News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1886-06-24
Obituary..


We publish the following incidents
in the life of Mr.. Dorman Bridgman /:
Mr.. Bridgman was born in Hardwick,
May %. 1900, in LOG house built by his
father, Capt. John Bridgman, in 1875, the
same wear the town was organized. He
was the oldest native born citizen. He
shared in common with all, the priva-
tions and hardshDs of pioneer life. For
his limited means he acquired good ed
ucatiOn, which was improved as years
went on, by his habit of reading and his
great memory. In March, 1919. he
moved with his fathers family to Bur-
lington.to return to his native home later.
In April. 1921. just previous to be-
coming of age. he went on foot to White
hall, n. Y, and worked on the Northern
Canal, then being built. He made sue
cess of the job and returned to Hardwick
in the fall. He taught school during the
winter, but went to New York in the
spring and worked that year and the next
on the Erie Canal. He was successful
in his contracts, and brought home con-
siderable money for those times. In 1924
he opened the first store in South Hard
wick, and was the first postmaster in that
village. In 1928 he married Achsah
Mitchell, q woman possessed OF much
good sense, great energy, and of con-
stitutiOn as remarkable as his own. 70
them thirteen children were born, of
whom seven survive. Mr.. Bridgman was
very sympathetic in his nature, and indie
pendent and peculiar in his religious and
political views. He voted for Jackson.
Later he became an ardent Free Soiler,
and voted for Fremont in 1856. He as
sisted the runaway slave in his march
toward Canada. Later he became inter-
ested in the waE. Mr.. Bridgman was
courageous, as well as successful in bus
mess enterprises. At an early period in
his life he bought out his partner in bus
mess. and gave his note for So, 900, sum
that in those days would have appalled,
other men. At that time almost the only
thing that would sell for money was pot
ash, which article Mr.. Bridgman took of
his customers and sent to market to OBJ
tain money with which to meet his obi
cations. After fourteen years the note
was paid. His partner never took any
security for the claim. During his life
he held many offices of responsibility and
trust. He was familiarity acquainted with
the first settlers of Hardwick and adjoin-
ing towns. He was well versed in mat
tiers of history, and delighted in writing
scraps ofhistory and biographical sketch
es. In all such matters he was authority
and his knowledge of dates was instinc-
tive. He leaves an only brother, John
Bridgman, Esq, now about SO years of
age, and respected citizen of Hardwick.
OF late he has suffered considerably from
some ailment that threatened his immedi-
ate death, but his attacks were less often
and less severe than when they first APP
peared. His unfortunate taking away
seems peculiarly sad. Mr.. Bridgman,
in religious matters, as in other things,
had views of his own, and he inclined
toward the views of the friends. Some
years since he felt it his duty to make a
profession of religion, and was baptized
and joined the class in the Methodist
church. His funeral was attended at his
residence on the old farm by a very large
concourse of people, Revs. S. S. Brig
ham and S. B. Currier officiating.