Rev. John Bradner, Sr., was graduated in 1712 in University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, with an M.A. degree.
1 Rev. John Bradner, Sr., and
Christian Bradner emigrated circa 1713 to New Jersey. The couple was eighteen months on the voyage to North America, having been shipwrecked when they first started and delayed at the Isle of Man. They embarked with Charleston, South Carolina, as their goal. But for some reason their ship landed at Cape May, New Jersey, where the Rev. John Bradner became licensed to preach in March 1714. M2].
2 Rev. John Bradner, Sr., and Christian Bradner lived between 1714 and 1721 in Cape May County, New Jersey. He and Christian Bradner lived between 1721 and 1732 in Goshen, Orange County, New York.
Rev. John Bradner, Sr., died in February 1732 in Goshen, Orange County, New York, at age ~40.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Volume III of the Shepard Families of New England states, at page 462:
The Rev. John Bradner, a graduate of the University of Edinburgh (M.A., 23 February 1712), traditionally was engaged to tutor the children of a Scots nobleman named Colville and eloped with the daughter, Christian [Collville], and came to America. The Colvilles have been traced in Scotland to the twelth century; one branch was raised to the peerage in 1604 as Baron Colville of Culross and elevated in 1902 to Viscount; another branch was created Baron Clydesmuir in 1948.
The Bradners settled in Cape May, New Jersey, where John was licensed to preach in 1714 and was settled in May 1715 as minister of the Cold Spring Presbyterian Church. He was called to Goshen, New York, in 1721, where he was the first pastor of the Presbyterian Church, and died in 1732.
The will of Christian Bradner of Goshen, New York, dated 26 July 1759, proved 17 September 1759, named her sons Colvill, John, Gilbert and Benoi, and daughters Christina, Mary, Sara and Elizabeth. [New York Wills, 5:341].
3 Name: REV. JOHN BRADNER
Sex: M
Birth: 1692 in Eniskerry, County Wicklow, Ireland
Death: 1732 in Goshen, Orange, New York ; died Feb 1732
Note: Graduated University of Edinburgh (Scotland) - MA on Apr 17, 1712. Eloped with Christian Colville in 1712 and married in Gretna Green, Scotland. They immediately set ship to America in 1712, and the journey was to have said to be up to 6 months, due to bad weather.
First Presbyterian minister position was at the Cold Springs Presbyterian Church, Cape May, NJ, in 1714 (Ordained May 6, 1715). Rev John lived on his own estate at Cold Springs of 230 acres. When he left in 1721 to assume the ministership of the First Goshen Presbyterian Church, he deeded this land to future ministers in perpetuity. He named a little stream on the east side of the church & cemetery as 'Bradners Run', a name which it still holds today. Near the edifice of this church is a tablet that reads 'Founded and Endowed by Rev. John Bradner in 1714'. Rev John removed to Goshen, Orange County, NY, in 1721 to become the first minister of the First Presbyterian Church of Goshen (organized 1720). He was given 200 acres of land near the church for his own personal use, deeded to him on April 17, 1722. A copy of the deed was deposited at the Rockland County, NY, courthouse on March 27, 1732, and in 1742 at the request of his widow, Christian Colville, was recorded as of that date. Rev John died in the fall of 1732.
1 (Rev.) John Bradner Family Tree
Last update: Wednesday, April 04, 2007
http://lbpp.com/Genealogy/BradnerTree1666.html
Rev. John Bradner, our first American ancestor was born in 1692 in Eniskerry, County Wicklow, Ireland. The authorities of Edinburgh University, Scotland, did give the date of his graduation, February 23, 1712, receiving his M.A. Degree as a student of Professor Robert Stewart, Natural Philosophy.
After his graduation he was employed by a wealthy Huguenot refugee, named Colville of Culross, Scotland, to tutor his four children, 3 sons, and a daughter named
Christian (some say Colville was a Scotch Earl, others a Count). The daughter fell madly in love with John Bradner. Her father withholding his consent to their marriage, they eloped and sailed for America.
They were eighteen months on the voyage, having been shipwrecked when they first started and delayed at the Isle of Man. They embarked with Charleston, South Carolina, as their goal. But for some reason their ship landed at Cape May, New Jersey, where the Rev. John Bradner was licensed to preach March 1714. Later he was ordained as pastor of the Cold Spring Presbyterian Church, Cape May, New Jersey, May 6, 1715. The old church is still standing and there is a tablet in the church erected to the memory of the Rev. John Bradner, 1714 - 1721. This church at Cold Spring was the second oldest in the county (1714).
He lived on his own estate and gave his name to the little stream on the east side of the church and cemetery calling it Bradner's Run which name it still retained in 1890. His estate at Cape May consisted of some 200 acres. His cattle mark was the one originally recorded to Richard Tharcher and then to Robert Crossley June 17, 1706. Crossley, deserting the county and having no estate, recorded to Mr. John Bradner November 28, 1715 (or 1716?).
