Ethelinde French Bridgham (1885 - 1953)

Born 23 Jan 1885 in Dexter, Penobscot, Maine, United States

Ancestors

Died 30 Dec 1953 at age 68 in Dexter, Penobscot, Maine, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Joel Bridgham [send private message]

Biography

Ethelinde F. Bridgham's signature.

Ethelinde French Bridgham was born on January 23, 1885 in Dexter, Penobscot, Maine.

As a student, Etheldine [sic] F. Bridgham was on the board of editors for “The Signet,” published by the Dexter High School students.

In 1910, 25-year-old unmarried Ethilinde [sic] Bridgham live in the household of her mother, Fannie M. Bridgham at 10 Maple St. in Dexter, Penobscot, Maine, where she was a music teacher.

She settled in Oregon for a few years,

"Miss Ethelinde F. Bridgham of Dexter, Maine, who was graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music in 1911, is now head of the piano-forte department at St. Helen's Hall, of this city [Portland, Oregon]. Miss Bridgham for some time past has been serving as assistant librarian at the New England Conservatory, and is one of a large number of graduates of this well-known Boston institution who has been elected this Spring to desirable places in Western schools and colleges.

"Invitations have been issued for a recital at Ellers Hall Saturday night to introduce Miss Edith Clarke Patterson, mezzo-soprano, and Miss Estelinede [sic] French Bridgham, pianist, who are at present in charge of the music department of St. Helen's Hall. Miss Bridgham, studied with Carl Hosner, of Boston, and received her musical training at the New England Conservatory. ..."

I could not find her in the 1920 census. By 1922, she was living in Davenport, Iowa, where she performed and taught “piano, harmony, theory and history of music” at St. Katharine’s school.

In 1930, 45-year-old Ethelinde F. Bridgham boarded at the Sea Pines (private) school on Sea Pines in Brewster, Barnstable, Massachusetts, where she taught.

In 1940, she lived in her brother-in-law's house (Jacob Card) at 17 Cambria St. in Somerville, Mass. She had completed four years of college. She was a full-time music teacher, having earned $750 in 1939.

A wonderful article in the Dexter, Maine, newspaper in 1949 detailed the reunion of all four of the adult children of Levi and Fannie.

"Miss Ethelinde Bridgham followed a musical teaching career. After a two year course at the New England Conservatory of Music at Boston, she returned to Dexter as an assistant teacher of piano. Later she returned to her studies at the Conservatory, graduating in 1911. After teaching music for 16 years in private schools she became associated with Gray Houses, Inc., Boston, where she did settlement work and work in social music. Miss Bridgham recently returned to the family home and is teaching piano after being with Gray Houses for 21 years, the past seven years serving as an assistant director."

By 1949, she was back in Maine, in Portland this time, still performing in public.

Ethelinde Bridgham died on December 30, 1953. Her obituary ran in the Dexter newspaper,

"Miss Ethelinde F. Bridgham, 68, died Wednesday morning at Plummer Memorial Hospital where she was taken Tuesday after having been ill a week with a heart condition aggravated by a severe cold.

"There will be a requiem mass Saturday at 8 a. m. in the Episcopal Chapel in the Bridgham home, 26 Maple street, with Archdeacon Herbert S. Craig of Portland as celebrant. The burial service will be read in the parlors of the home at 10 a. m. Neighbors and friends will be welcome. The body will be entombed to await burial later in the family lot at Mt. Pleasant cemetery.

"Miss Bridgham, a prominent teacher of music, was born in Dexter, Jan. 23, 1885, the daughter of Levi and Fannie (Bradbury) Bridgham. After her graduation from Dexter High School in the class of 1903 she studied at the New England Conservatory of Music, Boston. Returning to Dexter, she taught for several years at Pleasant Street and Cedar Street Schools, and also had piano pupils. She then resumed her study at the Conservatory and in 1911 was graduated as a concert pianist. She was a communicant of the Episcopal Church.

"Miss Bridgham's experience covered a wide territory. She was a member of the staff at the following schools: St. Helen's Hall, an Episcopal school at Portland, Oregon from 1912 to 1914; Hopkins Hall, Burlington, Vt., 1915-16; St. Katherine's School, Davenport, Iowa 1919-24; Sea Pines School, Brewster., Mass., 1924-32; Boston Settlements, 1932-44; and was assistant director of Gray Houses, Inc., Boston, 1945-48. At one time she was a lecturer at the Boston School of Occupational Therapy.

"In 1948 Miss Bridgham resigned her position at Gray Houses and returned to the family homestead in Dexter to live with her sister, Mrs. Louise Card, and brother, Alvah Bridgham.

"Since returning Miss Bridgham has given untiringly of herself and time in teaching piano to many Dexter boys and girls and several from nearby towns. This year she had over 50 pupils.

