Chapter XVIII: English origin of Bridger-Bridgers-Bridges

The Kentucky Bridges line reaches from Virginia back to Lawrence Bridger of Gloucester, England, who had served as rector of the Parish of Slimbridge for 55 years.

Lawrence Bridger was a fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford, 1568. He received his B.A. degree in October 1570, his M.A. degree the 21st of June 1574, and became Canon of Gloucester in 1586. Magdalen College was patron of the Rectory of Slimbridge and it was from this college that Lawrence Bridger received the appointment as rector in 1577.¹

Slimbridge is located in Berkeley Hundred,² and John Smythe, one of the colonists who settled in Berkeley Hundred in Virginia, wrote a history of the Berkeley Hundred in Gloucester in which he rather fully describes the land holdings from ancient times to his own time. He also apparently was personally acquainted with Lawrence Bridger. He says of him: ” . . .Lawrence Bridger late rector there for 55 years. . .died very rich and very honest in 1632, now succeeded by Nicholas Richardson, senior fellow of Magdalen College.”³

Of Lawrence Bridger’s land holdings, he said:

“In Canonsburgh there is a messuage and 40 acres belonging thereunto Giles Harvey whose son sold the same to Lawrence Bridger, clerke, father by his third wife, to Joseph Bridger, that now holdeth the same.

“In 15 Jacobi, I purchased the land of Gossington of John Goldisborough and Rebecca his wife and in the four years next following I sold the same by several deeds to so many purchasers of parts thereof, whereof the capital messuage and farm house called Gossington Hall, was by me sold to Lawrence Bridger, clerke, parson of Slimbridge with 60 acres of land adjoining who by his death in 7 Caroli, left the same to Joseph, his eldest son, by his second wife, who still holds the same, 1639. The said Joseph Bridger, who by his father’s conveyance to me, dated the 12 of April, 17 Jacobi, is to pay 3s to the said manor of Hurst and 6d to the manor of Slimbridge.

Earliest scene of positively traceable Bridger ancestors is at Godalming Parish, in Surry, England. Bridger family records there date from about 1540.⁴

Lawrence Bridger made his will on September 24, 1630, and died the following year as his will was probated June 30, 1631. He named Joseph Bridger, eldest son by his second wife, as his executor.

His will reads as follows:

“To Samuel, my son and his heirs forever (in lieu of any claim that he might make by the laws of the realm to any other lands) the lease I bought of Mr. Smith called Great Clinfor and the lease next adjoining to the same which I bought of John Nelline of Stinchcombe; also ground I bought of Mr. Smith which Thomas Shell doth hold of me by lease and that which William Howell doth hold of me by lease, also a great white bowl of silver. To Marie his wife 10 pounds to his daughter my godchild 10 pounds.

“To my son Samuel and Lawrence my Latin books to be divided equally. To my son Joseph the English books. To Lawrence my son, 50 pounds, also 10 pounds to each of his children.

“To Benjamin my son 30 pounds, to his eldest daughter five pounds. To Arthur 20 pounds, to my daughter Faith 20 pounds, to her sons Thomas and Richard. To my daughter, Elizabeth Driver, 40 pounds one silver bowl etc. To my daughter Marie Breathers 20 pounds, to her children. To my daughter Anne Osborne 20 pounds.

“To Joseph my son and his heirs forever the Hall at Gossington etc., all the rest of my house hold goods and the lease which Robert Essington made to me and all my corne and debts that are owing to me, and the ward ship of William Essington with all the profits belonging to the same etc., always provided that if my son Samuel shall lay any claim or pretend any right unto any lands given to Joseph that then (if he shall make any trouble or molest him) all lands I have given to him shall return to my son Joseph and his heirs forever. To Magdalen College. To Dean and Chapter of Gloucester. To Servants. To poor of Slimbridge.”⁵

THE CHILDREN OF LAWRENCE BRIDGER

1. Samuel, married Mary, last name not known. They were the parents of Joseph Bridger who went to Virginia and who is the ancestor of the Kentucky Bridges line.
2. Lawrence. He matriculated at Exter College June 26, 1624 when he was 30 years old. It is thought that he died soon thereafter.
3. Joseph, eldest son by Lawrence’s second wife. Evidently he was the favorite son as he was executor of the estate and was given Gossington Hall, the family manor in the will. He married a daughter of Whittington of Bitten, Gloucester, who died in 1634. Joseph also was a warden at Slimbridge church in 1639-1640. He had a son Arthur, two daughters, Elizabeth and Isabel, by one wife, and a son Charles by another.
4. Benjamin. He lived in Hurst, Gloucester, and later, at Ranall in Somerset. He served as church warden at Slimbridge in 1638 and his daughter, Anne, was buried there June 19, 1637.
5. Arthur. He lived in Slimbridge, his wife’s name was Sarah, and he made his will September 26, 1661. It was probated October 30, 1662, and he is buried in the parish church. He had seven children: Lawrence, who died April 2, 1672; Samuel, who was buried at Slimbridge, January 2, 1671/72, and who had six children of his own; Sarah, married Benedict Hicks; Paul; Edith, who was buried April 20, 1681; Richard, whose will was probated May 8, 1680, and Anne, who was baptized August 7, 1661.
6. Richard, who married Sarah, last name unknown, was buried March 24, 1680 and his wife, Sarah, was buried March 22, 1682.
7. Elizabeth, married John Driver, of Aston in Avoning Parish. He was the son of Giles Driver. His grandfather’s name was Robert Driver, and John inherited a considerable amount of land, said to have been the third part of the manor of Arlington.⁶

