THE BRADY FAMILY HISTORY

JOHN BRADY lived in Cortland Manor in the 1700s.  One of his sons, SIMEON, 1737-1806, married Mary Brundage and came to live on the Brady farm near Increase Miller School. Simeon and Mary had a farm, mill, and store.  During the Revolutionary War, Simeon served in the Continental Army and Mary had to contend with 11 children and raids by Tory Cowboys.

Simeon's house was reportedly the first frame house in Westchester County.  It was later moved off the property by his grandson, Edward B. Brady.

Simeon Brady left the farm to his son - Simeon, (1777-1863), who built the yellow house which is on the property today. Simeon was an iron worker and carpenter and designed the house with a copper roof.  The roof was replaced and the copper made into kitchen utensils. Simeon married late in life - at age 50.  His wife was Polly Clayson of Cross River.

Simeon left the house to his son Simeon, (1827-1898), who sold it to his brother, Edward B. Brady, (1833-1906).  Edward B. had inherited a farm across the road where Increase Miller School now stands.

  By 1880 Edward B. Brady had increased his land holdings and cattle and milk herds to the point where his was the largest dairy business in the Harlem Valley.  When Edward died in 1906, he left his sons in charge of the estate - Simeon was in Somers; Harry at Drewville and later Purdys; Martin was at  Star Ridge; Arthur across from the home place and Edward on the home site.

His daughter Julia married Edward Green of Green Brothers Store.

Simeon Brady of Somers had a daughter, Lucy, who lived in Goldens Bridge.  She is now Mrs. Lucy Brady Brown and has been a great help to us in our research efforts.

(Information on the Brady family was taken from Brady family papers and from research done by Clarence Green, now in the possession of Mrs. Julia Mead.)

Taken from the Book "The History of Westchester County"

IN THE NEWS IN 1776

BRADY HOUSE INVADED BY TORY COWBOYS

While Simeon Brady was off serving in the Continental Army, Tory Cowboys invaded the Brady House.  Simeon's wife Mary had been left in charge of the farm and their 11 children.  The Cowboys drove off the cattle and took clothes Mary had woven from flax for the children.  They also stripped the farm of winter supplies.  

A few years earlier in 1776, Continental troops stayed at the Brady farm on their way to quarters along the Croton River. Soldiers slept on the floors and in the barns while Mary (Brundage) Brady baked bread and made bullets for the army.

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