Joseph Bridger, Sr. (b. Abt. 1628, d. April 15, 1686)
Joseph Bridger, Sr. (son of Samuel Bridger and Mary Webb) was born Abt. 1628 in Gloucester, England;Woodmancote Manor, and died April 15, 1686 in Isle of Wight Co, VA. He married Hester Pitt on 1672 in Isle of Wight Co, VA, daughter of Robert Pitt and Hester Stevens.
Notes for Joseph Bridger, Sr.: (Info from 17th Century Isle of Wight book) Third son of Samuel. Well educated. Member of House of Burgesses from the Isle of Wight, 1657-8. Also member of the House in 1663. CPT. Patented 300 acres on branch of Blackwater, Mar 21 1664. COL. Dealer in lands and slaves. Many offices (see files). Commander of the Isle of Wight Militia in the Indian War of 1675. Adherent of Gov. Berkley during Bacon's Rebellion in 1676 and denounced in Bacon's proclamation. Fled to Easter Shore during rebellion. Tombstone found on his farm "Whitemarsh", removed to the old brick church, where it lies at the foot of the chancel. "Sacred to the Memory of The Honorable Joseph Bridger, Esq., Concillor of the State in Virginia to King Charles ye 2nd. Dying april ye 15, A.D. 1686; Aged 58 years. Mournfully leaving his wife, three sons and four daughters. Does nature silent mourn and can dumb stone Make his true worth to future ages knowne Excels expression marble sure will keep His mercy best yt. ever o'er his grave shall weep.
Bridges-Thomas:
Arrived in early 1650s (Maybe 1643, when Cromwell won). One of a group of Royalists who remained loyal to the King despite the Oliver Cromwell Civil War. Here lies the late great minister and Royal fate To Charles his councels dis such honor bring His own express fetched him to attend the King His soul yt. ever did with, vigor move Soared like itself above but ye bright stars ne'er laysily decline But in an instant shoot yt. cease to shine."
Will made Oct 18, 1683; probated May 8, 1686 ____________ Came to Virginia in 1652 under the auspices of Col. Nathaniel Bacon. Colonel Bridger was considered the most prominent man of his time in Isle of Wight Co., VA. He was a member of the House of Burgesses from Isle of Wight Co. in the 1657-8 session (probably only a few years after his arrival in VA). He was also a member of the house in 1663. His residence was called 'Whitemarsh', probably after the patent he and William Burgh received of 7,800 acres on 7 Jun 1666, "beginning by a White Marsh, a meadow about half a mile from the main run of the Blackwater (River)" (now on Route 620, 'Pan Rd.', in Isle of Wight Co.) This patent was for the transportation of 156 persons (including a Thomas Pitt - probably related to Col. Robert Pitt, and a James Bridger - probably his brother, and himself). Colonel Bridger was Adjutant General of the Virginia forces in 1666 and commander of the Isle of Wight militia in the Indian War of 1675. Colonel Bridger was a supporter of Govenor Berkeley during Bacon's Rebellion in 1676 and was denounced in Bacon's Proclamation of 1676. (Both the Colonel and the Govenor fled to Virginia's Eastern Shore during the rebellion.) Sir John Berry names among the eminent sufferers by Bacon's Rebellion Col. Joseph Bridger, "a very Resolute gentleman, who, though forced to fly in the heat of war from his own countrie, yet on his Return was very Active and Instrumental in reducing to their obedience the South parte of James River". Received land grant of 432 acres in Surry Co., VA in 1673 [Patent Bk. #6]. Deeded land by John Perry, son of Phillip Perry of Whitemarsh, in 1673. [W&M Qtrly vol 7, pg 229]. Made his will 18 Oct 1683; probated 8 May 1686. Names: wife Hester; sons: Joseph, Samuel, William; daus: Martha (Godwin), Mary, Elizabeth. By codicil, disinherits son Joseph, "who I finde fly out with divers dissolute courses of life and is grown very disobedient to me." Will witnessed by Col. Robert Pitt. Leg: 1. Wife, Hester. 2. Son, Samuel: land bought of John and William Gatlin whereon John Cooke now lives; also one-half of the plantation at 'Curawoak'. 3. Son, William: land granted me by escheat of 850 acres formerly belonging to Nathan Floyd, except what is disposed of by me to Francis Hobbs, Mrs. Dorothy Bond, and William Blunt; also two tracts taken up by Col. Pitt, Mr. Wm. Burgh, and myself containing 3000 acres, except 600 acres sold to Lt. Col. John Pitt, part of this tract leased by me to Thomas Mandue, Richard Parker, William Worrell, Richard Jones, Thomas Rives, Robert Sturdy, and others; also tract leased to Christopher Wade. 4. Wife, Hester: land on which I now dwell of 850 acres, formerly belonging to Capt. Upton and 300 acres formerly to Mr. Seward on which Mr. Izzard, Ould Phillips, William Lewis live, reversion to son Joseph with half of the tract at 'Curawoak' and a tract at Monokin.
