Contents

Click on any of the following to be taken to that section or page.

Introduction

Welcome to the Bridgman family page of my family history website.  This is the family of Lloyd Thomas Richardson's mother, Elizabeth Mabel Bridgman.  The Bridgman family were pioneer farmers in Lincoln County, Ontario.  They originally came from Devonshire, England where their ancestry can be traced back to the mid-1700s. They immigrated to Long Island, New York, but fled to Canada at the outset of the American Revolution.  They lived next in Maquapit Lake, New Brunswick, but by the beginning of the 19th century they were living in Grimsby, Lincoln County, Ontario.

One of their ancestral maternal branches is descended from the Bradt Family of New York.  The Bradts were United Empire Loyalists who were in North America from the early 1600s. Prior to that they have a mixed ancestry primarily from Holland, but also Norway, France, and Germany, including one ancestor who sailed with the famous French explorer Samuel de Champlain. Members of this family are also cousins to Hollywood actors Henry, Peter, Jane, and Bridget Fonda.

Please Note: This page is intended only as a narrative historical overview of this family.  There is additional detailed information available for almost ever person presented on this page.  To avoid the unnecessary work of double-entering such things as vital statistics, the additional information can be found in the accompanying GEDCOM database.  Please make sure you click on the INDEX button at the bottom of the page so you don't miss out on potentially valuable additional information.

Acknowledgments

The research presented on this page is not mine alone.  It contains information submitted by all the Fellow Researchers listed below.  I am indebted to them for their generous contributions.  This page is intended as a place for researchers to freely and cooperatively share our research with each other.  It would be too cumbersome a task to reference each piece of data as to which researcher it has come from.  The information shown on this page should be understood as a product of ALL of the Fellow Researchers.  I am merely the editor and not the sole author. - Ryk

If you are just arriving here for the first time then you may wish to start here.

The Meaning Of The Surname Bridgman

The surname Bridgman is a geographic surname. It would have come from an ancestor who had something to do with a bridge. He may have been a bridge builder, or he may have simply lived near a bridge. But at some point, to differentiate him from others with his same first name, he became known as "the Bridge Man". This nickname became simplified to just Bridgman. The identity of this original Bridgman is now lost to history, however being a geographic surname it's likely that it has multiple origins.  The Bridgman surname has been found with the following spelling variants: Bridgeman and Bridjman.

Click here to learn more about surnames.

Surname Distribution and Origin

According to Ancestry.com, there were 2240 occurrences of the surname Bridgman or Bridgeman in the 1891 census in the United Kingdom.  The highest concentrations are as shown in the table.  From these statistics we can suggest that Devonshire appears to be a primary point of origin for the surname Bridgman with a secondary origin in nearby Gloucestershire.  We can probably disregard the City of London as a statistical anomaly as it was a significant metropolis and an immigration destination.  As the largest city in the county, we should expect to find an unusually high concentration of any surname in London as migrant workers were drawn there from all across the country for employment.  If we factor out other major immigration centres then we are left with a more likely picture of the pre-migration period surname distribution. 

If it is true the Devonshire is the most likely point of origin for the surname Bridgman, then it should also be no surprise that we can trace our Bridgman family's roots to Devonshire.

The Bridgman Family in Devonshire, England

The Ancestors of John and Elizabeth Bridgman

For many years, the earliest verifiable ancestors of our Bridgman family were John & Elizabeth Bridgman of Devonshire, who immigrated to Long Island, NY in 1767.  They are shown in the next section below.  In 2006 we were finally able to identify their family of origin in the north of Devonshire, England.

Charlotte Bridgman, in her article on the Bridgman family published in The Annals of the Forty claims that our Bridgmans came from Tavistock, Devonshire, England, however no such family could be found.  And it now appears that the family tradition was just a little off.

In correctly identifying the origins of our Bridgman family we began by presuming that the family tradition may have some basis in fact.  Perhaps Devonshire was correct, but the specific town of Tavistock may be mistaken.  By widening our search elsewhere in Devonshire we were able to identify a family in the IGI who were a perfect fit. 

Family tradition in John Mansfield's branch preserves that John and Elizabeth Bridgman's first three children were Elizabeth, Ann and Jane, who were all born in England prior to immigration.  Presuming that this family tradition is relatively accurate, a family was found in IGI records in Devonshire with parents, John and Elizabeth Bridgman, and children Elizabeth, Ann, and John (not Jane, but family tradition could have easily transposed the two names) all born at just the right time to be our family.  Furthermore this couple cannot be found in English records having children after 1767, just when our Bridgmans emigrated.  They are also the ONLY John & Elizabeth Bridgman who had children anywhere in Devonshire in the ten years leading up to our family's emigration.  (In fact, there are only five couples named John & Elizabeth Bridgman in all of England found in IGI records for this time period.)

Research on primary source documents is still underway on these early generations, however the Fellow Researchers on this page have spent a year reviewing the data and have found no flaws in these conclusions.

After identifying the correct family of origin (shown below) we have since been able to identify one or two cousin branches who immigrated to Canada in later years.  Thus, it would appear that our Canadian Bridgmans remained in contact with their relatives back in England and that subsequent generations followed them to Canada.  This should not be surprising as this is a normal pattern of immigration.  The discovery of these later immigrant branches would further support that we have identified the correct origins for our Bridgmans.  Thus, despite the fact that primary source research is still on-going, I believe it is now safe for us to conclude that we have identified the correct family of origin.

We now present the Bridgman family of origin in Devonshire as follows:

William BRIDGMAN.  He married on 29 APR 1686 in Shebbear, Devon, England to Mary SOUTHYEO.  They had the following family:

1. William BRIDGMAN b: ABT 22 JAN 1688 in Newton Saint Petrock, Devon, England.  He is believed to have married on 25 NOV 1708 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England to Mary SNOW b: ABT 1687 in England.  They had the following children:
   1. Mary BRIDGMAN b: ABT 30 NOV 1710 in Buckland Brewer, Devonshire, England.  It is believed that she married on 13 APR 1738 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England to John REDDACLEVE (RADCLIFFE) b: ABT 1710 in England.  They had the following family:
      1. John REDDACLEVE, b. ABT. 30 NOV 1738 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England.  He is presumed to have died young prior to the birth of his same-named brother in 1750.

      2. Philip REDDACLEVE, b. ABT. 23 DEC 1742 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England.

      3. Mary REDDACLEAVE, b. ABT. 28 NOV 1745 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England.

      4. Dorothy REDDACLEAVE, b. ABT. 17 FEB 1747 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England.

      5. John REDDICLEAVE, b. ABT. 13 JUN 1750 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England.

      6. Jane RUDDICLEAVE, b. ABT. 19 JUL 1753 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England.

   2. John BRIDGMAN b: ABT 27 MAR 1719 in Buckland Brewer, Devonshire, England.  He is presumed to have died prior to the birth of his same-named brother in 1731.
   3. Grace BRIDGMAN b: ABT 30 MAY 1726 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England.  She married on 16 APR 1750 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England to John SOUTHARD b: ABT 1720 in England.  They had the following family:
      1. Mary SOUTHARD, b. ABT 08 AUG 1751 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England.
      2. John SOUTHARD, b. ABT 16 JUN 1754 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England.
      3. Elizabeth SOUTHARD, b. ABT 03 NOV 1755 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England.
      4. John SOUTHARD, b. ABT. 16 APR 1758 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England.
      5. Grace SOUTHARD, b. ABT 19 DEC 1760 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England.
      6. Ann SOUTHARD, b. ABT 20 OCT 1763 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England.
      7. Jane SOUTHARD, b. ABT 12 MAY 1766 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England.
   4. William BRIDGMAN b: ABT 26 DEC 1728 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England.  He is believed to have married on 16 MAY 1751 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England to Anne TITHECOT b: ABT 1730 in England.  They had the following family:
      1. William BRIDGMAN, b. ABT 27 OCT 1752 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England.
      2. John BRIDGMAN b: ABT 5 FEB 1756 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England
      3. Richard BRIDGMAN b: ABT 1 FEB 1759 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England
   5. John BRIDGMAN b: ABT 21 JUL 1731 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England.  He is believed to have married on 31 OCT 1758 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England to Joan SQUIRE b: ABT 1735 in England.
      1. Humphry BRIDGMAN, b. ABT 23 AUG 1759 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England.  He may be the Humphry Bridgman who married on 01 OCT 1800 in Stoke Damerel, Devon, England to Parnell BARTLETT
      2. John BRIDGMAN, b. ABT 04 JUN 1761 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England
      3. Joan BRIDGMAN, b. ABT 31 MAR 1763 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England.
   6. Richard BRIDGMAN b: ABT 13 SEP 1733 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England.  He is believed to have married on 9 APR 1761 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England to Jane DARK b: ABT 1740 in England.
      1. Jane BRIDGMAN, b. ABT 16 AUG 1762 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England.
      2. John BRIDGMAN, b. ABT 21 MAR 1765 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England.
      3. William BRIDGMAN, b. ABT 06 SEP 1767 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England.
      4. Thomas BRIDGMAN, b. ABT 10 MAY 1770 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England.
2. Mary BRIDGMAN b: ABT 6 JUL 1690 in Shebbear, Devon, England

3. Richard BRIDGMAN b: ABT 4 JUL 1695 in Shebbear, Devon, England.  He is believed to have married on 5 APR 1719 in Buckland Filleigh, Devonshire, England to Charity GAWMAN b: ABT 1695 in England.  They had the following family:

   1. Ann BRIDGMAN b: ABT 4 APR 1720 in Buckland Filleigh, Devonshire, England
   2. Mary BRIDGMAN b: ABT 16 AUG 1722 in Littleham by Bidefored, Devonshire, England
   3. Grace BRIDGMAN b: ABT 9 SEP 1727 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England.  She married on 14 MAR 1751 in Littleham by Bideford, Devonshire, England to Simon VANSTONE b: ABT 1725 in England.
      1. Elizabeth VANSTONE, b. ABT 05 MAY 1753 in Buckland Filleigh, Devonshire, England.
      2. Simon VANSTONE, b. ABT 06 APR 1763 in Buckland Filleigh, Devonshire, England.
      3. Samson VANSTONE, b. ABT 24 AUG 1768 in Buckland Filleigh, Devonshire, England.
   4. John BRIDGMAN b: ABT 15 JUN 1730 in Buckland Filleigh, Devonshire, England.  He married on 18 MAY 1753 in Buckland Filleigh, Devonshire, England to Elizabeth BOWMAN b: ABT 1740 in England.  John and Elizabeth immigrated with most of their children in 1767 to New York, USA.  Their descendants are presented in more detail below.
   5. Jane BRIDGMAN b: ABT 31 JAN 1732 in Buckland Filleigh, Devonshire, England
   6. Richard BRIDGMAN b: 1735 in Buckland Filleigh, Devonshire, England

The Bridgman Family in New York and New Brunswick

John and Elizabeth Bridgman, U.E.

The paternal Bridgman line is English. We can trace their ancestry confidently to the birth of John Bridgman whose birth we previously estimated as ca. 1740 in Devonshire, England, but whom we now believe to have been born 15 JUN 1730 in Buckland Filleigh, Devonshire, England, as shown in the preceding section. John Bridgman married in England to a woman named Elizabeth whose last name was previously unknown.  We had previously estimated their marriage as ca. 1760.  We now believe that John Bridgman married on 18 MAY 1753 in Buckland Filleigh, Devonshire, England to Elizabeth BOWMAN as shown in the preceding section.  They began their family in England and then left England in 1767 for unknown reasons. Family tradition preserved that their English born children were Elizabeth, Ann, and Jane, but we now believe that their English born children were Elizabeth, Ann, and John, as shown above.  John and Elizabeth Bridgman, together with their first three children, sailed to Long Island, New York, when it was still a British Colony (though not for long).  In New York, John Bridgman worked as a gardener.  While in New York, John and Elizabeth added four more children to their family.  They lived in New York for almost a decade before the American Revolution broke out.

From New York to New Brunswick

At the outset of the American Revolution John Bridgman and his family fled, along with other Loyalists, to the Nova Scotia Colony of British North America. It is believed that John Bridgman died shortly after arriving in Nova Scotia.  John's widow, Elizabeth Bridgman and their 7 children (we believe) were originally granted land near Shelburne, Nova Scotia.  Although they are not recorded as official United Empire Loyalists it does appear that Elizabeth Bridgman's land grant of 200 acres was consistent with land grants to Loyalist widows.

In 1786 Elizabeth Bridgman sold her land and moved with her family to Grand Lake in what later became New Brunswick (the Nova Scotia Colony was later divided into the present provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick).  It is likely that they moved away from the Shelburne area because of over-crowding (see note below on Shelburne, Nova Scotia).  However they did not stay long on the Grand Lake either and finally settled on the shore of Maquapit Lake (a.k.a. "McCrippet Lake), where some of Elizabeth's sons also received land grants. 

In May of 1799 their son, William Bridgman, and his family left New Brunswick for Ontario.  It is possible that William's brother, Thomas, accompanied him.  However, fellow researcher, Ken Christie, convincingly suggests that Thomas may have remained a few years longer in New Brunswick with his ailing mother, Elizabeth, while William went on ahead.  It is believed that Thomas remained behind to oversee the sale of the Bridgman properties in New Brunswick and to attend to the death of his mother.  It seems likely that Thomas came to Ontario around 1802.

William and Thomas Bridgman settled on the south shore of Lake Ontario in the Niagara Peninsula of the Upper Canada Colony of British North America, which would later become Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Ontario.  They were among the earliest settlers in Niagara in an area that was quickly being populated by British Loyalists from the United States.  The story of these two brothers continues further below.

