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Chapter XVI: Joseph Bridger, Jr., the disinherited son
Joseph Bridger Jr., eldest son of Joseph Sr., is the ancestor of the Kentucky Bridges line. Because of his activities with Nathaniel Bacon’s Rebel group, Joseph lost favor with his father, so much so that he was cut off from all of his inheritance except for 2,000 pounds of tobacco and five pounds in money.
After his father’s death in 1686, Joseph Jr., set out to regain what he felt was rightfully his, and filed a lawsuit against his brothers, Samuel and William. It was a friendly suit, mainly to test the courts, but it seems to have dragged on for several years before it was settled. It wasn’t until 1707 that William and Samuel Bridger deeded 2,000 of the 7,800 acres included in the Corawoak plantation, to their brother Joseph.1
Joseph Jr’s wife, Elizabeth Norsworthy, was the daughter of John Norsworthy and granddaughter of Tristrum Norsworthy who, on May 10, 1638, patented his first land in Virginia.2 Her grandfather was a member of the House of Burgesses in 1641, representing Upper Norfolk County.3
Joseph Bridger Jr., and his wife Elizabeth settled in Isle of Wight County and became active in community life. Although Joseph was not nearly as active in public affairs as his father had been, he did serve as captain of the militia, just as his father had years before.
Joseph Jr., made his will March 14, 1712 and it was probated Jan. 25, 1713. It reads, with original spelling intact:
“In the Name of God Amen I Joseph Bridger of the County of Isle of Wight in Virga being sick and Weak in Body but thanks be to God of sound mind and pfect memory and calling to mind the uncertainty of this life and not knowing how Soon the time of my departure may be and least I be surprized in the Settling of my Worldly affairs and for provision whereof I do hereby make this my last will and Testament in manner following.
Impr I bequeath my soul into the hands of my Great Creator hoping for Mercy and pardon of all my Sins through the meritts of my Blessed Saviour and Redeemer Christ Jesus and my Body to the Earth, to be decently and Xtian like Buried at my ExEr hereafter mentioned shall think fitt.
Item I give unto my son Joseph Bridger my Silver Bowl wth a foot to itt marked HS BS and my Colours Banner staff and appurtenances and allso my trumpet Strings.
Item I give unto my Son Joseph, one hoop Ring markt in memory of RP JB
Item I give unto my Sons Robt William John and James to Each of them a ring of twenty shillings price.
Item I give unto my Son Wm Bridger One Horse now Called his horse and in possession of him together wth my Saddle Briddle Pistoll houlster and other appurtenances belonging and allso my Silver hilted Simeter and the saddle and Briddle he all ready has.
Item I give unto my Son John a Young horse now in his possession and called his horse, together wth his Saddle Briddle and appurtenances
Item I give unto my son James a Young horse when he shall come to the age of Sixteen to be bought by my ExEr and for out of my Estate a Saddle and Briddle in like manner.
Item I give unto my Daughter Hester a young horse colt called Goston
Item I give unto my Daughter Elizabeth a Young horse or Mare when she shall come to the age of Sixteen or Marrys
Item I give unto my three Sons Robert William and John my tract of Land bought by me of Walter Reuter formerly granted to Old Mr. Izard I give the Same to them and their heires for Ever.
Item I give all the lott and land being in Newport town to my Wife Dureing her Naturall life and after her Decease to my son James and the heires of his Body Lawfully Begotten and for want of such heires to my son William and his heires for Ever
Item I give and bequeath to my loveing Wife Elizabeth the use and Benefitt of the labour of my Negroes Jone Judy and Hudron for and dureing her naturall life, and from and after her decease the aforesd Negroes wth all their increase that shall from them Come or arise I give and bequeath unto my Children Vizt. Robert William John James Hester and Elizabeth to them and their heires for Ever.
