Greg Bennett

The Bradford Family Collection is primarily material of the family of Captain Gershom Bradford, Daniel’s brother, but there are letters and other materials that mention Daniel. The Daniel Bradford House in Duxbury still stands and is a beautiful private residence. Capt. Daniel had a harrowing experience at sea, his ship was de-masted during a storm on the Atlantic. They were rescued and no one perished but I often wonder if this is what induced him to sell and move to Keene.

I do hope there is someone that actually reads and responds to these messages.

I, Martin Strong Burrell, am the the great grand of Thomas Frazer’s daughter, Rosetta [Frazar] Burrell. She married, Martin Strong Burrell at Hazel Wood Farm.

Rosa was married on 07 Jan 1862, at Hazel Wood Farm, Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon, to Martin Strong Burrell. Martin had come from a well to do Ohio farming family. He was drawn first to his brothers interests in California. After staying there a few months he decided to move on to Portland, Oregon where a couple of cousins had started up a store that marketed goods of all kinds to the valley farmers. After working for several years for his cousin as book keeper. He bought part ownership into the Portland based company and they renamed it Knapp-Burrell & Company. It grew to have many outlets located in farming centers and mining areas across the Oregon Territory of Oregon, Northern California, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.

Her father tried to turn apart of Hazal Wood Farm [located about six miles east of the heart of Portland into an orchard. But, after several years of bad weather and crop failures. He lost hope. Then added to this trouble was the death of four of their beloved children while living at the farm. They sold out and moved back into Portland.

Rosetta Frazar Burrell grew to become the right arm of Martin Burrell. But, she was also her fathers daughter. One who fought for public schools and good government in Portland. Then for the whole state of Oregon. Rosa was one who had the ear of both men and women of wealth and position. Like her father she knew politics on all levels. When Rosa could not herself reach out as a woman, she was able to persade her husband and their friends’ to help.

In religious beliefs she followed her father and mother into the Unitarian Church and firmly supported it all her life. The family were founding members of the First Unitarian Church of Portland, Oregon and it is presently active today. Note: The church first met in community homes for worship and study. Several of men then went to California seeking a pastor to return with them. They were successful and enlisted a young man who became a great church leader.

The Burrell’s amassed great wealth for their day. The estate was worth well over a million dollars. They were capitalist and were involved in many businesses in Washington, Idaho, Montana and Oregon. It included mining, farming, banking, agriculture and the retail outlets based in Portland, Multnomah, Oregon.

Look at the womens groups she helped form with Mary Ann Phelps Montgomery, Constance Phelps Montgomery Burrell,
Margaret Phelps Montgomery Zogbaum, Helen Strong Burrell Voorhies and others. They formed the Oregon DAR, actions groups that were based on growing a strong patriotic Portland. They were watching a small town change each year into one of the largest and strongest in the West. These women wanted their city to be clean, with a good police force, fire department, with a good library system for all, with a free school system for all children, and a good political system that was fair and open to all it’s citizens.

Their son, Walter Frazar Burrell was not the smartest business man. Between the 1930′s Depression Era lasting until Pearl Harbor and lavish spending, and bad business deals. The money was soon depleted to a point where he was forced to sell major assets at great loss.

Rosa’s mother was Frances Ann Adams Bradford. Who was born on, 08 Oct 1815, to a sailing ship Captain named Daniel Bradford in Keene, New Hamshire. She died in Dorchester, Massachusetts on, 11 July 1848. Her place of burial has not been determined.

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I am hoping that your facility would allow me access to information found in letters written between, Thomas Frazar and his brother, Captain Amherst Alden Frazar. Do you have papers relating to their agreement to send, Thomas to Portland for the purpose of opening up a store. to sell goods and receive orders for goods to be purched on the East Coast and hense returned by his brothers ships to Portland? Do you have letters announing the death of Thomas’ children.

A store was indeed sent from the East Coast and built in Portland and operated for several years. It was one of the first stores in Portland, Oregon.. Conformation of it’s exsistance would be wonderful. Thank you for any help, Martin S Burrell, (503) 655-9017. You can go online and see Frazar Family Memorial at FindAGrave.com. They are all located within Portland, Oregon. Lone Fir Cemetery and Riverview Cemetery. To locate go to Portland, Multnomah, Oregon and search, Frazar. There are several historical books that include reference to Thomas Frazar.

Burt Risser

I am researching a certain person who immigrated to Brazil around the time of the civil war. Her name was arah Bellona Smith Ferguson. Is there any chance I can have access to texts, letters, records, etc. related to her and her story?

Best regards,

Ismenio – Pittsburgh, PA