THE SAMUEL BRIDGER FAMILY

Samuel Bridger, Lawrence’s oldest son, and father of Joseph who came to Virginia, was born in 1584 and he entered Magdalen College on April 30, 1602, when he was 18 years old. His wife’s name was Mary, which is all that is known about her today. Samuel was auditor of the College of Gloucester when he died in 1650 at the age of 66. As was the custom in those days, he willed the auditor’s office position to his son John. He also served as Sub-Dean of the College. One of Samuel’s friends, John Smythe of Nibley, sold him land, and had this to say about him:

“Samuel Bridger of Woodmancote in the Parish of Dursley, eldest son of the said Lawrence by his first wife, by his deed from me dated 12th May, 16 — Jacobi, purchased a close (fenced) pasture containing 10 acres called Clinger, laying in cane and of the said 6s paith ld, which his said father afterwards gave to the said Samuel.

“Samuel Bridger aforesaid holdeth by the grant of the said Lawrence Bridger, clerke, his father, by which my deed dates 30th October 18 Jacobi, I sold to him in fee, one messuage in Hurst, near Reingolds. And one close called Hawthorne containing 40 acres and two closes of pastures in Lynfield, etc.”

Living near Samuel Bridger at Woodmancote was Thomas Pitt, probably the same person whom Joseph Bridger transported to Virginia in 1666 whose headright he used in patenting land with Col. Robert Pitt and William Burgh.

Samuel Bridger is buried in the Cathedral of Gloucester and his stone bears this inscription:

“Here lyes the body of Samuel Bridger, gent, who departed this life upon the 31st day of July An. 1650.

Receiver of the this College Rents, he paid His debt to nature, and beneath is laid

To rest until his summons to remove, At the last audit to the Choir above.”⁷

Samuel’s will, dated July 30, 1650, was written the day before he died. It was probated on October 19, nearly three months later. It reads:

“I Samuel Bridger of the city of Gloucester declares this to be my last will and testament July 30, 1650. I appoint that within 14 days after my death my household goods and plant shall be valued by three or four honest men, and an inventory made and my wife Mary Bridger shall have the whole of the benefit thereof, out of which together with some money that shall be due and remaining above the legacies here after given she shall defray my funeral expenses and legacies to my servants. To my wife I leave for her natural life that part of my dwelling house which I occupied at Woodmancote in the Parish of Dursley with gardens, etc., and rent of grounds let to (4 persons with description of grounds) and the rent of John Iles pays for the woods together with the grounds called Furrmoores & the Hopyard; widows property which is now in my hands on the death of Ann Purnell, provided she remain a widow, and not otherwise. To be used for the better education of my children at home and abroad to the age of 21. The property to be kept intact and in good repair.

“There are divers sums of money of mine in the hands of Wm. Newee of Much Hadam, Herts. These should be gathered in by my extrx. and both the interest and it divided between my daughters Martha and Marie Bridger; and sons Joseph, George, and Jonathan Bridger. On payment of Jonathan’s legacy he shall seale several dischargers to each of his brethren, and my sons John and Samuel shall do the same to their brethren, there by freeing them, their heirs and assigns, from all claims that any of them shall demand on the lands and said houses bequeathed.

“To the children of the Rt. Wor. Sir Hugh Hammersley Kt. and Alderman of London dec. sometimes my loving master, 50 pounds to be divided equally between them at the age of 21. My manor and farm of Woodmancote with woods and seats (excepting the estate and dower of my wife Mary) I give to my son John and his heirs and default of such issue then to my sons Samuel, Joseph, James, George and Jonathan and their heirs. To my son John the auditor’s office in the College of Gloucester, by which he is to receive 10 pounds a year to be paid 1/2 yearly for life, deducting his deputy in the auditor’s office.

“To my son Samuel as assigne 5 pounds every 1/2 year for life; for default take it out of the house hold goods bequeathed to John.

“After my wife’s death the manor and farm of Woodmancote to my son or any other sons mentioned above provided they pay their brother and sister such sums of money over and above the legacies as bequeathed them at the age of 21 or marriage, always provided that they marry with the consent of the executors.

