John M. Bradley

 There was more than one man by the name of John M. Bradley who lived at the same time in Texas.

The John M. Bradley I talk about in this post was born in about 1800 in North Carolina. Whether and how he was related to our Bradley family line, I do not know. However, our direct ancestor John Bradley Jr., was born in 1799, in North Carolina as well. Possibly there is some family relation between the two men, but I did not discover it.

Not much is known about the ancestors of John M. Bradley and his family members. By the time when John M.  arrived in Texas with his four children, his wife passed away. I wish I knew the children’s name or what name the initial M. stood for.

John M. Bradley became the captain of Texas Militia regiment (Tenaha Militia). They fought in the battle of Nacogdoches in August 1832. Then, the man attended the Convention in San felipe as the Tenaha District representative.

In 1835, John M. Bradley was the captain of the San Augustine and Tenaha company, which he commanded during the Grass Fight. He and his company also took part in the siege of Bexar. Subsequently, Bradley and his San Augustine Cavalry joined the Texas army and participated in the fights which led to expelling the Mexican army from Texas.

John M. Bradley’s company was discharged in July 1836.

From 04 February 1839 to 31 January 1841, the man served as the Shelby County Sheriff. During that time, the Regulator – Moderator conflict arose, and John M. Bradley was chosen as the leader of the  Moderators.

After the death of Charles Jackson, the leader of Regulators, Charles Watt Moorman, took over their leadership. According to (1), he was a “young psychopath ”, and a “cruel and dangerous man” who did not tolerate anybody daring to stand in his way. Moreover, he was a man of impressive appearance and striking personality, who was able to make people think that Regulators’ actions was righteous. The Regulators controlled Shelbyville which they had chosen as their headquarters. Whoever did not agree with them was either forced to leave the county or face death. The Regulators followed their opponents even to adjacent counties. 

Clipping source: Cruger & Moore. Telegraph and Texas Register (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 6, No. 47, Ed. 1, Wednesday, October 20, 1841, newspaper, October 20, 1841; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth48156/: accessed March 1, 2026), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

Clipping source: The Morning Star. (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 2, No. 243, Ed. 1 Saturday, September 25, 1841, newspaper, September 25, 1841; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1497666/: accessed March 1, 2026), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu

Moorman’s plans reached high and included the idea of a revolution, overthrowing the Government of Texas and becoming the state governor.

Gradually, the situation in the county was becoming more serious and dangerous.

Clipping source: Cruger & Moore. Telegraph and Texas Register (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 6, No. 46, Ed. 1, Wednesday, October 13, 1841, newspaper, October 13, 1841; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth48155/: accessed March 1, 2026), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

At the end of December 1841, a certain letter was published in a local newspaper. The alleged author of the letter was John. M. Bradley – as the publication stated (2). The letter content showed Bradley in a very bad light, the least to say.

On the next day, information of J. M. Bradley’s protest was published in the same paper. Bradley had announced that the letter was a forgery and he was not the one who had written the letter.

Clipping source: Whiting, S. Daily Bulletin. (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 22, Ed. 1, Friday, December 24, 1841, newspaper, December 24, 1841; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth80076/: accessed March 1, 2026), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

It was probably Moorman and the Regulators who were behind the letter publication. If it was meant to slander Bradley’s name and ruin his good reputation, it seems they succeeded. In 1842, when Moderators reorganized themselves, John M. Bradley was excluded from the group. James J. Cravens became their leader.

Researching the information on John M. Bradley, I came across the newspaper note on the legal case Bradley vs McGrabb (1843). 

Clipping source: The Planter. (Columbia, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 40, Ed. 1, Saturday, September 9, 1843, newspaper, September 9, 1843; Columbia, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth80181/: accessed March 1, 2026), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

Most likely – it was John M. Bradley who tried to clear his name after the slandering post in the paper and took it to the court. Considering the fact that most jury members at that time were Regulators supporters, and others, who were not, would not have dared to vote in favor of Bradley (due to the obvious reason, as it was in case of the McFadden brothers), John M. Bradley presumably lost the court case and failed to restore his good name.

24 July 1844 – a truce between Regulators and Moderators was signed by Cravens and Moorman. The truce was to protect citizens regarded as “good and unoffending”. However, Moorman composed “Articles of Agreements” in which he was supposed to include some escape clauses for himself.

