History of Bradley
Tall virgin forest, mostly pine, covered much of the area that is now Bradley. Game of all kinds was plentiful. The rivers and streams teemed with fish.
Over 4,000 years ago this area is believed to have been inhabited by an Indian tribe known as the "Red Paint People" The "Red Paint People" were known for the red ochre they used when burying their dead. Several years ago an ancient "Red Paint" gravesite was found in Bradley. This Indian tribe favored river valleys (especially the Penobscot and Kennebec) and sea coast areas. The Bradley burying site consisted of eight graves and their respective " grave goods", items that were buried with the dead for use by the deceased in the hereafter. The graves were marked by the "red paint" (which is said to find its source from clay in the vacinity of Mt. Katahdin and also from the islands in the Penobscot River off Olamon Stream). It is not known where this Indian tribe came from, where it went, or why it disappeared.
A 1984 archeological dig site on the north bank near the mouth of Otter Stream yielded evidence of other Indian inhabitants. Carbon dating of artifacts found indicated that Indians occupied the site some 2,000 years ago.
Before 1776, Bradley was a part of the territory that belonged to the Penobscot Indians (Terratine Tribe). Probably the first white men that made their way up the river came to fish, to hunt and to trap. They then went further north or back from whence they came. It is possible that the first permanent settlers here had built cabins on Great Works Stream as early as 1783. Chief Orono and his tribe treated these white men kindly. These settlers then began to farm. They were not obliged to clear land for pasturing their cattle since the leadow land adjoining the stream was sufficient. Surplus hay was stacked into high stacks to provide fodder for the winter.
Early agricultural efforts were family farms located along the river in the western part of the town. In 1776 the Commonwealth of Massachusettes purchased this territory from Indians. It was then surveyed and opened up for more settlement. At this time it was called #4 Indian Purchase. Some of the first families to settle here were the Olivers, Spencers, Blackmans, and Knapps.
It was soon discovered that the town possessed two powerful natural resources—its virgin forest and its fast moving waters. Sawmills began to appear along the streams and river.
As the sawmills flourished the town began to grow. Other businesses were established—general stores, grist mills (for grinding flour), cooper shops (for making barrels) a dry goods store, a shoe repair shop, several blacksmith shops, livery stables, tippling shops (taverns), a millinery shop, a butcher shop and a dance hall.
It was not long before the inhabitants of #4 Indian Purchase were told that they would have to organize into a plantation and pay taxes that would help defray the expense of the County Road. In 1825 the settlers held a meeting for this purpose and #4 Indian Purchase was the called Great Works.
As a result of the plantation’s success a movement was soon started to incorporate as a town. The legislature of 1834 was petitioned and on February 3, 1835, Bradley was officially incorporated as a town in the State of Maine. The town was named in honor of Bradley Blackman, one of its most prominent early settlers.