“To my son Samuel land in the Parish of Cam & Stinchcombe now in the occupation of Nicholas Alley tenent to Mr. John Fisher.

“To my son Joseph and his heirs the rent and inheritence of the lands in Slimbridge now in the tenure of John Knight of Slimbridge.

“To my son James lands in the tenure of Wm. Belcher of Forbridge.

“To my son George lands in Slimbridge now in tenure of Alice Howell, widow.

“To my son Jonathan lands in Slimbridge now in tenure of John Deacon.

“To the poor of Dursley, Slimbridge and St. Michaels. To my servants. My cousin Newce. My wife sole extr. Test John Dormer & William Russel.”⁸

Thus, according to the will, Samuel and Mary Bridger’s children were:

1. John
2. Samuel
3. Joseph, who migrated to Virginia.
4. James, who also migrated to Virginia.
5. George
6. Jonathan
7. Martha
8. Mary

The third son, Joseph, ancestor of the Kentucky Bridges line, was born at his father’s manor, Woodmancote, in Dursley Parish in 1628 and when his father died he was 22 years old. This is based on the age that appears on his gravestone now in the Old Brick Church near Smithfield, Virginia. Actually, his birth date is not recorded in Gloucester as Parish records were not established there until 1629.

Reviewing the entire Bridger line from the mid 1500’s in England to 1804 in Christian County, Kentucky, we find:

Lawrence Bridger, of Gloucester, England, appointed rector at Slimbridge in 1577. Was married twice, names of wives unknown. His children included: a daughter and five sons, one of whom was Samuel.

Samuel Bridger, married Mary. Last name not known. They had eight children, two girls and six boys, one of whom was Joseph.

Joseph Bridger, son of Samuel, married Hester Pitt, migrated to Virginia about 1653. They settled in Isle of Wight County, Va. Had four daughters and three sons, one of whom was Joseph Jr.

Joseph Bridger, Jr., married Elizabeth Norsworthy. They resided in Isle of Wight County, had seven children including a son, William.

William Bridger changed the spelling of the family name to Bridgers married, wife’s name not known; moved to Bertie County, N. C. They had six children including a son William, Jr.

William Bridgers, Jr., married Sarah Dew. They had four children including a son named Joseph, who moved to Edgecombe County, N. C.

Joseph Bridgers of Edgecombe County, married, Mary Braswell. They had at least one son, Braswell Bridgers.

Braswell Bridgers, married, wife’s name not known. They had at least one son, William Bridgers.

William Bridgers married, probably to Mrs. Jemima Hobby, changed spelling of family name to Bridges. They lived in the Tyancoca Swamp area of Edgecombe County, N. C. They had six children including a son named Drury.

Drury Bridges married Charity Cohoon and migrated to Kentucky in 1804, where he died in 1840.

Although this book is a complete story, as complete as I could make it about the origins of the Thomas and Bridges families from 1540 to 1840, life goes on, and each year more descendants of James Thomas Sr., and Drury Bridges are added to the already long and illustrious list. Thus it should be the duty of someone from the family of each descendant of our ancestors, to record faithfully, the genealogy of his or her line. In that manner, those descendants yet to come will never lose sight of their precious heritage.

Many of you may wish to link your individual lines to those listed in this book. If so, I suggest that you check a copy of “The Thomas and Bridges History, 1968,” by Gilbert N. Bridges. This fine volume contains, by the author’s own admission, over 10,000 names, and traces the families of James Thomas Sr., and Drury Bridges from their arrival in Kentucky in the early 1800’s, to 1968. This then can be designated as a companion piece and between them we have a printed record of the history of the two families for more than 400 years!

For those who still may want to research on their own, most official records of Trigg County are intact despite several fires that have struck the court house at Cadiz over the past 150 years. Wills, deeds, marriage records and others, are well preserved and indexed from 1820 when Trigg became a county. Other family records may be found in state archives at Frankfort, Ky., Nashville, Tenn., Raleigh, N. C., and Richmond, Va. Records in Bertie, Northampton, Halifax and Edgecombe counties, N. C., also are veritable treasure troves of Thomas and Bridges genealogical information.

If you go searching — good luck!

THE END

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1. Boddie, Chapter XXII, page 409 et seq; Foster’s Alumni.↩︎

2. A “Hundred” is an area where several families settled and can be compared generally with a township in America today.↩︎

3. “Berkeley Hundred Gloucester,” by John Smythe, Vol. III, page 324.↩︎

4. This has been authenticated by Capt. Henry C Bridgers, Jr., who has checked the English records in Gloucester.↩︎

5. Boddie, page 410 ( P. C C 70 St. John).↩︎

6. Ibid, page 415 for more on the Driver family.↩︎

7. Ibid, page 420.↩︎

8. Ibid (P.C.C.C. 153 Pembroke).↩︎