"She is survived by one sister, Mrs. Louise Card, Dexter; three brothers Alvah R. of Dexter, Professor John M. of Grinnell, Ia., and Albert F. of Salisbury, N. C., and several nieces and nephews."

Facts

NAME
Ethelinde French Bridgham ^[1]
Ethelinde Bridgham ^[2]
Ethelinde F. Bridgham ^{[3] [4]}

SEX
Female

BIRTH
ABT 1885; Maine, United States ^{[2] [4]}
1885 ^[3]
23 JAN 1885; Dexter, Penobscot, Maine, United States ^[1]

DEATH
1953 ^[3]
30 DEC 1953; Dexter, Penobscot, Maine, United States

EDUCATION
Dexter High School, Dexter, Penobscot, Maine
C - 4 ^[5]

OCCUPATION
Teacher of music
1930; Teacher, private school
1950; Piano teacher ^[4]

RESIDENCE
1900; Dexter, Penobscot, Maine, United States
1910; Dexter, Penobscot, Maine, United States
1930; Sea Pines Rd., Brewster, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States
1935; 17 Cambria St., Somerville, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States ^[2]
1937; Somerville, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States ^[6]
1940; 17 Cambria St., Somerville, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States ^[2]
1950; 26 Maple, Dexter, Penobscot, Maine, United States ^[4]

RELIGION
Episcopal

Research Notes

From "Boston City Directory," www.footnote.com,

Ethelinda J. B., 1915, music teacher 858 Albany Rox b do., p. 333.

Ethelinda J. B., 1916, rem to Dexter, Maine, p. 336.

Ethelinda J. B., 1917, music teacher 858 Albany Rox hds do., p. 292.

Ethelinda F. B., 1918, asst 858 Albany Rox, h do., p. 293.

Ethelinda F. B., 1919, asst 858 Albany Rox, h do., p. 293. (In 1919, 858 Albany was the "Roxbury Neighborhood House" (1326))

...

(Teachers, music)

Ethelinda J. B., 1915, 858 Albany, Rox., p. 2364.

Portland OR city directory (ancestry.com),

Ethelinde B 1913, tchr St Helen's Hall, p. 240.

Ethelinde B 1914, tchr St Helen's Hall, p. 331.

From the "Daily Kennebec Journal," Augusta, Maine, Dec. 27, 1902, p. 3,

In the Schoolroom

What is Being Done in Maine for the Advancement of Education.

...

"The Signet," published by the students of the Dexter High School, has just been issued. The board of editors were ... Etheldine [sic] F. Bridgham, '03, literary; ..."

From the "Daily Kennebec Journal," Augusta, Maine, July 13, 1904, p. 2,

Sparks from Maine Wires.

...

One of the social events of the present week will take place, Friday evening, at Dexter, ... There will be a piano solo by Miss Ethelinde Bridgham, ...

From the "Daily Kennebec Journal," June 2, 1906,

Dexter News

...

... Special exercises were also held in the school in the Pleasant street building taught by Miss Ethelinde Bridgham and in the Free street buildings. ...

From the "Oregonian," June 23, 1912, p. 4,

Music

...

Miss Ethelinde F. Bridgham of Dexter, Maine, who was graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music in 1911, is now head of the piano-forte department at St. Helen's Hall, of this city [Portland, Oregon]. Miss Bridgham for some time past has been serving as assistant librarian at the New England Conservatory, and is one of a large number of graduates of this well known Boston institution who has been elected this Spring to desirable places in Western schools and colleges.

From the "Oregonian," Jan. 19, 1913, p. 8,

Music

...

Invitations have been issued for a recital at Ellers Hall Saturday night to introduce Miss Edith Clarke Patterson, mezzo-soprano, and Miss Estelinede [sic] French Bridgham, pianist, who are at present in charge of the music department of St. Helen's Hall. Miss Bridgham, studied with Carl Hosner, of Boston, and received her musical training at the New England Conservatory. ...

From "The Oregon Daily Journal," Portland, Jan. 26, 1913, p. 8,

Young Women win Musical Success

Misses Patterson and Bridgham in Recital at Eilers Hall.

One of the delightful musical events of the season was the recital given last evening at Eilers' hall introducing Miss Edith Clarke Patterson, mezzo-soprano, and Miss Ethelinda French Bridgham, pianist, assisted by William R. Boone, accompanist. The two young women have recently become members of the teaching corps of St. Helen's hall and this being their first public appearance in Portland, much interest centered about the recital. ...

Both artists proved themselves to be musicians of unusual attainments.

