradley was for
many years justice of the peace and
trial Justice, and he took much interest
in politics, frat az whig and later as
democrat. His wife, Comfort (Tomlin-
sony, who was of English descent, be-
longed to q prominent family of New
Preston, Conn.,, her father, Abiiah Tom
| linson, being leading resident of that
place and the first dealer in monuments
and headstones in that locality. Our
SUBJECT was one Of large family of chill
dren, five Of whom survived childhood,
namely: William A, who was q MEM
Der of the State Legislature in 1866;
Mary, wife of Stephen w. Somers Of
Easton, this county; Susan, who died at
the age of II; George Washington and
Charles E., the latter living in Half Way
River district. The father OF this family
died In 1876.
George Washington Bradley received
his early education in the district schools
near his home, and he has always been q
great reader, especially OF history. On
June "a, 1S49, he married Miss Betsey
Cornelia Munson, and soon after took up
his residence on the farm where he died,
where he has been successful In general
agriculture as well as in horticulture
his apple orchard is one of the largest
and finest in Fairfield county.
| Two daughters were born to Mr. and
Mrs Bradley: Alice Eunisa, born No.
vembsr IL, 1850, married Judge Char les
FL. Briscoe of Enfield, Conn.,; Jessie Is
telle, born February A, 1853 (deceRged),
was first married to Rev Mr. Drew, q
UniveTsRlist minister, by whom she had
1.-TWO childreu-Edward Bradley and
Jessie Cornelia, both now deceased; on
October 3, 1882, she became the wife OF
Willis A. Briscoe, son of Charles Ell. Bris.
coe; she was especially fond Of science,
and was an expert bOtanist.
In politics Mr. Bradley was q Wing,
and his first vote was cast for Zachary
Taylor; but since that time he has been
an answering supporter OF the demo.
cratic party. In 1860, when 80 years old
he was elected to the State Legislature,
which sat that year in New Haven, and
In 1878 and 10 he was again chosen tc
that body. Among the local Offices
which he has held may be mentioned thai
of Justice of the peace.
The funeral of Mr. Bradley was hello
yesterday afternoon from his late home
ia Gray's Plain district, Rev o. o
Wright officiating.