An American Family History

John Bradstreet was born in 1631 in Ipswich, England.  His parents were Humphrey and Bridget Bradstreet. When he was three years old he came to America.

In 1657, he moved to Marblehead. He was a seaman.

He married Hannah Peach. Hannah was born in 1646. She was the daughter of John and Alice Peach.

He received in 1655 from his father

all my farme at Mudde River, now in the occupation of Richard Camball of Ipswich, with one halfe of my commons from Ipswich soe long as he keeps the farme unsold, but in case he sell it, the commons are to returne (and belong) to the farm given to my wife.

John probably suffered from mental illness. Governor John Winthrop mentioned in his journal that John Bradstreet was accused of bewitching a dog. The dog was hung as a witch. John was whipped.

When he was 21, he was tried in Ipswich on July 28,1652, on a charge of "familiarity with the devil." John said that he had read a magic book and heard a voice telling him

Go make a bridge of sand over the sea; go make a ladder of sand up to heaven, and go to God and come down no more.

The court found that he had told a lie. This was his second conviction. He was sentenced to be whipped or to pay a fine of twenty schillings.

He died, childless, in 1660 when he was only 29 years old.

Shortly after his death, Hannah married William Waters on June 4, 1660.

Hannah died in 1687.