Edward H. Nabb Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury, University, Salisbury, Maryland
| Identifier |
2015.170 |
| Creator(s) |
Bradshaw Funeral Home |
| Acquisition |
Donated by Mark Tyler. |
| Language(s) |
English |
| Use |
Records are open for research. Copyright, including literary rights, belongs to the author(s) or their legal heirs. Permission to publish or reproduce must be obtained from the Nabb Research Center which extends beyond "fair use." |
| Preferred Citation |
"Item, collection title and identifier, box # and folder # (if applicable), Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury University, Salisbury, Maryland." |
| Attribution |
Finding aid written by L. McRoberts, October 2015. |
| Related Materials |
None |
| Separated Materials |
See Nabb Center Staff |
Biographical History "A personal family crisis of long ago has resulted in 130 years of caring for the needs of others", states Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Director and Owner Robert H. Bradshaw, Jr.
According to family history, Mr. Bradshaw relates, in 1885 a grief stricken Aaron Bradshaw wanted to provide a fitting burial for his wife, Laura, who had died at the age of 26 from childbirth complications. However, the village of Ewell, as well as all of Smith Island was locked in the jaws of a severe freeze and he had no lumber for a coffin.
Fortunately, a waterman in nearby Tylerton had laid in some cedar cypress in preparation for building a new boat in the spring. The man agreed to let Aaron have some wood, and the grieving widower dragged his supplies over the ice to Ewell.
During that icy journey, Mr. Bradshaw had an idea that soon would take shape and continue to grow.
130 years and six generations later, the Bradshaw family continues to serve Smith and Tangier Islands, as well as Crisfield and most of Somerset County, Maryland.
Who would have thought that sad journey across the ice 130 years ago would have touched six generations and establish a tradition that would persevere into the Twenty First century.
Aaron's son, John A. Bradshaw, Sr. was the second generation of funeral directors. His wife, Evelyn D. Bradshaw was one of the first women licensed in the state of Maryland. The third generation was John and Evelyn's sons, H. Harvey Bradshaw and John A. Bradshaw, Jr. The fourth generation was Harvey's son, Robert H. Bradshaw, Sr. Now actively serving is Robert's son, Robert H. Bradshaw, Jr., which is the fifth generation and Robert Jr.'s daughter, Mary Beth Bradshaw-Pruitt who is the sixth generation.
Citation: http://www.bradshawandsonsfuneralhome.com/home/index.cfm?fh_id=10971
Arrangement Statement See Nabb Center Staff
