Guthrie Family Group 5 – Branch H
Nancy Guthrie (c1785PA or VA – 1842MO) and Richard Bridgeford
of Fauquier, VA and Woodford, KY and Monroe, MO, USA

NANCY GUTHRIE
Parents: Thomas Guthrie 1744 PA or VA – 1837 KY and Mildred Howell 1748 VA – 1824 KY
Birth: abt. 1785
Birth Location: Virginia
Spouse: Richard Bridgford m. 25 Jan 1808 in Woodford County, Kentucky, USA
Bridgeford Children: Yes
Death: 2 Oct 1842
Death Location: Monroe City, Monroe, Missouri, USA
Burial: Unknown

RICHARD BRIDGFORD
Parents: William Bridgford and Elizabeth Johnson (unverified)
Birth: 25 Sep 1797
Birth Location: Lancaster County, Virginia
Occupation: Farmer and Stock Raiser
Military Service: Unknown
Death: 23 May 1849
Death Location: Hannibal, Marion, Missouri, USA
Burial: Unknown

NOTES: Nancy’s birth was probably in Virginia about 1785. The family settled in Woodford County, Kentucky when she was about 12 years of age. She married Richard Bridgford, reportedly a son of William Bridgford and Elizabeth Johnson, on 25 Jan 1808 in Woodford. They had five sons and two daughters. The youngest daughter died during infancy. They removed from Kentucky settling in Monroe County, Missouri. Nancy died 2 Oct 1842 in Monroe City. Richard moved to Hannibal, Marion, Missouri (also the home of Samuel Clemens aka Mark Twain (1835-1910) where he later died on 23 May 1849.

Bridgford Children: 7
Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Participants: NONE

CHILD 1: ELIZA BRIDGFORD
Born: 1808KY – Died: 23 Sep 1869TX @ Age: 61
Spouse: Hugh Marion Withers Sr m. 14 Feb 1850 Hannibal, Marion, Missouri, USA
Children: Yes

Eliza Bridgford was the eldest daughter in the family. She was 42 at her marriage to Hugh Marion Withers Sr, a widower who had been married twice; first to Frances Snell West (1818KY) by whom he had 5 sons and 2 daughters, and secondly to Mary Elizabeth Goodrich (1843MO) by whom he had 1 son and 2 daughters. Hugh was a farmer. They married 14 Feb 1850 in Hannibal, MO where they were enumerated with Hugh’s children during the 1850 census. Hugh and Elizabeth moved to Caldwell County, TX. They had one son of their own, Richard Bridgford Withers. Hugh died in 1868 and Eliza the following year on 23 Sep 1869 in Lytton Springs, Caldwell, Texas, USA.

Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Descendant of a Female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Participants: NONE

1.) Richard Bridgford Withers: 11 Jan 1851 MO – 11 Apr 1922 TX m. Cordelia Lane +children

CHILD 2: WILLIAM THOMAS BRIDGFORD
Born: 11 Sep 1810 KY – Died: 31 Dec 1879 MO @ Age: 69
Spouse 1: Sally Ann Fawkes m. 16 Dec 1830 in Scott County, Kentucky, USA
Spouse 2: Sarah McGruder Noonan m. 6 Dec 1837 in Monroe City, Monroe, Missouri, USA
Children: Yes

Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Descendant of a Female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Participants: NONE

1.) Adelia Ann Bridgford: 9 Sep 1838 MO – 28 May 1916 MO m.1862MO Edwin Johnson -no children
2.) James Edward Bridgford: 30 Oct 1836MO – 4 May 1919OR m. Martha Jane Dodd +children
3.) William Henry Bridgford: 30 May 1840MO – 15 Dec 1891MO m.1862MO Rachel L. Luckie +children
4.) Richard Thomas Bridgford: 22 Oct 1842MO – 12 Jun 1901MO m. Louvenia Crockett Alvertson +children
5.) Nelson Monroe Bridgford: 3 Jan 1846MO – 14 Sep 1850MO – died in early childhood
6.) Mary Jane Bridgford: 10 Apr 1848MO – 15 Sep 1850MO – died in early childhood
7.) Dudley Lon Bridgford: 25 Apr 1850MO – Aug 1850MO – died during infancy
8.) John Allen Bridgford: 7 Oct 1850MO – 23 Nov 1919AR m.1871MO Mary Eldora Wills +children
9.) Clay David Bridgford: 19 Jan 1852MO – 12 Feb 1905LA m.1877MO Dora Frances Noonan +children
10.) Belle Bridgford: 6 Nov 1858MO – 21 Feb 1925MO m.1876MO Alonzo L Dulany + children
11.) Caleb G. Bridgeford: 7 May 1860MO – 16 Jan 1939WA m.1910MO/div.1912MT Sarah Frances Crawford
12.) Marion Briggs Bridgford: 17 Mar 1862MO – 29 Dec 1932WA m. Theresa Dunn +children