More About JOSEPH BRIDGER: Burial: 'Whitemarsh', later moved to the Old Brick Church, Smithfield, VA Military: Isle of Wight Militia, Col. Will proved: 08 May, 1686, Isle of Wight Co., VA
Marriage Notes for HESTER PITT and JOSEPH BRIDGER: The Bridger house must have been one of the largest of its day in VA. The inventory of the estate lists, "Cellar, kitchen, kitchen chamber, dining room, parlor, hall gallery, landing chamber over dining room, outer chamber, lower chamber, hall chamber, next chamber, middle chamber, middle uppermost chamber, and childrens chamber."
General Register of the Society of Colonial Wars 1899-1902 BRIDGER, COL. JOSEPH, 1630-1688, Va. Councillor of State to Charles II. Gen. of the British troops in America during Bacon's Rebellion. Capen, Walter N. 297.BRIGGS, JOHN, 1609-1690. Deputy, 1664, et seq. Assistant, 1648. Rhode Island Commissioner, 1654, et seq. Ryer, George S. 148. Ryer, James B. 148. Wilbour, Joshua 286. Williams, Norman A. 183.
-+-+-+-+-- Source: "Collections of the Virginia Historical Society, New Series, Vol XI"
The Old Brick Church, near Smithfield, Virginia - Built in 1632"
"...I come now to the date of the erection of the Old Brick Church, and I expect to prove that it was built in 1632.
The universal tradition everywhere, and at all times, universally, prevalent, in my county, is that the Old Brick Church alluded to was built under the care and superintendence of one Joseph Bridger, the father of General Joseph Bridger, who lies buried on the farm now owned by James Davis, about a mile and a half distant from the old church - a farm that was called by General Joseph Bridger in his will in 1683. "The White Marsh Farm, " and is so known, and so called to this day.
This General Joseph Bridger was in his day the most prominent man in his county.
He was born in 1628, and in 1657, at the age of (29) twenty-nine, he, with John Brewer, represented this county in the General Assembly of Virginia. In 1663, he is again a member, and this year appears as Captain Joseph Bridger, and is a member of every important committee, but one.
In 1664, he is a commissioner to adjust the boundary line of Virginia and Maryland.
In 1666, he is one of the commissioners of this State to confer with the commissioners of Maryland and of North Carolina, relative to their tobacco interests.
In this year, he is also a member of the General Assembly, and appears there as Adjutant-General Bridger.
In 1675, he is a member of the Council of State, and a colonel in the Indian wars.
In 1676-'77 he is a member of the court at Green Spring.
In 1676, his surrender is demanded by Nathaniel Bacon, Jr., characterized as "the rebel".
In 1677, he is a member of the court at the Middle Plantations, and is a witness to the will of Sir William Berkeley.
In 1680, he is a Councillor of State and Commander in Chief of the forces in Isle of Wight, Surry, Nansemond and Lower Norfolk; and Colonel Arthur Smith, of Isle of Wight, and Colonel John Lear and Major Milner, of Nansemond, are under his command.
In 1683, he is a member of the Council of State and of the General Court, along with his Excellency, Thomas, Lord Culpepper, Governor, & c., Mr. Secretary Spencer, Mr. Auditor Bacon, Major-General Smith, Colonel Phillip Ludwell, Colonel William Cole, Ralph Wormley, Esq., Colonel Richard Lee, Colonel John Page, and Colonel William Byrd.
