Brentwood Honors Revolutionary War Veteran With Grave Marking Ceremony

A new grave marker honors Revolutionary War veteran Thomas Bradley (1765-1849) on the grounds of the John P. Holt Brentwood Library, land on which he and his wife once lived and were buried.

Bradley was a North Carolina-native who first fought in Battle of Guilford Courthouse when he was a teenager, and later settled in Williamson County and rose to the rank of captain in the Tennessee militia.

For unknown reasons, the Bradley’s original gravestones disappeared some time in the late 1980s or early 1990s, a discovery that was made and documented in 1993, before the city purchased the land that now houses the library.

“It is because of the sacrifices of patriots like him that we have our independence,” Lt. Andrew Crockett Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) Vice President and Grave Marking Chairman Clark Rose told the some 100 people who gathered on the hill just south of the library for Saturday’s grave marking ceremony.

Numerous SAR, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and Children of the American Revolution Chapter members, some of whom were dressed in late 18th century period clothing, were in attendance as well as numerous Brentwood city commissioners and Historic Commission members. 

The event also included a performance by the Middle Tennessee State University drum and fife duo, the laying of several wreaths of honor, a group singing of ‘The Battle Hymn of the Republic,’ the playing of ‘taps,’ a firing of muskets by a Revolutionary War honor guard, prayers and food.

“By placing a permanent marker on the land where he and his wife lived and died, we honor his service and preserve his legacy,” Brentwood Vice Mayor Rhea Little said. “Your presence today is a powerful reminder that the spirit of sacrifice, service and dedication to freedom lives on in our community. In remembering this early patriot, we strengthen the ties that unite us as neighbors and citizens.”

Sam Faber, and his mother Melissa Faber, both of Memphis, are direct descendants of Bradley, who Sam Faber described as a “brooding man with fierce, clear eyes,” from a large painting of Bradley that hangs in the home of his late grandmother, Joanne Cullom Moore.

Moore served on the state Historic Commission for more than 30 years, working to ensure cemetery preservation, with the Faber's recalling her wish to have Bradley’s final resting place once again marked on the land.

“My mother imbued in us a passion for history and an honor and reverence for what our country is in the world, its uniqueness,” Melissa Faber told the Williamson Scene.

“The fact that we have so many ancestors who helped make it be what it is — it gives you a shiver to stand here today where we can still say ‘thank you to them’ and hopefully carry on what they created. 250 years [since the founding of the country] is amazing that we've made it this far, and that we still know who they were, and that we can bring them to life and honor them.”

Sam Faber told the crowd: “I can imagine him, as well as my grandmother, looking upon us today as we restore his tombstone, and I believe they would be proud that we kept their memories alive.”