Soon, a man by the name of Lindsey was shot in an ambush by Regulators. The man managed to get to the Moderators and let them know who he had been attacked by.

After a Regulators’ meeting at San Augustine, they came up with a list of 25 men who were “doomed” by the Regulators. The list was later placed on the courthouse door. It was believed that  Moorman himself posted the paper with those names. The listed citizens of Shelby County were:

• Sheriff Llewellyn,
• John F. Cravens – leader of Moderators,
• Five men of the Haley family: Thomas, John, Richard, Allen, and Mark,
• William Todd,
• I. Strickland, 
• D. Strickland,
• Isaac Hall,
• Jonathan Anderson,
• Laurel Lang,
• Charles Lindsey,
• E. Ritter,
• M. H. Moseley,
• J.D. Raines,
• Joshua English,
• John Choate,
• Moses F. Wooten,
• James West,
• W. J. Thomas,
• Samuel Todd,
• Henry Thorne,
• David Harris.

Some of the above men had family connections to Jospeh Goodbread, who was shot and killed by Jackson in 1841, and the McFadden brothers hanged some time later. I will come back to those men in my future posts.

28 July 1844 – on a Sunday evening, when John M. Bradley was leaving the Baptist church camp meeting he had attended at St Augustine, he was approached by Charles W. Moorman and a few other Regulators. It was dark, when light was brought, Moorman shot Bradley in the chest and killed him at instant. The story mentions that Moorman had had a dream about Bradley in which the latter wore a steel jacket. That is why Moorman shot Bradley below the line where the jacket could have been. Later it appeared, Bradley was indeed wearing a steel jacket as seen by Moorman in his dream. The steel jacket factor - true or false? Seems probable.

Clipping source: De Morse, Charles. The Northern Standard. (Clarksville, Tex.), Vol. 2, No. 40, Ed. 1, Wednesday, August 7, 1844, newspaper, August 7, 1844; Clarksville, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth80525/: accessed March 1, 2026), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

The conflict  between Regulators and Moderators continued to escalate. Finally, President  Houston took actions which led to the end of the bloody conflict and disbanding both fractions of the feud.

Clipping source: De Morse, Charles. The Northern Standard. (Clarksville, Tex.), Vol. 2, No. 43, Ed. 1, Wednesday, August 28, 1844, newspaper, August 28, 1844; Clarksville, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth80528/: accessed March 3, 2026), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

Sometime later, Moorman was arrested and trialed.

Clipping source: De Morse, Charles. The Northern Standard. (Clarksville, Tex.), Vol. 2, No. 45, Ed. 1, Wednesday, September 11, 1844, newspaper, September 11, 1844; Clarksville, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth80530/: accessed March 1, 2026), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

The result of the trial was no surprise regarding the state of the affairs regarding members of the jury (as mentioned above).

Charles W. Moorman met his end in Louisiana, on 14 February 1850. He was shot/killed by Dr. Robert Burns.

God bless their souls.

Sources:

1. East Texas Genealogical Society. East Texas Family Records, Volume 11, Number 3, Fall 1987, periodical, Autumn 1987; Tyler, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth38028/: accessed March 1, 2026), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting East Texas Genealogical Society.

2. Cruger & Moore. Telegraph and Texas Register (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 6, No. 47, Ed. 1, Wednesday, October 20, 1841, newspaper, October 20, 1841; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth48156/: accessed March 1, 2026), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

3. East Texas Genealogical Society. East Texas Family Records, Volume 11, Number 3, Fall 1987, periodical, Autumn 1987; Tyler, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth38028/: accessed March 1, 2026), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting East Texas Genealogical Society.

Texas Handbook Online

Photos Sept. 2020

McFadden Brothers

The McFadden family were the early settlers who made their home east of the Sabine River. The brothers, John, William, and Bailey, sons of Sam McFadden, settled in the south-east of the county, and the nearby creek was named after them.

Joseph Goodbread mentioned in one of the previous posts was related to McFaddens. Some of his relatives joined the group of Moderators organized after Joseph’s death, in response to the actions taken by Charles Jackson (the man who shot Joseph) and his supporters known as Regulators.

When the legal ways failed - Jackson's trial, mentioned in the previous post, was a total fiasco. Jackson was not sentenced/went free, despite the fact that he had shot Goodbread in broad daylight. Therefore. his friends and relatives took matters in their own hands.