John BRIDGMAN b: ABT 15 JUN 1730 in Buckland Filleigh, Devonshire, England, shown above as a son of Richard Bridgman and Charity Gawman.  He married on 18 MAY 1753 in Buckland Filleigh, Devonshire, England to Elizabeth BOWMAN b: ABT 1740 in England.  They had the following family:

1. Elizabeth BRIDGMAN b: ABT 22 MAY 1756 in Buckland Filleigh, Devonshire, England.  She married on 18 MAY 1782 in Saint James Church, Huish by Hatherleigh, Devonshire, England to William WALDRON b: ABT 1750 in England.  Family tradition in John Mansfield's branch preserves that Elizabeth Bridgman remained in England, married there, and had one child.  If this tradition is correct then it is presumed that one of the children shown here died young.  IGI records show this as the only Elizabeth Bridgman in all of Devonshire to fit that description.  They had the following family:
   1. Henry WALDRON b: ABT 9 NOV 1785 in Bideford, Devonshire, England
   2. Elizabeth WALDRON b: 1789 in Seaton, Devon, England (from an IGI record only)
2. Ann Nancy BRIDGMAN b: ABT 13 APR 1762 in Buckland Filleigh, Devonshire, England.  She married firstly on 31 MAY 1780 in Trinity Church Parish, New York, New York to Stephen ALLEN b: ABT 1760.  They had no known children together.  She married secondly on 7 OCT 1782 in Trinity Church Parish, New York, New York to John BROWN b: ABT 1760 in Scotland.  Family tradition records that Ann and John returned to Scotland where they had four children.  It is not known where in Scotland they resided.  Given the commonality of the name John Brown it is impossible to locate them without further information.  They had the following family:
   1. Child BROWN b: AFT 1782 in Scotland
   2. Child BROWN b: ABT 1785 in Scotland
   3. Child BROWN b: ABT 1788 in Scotland
   4. Child BROWN b: ABT 1791 in Scotland
3. Jane BRIDGMAN b: ABT 1765 in Devonshire, England

4. John BRIDGMAN b: ABT 20 FEB 1766 in Buckland Filleigh, Devonshire, England.  John initially immigrated with his parents to New York and then fled with them to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.  On 27 JAN 1786, John received a grant for Lot 20 in Long Reach, Nova Scotia.  Six weeks later (15 MAR 1786) transferred his interest in the property to Morris Flewelling, his co-guarantor.  (The Flewelling name also appears later in Niagara, Ontario).  It is about this same time that his widowed mother moved to Maquapit Lake.  John apparently returned to England where, eight months later, he married on 25 OCT 1786 in Shebbear, Devon, England to Catherine MAKEPOWDER b: ABT 1770 in England.  They had the following children:

   1. Elizabeth BRIDGMAN b: ABT 29 MAR 1789 in Buckland Filleigh, Devonshire, England.  Elizabeth married Samuel Longman and died prematurely, possibly in childbirth.  Samuel remarried and immigrated to Ontario, Canada with his children from both marriages.  Descendant info to be added.
   2. John BRIDGMAN b: 1792 in Buckland Filleigh, Devonshire, England
   3. Ann BRIDGMAN b: ABT 8 MAR 1795 in Buckland Filleigh, Devonshire, England
   4. Anthony BRIDGMAN b: ABT 11 JAN 1801 in Buckland Filleigh, Devonshire, England.  He is believed to be the Anthony Bridgman who immigrated in 1841 to King's County, New Brunswick, Canada.  He married Mary whose surname is unknown.  Anthony was a farmer and blacksmith.  This is a significant immigration as it would appear to suggest that the grandchildren of John Bridgman and Elizabeth Bowman remained in contact with their cousins back in England.  In 1861 Anthony (age 60) and Mary (age 50) were residing in North Side of Kennebecasis River, County and Parish of Norton , Kings County, NB (about 35 km from Maquapit Lake). Anthony was a blacksmith.  They had no children.

5. William BRIDGMAN b: 16 MAY 1768 in Long Island City, Queens, New York Colony, British North America.  He married on 11 OCT 1790 in Gagetown Anglican Church, Gagetown, Queen's County, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia Colony, British North America to Mary BELYEA b: 12 FEB 1772 in Probably Tarrytown, Westchester County, New York Colony, British North America.  William would have been 8 years old and living in Long Island when the American Revolution broke out and when his family fled to Canada.  William Bridgman received a land grant of 100 acres at Newcastle Creek, New Brunswick.  In November 1793, he and his wife sold this property and in May 1799 they moved to Ontario.  This is the author's wife's family.  The descendants of William Bridgman are shown as BRANCH 1 below.

6. Henry BRIDGMAN b: ABT 1770 in Long Island City, Queens, New York Colony, British North America.  He married on 1 NOV 1792 in Gagetown Anglican Church, Gagetown, Queen's County, New Brunswick to Phoebe THURSTON b: ABT 1770.  They had the following family:
   1. John BRIDGMAN b: ABT 1793 in Queen's County, New Brunswick, Canada
   2. Jane BRIDGMAN b: ABT 21 JAN 1795 in Gagetown, Queen's County, New Brunswick
   3. Joan BRIDGMAN b: ABT 21 JAN 1795 in Gagetown, Queen's County, New Brunswick.  She is believed to have married in 1814 in Providence, Manitoba to Israel DISBROW b: ABT 1799 in Canada.  They had the following child:
      1. William B DISBROW b: 5 MAR 1815 in Canada
   4. Henry BRIDGMAN b: ABT 1796 in Queen's County, New Brunswick, Canada
7. Thomas BRIDGMAN b: 17 FEB 1776 in Long Island City, Queens, New York, USA.  He married on 30 DEC 1804 in Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Ontario to Deborah PETTIT b: 16 MAR 1782 in Easton, Northampton, Pennsylvania, USA.  Thomas immigrated with his family to New York, and then to New Brunswick (see above).  Contrary to the Wiggins article, Thomas did not die in New Brunswick and is not interred on the Maquapit Lake Shore.  He moved with his brother William (and possibly some of his sisters) to southern Ontario.  Fellow researcher, Ken Christie, suggests that Thomas may have come to Ontario with William and returned briefly to New Brunswick to tie up the sale of the properties, or that he may have remained behind with Elizabeth in her declining time, while William went on ahead, and then Thomas may have followed a few short years later after his mother died, believed to be around 1802.  The descendants of Thomas Bridgman are shown as BRANCH 2 below.

Shelburne, Nova Scotia

In an article for the Loyalist Gazette, Hugh A.Taylor, retired Archivist of Nova Scotia, writes that by the end of 1783, 12,000 settlers had made Shelburne the fourth largest town in North America after only New York, Philadelphia and Boston!  He notes that most of the good land had already been claimed before the Loyalist settlements and that shortcomings of the site were immediately evident to some, �despite euphoric optimism�.  As noted in the Roseway article, many moved on to other areas. - Ken Christie

Maquapit Lake

Maquapit Lake (also shown as Masquapit Lake on some maps) is located in south central New Brunswick, roughly midway between Fredericton and Moncton, just north of the Trans-Canada Highway.

Click Here for a Map of Maquapit Lake

The name "Maquapit Lake" is of Maliseet origin. There seems to be agreement that it means "red lake." Usually such place names are descriptive of the colouring of the rocks or the water. I can find no verification of another meaning; however, it's just possible that it "might" be a reference, as suggested, to the prevalence of poison ivy and what it can do to the skin!
Places and Names of Atlantic Canada (1996) by William B. Hamilton.

Born in Maquapit (a.k.a. McCrippet) Lake? No.

There are several on-line genealogies showing William and Thomas Bridgman as being born in Maquapit or McCrippet Lake, New Brunswick, however these genealogies are mistaken.  The births of both William and Thomas are registered in Long Island, New York.  Furthermore, as it seems quite certain that Thomas is the youngest child, and as he was born prior to the outset of the Revolution, then it seems somewhat impossible that any of the first generation children could have been born after leaving New York.  It would be more correct to say that they were once "from" Maquapit Lake, but they were not born there.

Bridgman Grave Robbers

From: The History of Queen's County, New Brunswick, by E. Stone Wiggins, 1876, reprinted and indexed by George H. Hayward, 1993. 

"Bridgman, Thomas and Henry, two brothers, [sic, see note below] the first settlers on the Grand Lake (New Brunswick). They moved subsequently to the Maquapit Lake Shore, where they died about the 1796. They were interred on the Maquapit Lake Shore, on the rear of the farm of William Olmstead. There were also buried their three children, Henry, John, and Jane; also a man by the name of Power. 'Til about twenty-five years ago (ref. 1876), these graves were surrounded by a picket fence, within which stood two tombstones, one bearing an inscription. Strange to say, at the time referred to, some fishermen on the Maquapit Lake tore away the fence, which they used for fuel, and took away the tombstones for anchors for their nets. The writer regrets his inability to give names of these robbers of the dead, that they might go down to future ages loaded with infamy. Some persons from Ontario came to Jemseg a few years ago inquiring about these graves, over which they proposed erecting a monument, but went away without obtaining any information about them."

From New Brunswick to Upper Canada:

The Bridgman Family in Grimsby, Lincoln County, Ontario

Between 1799-1802 brothers William and Thomas Bridgman came from Maquapit Lake, New Brunswick to the Grimsby area of Lincoln County in the Niagara Peninsula of Upper Canada (present-day Ontario).  Their known descendants are accounted below.

The Descendants of William Bridgman and Mary Belyea

William Bridgman was born 16 MAY 1768 in Long Island City, Queens, New York Colony, British North America.  He married on 11 OCT 1790 in Gagetown Anglican Church, Gagetown, Queen's County, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia Colony, British North America to Mary Belyea (or Bulyea) who was born 12 FEB 1772 in Bulyea Point, Nova Scotia Colony, British North America (present day New Brunswick). When the colony was later sub-divided, Bulyea Point became part of the present-day province of New Brunswick.  Her ancestry can be found on the Belyea Family Page.

William Bridgman and his family left St. John, New Brunswick in May 1799 heading for Upper Canada (Ontario). They arrived in July of the same year in a newly surveyed area along the south shore of Lake Ontario in the Niagara Peninsula in a place that later became known as Grimsby. The Niagara Peninsula had just been won by the British from the French only thirty years prior.  They settled on Lot 5 (or 15), Concession 8, (now the "Twenty Road") Grimsby Township, Lincoln County.

From 1803-1833 William served as a member of the Grimsby township council. William served with the 4th Lincoln Regiment in the war of 1812. His specific days of service were April 29, 1813 to May 24, 1813. He was under the command of Captain William Nelles. He also served along with his brother Thomas from July 4, 1814 to July 28, 1814 in the same regiment, but under the command of Captain Johnathan A. Pettit.  It seems likely that Capt. Pettit is related to Thomas Bridgman's wife, Deborah Pettit.

William and Mary had the following descendants, four of whom married some member of the Merritt family:

1. Elizabeth BRIDGMAN b: 19 OCT 1792 in Gagetown, Queen's County, New Brunswick married on 10 APR 1810 presumably in Lincoln County, Ontario to Nathan LYON and had the following known child:
   1. Daniel LYON b: 31 MAR 1814 presumably in Lincoln County, Ontario.  He died as a child.
2. Sarah BRIDGMAN b: 26 SEP 1793 in Gagetown, Queen's County, New Brunswick married on 1 OCT 1811 in Lincoln County, Ontario to Eli White who was born 1 JAN 1792 in Dutchess County, New York.  Eli White was the half-brother of John Merritt (husband of Sarah's sister Jane Bridgman below).  They had the following children.  This family is being researched by Ron Thornton.
   1. Courtland WHITE b: 4 FEB 1815 in Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Ontario.  He married Anna Elizabeth MAY.  They had the following children"

      1. William Metna WHITE b: 1838 in Caistor, Lincoln County, Ontario.  He married on 8 APR 1863 in Caistor, Lincoln County, Ontario to Matilda Ann BRIDGMAN b: 30 SEP 1842 in Caistor, Lincoln County, Ontario.  Matilda was the daughter of Joseph Murray Bridgman, shown below.  Matilda was William's first cousin, once-removed.  Their children are shown below under Matilda Bridgman's entry.

