Johannes Bromley

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Referred to variously, in 1767, the name Johannes Bromley (John Brumley) was listed as a private on the roster of an Albany militia company. We believe that individual was christened in the Albany Dutch church in September 1745. Thus, "Johannis" was the eldest son of William and Lena Boom Bromley. This person probably would have been named for his grandfather - a former garrison soldier and the Albany Bromley patriarch. He grew up in a large family in the modest first ward home his father had rented from the city of Albany.

In December 1763, the name "John Brumly" appeared on a muster roll of "New Yorkers" under the command of Capt. Richard Rea.

In March 1768, the "City Records" noted that John Bromley and John Courtney "acquired" the Albany/Greenbush ferry for one year. The public vendue price was set at £35. Perhaps they remained partners over a number of years.

Following the outbreak of hostilities in 1775, the names of "John Brumbly" and "John Bromley" both were among the enlisted men in the First Regiment of the New York Line. Three more Bromley/Brumbly names appeared on that undated roster demonstrating a number of variations encountered in the spelling of the family surname.

Under any likely spelling, the name of John Bromley has not been found among the census of heads of households anywhere in New York State in 1790.

In September 1790, a John Bromley was listed as "dead" and formerly a corporal in the First Regiment ("Wendell's Company"). The balloting book . . . lists several entries [chiefly related to land bounty rights] under his name. However, they probably relate to more than one same-named individual.

In 1793, the debts due the estate of a prominent South End butcher included references to "Bromley & Cortney" and to John Bromley alone.

After those references, the name of "Johannes Bromley" has not yet been encountered in either the community based record or in our most recent sweep of Internet-based resources. Well past diminishing returns, we move on for now!



biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Johannes Bromley is CAP biography number 5959. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.

"A Muster Role of . . . Company of New Yorkers" printed in SH II, p. 743 and also in N-YHS Collections.





first posted 8/20/15