Alden Bridgham (1805 - aft. 1880)

Born 7 May 1805 in Minot, Androscoggin, Massachusetts, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Martha N. (Inman) Bridgham — married 5 Jan 1834 in Bangor, Penobscot, Maine, United States

Descendants

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

Biography

Alden Bridgham was born in Minot, Maine on May 7, 1805, the sixth of nine children.

In 1830, Alden Bridgum [sic] appeared to be living with his parents in Bangor, Maine. In 1834, he was a yeoman, and lived on Levant Rd., Bangor.

On November 10, 1835, Alden and Martha M. Inman were married in Bangor. She was born on November 2, 1814, in Pittston, Maine to Benjamin and Rhoda (Davis) Inman.

In 1840, Alden and his family were living with his parents in Bangor. Alden Bridgham, Jr. and William L. Bridgham, both of Bangor, applied for bankruptcy in 1842. Had they been in business together?

In 1850, he was a farmer in Newburgh, Maine, and owner of real estate worth $250. His household consisted of himself, his wife Martha, and their son Samuel, who was attending school. Also living in this household were a laborer, Benjamin and Elizabeth Willie, and daughter Rhoda.

In 1860, Alden lived in Newburgh, where he was a farmer with real estate worth $600, and a personal estate worth $250. Included in his household were his wife Martha, and their son Samuel. (farm laborer). Also living in this household were Inman, Laura Inman, Franklin Inman, Rhoda Willey, and Warren Inman, apparently relatives of Martha (Inman) Bridgham. He ran a farm of 10 improved acres and 10 unimproved acres. The farm had a cash value of $600. He had 1 horse, 2 milch [sic] cows, 2 other cattle, all valued at $150. His farm produced 50 bushels of Irish potatoes. He also produced 250 pounds of butter, and 8 tons of hay.

On November 13, 1862, The Portland Daily Advertiser reported a scandal,

Kidnapping Case.---A kidnapping case is before the Police Court of Bangor. A Mrs. Inman of Newburg, went to California, leaving her three children with one Alden Bridgham and paying their board. On her return she called for her little ones. Bridgham refused to give up the youngest, a boy four years old. It seems he had sent his wife away with the boy, and they could not be found. Bridgham was arrested and gave bonds for his appearance in the sum of $600.^[1]

The 1860 census shows Augustus (age 11), Laura (10), Franklin (7), and Warren (1) Inman all living with Alden and Martha (Inman) Bridgham. So even two years before this incident, it appears that Alden and Martha had some parental responsibility for these children. Mr. Inman is a brother-in-law of Alden Bridgham. Martha Inman was the daughter of Benjamin and Rhoda (Davis) Inman, and also the sister of Benjamin "Franklin" Inman (see newspaper articles, below). In 1870, 35-year-old Eliza Inman and 15-year-old Frank Inman lived in San Diego, California.

The “Bangor Daily Whig and Courier” carried several more stories, one in late November.

The Newburg Kidnapping Case. Officer Walker furnishes us with the following facts in regard to the kidnapping case at Newburg, recently:

About three years ago a Mr. Inman and wife went to California, leaving three children with Alden Bridgham of Newburg, to board for a stipulated price. The children were to be sent to California when ordered by their parents. This Bridgham and wife refused to do. The mother of the children arrived in Bangor about the first of August last, after her children, and went to Brigham's [sic] after them and their clothing. She received two of the children, the Bridghams requesting that the youngest one should stay with them until the mother, (Mrs. Inman) was ready to start for California, which was agreed to. Immediately after that Bridgham obtained a warrant in Hampden, and had the mother of the children arrested on a charge of stealing five dollars at his house. She was carried before a Justice at Hampden. Mr. Mathews volunteered his services as her attorney, and she was discharged. Bridgham immediately went to Dixmont and procured another warrant for the same offence. She was arrested and carried to Dixmont, examined and discharged a second time. She then called for her child, which they refused to give up. She then obtained a writ of Replevin, but the officer was unable to find the child. She then called on officer Walker of this city, to assist her. The officer obtained a warrant against Brigdham [sic], for abduction of the child, on the 6th of November, and immediately went to Newburg and arrested Bridgham. The wife of Bridgham, and the child of Inman could not be found. Bridgham was examined before the Police Court and bound over in the sum of $800, and committed to jail. Immediately after that Mrs. Inman was obliged to start to California or lose four hundred dollars which she had paid for her tickets, and leave her son, the lost boy, behind. She left the whole of her business in the hands of Officer Walker. He immediately put into the Whig & Courier an advertisement for the lost boy. The advertisement was copied into the Portland Transcript, and was read by a man by the name of Amasa Alden of Livermore, who wrote to this city that there was a boy left there by a strange woman named Montgomery, and that the boy's name was Herbert Norris. After exchanging a few letters with officer Walker, Alden procured a likeness of the boy and sent it to the officer, by which the boy was identified. The officer immediately dispatched a man who knew the boy, and after some trouble the man arrived in Bangor last night with the lost boy. The lady, Mrs. Bridgham alias Montgomery, has not yet been found. The officer is still on the alert for her, and says he will have her unless she leaves the country. Great credit is due the good citizens of Hampden, Newburg and Livermore, and more especially to Mr Amasa Alden, for the interest they have taken to assist the officer in finding the lost child. The boy is four years old.^[2]

