Bridges Family  May 29, 2003

Generation No. 1
1.  CAPTAIN EDMUND1 BRIDGES1 was born Abt. 1612 in England2, and died January 13, 1684/85 of Lynn, Essex Co., Massachusetts2.  He married (1) ALICE Bef. 1637 in Massachusetts3.  She was born Abt. 1610, and died Bef. 1641 in Massachusetts3.  He married (2) ELIZABETH Bef. 1641 in Massachusetts3.  She was born Abt. 1615 of Rowley, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts3, and died December 1664 in Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts3.  He married (3) MARY LITTLEHALE April 06, 1665 in Massachusetts3.  1635, came in James from London4  1637, of Lynn, Massachusetts6  September 07, 1639, freeman5  In Topsfield by 1660, lived in Lynn, Rowley, and Ipswich, perhaps Boxford.   March 31, 1685, will proved6  Returned to the town of Ipswich where he died.  (The History of Topsfield) "Edmund's father, also Edmund, was living in Topsfield in 1660. He came to Massachusetts in 1635 and is said to have lived in Lynn, Rowley, and Ipswich, to which he returned some years before his death. The name Edmund Bridges appears frequently in the Essex County Court Records, and it is not possible always to distinguish father from son. They both acted as witnesses as juryman and as "attorneys"....Edmund Bridges, Jr., was evidently considered familiar with legal procedure and skilled in the trade. He along with John and Nathaniel Putnam, with whom we will shortly become familiar, all appear over and over again as witnesses and attorneys in the county court records.  This did not necessarily mean that they were notoriously litigious, but that they were asked to represent others in court."  (Currents of Malice - Persis W. McMillen)  Occupation: blacksmith6

Children of EDMUND BRIDGES and ALICE are:
2. i. SARGEANT EDMUND2 BRIDGES, b. Abt. 1637, Rowley, Essex Co., Massachusetts; d. June 24, 1682, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
3. ii. JOHN BRIDGES, d. Aft. 1688.

Children of EDMUND BRIDGES and ELIZABETH are:
 iii. BETHIA2 BRIDGES, b. Massachusetts7; d. Aft. 16848; m. JOSEPH PEABODY, October 26, 1668, Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts9; b. 164410; d. 1721, Boxford, Essex Co., Massachusetts10.  Abt 1671; Settled on his father's land on Fish Brook at Boxford, being a part of the 1200 acres laid out to six of the early settlers.  House stood near where Daniel Andrews later lived.  (History of Boxford, MA) October 1690;  Freeman.  (History of Boxford, MA) Town offices: selectman several years10
 iv. FAITH BRIDGES11, b. Massachusetts12; d. Aft. 168413; m. DANIEL BLACK14. "The Essex County Court records are full of a bewildering number of references to Edmund Bridges in connection with John Gould...In March, 1664, an individual called John Millington was sentenced to be whipped, or to pay a fine of ten pounds, "for his great misdemeanor" and also to be bound for twenty pounds.  A person, whose name is deliberately left out, deposed that in January her brother, Edmund Bridges, asked her to go to Salem with him, but she did not go and Edmund and his wife left without her.  Whilst they were gone, John Millington offered "uncleaness to her, and she told him that she would not yield to him for all of Topsfield". Although Millington later prayed that she, the one to whom he had offered "uncleaness" would forgive him, Sarah Bridges acted as a witness in the resulting court case. She referred to her sister.  It is not at all clear who this sister was...The reference may have been to Faith, one of Edmund Bridge's sisters. Faith and her husband Daniel Black, were involved in domestic troubles, and at one point had been ordered to sit in the stocks for an hour. Daniel was ordered to live peaceably with his wife, and to refrain from threatening her, while she, for her part, was to be orderly, not gad abroad or be in the company of other men. If either party disobeyed these rules, they were to be whipped."  (Currents of Malice - Persis W. McMillen)
 v. JOSIAH BRIDGES, b. Abt. 1650, of Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts15; d. Aft. 1704, of Boxford, Essex Co., Massachusetts16; m. (1) ELIZABETH NORTON, November 13, 167617; m. (2) RUTH GREENSLADE, September 19, 167717.  Town offices: surveyor 1695, juror 1699, selectman 1700 & 170417
 vi. MEHETABLE BRIDGES, b. March 26, 1641, Massachusetts18.
 vii. OBADIAH BRIDGES, b. Abt. 1646, Massachusetts18.
 viii. HACKALIAH BRIDGES, b. Massachusetts18; d. Abt. 1671, lost at sea18.

