Notes for: Francis Bridon, Jr.
It would seem that Francis and Susannah Bridon lost a son in Rye, England and that they had no other children. Ann Messecar found the following in the church records of Rye, East Sussex, England:
Child of Francis Briden, French
Son Francis, Buried 26 November, 1699 at Rye
*****
Here is a summary of Francis Bridon, Jr. Based on the available records and some educated interpetation of them, I believe Francis Bridon, Jr. was born about 1652 in or near the village of Soubise in the old province of Saintonge, France. As Protestants, he and his father and other family and friends fled from there in 1681 and became refugees in England. Francis seems to have left his wife in France. I'm guessing she was not willing to flee her native country for her beliefs. Francis, in 1686, does seem to have a wife in England. Maybe that is a woman he married there or somehow his wife did make it later on from France to England. We do not know. From 1685 to 1698, Francis was a prisoner in France having been picked up while fishing off the coast of Rye, England. Most of that time, he might have been on a ship as a galley slave - a very difficult sentence. He was released in 1698 and seems to have quickly made his way back to England. It seems like he was then in America very early in the 1700s. He seems to have been a mariner based in Boston. His wife was either there with him and holding down the fort back on family land on Staten Island. Francis eventually moved back to Staten Island died and there before August 1, 1723. He and his wife do not seem to have had any children.
Now here are some more details and other possible interpretations of the information related to his life.
Baird says that in 1684 Francis returned to France while his family waited in England. He was trying to recover some of their fortune left there.
The following seems to be an abstract of this Francis Bridon's arrest record and sentence to becoming a galley slave. This is the first record I have seen of his birthdate. It comes from the Musée du Désert site in France. There must be a little more in the original record based on some other other abstracts I have seen of other galley slaves.
BRIDON, François. Né vers 1652, matelot. De Rochefort (Soubise) (17780). Condamné à Calais pour exil, le 3 décembre 1686. Libéré à St Malo le 13 juin 1698.
N° écrou : 9244.
Translation: Francis Bridon. Born about 1652, sailor. From Rochefort (Soubise, France). Condemed at Calais for fleeing France, on December 3, 1686. Freed at Saint-Malo on June 13, 1698.
Ronny Bodine sent me the following in February of 2020. We both agree that it would apply to Francis Bridon, Jr. since, for one thing, it would have been next to impossible for Francis Bridon, Sr. to have survived this horrible experience from 1685 to 1698. There is a gap from October 1681 when he was naturalized in London to December 16, 1702 when he wrote his will in Boston. That large gap would make sense if he was imprisoned on a galley ship. This is a small paragraph numbered 429 on page 239 of La France Protestante, v. 6. We thank Marie-Laure JOLLY for finding this.
BRIDON (François), de Rochefort ou de Soubise en Saintonge, sorti du royaume en 1681, pris dans la Manche avec sou bâtiment le 4 déc. 1685: condamné par l'Intendant de Calais le 3 déc. 1686. Sur la France ou la Palme â Saint-Malo en 1698; libéré la meme année.
Here is how I have translated it so far filling in some missing words and implied ideas:
BRIDON (Francois), from Rochefort or from Soubise in Saintonge, having left the kingdom in 1681, he was caught in the English Channel with his boat on 4 Dec 1685; he was condemned [to the gallows] by the Magistrate of Calais on Dec. 3, 1686. On the ship France or on the ship Palme [he was taken] to Port Saint-Malo in 1698; he was released the same year.
There is an important record in the documents "The Community of the French Church of London at the end of the 17th century," University of Paris-Sorbonne (Paris 4), 1997, by Julia Poublan. It has an alphabetical index of Refugees assisted in common by the Churches of Threadneedle Street and La Savoie, London. On page 262, it says that the wife of Francois BRIDOU was helped on March 23, 1686. Her husband was said to be a prisoner at Cales (Calais?) and a fisherman of "La Rie" (Rye in England probably). Another woman's husband was also a prisoner at Cales with Francois. She was the daughter of Antoine ??? Boubet/Bouchet. This record was looked at by M. Kergall for Ronny Bodine in 1998. From the notes below, a John Bouchett was the owner of one of these boats.
