4964. Samuel Bridger & 4965 Mary Newce [England]
1584, Samuel born in England, s/o 9928. Lawrence Bridger.~1600, Mary born in England, d/o 9930. Thomas Newce & 9931. Anne Seymour.
1602, Samuel matriculated at Magdalen College, Oxford, opened in 1480.
Samuel married Mary. (S) Samuel’s will.
9/24/1630, Samuel’s father bequeathed him several parcels of land, but not the majority, which went to Joseph the eldest s/o Lawrence’s second wife. “To Samuel my son and heirs forever (in lieu of any claim that he might make by the laws of the realm to any other lands) the lease I bought of Mr. Smith called Great Clingor and the lease next adjoining to the same which I bought of John Nelline of Stinchcombe; also the ground I bought of Mr. Smith which Thomas Shell doth hold of me by lease and that which William Howell doth hold of me by lease, also a great whit bolw of silver. To Marie his wife 10£, to his daughter my godchild 10£.”
Samuel owned the manor of Woodmancote in the Parish of Dursley, in England. [Woodmancote, Dursley is between Bristol and Gloucester. It may have been acquired through his wife who’s grandmother was Jane Berkeley – the Berkeley family having previously owned Woodmancote.]
3/10/1639, Feoffment of Richard Workman, “Five acres of wood in Woodmancote, …”, Witnesses … Samuel Bridger. (S) UK National Archives.
1650, Samuel Auditor to the Dean and Chapter of Gloucester Cathedral, a lay post. [Chapter is a body corporate of clerics.]
Samuel wrote his will, wife Mary named executrix. (S) UK National Archives.
7/21/1650, Samuel died while resident in Gloucester; buried in the Lady Chapel of the Cathedral.
Epitaph: Here lyes the body of Samuel Bridger, gent, who
Departed this life upon the 21st day of July, An.1650.
Receiver of this College Rents, he paid
His Debt to Nature, and beneath he’s laid,
To rest until his Summons to remove,
At the last Audit, to the Choir above.
[It no longer exists due to church restorations in the 1800s.]
10/19/1650, Samuel’s will probated.
Mary recovered substantial money from “cosen William Newce of Much Haddam in Hertfordshire”, and distributed it between the two daughters and the four under age sons. This is likely a descendent of her uncle William who also traveled to VA.
8/3/1683, Mary mentioned in the will of her son Joseph. (S) See No.2482 Family notes.
1686, Mary received a legacy from the estate of her son Joseph ( 2482) who died in VA.
Family notes:
• Samuel’s will: Samuel left his wife Mary the benefit of all his “householdstuff and plate”, and “that part of my dwelling house wherin I myself lately lived at Woodmancott in the parish of Dursley”, later referred to as the Dower house. Another bequest to Mary – “for the enlargement of her maintenance for the better education and placing abroad of my children” with an injunction to “at her own charge carefully bring up my children, such as be not yet disposed abroad, in the fear of God and in good learning”. All children are mentioned in the will.
• As to why he would want to send his children abroad – from the records of the 1650s is that known Royalists were being harshly treated and their wealth confiscated – better to send your children abroad to seek their fortune.
Children of Samuel and Mary:
i. John Bridger, born ~1620 in England.
1650, Samuel’s will: John bequeathed the Auditors office at the Cathedral. John also received the manor of Woodmancote and its lands.
ii. Samuel Bridger Jr, born ~1622 in England.
1650, Samuel’s will: Samuel Jr received parcels of tenanted property in the surrounding parishes, notably Slimbridge.
4/28/1655, “Agreement to levy fine … (5) Samuel Bridger of Slimbridge, gent; …” (S) UK National Archives.
iii. Martha Bridger, born ~1624 in England.
1650, Martha likely died before 9/24/1630. Only one daughter is mentioned in the will of Samuel’s father Lawrence.
iv. Mary Bridger, born ~1626 in England.
Mary married Samuel Keme [his 3rd wife of 4.] (S) A History of the Parish of Leyton, 1894, P355. Mary is named on a memorial in the Albury Chruch to the 1st 3 wives of Samuel.
v. Joseph Bridger ( 2482), born 1628 in England.
vi. James Bridger, born ~1630 in England.
1650, Samuel’s will: James received parcels of tenanted property in the surrounding parishes, notably Slimbridge.
7/28/1657, “Conveyance (1) James Bridger of Bristol, gent. (2) William Purnell of North Nibley, clothier. Tenement with appurts at Forbridge, Cam, with garden, orchard, closes called Hengaston (1½a) near Wainletts Green, Brodnam (1½a) and 1 acre of meadow in Hengaston, all in Cam and Slimbridge. Consideration: £46.” (S) UK National Archives.
2/12/1657/8, “Recovery … (4) James Bridger gent (vouchee) … One messuage, 2 gardens, 2 acres of land, 1 acre of meadow, 2 acres of pasture with appurts in Cam and Slimbridge.” (S) UK National Archives.
James immigrated to America.
vii. George Bridger, born ~1632 in England.
1650, Samuel’s will: George received parcels of tenanted property in the surrounding parishes, notably Slimbridge.
viii. Jonathan Bridger, born ~1634 in England.
1650, Samuel’s will: Jonathan received parcels of tenanted property in the surrounding parishes, notably Slimbridge.