Child of EDMUND BRIDGES and MARY LITTLEHALE is:
4. ix. MARY2 BRIDGES, b. April 14, 1667; Massachusetts18; d. Aft. 168519.
 
 

Generation No. 2
2.  SARGEANT EDMUND2 BRIDGES (EDMUND1)20 was born Abt. 1637 in Rowley, Essex Co., Massachusetts21, and died June 24, 1682 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts21.  He married SARAH TOWNE22,23,24 January 11, 1659/60 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts25,26,27,28,29,30, daughter of WILLIAM TOWNE and JOANNA BLESSING.  She was baptised September 03, 1648, First Church Salem, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts31, and died Abt. 1703 in Framingham, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts32,33,34,35,36.

Children of EDMUND BRIDGES and SARAH TOWNE are:
5. i. EDMUND3 BRIDGES, b. October 04, 1660, Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts; d. June 24, 1682, of Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts. 
 ii. ELIZABETH BRIDGES, b. 1662; m. SAMUEL EDWARDS.
6. iii. CAPTAIN BENJAMIN BRIDGES, b. January 02, 1664/65, Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts; d. August 28, 1725, Framingham, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. 
7. iv. HANNAH BRIDGES, b. June 09, 1669, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts; d. March 13, 1716/17, Oxford, Worcester Co., Massachusetts or March 13, 1727?
 v. SARAH BRIDGES, b. Abt. 1672; m. (1) SAMUEL PRESTON; m. (2) WILLIAM PRICE.
vi. ABIGAIL BRIDGES, Christening: August 05, 1677, First Church Salem, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts45.
8. vii. CALEB BRIDGES, b. June 03, 1677, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts; d. Aft. 1752, of Framingham, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.
 viii. ALICE BRIDGES, Christening: September 1680, First Church Salem, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts46; d. Aft. 1708.  She m. BENJAMIN HOWE December 06, 1711 at Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts. Usually recorded as child of Sarah and Peter Clayes.  Record found at the First Church of Salem, September 1680 (before the death of her father Edmund Bridges) of the Baptism of "Alice, daughter of Mrs. Bridges".  As Sarah's husband's mother in law was Alice, it would make sense for them to name a daughter Alice.  It also explains why Sarah's daughter Alice appears in Peter Clayes will as 'Alice Bridges'.
 

3.  JOHN2 BRIDGES (EDMUND1)47 died Aft. 168848.  He married (1) SARAH HOWE, daughter of JAMES HOWE and ELIZABETH DANE.    He married (2) MARY TYLER49 March 01, 1677/78 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts, daughter of JOB TYLER and MARY HORTON.  She was born Abt. 1644 of Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts. MARY TYLER: "Many more 'witch families' were uncovered by the court during the summer. Martha Tyler was accompanied by 'her brother Bridges, who rode with her all the way from Andover to Salem'.  He kept telling her she must be a witch since the afflicted accused her, and at her touch they were cured of their fits. She told him continuously that she was not a witch; that she knew nothing of witchcraft and she begged him not to urge her to confess."  "The wife of Martha Tyler's 'brother Bridges, Mary Bridges,' was arrested on July 28th and soon thereafter also her daughter, Mary Bridges, aged twelve. Mary Bridges, Sr. was examined before John Hathorne on August 25th.  She said that she did not know her mother was a witch, but that her sister, Sarah, and her sister, Susannah Post, were witches."  Her trial was January 10th, 1693.  (Currents of Malice - Persis W. McMillen)

Children of JOHN BRIDGES and MARY TYLER are:
 i. MARY3 BRIDGES49, b. January 27, 1677/78.
 ii. SARAH BRIDGES49, of Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts49. August 25, 1692; "One of the many confessing witches from Andover, Sarah Bridges, said she had heard of but one innocent man imprisoned for witchcraft and then released and that man was Nehemiah Abbott."  (Currents of Malice - Persis W. McMillen)
 iii. SAMUEL BRIDGES, b. July 19, 1681.
 iv. ELIZABETH BRIDGES, b. June 05, 1683.
 v. MEHITABLE BRIDGES, b. April 20, 1688.
 vi. JAMES BRIDGES.  

