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Edmond Bridges |
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Elizabeth |
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Edmond Bridges ★ was born circa 1612 WI27, AN6, DO12 in England; he stated that he was about forty-six years old when he gave a deposition at the Ipswich Court dated September 28, 1658 DO13. According to the transcriptions of James Savage (and later by Michael Tepper), the second voyage of the James, captained by Master John May and bound for New England, had her first passengers embark on June 19, 1635 WI27, HO16. On July 13 HO16 or July 17 WI27, 1635, another larger group of passengers embarked, who included Edmond Bridges, age twenty-three HO16. Ellery Bicknell Crane stated that Edmund sailed on January 13, 1635 CR2, as did Robert Charles Anderson AN6; perhaps there was a transcription error somewhere. It would have been less safe to sail the Atlantic in winter. Charles Edward Banks stated that he arrived in Boston in the last week of September 1635 BA13.
A record of his first marriage has not been located, but he probably married about 1636, because Edmond Bridges, Jr. was born in approximately 1637 (he was about twenty-seven when he gave a deposition on June 28, 1664) DO13. A death record for Elizabeth Bridges, the wife of Edmond Bridges (who died on December 31, 1664 in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts VI24) provides a name for his first wife. However, a birth record for his daughter, Mahetabell Bridges, confused matters because it stated “Mahetabell Bridges daughter [the following word may state “of”] Edmund & Alice borne, Moneth ye first ye six & twenty” in 1641 in Rowley, Essex County, Massachusetts MA26. Robert Charles Anderson stated that there is no supporting evidence to prove a marriage between Edmond and Alice, and furthermore asserted that the first wife of Edmund was Elizabeth, whom he married circa 1636 AN6.
A copy of the land distribution in Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts dated 1638 stated that “Edward” Bridges received ten acres of land DO13. Edmund was a blacksmith CR2, AN6, DO16, CU13 and, as “Edmond Bridge”, he was admitted as a freeman in Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts on September 7, 1639 PA23, CR2, AN6, CU13. He later moved to Rowley, Essex County, Massachusetts by the year 1641 AN6, DO12, CU13, when in that year (perhaps on December 28), he was involved in a suit against George Wilby at the Ipswich Court DO12.
A survey of Rowley, Essex County, Massachusetts was conducted by Mr. Thomas Nelson, Mr. Edward Carlton, Humphrey Reyner, and Francis Parrat on February 10, 1643, which documented the lots and inhabitants in their town MI37. The name “Edward Bridges” appeared several times in their survey of the early land grants of Rowley MI37. Edward Bridges owned one house lot on Wetherfield Street, which was one and a half acres and was bounded on the north “by the Crosse streete” and on the east “by the high streete” MI37. Edward Bridges owned a six-acre parcel of upland in the Northeast Field which adjoined Richard Thurlay’s house lot on the east side, Satchell’s Meadow on another side, and the cart path on another side MI37. In the “Batchelours” Meadow, he owned one acre of meadow adjacent to and just north of Jane Brockelbanke’s meadow MI37. He was granted one acre in the first division of salt marsh and another acre in the second division of salt marsh MI37. He was granted one acre of rough meadow near the head of the creek and on the east side of the planting lot owned by George Abbat (Abbott) in the second division of fresh marsh MI37. In the second division of upland, he was granted 107 rods of upland in the Marsh Field, which was on the north side of the upland owned by Richard Wakam MI37.
On May 26, 1647, the General Court ordered him to appear at the Essex County Court, because it was claimed that he failed to provide a public service when he did not shoe Mr. Symond’s horse in a timely fashion CR2, SH18. Apparently, Mr. Symond himself was to appear in court but perhaps was late in doing so because his horse was not properly shod CR2. Edmund was excused “for neglect of public service, at his request” at the Salem Court on July 5, 1647 DO12.
Edmund was a member of the Essex County Grand Jury in the months of September in 1651 AN6, DO12 and 1654 AN6, DO12. He and John “Emerie” testified at the Ipswich Court on September 28, 1652 against John Baker and Henry Archer, who were thought to have put an improper amount of malt into beer casks DO12. In the Salem Court on November 9, 1653, he was named as the attorney for John Caldwell, and yet he testified DO12:
Edmund Bridges, attorney of John Caldwell, testified that, being in Goodman Bridges’ shop, Goodman ______ being present, he heard him say that a woman and her daughter, gathering berries, saw four women, Mrs. Perkins, Good Evens, Goody Dutch, etc. As they approached them, the four women sat upon the ground, but when they came near, the women had vanished. He could not say that they were witches.
He and Richard Kemball were appointed as two of the three executors of the will of Thomas Scott of Ipswich, which was dated March 8, 1653/4 SA21. The son of Thomas Scott of Ipswich was Thomas Scott of Stampford in New Haven, who sold Richard Kemboll, Sr. and Edmond Bridges various parcels of land and property on May 25, 1654 with the condition that if Thomas Scott (the son) was able to pay all the debts due from the estate from his late father, the deed would be void SA21. The deed below was transcribed by George Freeman Sanborn, Jr. and pertinent portions of that deed are reproduced here under a Creative Commons “Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International” license SA21:
…Thomas Scott of Ipswich, in ye county of Essex, lately deceased, having made Richard Kemboll and Edmond Bridges his executors to his last will & testament, whereby they stand charged & oblidged to the discharging of severall debts & legacies… In consideration whereof the sd Thomas Scott hath granted, bargayned & sould… unto Richard Kemboll sen’r. & Edmond Bridges, all that his house & barne, & about six acres of land about it, be it more or less, with the appurtenances & privilidges belonging thereunto; also two acres in the swamp on ye other side of the way; alsoe fifteene acres of land in the comon feild, comonly called the Pequit lotts; alsoe thirty six acres of meadow at the west meadows, & tenn acres of land & six acres of marsh in the comon field on the north side the river; as alsoe fifty six pounds in the hands of John West, & fifteene pounds in the hand of Robert Roberts, alsoe seaven cattle in the hands of Joseph Biggsbe, (all which the premises before mentioned was the estate of his father Thomas Scott while hee lived.) To have and to hold, & quietly & peaceably to enjoy all the said houses, lands, cattell & other estate, unto the aforesaid Richard Kemboll & Edmond Bridges, and their heirs and assigns forever. The condition of this bargaine & sale above mentioned is such, that if the above named Thomas Scott doe pay or cause to be pd unto the severall persons to whom they belong, all such debts as are due from the estate of his late father, and all the legasies given by his will as they shall become due & payable, and shall bring such discharges from the severall persons, of the receipt of their legasies bequeathed unto them by his father’s last will, as may discharge them the sd Richard Kemboll & Edmond Bridges, according to the trust comitted unto them by his late father, that then this said bargaine and sale above written to be voyd & of none effect, otherwise to stand, remaine and abide is full force, strength and vertue. In witnes whereof the said Thomas Scott hath heereunto sett his hand & seale, the 25th of May, 1654.
Signe, sealed and delivered in the presence of us,
Robert Lord.
Thomas Lovell.
It is unclear if he or his son was the “Edmond Bridges” who was fined at the Ipswich Court on March 31, 1657 for lying, because the name lacked a “Jr.” or “Sr.” suffix DO13, but based on the evidence of the behavior during this same time period of two of his sons, Hackaliah and Edmond, it may be reasonable to assume that this court record referred to his son.