The book "Sir William Trumbull in Paris 1685-1686," Cambridge: University Press, 1938, by Ruth Clark mentions some details about this incident on pages 54, 86 and 105. Witnesses said that a French Man-of-War seized three boats belonging respectively to Stephen Boucher, John Bouchett and Francis Bridon, French Protestants of Rye and then took them to either Dunkirk or Calais. The fishermen were all naturalized English subjects from France it seems. From the footnote, they had been naturalized in 1682. Two of the boats were released and one taken to Calais.
Ronny Bodine bought the book above from California. Trumbull was a special envoy to France who helped out many English Protestants in France. Trumbull and Robert Spencer, 2nd Earl of Sunderland tried to intervene for Francois Bridon and the other captured fishermen. Ronny sent me a scan of page 105. It says that Sunderland in London had spoken to Paul Barillon (French ambassador to England) about the "Rye fishermen." Sunderland said the boats with the fishermen were taken in English waters. Barillon contradicted that. Barillon seems to say the boats were set free at Dunkirk and then one of them fell into French hands again. The problem seems to be that some, if not all, of the fishermen were former French citizens who had fled France and so France still considered them fugitives. The French believed that just because they had become English subjects, that did not mean they could throw off their French citizenship and "escape justice." See footnote #6 on p. 105 for that info. There are some other footnotes on this page, but I doubt they throw any more light on who the fishermen were or any genealogical info about them.
From: Ronny Bodine
Sent: Monday, February 24, 2020
Subject: Re: Research in "série TT"
Hey Dave,
It was Francis Bridon Jr. who was the Elder. In 1704, the land for erection of a church on School Street inn Boston was purchased by John Tartarien, Francis Breeded [sic] and John Depois, Elders of the French Church. The church was erected in 1715. His will of 16 Dec 1702 refers to him as Francis Bridon of Boston, in New England, mariner. The will was proved in Boston 22 Oct 1723.
...
Ronny
From: Ronny Bodine
Sent: Monday, February 24, 2020
Subject: Re: Research in "série TT"
Dave,
I should have cited the sources. The will of Francis Jr. is in New York Wills, 9: 412. On 1 Aug 1723, letters of administration were granted to Susanah Bridon (NY Wills 9: 398), but soon after Francis's will was discovered and submitted for probate.
Ronny
Here are some more notes from Ronny Bodine along with some notes from me.
Born 1665 being aged 16 in Sept. 1681 in the records of the Threadneedle Street Church, noted previously. Francis returned to France in 1684 in hopes of securing some of the family's property, but was caught, apparently on the return journey, with his boat in the English Channel on 4 Dec 1685. As noted earlier, he was sentenced to serve as a galley slave and was not released until 13 June 1698. Thereafter, in the company of his family, he journeyed to America.
Note from Dave Bodine: A birth date of "about 1652" for Francis Bridon, Jr. comes from his French arrest records. That goes against him being 16 in 1681. Either that Francis Bridon age 16 is a different Francis Bridon from this one (most likely in my mind), or the original Theadneedle record might have been misread (26 instead of 16?). If Francis Jr. were 26 in 1681, that would put his birth year around 1655 which is close to 1652 from his arrest record. The difference between a 2 and 1 in handwriting could be minimal. Some more study of the Threadneedle records might reveal whether there are two Francis Bridons being discussed and that the one with a 16 year old son was not our Francis Bridon, Sr. I think that is highly likely.
Another problem with Francis Bridon, Jr. being 16 in 1681 is that how could he have abandoned a wife in France at age 16 or so? Or did he go back from England to France around age 19, marry someone as a very young persecuted Huguenot, then abandon her? That does not make much sense either. So something is not lining up here in all these pieces of information we keep finding and trying to fit together. The most obvious conclusion I see is that when Francis, Jr. left France, he was married already. He could not have been 16 years old and married. Ronny said: "The original registers of the Threadneedle Street Church that covered the financial support are not on-line and can only be accessed at the Protestant archive in Paris. That is the only way to verify the age of Francis Jr. - whether 16 or 26 or anything else.