 4. MARY2 BRIDGES (EDMUND1)252,253,254 was born April 14, 1667 in Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died Aft. 1685.  Baptised; August 05, 1677, First Church Salem, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.  She married JOHN DODGE261,262,263,264,265 Abt. 1688 in Beverley, Essex Co., Massachusetts, son of JOHN DODGE and SARAH PROCTOR.  He was born April 15, 1662, and died January 18, 1703/04.  1693, brought to trial as a witch but aquitted.
   
Children of MARY BRIDGES and JOHN DODGE are:
 i. JOHN3 DODGE280, b. November 08, 1694, Wenham, Essex Co., Massachusetts; d. November 23, 1778, North Brookfield, Worcester Co., Massachusetts; m. RUTH WHITE, April 16, 1717, Wenham, Essex Co., Massachusetts. They had; THOMAS DODGE, b. 07 September 1724, Wenham, Essex Co., MA; d. Bef. 1793; m. MARY "HANNAH" HARRIS, February 27, 1746, Ipswich, Essex Co., MA. (Private, Capt. Peter Harwood's Co., Col. Ebenezer Learned's Rgt. Muster roll dated 8/1/1885. Enlisted 4/27/1775. Service 3 mos, 1 wk., 5 days. Also Co. return dated 10-7-1775 shows his place was taken by Wm. Hencha?
Details in the Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors Military Records, vol. IV p. 838-9, Vol. r-26603. There were two Thomas Dodges from Brookfield, Worcester Co., MA.  JOHN DODGE VIII, b. 17 September 1720; m. RACHEL EDWARDS December 11, 1744, Wenham, Essex Co., MA.  MARY DODGE, d. January 10, 1728.  EDWARD DODGE, b. April 30, 1727. ABRAHAM DODGE. MARY DODGE, b. 18 July 1732; m. EBENEZER DODGE.
 ii. MARY DODGE, b. Wenham, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

Generation No. 3
5.  EDMUND3 BRIDGES (EDMUND2, EDMUND1) was born October 04, 1661 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts50, and died June 24, 1682 of Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts51.  He married ELIZABETH CROADE. Had at least 1 child.  "An inventory of his estate was taken 31 July 1682. This inventory provides the date of his death and identifies his wife as Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Croade of Salem and one son Edmund.  Also mentioned in the estate papers is land from his father, Edmund Bridges "given unto him by deed April 2, 1681 upon his marriage." Therefore, Edmund Bridges was married close to 2 April 1681. Following his death Elizabeth married second, Daniel Lambert and third Moses Gilman of Exeter, N.H. It is unkown if Edmund lived to manhood."  (About Towne Vol. XXII No. 1 March 2002)
 

6.  CAPTAIN BENJAMIN3 BRIDGES (EDMUND2, EDMUND1) was born January 02, 1664/65 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts52, and died August 28, 1725 in Framingham, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts53.  He married ELIZABETH Bef. 169053.  She was born Abt. 1669, and died Aft. 171153.  He settled at Salem End (then "reserved Commons") in the spring of 1693 along with those who left Salem following the Witch Trial hysteria53  March 03, 1700/01, on comm. to build preacher house and select preacher53  May 13, 1701, to get recommendation from 3 ministers on John Swift as new minister for town53  September 03, 1706, He and Peter Cloyes, Jr. to decide pay of schoolmaster53  1707; sold 32 acres between Collar's meadow and Sudbury to Nathaniel Pratt of Watertown.  June 27, 1710;  Taxed to procure ammunition - 2s10d  September 08, 1714, school to be kept one month at his house, in 1715 here 3 weeks53  April 06, 1715, committee to supervise enlargement of meeting house53  December 1717;  Joined with Selectman to undertake in the matter of defense of the town respecting Margarite Sargeant, alias Allin, whom the town of Weston was endeavoring to impose upon their town.  (History of Framingham) March 01, 1720/21, delegate from Framingham to Oxford at ordination of first minister53  His is earliest known gravestone of the Salem refugees at Framingham.  (Framingham Town Historian - Steve Herring)  Selectman Framingham - 1705 - 07, 1709 - 10, 1712, 1715, 1719, 1722.  August 05, 1700, town constable53 Assessor August 5, 170053  March 03, 1700/01, surveyor of highways - Framingham, Massachusetts53