He gave a sworn testimonial at the Ipswich Court on March 29, 1659, stating that he and John Appelford were summoned to Richard Shatswell’s barn to assist “a bullock that was sick”, but when they arrived and examined the creature, discovered that he was deceased, and had suffered “a bruise on the side near the heart” DO13. Thomas Clarke and Thomas Pershons testified that they witnessed Richard Sachwell and William Dellow beat the animal DO13. An undated but early record of Ipswich, Essex County stated that Edmund Bridges was to receive a six-acres planting lot near the soldier’s land, a six-acres parcel of meadow at West Meadows, and twenty-acre parcel near the pauper’s field (poor man’s field) IP2. This grant was located in two record books, and transcriptions of this grant follow IP2, IP3:
Granted to Edmund Bridges to inlarge his yard as it is Staked out: alsoe a planting lott of sixe acres at the head of soldiers land six acres of meadowe at the west meadowes if it be there to be had to be sett out by the 10th of March else the grant to be voyde: alsoe 20 acres neare the poore mans feild where it may be least priuditi all [perhaps “prejudicial”] to the C [the previous word is faded and has an ink blot] p[ro]vided if he remoove wthin [an ink blot has obscured part of the previous word and the word before “yeares”] yeares he is to lay it downe being paid for his cost; or [the previous word is very faint and difficult to read] he remoove wthin: seaven yeares, if it be judge [the previous word is too faint to read, but might state “judge”] he depart wthout iust [probably “just”] ground./ to be laide sett out by moses Pengrye mr willson & John Gage
Granted to Edmund Bridges to in large his yard as it is staked out Also a planting lott of six at the head of the souldjers land six acres of meaddow at the west meadowes if it be there to be had to be sett out by the 10th of march else the grant to be voide: also 20 acres near the poor mans feild where it may be least preiudiciall [prejudicial] to the com[m]on p[ro]vided if he remove within three yeares he is to lay it downe being paide for his cost of if he remove within seven yeares if it be Judged he depart without Just Ground: to be sett out by moses pengry mr wilson & John Gage.
He called himself a smith of Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts when he and Anthony Potter sold a small parcel of two and a half acres of land in Ipswich to John Whipple (the elder) on April 4, 1660 SA21. The deed below was transcribed by George Freeman Sanborn, Jr. and is reproduced here under a Creative Commons “Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International” license SA21:
This present writing wittnesseth, that Edmond Bridges of Ipswich, in the county of Essex, smith, for & in consideration of six pound, ten shillings, in hand paid unto me the said Edmond Bridges & Anthony Potter, have bargained, granted, demised, infeofed & sould, & by these presents doe fully and freely grant, bargaine, demise, infeofe, sell & make over unto Elder John Whipple of ye same towne & county, part of a six acre lott which was sumtymes Herry Kingsbery’s, lying in two parts, conteininge two acres & a halfe, be it more or lesse, with the appurtenances thereunto belonging, scituate, lying & being in Ipswich aforesaid, as it is fenced, bounded by ye highwaye toward ye west, the land of Widow Quilter toward the north, other land of Edmond Bridges towards the east, & joyning to other land of ye aforesaid Elder John Whipple towards ye south, the other part fenct in unto the afore named Elder John Whipple his other ground at the other end of the said lott. To have & to hould, & quietly & peaceably to injoy & possess, unto the proper use & behoof of the said John Whipple, his heirs & assignes forever, without any lett, hinderance or denyall from him, his heires, executors, administrators or any of them, or any other person laying any claime thereto, from, by or under him or his heires, executors, administrators or any of them forever. In wittness whereof the said Edmond Bridges have heereunto set his hand & seale, the 4th of Aprill, 1660.
Edmond Bridges.
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of us
Anthony Potter.
Jacob Perkins.
Robert Lord.
Edmond Bridges was a member of the Grand Jury at Ipswich on September 25, 1660 DO13. On May 2, 1661, he was released from training, except for twice each year DO13. A writ dated June 12, 1661 was signed by Hillyard Veren for the attachment of approximately eight acres of land and two acres of wheat, which was intended to be applied toward Edmond’s debt to Mr. Edmond Batter DO13. He was a juror at the Ipswich Quarterly Court on September 30, 1662 DO13, AN6. He witnessed a deed between William and Joannah Towne of Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts, and their son, Joseph Towne, dated March 31, 1663 SA21.
On June 26, 1663, Zacheus Gould of Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts sold a parcel of land to Edmond Bridges and Daniell Black, both of whom were also of Topsfield, for the sum of fifty pounds SA21. This land was bounded by lands of Edmond Towne on the east, a cartway and lands of James Watters on the south, a brook on the north, and lands of Zacheus Gould again on the east (later stated that the land of Zacheus was on the west side of this parcel) SA21. The terms of the deed stated that they were also obligated to make and maintain the fence that divided their land with that of Zacheus on the west side SA21. This deed was witnessed by Robert and Mary Lord SA21. The following record stated that the same parcel of land was mortgaged back to Zacheus Gould, and that Edmond Bridges and Daniell Black had made an agreement between themselves which would permit Edmond to have one third and Daniell to have two thirds SA21.
An additional deed which was dated June 26, 1663 (the same date as the first deed) stated that Edmond Bridges and Daniell Black of Topsfield sold the same parcel back to Zacheus Gould SA21. The bounds were stated similarly but not identically; while it was stated to be the same parcel, it was bounded by lands of Edmond Towne on the east, a cartway on the south, lands of James Watters and a brook on the north, and lands of Zacheus Gould on the west SA21. The condition of the sale was that if Edmond and Daniell paid Zacheus five pounds per year for the term of ten years in merchantable wheat and pork until the full sum of fifty pounds was paid, then the sale would be made void SA21. The first payment was due on September 19, 1663, and all additional payments would be due on September 19th SA21. This deed was also witnessed by Robert and Mary Lord SA21. On the same date, Edmond and Daniell were then bonded to Zacheus for the sum of sixty pounds to ensure that they would fully pay the sum of fifty pounds SA21. He again referred to himself as a smith of Ipswich when he sold a six-acre parcel of meadow in Ipswich to Nicholas Wallis on February 22, 1663/4 AN6.
After the death of Elizabeth, Edmond Bridges married Mary Littlehale on April 6, 1665 in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts VI24. Mary (Langton) Littlehale was the widow of Richard Littlehale TH28, DO17, AN6. Mary Lancton married Richard Littlehale on November 15, 1647 in Haverhill, Essex County, Massachusetts VI5. She was born about 1625, according to her age when she was deposed in 1685 TA12. “Mari Bridgis” was sixty years old when she gave a sworn statement before Robert Pike on November 24, 1685 for the case of Daniell Ely of Haverhill (the plaintiff) vs. Andrew Greely of Haverhill (the defendant) TA12. Mari Bridges testified that TA12:
the land lying between the mill formerly called Mr. Clemansis mill and the street was Cleman’s no longer than he supplied the town by grinding. Further, when Mr. Clemans was on his death bed, the selectmen demanded this land for the town, being not willing to be concerned with his wife in coming to mill, whereupon he divided or separated that land from his own land and left it to his executors or in their hands as belonging to the mill, but as the town’s
Mary
Bridges was called the daughter of Edmond in his will, dated January 6, 1684/5 AM1.
He bequeathed twenty pounds in goods to her, but also stated “I have allreadie
given unto my all my Chilldren but Mary such portions as was
suteable and Convenient unto my Estate To dispose of” AM1. This may
indicate that he had divided his estate to his children prior to Mary’s birth.
It is possible that Mary was the daughter of Edmond and his second wife, Mary
(Lancton) (Littlehale) Bridges, who married Edmond when she was about forty.
She likely would not have gone through menopause by this time. A birth record
for Mary Bridges, the daughter of Edmond Bridges, stated that she was born on
April 14, 1667 in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts VI23. This
Mary Bridges may have been the daughter of Mary (Lancton) (Littlehale) Bridges,
who would have been about forty-two years old. However, Edmond Bridges, Jr. and
his wife, Sarah had children who were born in 1660, 1665, 1669, 1677, and 1680.
A birth of a child in 1667 would fit between those born in 1665 and 1669. On
the other hand, Edmond Bridges, Jr. was known to have lived in Topsfield and
Salem, but not Ipswich.
