By Eric Ianuzi

14 Aug 2010

Life and Descendants of John Bridge, The Puritan

John Bridge, .

• 1578: Born Braintree/Norwich, Essex, England. English Genealogy prior to 1578 can be found at the bottom of this story.

• : Lived Braintree & Norwich, Essex, England.

• 1590: First wife Elizabeth Wilcox was born; daughter of Robert Wilcox and Elizabeth Stokes.

• 1609: Married Elizabeth Wilcox in Alcester, Warwickshire, England.

• 1615: son Matthew was born about 1615 (see more below).

• 1623: son Thomas birth date is unknown; Christening was Nov 9.

• 1628: daughter Sarah was born; died two years later on May 12, 1630.

• 1632: His first wife Elizabeth Wilcox died

• 1632: moved to New England with the Hooker Company, bring his two son Thomas and Matthew; settled in Cambridge, MA

• : Lived Cambridge, MA. Church Deacon & Proprietor.

• 1634: Freeman Oath

• 1635: New Towne (Cambridge) is organized; John is chosen as Deacon and honored office of layman. Appointed the Committee responsible for all land grants.

• 1635: Known address: 72 Dunster Street, Cambridge, MA. Currently the Harvard Athletic Center

• 1635: Supervision of the first public school. One of the first families to donate towards the creation of New College which would later be renamed Harvard College in 1639. The statue of John Harvard in Harvard Square was a gift to the school by Samuel Bridge in 1883.

• : Selectman for 11 years

• 1636: John sent a request to England for the Rev. Thomas Shepard to become pastor when the Rev. Hooker, his company and 100 other decided to move to Connecticut. Shepard was a student and friend of Rev. William Bridge at Emmanual College in Cambridge, England. Both were non-conformist who were excommunicated from the Church of England and needed to move for safety. William went to Holland; Shepard to Cambridge, MA.

• 1637,38,39, 41: Served on the General Court

• 1638: Known address: 105 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA. Owned 12 acres surrounding this address. 105 Brattle is the site of the Craigie-Longfellow Home & National Park; the foundation of John's original home is located on the front lawn. Matthew Bridge inherited the land in 1665. Later sold the property to Amos Marrett in 1683. John Marret inherited the property and sold it to John Vassal a British loyalist who built the front part of the home and fled the country prior to the Revolutionary War. The home was later used as George Washington headquarters. After the war Andrew Carigie bought the home and rented it to Henry Longfellow whom later purchased the home.

• 1642: Known address: 31 Holyoke Street, Cambridge, MA. Lowell House now stands on this site. Directed by the Order of the Court for Townsmen to see to the Education of Children. John is granted land in Cambridge Farms (Lexington) along Vine Brook. First of 10 family's to begin farming in Lexington; the Bridge home is believed to be the first year round residence; although they seemed to retain homes in Cambridge. John stays in Cambridge, his son Matthew moves to Lexington.

• 1658: John married his second wife Elizabeth Saunders on Nov. 29.

• 1665: Died Apr. 15. Buried in the Old Burying Grounds, Cambridge, MA. His tombstone reads "In memory of John Bridge, Esq. member of Hooker's company that left Braintree, Essex County, England, in 1631. In 1632 settled in this city and became a leading citizen. He was admitted a Freeman in 1634. He had the supervision of the first public school established in the colony in 1635 and this led to the erection of Harvard College in 1638. He was chosen Deacon at the reorganization of the Church in 1636. He was Selectman from . He represented the town in the Legislature, . He was employed by the General Court to lay out lands, served on committees and performed other important duties. He was a large landholder in Cambridge as well as in other parts of the colony . He filled almost all the offices of honor and trust within the gift of his fellow citizens, and was greatly esteemed for his integrity and Christian virtues. He died April 15, 1665"

Matthew Bridge,

• 1615: Born Braintree/Norwich, Essex, England

• 1632: Came to New England with his father.

• : Lived in Cambridge, Ma

• 1642: Matthew moves to Lexington (known as Cambridge Farms) to work fathers land; one of the largest landowners with approximately 600 acres. Lands went from Lincoln Street to beyond their home on Marrett Road to the East. Know address was 271 Marrett Road, Lexington, MA. Present day. Bridge Elementary school is named after the Bridge family that settled here.

• 1642: Stood against the witch trial of Winnefret Holman, declaring her innocents. Matthew was a witness in the case. Signers included John Palfrey, Matthew Bridge, Ann (Danforth) Bridge, Elizabeth Bridge and John Bridge.