Children of BENJAMIN BRIDGES and ELIZABETH are:
 i. DELIVERANCE4 BRIDGES, b. September 10, 169053; m. JAMES WILSON, January 21, 1719/2053.
9. ii. ELIZABETH BRIDGES, b. July 28, 169253; m. ISAAC WHITNEY, September 27, 172253.
 iii. JUDITH BRIDGES, b. September 10, 169453.
10. iv. SARAH BRIDGES, b. March 25, 1702
11. v. GIDEON BRIDGES, b. August 21, 1705.
 vi. MEHETABLE BRIDGES, b. October 17, 170653; m. DANIEL HOVEY54, November 24, 172655; of Ipswich, and Oxford, Worcester Co., Massachusetts55. October 29, 1722 Samuel of Oxford, yeoman, conveyed to Daniel Hovey of Ipswich 50 acres on Long Hill, in Oxford Village (ib., Vol 36, p. 204) from "The New England Historical and Genealogical Register" Vol 84 Oct. 1930 pg 403 & 40  House on Millbury road in borders of Auburn.  March 21, 1737, Daniel Hovey to Joseph Pratt, 25 a at n end of "Long Hill" (History of Oxford page 334)
Supposed to be the homestead of Micah Pratt, house on an old road running n from the old Charlton road, which ran on the n side of Town's pond, and lies w of the n cemetary.  August 8, 1740, Israel Whitney to Micah Pratt, 30 a, near Cedar Swamp; April 1, 1771, administrator of estate of Micah Pratt to Abner Shumway; May 5, 1772, Abner Shumway to Jonas Pratt and Thomas Fish, 32 a.  January 5, 1773, these to Daneil Hovey and Ebenezer Shumway, containing clay pits; Pratt probably made brick here and the cellar of his house was not far from the pits.   (History of Oxford page 332-333)
 vii. MIRIAM BRIDGES, b. September 19, 171155.
 

7.  HANNAH3 BRIDGES (EDMUND2, EDMUND1) was born June 09, 1669 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts59 Christening: August 05, 1677, First Church Salem, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts63, and died March 13, 1716/17 in Oxford, Worcester Co., Massachusetts or March 13, 1727?60.  She married SAMUEL BARTON 169061, son of MATTHEW BARTON.  He was born Abt. 1664 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died September 12, 1732 in Oxford, Worcester Co., Massachusetts62.  Burial: near their home, on the road from Auburn to Millbury Old Common. See Barton page for descendants.
 

8.  CALEB3 BRIDGES (EDMUND2, EDMUND1) was born June 03, 1677 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts68, and died Aft. 1752 of Framingham, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts69.  He married SARAH BREWER November 26, 1700 in Framingham, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts70, daughter of JOHN BREWER and ELIZABETH RICE.  She was born January 14, 1677/7871, and died Aft. 175271.  Aft. 1692, removed to Salem End Colony of Framingham, Massachusetts71  In 1709 Samuel Barton sold to Caleb Bridges (his brother-in-law) a meadow commonly called Mellon's Meadow, adjoining lands of Caleb Barton and Daniel Elliot. from "The New England Historical and Genealogical Register" Vol 84 Oct. 1930 pg 405   June 27, 1710, taxed to procure ammunition - 1s9d71  May 14, 1716, given 1s by town for mending the stocks71  May 20, 1734, chosen to supervise workman under town's instructions to build meeting house71  November 19, 1742, land at New Framingham (Lanesborough) granted to him71  1752;  Sold his place in Framingham to Temple.  (Framingham Town Historian - Steve Herring)  Occupation: brick mason71