Four days later, he received one share of the common land, which equaled three acres; the shares involved the division of land on Plum Island, Hog Island, and Castle Neck WA20. He lived in Ipswich in June 1666, when a bond was issued to his son: “Bond of Edmond Bridges and John Wiles, sr., of Topsfeld for Bridges appearance at the constable’s pleasure at his father’s house in Ipswig” DO13. “Edmond Bridges” had been called the deputy constable of Topsfield on September 12, 1664 DO13, and so it was probably his son, Edmund Bridges, Jr., who was the constable of Topsfield.
In the case of Edmund’s son, Obadiah Bridges, who was accused of a crime by Lidia Browne, he and his second wife, Mary, gave a deposition on March 26, 1667 at the Ipswich Quarterly Court, in which they said that they heard a “rumor that William Warner and Ephraim French were able to witness… they asked the former to tell the truth and he said that the room in which they were in was not a private one” DO14. Obadiah Bridges testified that he could prove his innocence of the charge, and in the same court session of March 1667, Lidia Browne confessed to an unidentified “great offence”, and she was ordered to be whipped, or to pay a fine DO14.
He called himself a blacksmith of Salem when he sold a dwelling house and barn with an eight-acre parcel of land in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts, as well as a ten-acre parcel of swamp and upland in Topsfield, to Ensign John Goold of Topsfield on December 9, 1670 ES18. A transcription of this deed follows ES18:
)14: 10: 70.
Bee it Knowne, unto all men by these p’sents, yt I Edmond Bridges of Salem, in ye County of Essex. blacksmith. For divers good causes & considerations, me thereunto moveing, especilly for & in consideration of a valuable sume to mee in hand paid. by Ensigne John Goold of Topsfeild in ye County aforesd, yeoman; have bargained & sould. & do by these pr’sents bargaine. sell. aliene. assign. sett over & confirme. unto ye sd John Goold his heires & assignes. one peece or pr’cell of land. containing eight acres, be it more or less, with a dwelling house & barne upon it. scittuate. lying & being in Topsfeeld aforesd. bounded on ye northeast side with ye land of Thomas Perkins sen’r. & east or southeast with ye land of Jacob Towne. & west or southwest with ye land now in ye possession of John Robbinson, & south with ye land of Edmond Towne; alsoe a p’cel more on ye other side or south side of Ipswich river, containing of meddow swamp & upland, about ten acres, be it more or less. bounded with ye sd river on ye northeast side, & the comon land of Topsfield on all ye other sides. To have & to hold ye sd p’cel of land, containeing eight acres, more or lesse, with ye house & barne upon it: alsoe ye sd ten acres, more or less, on ye other side Ipswich river. with all ye rights. privilidges & appurtenances. yt did in any way belong. unto mee ye sd Ed. Bridges in Topsfield. touching land when I ye sd Bridges gave possession to the sd John Goold. of ye sd house & land, being in the yeare of our Lord. (1668.) unto ye said John Goold, his heirs & assigns. to his & theire owne p’p’ [proper] use & behoofe forever; and I ye sd Edmond
Bridges. doe by these pr’sents. further covenant & pr[o]mise, for myselfe, my heires, executors & administrators, to & with ye sd John Goold, his heires & assignes. that I have full power & lawfull authority. in my owne name, to bargaine, sell & convey. all & singuler ye pr[e]misses as aforesd, unto him ye sd John Goold, his heirs & assignes; and further do covenant & pr’mise. to warrant. acquit & defend, & the peaceable possession to give & maintaine. of all & singuler ye pr’misses. unto him ye said John Goold, his heires & assignes forever. ag’st all p’sons laying lawfull claime thereto. or any pt or p’cell thereof. by. from or under me, as witnes my hand & seale. this ninth day of December, in ye yeare of our Lord God, one thousand, six hundred & seaventy.
Edmond Bridges with a seale.
Signed. sealed & d[elivere]d. in the pr’sence of
Thomas White.
Walter Fairefeild.
He was a member of the jury of trials at the Quarterly Court of Ipswich on March 26, 1672, during the same court session in which his son, Obadiah, was granted the administration of the estate of his other son, Hackaliah, who had been “cast away” DO16. He was a juror again at Ipswich on September 30 1673 DO16, AN6 and September 27, 1681 DO19, AN6, and he held a right to common land at Ipswich on February 18, 1678 MA28. The inventory of the estate of John Littlehale, “who was slain in the war” while he served under Captain Laithrop, was granted to Edmond Bridges and his wife, Mary, on November 25, 1675 TH28. Mary Bridges had been the wife of Richard Littlehale and was the mother of John Littlehale TH28.
Edmond Bridges, Sr. was again called a blacksmith of Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts when he sold his dwelling house, shop, and wharf in Salem to Mrs. Elizabeth Turner, a widow of Salem on April 12, 1682 ES18. The terms of this sale stated that Elizabeth Turner would pay Edmond one hundred and sixty pounds, but if he paid back sixty pounds in iron work and fish within one year, and then fifty pounds per year for the following two years (with the condition that fifty-one pounds and fifteen shillings would be paid in iron work at five pence per pound, and the remainder in iron work at six pence per pound), then the sale would be void ES18. A transcription of this deed follows ES18:
15: May: 1682.
Know all men by these pr’sents. that I Edmond Bridges sen’r of Salem. in the County of Essex, in New England. blacksmith. for & in consideration of ye sume of one hundred & sixty pounds. to my good content to me in hand paid. by Mrs. Eliza: Turner of Salem. in New England. widow. I doe acknowledge myselfe fully sattisfied. content & paid: have bargained & sold. & by these pr’sents doe bargaine & sell. aliene. enfeofe. sett over & confirme. unto ye sd Elizabeth Turner. my dwelling house & shopp & wharfe. with sixty poles of ground with it. & all things thereunto belonging. being bounded easterly with ye land of John Beckett sen’r southerly w’th ye water side or river. westerly with ye land of Richard Flinder. & northerly with ye land of Edmond Bridges Jun’r. To have & to hold ye above sd house. shop and wharfe & ground as afore described. together with all theire appurtenances. profits. comonages. privilidges, comodyties & benefitts whatsoever thereunto may any arise appertaine or belong. with all my right. title. estate. propriety & interest. in & unto ye same & every pt & parcell thereof. unto ye sd Elizabeth Turner. her heirs. executors. administrators & assignes forever. free & cleere. & freely & cleerely acquitted, exonerated & discharged of & from all other former guifts. grants. bargains. sales. alienations. assignations. leases. mortgages. joyntures. rights of dower. forfeitures. arests. sutes. judgments. Executions. troubles or incumbrances wtsoever. & that it is and shall be lawfull for ye said Elizabeth Turner, now upon the very day of the date heareof. & from time to time heareofter, as shee ye sd Elizabeth Turner. her heirs. executors or assignes. shall see cause to enter upon. seize. use. possess. occupy and injoy ye afore bargained pr’misses & every pt & p’cell thereof. without controlement. deniall. eviction. ejection. disturbance or mollestation of any p’son or p’sons whomsoever. by. from or under me, avouching myselfe at & imeadiately before ye signing & sealing heareof. to be the only true & rightfull owner of ye pr’misses. & of every pt & p’cell of the same. & that myselfe & none but myselfe hath leagall power. right or authority. to make sale. alienation or conveyance thereof: & doe further covenant & promise for myselfe, my heirs, executors & administrators. to & with ye sd Elizabeth Turner. her heires. executors. administrators or assignes. her & them to warrant. acquit & defend. & the quiett use. tenure. possession & peaceable injoyment of the pr’misses. against all p’sons whomesoever. claiming leagall propriety or interest. in or unto ye afore bargained pr’mises or any pt or p’cell thereof. by. from or under me. or any conveyance or contrivance of mine: alwas provided. & it is heareby to be understood. that if in case ye abovesd Edmond Bridges, shall well and truly sattisfy & pay or cause to be sattisfied & paid. the sume of sixty pounds in iron work & fish. within a yeare after ye date heareof. & fifty pounds p[er] yeare for ye two next yeares heareafter: & it is to be understood that fifty one pounds. fifteene shillings. is to be paid in iron worke at five pence p[er] pound. & all ye rest at six pence p[er] pound, this being paid to ye good content of ye sd Elizabeth Turner. her heires or assignes. at or before the time above exspressed. then this above written instrument. & ever thing hearein contained is to be voyd & of none effect. otherwise to stand in full force & vertue. In witnes whereof ye above sd Edmond Bridges hath heareunto sett his hand & seale. this twelfth day of April. in ye ye [sic] yeare of our Lord. one thousand six hundred & eighty two.
