Kerry,hello cuz...In the book Thomas and
Bridges Story 1540-1840."Lawrence
Bridger was a fellow of Magdalen
College,
Oxford, 1568. He received his
BAA. degree in Oct. 1570, his
MAA. degree 21st of June 1574, became
Canon of Gloucester in 1586. Magdalen
College was patron of the Rectory of Slimbridge and it was from this college that Lawrence
Bridger received the appointment as rector in 1577. Slimbridge is located in
Berkeley Hundred, and John
Smythe, one of the colonists who settled in
Berkeley Hundred in
Virginia wrote a history of the
Berkeley Hundred in Gloucester in which he rather fully describes the land holdings from ancient times to his own time. He also apparently was personally acquainted with Lawrence
Bridger. He says of him: "Lawrence
Bridger late rector there for 55 years...died very rich and very honest in 1632, now succeeded by Nicholas
Richardson, senior fellow of Magdalen
College" (Earliest scene of positively traceable
Bridger ancestors is at Godalming
Parish, in
Surry,
England. Bridger family records there date from about 1540.) He made his will on Sep. 24, 1630 and died the following year as will probated June 30, 1631. He names Joseph
Bridger, eldest son by his second wife, as his executor. His son Samuel married Mary Neuce 1622,
England, they were the parents of Joseph
Bridger who went to
Virginia and who is the ancestor our
Bridgers. Samuel b. 1584 d. 31 Jul 1650. He entered Magdalen
College in 1602 when 18 years old. He was auditor of the
College of Gloucester when he died in 1650 at age of 66..He willed the auditor's office position to his son John, as was the custom in those days. He also served as Sub-Dean of the college. "Samuel
Bridger of Woodmancote in the
Parish of Dursley, eldest son of the said Lawrence by his first wife, by his deed from me dated 12 May 16--Jacobi, close (fenced) pasture containing 10 acres called
Clinger...(father gave to said Samuel)" "Samuel
Bridger aforesaid holdeth by the grant of the said Lawrence
Bridger one close called
Hawthorne containing 40 acres...etc." Living near Samuel
Bridger at Woodmancote was Thomas Pitt..probably the same person whom Joseph
Bridger transported to
Virginia in 1666 whose headright he used in patenting land with Col. Robert
Pitt and William Burgh. Samuel
Bridger is buried in the Cathedral of Gloucester and his stone bears an inscription. In his father's will there was some reference that there was some discord between Samuel the eldest son by Lawrence's first marriage and Joseph, eldest son by the second wife...who was named executor of the estate at the death of Lawrence.Hope this is useful to you. Let me know if I can be of further help.....