Item I give and bequeath unto my Loveing Wife One third part of the residue and Remainder of my Estate after my Debts and legacies aforesaid are paid and the Residue and Remainder I give unto my Children Robert William John James Hester and Elizabeth to be Equally Divided amongst share alike
Item I do hereby make and Constitute my Loveing Wife Elizabeth my whole and Sole ExEx of this my last Will and Testament hereby Declaring all other Wills heretofore made to be null and void and do Desire my Lov: Brothers Saml Bridger and Wm Bridger and Trustame Norsworthy to assist my Loveing Wife my ExEx hereof in the performance and Execution of this my Will
IN WITNESS whereof I hereunto put my hand and seal this 14th Day of March 1712/13 (seal) Signed Seald and Delivered in the presence of
William Bridger
Sarah Terrell
Eliza X Watts her marke
William Dixon
At a Court held for Isle of Wight County the 25th Day of Janry 1713 The Last Will and Testament of Joseph Bridger was presented in Court by Eliza Bridger his Widdo and ExEx who made oath thereto and being proved in Court by the oath of Wm Bridger Gent, and Eliza Watts two of the Witnesses thereto It is Admitted to Record. Test JCLightfoot ClCur.”4
Joseph Bridger Jr., and his wife Elizabeth (Norsworthy) Bridger, had seven children. They were:
- Joseph—married Sarah Davis. He died in 1751
- Robert—died 1764.
- William—Made will in 1730. It is through William that the Kentucky Bridges line descends.
- John -
- James—died 1782
- Hester—(b. 1739; d. 1811), married Robert Pitt (b. 1738; d. 1806) 1758 in Edgecombe County, N. C.
- Elizabeth—married Tom Lear.
Most of Joseph’s children continued to live in Isle of Wight County and became active in community life, including the life of the Old Brick Church. Joseph, the oldest son, was major of the militia, carrying on a family tradition begun by his grandfather. Joseph was also sheriff of the county in 1732 and a vestryman in the Old Brick Church 1735-1747. He died in 1751.
Elizabeth (Norsworthy) Bridger outlived her husband by 14 years. She made her will on December 14, 1727 and it was probated January 22, 1727/28. It reads, with original spelling:
“In the name of God Amen I Elizabeth Bridger being—very sick and weak of body but thanks be to God in perfect memory do make this my last will and testament as followeth first I bequeath my soul and spirit unto the hands of Almighty God that gave it and my body I comit to the earth to be burried in a Christian maner as my dear friends shall see fitting my worldly goods I give & bequeath in the maner & form following ITEM—I give and bequeath to my son Joseph Bridger one great iron pott and two large pewter dishes one of them having the coat of arms on it and four pewter plates. ITEM—I give and bequeath to my son Robert Bridger four pewter dishes and four pewter plates. ITEM—I give and bequeath to my son John Bridger the bed I now lye on with the rugg blanket and sheet and pillow case and bedstead and two pewter dishes and two of my best basens. ITEM—I give & bequeath unto my daughter Hester Bridger the best suit of curtains & valins one guilted trunk and my chest and bedstead — belong to the curtains. ITEM — I give all my old lumber in my house as old chests, tables, chairs and the like to be equally divided between my two daughters Hester Bridger and Elizabeth Bridger and all my provision as corn wheat and meat I likewise give to my two daughters Hester Bridger & Elizabeth Bridger excepting one of my fatting hogs and that I — give to my son John Bridger and what few hoggs I have against a—nother year I likewise give to my two daughters Hester and Elizabeth. ITEM—I leave my old horse Bail for the plantation use. ITEM — I give to my two daughters one brinded stear for beef another year and all the rest of my cattle and sheep I give to be equally divided between my two sons — Robert & John and my two daughters Hester & Elizabeth and the wheat that is on the ground I likewise give between the same four Robert, John, Hester & Elizabeth. I will that what wheat I owe be paid out of this house before division. I make my two sons Robert & John my whole & sole executors to see this my last will and testament performed as witness my hand this fourteenth day of decemb. in the year of our Lord 1727—her Elizabeth X Bridger (Seal) marke (Seal) Made in the presence of us Mary M. Whitley marke Edwd Driver — At a court held for Isle of Wight County the 22nd day of Janry 1727. The last will and testament of Elizabeth Bridger decd was presented in court by John Bridger one of the executors there in named who made oath thereto and being proved by the oath of the witnesses thereto is admitted to record — Test: James Jugles, ClCur.5