American Medical Biographies/Bradford, William
Bradford, William (1729–1808)
William Bradford, physician, lawyer and legislator of Rhode Island, was born at Plympton, Mass., November 4, 1729, and died at Bristol, Rhode Island, July 6, 1808.
He was a descendant of Governor Bradford, received a good education, and studied medicine under Dr. Ezekiel Hersey (q.v.) of Hingham, Mass. After a few years' practice at Warren, R. I., he removed to Bristol in the same state where he erected a fine house on Mount Hope. He studied and practised law, attaining high rank in that profession. He was a member of the Rhode Island Committee of Correspondence in 1773, was chosen deputy Governor of Rhode Island the same year, and was elected a delegate from Rhode Island to the Continental Congress, but never took his seat. During the cannonade of Bristol, October 7, 1775, Governor Bradford went on board The Rose in behalf of the inhabitants, and treated with Capt. Wallace for the cessation of the bombardment. From 1793 to 1797 he was a United States senator and in the latter year was president of the senate pro tempore.
His son, Major William Bradford (1752–1811), H. U. 1773, was aide to Gen. Charles Lee of the Revolutionary Army.