In the year 1721, John Bradner received a call from Goshen [Orange County], New York. He accepted and moved there that year. The First Presbyterian Church of Goshen, Orange County, New York, is the oldest religious organization in Orange County, organized as early as 1721.
"During the year 1720, there was occasionally preaching in the settlement by a clergyman named Treat, but in 1721 a call was made upon the Rev. John Bradner, who accepted the invitation and was installed that year as first pastor." (History, Orange County, by Ruttenter.)
"On April 17, 1722, a deed was executed, designed as an encouragement to the first minister, the recipient was Rev. John Bradner, John Gale, William Ludlum, Solomon and John Carpenter, holders of the lots in the patent." (History, Orange County, by Ruttenter.)
In Russell Headley's History of Orange County, New York, p. 224: "The Rev. John Bradner became its first pastor in 1721. Two acres of land were deeded to him April 17, 1722, and recorded at the request of his widow April 8, 1742. In 1724 the erection of a house of worship was begun on the spot where now stands the court house."
The following inscription is to be found on the stone over the church vault -
Here repose the remains of
Reverend John Bradner, a native of Scotland
The first pastor of
Presbyterian Church of Goshen
Settled A.D. 1721 Died 1732.
(This summary of Rev. John Bradner's life is contained in the material belonging to Mrs. Morris Renfrew Bradner, 22 Maple Avenue, Warwick, N.Y. and compiled by Laura Bradner.)
BIOGRAPHY: Reprinted from "A Brief History of The Old Brick Church" by Karl A. Dickinson.
The pioneers of Cape May County had two notable characteristics: a genuine reliance upon the guidance of God and a strong disposition to look out for themselves. These two traits are not inharmonious, but complementary. One by one, over the years, men and women have been worshipping in one of the county's oldest and most historic churches, the Cold Spring Presbyterian Church, fondly known as "the Old Brick." Down through the years distinguished visitors to this church have included President Harrison, John Wanamaker, Russell Conwell, Reuben Haines, and a host of others.
The first service was held at Dr. Daniel Cox's "Coxe Hall" and it was here the church was organized in 1714. The first settled minister was the Rev. John Bradner, a native of Scotland. He was only a candidate for the ministry when invited to Cold Spring and was not authorized to preach until the three nearest ministers, the Revs. Davis, Hampton, and Henry took the responsibility of examining and licensing him in March 1714. Mr. Bradner lived on his estate, and was ordained May 6, 1715. He gave his name to the little stream on the east side of the church and cemetery, calling it "Bradner's Run," which name it retains to this day, after 242 years.
In 1721 Rev. Bradner removed to Goshen, Orange County, New York, and died before September 1, 1733. His estate at Cold Spring, consisting of some 200 acres, was purchased from him about the year 1718, and was conveyed by him in perpetuity for the use of the pastor to Humphrey Hughes... and 32 others. These 32 persons with their descendants and others have been the principal supporters of this church ever since.
The first church was a small log building which stood just a short distance from the road, then a little sandy trail, undoubtedly first made by the Indians (here on this site, historians say, was an Indian burying ground, and nearby are the shell mounds, where wampum was made). This little church was built about 1718 and was called the "Meeting House".
Biography: Christian Colville was a very well educated woman. It is said she taught her children several languages and prepared her son Benoni for Princeton College. He graduated in 1755. She was a daughter of Lord Robert Colville and Christian Bruce. Lord Robert was son of Margaret Finzie who was a daughter of Sir David Werms Finzie. Charles the 1st knighted her father's Uncle, Robert. (From Perry Melville Shepard, 803 S. Main St., Geneva, NY)
Taken from Frank Bradner's Genealogy: http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=frankbradner&id=I0186
The father of Christian Colville was Rev Alexander Colville, son of Rev John Colville (born Sedan, France - ca 1630 ; d. Feb 1671) & Mary Preston (daughter of Sir George Preston). Rev Alexander graduated Univ of Edinburgh in 1689 (MA). He was ordained minister at Newtownards (Co Down, Ireland) on July 26, 1696. Resigned to become minister at Dromore (Co Down), Ireland - 1700.
Member Belfast Society. Moderator of General Synod - 1713.
Marr Christian Thompson on July 13, 1693 (she b. Nov 12, 1665), daughter of John Thompson of Edinburgh and Helene Lithgow.
Christian Colville had a brother Rev & Dr Alexander Colville (b. 1699 ; d. Apr 23, 1777 - Dromore, Co Down). He was educated at Univ of Edinburgh (1725 - MD) and installed at Dromore to succeed his father. Joined Presbytery of Antrim (Ireland) in 1730.? The settlement of the estate of Rev Alexander Colville dated Aug 15, 1738, requested by Rev & Dr Alexander Colville, son of Rev Alexander Colville Sr and brother to Christian Colville proves that Christian Colville indeed married Rev John Bradner.