      2. Eli M. WHITE b: 1839 in Caistor, Lincoln County, Ontario
   2. William Robert WHITE b: 1816 in Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Ontario
   3. Moses Warren WHITE b: JUL 1817 in Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Ontario
   4. Mary Elizabeth WHITE b: 1819 in Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Ontario
   5. Marcus WHITE b: 1822 in Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Ontario
   6. Lauren Eunice WHITE b: 16 NOV 1824 in Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Ontario
   7. Darwin WHITE b: 5 JAN 1827 in Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Ontario
   8. Burwell WHITE b: 1828 in Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Ontario
   9. Ann WHITE b: 1830 in Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Ontario
   10. John A. WHITE b: 1832 in Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Ontario
   11. Sarah Jane WHITE b: 1835 in Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Ontario

3.     Ann BRIDGMAN b: 8 OCT 1795 in Gagetown, Queen's County, New Brunswick is believed to have married Gilbert WRONG.  He may have been born ABT 1790 in Wales.  It is believed they moved to Grovesend, Malahide Township, Elgin County. This family is being researched by Kath Palmer.
4. Mary BRIDGMAN b: 22 AUG 1798 in Gagetown, Queen's County, New Brunswick married Robert Courtland MERRITT b: unknown in Niagara, Ontario.  Robert was the first cousin of both John Merritt (husband of Mary's sister Jane, below) and Eli White (husband of Mary's sister Sarah, above).  Nothing is known of their family although the Merritt family is well accounted elsewhere and ongoing research may add to our knowledge of this line.
5. Jane BRIDGMAN b: 19 FEB 1801 in Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Upper Canada Colony, British North America.  She married to John MERRITT b: ABT 1795 in Ontario.  John Merritt was the half-brother of Eli White (husband of Jane's sister Sarah, above).  They had the following children:
   1. Lilles J. MERRITT b: ABT 1820 in Grimsby, Lincoln, Ontario who cannot be found in later records and is presumed to have died young.
   2. Moses Henry MERRITT b: 1821 in Grimsby, Lincoln, Ontario who married a woman named Matilda.  Merritt sources indicate that they had 7 children.
   3. Hannah B. MERRITT b: 25 JAN 1825 in Grimsby, Lincoln, Ontario who died as an infant.
   4. William Burwell MERRITT b: 1830 in Grimsby, Lincoln, Ontario who married Jemima Rebecca ISMONT.  Merritt sources indicate they had 5 children.
   5. John W. MERRITT b: 1835 in Grimsby, Lincoln, Ontario who married on 12 APR 1859 in Lincoln County, Ontario to Isabella WARDELL and moved to Michigan.
   6. Sarah C. MERRITT b: DEC 1836 in Grimsby, Lincoln, Ontario who died as a child.
   7. Eunice E. MERRITT b: 1837 in Grimsby, Lincoln, Ontario about whom nothing more is known.
   8. James A. MERRITT b: 1841 in Grimsby, Lincoln, Ontario about whom nothing more is known.
   9. Hamilton C. MERRITT b: JAN 1843 in Grimsby, Lincoln, Ontario who married a woman named Jane.  Merritt sources indicate they had 2 children.
   Jane Bridgman died the same year as Hamilton was born.  It is possible that she died in childbirth.  John Merritt remarried almost immediately afterwards to Rachel MARLATT and had the following children:
   1. Elinore or Emmaline MERRITT b: 1843 in Lincoln County, Ontario
   2. Marilda MERRITT b: 1846 in Lincoln County, Ontario.  She married ABT 1865 in Ontario to her step-cousin, Arza Anson BRIDGMAN b: OCT 1840 in Caistor, Lincoln County, Ontario, son of Joseph Murray Bridgman, below.  Their descendants are accounted under Arza Bridgman's entry below.
   3. Gilbert Franklin MERRITT b: 11 APR 1848 in Lincoln County, Ontario
6. John BRIDGMAN b: 11 MAY 1803 in Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Upper Canada Colony, British North America. He married on 29 JUL 1836 in probably Nelson Township, Halton County., Ontario to Elizabeth Maria BRADT, b: 1817 in Upper Canada Colony, British North America.  Her fascinating Loyalist ancestry is told on the Bradt Family Page The story of their descendants continues below.  This is the author's family.
7. Eunice BRIDGMAN b: 1 DEC 1805 in Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Upper Canada Colony, British North America married George ADAMS. Nothing more is known of them.
8. William BRIDGMAN b: 26 MAR 1808 in Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Upper Canada Colony, British North America married firstly about 1834 to Hannah Matilda THOMAS. She was born in 1814. Hannah's parents died young and William and Hannah raised Hannah's younger brother Joseph Thomas.  William and Hannah had the following children, three of whom did not survived childhood:
   1. John Wesley BRIDGMAN b: 17 JUN 1833 in Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Ontario, Canada.  He married on 2 SEP 1863 in Smithville, Lincoln County, Ontario to Mary Hannah BRANT b: 2 SEP 1843 in Smithville, Lincoln County, Ontario.  John Wesley Bridgman was a famed portrait artist and a founding member of the Ontario Society of Artists.  John Wesley Bridgman is shown as "Wesley Bridgman" in the 1881 census living in St. David's ward in Toronto, working as an artist. They had the following children:
      1. George Brant BRIDGMAN b: 1865 in Smithville, Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Ontario, Canada.  George Bridgman, like his father, was a highly successful artist. He was also an art teacher and author of seven books on art and the human body. One of his students was the famed Norman Rockwell. George lived in North Pelham, Westchester County, New York, USA.

         
         Famed artist, Norman Rockwell, was a student of George Brant Bridgman

         "George Brant Bridgman (1864-1943), a Canadian painter, was more significantly, the legendary instructor of anatomy drawing at the League and author of the revered anatomy for artists books. Bridgman taught an amazing number of noted artists in his time, having among his students Norman Rockwell, Mark Rothko, Andrew Loomis, Roy G. Krenkel, Everett Raymond Kinstler and John Cullen Murphy. Bridgman lived in New York where he taught anatomy and figure drawing at New York City's Art Students League. There he taught the legendary American cartoonist Will Eisner. George Brandt Bridgman is notable for using a cube as a base for figures' heads, as opposed to a sphere like most other artists." -- 1942 article in TIME � Bone & Muscle Man. (Click on the TIME logo at the right to link to the full article.)

         George married on 21 JUN 1893 in Fort Erie, Welland County, Ontario, Canada to Helene L. RUPPERSBERG b: 21 JUN 1870 in Erie, New York, USA.  They had the following children:

         1. Edward C. BRIDGMAN b: 1895 in New York, USA
         2. Jean BRIDGMAN b: 1898 in New York, USA
         3. George K. BRIDGMAN b: 25 JAN 1899 in New York City, New York, USA
      2. William Alfred BRIDGMAN b: 1 DEC 1866 in Toronto, York County, Ontario.  William never married and died in 1890.
      3. Emma Elizabeth BRIDGMAN b: 23 APR 1870 in Toronto, York County, Ontario.  Emma married on 27 JAN 1892 in the bride's parents' residence, Fort Erie, Welland County, Ontario to Henry J. HUMBURCH b: 17 AUG 1850 in London, Middlesex, England.  They had the following children:
         1. Dorothy HUMBURCH b: 16 MAR 1893 in Fort Erie, Welland County, Ontario
         2. Gertrude HUMBURCH b: MAY 1896 in Fort Erie, Welland County, Ontario
         3. Lousie HUMBURCH b: OCT 1900 in Fort Erie, Welland County, Ontario
      4. Dr. Edward Wesley BRIDGMAN , D.D.S. b: 11 OCT 1873 in Toronto, York County, Ontario.  Edward worked as a dentist in the Kootenays and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
      5. Mary Clara Louise BRIDGMAN b: 12 JUL 1875 in Toronto, York County, Ontario
   2.     Courtland M. BRIDGMAN b: 1835 in Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Ontario who died as a child.
   3. Henry W. BRIDGMAN b: 1837 in Grimsby Township , Lincoln County, Ontario who died as a child.
   4. Hiram BRIDGMAN b: 1839 in Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Ontario who died as a child.

   William Bridgman married secondly on 1 DEC 1841 in St. Catharines, Lincoln County, Ontario to Anna WILSON.  She was born 9 MAR 1808 in Saltfleet Township, Wentworth County, Ontario. They had the following children:

   1. William Allen BRIDGMAN b: 1 FEB 1842 in Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Ontario who died at age 6 weeks.
   2. Harvey Wilson BRIDGMAN b: 2 MAR 1844 in Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Ontario.  He married on 13 OCT 1868 in Grimsby, Lincoln County, Ontario to Teresa HEWITT b: 12 DEC 1846 in Wentworth County, Ontario.  They cannot be found in the 1881 census.  They had the following children:
      1. John William BRIDGMAN b: 2 DEC 1870 in Smithville, Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Ontario.  He married on 4 DEC 1895 in Chicago, Illinois, USA to Hattie Ida KERLIN b: 27 AUG 1877 in Chicago, Illinois, USA.  They later moved to Los Angeles, California.
      2. Laura Victoria BRIDGMAN b: 23 JUL 1872 in Smithville, Grimsby Township, Lincoln, Ontario.  She married on 12 DEC 1899 in Chicago, Illinois, USA to Harry Mowbrey STEWART b: 19 JUN 1871.  They later moved to Los Angeles, California.
   3.     Irvine or Irwin BRIDGMAN b: 11 MAR 1845 in Grimsby, Lincoln, Ontario.  He married on 18 MAR 1868 in Toronto, York, Ontario to Rosetta CRAPPER b: 1850.  They had the following child:
      1. Martha Ann BRIDGMAN b: 13 JUN 1869 in Waterloo, Waterloo County, Ontario.  She has not been found in the 1881 census and may have died young.
   4. Milton BRIDGMAN b: 15 JUN 1846 in Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Ontario.  He married on 31 MAY 1871 in Gainsborough, Lincoln, Ontario to Sarah Josephine COLLARD b: 28 DEC 1850 in Gainsborough, Lincoln, Ontario.  They had the following children:
      1. Lesley R. BRIDGMAN b: 1874 Grimsby, Lincoln, Ontario.
      2. Clara May BRIDGMAN b: 07 Sep 1876 Grimsby, Lincoln, Ontario.
9. Susannah BRIDGMAN b: 19 JUN 1810 in Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Upper Canada Colony, British North America.  She married on 30 JAN 1830 in Woodhouse, Norfolk County, Ontario to Isaac Henry GILBERT b: 1807 in Ontario.  They had the following child:
   1. William R. GILBERT b: 1838 in Ontario.  He moved to Bayham Township in Elgin County, Ontario and had a large family.
10. James BRIDGMAN b: 11 FEB 1814 in Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Upper Canada Colony, British North America of whom nothing more is known.
11. Joseph Murray BRIDGMAN b: 13 MAR 1815 in Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Upper Canada Colony, British North America who married on MAY 1837 to Matilda LOUNSBERRY b: ABT 1815.  They had the following children:
    1. Arza Anson BRIDGMAN b: OCT 1840 in Caistor, Lincoln County, Ontario.  He married firstly on 7 JUN 1863 in Caistor, Lincoln County, Ontario to Marilda MCCALLUM b: 1843 in Gainsborough, Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Ontario.  They had the following daughter:
       1. Harriet M. BRIDGMAN b: 08 JUN 1864 in Hamilton, Wentworth, Ontario.  She married on 13 Aug 1884 in Washington, DC, USA to Daniel Gregory STERLING b: 28 May 1819 in Dansville, Livingston, New York.  They moved to Virginia where they had the following children:
          1. Hattie May STERLING b: 10 JUN 1885 in Norfolk, Norfolk County, Virginia
          2. Herbert Gregory STERLING b: 16 JAN 1889 in Norfolk, Norfolk County, Virginia
          3. Helen Marilda STERLING b: 13 Apr 1897 in Norfolk, Norfolk County, Virginia

       Arza Anson Bridgman married secondly ABT 1865 in Ontario to his first cousin Marilda MERRITT b: 1846 in Ontario.  She was the daughter of his uncle John Merritt by his second wife, Rachel Marlatt (the same John Merritt who first married Jane Bridgman, above), thus no blood relation.  They had the following children:

       1. John BRIDGMAN b: 1867 in Caistor, Monck Township, Lincoln County, Ontario
       2. Alberta BRIDGMAN b: 1876 in Caistor, Monck Township, Lincoln County, Ontario
       3. Elsel BRIDGMAN b: 1880 in Caistor, Monck Township, Lincoln County, Ontario

       Arza Anson Bridgman married thirdly BET 1881 AND 1901 to his cousin, Mary Jane BRIDGMAN, b: SEP 1839 in Ontario, daughter of John Bridgman and Elizabeth Maria Bradt (shown below).  It is believed they had no children.  The fact that Arza's first two wives were both named Marilda and that his mother and sister were both named Matilda seems unusually coincidental, but appears to be correct.
       Additional information to be added from Bridgman Forum

    2. Matilda Ann BRIDGMAN b: 30 SEP 1842 in Caistor, Lincoln County, Ontario.  She married on 8 APR 1863 in Caistor, Lincoln County, Ontario to William Metna WHITE b: 1838 in Grimsby, Lincoln County, Ontario, son of Courtland WHITE and Anna Elizabeth May; Courtland being the son of Eli White and Sarah Bridgman, Matilda's aunt, shown above.   Thus, Matilda married her first cousin, once-removed.  In 1911 the family moved to Saskatchewan.  They had the following children.  This family is being researched by Ron Thornton.

       1. William H. WHITE b: 25 MAR 1876 in Caistor, Lincoln County, Ontario.  He moved to Saskatchewan.
       2. Courtland WHITE b: 1880 in Caistor, Lincoln County, Ontario.  He married BET 1901 AND 1903 in Caistor Centre, Wentworth County, Ontario to Mahala MAYHEW b: 20 APR 1881 in Ontario.  Sometime in the first decade of the 20th century they moved to Saskatchewan, but the exact date not known.  They had the following children:
          1. Carlyle WHITE b: 1903 in Caistor Centre, Wentworth County, Ontario
          2. Courtland Brian WHITE b: BET 1903 AND 1909 in Caistor Centre, Wentworth County, Ontario
          3. Evelyn WHITE b: Private
          4. Annie WHITE b: Private
          5. Etta WHITE b: Private
          6. Murray WHITE b: AFT 1909 in Ontario or Saskatchewan

John Bridgman and Elizabeth Maria Bradt of Nelson Township, Halton County, Upper Canada

John Bridgman & E. Maria Bradt

John Bridgman (shown above as the son of William Bridgman and Mary Belyea) was born 11 MAY 1803 in Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Upper Canada Colony, British North America.  He married on 29 JUL 1836 in Nelson Township, Halton County, Ontario to Elizabeth Maria Bradt.  She was born in 1817 in Upper Canada Colony, British North America as the daughter of Albert Bradt and Mary Vollick.  The Bradts came from a fascinating Loyalist background that is so extensively known it requires it's own page.  You may read about her mixed Norwegian, Dutch, French Catholic and Huguenot, German, and even Mohawk ancestors on the Bradt Family Page.   They settled on Concession 4, Lot 1, Nelson Township, Halton County, Ontario.  John Bridgman and Elizabeth Maria Bradt had the following children:

1. William Henry BRIDGMAN b: 1838 in Ontario.  He married Agnes MACKENZIE b: 1842.  They moved to Medicine Hat, Alberta, where William served as an Alderman.  It is believed that they had no children.
2. Mary Jane BRIDGMAN b: 1839 in Ontario married after 1881 to her second cousin, Arza Anson Bridgman, shown above as the son of Joseph Murray Bridgman and Marilda Loundsberry.  It is believed that they had no children.
3. Anna Margaret BRIDGMAN b: SEP 1841 in Ontario who died as a child.
4. Melvina BRIDGMAN b: NOV 1843 in Ontario who died as a child.
5. John Wesley BRIDGMAN (not to be confused with his cousin of the same name, son of William Bridgman and Hannah Thomas, above) was born 1844 in Zimmerman, Nelson Township, Halton County, Upper Canada Colony, British North America married on 30 JAN 1871 in Nelson Township, Halton County to Hannah WATSON b: 22 JUN 1849 in Nelson Township, Halton County, Upper Canada Colony, British North America.  Their story continues below.  This is the author's wife's family.
6. Elizabeth M. BRIDGMAN b: 1846 in Nelson Township, Halton County, Upper Canada.  She married on 1 JUN 1868 to Eleazer SHERWOOD.  He was born 1 DEC 1842 in Nassagaweya, Halton County, Ontario.  He was the brother of Mary Sherwood (next section below).  They have not been identified in later census records.  Elizabeth and Eleazer had the following children:
   1. Myrtle SHERWOOD
   2. Elle SHERWOOD

7. Burwell BRIDGMAN b: 12 SEP 1847 in Nelson Township, Halton County, Ontario, Canada.  He married 19 SEP 1883 in Nelson, Halton County, Ontario to Mary Elizabeth WALKER b: 20 FEB 1851 in Nelson, Halton County, Ontario.  They had the following children.  This branch was being researched by the late John Bridgman.
   1. Mabel Lizella BRIDGMAN b: 2 JUL 1884 in Zimmerman, Nelson Township, Halton County, Ontario.  She married on 20 MAR 1920 in Lowville, Halton County, Ontario to Arthur Albert SMITH b: 24 DEC 1882 in Halton County, Ontario.  Arthur and Mabel owned a farm on Bronte Creek in Halton County.  Their son, Reginald, later sold the farm to the Ontario Provincial Government.  The farm was converted into Bronte Creek Provincial Park.  They had the following children:
      
      Bronte Creek Provincial Park
      former residence of Mabel Lizella Bridgman
      1. Reginald SMITH b: Private.  Reginald sold the farm to the Ontario Provincial Government.  The farm was converted into Bronte Creek Provincial Park.
      2. Gwenneth SMITH b: 18 SEP 1923 in London, Middlesex, Ontario.
   2. Walker Russell BRIDGMAN b: 7 JUN 1885 in Nelson Township, Halton County, Ontario.  He never married.
   3. Clarence Walter BRIDGMAN b: 25 JUL 1887 in Nelson Township, Halton County, Ontario, Canada.  He married on 3 JUN 1922 in Lowville, Halton County, Ontario, Canada to Eva Lillian FRENCH b: 21 SEP 1903 in Owen Sound, Grey County, Ontario, Canada.  He was a livestock shipper of some degree of note and high reputation. The Toronto Livestock Exchange closed down for Clarence's funeral. He lived in Milton, Halton, Ontario.  They had the following children:
      1. Willard Clarence BRIDGMAN b: 29 AUG 1923 in Nelson Township, Halton County, Ontario, Canada
      2. Vernon Walter BRIDGMAN b: Private
      3. Norma Frances BRIDGMAN b: Private
      4. Lawrence Elden BRIDGMAN b: Private
      5. Living BRIDGMAN
      6. Living BRIDGMAN
      7. Living BRIDGMAN
      8. Living BRIDGMAN
      9. Living BRIDGMAN
      10. Living BRIDGMAN
   4. Myrtle Jane BRIDGMAN b: 9 MAR 1889 in Nelson Township, Halton County, Ontario.  She married on 2 NOV 1910 in Zimmerman Township, Halton County, Ontario, Canada to Charles R. SIMPSON b: 18 AUG 1889 in Nelson Township, Halton County, Ontario, Canada.  They had the following children:
      1. Lorne Arthur SIMPSON b: 18 JUN 1912 in Halton County, Ontario, Canada
      2. Lena Marion SIMPSON b: Private
      3. Russell Burwell SIMPSON b: 2 MAR 1922 in Halton County, Ontario, Canada
   5. Leona Elizabeth BRIDGMAN b: 31 OCT 1890 in Nelson Township, Halton County, Ontario.  She married on 11 JAN 1919 to John Henry GALBRAITH b: 27 DEC 1875 in Trafalgar Township, Halton County, Ontario, Canada.  They had the following children:
      1. Hugh Archibald McCall GALBRAITH b: Private
      2. John Delmar GALBRAITH b: Private
      3. Marion Lorene GALBRAITH b: Private
      4. Freda Eileen GALBRAITH b: Private
      5. Verne Floyd GALBRAITH b: Private
   6. Gordon Burwell BRIDGMAN b: 29 AUG 1894 in Nelson Township, Halton County, Ontario.  He married on 24 NOV 1923 in Nelson Township, Halton County, Ontario, Canada to Ina BUCK b: 1903 in Zimmerman Township, Halton County, Ontario, Canada.  They had the following children:
      1. Gerald Gordon BRIDGMAN b: Private
      2. Ronald Roy BRIDGMAN b: Private
      3. Thelma Irene BRIDGMAN b: Private
      4. Living BRIDGMAN
      5. Living BRIDGMAN
      6. Living BRIDGMAN
      7. Living BRIDGMAN

8. Sarah E. BRIDGMAN b: 1850 in Nelson Township, Halton County, Upper Canada.  She married on 10 JUL 1878 in Nelson, Halton County, Ontario to Robert E. HARRISON b: 1853 in Nelson, Halton County, Upper Canada Colony, British North America.  They had the following children:

   1. Percy B. HARRISON b: 1880 in Nelson, Halton, Ontario
   2. Alvin E. HARRISON b: SEP 1880 in Nelson, Halton, Ontario
9. Rachael BRIDGMAN b: 5 MAY 1852 in Nelson Township, Halton County, Upper Canada, who died in infancy.

10. Rev. Capt. Wellington BRIDGMAN b: 12 JUL 1853 in Nelson Township, Halton County, Upper Canada.  He is recorded as the first Methodist Minister in Medicine Hat, Northwest Territories (later Alberta) in 1883.  He retired to Winnipeg, Manitoba where he wrote Breaking Prairie Sod: The Story of a Pioneer Preacher in the Eighties.  In this book Wellington argues for the expulsion of Jews from Manitoba during WWI. He is recorded as a Canadian army chaplain in Winnipeg.  He married Ann Jane HOAG b: 28 OCT 1854 in Ontario.  They had the following children:
    Additional information to be added from Bridgman Forum

    1. Lt. Dr. Morley C. BRIDGMAN b: 20 NOV 1884 in Medicine Hat, Northwest Territories (Alberta).  He graduated from Manitoba Medical College in 1909 and served with the Royal Army Medical Corps in WWI, where he received unspecified injuries.  On his return from the war he divorced his first wife and moved to South Okanogan, British Columbia. In the Fifties he received an award as the oldest practicing GP in Canada.
    2. Wellington BRIDGMAN b: 26 AUG 1887 in Michigan(?), USA
    3. May Ethel BRIDGMAN b: 21 AUG 1889 in Brandon, Manitoba
    4. Bidwell W. BRIDGMAN b: 19 AUG 1891 in Stanley, Manitoba
    5. Fred W. BRIDGMAN b: 7 SEP 1895 in Brandon, Manitoba
    6. Henry K. BRIDGMAN b: 12 OCT 1899 in Brandon, Manitoba
11. Courtland Freeman BRIDGMAN b: 1855 in Nelson Township, Halton County, Upper Canada.  Courtland was married but his wife's name and children's names are unknown. Courtland owned a farm in Zimmerman Township, Halton County, Ontario. One day he came in from the fields and found his wife in bed with one of the farm hands. In the passion of the moment Courtland went down to the basement to fetch his rifle. He stood in the basement underneath the bedroom and pointed the gun up at the ceiling to where the bed would be and fired. His shot thankfully missed his intended targets, but Courtland was charged with attempted murder. He fled the country with the assistance of his brother and ended up in England. He and his brother continued to correspond through secret letters, but his brother would burn these letters as soon as he finished reading them. Courtland's whereabouts in England is unknown.
12. Murray Anson BRIDGMAN b: Mar 1857 in Nelson Township, Halton County, Upper Canada.  He married Elizabeth Jane DAVIDSON who was born b: MAY 1862 in Ontario.  Murray lived to the age of 92.  They had the following children:
    1. Thomas Barton BRIDGMAN b: JUN 1886 in Nelson Township, Halton County, Ontario
    2. Harvey Davidson BRIDGMAN b: 28 MAY 1889 in Nelson Township, Halton County, Ontario
    3. Laura E. BRIDGMAN b: MAR 1899 in Nelson Township, Halton County, Ontario

John Wesley Bridgman and Hanna Watson of Zimmerman, Halton County, Ontario

William Watson & Mary Sherwood

John Wesley Bridgman & Hannah Watson

John Wesley Bridgman (#5 above) was born in 1844 in Zimmerman, Nelson Township, Halton County, Upper Canada.  Zimmerman is located at the current intersection of Appleby Line and #2 Sideroad, just north of Highway 5/Dundas Street on the outskirts of the present-day city of Burlington, Ontario.  John married on 30 JAN 1871 in Nelson Township, Halton County to Hannah WATSON who was born on 22 JUN 1849 in Nelson Twp, Halton Co., Upper Canada Colony, British North America, as the daughter of William W. Watson and Mary Sherwood.  She was the sister of Eleazar Sherwood who married John Wesley Bridgman's sister, Elizabeth M. Bridgman, above.  Their ancestry has now been traced to the early 1700s and can be found in the accompanying Personal Data Pages, found at the bottom of this page.

John and Hannah moved briefly to Illinois, USA, where they began their family, but by 1881 they were back in Zimmerman, Halton, Ontario.  It is not known why they moved to the United States.  It may be due to the strong industrial ties between the nearby city of Hamilton and the Illinois area, particularly related to the railroad.  However the children of John and Hannah were proud of their loyalist heritage and the eldest three were embarrassed by their American births.  They lied on later census records claiming that they had been born in Nova Scotia -- this fact has led to much confusion for later researchers.

Even though John Wesley Bridgman's paternal lineage and Hannah Watson's parents were born in Yorkshire, England, the family considered themselves to be of German ethnic origin.  Obviously they were strongly influenced by the ancestry of John's mother, Elizabeth Maria Bradt, as well as the fact that they settled in a German community in Halton County. 

There is a persistent and enduring family legend among some descendents of John Wesley Bridgman and Hannah Watson that claims that they are related to Chief Joseph Brant in some manner.  However this claim is completely without merit and is discussed in detail further below.

John and Hannah had the following children:

1. William Murray BRIDGMAN b: 20 FEB 1872 in Sodorus, Illinois, USA.  Later census records wrongly indicate that William and his siblings were born in Nova Scotia.  Family tradition claims that the siblings were not proud of being born in the USA and sought to hide this fact.  William married on 24 OCT 1906 in Burlington, Halton, Ontario to Cynthia Ellen ALLEN, b: JUN 1889 in Burlington, Halton, Ontario. and had one known child:
   1. William James Allen BRIDGMAN b: 26 MAR 1908 in Burlington, Ontario.  William married on 8 SEP 1937 in Burlington, Halton, Ontario to Rachel Elizabeth JONES, b: 6 AUG 1910. They had the following children:
      1. Mary Ellen BRIDGMAN b: 5 JUL 1938 in Burlington, Halton, Ontario.  Her marriage and descendant information is private.
      2. Living BRIDGMAN
2. Elizabeth "Lizzie" Mabel BRIDGMAN b: 26 MAR 1873 in Sodorus, Illinois, USA.  She married on 3 JUL 1901 in Nelson Township, Halton County, Ontario to Frederick Thomas RICHARDSON.  Elizabeth was a school teacher who was educated at the Normal School in London, Middlesex, Ontario.  Frederick Richardson was an elementary school principal.  They settled in Hamilton and had five children.  This is the author's wife's family.  Their story continues on the Richardson Family Page.
3. John S. BRIDGMAN b: 14 OCT 1874 in Sodorus, Illinois, USA.  He had a market garden farm on Maple Ave. in Burlington, Halton, Ontario and shared ownership of a dairy with his brother George.  John married Emma L. RENTON and had the following children.  Their descendants remained in Halton County.
   1. George Renton "Rennie" BRIDGMAN b: 13 MAR 1911 in Burlington, Halton County, Ontario.  He married on 6 APR 1940 in Burlington, Halton, Ontario, Canada to Georgette Lillian EDWARDS, b: 12 SEP 1917 in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.  They had the following children:
      1. Living BRIDGMAN
      2. George Edward BRIDGMAN b: 4 AUG 1944 who never married and died at age 39.
      3. Living BRIDGMAN
   2. Mary Isabelle BRIDGMAN b: Private.  She married John Reginald Francis ATKINS, b: 31 MAR 1911, and had children.  Their descendants are not published for privacy reasons.
      1. Living ATKINS. This person's information is not published for privacy reasons.
      2. Living ATKINS. This person's information is not published for privacy reasons.
4. Ida Minnie BRIDGMAN b: 4 AUG 1877 in Zimmerman, Nelson Township, Halton County, Ontario married Howard Eugene WALKER and moved to the nearby city of Hamilton, Ontario.  They had the following children:
   1. John Henry WALKER b: 1910 in Burlington, Halton County, Ontario
   2. Ernest Bridgman WALKER b: 3 SEP 1911 in Burlington, Halton County, Ontario.  He married Ruby Marie PRIDHAM and had the following children:
      1. David Ernest WALKER b: 16 MAR 1943 who never married and died in his late 20s.
      2. Living WALKER
      3. Living WALKER
   3. George Howard WALKER b: Private.  He married Marion Laurie LAMONT and had children, whose names are not published for privacy reasons.
   4. Alma Isabel WALKER b: Private
   5. Doris WALKER b: 1916 in Burlington, Halton County, Ontario
   6. Ida WALKER b: 1918 in Burlington, Halton County, Ontario
5. George Watson BRIDGMAN b: 27 NOV 1880 in Zimmerman, Nelson Township, Halton County, Ontario.  He had a farm on New Street in Burlington, Halton, Ontario and shared ownership of a dairy with his brother John.  George married Ellen "Nell" Dora RAE.  She was born 1886.  They adopted the following child:
   1. Fred BRIDGMAN, b. AFT 1911
      1. Fred BRIDGMAN b: Private.  He married Diedre MEGAN and had children, whose names are not published for privacy reasons.
      2. Karen Louise BRIDGMAN b: Private.  She married firstly to Gary GREEN with whom she had one child whose name is not published for privacy reasons.  She married secondly to Gerry Goolie.
      3. John Andrew BRIDGMAN b: Private
      4. Richard Marton BRIDGMAN b: Private.  He married Judith Lee HOLMES and had children, whose names are not published for privacy reasons.
      5. Catherine Lee BRIDGMAN b: Private.  She married Rene SEQUIN and had children, whose names are not published for privacy reasons.
6. Mary Edith BRIDGMAN b: 9 JUN 1883 in Zimmerman, Nelson Township, Halton County, Ontario married Herbert S. ROY.  Edith and her sister Alma ran a general store near Hwy 5 and Guelph Line in Burlington, Halton, Ontario.  After a mysterious "incident", regarding her husband Herbert, which was not discussed in the family, Edith left Herbert and moved in with her sister Alma.  The two sisters moved to Burlington.

