Jeptha Bradley (December 31, 1802 – June 8, 1864) was a mid-19th-century Vermont political figure who served in several elected and appointed offices, including Vermont Auditor of Accounts.
Early life Bradley was born in Fairfield, Vermont on December 31, 1802. He studied law and was admitted to the bar, afterwards establishing a practice in Franklin and Grand Isle Counties.1860 U.S. Census entry, Jeptha Bradley family A Whig, from 1835 to 1839 Bradley served as Sheriff of Franklin County.
Start of political career Bradley later moved to St. Albans and served in local and county offices including Justice of the Peace and High Bailiff.
He was appointed Inspector of Customs for the station in Alburgh in 1845. In 1847, Bradley was named Postmaster in Highgate Springs.
Additional activities Bradley was active in the Episcopal church, and served as a Delegate to the 1822 and 1850 annual state conventions.Proceedings of the Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of Vermont, published by the convention, 1832, page 32Protestant Episcopal Church of the Diocese of Vermont, Convention Proceedings, 1850, page 4
In 1844, Bradley received a patent for an improved air-heating furnace.Journal of the Franklin Institute, published by Franklin Institute (Philadelphia, Pa.), 1845, page 423Executive Documents, Printed by Order of the House of Representatives During the Second Session of the Thirty-Fifth Congress, published by James B. Steedman, 1859, page 26
Bradley was one of the founders of the Horticultural Society for the Valley of Lake Champlain in 1850.The Journal of the New York State Agricultural Society, published by the society, 1850, Volumes 1-4 B, page 74The Water-cure Journal, published by Fowlers and Wells, New York, 1851, Volumes 11-12, page 99
Later political career In 1849, Bradley was elected county Probate Judge, serving until 1850.Journal of the Vermont House of Representatives, published by Vermont General Assembly, 1849, page 284
Bradley served as Register of Probate from 1850 to 1852, and again in 1854.The Vermont historical gazetteer, compiled by Abby Maria Hemenway and Carrie Elizabeth Hemenway Page, Volume 2, 1871, page 95
He became a Republican when the party was founded in the 1850s. In 1860, he was elected State Auditor by the Vermont General Assembly, and served until his death.Early History of Vermont, by LaFayette Wilbur, Volume 3, 1902, page 381, published by Vermont General Assembly, 1864, page 12
Death and burial Bradley died in St. Albans on June 8, 1864,Newspaper article, Death of Judge Bradley, Vermont (Brattleboro) Phoenix, July 1, 1864 and was buried at Greenwood Cemetery in St. Albans.Gravestone photos by Barb Destromp, Jeptha Bradley page, Findagrave.com web site, accessed November 23, 2011
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