As mentioned before, Jackson was killed in an ambushed and the McFadden brothers were known to be part of the Moderators group who retaliated after the death of Goodbread.

Charles Watson (Watt) Moorman became the leader of the Regulators after Jackson’s death. He had been with Regulators when Jackson was their commander. Subsequently,  John T Middleton (first deputy)  deputized Moorman and a few other Regulators, and the posse after Jackson’s killers was organized.

The Regulators approached a group of Moderators, when they were going towards Grimes County. During a fight, one of the Moderators by the name of Joe Bledsoe was killed at Crockett, others managed to escape. However, later, the Regulators apprehended  a Moderator called One-Eyed Williams, and made him tell where the McFadden brothers were.

 The men were staying then not far from the Montgomery town,  at the house of Mr. Whitaker. Surrounded by the Regulators , the brothers barricaded themselves  and fought back, shooting from the inside of the house. The Regulators threatened they were going to burn the house down. The McFaddens agreed to surrender when they were promised a fair trial which was to be done by the vote of the Shelbyville inhabitants, not the jury. 

I am not sure about the fairness of that trial since the Regulators controlled Shelbyville. Their motto was “those who are not for us are  against us”, and each person who was not willing to align with them was treated as a member of the opposition, a Moderator.  According to one source (3) , Regulators’ representatives were members of every grand jury. Thus, the people of Shelbyville voted 174 to 0. which decided of the brothers’ fate. In such circumstances, even if any of the voting man was against the hanging, fearing for their own lives, they would not have dared to stand up and say, “I am against it”. John and William McFadden were hanged. Bailey, the youngest of the three brothers, was spared due to his young age. He was ordered to leave the town after he was beaten 25 times with a “blackjack”.

Clipping source: The Morning Star. (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 2, No. 256, Ed. 1 Tuesday, October 26, 1841, newspaper, October 26, 1841; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1497679/: accessed February 8, 2026), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .

Clipping source: Cruger & Moore. Telegraph and Texas Register (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 6, No. 48, Ed. 1, Wednesday, October 27, 1841, newspaper, October 27, 1841; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth48157/: accessed February 8, 2026), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

The “Tenaha gang” mentioned in the newspaper piece was the Tenaha Militia who participated in the Battle of Nacogdoches (Tenehaw Municipality was the original name of Shelby County). The wounded Moderator was Henry Strickland. He was hit by Hansford Hanks, Regulator.

I wish I was able to find out more about the brothers’ and the names of John’s and Bill’s wives. 

Mary Elizabeth McFadden (1800-1847) is one of our direct ancestors (5 generations  back - great-great-great-grandmother). She was the daughter of Sam McFadden and Lucy Hampton. Perhaps, the brothers ment6ioned above were her brothers?

Sources:

1. East Texas Genealogical Society. East Texas Family Records, Volume 8, Number 1, Spring 1984, periodical, Spring 1984; Tyler, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth38042/: accessed February 3, 2026), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting East Texas Genealogical Society.

2. Texas Gulf Historical Society. The Texas Gulf Historical and Biographical Record, Volume 1, Number 1, November 1965, periodical, November 1965; Beaumont, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1433634/: accessed February 3, 2026), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas Gulf Historical Society.

3. Texas State Historical Association. The Texas Historian, Volume 35, Number 5, May 1975, periodical, May 1975; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth391259/: accessed February 3, 2026), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.

4. Abernethy, Francis Edward; Lincecum, Jerry Bryan & Vick, Frances Brannen, 1935-. The Family Saga: A Collection of Texas Family Legends, book, 2003; Denton, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc701341/: accessed February 3, 2026), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Press.

Texas Handbook Online

Photos: Sept. 2020

Napoleon B. Breeding - Part 2

 In 1843, Napoleon was part of Snively Expedition.

The note you can read below was posted by the Expedition participants (including napoleon and his uncle Benjamin Wilkens) to clear misconceptions that arose around the Expedition purpose/circumstances.

Source: Cruger & Moore. Telegraph and Texas Register (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 8, No. 44, Ed. 1, Wednesday, October 18, 1843, newspaper, October 18, 1843; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth48256/: accessed September 12, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

TBC

---

Other Posts

Part 1 - Napoleon Bonaparte Breeding & Family

Part 3

Part 4

---

This post is part of our series "They Lived in Texas"

Fort McKavett

Fort McKavett, built 150 years ago, is one of the most preserved military posts from the old days.

