William Calvin Bridgman

William Calvin Bridgman was born about 1815/16 in Campbell County, Tennessee, the son of William Bridgman and Mariam Brown.  (Note: Some researchers believe William Calvin was born as late as 1825.)

William married Matilda Jane Prock, about 1845, in Tennessee.  Matilda Prock was born September 17, 1820, in Campbell Co, TN.  She was the daughter of Unknown Prock and Elizabeth (maiden name unknown). 

Christian Prock was born 1760, in Orange County, North Carolina and died March 1850, in Campbell County, Tennessee.  He was the son of Paul Prock (b. 1717, Germany; d. 1769, Rowan Co, NC) and Margaret (last name unknown).  Christian Prock married Mary Margaret (last name unknown) about 1781, in Rowan County, North Carolina.  Mary was born about 1761-1765, in North Carolina and died in late 1850, in Campbell County.  We know the couple had at least two sons. 

The 1830 Campbell County census shows only three Prock families in Campbell County - (1) Christian Prock, (2) Elizabeth Prock, a widow born 1791-1800 and (3) Margaret Prock, head of house 1801-1810.  We believe Elizabeth and Margaret were both daughters-in-law to Christian Prock.  All three families were living near each other. 

The 1840 Campbell County census shows only two Prock families - Christian Prock and Elizabeth Prock. 

The 1850 Mortality Schedule shows that Christian Prock died from dropsy in March 1850, in Campbell County, at the age of 90 years.  The 1850 Campbell County census shows only one Prock living in Campbell County - Mary Prock, 70, born in North Carolina.  She was the widow of Christian Prock.  (Note: Her age is incorrect on this census.)  

William Calvin moved his family to Kentucky prior to 1848.  The 1850 Wayne County, Kentucky census shows William C. Bridgman, 25, farmer, $200 real property; Matilda, 25; Theressa J., 4, born in Tennessee and Ann E., 1, born in Kentucky.  Listed with the family was Malinda Bach, 14, born in Tennessee.  (Note: This census indicates William Calvin was born about 1825.)

The 1860 Wayne County, Kentucky census shows William C. Bridgman, 47, farmer, $300 real property, $100 personal property; Matilda, 34; Thursa J., 14; Ann E., 11; James F., 8; William O., 6; John M., 3 and Mary E., 5 months old.  Living with the family was Calvin Trail, 17, day laborer.  (Note: This census indicates William Calvin was born about 1813.)

The 1870 Wayne County census shows Calvin Bridgeman, 51, farmer; Matilda, 45; James F., 18, farm laborer; William O., 15; John M., 12; Mary E., 9 and Simpson, 6 and  Luinda, 3 years old.   (Note: This census indicates William Calvin was born about 1819.)

The 1880 Wayne County census shows Calvin Brigeman, 56, farmer; Matilda, 58, wife; John Milton, 21, son, laborer; Mary, 18, daughter; Sampson, 17, son; Larinda, 12, daughter and Maricus M., 9, son.  (Note: This census indicates William Calvin was born about 1824.)

William signed his will August 5, 1896, in Wayne County, Kentucky, in which he names his wife and children.

William Calvin Bridgman died January 23, 1897, in Wayne County.  

The 1900 Wayne County census shows Tilda Bridgman, born Sept 1823, 76, widow, had given birth to 9 children, 9 children were still living, a farmer who owned her farm; Mary Bridgman, daughter, born Jan 1860, 40, divorced, had given birth to 1 child, 1 child was still living; Richard Bridgman, grandson, born Feb 1883, 17 and James Selvy, grandson, born Jan 1884, 16 years old. 

The 1910 Wayne County census shows Matilda living with her daughter Lucinda and her family.  The census shows John M. Huffaker, 44, married 26 years, an engineer at a oil station, owned his farm; Lou, wife, 43, had given birth to 10 children, 8 children were still living; Pearl, daughter, 22; Maud, daughter, 21; Claud, son, 17, oil field roust about; Loyd, son, 13; Flourie, daughter, 10; Floyd, son, 8; Charles, son, 4; Odell, grandson, 2 months old and Tilda Bridgman, mother-in-law, 90, widow, was married 66 years, had given birth to 9 children, 8 children were still living.

Matilda died November 21, 1912, in Wayne County.

Children of William Calvin Bridgman and Matilda Prock