Elizabeth Bradley Family Line

Elizabeth Bradley

18 July 1810 - circa 1885

Born

18 July 1810
Sumner County, Tennessee

Died

circa 1885

Father

Joshua Bradley (b. ca. 1769)

Mother

Nancy Gardner

Marriage

circa 1829
Rev. Richard Gilliam Davis (b. 17 Aug 1809; d. 7 Jun 1851)

Biography

Elizabeth Bradley, daughter of Joshua Bradley and Nancy Gardner, was born 18 July 1810 in Sumner County, Tennessee. She married Reverend Richard Gilliam Davis, who was born 17 August 1809.

Move to Perry County: Elizabeth and her husband moved to Perry County, Illinois in 1849. This relocation placed them near other Bradley family members who had also settled in Perry County, including her brother Isaac Ambrose Bradley.

Husband's Death: Reverend Davis died on 7 June 1851, leaving Elizabeth a widow at the age of 40. He is buried in Bradley Cemetery near Denmark, Perry County, Illinois. The cemetery's name reflects the strong Bradley family presence in that area of Perry County.

Later Years: In 1883, Elizabeth was still alive and living with her son Richard M. Davis. She would have been approximately 73 years old at that time. She is believed to have died circa 1885, having outlived her husband by 34 years.

Elizabeth and Richard Gilliam Davis had eight documented children, establishing another significant branch of the Bradley family in Perry County, Illinois. Through her Davis children and grandchildren, Elizabeth's Bradley heritage continued to influence the development of Southern Illinois communities.

Children of Elizabeth Bradley & Rev. Richard Gilliam Davis

8 Children

Elizabeth G. Davis

16 Feb 1831 - 27 Feb 1873

Born: 16 February 1831, Jackson County, Illinois

Died: 27 February 1873, Perry County, Illinois

Married: 16 June 1850, Perry County, IL
Josiah L. Willis (b. ca. 1828; d. 15 Nov 1875, Perry Co., IL)

Richard Montgomery Davis

15 Sep 1834 - 14 Nov 1888

Born: 15 September 1834, Jackson County, Illinois

Died: 14 November 1888, Perry County, Illinois

Married: 6 March 1865, Perry County, IL
Catherine O. Willis (b. 16 Feb 1826, KY; d. 1 May 1911, Perry Co., IL)

Note: Richard Montgomery Davis was the son with whom Elizabeth was living in 1883.

iii

(Joshua) Bradley Davis

10 Jan 1837 - 3 Jan 1908

Born: 10 January 1837, Jackson County, Illinois

Died: 3 January 1908, Perry County, Illinois

Note: Named after his maternal grandfather Joshua Bradley

m.[1] 1 March 1866, Perry County, IL
Frances A. Spurgeon (b. ca. 1845, OH; d. 14 Jun 1893, St. John's, Perry Co., IL)

m.[2] 13 October 1896, Perry County, IL
Martha Jane Anderson (b. May 1850, IL; d. after 1908, IL)

Harriet A. Davis

ca. 1840 - ?

Born: circa 1840, Jackson County, Illinois

Died: Date unknown

Married: Berry Davis

Mary J. Davis

ca. 1842 - ?

Born: circa 1842, Jackson County, Illinois

Died: Date unknown

William J. Davis

ca. 1846 - ?

Born: circa 1846, Jackson County, Illinois

Died: Date unknown

m.[1] 13 August 1867
Margaret Crews

m.[2] Rebecca J. _____

vii

Charles D. Davis

ca. 1850 - ?

Born: circa 1850, Perry County, Illinois

Died: Date unknown

viii

Child (name unknown)

Date unknown

Note: An eighth child is mentioned in records but name and dates are not documented

The Davis Family Legacy

Elizabeth Bradley's marriage to Reverend Richard Gilliam Davis created the Davis branch of the Bradley family tree. Several of her children remained in Perry County, Illinois, continuing the family's presence in the region. The Bradley Cemetery, where Reverend Davis is buried, stands as a testament to the family's enduring connection to the area.

Elizabeth's son (Joshua) Bradley Davis carried his maternal grandfather's name forward, honoring the patriarch Joshua Bradley who had brought the family to Illinois from Tennessee in 1817.