And another on December 15, 1862,

From the "Portland Daily Advertiser," Portland, Maine, Dec. 15, 1862, p. 3,

The Newburg Kidnapping Case---The child of Mrs. Inman has been found and carried to Bangor. It was left in Livermore at Mr. Amass Alden's, by a woman calling her name Montgomery. The mother was obliged to go to California and left the business with officer Walker. Mrs. Bridgham alias Montgomery, has not yet been found, but the officer will hunt her up unless she leaves the State. The boy is about 4 years old. It is a singular case.^[3]

And another on December 29, 1862,

The Wrong Boy

Our readers will recollect the Newburg kidnapping case, in which a Mr. Bridgham and wife were charged with the abduction of a boy belonging to Mrs. Inman, who was obliged to go to California without her child because it could not be found---Mrs. Bridgham having disappeared with it to parts unknown. Within twenty four hours afterwards a strange woman calling herself Montgomery, left a child with a Mrs. Norris, at Livermore, in Oxford county, mysteriously disappeared, and was not afterwards heard from. Mrs. Norris seeing the advertisement of officer Walker of the lost boy of Mrs. Inman, informed him of the above fact by letter. A photograph likeness was also taken and sent over here, and many persons in Newburg recognized it as a likeness of Mrs. Inman's boy. He was accordingly sent for, and brought to this city. Legal proceedings were about to be taken for restoring him to his supposed mother, when Mr. Walker began to receive anonymous letters from Newburg alleging that he had got the wrong boy afterall, and that Mrs. Bridgham had returned with the real child, which she kept secreted. Upon a personal visit and investigation last week, Walker found the statement was true, and that Mrs. B. and the Inman child were really there. He arrested the former, and brought both her and the child to Bangor, on Saturday. The woman was held to bail upon the former complaint of kidnapping. She says she has simply been on a visit of six weeks at Charleston, in this county. That she has been there is not doubted. The mystery is about the Livermore child. He is a bright, active boy of four years, and certainly bears a strong resemblance, in many features, to the Inman child. Some suppose the whole affair at Livermore to have been part of the plot to keep the Inman boy, by furnishing a substitute to be sent to California---but there is no evidence whatever of this.^[4]

And in 1863,

Kidnapping.---Alden Bridgham, of Newburg, has been bound over in the Police Court, Bangor, on a charge of kidnapping or concealing a boy four years old, child of Mrs. Inman, which had been left to board with Bridgham and his wife, while the mother went to California. Mrs. Inman returned from California after her children, and Bridgham and his wife, as alleged, refused to give up the boy. Mrs. B. was included in the complaint, but she has concealed herself, as well as the boy.^[5]

The story had a sad ending when the child, Warren Herbert Inman died of Lung Fever in May, 1863 at the age of four years and eight months.

Died;

In this city, Tuesday, 12th inst., Warren Herbert Inman, aged 4 years and 8 months, of Lung Fever; son of Benjamin F. Inman of California.

This is the child that Alden Bridgham and wife were arrested for kidnapping, last Fall. About two weeks ago the father of the child remitted here $120, to pay the passage of the child to California.^[6]

In 1870, Alden and Martha lived in Newburgh, where he was a farm laborer. They lived in the household of Saml Bridgham, Alden’s son.

In 1880, Alden and Martha were living in the household of his brother-in-law, Michael Newcomb and ex-sister-in-law, Sarah Ann F. Newcomb in District 36, Newburg.