From the "Daily Kennebec Journal," Thursday, Jul 03, 1913, Augusta, ME, Page: 12,

Mrs. Fannie Bridgham and her mother, Mrs. Frances Bradbury, have returned from Newburyport, Mass., where they were called to attend the funeral of Mrs. Bradbury's brother. Miss Ethelinde Bridgham, who has been teaching music in a school of Portland, Oregon, the past year, returned with them for the summer.

From the "Daily Kennebec Journal," Thursday, Sep. 3, 1913, Augusta, ME, Page: 3,

Miss Ethelinde Bridgham left for Portland, Ore., Tuesday, where she will take up her second year's work as teacher of music in St. Helens School.

From the "Oregonian," (Portland, OR), Feb. 10, 1914, p. 8,

The Sisters of St. Helen's Hall will give a series of three pupill recitals on February 12 as follows: ...

Those in charge of the musical department are: Miss Ethelinde Bridgham, piano; ...

From "The Burlington Free Press," VT, Sep 29, 1915, p. 7,

Bishop Hopkins Hall will open for boarding pupils on Thursday, September 30 ...

The teaching staff will remain the same this year except that Miss Ethelinde F. Bridgham of Boston will succeed Miss Ransom in the piano department ...

From the "Quad-City Time," Davenport, Iowa, Sep 7, 1919, p. 12,

St. Katharine's [Davenport, Iowa] Faculty for the Year Announced

... Miss Ethelind [sic] Bridgham, who is a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, a sis [sic] also Miss Hostetter, is to have the general charge of lessons, ...

From "The Davenport Democrat and Leader," Davenport, Iowa, June 8, 1922, p. 13,

Musicale Friday, St. Katharine's School

The annual commencement musicale of St. Katharine's school will be Friday evening, June 9, in the school auditorium at 7:45 p. m. and a very beautiful program has been arranged for the occasion by the teachers in charge.

Miss Carrie Hoyt is head of the voice department, Miss Anna Johansen of the violin, and Miss Bridgham of the piano work.

From "The Davenport Democrat and Leader," Davenport, Iowa, Sept. 18, 1922, p. 14,

St. Katharine's school will reopen for its 38th year with the assembling of classes Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock. Sept. 27, and there is good enrollment reported for both boarding and day departments.

Very few changes have been made in the faculty, the following being the list of instructors for the coming school year.

...

Piano. harmony, theory and history of music -- Ethelinde French Bridgham, graduate and post graduate New England Conservatory of Music.

From "The Davenport Democrat and Leader," Davenport, Iowa, May 16, 1923, p. 13,

Pupils Recital May 19 St. Katharine's To Have Delightful Program

A very lovely program has been arranged for the annual pupils' recital at St. Katharine's school Saturday evening, May 19. Miss Carrie Hoyt, head of the voice department, Miss Ethelinde Bridgheham [sic] of the piano department and Miss Ann Johannsen, instructor in violin, having the musicale in charge. ...

From the "Portland Sunday Telegram," Maine, June 29, 1924, p. 4,

Miss Ethelinde F. Bridgham is in town for a few days before going to Brewster, Mass., where she has accepted a position as teacher in the Sea Pines School for Girls. Miss Bridgham has been teaching in the West for the past few years.

From "The Bangor Daily News," ME, July 3, 1924, p. 9,

Miss Ethylinde [sic] Bridgham, who has been occupying the Bridgham homestead for the past few weeks, on her annual vacation, left this week for Brewster, Mass., where she has accepted a position to teach in a girls summer camp.

From the Boston Herald (MA), June 21, 1925, p. 50,

Sea Pines School

Brewster, Massachusetts.

...

The recital Tuesday evening was enjoyed by a large number interested in the school. ... the orchestral parts were played on second pianoforte by Miss Ethelinde Bridgham, head of the piano department.

From the "Boston Herald," March 10, 1929, p. 65,

Sea Pines School

Brewster, Mass.

...

A very artistic and pleasing performance of the light opera "Mikado" by Gilbert & Sullivan was presented by the glee club under the direction of Miss Constance King and Miss Bridgham. ...

From the "Boston Herald," Nov. 23, 1930, p. 46,

Sea Pines School

Brewster, Mass.

... A musical trio, Miss Ethelinde Bridgham, assisted by the cello instructor and a violin instructor, entertained the school in the evening.

In 1940, she lived in her brother-in-law's house (Jacob Card) at 17 Cambria St. in Somerville, Mass. She had completed four years of college. She was a full-time music teacher, having earned $750 in 1939.

From the article, "Bridgham Brothers and Sisters, With Total of 166 Year's Teaching, Enjoy Reunion" from "The Eastern Gazette", Dexter, Maine, July 14, 1949.

Miss Ethelinde Bridgham followed a musical teaching career. After a two year course at the New England Conservatory of Music at Boston, she returned to Dexter as an assistant teacher of piano. Later she returned to her studies at the Conservatory, graduating in 1911. After teaching music for 16 years in private schools she became associated with Gray Houses, Inc., Boston, where she did settlement work and work in social music. Miss Bridgham recently returned to the family home and is teaching piano after being with Gray Houses for 21 years, the past seven years serving as an assistant director.

