Representative women of New England/Eliza Ann Bradbury
ELIZA ANN BRADBURY was born in Augusta, Me., March 18, 1815. Her father, Thomas Westbrook Smith, was born in Dover, N.H., in 1785. He was a grandson of Thomas Westbrook Waldron and a great -great-grandson of Colonel Richard Waldron, who came to New Hampshire from England in 1635, and who was killed by Indians at his garrison in Dover in 1689. The Waldrons were among the oldest inhabitants of Dover, and bore prominent part in its early history.
Thomas Westbrook Smith came to Augusta in 1805, and for fifty years was one of the leading business men of that city. He died in March, 1855. His wife was Abigail Page. They had one son, Henry R. Smith. Their youngest child, Elizabeth Westbrook, died in infancy. Eliza Ann, the only surviving daughter, was married November 25, 1834, before she was twenty years of age, to the Hon. James Ware Bradbury, who was twelve years her senior. For a long period Mr. Bradbury was one of the leading members of the Kennebec County bar. Elected United States Senator in 1846, he served in Congress through the term ending March 4, 1853. Two of the four sons born to Mr. and Mrs. Bradbury died before their mother, an affliction from which she never quite rallied. Mrs. Bradbury died January 29, 1879. Her memory was always very precious to her husband. Nothing seemed to please him more than to have a sympathetic listener while he recounted the many pleasant reminiscences of his happy married life. The anniversary evenings of their marriage were always sacred to him. He would watch the clock (which had stood in the corner of the library for more than sixty years) and tell those who were gathered around him the exact moment when the ceremony began. The memory of his wife seemed to keep Mr. Bradbury bright for the more than score of years that he survived her. "To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die." He died January 6, 1901, full of years and full of honors. He was born June 10, 1802.
Mr. Bradbury, like a wise man, always deferred to his wife in household matters, saying: "It relieves me of great responsibility. My wife is more fitted than I am for it." And certainly Mrs. Bradbury had great business capacity, possessing uncommon executive ability, which she inherited from her father, a man of strong will, great industry, sterling sense, and correct judgment. She inherited much property from her father and from her only brother (Henry R. Smith, who died in March, 1876); and, being always self-reliant, she enjoyed the management of it. Sympathetic and full of energy, she was active in works of benevolence, and had great tact and power in bringing others to co-operate in carrying them forward. Much of her income was used in alleviating the sufferings of the poor and needy, who found in her a warm friend. One of her favorite charities was the Old Ladies' Home of Augusta, of which at the time of her death she was president. Many gifts from other hands were the result of her persuasive efforts. In her will she left to this home a generous bequest and also one to the General Hospital at Portland for a free bed, also donations to the Howard Benevolent Society" and the Episcopal Guild of Augusta.
Mrs. Bradbury always enjoyed society, and with her husband held many pleasant receptions at their home. During Mr. Bradbury's senatorship she always accompanied him to Washington, where she derived much satisfaction from her increased social activities. For many years she was a member of the Congregational church, but during the last few years of her life she attended the Episcopal church. A writer said of her, "Her creed was much broader than that of any denomination. She observed strictly the Golden Rule, and hers were the charities that soothe and heal and bless. The epitaph on her tombstone is truly expressive of her character: 'She loved to do good.'"