The Hampshire Family Historian | Vol.48 No.3 | December 2021

Member’s article

The Marshall Brothers of Netley

In the May 2021 Newsletter of the Andover Group, I asked if anyone had an ancestral connection to the Mayflower. Margaret who joins all our Zoom meetings (as well as other groups’) from Ottawa, wasted no time in replying. She and her husband then gave their permission for this to be shared with all HGS members. (Ann McKenzie) “My husband is William Bryan BRADFORD , a 10th great grandson and a direct line, Mayflower Descendant of Pilgrim Father, Gov. William BRADFORD . When I first met Bryan, he was aware of his ancestry, which had been published in a book, titled “Welcome Englishmen”, a 330 Year History of the Bradford Family. We have been several times to Boston, Plymouth, and Duxbury, Massachusetts; as well as Augusta, Maine in search of various records. The Mayflower Society were so pleased to have a real William Bradford visiting. There is also a resemblance to the statue of William Bradford in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The first 7 generations have been researched and authenticated by the Mayflower Society. Bryan’s 3rd great grandfather, Benjamin Franklin Bradford, the eldest of the 8th generation, migrated to Canada circa 1835. (Incidentally, he was named after Benjamin Franklin, his 1st cousin, 4x removed.) We have enjoyed many happy holidays photographing graves in Maine and Massachusetts, visiting small local libraries and wandering around the small towns mentioned in the historic records. I always joke that I am a cheap date!

We have also visited Austerfield in Yorkshire, England and found the church where William Bradford was baptised. There is a notice on the door telling where the key is kept and we were able to collect it and have a look around. I think that was very special for my husband. He has reminded me that he is also descended from Mayflower Passengers - William Brewster, Stephen Hopkins, Richard Warren, Thomas Rogers as well as John Alden and Priscilla Mullins who are his 10th great grandparents. Lots of intermarrying of the families back then, of course. I do have a funny story to tell you. When we were in Plymouth, Massachusetts for the first

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