Alden and Martha died after 1880 .

Facts

NAME
Alden Bridgham ^{[7] [8]}

SEX
Male

BIRTH
New Gloucester, Cumberland, Maine, United States ^[9]
ABT 1803; Maine, United States ^[10]
7 MAY 1805; Minot, Androscoggin, Maine, United States ^{[11] [12] [13]}
ABT 1815; Maine, United States ^{[14] [15]}

DEATH
AFT 1880 ^[10]

OCCUPATION
1834; Yeoman ^[16]
1848; Farmer ^[17]
1850; Farmer ^[14]
1860; Farmer ^[15]
1865; Farmer ^[9]
1870; Farm laborer ^[13]
1880; Farm work ^[10]

RESIDENCE
1810; Minot, Androscoggin, Massachusetts, United States ^[18]
1834; Levant Rd., Bangor, Penobscot, Maine, United States ^[16]
1840; Bangor, Penobscot, Maine, United States ^[19]
1848; Levant Rd., Bangor, Penobscot, Maine, United States ^[17]
1850; Newburgh, Penobscot, Maine, United States ^[14]
1860; Newburgh, Penobscot, Maine, United States ^[15]
1870; Newburgh, Penobscot, Maine, United States ^[20]
1880; Newburgh, Penobscot, Maine, United States ^[10]

FAMILY
Husband
Alden Bridgham
Wife
Martha M Inman
Marriage
5 JAN 1834; Bangor, Penobscot, Maine, United States ^{[21] [22]}
1835; Penobscot, Maine, United States ^[23]
10 NOV 1835; Bangor, Penobscot, Massachusetts, United States ^[21]

Research Notes

The "1850 Census Roll 265," Page 371 lists Alden at 35 years of age, giving him a birthyear of 1815. Other records show 1805.

Bangor, Maine, City Directory, www.ancestry.com:

Alden B. Jr. 1834, yeoman, Levant road, p. 31

Alden B. Jr, 1843, farmer, levant road, p. 8

Alden B. Jr. 1846, farmer, levant road, p. 10

From the "Age," (Bangor, ME), Aug. 12, 1842, p. 4,

Bankruptcy.

List of Applicants to be heard ont he 4th Tuesday of August inst.

... Bangor---... Alden Bridgham, Jr., William L. Bridgham, ...

The 1860 agriculture census reports that A. Bridgham of Newburg, Penobscot Co., Maine, ran a farm of 10 improved acres and 10 unimproved acres. The farm had a cash value of $600. He had 1 horse, 2 milch [sic] cows, 2 other cattle, all valued at $150. His farm produced 50 bushels of Irish potatoes. He also produced 250 pounds of butter, and 8 tons of hay.

From the "Bangor Daily Whig and Courier," ME, Tuesday, Nov 11, 1862, p. 2,

Police Court---Kidnapping Case. On Saturday, Mr. Alden Bridgham of Newburg, was brought up in the Police Court upon a charge of kidnapping a child, and keeping it from the custody of its parents. The facts are that Mrs. Eliza Inman of Newburg went to California a year or two since, leaving her three children with Bridgham, paying their board. She recently came on for the purpose of carrying them back with her, when Bridgham refused to give up the youngest, a boy of four years. Mrs. Inman then took legal measures to get him, when it was discovered that Mrs. Bridgham was missing with the child. Bridgham refused to tell where the child was, only saying that he had carried his wife away visiting. He was accordingly arrested by officer Walker and brought here for examination. Some technical objection being raised, Judge Humphrey continued the case till next Wednesday. Bridgham was ordered to get bonds for his appearance at the time in the sum of $600, which he procurred.---The woman and child have not been found.

From the "Portland Daily Advertiser," Portland, Maine, Nov. 13, 1862, p. 3,

Kidnapping Case.---A kidnapping case is before the Police Court of Bangor. A Mrs. Inman of Newburg, went to California, leaving her three children with one Alden Bridgham and paying their board. On her return she called for her little ones. Bridgham refused to give up the youngest, a boy four years old. It seems he had sent his wife away with the boy, and they could not be found. Bridgham was arrested and gave bonds for his appearance in the sum of $600.