7. Milton BRIDGMAN, b. APR 1887 in Nelson Township, Halton County, Ontario and died at five weeks.  It is not certain that Milton is a child of this family. There is a Milton Bridgman who died as an infant in MAY 1887 at 5 weeks in Nelson Township, but with no parents listed on the death certificate and no corresponding birth registration. Based on geography and chronology this accounting makes the most sense.

8. Alma Evelyn BRIDGMAN b: 18 SEP 1891 in Burlington, Halton County, Ontario.  She is believed to have not married.  Alma and her sister Edith ran a general store near Hwy 5 and Guelph Line in Burlington, Halton, Ontario.  She died in 1963 in nearby Milton, Ontario.

The Descendants of Thomas Bridgman and Deborah Pettit

Thomas Bridgman was born 17 FEB 1776 in Long Island City, Queens, New York, United States.  As described above, he fled New York as an infant with his birth family and settled in New Brunswick, where he remained until the end of the 18th century.  Sometime between 1799-1802 he moved to Ontario with his older brother William Bridgman.  Thomas married on 30 DEC 1804 in Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Ontario to Deborah PETTIT, who was born 16 MAR 1782 in Easton, Northampton, Pennsylvania, United States. 

Thomas served with the 4th Lincoln Regiment in the war of 1812. His specific days of service were July 4, 1814 to July 28, 1814.  He served under the command of Captain Johnathan A. Pettit.  It seems likely that Capt. Pettit is related to Thomas's wife, Deborah Pettit.  He also served along with his brother William who was under the command of Captain William Nelles.

Thomas Bridgman and Deborah Pettit had the following known children.  Another online genealogy claims they had 14 children, but does not identify their names.  I have only been able to find 11 children:

1. John Pettit BRIDGMAN b: 1805 in Grimsby, Lincoln County, Ontario.  He married on 28 MAY 1833 in Saltfleet Township, Wentworth County, Ontario to Maria WILSON b: 11 JAN 1806 in Saltfleet Township, Wentworth County, Ontario.  They had the following children:
   1. Thomas BRIDGMAN b: 1835 in Ontario who died as a child.
   2. Hugh F. Bridgman, abt 1836
   3. Rev. Dr. George Henry BRIDGMAN,  b: 1841 in Smithville, Lincoln County, Ontario.  George was ordained as a Methodist minister in 1865.  He served 1864-1867 in Paris, Brant County, Ontario, and 1868-1871 in St. Catharines, Welland County, Ontario. It is presumed that he moved to Brantford after that as in November 1871 he was elected president of the Brantford YMCA.  He was unable to complete his term because, in 1873, he moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, USA.  George served as the president of Hamline University from 1883-1912.  Bridgman Hall at Hamline is named in his honour.  George married on 25 JUN 1873 in Brantford, Brant County, Ontario to Mary ELLIOT b: 1853 in Brantford, Brant County, Ontario.  They had the following children:
      1. Donald Elliot BRIDGMAN b: JUN 1886 in St. Paul, Ramsay County, Minnesota, USA.  Donald and his sister opened Bridgman Memorial Hall at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1954, named in honour of their father.  Donald married Elizabeth Urwick KLEIN.  They had the following children:
         1. George Henry BRIDGMAN b: Private
         2. John E. BRIDGMAN b: Private
      2. Dorothy BRIDGMAN b: JUN 1890 in St. Paul, Ramsay County, Minnesota, USA
   4. William Beamer BRIDGMAN b: 27 JUL 1844 in Saltfleet Township, Wentworth County, Ontario.  He married Martha HOWARD b: 24 MAY 1844 in Ontario and had the following children:
      1. Mary M. BRIDGMAN b: 1870 in Saltfleet, Wentworth, Ontario
      2. Charlotte Jane BRIDGMAN b: 16 SEP 1870 in Saltfleet, Wentworth, Ontario (d. 15 SEP 1960).  She is the Charlotte Bridgman who authored the Bridgman article in The Annuls of the Forty.
      3. George H. BRIDGMAN b: 1872 in Saltfleet, Wentworth, Ontario
      4. Ida E. BRIDGMAN b: 21 OCT 1873 in Saltfleet, Wentworth, Ontario
      5. John Pettit BRIDGMAN b: 29 DEC 1877 in Saltfleet, Wentworth, Ontario.  He married Louise Gertrude ORR b: 18 JUN 1877 in Ontario.  They had the following child:
         1. Howard BRIDGMAN b: ABT 1910 in Saltfleet, Wentworth, Ontario who lived in Winona.
      6. William B. BRIDGMAN b: 29 DEC 1877 in Saltfleet, Wentworth, Ontario
      7. Helen L. BRIDGMAN b: 8 MAR 1880 in Saltfleet, Wentworth, Ontario
      8. Charles Alfred BRIDGMAN b: 30 MAR 1882 in Smithville, Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Ontario.  Charles worked as a missionary in China.  He married Margaret Jean MODELAND b: ABT 1880 in Ontario.  They had the following children:
         1. Christy Jean BRIDGMAN b: ABT 1920
         2. Donald Charles BRIDGMAN , RCAF b: 15 AUG 1922 in China
         3. Elizabeth BRIDGMAN b: Private
   5. Charlotte Jane BRIDGMAN b: 16 APR 1846 in Grimsby, Lincoln County, Ontario.  She married on 11 JUL 1871 in Grimsby, Lincoln County, Ontario to Richard WOODSWORTH b: 5 JUL 1846 in Toronto, York County, Ontario.  they had the following children:
      1. Hattie WOODSWORTH b: 20 SEP 1874 in Grimsby, Lincoln or Toronto, York, Ontario
      2. Clara WOODSWORTH b: 10 NOV 1877 in Grimsby, Lincoln or Toronto, York, Ontario
      3. Edith WOODSWORTH b: 9 JUL 1879 in Grimsby, Lincoln or Toronto, York, Ontario
2. Ruth BRIDGMAN b: 13 MAY 1808 in Grimsby, Lincoln County, Ontario.  She married in OCT 1833 to Aaron EMERY b: 1808 in USA.  Nothing more is known of them.
3. Ashman BRIDGMAN b: 9 JAN 1810 in Grimsby, Lincoln County, Ontario.  He married on 30 NOV 1833 to Harriet BUCKBEE b: ABT 1810.  Nothing more is known of them.
4. Thomas Henry BRIDGMAN b: 17 AUG 1811 in Grimsby, Lincoln County, Ontario.  He married 24 NOV 1832 in Lincoln County, Ontario to Elizabeth Maria GATCHILL b: ABT 1814 in Ontario.  They had the following child:
   1.      Amelia Elizabeth BRIDGMAN b: 13 Nov 1833 in Smithville, South Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Ontario.  She died as a child.
   2. Jonathan Wesley BRIDGMAN b: 18 APR 1836 in Smithville, South Grimsby Township, Lincoln County, Ontario.  He moved sometime before 1864 to Erie County, New York, USA, where he married Henrietta Maria HUMPHREY b: ABT 1840.  They had the following child:
      1. Ida M. BRIDGMAN b: 1864 in Erie County, New York, USA

      Jonathan Wesley Bridgman married secondly on 23 OCT 1872 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, USA to Anne Marie SANFORD b: 1852 in Ohio, USA.  They had the following children:

      1. Henry Ray BRIDGMAN b: 23 OCT 1873 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, USA.  He married on 1 JUN 1898 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, USA to Henrietta Emeline RICE b: 21 JUN 1871 in Portville, New York, USA.  They had the following child:
         1. Robert Rice BRIDGMAN b: 17 APR 1899 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, USA
      2. Edith Sanford BRIDGMAN b: 1876 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, USA who died young.
      3. Gracia Sanford BRIDGMAN b: 1878 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, USA.  She married in 1902 to Ross MCMILLAN b: ABT 1880 and died a few years later.
5. Jonathan BRIDGMAN b: 23 JUN 1814 in Grimsby, Lincoln County, Ontario.  He married on 3 DEC 1838 to Elizabeth Ann EAKINS b: ABT 1815.  It is not known if they had any children.  In 1901 he is living with his nephew Arthur Bridgeman (shown below under Research Leads), but it is not known by which brother Arthur is his nephew. 1881 census is not helpful in this regard.
6. Elizabeth BRIDGMAN b: 16 MAY 1816 in Grimsby, Lincoln County, Ontario.  Nothing more is known of her.
7. Sarah BRIDGMAN b: 6 APR 1818 in Grimsby, Lincoln County, Ontario.  She married on 28 SEP 1838 to Thomas ALLEN b: ABT 1814.  It is not known if they had any children.
8. Mary BRIDGMAN b: 18 JUN 1820 in Grimsby, Lincoln County, Ontario.  She married William ALBERSON b: ABT 1816.  Nothing more is known of them.
9. Andrew Pettit BRIDGMAN b: 11 FEB 1822 in Grimsby, Lincoln County, Ontario.  He married on 13 OCT 1845 in Lincoln County, Ontario to Jane WRONG b: 1823 in Ontario.  They had the following children:
   1. Gilbert Emery BRIDGMAN b: 4 MAR 1847 in Malahide, Bayham Township, Elgin County, Ontario
   2. Maria O. BRIDGMAN b: 1850 in Lincoln County, Ontario.  In 1881 she is working as a school teacher in Lincoln County.
   3. Marcus W. BRIDGMAN b: 1 MAY 1850 in Lincoln County, Ontario.  He was also a school teacher.  He married Mary Lannie CAMPBELL b: 6 SEP 1863 in Ontario.  They had the following children:
      1. Lulu BRIDGMAN b: 28 FEB 1886 in Fort William, Algoma, Ontario
      2. Daisy May or Claire BRIDGMAN b: 30 JUL 1888 in Fort William, Algoma, Ontario.  (Census and LDS records conflict regarding her correct fist name.)
      3. Lorna BRIDGMAN b: 1 APR 1889 in Fort William, Algoma, Ontario
   4. Murray A. BRIDGMAN b: 19 MAR 1857 in Lincoln County, Ontario.  He married a woman named BERTHA b: 18 JUL 1873 in Ontario.  Her surname is unknown.  Nothing more is known of them.
   5. Ashman BRIDGMAN b: 10 NOV 1861 in Lincoln County, Ontario.  He married a woman named LOTTIE b: 15 SEP 1874 in Ontario.  Her surname is unknown.  They had the following children:
      1. Lenore BRIDGMAN b: 25 JAN 1894 in Sturgeon Falls, Nippising, Ontario
      2. Lucile BRIDGMAN b: 14 JAN 1896 in Sturgeon Falls, Nippising, Ontario
10. George Case BRIDGMAN b: 18 OCT 1823 in Grimsby, Lincoln County, Ontario.  He died young.
11. Jane Sumner BRIDGMAN b: FEB 1825 in Grimsby, Lincoln County, Ontario.  Nothing more is known about her.

Joseph Brant
Image from Wikipedia

The Legendary Connection to Chief Joseph Brant (Thayendanegea), 1742-1807

There is a persistent and enduring family legend among some descendents of John Wesley Bridgman and Hannah Watson (above) that claims that they are related to Joseph Brant in some manner.

Joseph Brant is a figure of great romance and repute in the history of the city of Burlington, Ontario where he once resided, where his museum remains, and where the local hospital is named after him.  Joseph Brant was a Mohawk born with the name Thayendanegea and chose "Joseph Brant" as his English name.  He was a Mohawk warrior who was recruited by the British during the American Revolution.  He was leader of the First Nations' forces who fought alongside Butler's Rangers.  In later years he was a highly influential advocate and ambassador for his people.  He gave his name to Tyandega subdivision and Brant Street, both in Burlington, as well as to Brant County and the city of Brantford in Ontario.  It would be an honour to have any form of family connection to Joseph Brant.   However the Bridgman claim is entirely untrue.