Edmond Bridges & a seale.
Signed. sealed & delivered in ye pr’sence of us.
William Andrew.
Edmond Bridges, Sr., a blacksmith of Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts, wrote his will on January 6, 1684/5, in which he bequeathed his rapier to John, his musket to Josiah, a pewter platter to Fayth, another pewter platter to Bethiah, and twenty pounds in goods to his daughter Mary AM1. He named his son, John, and his wife, Mary, as executors AM1. His will was witnessed by Daniell Epps and Edmund Heard and was proved on March 31, 1685 AM1, AN6. Edmond Bridges, Sr. died on January 13, 1684 in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts VI24, AN6. A transcription of his will follows AM1:
The Last Will and Testament of Edmond Bridges Senr Black Smith of Ipswich in the County of Essex in New England is as Followeth,
I Edmond Bridges being of perfect memorie and good understanding, yet by Reason of my weakeness of Bodie and manie Infermities often prevaileing upon me, Doe desire to Com[m]end my Soule in to the hands of my Blessed Redeemer Jesus Christ, in hope of a happy Resurection,
My
will therefore is that my Bodie beinge Decently Burried after my Discease, and
all my Debts be discharged, My Estate be dispossed of as Followeth Vizt,
I have allreadie given unto my all my Chilldren but Mary such
portions as was suteable and Convenient unto my Estate To dispose of, but as an
adition I give unto John Bridges my Raepier unto Josiah Bridges I Give my
musquit, unto Fayth Bridges I give A pewter platter marked with EBA,
unto Bethiah Bridges, the Follow or other Pewtter plater with same markes,
which things my will is, that they bee Delivered unto the Parties before
mentioned, Att my house upon there Demand, Imediately after my Discease,
Unto my Daughter Mary I give Twentie Pounds, That is to say a Cow shee calls her owne, a fetherbed and what Beding can conveniently be spared with it, And the rest to be made up in such Household stufe as my Wife shall see cause to supply her with,
And my Will further is that my Beloved Wife Mary Bridges shall have the use of the whole of my Estate undispossed of Dureing the time of her Life if shee remaines a widow, But if shee should Marry after my Discease shee shall then have ten Pounds payed unto her,
I Doe allsoe Will, that If my afforesayd Wife Mary Bridges should Marry, or otherwayes at the time of her Discease, that all the Remainder of my Estate then left shall be Equallie devided, between John Bridges my sonne, my sonne Josiah Bridges, my Daughter Fayth Bridges Alies Black Bethiah Bridges Alies Peabodie and Mary Bridges, And I doe hereby Constitute and ordeine my Beloved Wife Mary Bridges and my sonne John Bridges to be my Executors, in order unto the perforemance of this my last Will and Testament And I doe desire Capt Daniel Epps with Leiftenant John Appleton to be the overseers for the Fullfilling of this my Will, Whereunto I have sett my hand and Seale this 6th of January 1684
Edmund brid… [it appears that Edmond Bridges did not have the strength to hold the pen]
Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of us
Daniell Epps
Edmund heard
The Interlineing between ye 8th & 9th line from ye top viz, but Mary, was entered before ye perfecting hereof
The inventory of his estate was conducted on January 16, 1684 and included AM1:
Tooles belonging to the shop, an Anvell… A payre of Bellowes… 6 hamers… 5 payre of tongs a bickorn mandrell [perhaps “bicorn mandrel” or “mandrill”] & vie… Pinchers Buttres with ye rest of ye smal tooles… seales & waytes… steel… Two loads of Charcoale… two hatts, with the rest of his weareing apparel… his Cortlet [perhaps “corslet”, or armor for the trunk or torso] Pike musquit & rapeyer [musket and rapier]… A hie bedsted in ye parlor beding & furniture belonging thereto… A trundle bed in ye Parlor with what belongs there unto… Ruggs sheets & blankets… a warming pan… A Chest… a Cubboard & carpet… 3 cushins… 4 Cushins… 3 Chayres… A table & Joynestoole… a smothing Iron brush & heaters… Two pewter platters marked with EBA… five platters more… two platters… Sausers… Bookes & salt seller… Two Candlestickes… two tin pans three sauce pans… two skillets… two tin pans & 3 pottingers… a pitcher & Jugg… a brass Kettle… two Iron potts… one Iron kettle… 2 tramells tongs & fire slice… other Irons… a gridiron & spit… Pestle & morter chaffindish [chafing dish]… a skimer & ladle… two tin lamps… 4 payles… a table… hie chayres… Cotton woole… Earthen ware… a bed sted & matt… a bed with bed Cloathes belonging to it… beef & porke… 5 cowes… 3 swine… a sadle & pannel [probably “pommel”] one frieing pan… two wheells… lumbar… an ax & beetle two wedges… pitch forke racke and spanshakell [spanshackle]… a grin stone… a plow with Irons… a table cloath & six napkins… The homestead with all ye Houseing belonging to it… Acres of Land… two two yeare olds… one yeareling… 4 sheep… a payre of small andirons of iron & a smal tramel…
Mary Bridges, the widow of Edmond, died on October 24, 1691 in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts VI24.
Elizabeth was probably the mother of Edmond, Hackaliah, Mehitable, John, Faith, Obadiah, Bethia, and Josiah AN6, BE7.
Edmond Bridges, Jr. was born approximately 1635 DO16 or 1637 DO13, DO14. He stated that he was about twenty-seven when he was deposed on June 28, 1664 DO13. “Edmon” Bridges gave an undated deposition for the court held at Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts on March 27, 1666 in which he stated he was twenty-nine years old DO14. Edmond Bridges testified at a court held in Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts on June 30, 1674 in the case of Hanna Downing vs. Nathaniell, Samuell, and Thomas Leonard that he was thirty-nine years old DO16.
In a court held in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts on March 31, 1657, Edmond Bridges was fined five shillings for writing a note to John Tod, but deceitfully representing this note as if it were written by his father DO13. Several witnesses gave testimony against Edmond, and a few observed Edmond writing the note during a sermon, and then he delivered it to John Tod after the church service, stating to Tod that his father had sent the letter DO13. Edmund Bridges, Sr. denied writing this note DO13. At a court held in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts on September 29, 1657, Edmond Bridges was found guilty of fornication, and was ordered “to be severely whipped and bound to good behavior. Mary Browne, for suffering such misdemeanors, to stand by and see him whipped” DO13. Samuel Younglove, age twenty, testified on that date; he stated that he and Edmond Bridges were mowing and Edmond “told him about his undue relations with Mary Browne and Mary Quilter, and John Allen with Mary Browne; and he had been persuading Thomas Gittins and others” DO13. Edmond was “bound to good behavior, especially towards Mary Quilter” DO13.