CHILD 3: RICHARD BRIDGFORD
Born: 14 Oct 1814 KY – Died: 28 Jun 1880 MO @ Age: 65
Spouse 1: Melissa Thomason m. bef. 1833 in Woodford, Kentucky, USA
Spouse 2: Rachael Frances Bird m. 17 May 1846 in Hannibal, Missouri, USA
Children: Yes

Richard Bridgford was born in Woodford, Kentucky on 14 Oct 1814. He married there at about 18 years of age to Melissa Thomason, a daughter of William and Sarah Thomason. At that time Richard was occupied as a farmer. Richard and Melissa moved to Hannibal, Marion, Missouri. They had three daughters. Melissa died sometime prior to Richard’s second marriage in 1846. Melissa Bridgford was mentioned in the 1857 will of her father, William Thomason, as his deceased daughter. He bequeathed a one-ninth share of his estate to her children.

On 17 May 1846 in Hannibal, MO, Richard Bridgford married Rachael Frances Bird (1825KY-1885IL), a daughter of Abraham Preston Byrd and Catherine Frye. She and Richard had 6 sons and 4 daughters born in Missouri. During the 1870 census, they were living at Fort Scott, Bourbon, Kansas where Richard was working as a lumber dealer.

They were back in Missouri by 1880, this time in Bowling Green, Pettis County, MO, where Richard was again listed as a farmer. He died that year on 28 Jun 1880 and was buried at Salem Cemetery in Pettis County. His widow, Rachael, lived until 15 April 1885. She died in Chicago, Cook, IL and was interred there at Oakwoods Cemetery.

Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Descendant of a Female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Participants: NONE

1.) Amanda Bridgford: born about 1834 KY – died aft. 1850 census
2.) Susan Marine Bridgford: Apr 1839 MO – 1900 MO m1.1865 James R Irvine +children; m2.1880 John Jackson Beagles
3.) Sarah Frances Bridgford: 2 Jun 1843 MO – 6 Oct 1909 OR m.1862 Jeptha Dudley Myers +children
4.) John Henry Bridgford: 17 Apr 1847 MO – 7 Dec 1924 OR m.1877IL/div. Jennie E Tarbox; m2. Frances Phelps +children
5.) Abraham Preston Bridgford: 2 Dec 1849 MO – 20 Apr 1916 SD m1.1868MO Maria Catherine Jenkins +children; m2.1912SD Mary A Lambert.
6.) Mary Catherine Bridgford: 13 Sep 1852MO – 1882MO – died at 29 years old; unmarried.
7.) Annie Elizabeth Bridgford: 20 Apr 1856MO – 20 Aug 1923 OR m. Ferdinand Joplin +children
8.) Oscar Bridgford: 24 Dec 1857MO – 19 Apr 1862MO – died in early childhood @ 4 years of age
9.) Laura Bridgford: 29 Dec 1859 MO – 15 Dec 1953 OR m1.1882MO Charles Kickert +child; m2.1913OR William Davis Wohlforth.
10.) Joseph P Bridgford: 17 Jul 1862 MO – 7 Mar 1863 MO – died during infancy
11.) Thomas Jackson Bridgford: 23 Feb 1864MO – 3 Dec 1949CA m.1888 Rebecca Belle Shaull +children
12.) Emma Louise Bridgford: 23 Feb 1865MO – 1931CA m.1891WA George Francis Williams +child
13.) Robert L Bridgford: 10 Jun 1868MO – 13 Sep 1869MO – died during early childhood at 15 months of age.