Three variant claims have been alleged:

1. The Bridgmans are descended from Joseph Brant.  This claim is chronologically impossible; it cannot be true.  Joseph Brant was born in 1742 in New York State while John Bridgman, patriarch of this family was a 12-year old boy still living in England.  Thus, it is impossible for the Bridgmans to descend from Joseph Brant.
   1. Could the Bridgmans be maternally descended from Joseph Brant?  Could the tradition have simply been attached to the wrong side of the family?  No.  The descendants of Joseph Brant are well documented and so far no link has been found between any descendant of his and any wife of any later Bridgman.
2. Joseph Brant's sister married a Bridgman.  This claim is nearly impossible and is certainly untrue.  We must presume that Joseph Brant's sister would be close in age to her brother and thus born in the mid-18th century.  For this claim to be true Brant's sister would have had to marry either a brother or a son of John Bridgman. 
   1. Could Joseph Brant's sister have married a brother of John Bridgman?  No.  John Bridgman had only one brother, Richard, born in England, and there is no evidence anywhere that indicates he came to North America and married Joseph Brant's sister.  Furthermore, Bridgman family records only went as far back as John Bridgman's arrival in New York ca. 1765 and there was no record of his birth family or any siblings.  His birth family was only discovered in 2006 by the members of this research project.  Thus, for it to be true that John Bridgman's brother married Joseph Brant's sister would require that Brant's sister married to a Bridgman that nobody knew existed until 2006.
   2. Could Joseph Brant's sister have married a son of John Bridgman?  No.  The marriages of all but one of John's sons have been accounted for.  The only son whose later whereabouts is uncertain is John Bridgman Jr., who was born in 1773.  John Jr. was 13 years old when the Bridgman family fled from New York and settled as Loyalists in Nova Scotia.  Joseph Brant grew up in western New York.  Thus, for this claim to be true then Joseph Brant's sister must have somehow moved to Nova Scotia and married a man that was likely close to 20 years younger than her, but left no record of such a marriage.  Again, this claim simply could not be true.
3. Joseph Brant gifted lands in Burlington to the Bridgman family.  This claim is also chronologically impossible and is certainly untrue.  The first Bridgman to come to Ontario was William Bridgman who settled in Grimsby in 1799.  Although his move to Ontario was 8 years before the death of Joseph Brant, William was living in Grimsby, nowhere near Burlington.  It was William's son, John Bridgman, who was the first of this family to settle in Burlington.  John was born in 1803 and was only 5 years old when Joseph Brant died and John did not move to Burlington until the early 1830s.  Thus, John Bridgman either received his lands from a man who'd been dead about 20 years, or Joseph Brant, on his deathbed, gave 100 acres to a 5-year old boy in Grimsby.  Neither of which makes any sense.  What might be the case is that the Bridgman family may have settled on lands that formerly belonged to Brant -- this possibility is still under investigation.  But they certainly never received any land from Brant and it's highly unlikely that any Bridgman ever even met Joseph Brant.

If any reader can provide me with any evidence that links Joseph Brant with the Bridgman family then I would be pleased to correct this article.

Research Leads

The data and families shown here under "Research Leads" represent possible leads on families that may be connected to the Bridgmans above, or are otherwise families of interest to our research.  The data below all represent "research in progress", are not verified, and may contain errors.  If you have further information on any of the families below, please post your information on the Bridgman forum found under the CONTACT information at the bottom of the page.

Middlesex County and Perth County (Nissouri and St. Marys) (and Victoria and Ontario)

Robert Bridgman and Mary

1. John Bridgman, b. 1824 in England, residing in Nissouri Township, m. 14 JAN 1864 in Perth County to Maria SMITH (believed to be the same John as follows)

John Bridgman, b. 1818 in England, Episcopalian, farmer, d. 2 MAY 1901 in St. Mary's, Perth County, Ontario, m. Mary Ann... (Betsy's mother given as Betsy), b. 1826 in England. res. 1841 Clarence, Erie County, NY, USA (John age20-30 and Female 15-20), Res 1851 West Nissouri Township (Dorchester area), Middlesex County, Ontario.

John Bridgman m 1 MAY 1836 in Moreton Hampstead, Devon, England to Mary FROST

John Henry Bridgman, b. ca. 1812 in Devon, England.  (However, he is not the John Henry Bridgman b. 1 SEP 1812 in Plymouth, Devon, England, son of John Henry Bridgman and Priscilla, as previously speculated here.)

Children:

1. John Henry Bridgman, b. 1840 in New York, USA residing 1851 in Nissouri Township, Middlesex County, Ontario, res 1881 in St. Mary's, Perth, Ontario, occ. pump maker (like brother), d. 25 SEP 1916 in St. Marys, occ well driller, m. 18 Jan 1863 to A. GREER b 1849,
   1. Mary Ann Bridgman, b. 1866 in Nissouri Township, Middlesex County, Ontario, m. 5 APR 1889 in St. Mary's, Perth County, Ontario to James WILLIAMS, b. 1863 in England., witnessed by Edward Bridgman of St. Mary's, Perth

   m2 15 Apr 1868 in West Nissouri to Hannah GLEASON, b. 2 FEB 1845 in London Township, Middlesex County, Ontario, d/o Richard Gleason and Henrietta Cambpell, d. 18 FEB 1924 in St. Mary's, Perth, Ontario.

   1. Rev. Edward J. Bridgman (Baptist), b. 1869 in St. Mary's, Perth County, Ontario, m. on 22 AUG 1895 in Port Elgin, Bruce County, Sarah Ann BANNERMAN, b. 1869 Woolwich Township, d/o John Bannerman and Flora
      1. Oscar Wilfred Bridgman, b. 10 May 1897 in Brock Township, Ontario County, Ontario.
      2. Beulah Fern Bridgman, b. 9 Apr 1899 in Lakefield, Peterborough, Ontario
      3. Campbell Gordon Bridgman, b. 5 Oct 1901 in Lakefield, Peterborough, Ontario
   2. Henrietta Bridgman, b. 1871 in Ontario, d. aft 1881
   3. John Henry Bridgman, b. 1874 in St. Mary's, Perth, Ontario, m. 1 MAY 1907 in Widdifield, Nippissing District, Ontario to Mary Agnes HOWATT, b. 1879 in Smith Creek, Michigan, USA to Robert and Margaret Howatt.
   4. Jennie Bridgman, b. 1876 in St. Mary's, Perth, Ontario, m. 16 Dec 1903 in St. Mary's, Perth County, Ontario to James Freeman KELLEUM, b. 1875 in West Nissouri Township, Middlesex County, Ontario, s/o Charles Kelleum and Francis Mossip
   5. William Bridgman, b. 1878 in Ontario, d. aft 1881.
2. Sarah Bridgman, b. 1842 in USA or East Nissouri Township, Middlesex County, m. on 30 MAY 1860 in Oxford County to John RUMBLE, b. 1834 in West Nissouri Township, Middlesex County
3. Betsy Bridgman, b. 1844 in West Nissouri Township, Middlesex County, Ontario, m. 27 MAY 1861 in Oxford County to George HUMPHREY, b. 1840 in Quebec.
4. Susan E. Bridgman, b. 1846 in Canada, residing in Nissouri, Middlesex, Ontario, m. 2 Jul 1862 in Oxford County to Thomas MCDONALD, b. 1838 in Ontario.
5. Mary A. Bridgman, b. 1848 in Canada
6. Thomas Bridgman, b. 1850 in Canada, witnessed his brother's wedding in 1875, d. 16 DEC 1912 in Middlesex County, Ontario (son of John Bridgman), m. 20 Aug 1877 in West Nissouri, Middlesex, Ontario to Mary Frances WILCOX, b. 1856 in Ontario to John and Elizabeth Wilcox.
7. Margaret Bridgman, b. 1853, Blanchard Township, m. 1 JAN 1876 in Middlesex County to Robert DAVIS, b 1848, West Nissouri Township
8. Robert Bridgman, b. 1855 in Nissouri Township, Middlesex County, Ontario, occ pump maker, m. on 22 DEC 1875 in St. Mary's, Perth County to Mary Ann HALEY, b. 1855 in Blanchard Township.  Witnessed by Thomas Bridgman. res. 1881 in St. Mary's, Perth, Ontario
   1. Robert Sidney Bridgman, b. 1877 in Ontario, m. 28 Oct 1908 in West Nissouri, Middlesex, Ontario to Hattie Jane LINDSAY, b. 1886 in West Nissouri Township to George Lindsay and Lucy Uren.
      1. Margaret Laurel Bridgman, b. 4 MAY 1920 in West Nissouri, d. 11 JUN 1932 in West Nissouri
   2. Mary A. Bridgman, b. 1879 in St. Mary's, Perth County, Ontario, m. 10 APR 1907 West Nissouri Township, Middlesex County, Ontario to Daniel Peter CAMERON, b. 1862 in West Nissouri Township, Middlesex County, Ontario
   3. Arthur Bridgman, b. 21 OCT 1880 in St. Mary's, Perth, Ontario
   4. Clara Maria Bridgman, b. 29 Nov 1883 in West Nissouri Township, Middlesex County, Ontario, m. 7 FEB 1912 in West Nissouri Township, Middlesex County to Robert James WISEMAN, b. 1887 s/o William Wiseman and Margaret Stewart
   5. William R. Bridgman, b. abt MAR 1884 in West Nissouri Township, Middlesex County, Ontario, d. 4 SEP 1884 in West Nissouri ("accidentally crushed")

James Bridgman, b. abt 1837 in England, d. 23 JAN 1909 in Strathroy, Middlesex, Ontario.

Elizabeth Bridgman, widow, b. 1850 in Devonshire, England, d. 19 JUN 1925 in London, Middlesex, Ontario, widow of?, son: "L.G. Bridgman" of London.

Robert Bridgman , b. 1816 in England, residing 1851 in Kincardine, Bruce County, Ontario and Jane GUEST, b. 1820 in Ireland

1. Anne Bridgman, b. 1844 in London Township, Middlesex, Ontario, m. 7 Jan 1871 in London Township, Middlesex County, Ontario to Joseph CROWE, b. 1846 in Ireland, s/o James Crowe and Anne Bell.
2. Fanny Bridgman, b. 1846 in Ontario
3. Jane Bridgman, b. 1848 in Ontario
4. Sarah Bridgman, b. 1849 in Ontario

Andrew Bridgman (possibly Andrew Petit Bridgman, but it seems a little young for him) and Mary

1. Caroline Bridgman, b. 1838 in Canada, residing in Dorchester Township, Middlesex County, m. 17 FEB 1862 in Middlesex County to John DENNIS, b. 1836 in Canada.

Simcoe County (Orillia, Collingwood) and Muskoka (Draper, Muskoka Falls near Gravenhurst)

Nathaniel Bridgman, b. ABT 1816 in Devon, England (IGI), d. bef 1881, m. ABT 1831 in Devon, England to Elizabeth RUNDALL, b. abt 1810 in Devon, England, d. aft 1881, residing in 1841 in Bridgrule, Black Torrington, Devon

1. William Bridgman, b. 1830-1833 in Devon, England, (age given as 51 on son's birth registration -- in 1874 or 1887?, 82 on death cert.), res. 1881 Matchedash & Orillia, Simcoe North, Ontario, d. 4 FEB 1912 in Orillia, Simcoe, Ontario, s/o Nathaniel, m. Elizabeth NEWLOVE, d. bef 1881

   1. Nathaniel Bridgman, b. 1858 in Ontario, res 1881 Matchedash & Orillia, Simcoe North, Ontario, m. Martha Ann HUDSON, b. 1859 in Ontario

      1. Ida M. Bridgman, b. 1880 in Ontario
      2. Sephronia Bridman, b. JAN 1881 in Ontario
      3. Earl Bridgman, b. 16 May 1891 in Orillia, Simcoe County, Ontario
      4. Eva Bridgman, b. 16 Nov 1895 in Simcoe County, Ontario
   2. Isaac Bridgman, b. 6 NOV 1861 in York County, Ontario, d. 10 MAY 1920 in Draper Township, Muskoka, Ontario (son of William Bridgman and Elizabeth NEWLOVE, informant: "Aralance"? Bridgman, son.), m. 15 MAR 1893 in Housy's Rapids, Ontario to Jessie MILLER
      1. Robina May Bridgman, b. 18 Dec 1893 in Muskoka Falls, Muskoka, Ontario, m. 24 Nov 1915 in Uffingham, Muskoka District, Mukoka, Ontario to Alexander HAWN, b. 1880 in Wales, Stormont, Ontario to Joseph Hawn and Mary Ann Amar.
      2. Isaac Chalmer Bridgman, b. 11 SEP 1896 in Draper Township, Muskoka District, Ontario
      3. Robert Kenneth Bridgman, b. 30 Aug 1901 (IGI: Housey's Rapids), Monck Township, Muskoka, Ontario, d. 27 OCT 1983
      4. William Dilbert Bridgman, b. 3 Jul 1903 in Draper Township, Muskoka, Ontario
      5. Milton Lloyd Bridgman, b. 4 OCT 1905 in (IGI: Housey's Rapids), Draper Township, Muskoka, Ontario, d. 18 APR 1969
      6. Percy Allison Bridgman, b. abt 1908 in Toronto, York Ontario, d. 13 NOV 1957
   3. Margaret Elizabeth Bridgman, b. 3 MAR 1865, m. Robert BREEDON and resided in Tottenham, Simcoe, Ontario in 1887 when she was the informant of her brother's birth (perhaps her brother died at this time without a proper birth certificate.)
   4. Cirelda Bridgman, b. 1869 in Ontario, d. aft 1881
   5. William Bridgman, b. 9 Nov 1874 in North Orillia, Simcoe, Ontario, m. Sarah Jane WALKER, b. Draper Township, Muskoka, Ontario
      1. George Wilton Bridgman, b. 9 AUG 1900 in Ontario (possibly in Muskoka)
      2. William Stanley Bridgman, b. 3 Jul 1902 in Draper Township, Muskoka, Ontario
      3. Gladys Muriel Irene Bridgman, b. 9 APR 1904 in Draper Township, Muskoka, Ontario
      4. Lillian Gwendolyn Bridgman, b. 18 AUG 1910 in Draper Township, Muskoka, Ontario, d. 23 AUG 1910 same place
2. Matilda Bridgman, b. 1840 in Devon, England
3. Arthur C. Bridgman, b. abt 1838-1841 in Devon, England, res. 1881 in Matchedash & Orillia, Simcoe North, Ontario with widowed mother Elizabeth
4. Francis/Frank Bridgman, b. 1832/1842 in Devon, England, res. 1881 in Matchedash & Orillia, Simcoe North, Ontario, d. 30 OCT 1920 as in indigent in a house of refuge, Tecumseh, Simcoe County, Ontario with no informant, m. 15 Apr 1878 in North Orillia, Simcoe County, Ontario to Pheobe SAUNDERS, b. 1848 in England or PEI, d/o John and Jane Saunders.
   1. William Bridgman, b. 1863 in Ontario, d. aft 1881 (res w/ family in 1881 but may not be a son)
   2. Emma Bridgman, b. 1875 in Ontario, d. aft 1881
   3. Frank Nathaniel Bridgman, b. 17 Apr 1878 in Orillia, Simcoe, Ontario, d. 12 MAR 1879 in Orillia, Simcoe, Ontario
5. Lenora Louise Bridgman, b. 1847 in Devon, England, d. 24 APR 1933 in Hamilton, Wentworth, Ontario