• 1643 : Married Anne Danforth, daughter of Nicholas Danforth.

• 1643: Member of the Ancient & Honorable Artillery Co.

• 1645: eldest son John Bridge was born on June 15

• 1647: daughter Anne was born

• 1648: Increased land holdings to 400 acres

• 1648-9: daughter Martha was born Jan 19 and died Feb 1649-50

• 1650: son Matthew was born on Mar. 5 (see more below)

• 1652-3: son Samuel was born; died Feb 25, 1672-3

• 1656: son Thomas was born on June 1; died Mar 28, 1672-3

• 1659: daughter Elizabeth was born on Aug 17. She would later marry Benjamin Garfield; ancestors of James A. Garfield, 20th President of the United States.

• 1683: Sold the Cambridge lands and Craigie-Longfellow lands to Amos Marrett

• 1692: Helped organize the Parish and Meeting House

• 1693: 4th highest taxpayer in town.

• 1698: Attended and planned the ordination of Rev John Hancock, grandfather of the revolutionary leader and founding father John Hancock.

• 1700: Died Mar. 28. Buried in the Old Burying Grounds, Cambridge, MA

• 1704: His wife Anna passed away on Dec. 9.

Matthew Bridge, Jr.,

• 1650: Born in Lexington on Mat 5; first of the line born in America.

• 1675: Soldier in the French-Indian Wars (King Phillips War)

• 1687: Married Abigail Russel, daughter of Joseph & Mary Russel. Portraits of Matthew Bridge and his wife Abigail are on display at the Buckman Tavern in Lexington.

• 1688: daughter Mary was born on June 19

• 1690: Soldier in the Canadian Expedition - Battle of Quebec

• 1691: daughter Anna was born Sept 12

• 1693-4: son Matthew was born on Mar 1, 1693-4

• 1696: daughter Abigail was born April 1.

• 1698: son Joseph was born on July 8 (see more below)

• 1700: son John was born Sept 1

• 1700: As the only surviving son of Matthew Senior he inherited the large part of his father estate; including 400 acres of land in Lexington. The land was divided in four, two story homes were built on the site. The home was still standing in 1884

• 1703: daughter Elizabeth was born Nov 30

• 1705: son Samuel was born Mar 2

• 1707: daughter Martha was born on March 2

• 1712: Selected as the first Selectman for the town.

• : Served as Treasurer of the town for 5 years

• 1713: Help organized the town. Served as Assessor

• 1722: wife Abigail passes away on Dec. 14

• 1738: Died May 29. Buried in the Old Burying Grounds, Lexington, MA. His tombstone reads: Matthew BRIDGE, Esq., 2nd son of Matthew & Anna BRIDGE, b. at Cambridge, 5 May 1650; d. at this place 29 May 1738, ae 88 yrs. "He was the first of the line born in America and from him the family have all decended. In early life, he came with his father to this place and with him struggled to advance its interst. The First Church, established here by his aid, was sustained during his life and remembered at his death. He served in King Phillip's War in 1675; he joined the ill-fated expedition to Quebec in 1690. At the organizetion of the town in 1712, he was chosen first Selectiman, and for more than five years Treasure of the Town of Lexington. In 1687, he married Abigail, dau of Joseph & Mary RUSSELL. She d. 14 Dec 1722, ae 55 yrs."

Joseph Bridge,

• 1698: Born July 8 in Lexington

• 1722: Married Abigail Cutler on Nov.18, daughter of Thomas & Sarah Cutler. There home is still standing in Lexington today.

• 1723: first son Thomas was born on July 8 (see more below)

• 1741: Assessor

• 1726: Daughter Abigail was born on Sept. 28

• 1728: son Benjamin is born on Nov. 15. He was a drummer at Crown Point during the French & Indian War (1755). Later would become a Lieutenant in the Revolutionary War.

• 1731: son Joseph was born on May 9. Later would serve in the Revolutionary War in Captain Baker's Company. He was one of the 70 men that stood up against 700 British Regulars at the Lexington Battle Green on Apr.19, 1775. Later know as the "Shot Heard Around the World".