Children of CALEB BRIDGES and SARAH BREWER are:
 i. BATHSHEBA4 BRIDGES, b. January 19, 1702/03, Framingham, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts71; d. November 01, 173971.
16. ii. HACHALIAH BRIDGES, b. May 30, 1705, Framingham, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts; d. September 27, 1739, of Southborough, Massachusetts.
 iii. CALEB BRIDGES, b. August 24, 170871; of Hopkinton & Framingham, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts71; m. ELIZABETH STANHOPE, September 23, 173171.
 iv. MARTHA BRIDGES, b. March 28, 171071; m. ABRAHAM BALL, January 13, 1731/3271; of Holliston, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts71.
 v. BETHIAH BRIDGES, b. February 14, 1712/1371; d. Aft. 174971; m. BENJAMIN NURSE, November 22, 174971; d. Aft. 174971.
 vi. BENJAMIN BRIDGES, b. September 19, 171471; d. October 06, 173971.
 vii. SARAH BRIDGES, b. August 26, 171671; d. November 18, 173971.
 viii. DAVID BRIDGES, b. March 19, 1719/2071; d. Aft. 175071; m. KEZIAH DRURY, April 25, 175071; d. Aft. 175071.
 ix. JONATHAN BRIDGES, b. March 19, 1719/2071; d. April 04, 172071.
 

Generation No. 4
9. ELIZABETH4 BRIDGES (BENJAMIN3, EDMUND2, EDMUND1) was born July 28, 1692.  She married ISAAC WHITNEYSeptember 27, 1722. 
   
Child of ELIZABETH BRIDGES and ISAAC WHITNEY is:
 i. HULDAH5 WHITNEY, m. ZECHARIAH MORSE, November 16, 1724, Framingham, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts; b. August 12, 1699. Settled in Southboro and had 3 children.

10.  SARAH4 BRIDGES (BENJAMIN3, EDMUND2, EDMUND1)72 was born March 25, 170273 in Framingham, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts; d. before July 1742.  She married DEACON MOSES HAVEN74 April 14, 172075 in Framingham, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, son of NATHANIAL HAVEN and ELIZABETH.  He was born May 01, 169276, and died 174376.  See Haven page for info on descendants.

Children of SARAH BRIDGES and MOSES HAVEN are:
 i. BEJAMIN5 HAVEN
 ii. SARAH HAVEN
 iii. SUSANNA HAVEN
 iv. MOSES HAVEN
 v. ZERVIAH HAVEN
 vi. JESSE HAVEN
 vii. GIDEON HAVEN
 viii. LOUIS HAVEN
 ix. ZEDEKIAH HAVEN
 

11.  GIDEON4 BRIDGES (BENJAMIN3, EDMUND2, EDMUND1) was born August 21, 170577.  He married MARY WILSON May 23, 172377.

Child of GIDEON BRIDGES and MARY WILSON is:
 i. ANNE5 BRIDGES
 

16.  HACHALIAH4 BRIDGES (CALEB3, EDMUND2, EDMUND1) was born May 30, 1705 in Framingham, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts80, and died September 27, 1739 of Southborough, Massachusetts80.  He married SARAH RUG 172880.  She died Aft. 173980. Children born Southborough, Massachusetts80  1751, estate settled80

Children of HACHALIAH BRIDGES and SARAH RUG are:
 i. JAMES5 BRIDGES, b. 1729, Southborough, Massachusetts80; m. MARY BROWN, 175181.
 ii. JONATHAN BRIDGES, b. 173081; d. 173681.
 iii. NATHAN BRIDGES, b. 173381.
 iv. SARAH BRIDGES, b. 173581.
25. v. HACHALIAH BRIDGES, b. 173781.
26. vi. BENJAMIN BRIDGES, b. 173981; d. January 26, 1814.

Generation No. 5
25. HACHALIAH5 BRIDGES (HACHALIAH4, CALEB3, EDMUND2, EDMUND1)875,876,877 was born 1737.  He married ELIZABETH UNDERWOOD, daughter of JOSEPH UNDERWOOD and JEMIMA LELAND.  She was born October 20, 1746 in Holliston, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.
   
Child of HACHALIAH BRIDGES and ELIZABETH UNDERWOOD is:
 i. ELIJAH6 BRIDGES, b. April 15, 1775, Holliston, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts; m. PATIENCE ADAMS, September 22, 1799.

26. BENJAMIN5 BRIDGES (HACHALIAH4, CALEB3, EDMUND2, EDMUND1)890,891 was born Bet. 1739 - 1740, and died January 26, 1814 age 74.  He married ESTHER.  She was born Bet. 1739 - 1740, and died February 18, 1819 age 75.  Burial: West Cemetery, Holliston, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts
   
Child of BENJAMIN BRIDGES and ESTHER is:
 i. NATHAN6 BRIDGES.  Burial: West Cemetery, Holliston, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts