Simco N. Bridges was born on January 17, 1825 in Trigg County, Kentucky. On April 12, 1848, he married eighteen-year-old Emeline Martin, sister of William and John Martin. Performing the ceremony was James Thomas, Jr., the groom’s uncle, a justice of the peace at the time. They were the parents of nine children, four boys and five girls: William J., Sarah, Mary Drucilla, Alfred F., Morgan Hopson, Peachie, John W., Louella and Nannie.
One of his nephews had this to say about him: “It may be said that Sim Bridges, as a businessman, was a failure. He may have had his faults, but a more kind hearted man never lived. Generous to a fault, no person ever asked him for a favor or an accommodation in vain. He carried beneath a seemingly rough exterior a disposition as gentle and as kind as that of a woman.”
Such gentle kindness was not always apparent. In 1847, following a revival at the Donaldson Creek church, Simco and his brother Drewry were baptized and became members. However, in 1851, both men, then in their late 20’s, had a disagreement of some kind and it is said that Simco, in a fit of anger at his brother Drewry, “…threw off his coat in a threatening manner” and at the same time, yelled a few choice words to match his anger. Drewry is said to have replied in kind. The incident was reported to the church and both men were called before the deacon body. Such conduct, they were told, would not be tolerated by the church. Both Simco and his brother apologized; both were forgiven and remained in the good graces of the congregation.
Emeline died in 1872 when Nannie, their youngest child was an infant. Simco died at the age of 76 on November 1, 1901. Both are buried in the William Bridges Cemetery in Trigg County, Kentucky.
By Edison Thomas, The TBA Newsletter, July 2002.
THE LINEAGE:
(Simco N. Bridges was the third child of William and Mary Thomas Bridges. William was the fourth child of Drury and Charity Cohoon Bridges. Mary Thomas was the fifth child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.)
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