• 1734: son Jeremiah was born on Dec 28: Served in the Revolutionary War

• 1738: son Millicent was born on Apr.16; died July 24, 1753

• : Selectman for 3 years

• 1778: Died on Nov. 1. Buried in the Old Burying Grounds, Lexington, MA

• 1797: his wife Abigail passed away on Dec. 13

Thomas Bridge,

• 1723: Born July 8 in Lexington

• : Lived in Lexington, MA

• 1745: Married Mary Harrington, Nov. 5

• 1746: Thomas Bridge, Jr. First son born. Oct. 3

• : Moved and lived in Spencer, MA

• 1748: son George Bridge was born. Feb. 10 (see more below)

• 1749: daughter Mary was born Oct. 28. Died July 16, 1755

• 1752: son Joseph was born June 18

• 1753: Helped establish the town and elected Fence Viewer in Spencer. MA

• 1754: son Millicent was born Oct 13; died June 24, 1755.

• 1755: son Amos was born Jun 25; died a day later June 26

• 1757: daughter Mary was born Apr. 10; died July 16, 1765

• 1759: son Jesse was born Oct. 23

• 1761: son Millicent (2) was born May 14. Later would serve in the Revolutionary War.

• 1764: daughter Esther was born Nov. 4

• : Moved and lived in Shutesbury, MA

• 1775: On April 19: "Shot Heard Around the World"; British and American soldiers exchanged fire in the Massachusetts towns of Lexington and Concord. On the night of April 18, the royal governor of Massachusetts, General Thomas Gage, commanded by King George III to suppress the rebellious Americans, had ordered 700 British soldiers, under Lieutenant Colonel Francis Smith and Marine Major John Pitcairn, to seize the colonists' military stores in Concord, some 20 miles west of Boston. A system of signals and word-of-mouth communication set up by the colonists was effective in forewarning American volunteer militia men of the approach of the British troops. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem "Paul Revere's Ride" tells how a lantern was displayed in the steeple of Christ Church on the night of April 18, 1775, as a signal to Paul Revere and others.

• 1777: Revolutionary War. Private, Capt. Zacchens Crocker's Company, Col Wright's (Hampshire Co). Raised to reinforce the Northern Army. Enlisted July 12

• 1777: Revolutionary War. Sergeant, Capt Ebenezer Goodale's Company, Col David Well's Regiment. Marched to join the Northern Army. Engaged October 3

• 1795: Died in Shutesbury, MA

George Bridge,

• 1748: Baptized Feb. 10 in Spencer, MA

• 1772: Married Abigail Williams on May 9 in Brookfield, MA

• : Moved and lived to Shutesbury, MA

• 1774: son William Bridge, First son born. Aug. 25

• 1775: Revolutionary War. Private, Capt Renben Dickenson's Company of Minutemen, Col. R.Woodbridges Regiment. Marched on the alarm of April 19.

• 1776: Daughter Sarah Bridge dies Jan. 25, unclear when she was born. Son William Bridge dies two day later on Jan. 27. Likely from the same illness.

• 1777: Revolutionary War. Private, Capt. Zacchens Crocker's Company, Col Wright's (Hampshire Co). Raised to reinforse the Northern Army. Enlisted July 12

• 1777: son Amos Bridge is born Sept 1

• 1777: Revolutionary War. Sergeant, Capt Ebenezer Goodale's Company, Col David Well's Regiment. Marched to join the Northen Army. Engaged October 3

• 1779: Revolutionary War. Corporal, Capt. Samuel Merriman's (2d) Company, Col Israel Chapen's (3d) Regiment. Engaged Oct. 15

• 1780: son Jonas is born May 7

• 1782: Moved to Stockbridge, NY. Daughter Sally Bridge is born Aug. 25

• 1785: son Ephraim is born Feb. 13

• 1787: son Jesse is born May 27.

• 1790: son Millicent is born Aug. 20

• 1823: George Died Dec. 10. Buried in "The Ridge Cemetery", East Stockbridge, NY

• 1838: Abigail died Mar. 10; buried with her husband.

Jonas Bridge,

• 1780: born May 7 in Shutesbury, MA

• 1804: Married Betsy (Wealthy) Bell on Oct 16. She was school teacher in Albany.