The exerpt that proves this reads: the said Umquhill (deceased) Christian Colvill, alias Bradnor (sic), and Mr John Bradnor, student of divinity in the paroch (parish) of Dromore .............
Now, it is a fact that Christian Colville was at least 4 months pregnant and unmarried to Rev John Bradner. Knowing the extreme displeasure which her father would demonstrate at knowing this, the couple decided to marry and immediately head to America. Christian left her parents and brother behind, never again communicating with them. The will of Rev Alexander Colville, Sr., in effect disinherits Christian, since when he died in 1719 he did not know if she was dead or alive, and assumed dead. This fact carried forward to the writing of Alexander Sr's, will and the 1738 settlement of the estate. Unfortunately, this will was destroyed in 1922 along with Irish census records and many other vital documents. In America, Christian raised a family of 8 and for all accounts was a happy woman.
John Bradner (b. d.09/01/1733) Christian Colville (b. d.09/17/1759)John and Christian had 8 children:
1. Susanna Christina, b. 1713, d. 1809, m. Joseph Carpenter
2. Colville I, b. 1719, d. 12/05/1799, m. Margaret Moore
3. Gilbert, b. 1720, d. Before 1790, m. Ann Smith
4. Mary, b. 1721, m. Ephraim Clark
5.
Sarah, b. 07/12/1722?, m. David Shepard6. John, b. 1725, d. 06/1790, m. Mary Borland
7. Elizabeth, b. 1728, d. 1770, m. John Steward
8. Benoni, b. 05/07/1733, d. 01/29/1804, m. (1) Rebecca Bridges, (2) Mary Jeans.
Biography: Rev. John Bradner, our first American ancestor was born in 1692 in Eniskerry, Co Wicklow, Ireland. The authorities of Edinburgh University, Scotland, did give the date of his graduation, Feb. 23, 1712, receiving his M.A. Degree as a student of Professor Robert Stewart, Natural Philosophy. After his graduation he was employed by a wealthy Huguenot refugee, named Colville of Culross, Scotland, to tutor his four children, 3 sons, and a daughter named Christian (some say Colville was a Scotch Earl, others a Count). The daughter fell madly in love with John Bradner. Her father withholding his consent to their marriage, they eloped and sailed for America.
They were eighteen months on the voyage, having been shipwrecked when they first started and delayed at the Isle of Man. They embarked with Charleston, South Carolina as their goal. But for some reason their ship landed at Cape May, NJ where the Rev. John Bradner was licensed to preach March 1714. Later he was ordained as pastor of the Cold Spring Presbyterian Church, Cape May, NJ, May 6, 1715. The old church is still standing and there is a tablet in the church erected to the memory of the Rev. John Bradner 1714 - 1721. This church at Cold Spring was the second oldest in the county (1714). He lived on his own estate and gave his name to the little stream on the east side of the church and cemetery calling it Bradner's Run which name it still retained in 1890. His estate at Cape May consisted of some 200 acres. His cattle mark was the one originally recorded to Richard Tharcher and then to Robert Crossley 6/17/1706. Crossley deserting the county and having no estate, recorded to Mr. John Bradner November 28, 1715 (or 1716?),
"During the year 1720, there was occasionally preaching in the settlement by a clergyman named Treat, but in 1721 a call was made upon the Rev. John Bradner, who accepted the invitation and was installed that year as first pastor." (History, Orange Co., by Ruttenter.)
In the year 1721, John Bradner received a call from Goshen, N.Y. He accepted and moved there that year. The First Presbyterian Church of Goshen, Orange Co., N.Y. is the oldest religious organization in Orange Co., organized as early as 1721.
"On April 17, 1722 a deed was executed, designed as an encouragement to the first minister, the recipient was Rev. John Bradner, John Gale, William Ludlum, Solomon and John Carpenter, holders of the lots in the patent." (History, Orange Co., by Ruttenter.)
In Russell Headley's History of Orange Co., N.Y., p. 224: "The Rev. John Bradner became its first pastor in 1721. Two acres of land were deeded to him April 17, 1722 and recorded at the request of his widow April 8, 1742. In 1724 the erection of a house of worship was begun on the spot where now stands the court house."
The following inscription is to be found on the stone over the church vault:
Here repose the remains of
Reverend John Bradner
a native of Scotland The first pastor of
Presbyterian Church of Goshen
Settled A.D. 1721 Died 1732.
(Source: Ancestry.com This summary of Rev. John Bradner's life is contained in the material belonging to Mrs. Morris Renfrew Bradner, 22 Maple Avenue, Warwick, N.Y. and compiled by Laura Bradner.)
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