Francis Bradley was a Patriot with Capt. James Thompson at the Battle of the Bees on October 3rd. Afterwards he became a terror to Loyalists in Mecklenburg County by harrassing their scouts and foraging parties. Bradley had killed a number of British sentries at long range with his rifle during Lord Cornwallis's short stay in Charlotte.

On November 14th, the Loyalists had had enough. Four of them ambushed and killed Francis Bradley at his own plantation in Mecklenburg County.