It was quite windy there on the day when we visited the site, and no other visitors besides us.

We were paid our solder's salary - the "money" came from the old safe box.

We spent part of our earnings in the casino. It was interesting to play the Faro game and break the bank, as well. I guess, I have played it in my previous life. The game dates back to 17th century, so who knows...

As you can see in one of the above photos, we spent our winnings at an inn, despite the innkeeper's effort - he tried to convert us to follow the temperance movement and even sang us a proper song.

Finally, we gave him all our casino money and kept on sightseeing.

While visiting the site, we came across an arrowhead diary. Do you know that some arrowheads, spearheads, and knives found in the Hill Country area date back even up to 7,500 - 10,000 BC. It is hard to comprehend how old some of them are.

It was quite sad that we were the only visitors at the place. You need to make a special effort to get there - it is situated rather far from a main road, nearest town.

More about Fort McKavett on their webstite.

Photos: June 2025

I for (Texas) Independence Day

 

Texas Declaration of Independence was signed on March 02, 1836.

The Texas Independence Day is observed annually in Luckenbach, TX. The ceremony is Texas Patriotic and quite uplifting.

 It all starts with the Texas song and clapping.

Then comes the hymn.

The first responders, Texas Rangers, the military, Border Patrol, and teachers are appreciated. 

 

 

Next, the history part comes - the Alamo is mentioned of course.

 

Every year, among others, an old Texas flag is taken down and retired in a very solemn mode. It is followed by putting up a new flag. 

 

 

There is also Pistol Packing' Paula, presenting her skills.

More about the Texas Declaration of Independence - History Facts: HERE.

James A Gill

There was a man by the name of James A. Gill, who was born in Virginia in 1826. Who his parents were and when the man came to Texas, is not known. Well, at least I have no clue.

James settled in Polk County, TX. In July 1860, he lived and worked in Justice Precinct #6, Polk County, Post Office: Halifax (1).

A few months later, in November, James A Gill went to Moscow, TX, and enlisted in the CA as 3rd Sergeant with Moscow Cavalry Company, Texas State Troops. The company was drilled and was to be ready when needed in service. On 9 September 1861, James A Gill was reenlisted in Livingston, TX. He then was a private (2) with Company F of the 4th (Reiley's) Regiment, Texas Cavalry (4th Mounted Volunteers). Shortly after that, on 25 September, James was mustered in (at San Antonio). The estimated value of his horse was $150.

Private James A Gill died on 26 April 1862, in New Mexico, during the regiment's march from Santa Fe to Texas. Cause of death: illness.

More about the 4th Regiment, Texas Cavalry:
1. Texas Handbook Online
2. https://www.nps.gov

More about James Reily: https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/reily-james

Nothing more have I found out about James A Gill.

Source:
1. "United States Census, 1860", familysearch.org
2. National Park Service, Soldiers, and Sailors Database

"There never were such men before: the Civil War soldiers and veterans of Polk County, Texas, 1861-1865". Ruth Peebles, Livingston, TX, Polk County Historical Commission, 1987.
 

Edward Isaac Johnson

Edward Isaac Johnson was born to Edward Isreal Johnson and his wife Elisabeth David in 1816, in Portsmouth, England. After relocating to America, the E I Johnsons became one of the prominent families in Cincinnati.

Summer of 1835 - during the Texas Revolution, Edward Isaac joined a company of volunteers in Maysville, Kentucky. Their destination was Texas. The volunteers were promised land for their participation in the Revolution fights (800 acres in case they survived/1600 if they were killed).
November of the same year - together with Capt. Thomas K Pearson's company, the man landed at Matagorda. The company soldiers hauled a cannon retrieved from the San Felipe schooner. It was delivered to Bexar, where Gen. Edward Burleson's army was stationed.

After the siege of Bexar, E. Johnson was a man of Capt. A B King's company and he took part in the battle of Refugio. When the Company commander was killed, Edward marched to Goliad, where he joined Capt. B H Duval's unit. During the executions of the Texan prisoners in Goliad, Edward Isaac Johnson set off the explosion of the gunpowder storage area and perished, killed by the detonation. It happened on Palm Sunday, 27 March 1836.