Edmond Bridges married Sarah Towne on January 11, 1659 in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts VI10. Edmond Bridges was the father of two children whose births were recorded in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts VI10. These were Edmond Bridges, born on October 4, 1660 and Benjamin Bridges, born on January 2, 1664/5 VI10. Edmond Bridges may have been the father of Mary Bridges, who was born on April 14, 1667 in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts VI23, but Edmond Bridges, Jr. lived in Topsfield and then Salem. He was not known to have lived in Ipswich as an adult. Edmond Bridges was the father of Hana Bridges, born on June 9, 1669 in Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts VI31. Another birth record for Hanna Bridges, the daughter of Edmond and Sarah Bridges, indicated that she was born in Salem in September 1669 VI31. Edmond and Sarah Bridges were the parents of Caleb Bridges, born on June 3, 1677 in Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts VI31. He may have been the father of Alice Bridges, who was baptized in September 1680 in Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts VI31.
At a court held in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts on September 25, 1660, Edmond Bridges was called “of Topsfield” in a case in which he and Frances Urselton were both fined and incarcerated for quarreling and for not deferring to the constable, but instead mistreating him while he was in his own home DO13. In this case, it is very difficult to determine which Edmund Bridges was involved. It seems more likely that Edmund Bridges, Jr., rather than Edmund Sr., was the man associated with Francis Usselton and therefore the man charged with these crimes, because in the single instance in which the suffix “Jr.” was recorded with the name “Edmond Bridges” in any deposition in relation to this case, “Edmond Bridges, jr.” stated that he, Evin Morris, Francis Ursleton, and Daniell Clarke had, at some earlier time which was not stated, become involved in a bar fight DO13. Further, on the same day as the trial, one Edmond Bridges, which was probably Edmond Bridges, Sr., was occupied on the Grand Jury DO13. At any rate, the details of this case provide an interesting look into the more unsavory, and even grimier, aspect of Puritanical life in the mid-seventeenth century.
The constable at the time was Daniell Clarke, who also kept an ordinary, or a tavern, in his home, but he did not have a license to sell liquor, and he sold “half a pint of liquor to the Indians”, and for this and other criminal offenses, he was imprisoned and fined DO13. Evin Morris (Even Morrice) was employed by Daniell Clarke at the tavern, and he too was fined and sent to prison, for the charges of “drunkenness, quarrelling and railing speeches” DO13. Edmund stated in a deposition that Francis Ussleton had been charged by Mr. Simons with serving a warrant to Daniell Clarke and Even Morrice, but Daniell Clarke “broke forth into violent speech, calling said Ussleton rogue and bidding him depart his house or he would crack his crown”, and because of this, Francis Ussleton was unable to serve the warrant DO13. Another deposition was given by Francis Ussleton and Edmund Bridges, in which they stated that Evan Morrice “provoked them by railing speeches”, affronting the pair of them with slurs like “cheating rogues”, “baud-birds”, and “Bridewell birds” DO13. The insult “bawd bird” may have meant that the person was a philanderer or frequented brothels, and “Bridewell bird” may have meant the same thing, or it could have meant “jailbird”.
A witness to some of this incident, John Baker, Jr., testified that he happened to arrive at Daniell Clarke’s residence “when Urselton and Bridges were there with a warrant for said Clark” DO13. John Baker stated that Frances and Edmund allowed him to view the warrant, but they “snatched it away from him when they saw said Clark’s wife approaching. They told said Clark that they had it, but would not let him see it, only hear some part of it” DO13.
Goodwife Bates, another witness to the scene, declared under oath that while she was at her house, she heard Goodman Uselton’s voice over a sudden clamor emanating from the Clarke ordinary, and so she immediately set off toward the commotion DO13. Her husband was already at the Clarke ordinary, enjoying a pitcher of small beer, and her intention was to rescue him from “Useltons quarrelsome humor” DO13. When Goodwife Bates arrived, she heard Daniell Clarke’s wife cry, “O my Husband”, and then she saw that “uselton had him by the throat, & nubled him under the throat and abused him like a dogg, and also in words uery badly, And railed one Goodwife Clarke: saying she was a deuelish woman, And the diuell was in her and would haue her” DO13. Goodwife Bates stated that “they [very probably referring to Francis and Edmund]… Refused to obey the authority of the Constable”, and would not leave the Clarke residence DO13. She testified that Daniell pulled Even into a parlor and barred the door, but “they” [again, she did not specify who she was speaking of, but she meant Edmund and Francis] twice broke down the door, and then Edmund “threw Euin Morris twice against the ground like a dogg” DO13. Under oath, she stated that this “quarrel” lasted three hours, but during the entire time, “Goodman Clarke gave them no ill language” DO13.
Edmund stated that Francis Ussleton did not touch Daniell Clarke until after Daniell had deputized William Smith, and after Daniell had challenged Francis DO13. William Smith also gave a deposition to the clerk, Robert Lord, stating that “Usselton threw Morris upon the ground, holding him by the throat… Goodman Clark did not challenge Bridges, but told them that they were unmanly fellows to meddle with such a poor fellow, not being ignorant of his weakness and extreme passion, and tried to rid the house of them” DO13. Yet another witness, Matthew Stanley, said under oath that “Clarke used no unmeet language” DO13. Edmund Bridges wrote a letter to the court concerning this matter DO13:
To the honnred Cortt
with dew respectes as your worships are the fatheres of the land and home is here agused in som partt Justly and in som part not justly: as will apeare upone the scearching into mattars: do accknilege that it is mattar of blame unto me in this mattars so far as i do and shall acknowledg and acordingly as is or shall be legeoly proued against me: therfor I hope your wourchipps will considdare me as hath all Bedy bene acknoleged by them: selfe danile clarke and as I shall plainly make apeare to the Iyese of ye worlde that I hath bene noe unresonabell mane in way of exspences but I hath bene very diligent in my labour sencs I came to topsfelde in my trade: a[n]d do beseach The praires of this honnrd cortt to god for me as i hops I haue founde the Beneffit of all redy: that god would Be plesed to make me conchonabell in my life in my dealing both in respect of atendans to the calls of the contry and in my trade: which i do desiar to be sarvisaball in to improue my talent which god hath put in my hand lik wise I do dessoune taking part with goodman Usilton in any respect of euill but the ocastione of my coming hether was by a sumans of francis Usilton: to geif euedencs in this case therfor I hope the honnred cortt will considare my ernest and sears exspreshons a[n]d all in way of humbleing of my selfe in what i am found a delinqnant in:
Edmond Bridgs.
The court session at Salem on June 25, 1678 was particularly busy for Edmond Bridges. Three different cases were heard during this session: Edmond Bridges vs. Edmond Batter, Edmund Bridges vs. William Dounton, and a fine for Edmond Bridges for selling and dispensing cider in his home DO18.
Edmond Bridges was the plaintiff against Mr. Edmond Batter in a defamation lawsuit held in a court at Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts on June 25, 1678 DO18. Edmond Bridges claimed that Edmond Batter stated that he (Bridges) “was the leader of a factious company in Salem and that it was their design to overthrow all order and government in this town of Salem, also for saying that the plaintiff was the cause of all the mischief in Salem” DO18. Several individuals testified in this case.
Francis “Nurs” (Nurse) agreed with Bridges during his sworn testimony before William “Hathorne” on June 21, 1678 in which he stated that he heard Batter make the aforementioned statements DO18. Isack Cooke (aged about thirty) gave a sworn deposition on June 26, 1678 before Daniel Denison in which he stated “in a public town meeting in Salem the past spring, he heard Mr. Edmond Batter make these charges” DO18. Thomas Preston testified in court that he heard Mr. Edmund Batter state that Edmund Bridges “was the ringleader of the company”, and he further stated that he (Thomas Preston) usually attended the town meetings but that he had “never heard Bridges speak before he had asked leave of the moderator, because he wished to prevent disorder” DO18.