Francis must have married his wife Susannah in England as he was only sixteen when he left France with his family and he was not noted as being married in the records of the Threadneedle Street Church. (Note from Dave Bodine: At least until 1686 when we do have a record.)
After coming to America, it appears he served as Elder of the French Church in Boston. In 1704, the land for the erection of a church on School Street was purchased by John Tartarien, Francis Breeded and John Depuis, Elders of the French Church. On 1 Aug 1723, letters of administration were granted to his wife Susannah. Soon after, his will was discovered and submitted for probate. The will was written 16 Dec 1702, and therein he refers to himself as Francis Bridon, of Boston, in New England, mariner and leaves his estate to his wife Susannah Bridon, whom he appoints as executor. The will was proved 22 Oct 1723 in Boston [New York Will Book 9, p. 398, 412.].
Note from Dave Bodine: Ann Messecar sent me a transcription of his will. Annoque Regni Reginae nunc Angliae etc. Primo. I Francis Bridon, of Boston, in New England, mariner, being in good health and being desirous to settle my outward concerns, I leave all my estate to my wife Susannah Bridon and make her executor. Witnesses Francis Giufe (Francis Gautie? Fellow shipmate?), Isaac Biscom, Robert Fitzburg. Proved in Boston before Gov. Samuel Shute, Esq. October 22 1723.
The will of Susanah Bridon, of Staten Island, widow, written 10 Nov 1724, was proved 5 Dec 1724. Therein she designated as her heirs "my well-beloved cousin John Bodin," "my well-beloved cousin Esther Bodin, wife of said John Bodin," niece Judith, wife of John Chadine, with further bequests to Elizabeth Tillon, Ann Tillon, John Tillon, Peter Tillon, Elizabeth Tillon and Anne Tillon. As executor she appointed her friend, John Casson [New York Will Book 10, p. 5.]. In 1725, John, Peter, Elizabeth and Anne Tillon petitioned for an inventory of the estate of their aunt Susanna Bridon.
Note from Dave Bodine: I asked Ronny about the wills in the two paragraphs above since they confuse me. How can his wills be in both New York and Boston? Ronny explained this by saying the following in brackets: [On 1 Aug 1723, letters of administration were granted to Susanah on the estate of Francis Bridon of Staten Island who died intestate. (NY Wills, 9: 398) That was before they knew of his will. That was dated 16 Dec 1702 in which he is Francis Bridon, of Boston, New England, mariner, leaving his entire estate to his wife Susannah and making her executor. Proved in Boston 22 Oct 1723. (NY Wills 9: 412. Otherwise, why have a Boston will be also filed in NY?) On 14 Nov 1723, "The Executrix in the above will of F. Bridon was admitted and sworn to the due execution...(NY Wills, 9: 413). I even went so far as to read the original hand written will filed in Suffolk County, Massachusetts (probate case 4203) which will is attached.]
*****End of these notes from Ronny Bodine.
Ronny sent me the pages from New York Will Book 9, pages 398-399 in the old will book / pages 461-462 in the new will book. Important to note is that Susannah is appointed the administratix on August 1, 1723. She is Francis Bridon's widow and is named Susannah Bridon. Francis is deceased. He is said to be "late of Staten Island." Francis died intestate (without a will). I think it says she is supposed to fulfill something about her administrative duties by February 1, 1724 and maybe finish everything on or before August 1, 1724. So what he explains in the paragraph before this one does seem to be accurate. It also seems to show that though Francis Bridon, Jr. may have lived in Boston in the early 1700s, he must have later moved back to family Staten Island and died there. Their actual family land is described in detail in his wife's will. See her Notes page.
**********
In relation to some of the things mentioned further above, Ronny also sent me the following. Everything below after this paragraph is in his words. Note that there is a Francis Bridon (a) and a Francis Bridon (b). These seem to be two different Francis Bridons from the records, but Ronny does wonder if they are one and the same person.
I studied the two entries for Francis Bridon and that for Jean Bodin from the Threadneedle Street Church and recopied them for easier reading.
BODIN, Jean, farrier, anchor smith, smith (mareschal d'ancres) with w., from Soubize, 1681.
21/23 Sep. 8/--
21/28 Sep. 7/6
5/7 Oct. 5/-
12/14 Oct. 5/-
4 further grants, last being on 30 Nov. 4/-
8 grants in all.
TOTAL £.2.3.6 (A,B)
1681, 14 Oct. L.P.D. for Jean Bodin and w., Ester. (D)
1681, 5 Nov., tem. Vouched for by Mr. Lortie (E)
BRIDON, Francis (a), husbandman, with w., 2 chn., and 2 servants. 'He left £6,000 in France.'
1681.
--Sep. £1.5.0
5/7 Oct., to him, w. and 2 chn., 12/6.
12/14/Oct., to him, w. and 3 [sic] chn and a servant, 15/-
19/20 Oct., to him, w. and 3 [sic] chn., 10/-
Three further grants to him, w. and 2 chn.
30 Nov. last grant 4/-.
8 grants in all.
TOTAL £.5.5.0 (A,B)
1681, 14 Oct., L.P.D. for Francis Bridon, Suzanna his w., Francis his s. and Elias Vallet his servant. (D)
1681, 5 Nov., tem. of F.B. 'et son fils' [i.e. 'and his son'] vouched for by M. Lortie (E). Does this refer to F. Bridon (a) or (b)?
Note from Dave Bodine on the above: My thoughts are that this is Francis Bridon, Sr. and Jr. We see that Francis Bridon, Jr. does not have a wife mentioned which would correspond with other information that he left his wife in France. She must not have wanted to flee France. Francis Bridon Sr.'s daughter Suzanne would be the other "child" mentioned although I assume she would have been in her 20s or older. The Francis Bridon mentioned below is some other Francis Bridon since he does have a wife mentioned and two younger children ages 7 and 16. I'm sure he was related to the Francis Bridon above, but we don't know how. He might even be the "other Francis Bridon" mentioned in some French records in his father's Notes.
BRIDON, Francis (b), husbandman (laboreur) [i.e. small tenant farmer] 1681 14/16 Sept., from Soubise Thursday last, with w., dau. 7, s. 16, and 2 servants, Joanna Bouquet 20, and Peter Mounier.
20/23 Sept, grant of £.1.
In the following 5 grants of varying amounts, up to 20/27 Oct., the two servants are not mentioned.
On 2/3 Nov., when only 1 servant is entered, 6/- was given
30 Nov. stated 'Il est malade et sa femme aussi' 10/- [i.e. 'He is sick and his wife too']
14 Dec. last grant 6/-.
12 grants in all.
TOTAL £.7.15.0 (A,B)
As you can see, Jean Bodin and wife arrived in September 1681 from Soubize as did both Francis Bridons of which one was specifically noted as also being from Soubize. But both are married and both have two children. I wonder now if they are the same person. I looked up the term husbandman and was surprised it meant a small tenant farmer, one step below yeoman in the social scale.
The reference to L.P.D. is for Letters-Patent Denization. When they were naturalized the entries in the Council Calendars read, all on the same day:
Francis Bridon, Jane-Susan, wife, Francis son, Elias Valet, servant. [Where was daughter Susannah? And if Francis Jr. was married, where is his wife? And where are his 2 children? This seems to point more to the two Francis Bridons being the same.]
John Boudin, Esther, wife.
And I noted for the first time:
Peter Tillon, Anne, wife, Susan, Francis, and John, children, Magdalene Bouquet, cousin.
In her will of 1724, Susannah Bridon, widow of Francis Jr., names among others Peter Tillon, his wife Anne, and their three children Susan, Francis and John.
***End of these last notes from Ronny Bodine.
I see something online, but don't have access to it, that may say a Rev. Francis Bridon died on January 30, 1718. This is in some article in The Boston Transcript in Massachusetts Newspapers, 1704-1974. That needs more investigation.