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ANDREW PETTIT BRIDGMAN
[Welland Tribune, 21 April 1905]
We are called upon to record the loss of another of our venerable fathers in the demise of Andrew Pettit Bridgman.
Of a family who came from Devonshire, Eng., and settled in New York state, and at a time of the cession of the States, with many loyal hearts they came to Canada and took up land in Nova Scotia, where two sons Thomas and William, were born. Later removing to the Niagara Peninsula they settled in North Grimsby, taking up large tracts of land. In 1804 Thomas married Deborah Pettit, also of U.E. Loyalist parentage. When the war of 1812 broke out he served and contracted a fever, from which after a lingering illness he died, in 1827, leaving the widow with a family of thirteen of which Andrew P. Bridgman was the last survivor.
At the age of fifteen the subject of our sketch served in the rebellion of 1837, and at an early age of nineteen left the family to carve a home for himself. In 1845, Oct. 14, he married Jane Wrong, daughter of John Wrong, also of U.E. Loyalist parentage, and settled in forming the first agricultural society of South Grimsby, and took an active part is establishing the high school at Smithville. With his family in 1873 he moved to Welland county and resided in Thorold township.
Deceased engaged in farming and was a highly respected and esteemed in education resident, and took an active interest in education. He was in religion a Presbyterian. In politics, he was a staunch Reformer, and a reader of the Globe ever since its first publication.
Of a family of seven, four sons survive to mourn the death of a kind and loving parent,-Marcus W., of Fort William; Arthur T. and Murray A., of Thorold township; Ashman of Vernon, B.C..; the other three-Dr. Gilbert E., John W. and Maria, having predeceased him some years before.
He had recently resided with his son, Murray A., and while on a visit to his son, Arthur T., of Quaker Road was taken ill Tuesday, April 4, and on Sunday morning, April 9, passed to his long rest, in his 84th year.
The funeral took place Wednesday, April 12th, and the remains were interred in the family plot, Merritt’s Settlement, South Grimsby, beside his late wife, who predeceased him may 14m 1890,
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