1861 Letter from William W. Bradbury, "Willie", in Machias, Maine, to his brother James True Bradbury, serving in Company A at Fort Sullivan, Maine; Effigy of Jefferson Davis

Reprinted, with permission, from the Heirlooms Reunited blog

June 7, 1861 letter from William Wyer Bradbury (1843-1901), "Willie", in Machias, Maine, to his brother James True Bradbury (1840-1863), serving in Company A at Fort Sullivan in Eastport, Maine.

The letter features a sketch by Willie of Jefferson Davis hanging in effigy. The letter was written after the attack of April 1861 on Fort Sumter in South Carolina, and contains the implication that James would be leaving Fort Sullivan, presumably for war. 

Sadly, James did not survive the war; he died in the Second Battle of Rappahannock Station in Virginia, in November of 1863.

Mentioned in the letter:

• James True Bradbury (1840-1863)
• William Wyer Bradbury (1843-1901), "Willie"
• Hen's cap - perhaps the brothers' infant brother Henry W. Bradbury (1860-1862) or a soldier serving with James
• Ike - perhaps Isaac Snow Bradbury (1840-1866), lost at sea while in the U.S. Navy
• George Allen - he may have been George H. Allen (abt 1842-1915), who also served in the Civil War and was wounded at Spotsylvania Court House in Virginia
• Mother - presumably Eliza (Webber) Bradbury (1810-1893)
• Father - Wyer Bradbury (1814-1882)

If you have information to share on the Bradbury and Webber families or information on a likely prospect for George Allen, please leave a comment for the benefit of fellow researchers.

Despite the map below, bear in mind that travel between Machias and Eastport was just as likely to have occurred by sea.