Fort Martin Scott, Fredericksburg, TX

More about
Siege of Bexar: https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/bexar-siege-of

Battle of Refugio: https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/refugio-battle-of

Goliad Campaign of 1836: https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/goliad-campaign-of-1836

Goliad Massacre: https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/goliad-massacre

Source:
"The Jewish Texans. The Texians and the Texans ", Institute of Texan Cultures, University of Texas, Institue of Texan Cultures, San Antonio, 1996.
Texas Handbook Online

---

This post is part of our series: They Lived in Texas

Monument to Dawson's Men

The Monument is dedicated to the men who fell during the so-called Dawson Massacre (1842) and Mier Expedition. 

 

One of the men who took part in the Somervell/Mier Expedition was Mr. Kinchen William Davis. He was captured by Mexican troops and happened to draw a white bean, then was kept at the Perote prison. 

More about Mr. Davis, his fate, and family in the post HERE.  

 

More information related to the historical events mentioned above:

• Dawson Massacre: https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/dawson-massacre
• Somervell Expedition: https://www.tshaonline.org/.../entries/somervell-expedition
• Mier Expedition: https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/mier-expedition
• Black Bean Episode/Drawing: https://www.tshaonline.org/han.../entries/black-bean-episode 

Pictures taken in La Grange, TX.

H is for...

 

The letter H is for two things in the second edition of "My Texas Alphabet".

The first one is the Hill Country with its beautiful vast land, fresh air, plenty of deer and other critters, and our day trips.

 When I was little, I drew people dressed in 19th-century-type clothes, ladies in long dresses, and men with top hats and cloaks around their arms. There were also single hills in the background. My teacher laughed at those hills. She said they looked like haystacks. Well, I agree the hilly areas of Poland look different indeed. Anyway, my work was laughed at in the classroom, I got ashamed and never drew those people and landscape again.

Decades later, when still in Poland and with no faintest idea or desire to leave the country, I was told by a psychic that in my previous life in the 1850s, I had lived in the very south of the US. Frankly speaking, I did not take it seriously, so I did not give any thought to that at all then. All in all, soon, I totally forgot about the psychic and her reading.

When I came to the Hill Country, in a strange way it felt like coming home. I found the hills, vast landscape, and views somehow familiar. Then, I recalled my early childhood drawings and the psychic message. Maybe I did live here before? Or maybe not?

The other alphabet "H" is History.
We love learning about the history of the Land, its places, and its people.

---

"My Texas Alphabet" is quite a personal summary of our hitherto life in Texas. 

G for Goliad and Gonzales

 

In "My Texas Alphabet", the letter "G" is for Goliad and Gonzales. Both are connected with the early history of Texas State and its fights for independence.

In 1835, Texas was still part of Mexico, however, the Texas insurrection had already begun. The Goliad Campaign, which took place that year, was related to suppressing the Texas uprising by the Mexican government and their army.

I am not going to describe it all here, as experts in Texas history have done it already.
You can read about the Goliad Campaign here.

Gonzales was a crucial spot during the Campaign. On 2 October 1835, the battle of Gonzales took place. The attack of Texan troops made the Mexican army withdraw their forces from Gonzales to Bexar. A certain cannon played an important part in it all. Upon the request of the citizens of Gonzales who needed protection from the Indian attacks, the cannon had been provided by the Mexican army. There was one condition, though. The cannon was to be returned to the givers whenever they wanted it back. That time came during the Goliad Campaign in 1835, when the representatives of the Mexican army came to Gonzales to retrieve the gift. Nevertheless, the colonists, who were not willing to give the cannon back, arrested the soldiers. All in all, the conflict arose and led to the Battle of Gonzales. Before the battle, two women of Gonzales made a flag that became symbolic later. It contained the picture of the cannon and the slogan "Come and Take It". 

More about the Gonzales cannon and flag here.

 Recently, the flag and the slogan have become controversial, to say the least.

Well, I do not intend to provoke any political discussion here regarding the flag, the places mentioned or the people who were involved in the Campaign. According to philosophers, everything is subjective. That was what I have been taught during my philosophy studies. I would say, (history) facts are just facts. Yet, adding interpretation to those facts is a totally different matter.

--

"My Texas Alphabet" is quite a particular and personal summary of our hitherto life in Texas.

You can find more Alphabet entries Here

Photos from:

1. La Grange, TX.

2, 3. Bandera, TX