I have recently been inspired to talk about my Bradleys in Schuylkill County. Through marriages the Bradleys have added surnames of Murtha, Campbell, Versavage, Leary, and more that I can't think of right now. I received several comments about them, which caused me to take another look and see if I could discover more about them. All of the comments came from Margaret M., who must be a cousin that I didn't know I had, but I am grateful for the information that she gave me.
I love the little things that Margaret said about her grandmother, Mary Cecilia Bradley Murtha. First off, I didn't know her middle name was Cecilia, but the other thing is that she would never tell her age. Most of the documents I found say that she was born in 1881, but to find out that she was actually born in 1875 is amazing, and it makes you feel like you are family to know the secret. After all, only very few people knew the truth (until now that is). Just so you know, Mary was my great grandmother, Madge's (or Maggie's) little sister. I also didn't know that she is buried in No. 3 St Patrick's Cemetery in Pottsville.
Margaret also left me a message about Francis Pepper. She says that Francis Pepper was the first son of Patrick and Margaret (Madeline) Pepper. This makes Francis the older brother of Annie Pepper Bradley. Annie is the mother of my Great Grandmother Madge (Maggie) and Mary Cecilia Bradley Murtha. Francis and Annie were born in New York and moved to Mine Hill, near Ashland, PA. Oddly enough, I actually found a headstone for Francis Pepper, I think it is in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Ashland. I figured he was related, but didn't know how. Now I know.
I also got some information about Susan Bradley Campbell. Margaret's grandmother said she was a wonderful woman and her children always stayed close to her, calling her "Aunt Mame". But thanks to Margaret talking about Sister Miriam Delora (and telling me that she was Catherine Campbell before entering the order) I found this picture of her at her Golden Jubilee.
This is from the Evening Herald, Shenandoah, Pa. on Tues 16 Jul 1974, page 6. That is her on the top left. This is great stuff. So Margaret, thank you so much for your comments. It is very nice to hear the little things about my (our) family that makes you feel like you are part of it. This is why I write this blog. So thanks again.