Jacob Town and John Hobb seemed to be neither for nor against Bridges. They were deposed before Daniel Denison on June 26, 1678, and they stated that “Edman Bridgis of Salem” lived in “Topsfeld” more than fifteen years prior, and while in Topsfield, Bridges was “allowed as a voter there and his estate was such as made him a voter by law in those times. He also opposed those who did not have liberty to vote by law” DO18. Further, these two deponents stated that he “took the oath of fidelity at Mr. Baker’s house before the Major General Denison about twelve years since” DO18. Another witness who did not seem to be for or against Bridges was Bartholomew Gedney (aged about thirty-eight), who testified in court that he attended the Salem town meeting held in “March last” (this would seem to be March 1678, but his testimony made it seem that more time had elapsed than just three months) DO18. He stated that in the course of choosing selectmen, four of the elected selectmen “declined to serve” and that Bridges hindered this process so much that the meeting ended without electing the selectmen (“the meeting was broken up and the town left without selectmen for a considerable time”) DO18. During the next town meeting, Gedney stated that this matter was not about to be resolved because there was “more disorder in voting”, and that several of the freemen made a motion that they “together with those who had a right to vote, should vote on the matter” DO18.
Four witnesses were clearly for Mr. Edmond Batter. In his sworn testimony in court, John Marston (aged about thirty-seven) stated DO18:
at our towne meetings for the choice of select men & Constables this Last spring Edmund Bridges did Appeare very turbulent & factious & ofencive In his speeches & espetialy to mr Batter who blamed him for his disorderly speeches: but was Answered by sd bridges I know I stick In sum of yor eies [eyes] I had Rather stick In your throats: with many other disorderly speeches att severall times: till at Last I heard mr batter only say unto said Bridges that he and such as he was are the cause of this mischeif: for I doe teastifie that the sd Bridges did Apeare In his actions as cheif or head of those that had noe Liberty by law to voat.
Samuel Gardner, Sr. testified before Daniel Gookin, Sr. on June 25, 1678 that “at the meeting there was much disorderly proceeding in the voting of many who were not qualified according to law to do so” DO18. Gardner further stated that after a commissioner reprimanded Bridges during this meeting, Bridges retorted to the commissioner “you did for your friends last year wee will do for ours this year” DO18. William Dounton (aged about forty-eight) and Henry Westt (aged about forty-nine) testified in court that “Bridges was the leader of a disorderly company, showing a bold and impudent behavior” at several town meetings held at Salem DO18. They claimed that Bridges stated “do you think to make doggs of us wee will not be made doggs of” DO18. Apparently, Edmund Bridges attested in court that he did make that statement DO18. The court ruled in favor of the defendant, Mr. Edmond Batter, and his bill of cost amounted to two pounds, five shillings, and eight pence DO18.
Again during the court session on June 25, 1678, an undated warrant was submitted to apprehend William Dunton, who was “admonished for striking Edmond Bridges” “in his own house without cause” DO18. The following day, John Cooke, aged about thirty, testified before Edmund Batter, the commissioner, that Goodman Dounten had been nominated in a Salem town meeting to be clerk of the market DO18. He stated that on a Sabbath day morning, Edmund Bridges, Sr. of Salem visited him in his home and informed him that the previous night (Saturday), William Dounten and Little West entered his (Bridges) home and “Dounten struck Bridges two or three blows on the shoulder” DO18. Bridges claimed that Dounten stated “Goodman Bridges, I thank you for hindering me from being clarke of ye markett”, and he replied to Dounten that he believed Dounten already had too many offices DO18. Bridges also stated that while it was possible that Dounten “struck him in jest, he might take it in earnest, as he had heard the Major General say a man could do” DO18. Mary Cooke also testified in like manner DO18. Matthew Prise, aged about forty-eight, was deposed on June 8, 1678 before William Hathorne and stated that Edmund Bridges was “at supper” when Dounten entered his house DO18. Hilliard Veren, Sr. swore in court that Dounten did not strike Edmund Bridges in anger DO18. Several others gave sworn depositions about their own version of how they witnessed the incident, including Bartholomew Gedney (who stated that William Dounten clapped his hand on Bridges’ shoulder), Frances Nickkols, Henry West, and John Norton DO18. Edmond Bridges, Jr. was also deposed on June 8, 1678 before William Hathorne; at this time he was about eighteen, but the court record did not include his statement DO18.
A petition to the court from John Higginson on June 25, 1678 stated that there were a total of fourteen licensed and unlicenced ordinaries and public drinking houses within Salem DO18. He provided a list of individuals who operated those drinking houses; tenth on the list was “Edw: Bridges” DO18. The petition went on to state that four additional men wished to obtain a license to operate an ordinary, but reminded the court that their religion and belief system expected sobriety and order, and that until recently, just two ordinaries were considered sufficient DO18. John Higginson requested the court to reduce the number of public drinking houses “and in particular yt you would pleas not to license Edw. Bridges, He being not approved by ye most of ye sober people of this place, either for his sobriety, or for his Fidelity to law & good order” DO18. Of all the fourteen individuals who owned public houses, John Higginson singled out “Edw. Bridges” DO18. He probably meant Edmond Bridges. During the same court session, the court heard testimony from William Smith and Richard Palmer, who gave their sworn statement on June 4, 1678 DO18. They stated that two months prior, they entered Edmond Bridges’ house and drank three quarts of cider at two pence per quart, and then three weeks prior they drank four quarts of cider at his establishment DO18. Other men also testified that they drank cider at Edmond Bridges’ ordinary; James Shaw stated he paid three pence per quart DO18. John Bolorig and Thomas Coates drank a quart of cider at 7:00pm on the last Sabbath day “and his girl or the maid brought it” DO18. William Smith (and perhaps Henry West; the court record used imprecise language), an individual who previously had complaints about his drunken behavior and “abusive language”, stated that in May 1678 at Edmond Bridges’ ordinary, “they had about five quarts of cider” at three pence per quart DO18. Finally, a copy of a record from the Salem commissioner’s court from June 4, 1678 was submitted, which stated “Edmond Bridges, complained of for retailing cider within doors contrary to law, whereby one was found drunk, was bound over to the next Salem court, with Frances Nurss and Christopher Lattamore, as sureties” DO18. Edmond Bridges was fined during the court held on June 25, 1678 “for selling and drawing cider to be drunk in his house”, but the fine was respited (postponed) DO18.
Edmond Bridges, Jr. was not mentioned in the will of his father, dated January 6, 1684 AM1. An Essex County probate record (number 3293) for Edmond Bridges, Jr. dated August 2, 1682 had no papers found within the record AM1.
Hackaliah Bridges was perhaps born about 1638 AN6. At a court held in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts on September 25, 1655, Hackaliah Bridges was fined because he ran away from his father DO12. This indicates that he was still a minor. One year later, at the Ipswich Court on September 30, 1656, Sarah French accused Hackaliah Bridges of causing her to become pregnant, but he was bound over and was discharged DO13. Sarah French was the daughter of Thomas French, Jr.. In a court held in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts on March 31, 1657, Hackaliah Bridges was fined or was to be whipped for lying about how he acquired a pair of gloves with black fringe which belonged to Josias Hubbard, and he was ordered to pay Josias for his gloves DO13. According to depositions given by John Younglove and Samuell Belcher on April 9, 1657, they asked Hackaliah about the gloves with black fringe “which Nehemiah Jewet took from Edmun Bridges, laying claim to in his brother Josiah Hubbard’s name, and Hackiliah said that he bought them of John Smith of Rowley for two shillings” DO13.
At a court held in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts on September 29, 1657, Hackaliah Bridges was found guilty of fornication, and he was “to be severely whipped” and ordered to post bond for good behavior but remain in prison until he was able to post his bail and “to discharge the town about bringing up the child” DO13. John How swore in court on September 29, 1657 that during the previous Michaelmas, he passed Hackaliah Bridges on the new bridge DO13. John How stated that Hackaliah asked him to accompany him to Mr. Rogers’ residence, “where he said he had a wench, Mary Quelter, and boasted of his relations with her” DO13. Mary Quilter, who gave birth to a child fathered by Hackaliah, was sentenced “to be severely whipped for fornication” DO13. At a court held in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts on September 28, 1658, the mother of Mary Quilter, Thamar Quilter, bound over her interest in her house and land to the county treasurer “to save the town of Ipswich from any charge about the child of her daughter Mary” DO13. A court order on the same date stated that the persons who had been bound to secure the town of Ipswich “from any charges of Hackaliah Bridges’ child by Mary Quilter” must pay two-fifths of what they pledged to “the widow Quilter” by February 1, 1659, and then they would be discharged of their bond DO13.
At a court held on September 24, 1667 in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts, Hackaliah Bridges was the plaintiff against Richard Haven of Lynn (the defendant) “for illegally stopping him upon the road and apprehending him upon pretence of felloniously assaulting a man upon the highway” DO14. The court ruled in favor of the defendant DO14.
He drowned off the cliffs of Gay Head (Aquinnah) on Martha’s Vineyard, Dukes County, Massachusetts DU16. A transcription of his death record and an account of the administration of his estate follows DU16:
Hackoliah Bridges drowned att the Gay head November the 23d: 1671 his Estate being inventoried, and prised, amounted to the Just Summe of twenty eight pounds eighteen shillings and eight pence: the said estate was Committed into the hand of Mr Richard Sarson, as Administrator uppon the said estate:
On January 25, 1671, Mr. Richard Sarson delivered an account of what he had disbursed from the estate of Hackaliah Bridges, but no amount of money was set aside or delivered to Martha Quilter or Sarah French DU16. However, an Ipswich, Essex County court record dated on March 26, 1672 stated that because “Hackaliah Bridges being cast away and dying intestate”, on February 8, 1671 (1671/2), the administration of his estate was granted to his brother, Obadiah Bridges, who was ordered to bring an inventory of his estate DO16.
The birth record for Mahetabell Bridges stated “Mahetabell Bridges daughter [the following word may state “of”] Edmund & Alice borne, Moneth ye first ye six & twenty” in 1641 in Rowley, Essex County, Massachusetts MA26. At a court held in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts on September 28, 1658, Mehitabell Bridges swore in court that “her father gave her liberty to buy some things of Mr. Robert Payne, who said the linen cloth was five shillings per yard, but he could not tell what it would be in the future until he had been in the Bay” DO13. This was in response to a complaint against Mr. Robert Payne for overcharging DO13. Mahetabell was not named in the 1684/5 will of her father AM1.
John Bridges was probably born in Essex County, Massachusetts, sometime between 1642 and 1645.
Faith Bridges was born about 1645, according to her age (twenty-nine) at the time of her deposition in 1674 DO16. A warrant was written on July 4, 1660 for the arrest of both Daniel Black and William, the Irish servant of William Pritchett, and for the summons as witnesses of John Brewer, Obadiah Bridges, and Edmund Deere’s wife DO13. At a court held in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts on September 25, 1660, Daniell Blake (also called Daniel Black) was fined five pounds “for making love to the daughter of Edmond Bridges, without consent of her parents” DO13. Edmund Bridges was bound for Faith’s appearance in court DO13. A summary of the testimony of Daniel Black stated DO13:
The examination of Daniel Black and Faith Bridges, concerning his notorious evil carriage: First, said Black confessed that contrary to the mind of her father, he stayed with her in her father’s house late upon the last day of June, 1660, when the family were in bed, it being about ten o’clock when Edmund Bridges went to bed that night. Second, that having taken William Danford from his master Pritchett’s work, to go with him to Rowly, they carried a bottle of wine to the house of Edmund Deere in Ipswich; and being there, he employed the said William as his messenger and instrument to draw the said young wench to him at Deere’s house, from her father’s house, her father and mother being absent from home; that she stayed at Deere’s house hald an hour, when Deere and his wife were not at home.
She was married by March 29, 1664 when Daniell Black and his wife, Faith, were defendants against John Gould, the plaintiff, in a slander case at a court held at Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts, which was withdrawn DO14. Daniel (or Daniell) Black was the father of five children whose births were recorded in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts VI10. These were Margrett, born on October 21, 1665, Daniel, born on August 24, 1667, Mehitabell, born on March 10, 1671/2, John, born on July 28, 1672, and Edmond, born on February 6, 1674/5 VI10.
At a court held in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts on September 27, 1664, a complaint was made against Daniell Black and his wife DO14. Daniel Blake had been issued a summons on July 22, 1664 because there was a complaint that he forced his wife out of their house DO14. In response, Dannell Black made a complaint against his wife, Faith Black DO14:
For her keeping company with Juadath Trumbell and John Hoow and for keeping of John Hoows hous and espashelley one night above the rest the saide faith Back was seen wallking with Juadath trumbell About the daye Light sehuttin in withing a Lettell Spacese earch of the other and being not seen from that tyme tell mednight or aboute that tyme and then Goodey Back came to Goodman wakeles house shee came to the dore and knocked att the dore soe sauft that no one could not heare her att Last shee went the back side of the house and takin up a clow Boord and knocken Against the house wakned the woman and the woman ris and opned the dore and lett her in and Asked whare shee had been that tym of night shee Answared she had ben att Goodman Clarkes eaten of fish Goodey wakley Asking why shee did nott goe home to her hursband and to her one house shee Answered and sd that shee did not Care for goein home And Lickwise att other severell tymes being scene att John Howes hous and sum tymes in bed with John Hoow was seen to bee and allsoe her husband being A Pore man and one that hath nothing to Live by but his Labor had but one Cow and for the want of the milchen of her Lost the Profet of her by his wifes carlesnes whare upon hee was Provocked severell tymes and often to theretten her and tell her that hee would complaine of her to the Court her Father And the rest of her frinds with John How togeather hearing of this made A Complant to M’ Symons
In response, Faith Black’s complaint was DO14:
Goodwife Black complained that her husband had called her baud, swearing and cursing at her, threatening to kill her and knock her brains out. He told her to go and shift for herself and pulled off her stockings, turning her out of doors and not suffering her to come in, so that she was forced to go in the snow to Goodman Carall’s, which was half a mile from her home.
Edmond Bridges and John How’s testimony was in line with Faith’s testimony; they stated that he forced her to walk half a mile in the snow “up to the knees” for help DO14. John How testified in court that he heard Daniel Black state that he wished “god to dam his soul if he ded not Bett [beat] his wif Brains outt” DO14. It appears that at one point, Daniel cut off a finger of Thomas Lovekin DO14. The testimony of “Obidia Bridgis” stated that Danill and Faith Black were at the deponent’s father’s house (Edmond Bridges, Sr.); the testimony of Obadia Bridges went on to state DO14:
Danill Black and his wife were at [Edmond Bridges’] house, and she was very ill. There were several people in the house and Thomas Lovekin was desired by “my seester black” how his finger was that he had cut off. Danill Black seeing this, told his wife that he vowed that he would make her know sorrow for that. Some hours after, he asked his wife to go up with him to Mosis Pangren’s and she refused, but he went and brought down a bottle of sack, drank some of it with his wife and so fell out with her. Deponent came between them and prevented his striking her, and Black replied “you Rog I will ron you thorow,” having his knife drawn in his hand.
Obadiah and Edmond Bridges also testified that while they were at Wenham, they heard Daniell Black ‘tell his wife to go bring a sickle out of a field of corn when it was very wett weather and when she had not been abroad a great while on account of a great sickness, and when she refused to go, be abused her so that they had to send for the constable to quiet him” DO14. Many others testified, including Thomas Hobes and his wife, Zacheus Curtis, Luke Wakelin, Katherine Wakelin, John Danfed, and William Smith DO14. The court ordered that both should sit for one hour in the stocks DO14. The court also stated that in the future, Daniell Black was not permitted to “threaten his wife or miscall her and to live peaceably with her, and she was to be orderly and not to gad abroad” DO14. The court further ordered that she was not permitted to go to John How’s house unless Daniell sent her there on business, and that she was not allowed to be in the company of John How or Judah Trumble DO14. They were told they would be whipped if they disobeyed the court’s orders DO14.