Robert Bridgman and Sarah BOROS, believed to be the Sarah Bridgman, b. 1851 in England, d. 24 JUL 1900 in Collingwood, Simcoe, Ontario

1. Hannah Bridgman, b. 1875 in Nottawasaga, Simcoe County, Ontario, m. 7 Mar 1900 in Collingwood, Simcoe County, Ontario to Henry THOMPSON, b. 1875 in West Essa, Ontario.
2. Harry Bridgman, b. 1877 in Nottawasaga, Simcoe County, Ontario, m. 4 APR 1900 in Collingwood, Simcoe County, Ontario to Margaret Etta BEST, b. 1878 in Nottawasaga, Ontario.
   1. Wanda (or Maude) A. Bridgman, b. 6 Jan 1901 in Collingwood, Simcoe County, Ontario (birth register corrected from "Maude" to "Wanda" by a later informant, whose identity is illegible.)
   2. Swan? Margaret Bridgman, b. 15 Jan 1902 in Collingwood, Simcoe County, Ontario
   3. Lylia Dolores Bridgman, b. 22 Jul 1903 in Collingwood, Simcoe County, Ontario
   4. Erma Ethel Bridgman (twin), b. 7 Mar 1905 in Collingwood, Simcoe County, Ontario
   5. Norma Marion Bridgman (twin), b. 7 Mar 1905 in Collingwood, Simcoe County, Ontario
   6. Audrey Isabel Bridgman, b. 8 May 1907 in Collingwood, Simcoe County, Ontario

George Bridgman and Catherine BAKER

1. Gertrude Beatrice Louisa Bridgman, b. 18 Nov 1898 in Nottawasaga, Simcoe County, Ontario
2. Robert Frederick Bridgman, b. 28 Aug 1903 in Collingwood, Simcoe County, Ontario

Dufferin County (Mono) [west of Simcoe]

Walter Bridgman and Christina WILSON in Dufferin

1. Thomas W. Bridgman, b. 7 Nov 1905 in in Mono Township (Orangeville), Dufferin County, Ontario
2. Helen M. (or Y.) Bridgman, b. 15 Feb 1907 in Mono Centre (Orangeville), Dufferin County, Ontario, d. 19 FEB 1907 in Mono, Dufferin County, Ontario

York County (and Middlesex)

John Bridgman. He MAY be the father of:

1. Jonathan Bridgman, b. 25 APR 1742 in Cross Or New Meeting-Presbyterian, Moreton Hampstead, Devon, England.  He MAY be the father of:
   1. Jonathan Bridgman b. 29 MAR 1789 in Moretonhampstead, Devon, England, m. abt 1810 to Mary.  They MAY be the parents of:
      1. William Bridgman in Devon, England, b. 1812-1815 in Moretonhampstead, Devon, England, (IGI: 1811 in Bovey Tracey) residing 1861 in Ashburton, Devon, England, ag lab, widower in 1861, (not with family in 1851), res in 1841 Ilsington, Devon, England (w/11 yr old Mary Bridgman, sister?), m. 3 JUL 1836 in Throwleigh, Devon, England to Mary HILL (occ 1851 labourer's wife), b. 1815 in Throwleigh, Devon, England, residing in 1851 in 16 Cross Street, Moreton Hampstead, Devon, England
         1. Selina Bridgman, b. 1840 in Ilsington, Devon, England, m. 27 Aug 1868 in Toronto, York, Ontario to George William Warren HARRIS, b. 1835 in England to Robert and Jane Harris.
         2. Emma Bridgman, b. 1843 in Ilsington, Devon, England, residing w/mother in 1851, not with family in 1861
         3. Ann Bridgman, b. 1845 in Ilsington, Devon, England, m. 2 JUL 1873 in Toronto, York County, Ontario to Henry Matthews COLEMAN, b. 1847 in England
         4. Jonathan Bridgman, b. 1847 in Bovey Tracey, Devon, England, residing with mother in 1851.
         5. William Bridgman, b. 20 JUL 1850 in Moretonhampstead, Devon, England, d. 30 JUN 1909 in London, Middlesex, Ontario, merchant, (mother given as "Harriet" on death cert), m. 2 JUL 1873 in Toronto, York County, Ontario to Elizabeth SAUNDERS, b. 1850 in England, d/o Peter and Jane Saunders:

            1. William James Bridgman, b. ABT 1870 (telegraph operator, informant on his father's death) and Della ANDERSON

               1. Helen Elizabeth Bridgman, b. 20 Jun 1899 in London, Middlesex, Ontario
               2. William John Bridgman, b. 2 Oct 1905 in London, Middlesex, Ontario
               3. Robert James Bridgman, b 5 NOV 1909 in London, Middlesex, Ontario.  He married in June 1936 to Margaret Alice Johnson, b 18 FEB 1911.
            2. Charles Saunders Bridgman, b. 1877 in Toronto, York County, Ontario, architect, residing in New York City, m. 1 JAN 1903 in Middlesex County, Ontario to Maida (Maude?) Helena MCBROOM, b  1879 in London, Middlesex, Ontario.  Additional information on this family can be found on our Bridgman discussion forum here: http://www.hostmybb.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=82&mforum=rykbrowngenealo
            3. Margaret Jane Bridgman, b. 3 OCT 1877 in Toronto, York County, Ontario, m. 9 AUG 1904 in London, Middlesex to Fred EVANS
            4. William Henry Bridgman, b. 20 Oct 1879 in Toronto, York, Ontario
            5. Edward Bridgman, b. 16 Oct 1881 in Toronto, York, Ontario, d. 12 MAR 1882 in Toronto, York, Ontario.
            6. Frederick George Bridgman, b. 1885 in London, Middlesex, Ontario, hardware merchant, residing in Winnipeg, Manitoba, m. 24 JUN 1915 in Middlesex, to Beulah Leila NEWANS, b. 1889 in Brook Township
               1. William Frederick Bridgman, RCAF, b. 7 FEB 1922 in London, Middlesex, Ontario, d. 13 JAN 1945 in Belgium in combat.

            7. Leonard Gordon Bridgman, 16 JUN 1888 in London, Middlesex, Ontario

            8. Verna Selina Bridgman, b. 10 DEC 1893 in London, Middlesex, Ontario

Additional information on the preceding family can be found on our Bridgman discussion forum here: http://www.hostmybb.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=82&mforum=rykbrowngenealo .  This family is being researched by Drew Benfield.

William Bridgman.  (He matches closely with the family above, but according to Drew Benfield, this William Bridgman is not identical with William Bridgman b 1850 above.)

1. Ciselda (Cirelda) Bridgman, b. 1869 in Ontario, m. 30 JAN 1895 in King, York County, Ontario to David LOVE, b. 1864 in King, York, Ontario, gardener, residing in Aurora, York, Ontario

Louise Bridgman, b. 1872 in Toronto, York, Ontario, d. 11 OCT 1900 in Toronto, York, Ontario, single (probably dtr of William above)

Edward George (Or Godfrey) Bridgman (occ "shoemaker" at time of William's birth) and Helen TURNER

1. Mary Franklin Bridgman, b. 12 MAY 1894 in Toronto, York, Ontario
2. William Edward Bridgman, b. 4 Jul 1896 in Guelph, Wellington County, Ontario, m. 26 NOV 1919 in York County, Ontario, to Martha Edna MOULDS, b. 1897 in Ravenshoe.
3. Nellie J. Bridgman, b. 19 Jan 1899 in Guelph, Wellington County, Ontario
4. Edward Godfrey Bridgman, b. 20 Feb 1904 in York, Ontario

George Bridgman and Amy COCKS (possibly son of John Wesley B and Hannah Watson)

1. Florence Amy Bridgman, b. 17 Jun 1906 in Toronto, York, Ontario
2. Stella Bridgman, b. 4 JULY 1914 in Toronto, York, Ontario, d. 6 APR 1922 at Sick Children's Hospital, Toronto, York, Ontario

Jonathan Bridgman (occ. bartender) and Susannah YABSLEY

1. Mary Elizabeth Bridgman, b. 25 JUL 1873 in Toronto, York, Ontario

Jonathan Bridgman (occ. labourer) and Elisabeth SEABROOK

1. Matilda Bridgman, b. 13 NOV 1876 in Toronto, York, Ontario
2. Walter Bridgman, b. 23 Nov 1878 in Toronto, York, Ontario

Walter William Bridgman and Jane KEARSEY

1. Joseph Bridgman, b. 1880 in England, m. 24 APR 1907 in Toronto, York, Ontario to Isabella Stack OGILVIE, b. 1880 in Scotland to William Ogilvie and Barbara Wier.

Oliver William Bridgman and Louisa JAMES

1. Oliver William Richard Bridgman, b. 2 NOV 1883 in Toronto, York, Ontario

Thomas Bridgman and Elizabeth Bridgman in England

1. Frederick Bridgman, b. 19 DEC 1878 in England, d. 1 NOV 1930 in Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, York, Ontario, m. Beatrice, resided in Forest, Ontario

Lennox and Addington County (Richmond) [south of Renfrew, west of Kingston]

Thomas Bridgman, b. 1810 in England, farmer, Methodist, residing in in 1851 in Richmond, Lennox County, d. 5 MAR 1873 in Selby, Lennox and Addington, Ontario, m. Jane b. 1811

(possible res. 1841 St. John Hackney, Middlesex, England, all born outside the county, head: William Bridgman b. abt 1796, wife, Mary b 1796, Sarah b 1829, Thomas b. 1830, Rebecca b 1836, Elizabeth b. 1838.)

1. Mary Ann Bridgman, b. 1833 in England
2. Rebecca Bridgman, b. 1835 in England
3. Martha Bridgman, b. 1837 in England
4. Eliza Bridgman, b. 1841 in England

William Bridgman and Elizabeth in England

1. Jane Bridgman, b. 1812 in England, m. 20 Aug 1873 in Lennox and Addington to George FORBIS, b. 1805 in Canada.

Northumberland County

Frances Bridgman (f), b. 1811 in England, working 1851 in Cramahe Township, Northumberland, Ontario, farm labourer, Methodist, residing outside limits

Durham County (Bowmanville and Darlington)

William Bridgman b. abt 1820 in Hawkwill, Sutcombe, Devon, England (10km west of Buckland Filleigh).  m. Dec 1844 in Sutcombe, Devon (or Cornwall), England to Grace Watts ALLIN, b. 28 DEC1823 in Sutcombe, Devon, England, bap.16 JAN 1824 in Holsworthy, Devon, England d/o Philip Allin and Grace Watts

1. Thomas Watts Bridgman, b. 1846 in Sutcombe, Devon, England, accountant, residing in 1881 in Bowmanville, Durham, Ontario, d. 4 MAR 1889 in Ottawa, Carleton County, Ontario, m. OCT 1871 in Oshawa, Ontario County, Ontario to Maggie KNIVER, b. 1845 in England, d/o William and Margaret Kniver. Residing in 1881 in Bowmanville, Durham County, Ontario
   1. Florence Viola Bridgman, b. 16 AUG 1873 in Ontario, d. 28 JUL 1930 in Ottawa, Carleton, Ontario, civil servant, never married.
   2. William Thomas Bridgman, b. 6 Sep 1876 in Bowmanville, Durham, Ontario, d. after 1930 (informant at his sister's death)
2. Elizabeth Bridgman, b. 1849 in Sutcombe, Devon, England
3. John Bridgman, b. 1851 in Sutcombe, Devon, England.  He may be the Rev. John Bridgman, Bible Christian Minister, who married Jane Kingdon? (also recorded as "Jane Bridgman") and had the following:
   1. Jonathan John Bridgman, b. 4 Oct 1871 in Darlington, Durham, Ontario
   2. James Wicket Bridgman, 29 APR 1874 in Darlington, Durham County, Ontario
   3. Emily Jane Bridgman, b. 28 DEC 1875 in Darlington, Durham County, Ontario.

Welland County

Ernest Bridgman and Alice REEVES

1. Ethel Bridgman, b. 1894 in Hammersmith, m. 27 APR 1921 in Welland City, Welland County, Ontario to Harry LOWES, b 1897 in Port Hope, Ontario

William Bridgman and Maria (note duplicate below)

1. Walter H. Bridgman, b. 1855 in Syracuse, New York, USA, m. 23 Apr 1882 in Pelham, Welland, Ontario to Amerettie MCCOMBS, b. 1863 in Thorold, Welland, Ontario to Stephen and Amy McCombs

William H. Bridgman and Hannah (note duplicate above)

1. Walter Hayle Bridgman, b. 1855 in New York State, USA, widower, m. 24 Apr 1882 in Pelham, Welland, Ontario to Anna Annetta MCCOMBS, b. 1863 in Thorold, Welland, Ontario to Stephen and Emma McCombs

Jonathan Bridgman, b. abt 1813 in Welland County, Ontario, d. 23 SEP 1900 in Aylmer, Elgin, Ontario

Oxford County

John Bridgman and Agnes GILL, b. 1805 in England, res 1881 Montreal widow, with son George.

1. George Gill Bridgman, b. 1847/1852 in East Zorra Township, Oxford County, Ontario, res. 1881 in Montreal, PQ, (birth given as Montreal) m. 1877 in Montreal, Hull, Quebec(?-IGI) to Lucy Ann HARWOOD, b. 03 APR 1856 in East Zorra Township, Oxford County, Ontario (1881 birth given as Montreal)
   1. Francois/Frank Harwood Bridgman, b. 1880 in Montreal, Quebec or East Zorra Township, Oxford County, Ontario. d. 7 JUN 1882
   2. George Harwood Bridgman, b. 1883 in " , d. 18 OCT 1885
   3. John Henry Bridgman, b. 1885 in ditto, d. 24 JAN 1886
   4. Della Merle Bridgman, b. 7 DEC 1886 in or " , d. 8 JAN 1945
   5. Randolph Harwood Bridgman, b. 1 JUN 1892 in ditto, d. 10 MAR 1950

Wentworth County

George Bridgman and Emily Gibbs in England

1. George Frederick Gibbs Bridgman, b. 1891 in Swindon, Wiltshire, England, residing in Toronto m. 4 SEP 1920 in Hamilton, Wentworth County, Ontario to Nellie WALTERS, b. 1895 in Nottingham, England to Samuel Walters and Mary Ann Wilson

Halton County

Josiah Bridgman and Eva REVELL

1. Abner Bridgman, b. 2 May 1878 in Nelson, Halton, Ontario

Minnie Bridgman, b. abt 1866 in Nelson, Halton, Ontario, d. 11 AUG 1904 in Nelson, Halton, Ontario. single.

Kent County

William Bridgman and Mand in Detroit, Michigan, USA

1. Mand Bridgman, b. 1873 in Detroit, Michigan, USA, m. 3 JAN 1895 in Chatham, Kent County, Ontario to Walter CHAMPMAN, b. 1873 in Glencoe, Middlesex, Ontario to Henry and Alice Chapman

Irish and/or Catholic Bridgmans in Ontario

Renfrew County and Algoma County (Brudenell, Radcliffe and Rayside) and Carleton (Ottawa)

Maurice Bridgman, b. 1813 in Ireland, servant, res 1851 in Horton, Renfrew County, Roman Catholic, farm servant (for Duncan McIntyre 1812 of Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland), m. Mary BOURK:

1. Maurice Bridgman, b. 1831 in Ireland, m. 12 Feb 1861 in Radcliffe Township, Renfrew County, Ontario to M. Jane MCCORMACK, b. 11 MAY 1839 in Ontario d/o Patrick McCormack and Bridget Doyle, (d. bef. daughter Ellen's wedding) d. 23 MAY 1914 in Radcliffe, Renfrew, Ontario (informant John Bridgman)
   1. Mary Bridgman, b. 1863 in Brudenell, Renfrew, Ontario, m. 14 JAN 1901 in Gratan, Renfrew County, Ontario to Peter LARONDE, b. 1861 in Opcealo to Dennis Laronde and Margaret Burke.
   2. Bridget Bridgman, b. 1864 in Radcliffe, Renfrew County, Ontario, m. 16 JAN 1893 in Renfrew County to Jeremie DODGE, b. 1867 in Quebec.
   3. Maggie Bridgman, b. abt 1865 in Radcliffe, Renfrew, Ontario, d. 15 MAY 1899 in same place (informant Maurice Bridgman)
   4. Jane Bridgman, b. 01 OCT 1871 in Brudenell, Renfrew, Ontario
   5. Maurice/Morris Bridgman, b. 8 MAR 1868 in Ontario, d. 27 FEB 1932 in Ottawa, Carleton, Ontario, residing in Rockington. (son of Morris Bridgman and Jane McCormick, informant sister Eliz Duffy)
   6. Elizabeth Bridgman, b. 1876 in Ontario, m. 22 APR 1901 in Ottawa, Carleton, Ontario to Alexander DUFFY, b. 1869 in Ontario, s/o John Duffy and Catherine McDonald
   7. Patrick Bridgman, b. 1879 in Ontario, m. 25 FEB 1904 in Algoma County, Ontario to Mary Agnes MALEY, b. 1875 in Ontario c/o Michael Maley and Mary Cody.
      1. Francis Howard Bridgman, b. 15 Jun 1905 in Rayside, Algoma County, Ontario
      2. Patrick M. Bridgman, b. 15 Dec 1907 in Balfour, Algoma, Ontario
      3. Mary Patricia Bridgman, b. 22 APR 1913 in Chelmford, Sudbury District, Ontario, d. 28 JUN 1913 in same
   8. Ellen Honorah Bridgman, b. 1884 in Brudenell, Renfrew, Ontario, m. 28 OCT 1914 in Ottawa, Carleton, Ontario to Michael James CASSIDY, b. 1885 in Fallowfield, Ontario s/o late Thomas Cassidy and Margaret Burns

John Bridgman

1. Maurice Bridgman, b. 1873 in Brudenell, Renfrew, Ontario, m. 26 AUG 1901 in Brudenell, Renfrew, Ontario to Bridget DALEY (note Bridget Doyle above), b. 1874 in in Brusly to Joseph Daley and Ann McPeak

John Bridgman

1. John Bridgman, b. 3 NOV 1906 in Rayside, Algoma County, Ontario, d. 4 NOV 1906 same, son of John Bridgman (RC)

John Bridgman, (possibly the preceding) b. abt 1821 in Ireland, Roman Catholic, d. 26 NOV 1886 in Brantham, Renfrew, Ontario

Margaret Bridgman, b. abt 1809 in Limerick County, Ireland, d. 12 APR 1892 in B~~yham, Renfrew County, Ontario
Margaret Bridgman, b. abt 1815 in Limerick County, Ireland, d. 10 MAY 1889 in Bagot and Blythefield, Renfrew County, Ontario, farmer's wife

Margaret Bridgman, widow, b. 17 AUG 1846 in England, d. 19 MAR 1920 in Ottawa, Carleton, Ontario, informant: Miss FV Bridgman, dtr

York County

James Bridgman and Mary MCBIONS in Ireland

1. James Bridgman, b. ? in Ireland, m. 1 JUN 1864 in Toronto, York, Ontario to Mary A. DALTON, b. ? in Ireland, d/o Michael Dalton and Margaret Roche

Victoria County (Lindsay, Peterborough)

John Bridgman and Josephine BONDY or BEAUDRY

1. Daniel Bridgman, b. 1896 in Lindsay, Victoria County, Ontario, solider, Roman Catholic, m. 8 NOV 1915 in Peterborough, Ontario to Emma LEFEBVRE, b. 1897 in Peterborough, d/o Alfred Lefebvre and Mary Jane Lan.
2. Albert Edward Bridgman, b. 9 Feb 1902 in Lindsay, Victoria, Ontario

Norfolk County

Thomas Bridgman and Ann in Ireland, children:

1. Hewitt Bridgman, b. 1828 in Ireland, m. 24 Nov 1870 in Walsingham, Norfolk County, Ontario to Elizabeth NORTH, b. 1840 in Ireland, d/o John and Mary Ann Hutchinson.  res 1851 in Walsingham, Norfolk, Ontario, labourer, with wife "Ellen"
2. Thomas Bridgman, b. 1830 in Ireland, m. on 7 MAY 1863 in Walsingham, Norfolk County, Ontario to Eliza MARSHALL b. 12 AUG 1841 in Hamilton, Wentworth, Ontario, d. 19 AUG 1931 in Walsingham?(illeg), Norfolk County, Ontario.
   1. Ella Bridgman, b. 1875 in Walsingham, Norfolk, Ontario, m. 27 Nov 1900 in Walsingham, Norfolk County, Ontario to Marshall WHITEHEAD, b. 1869 in Charlotteville, Norfolk County, Ontario, s/o Peter Whitehead and Mary Ann Howey
   2. Hewitt Bridgman, b. 18 Dec 1875 in Township of North Walsingham, Norfolk, Ontario, m. 14 Jun 1916 in Norfolk, Ontario to Maud Alice COLLYER, b. 1897 in Victoria, BC
      1. Robert Edmund Bridgman, b. 4 AUG 1928 in Township of North Walsingham, Norfolk, Ontario, d. 25 JAN 1929 in Township of North Walsingham, Norfolk, Ontario,
3. Winter Bridgman, b. 26 DEC 1837 in Ireland, immigrated 1840?, residing in 1901 in Windham, Norfolk, Ontario, d. 15 DEC 1912 in Windham, Norfolk, Ontario (son of Thomas and Annie Bridgman), m. Alice MCDONALD, b. 27 JUN 1840 in Lyndoch, Ontario to Andrew McDonald of Ireland and Mary Ann McMahon, d. 28 JUN 1901 in Ridgetown, Kent County, Ontario.
   1. Mary A. L. Bridgman, b. NOV 1864 in Charlotteville, Norfolk, Ontario, d. 11 FEB 1876 in Windham, Norfolk, Ontario
   2. Ellen Bridgman, b. 1869 in Norfolk County, Ontario, m. 26 Jun 1889 in Windham, Norfolk County, Ontario to William DOYLE, b. 1863 in Ireland, s/o Thomas Doyle and Ellen Hunt
   3. William Winter Bridgman, b. 18 Jan 1871 in Walsingham, Norfolk, Ontario, d. 4 DEC 1892 in Windham, Norfolk, Ontario
   4. James Francis (or Andrew) Bridgman, b. 29 Aug 1873 in Windham, Norfolk County, Ontario, residing in Charletone, Illinois, USA, engineer, d. 23 FEB 1904 in Windham, Norfolk, Ontario (res. Charleton, Ill), m. 25 SEP 1901 in Windham, Norfolk County, Ontario to Catherine WOLFE, b. 1875 in Windham, Norfolk, Ontario, d/o Albert Wolfe and Margaret Smith
   5. John Edward Bridgman, b. 2 May 1876 in Windham, Norfolk, Ontario. (informant at his mother's death)
   6. Joseph Augustus Bridgman, b. 7 JUN 1881 in Townsend Centre, Norfolk County, Ontario residing with father in 1901, m. 27 NOV 1907 in Lindsay, Victoria, Ontario to Mary CONNOLLY, b. 1880 in Lindsay, Victoria, Ontario to James Connolly and Julia Neagle, d. 2 DEC 1918 in Lindsay, Victoria, Ontario (informant: husband), residing in Detroit.
4. Henry Bridgman, b. 1838 in Ireland, labourer, Roman Catholic, bachelor, residing in 1881 in Walsingham, Norfolk South, Ontario (not confirmed as a son)

Kent County

John Bridgman and Mary Ann HUTCHINSON

1. Eliza Bridgman, b. 1841 in County Antrim, Ireland, Presbyterian, residing in St. Clair, Michigan, USA, m. 28 Mar 1888 in Chatham, Kent County, Ontario to William BELL, b. 1841 in County Monaghan, Ireland, s/o John and Fanny Bell, residing in Raleigh, Kent County, Ontario, Presbyterian.

Middlesex and Essex County

John W. Bridgman, b. Buffalo NY, Irish RC, residing in Windsor, Ont, and Dorothy Mullins, b. London, Ont

1. Margaret Mary Bridgman, b. 26 JUN 1926 in London, Ont, d. 27 JUN 1926 (res Windsor)

Erie County, New York, USA

The follow entries are presumed to be descendants of Jonathan Wesley BRIDGMAN b: 18 APR 1836, son of Thomas Henry Bridgman, shown above.  However their exact relationships are unknown.

William Bridgman and Amelia Cole

1. Celia Bridgman, b. 1865 in Coldas, New York, USA, m. 2 APR 1900 in Welland, Ontario to Ira PROCTOR

Alfred Bridgman and Martha KING

1. Alfred T. Bridgman, b. 1850, NYC, m. 12 MAY 1907 in Welland County, Ontario, to Ida VETTER, b. 1867 in NYC, d/o Frank Kramee and Francis Guel

Links

Fellow Researchers

People researching this family include the following.  If you wish your name added to the fellow researchers' list, please contact me.

Index & Personal Information Pages (GEDCOM)

For more information on any individual person featured on this page, please:
1. click on the INDEX button below,
2. then select the first letter of the surname you are looking for.

The index button will take you to my searchable GEDCOM database hosted by RootsWeb's World Connect Project. This allows you to download my GEDCOM in 10-generation chunks.  Then you can import my data directly into your own genealogy program without having to retype it.

Legend

= This person has known descendants.

ABT = "about" and is used in three ways:

1. Where it precedes a precise date of birth, such as "ABT 3 DEC 1855", then it means that the person was baptized on 3 DEC 1795, but his/her exact date of birth is unknown.

2. Where it precedes a semi-precise date of birth with the month only given, such as "ABT DEC 1855", then that means that the birth is recorded in the civil birth registrations for the quarter ending with that month.  Thus the person's birth was registered sometime between the beginning of October 1855 and the end of December 1855, but no baptism record has been found nor any more precise birth record.

3. Where it precedes a year only, such as "ABT 1855", then it means that there is no information on the person's birth date at all and an educated guess has been made that he/she was probably born sometime around 1855.

Contact

Please post your questions, comments, corrections, or additional information to:

RYK BROWN'S GENEALOGY DISCUSSION FORUM
(click on the link to be taken to the discussion forum)

I will no longer be accepting genealogical inquiries via email.
If you wish to contact me regarding any genealogical matters
please post your inquiry on the discussion forum
and I will be pleased to respond to you there.

This page was last updated on September 24, 2010