Henry Bradshaw 1633-1698

Henry BRADSHAW or BRADSHAWE 1633-1698

Biographical Note

Son of Henry Bradshaw (1601-62, colonel in the Parliamentary Army) of Marple, Cheshire, a member of a Cheshire family which had evolved from yeoman to gentry status during the previous century. Matriculated at Christ's College, Cambridge 1651, but did not graduate; admitted at Gray's Inn 1653. In 1693 he purchased Bradshaw Hall in Bolton, Lancashire.

Books

In 1659, Henry inherited many of the books of his uncle, the regicide John Bradshaw. On the death of his father in 1662, he also inherited his books, which constituted a family library built up not only by him but also to some extent by earlier generations Henry Bradshaw 1535-1620, and Henry Bradshaw 1568-1654). He in turn bequeathed these books to his own son, also Henry (1666-1736). His probate inventory included "books, mapps and cutts" valued at £40.

The family library was kept together in Cheshire until the end of the 18th century, when it was sold by James Edwards of Halifax. Many books were acquired by James Crossley (1800-83); at his sale in 1874, a significant buyer was Adolph Sutro (1830-98) of San Francisco, and although part of his library was destroyed in the San Francisco earthquake of 1906, part of it was saved and is now in San Francisco State University Library. Over 100 volumes survive there today, including ca.40 volumes of bound pamphlets running to ca.1400 items; other Bradshaw family books are now in other libraries around the world.

Sources

• Venn, J. and J. A., Alumni Cantabrigienses, Cambridge, 1922.
• Information from Alan Nelson.