• 1805: son Alonzo was born June 5

• 1807: daughter Mary Ann born Jan. 18

• 1808: daughter Abigail born Dec. 7

• 1811: son Warren born June 28

• 1813: son Jonas, Jr. born Feb. 11 (see more below)

• 1815: son George Edward born Feb. 16

• 1817: son Joseph born July 29

• 1820: son Sullivan born May 11

• 1823: son Willis born May 19

• 1825: daughter Martha Jane born Oct 2

• 1841: Died Sept 5

• 1859: His wife Betsy passes away

Jonas Bridge, Jr.,

• 1813: born Feb. 11 in Stockbridge, NY

• : High Sheriff in Pratt Falls and a Free Mason. Farmed lands and ran a grocery store and tavern. Lived in Madison, Pratt Falls and Stockbridge, NY

• 1835: Married (1) Julia Chamberlain on Mar. 22

• 1837: daughter Rosalia born Mar. 12

• 1839: daughter Julia Ann born Nov 18

• 1839: wife (1) Julia dies Dec. 9

• 1842: Married (2) Mary (Stetson) Underwood

• 1843: son Elbert born Aug. 31

• 1845: daughter Idalia born Aug. 10

• 1847: daughter Ella Susan born May 2

• 1849: son Emery Jonas born Mar 3

• 1852: daughter Helena May born Oct. 26

• 1858: son Austin born June 20; died Jan 15, 1863.

• 1863: died Jan. 14 in Bouckville, NY - Jonas and his son Austin died a day apart. Both are buried in Madison Village Cemetery.

• 1873: wife (2) Mary Underwood died Jul. 11

Rosalia (Bridge) Bell,

• 1837: born Mar. 12 in Madison, NY

• 1865: Married Walter Bell of Norwich, England on Dec 13

• 1871: daughter Bertha Bell born July 12

• 1875: died Jan 25, 1875

• 1905: husband Walter died in November

Bertha Bell,

• 1871: born July 12 in Pratt Falls, NY

• 1901: married Albert Howlett on Feb 5

• 1901: son James born Nov 18; died Oct 25, 1966

• 1902: son Samuel born Oct 17; died Aug 25, 1908

• 1909: son Fay born Aug 17; died July 17, 1969

• 1911: daughter Doris born Feb 2; died Jan 13, 1991.

• 1930: died Dec 18 in Morrisville, NY

• 1943; husband Albert died April 28

For more information see the following books: Genealogy of the John Bridge Family in America , by Rev. William Dawson Bridge, published in 1924. / An Account of the Descendants of John Bridge, by William F. Bridge; published in 1884 / History of the Town Lexington, Mass by Charles Hudson; published in 1868 / Massachusetts Soldier & Sailors of the Revolutionary War; published 1891 / Proprietors Records - The Register Book of the Lands & Houses in the Newtowne (); published in 1896 / Call to Heroism by Peter Gibbon; published in 2002 / Harvard-Radcliffe Online Historical Reference Shelf Cambridge Buildings and Architects by Christopher Hail / History of Augusta Maine by James North-Edwin Churchill; published in 1870.

*Paul Revere's Ride by David Fischer mentions a Rev. Bridge calling for prayer at the Chelmsford Meeting House on April 19, 1775. As the militia prepared for the British.

*The War of the Revolution, by Christopher Ward mentions Col. Ebenezer Bridge and his troops at Bunker Hill and other Battles.

Notable descendants and relations:

• U.S. President James A. Garfield

• Hannibal Hamlin – 15th U.S. Vice President serving under Abraham Lincoln. Served in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives; also briefly 28th Governor of Maine.

• Abiel Abbot Livermore – Author: A few books include "The War with Mexico Reviewed", "The Epistle of Paul to the Romans" and "Discourses".

• Rev. William Bridge (): Cousin of John Bridge. Non-conformist who was excommunicated from the Church of England and moved to Holland for safety. Later returned to England and in 1643 he preached in front of King Charles I, the sermon was considered a direct attack on the Queen. A large number of his sermons are available online or at bookstores; notable books to read is "A Lifting Up for the Downcast" and "William Bridge, The Puritan of the Congregational Way".

English Genealogy, prior to 1578: John Bridge of Pagelsham dying in 1530 left three sons; Thomas, Edward and John. Thomas died in 1560, his will mentions 4 sons: (1) Matthew Bridge of Chemford, (2) John Bridge of Rayne, (3) William Bridge of Stebbing, (4) Robert Bridge of Shudy Camps. John Bridge (Cambridge, MA ) is believed to be the son of William of Stebbing. Rev. William Bridge is believed to be the son of Robert of Shudy Camps.

Origin of the name Bridge: The name was spelled Bruges or Brugge and translated by Englishmen to the Flemings who migrated from Bruges, Flanders. The founder of the Bridge family in England was likely Sir Simon De Brugge () during the reigns of Henry III and Edward I. He married into the Solers family in Herefordshire. Later settling the family in Essex.

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