From the "Portland Press Herald," Maine, Dec 18, 1949, p. 13,

Dexter, Dec. 17. --- Christmas exercises including a pageant, tableaux and cantata will be held in four Dexter churches next week.

...

Living Pictures and Tableaux will be presented at 7.30 p. m. Thursday in the auditorium of the Free Baptist Church. Miss Etheldine [sic] Bridgham, organist and choir director, is in charge of the program assisted by the Misses Hazel and Elizabeth Champeon.

From the "Portland Press Herald," Portland, Maine, Sept. 25, 1949,

Dexter PTA Greets New Teachers

Dexter, Sept. 24.--The first fall meeting of the Dexter Parent-Teacher Association was held Tuesday evening at the Methodist Church. Music was provided by the stringed quartet, Miss Ethelinde Bridgeham [sic], ...

Ethelinde lived in Dexter, Maine in 1950 in the household of her widowed sister Louise F. Card, and with her half-brother, Alvah Bridgham. She continued teaching piano.

From the "Portland Press Herald," Portland, Maine, Jan. 28, 1951,

One of the outstanding programs of the year of the Dexter Woman's Club was held Wednesday afternoon under the direction of Mrs. Mary Smart and Miss Ethelinde Bridgham. A quintet of strings played selections from Handl, Schubert, Beethoven and Purcell. Included in the quartet were Miss Bridgham, ...

From her obituary, "The Eastern Gazette," Dexter, Maine, Dec 31, 1953, pp. 1 & 5:

Miss Ethelinde F. Bridgham, 68, died Wednesday morning at Plummer Memorial Hospital where she was taken Tuesday after having been ill a week with a heart condition aggravated by a severe cold.

There will be a requiem mass Saturday at 8 a. m. in the Episcopal Chapel in the Bridgham home, 26 Maple street, with Archdeacon Herbert S. Craig of Portland as celebrant. The burial service will be read in the parlors of the home at 10 a. m. Neighbors and friends will be welcome. The body will be entombed to await burial later in the family lot at Mt. Pleasant cemetery.

Miss Bridgham, a prominent teacher of music, was born in Dexter, Jan. 23, 1885, the daughter of Levi and Fannie (Bradbury) Bridgham. After her graduation from Dexter High School in the class of 1903 she studied at the New England Conservatory of Music, Boston. Returning to Dexter, she taught for several years at Pleasant Street and Cedar Street Schools, and also had piano pupils. She then resumed her study at the Conservatory and in 1911 was graduated as a concert pianist. She was a communicant of the Episcopal Church.

Miss Bridgham's experience covered a wide territory. She was a member of the staff at the following schools: St. Helen's Hall, an Episcopal school at Portland, Oregon from 1912 to 1914; Hopkins Hall, Burlington, Vt., 1915-16; St. Katherine's School, Davenport, Iowa 1919-24; Sea Pines School, Brewster., Mass., 1924-32; Boston Settlements, 1932-44; and was assistant director of Gray Houses, Inc., Boston, 1945-48. At one time she was a lecturer at the Boston School of Occupational Therapy.

In 1948 Miss Bridgham resigned her position at Gray Houses and returned to the family homestead in Dexter to live with her sister, Mrs. Louise Card, and brother, Alvah Bridgham.

Since returning Miss Bridgham has given untiringly of her self and time in teaching piano to many Dexter boys and girls and several from nearby towns. This year she had over 50 pupils.

She is survived by one sister, Mrs. Louise Card, Dexter; three brothers Alvah R. of Dexter, Professor John M. of Grinnell, Ia., and Albert F. of Salisbury, N. C., and several nieces and nephews.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Source: Title: "U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index" , Page: for Ethelinde French Bridgham. , Repository name: www.ancestry.com
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} Source: Title: "1940 Census" , Page: Somerville, Middlesex, Massachusetts; Roll: T627_1703; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 21-43B , Repository name: www.ancestry.com
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} Source: Title: Gravestone , Page: Find A Grave: Memorial #118513767
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3} Source: Title: "1950 Census" , Page: Record Group Number: 29; Residence Date: 1950; Home in 1950: Dexter, Penobscot, Maine; Roll: 2377; Sheet Number: 19; Enumeration District: 10-64 , Repository name: www.ancestry.com
5. ↑ Source: Title: "1940 Census" , Page: Somerville, Middlesex, Massachusetts; Roll: m-t0627-01703; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 21-43B , Repository name: www.ancestry.com
6. ↑ Source: Title: Document , Page: 1937 conveyance of property to Alvah H. Bridgham.