The last codicil to his will bears date April 9th, 1685, and it is acknowledged in open court, which was then held at The Glebe, about a mile from Smithfield, where the court-house was located until 1752, when it was moved to Smithfield. In his will he makes special mention of his friends, Lieutenant-Colonel John Pitt, Mr. Thomas Pitt, and Colonel Arthur Smith, and of his brick house on the White Marsh farm, where he resided, the brick basement of which still exists to this day. And though the field has been constantly cultivated, from time immemorial, right up to the house, and right up to the very edge of the grave, yet, the innumerable bricks still lying scattered everywhere around, attest the largeness and the magnificence of that house. In 1890, Mr. Edward Pitt, a descendant of the Pitts above-mentioned, and a firm believer in the truth of the old tradition we are considering, now an aged man, a resident for many and many a long year on that White Marsh farm, as owner and as tenant, showed me the tomb of General Bridger, the basement of his house, and told me he had frequently picked up bricks with the prints of the feet of fowls and of dogs on them, made whilst they were soft, showing that they had been burnt on or near the farm.
General Bridger died on the 15th day of April, 1686, the owner of a very large amount of personal property, and more than twelve thousand acres of land in Isle of Wight county, besides an unknown amount in Surry, James City, and in Maryland. He was buried in the field near his house, and on his marble slab there is this inscription, which is still perfectly legible:
SACRED TO YE MEMORY OF THE HONble JOSEPH BRIDGER ESQ. COUNCEL.r OF. STATE. IN VIRGINIA TO KING CHARLES YE 2.d DYING APRIL YE 5: A: D: 1689 AGED 58 YEARS MOURNFULLY LEFT HIS WIFE 3 SONS & 4 DAUGHTERS
Does Nature silent mourn & can. dumb. stone Make his true worth to future Ages knowne Excels exprefsion Marble fure will keep His Mem'ry best yt ever. on. his grave fhall weep Here lies ye late great minifter. of State That Royal virtures had & Royal fate. To Charles his councels did. fuch. honrs bring His own exprefs fetchd him t' attend ye king His Soul ye evr did wth vigour move Nimbly took wing. soared like it felfe above For ye bright stars ner'e layfily. decline But in an inftant shoot y.t ceafe to shine
His wife, Hester, was living as late as 1698, and as Madame Bridger witnessed the will of Colonel John Lear of Nansemond. His son, William died in 1704. His son, Joseph, died in 1712. His son, Samuel, died in 1713.
His daughters were Martha Godwin, Mary, Elizabeth and Hester; and Elizabeth died in 1717." +-+-+ OUR VIRGINIA ANCESTORS - THE JOSEPH BRIDGER FAMILY FROM ENGLAND
The story of the Bridger family in America began in England where Lawrence Bridger was the first of the Bridger family to settle in Gloucester. He was beloved Rector of the Parish of Slimbridge for 55 years. He was a Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford; BA 23 Oct 1568; MA 21 June 1574; Canon of Gloucester 1586. (Foster's Alumni) Magdalen College was patron of the Rectory of Slimbridge and it was from this College that he received his appointment which he held for such a long time. The Antiquarian John Smythe of Nibley, wrote a history of The Berkley Hundred, Gloucester, which included a description of the area, the landowners, and their holdings. Smythe knew the Parson Lawrence Bridger personally and included much information about him. He says of him (Bridger) "The Church and Rectory, (Slimbridge)..........whose last incumbant was Lawrence Bridger, late rector there 55 years, and died very rich and very honest in 1632, now succeeded by..etc." Smythe also included a detailed description of Lawrence Bridger's holdings which were extensive.. The family estate included the manor house (Farm house) and 60A and was called "Gossington". He had numerous other "holdings" as well.
Lawrence Bridger had been married twice. His favorite son, Joseph, was the eldest from the second marriage. To son Joseph he willed the Gossington Estate. The eldest son by the first wife was Samuel. Samuel received other lands and a stern admonition from his father written into the will:
"If my son Samuel shall lay any claim or pretend any right unto any lands given to Joseph that all land I have given him (Samuel) shall return to my son Joseph and his heirs forever". Lawrence Bridger's will was dated 24 Sept 1630, probated 30 June 1631. (Regarding Samuel Bridger, our ancestor - the one who didn't get the family manor:) In spite of coming in second place, when Father Lawrence's "holdings" were willed to his two eldest sons, Samuel Bridger appears to have been very successful in his own right; was born in 1584, matriculated at Magdalen College 30 April 1602, age 18, (Foster's Alumni). His wife was "Mary", named in Samuel's will, also mentioned as "my Mother Mary" in the will of Col Joseph Bridger of Isle of Wight Co, VA. Samuel was Auditor of the College of Gloucestor at the time of his death. He left the Auditor's office to his son John in his will. He is also said to have been sub-dean of the College. Samuel named children in his will as John, Samuel, Joseph, (who came to Virginia) James, (also of Virginia) George, Jonathon, Martha and Mary.