[The 1860 census shows Augustus (age 11), Laura E. (10), Franklin A. (7), and Warren E. (1) Inman all living with Alden and Martha [Inman] Bridgham. So even 2 years before this incident, it appears that Alden and Martha had some parental responsibility for these children. Mr. Inman is a brother-in-law of Alden Bridgham.]

[Martha Inman was the daughter of Benjamin and Rhoda (Davis) Inman, and also the sister of Benjamin "Franklin" Inman (see newspaper articles, below).]

[These children are the children of Benjamin Franklin and Eliza (Willey) Inman.]

[In 1870, 35yo Eliza Inman and 15yo Frank Inman lived in San Diego, CA.]

From the "Bangor Daily Whig and Courier," ME, Nov 26, 1862, p. 2,

Information Wanted!

Mrs. Martha Bridgham, of Newburgh, ___ decamped with a little boy about four years of age, a child of Mrs. Eliza Inman, of California. The boys' [sic] name is Warren Herbert Inman, and the mother is anxious to find her child, that she may return home. Mrs. Bridgham's husband is now in jail for aiding in the escape of his wife. Any person will confer a favor upon the mother and receiving her lasting gratitude, who will furnish information where the child may be found. Information may be left with Simon F. Walker.

From the "Bangor Daily Whig and Courier," ME, Feb. 17, 1863, p. 2,

State vs. Alden Brigham [sic] and Martha Brigham [sic], of Newburg, for kidnapping and carrying away a child of Eliza Inman. Plea, not guilty. Recognized for appearance at next crim. term.

Sources

1. ↑ Portland Daily Advertiser, Portland, Maine, Nov. 13, 1862, p. 3
2. ↑ Bangor Daily Whig and Courier, ME, Dec 12, 1862, p. 2
3. ↑ Portland Daily Advertiser, Portland, Maine, Dec. 15, 1862, p. 3
4. ↑ Bangor Daily Whig and Courier, ME, Dec 29, 1862, p. 2
5. ↑ Portland Daily Press, ME, 1863
6. ↑ Bangor Daily Whig and Courier," ME, Thursday, May 14, 1863, p. 2
7. ↑ Source: Title: Maine Death Records , Page: Record of a Death, for his son, Samuel W. Bridgham. , Publication: Name: www.rootsweb.com;;
8. ↑ Source: Title: Maine Marriage Records , Page: Copy of an Old Record of a Marriage, for Samuel W. Bridgham and Susan E. Piper. , Repository name: www.ancestry.com
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1} Source: Title: www.ancestry.com , Page: "Record of a Marriage," for Samuel W. Bridgham and Susan E. Piper
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3} Source: Title: "1880 Census" , Page: Maine, Newburg, Penobscot Co. , Repository name: www.ancestry.com
11. ↑ Source: Title: www.familysearch.org , Page: IGI Film# 457506
12. ↑ Source: Title: www.familysearch.org , Page: IGI Film# 446135, Page# 578, Ref# 56364
13. ↑ ^{13.0 13.1} Source: Title: "1870 Census" , Page: Maine, Newburg, Penobscot Co., Roll M593_554, p. 232 , Repository name: www.ancestry.com
14. ↑ ^{14.0 14.1 14.2} Source: Title: "1850 Census" , Page: p. 371 , Repository name: www.ancestry.com
15. ↑ ^{15.0 15.1 15.2} Source: Title: "1860 Census" , Page: Maine, Newburgh, Penobscot Co., Series M653, Roll 445, p. 482 , Repository name: www.ancestry.com
16. ↑ ^{16.0 16.1} Source: Title: "Maine City Directories" , Page: Bangor, 1834, p. 31 , Repository name: www.ancestry.com
17. ↑ ^{17.0 17.1} Source: Title: "Maine City Directories" , Page: Bangor, 1848, p. 11 , Repository name: www.ancestry.com
18. ↑ Source: Title: "1810 Census" , Page: p. 352 , Repository name: www.ancestry.com
19. ↑ Source: Title: "1840 Census Index" , Repository name: familytreemaker.genealogy.com
20. ↑ Source: Title: "1870 Census" , Page: Maine, Newburg, Penobscot Co. , Repository name: www.ancestry.com
21. ↑ ^{21.0 21.1} Source: Title: www.familysearch.org , Page: MMD1-5W1
22. ↑ Source: Title: "Maine Marriages, 1771-1907" , Repository name: www.familysearch.org
23. ↑ Source: Title: www.familysearch.org , Page: IGI Batch# M5221810