CHILD 4: JAMES B BRIDGFORD
Born: 31 Dec 1816 KY – Died: 9 May 1894 MO @ Age: 77
Spouse: Margaret Ann Campbell m. 18 Oct 1838 in Monroe County, Missouri, USA
Children: Yes

James was born on the last day of 1816 in Woodford County, Kentucky. His family moved to Missouri during his early childhood. Jimmy married Margaret Ann Campbell on 18 Oct 1838 in Monroe, MO and they settled at South Fork, Monroe County. He was a farmer. By the time of the 1870 census, James’ owned real estate valued at $20,000. They were parents to eleven children, six boys and five girls born between 1839 and 1861. Between 1870 and 1880, the family moved to Nevada, Vernon County, Missouri. Margaret was stricken with paralysis after a brief illness. She died on 15 July 1889. She was 71 at the time. Jimmy lived until 9 May 1894. Their remains are buried at Deepwood Cemetery.

Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Descendant of a Female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Participants: NONE

1.) Nancy Elizabeth Bridgford: 1 Sep 1839 MO – 19 Jul 1896 MO m.1855MO Robert L Crigler +children
2.) John Richard Bridgford: 31 Oct 1843 MO – 8 Jun 1932 CA m.1868MO Virucia Kerr +children
3.) James Hawkins Bridgford: 27 Dec 1845 MO – 11 Oct 1911 MO m.1868MO Susan Deniza +children
4.) William Jefferson Bridgford: Abt. 1859 – Jul 1874 MO – died at 25 years of age, unmarried.
5.) David Morton Bridgford: 29 Mar 1850 MO – 2 Dec 1888 MO m. Kate Kerr +children
6.) Benjamin Franklin Bridgford: 31 May 1852 MO – 7 Jan 1925 AR m.1908AR Mary Massie +child
7.) Anna Mildred Bridgford: born about 1854 – died after 1880
8.) Robert Scott Bridgford: born about 1856 – died aft 1900 m.1883MO Emma Collett
9.) Cora Bridgford: 1858MO – 14 May 1945 MO m.1878MO Henry Chandler Rackleff +children
10.) Zerelda Bridgford: 24 Feb 1859MO – 26 Mar 1926OK m.1883MO John Thomas Kerr +children
11.) Mary Elizabeth ‘Lyda’ Bridgford: 1861MO – Apr 1948MO – unmarried

CHILD 5: LUCY BRIDGFORD
Born: 1819 KY – Died 1819 KY @ Age: 0
Died during her infancy.

Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Descendant of a Female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Participants: N/A – died during her infancy

CHILD 6: ROBERT BRIDGFORD
Born: 1819 KY – Died: 5 Apr 1878 MO @ Age: 59
Spouse: Elizabeth Burke Clark m. 1843 Clay County, MO
Children: Yes

Robert Bridgeford was born in Woodford, Kentucky about 1819. He married Elizabeth Clark on 13 Sep 1843 in Clay County, Missouri. They settled in Hannibal, Marion, Missouri where he worked as a butcher and later as an ice dealer. They had 2 sons and 5 daughters born between 1844 and 1859.

The St Louis Globe-Democrat published Robert’s obituary on Saturday, 6 Apr 1878, page 2:
Death’s Doings
Special Dispatch to the Globe-Democrat.
Hannibal, MO, April 5.– Robert Bridgford, a citizen of Hannibal for nearly forty years, and widely known and respected, died at 5 o’clock this evening of apoplexy. Mr Bridgford was taken sick very suddenly last night, and from the first attack no hopes were entertained of his recovery, and his son, Robt. Bridgford, Jr., who was en route to California, was immediately telegraphed for and will return. Hannibal will feel the loss of Mr. Bridgford very much, and his sudden death has cast a gloom over the whole city. (Newspapers.com)

1.) Mary Elizabeth Bridgford: 14 Sep 1844 MO – 14 Feb 1934 MO m. 1876MO Henry William Shedd +children
2.) Sarah Elizabeth Bridgford: 1846 MO – 4 Feb 1913 MO m.1869MO Fred Carlson +children
3.) Edwin Thomas Bridgford: abt. 1848MO – 1881MO m.1874MO Rachel Missouri Nicklin +children
4.) Ellen Catherine Bridgford: 2 Jan 1850MO – 9 Aug 1887MO m. abt. 1870 Edward Morton Holmes +children
5.) Alice A Bridgford: 30 May 1855 MO – 22 May 1948 MO m. Smith Alexander
6.) Robert James Bridgford: Jun 1857 MO – 18 Oct 1935 MO – unmarried
7.) Ida M Bridgford: 29 May 1859 MO – 16 Feb 1934 MO m.1888MO Charles H Anderson

Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Descendant of a Female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Participants: NONE

CHILD 7: JEFFERSON BRIDGFORD
Born: 9 Nov 1822 KY – Died: 27 Dec 1914 MO @ Age: 92
Spouse: Margaret Elizabeth Waller m. 28 Mar 1848 in Jackson, Monroe, Missouri, USA
Children: Yes

He went by the name “Jeff”. He began his adult working life as a farm laborer and worked with livestock in northern Missouri. His marriage took place 28 Mar 1848 to Margaret Elizabeth Waller. They had eight children. During the gold rush, Jeff traveled across the country on the Oregon Trail to California. Quickly giving up gold mining, he organized a business provisioning for the gold camps near Sacramento. He returned to Missouri in 1851 and afterward settled with his family on a farm near Paris, Missouri where he raised shorthorn cattle and developed quality saddle horses.

“Jeff” Bridgford, 92 Years Old, is Dead.
Jefferson Bridgford, a pioneer horseman, well known here, died Monday at his home in Paris, MO, at the age of 92. Mr Bridgford had lived in Paris nearly fifty years and in Missouri most of his life.

He was known as one of the most expert judges and dealers in horses in this part of the country. When 72 years old Mr. Bridgford went to the world’s fair at Chicago and won the prize as the best gentleman driver. Some of the best saddle horses ever turned out of the state have been developed by him. Years ago he also was widely known as a Shorthorn cattle breeder.

He leaves three sons, two of whom live in Kansas City. They are Churchill G., president of the Crider Bros. Commission Company, living at the Hotel Belmont; Bower R., vice president of Crider Bros., living at 2813 East Eighth Street, and Judge E. A. Bridgford of San Francisco.

Dr E. McD. Bridgford, of Mexico, was a grand nephew of Mr Bridgford.”
(Obituary published 29 Dec 1914, Daily News and Intelligencer, Mexico, Missouri. Digital Repository: Newspapers.com)

Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Descendant of a Female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Participants: NONE

1.) Eugene Allen Bridgford: 26 Jan 1849MO – 5 Dec 1928CA m1.1870 Laura Virginia Withers +children; m2. Emma Gertrude Payne.
2.) Cornelia “Nelia” Bridgford: 11 Oct 1852MO – 23 Jan 1890MO m.1882 George C Brown
3.) Churchill G. Bridgford: 23 Apr 1855MO – 9 Oct 1918MO m.1881 Annie L Woodward +children
4.) Waller T. Bridgford: 29 Oct 1858MO – 6 Aug 1905LA m. Mollie F Broughton
5.) Charles B. Bridgford: 1 Jun 1861MO – 3 May 1941MO – unmarried
6.) Hugh W. Bridgford: 8 Aug 1862MO – 18 Mar 1932MO – unmarried
7.) Bower R Bridgford: 9 Aug 1866MO – 1945FL m. Mary Field +children
8.) Alma Bridgford: 22 Apr 1874MO – May 1952MO – unmarried

READING and RESOURCES

COLLECTION: Jefferson Bridgford Letters (C3793)
Letters of Jefferson Bridgford to his wife in Missouri while on the Oregon Trail and working in California during the gold rush.
Repository: The State Historical Society of Missouri

PHOTO: Sweepstake Saddle Stallion at Worlds Fair. Ridden by Jeff Bridgford, 6 Sep 1893.
Public Domain. High Resolution Images for Purchase. Digital Repository: Alamy Stock Photo.

BOOK: Hale, Philip H. (1905) The Book of Live Stock Champions, 1905. St Louis, MO, USA. Ref: p.43 Saddle Stallion–Artist Montrose, 51, A.S.H.R. Owned by A.F. Wycoff, of Appleton City, MO. Exhibited by Jeff Bridgford, of Paris, MO. Winner of first prize in Stallion Class, St. Louis Fair, 1899, and champion at Chicago Columbian Exposition, 1893.

BIOGRAPHY: Hon. Eugene A Bridgford (Son of Jeff Bridgford)