Samuel's son Joseph of Virginia named his two oldest sons Joseph and Samuel, his two daughters Mary and MARTHA BRIDGER.
Joseph Bridger was the most prominant man of his time in Isle of Wight Co, VA. He was well educated - probably at his father's College of Gloucester. Joseph was a member of the House of Burgesses of the Isle of Wight Co, VA, in the session of 1657-8; which appears to be the first mention of his name in Virginia records. He was also a member of the "House" in 1663. As "Captain" Joseph Bridger, he patented 300A in Isle of Wight in 1664, together with Wm Burgh and his father-in-law Col Robert Pitt. On 7 June 1666 Bridger, Burgh, and Pitt, patented 7,800A. This was for the transportation of 156 persons, which included himself, his brother James, and Thomas Pitt, probably another relative. Col Bridger seems to have made his fortune in lands and servants and also held many important offices. His house, called "Whitemarsh", must have been one of the largest of it's day in Virginia. (Description given in his will)
Colonel Bridger's wife was Hester Pitt, dau of Col Robert Pitt, also a Burgess and a member of the Councils. Col Joseph Bridger named his children in his Will dated 18 Oct 1683, probated 8 May 1686.
Martha Bridger married Col. Thomas Godwin, of Nansemond
Mary Bridger married Capt Richard Tibboth of the ship "Mary and Anne"
Elizabeth Bridger m. Thomas Lear (Children: John, Thomas, Elizabeth, Martha)
Hester Bridger m. George Wilkenson, son of Dr Robert Wilkenson, a member of the House of Burgesses for Isle of Wight Co, VA.
Samuel Bridger married Mrs Elizabeth Woory, widow of James Webb and Thomas Woory, also she was a daughter of Col Joseph Godwin, #1. (Elizabeth also inherited much of the Bridger wealth. There were no children so Elizabeth left her fortune to the Godwins.).
William married Mrs Elizabeth Caufield of Surry Co
Joseph married Elizabeth Norsworthy. Was disinherited by Col Joseph Bridger, engaged in a lengthy lawsuit with his brothers. The lawsuit was settled when Joseph's brothers Sauel and William deeded over 2000A to him from the 7800A they inherited from their father. Joseph was a Captain of Militia in 1702 and died in 1713. His children were: Hester, Elizabeth, John, James, Joseph, Robert, *William (William is of particular interest to NC Bridgers.)
*WILLIAM BRIDGERS - SON #3 OF COL JOSEPH BRIDGERS In 1713 William, son of Joseph Bridger, bought 640A. on the north side of the Meherrin River in North Carolina. (Where John Batten and Isaac Sterling lived) In this deed he was shown to be a resident of Isle of Wight Co, VA. William purchased another 150A later. William made his will in Bertie County, NC., Will D. Nov 2, 1729 P. May 1730.
WILLIAM'S CHILDREN: 1. Joseph Bridgers - No further record 2. William Bridger m. Sarah Dew - Children lived in Northampton Co, NC 3. Samuel Bridger - Northampton Co, NC 4. Benjamin Bridger - Untraced 5. Mary Bridger - Untraced 6. Elizabeth Bridger - Untraced William Bridger moved his family moved to Bertie Co, NC very early in 1713. At the same time the Bridgers were living in Bertie Co, so were the Godwins, Bayleys, Powells, Starlings/Sterlings, Battens, Gays, Faulks, Averas, Watsons, Hinnants, and other neighbors, who eventually found their way to Johnston Co along with members of the Bridger family.
VA Wills & Administrations 1632 - 1800 by Torrence, Marriages of Some Virginia Residentsby Wulfeck, Virginia County Records Vol VII by Crozier Virginia Marriage Records Indexed by Eliz P. Bentley Virginia Land Records, Indexed by Gary Parks Cavaliers and Pioneers by Nugent Adventures of Purse and Person, Virginia 1607-1624 Lost Virginia Records by Louis des Cognets Sources: Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight County Virginia by J.B. Boddie
8.
More About Joseph Bridger, Sr. and Hester Pitt: Marriage: 1672, Isle of Wight Co, VA.
Children of Joseph Bridger, Sr. and Hester Pitt are:
+Martha Bridger, b. Abt. 1660, Nansemond Co, VA, d. Aft. 1713, Nansemond Co, VA.
Joseph Bridger, Sr. (b. Abt. 1628, d. April 15, 1686)
Notes for Joseph Bridger, Sr.: