Home > William Bradford (1755-1795)

He was the son of the printer William Bradford (1722-1791) and was born in Philadelphia. He attended Princeton University where he formed a life-long friendship with a younger student James Madison before graduating in 1772. When he returned to Philadelphia he read law with Edward Shippen . His progress was delayed by the American Revolutionary War.

In 1776 when the Pennsylvania militia was called out, William volunteered as a private. Later that year the militia was organized into a flying camp with Daniel Roberdeau as the first Brigadier General in the states forces. General Roberdeau chose the young man as an aide, and later promoted him to brigade Major on his headquarter staff.

When his militia term expired he joined the Continental Army as a Captain and company commander in the 11th Pennsylvania commanded by Richard Hampton . By the end of the year, he saw action in the Battle of Trenton. While at Morristown, New Jersey he was named a deputy to the to the muster master-general on April 10April 10 is the 100th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (101st in leap years). There are 265 days remaining. April Tenth" is also a song by the band Garbage. It was released on the B-side of the "Shut Your Mouth" single from the beautifulgarbage a, 1777Events The Cornish language died out 2nd edition of Encyclopaedia Britannica published January 3 American general George Washington defeats British general Charles Cornwallis at the Battle of Princeton. January 12 Mission Santa Clara de Asis is founded in, and he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. He resigned after two years due to ill health and returned home in early 1779Events The Iron Bridge is completed across the Severn river in Shropshire; the first all cast-iron bridge ever constructed. Boulton and Watt's Smethwick Engine, now the oldest working engine in the world, is brought into service. The city of Tampere is fo.

Bradford joined the bar before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in September 1779Events The Iron Bridge is completed across the Severn river in Shropshire; the first all cast-iron bridge ever constructed. Boulton and Watt's Smethwick Engine, now the oldest working engine in the world, is brought into service. The city of Tampere is fo. He was named as the state's Attorney General in 1780Events January 16 American Revolutionary War: Battle of Cape St. Vincent February, Armed Neutrality of the North alliance formed between Denmark, Sweden, and Russia. March 26 The British Gazette and Sunday Monitor the first Sunday newspaper in Britain May, and served until 1791Events January 25 The British Parliament passes the Constitutional Act of 1791, splitting the old province of Quebec into Upper and Lower Canada March 3 The United States Congress passes a resolution calling for the establishment of the United States Mint. In 1784Events January 6 the Turks agree to Russia's annexation of the Crimea in the Treaty of Constantinople January 14 The U. Congress ratifies the Treaty of Paris with England to end the American Revolutionary War February 27 Count of St Germain dies of pneumo he married Susan Boudinot, the daughter of Elias BoudinotFor other people with the same name, see Elias Boudinot (disambiguation). Elias Boudinot IV ( 1740 1821) was an early American lawyer and statesman from Elizabeth, New Jersey who was a delegate to the Continental Congress and a U. Congressman for New Jers. On August 22, 1791 he was appointed to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, and served for three years.

In 1793, Governor Thomas Mifflin asked his help to reduce the use of the death penalty. His report to legislature was in the form of an essay, "An Inquiry how far the Punishment of Death is Necessary in Pennsylvania". In the next reorganization of Pennsylvania's penal code, the use of capital punishment was substantially reduced. Other states followed the Pennsylvania example.

On January 8, 1794 George Washington named him Attorney General for the United States to replace Edmund Randolph. He died while in office in 1795, and is buried with his wife's family in the churchyard of St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Burlington, New Jersey.