Faith Blacke testified at a court held in Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts on June 30, 1674 regarding a complaint by Hanna Downing against Nathaniell, Samuell, and Thomas Leonard for “several misdemeanors and lascivious carriage proved against them” DO16. Faith Blacke swore in court that she was twenty-nine years old, and that Thomas Lenord entered her house “into the room where she was, shut the door, drew out the latch string, and behaved very uncivilly until her children came to the door and interfered” DO16. She also testified in court that Nathaniel Leonard stated that he had gone to Benjamin Murries’ residence and then stated “the old devil was at home” DO16. When she said she admonished him for his vile speech, “he said he would not care if he were in hell a fortnight, and he did not care if the devil plucked the soul out of him, and a pox take him, he did not care” DO16. “Faith Black alias Black” was mentioned in the 1684/5 will of her father, Edmond Bridges AM1.
Obadiah Bridges was born about 1647 DO14. Obadiah Bridges appeared at a court held in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts on March 26, 1667 “for the crime laid to him by Lidia Browne” DO14. The court ordered that he must appear at the next court session, for which Edmond Bridges, Sr. and Edmond Bridges, Jr. were bound as sureties DO14. The court record of March 26, 1667, stated that Samuel French’s deposition before Daniel Denison on February 22, 1666 stated that “after Obadiah Bridges came out of the room from Lydia Browne, he went in” DO14. Edmond Bridges, Sr. and John Bridges testified that “Lidiah Browne said that she never saw any harm in Obadiah except this one time” DO14. However, the deposition of Lydia Brown on February 29, 1666 before Daniel Denison stated that twenty-three weeks prior, “Bridges and French came to the house of Daniel Warner, her father-in-law, in the evening pretending to visit a brother-in-law who was in the house. Her father and mother were that day gone to Boston, and she went into another room followed by Bridges who shut the door and pulled in the latch” DO14. Obadiah Bridges stated on February 20, 1666 before Daniel Denison that “he was innocent of the charge and could prove it" DO14. The case ended with a confession by Lydia Browne, and the court ordered her to be whipped or to pay a fine DO14.
Obadiah Bridges, aged about twenty years, was deposed at a court held on September 24, 1667 in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts DO14. He provided testimony in the case of his brother, Hackaliah Bridges, against Richard Haven of Lynn DO14. He stated that he was “coming along with his brother Hacaliah from Boston toward Ipswich when the constable arrested him” DO14. Obadiah Bridges married Mary Smith on October 25, 1671 in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts VI24. Obadiah (or Obadia) Bridges was the father of two children whose births were recorded in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts VI23. These were Obadiah Bridges, who was born on July 2, 1674, and Samuell Bridges, who was born on February 5, 1675 (probably 1675/6) VI23. Obadiah Bridges died intestate on October 23, 1677 in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts VI24, TH28. The administration of his estate was granted to his widow, Elizabeth Bridges, on November 6, 1677 TH28. She conducted an inventory of his estate on November 2, 1677, which amounted to a bit over seventy-six pounds after the debts were included TH28. The court ordered her to pay six pounds to her eldest son and another five pounds apiece to her other two minor sons when they came of age TH28. A copy of the transcription of the inventory of his estate follows TH28:
houseing and land… one Anvell & backe Iron… one pr. of Bellowse… severall small tooles… skalls & waights & hammer & naile rod…hay in the barne… one feather bed & furniture belonging… one Trundell bed & what belonging to it… pewter, Brass and one Iron pott… 2 tramells, tongs, fire slice and andirons… 1 gunn, raper, belt and powder horne… wooden wares… Earthen wares, tining ware and chairs… 2 bibles, baskets & other small things as cradell, table wheele, friing pan… severall tubbs & other things in the seller…holand pillebers & 2 paire of sheets & 2 table cloths, napkins, towells and shorts… his owne weareing cloaths & other linings… one pillion cloathe, 2 chests & 2 boxes… Indian corne & wooden wares… one howe… one horse… one coult of four yers ould… seven shepe… seven swine
Bethiah Bridges married Joseph Peabody on October 26, 1668 in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts VI10. Joseph Pabodie was the father of Joseph Pabodie, born on April 16, 1671 or 1672 in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts VI10. Joseph and Bethia (or Bethiah or Bathyah) Peabody (or Pebody) were the parents of five children whose births were recorded in Boxford, Essex County, Massachusetts VI42. These were Sarah Peabody, born on September 4, 1676, Samuel Peabody, born on April 8, 1678, Bethiah Peabody, born on April 3, 1681, Lydyah Pebody, born on February 4, 1683, and Alles (or Allice) Pebody, born on January 4 or 5, 1685 VI42.
“Bethia Bridges alias Pebody” was mentioned in the 1684/5 will of her father, Edmond Bridges AM1. Bethiah Peabody probably died sometime before January 1715. Joseph Peabody of Boxford married Mary Wheler of Beverly at Beverly, Essex County, Massachusetts on January 4, 1714/15 VI42. In his will, he called himself “Joseph Pebod of Boxford… wheelwright” and named his wife, Mary, his son, Jonathan Pebody (who he named his sole executor), his daughters, Sarrah Jonson, Bethiah Pebody, Lydya Byxbe, and Allice Hoult, and his grandson, Moses Pebody (the son of Samuel Pebody, deceased) AM1. His will was witnessed by John Dorman, Lidya Pebod, and David Wood AM1. The probate record for Joseph Peabody of Boxford, Essex County, Massachusetts stated that he was a wheelwright; a record signed by his children dated March 27, 1720/21 stated that he signed his will “upon his death bed: bearing date: ye twentieth day of march in ye year of our Lord: 1720/21:” AM1.
Josiah Bridges was born about 1655 DO17. Josias Bridges, aged about twenty-two, was deposed before William Hathorne on March 2, 1676 for a court held in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts on March 27, 1677 DO17. He provided testimony in the case of Ensign John Gould (the plaintiff) who stated that John Cook (the defendant) withheld four pounds DO17. Josias Bridges testified that he believed that Samuel the son of Henry Leonard of Topsfield, conducted business transactions for his father while his father was away, and after their bookkeeper (James Hansecom) left, Samuel also looked after the accounts DO17. Josiah Bridges married Elizabeth Norton on November 13, 1676 in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts VI24. Elizabeth Bridges, the wife of Josiah, died seven months after her marriage on June 24, 1677 in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts VI24. Less than three months after the death of his first wife, Josiah Bridges married Ruth Greenslip on September 19, 1677 in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts VI24. Josiah Bridges was the father of Josiah, who was born on May 29, 1680 in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts VI10. Josiah and Ruth Bridges were the parents of Anne, born on April 14, 1684 in Rowley, Essex County, Massachusetts VI9. He was likely the father of Edmund; “Joseph” and Ruth Bridges were called the parents of Edmund Bridges, who was born on September 29, 1687 in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts VI10. Josiah and Ruth Bridges were the parents of an unnamed child who was born in May 1695 or 1696 in Boxford, Essex County, Massachusetts VI42. It is unclear if he was the father of three children whose baptisms occurred in June 1703 in Boxford, Essex County, Massachusetts; these were Edmund, Hephzibah, and Mercy Bridges VI42. He was mentioned in the 1684/5 will of his father, Edmond Bridges AM1. Josiah Bridges died on February 9, 1715 in Wenham, Essex County, Massachusetts VI41.
Elizabeth Bridges, the wife of Edmond, died on December 31, 1664 in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts MA26, VI24, AN6.