John Luther Bridgers was born in Tarboro, Edgecombe County, NC, the youngest of 3 known children (2 boys/ 1 girl), born to John Bridgers & Elizabeth Kettlewells Routh.
He was the grandson of Brittain Bridgers & Mary Rice, and a direct descendant of Col. Joseph Bridgers (ca. 1625-1686) who came to the Isle of Wight, VA from Gloucester, England where he married Hester Pitt. He was the maternal grandson of William Routh/Rouse of Tidewater, VA and his wife, Nancy Poyner Williams of Edgecombe Co.
John studied for the law and eventually became a prominent and well-to-do attorney in Tarboro.
On April 17, 1847, the 26-year old married 18-year old Rebecca Louis Dicken, daughter of Lewis B. K. and Elizabeth Dicken of Tarboro. Rebecca was cousin of Louis Dicken Wilson (Lawyer), who served in the NC Senate and fought in the Mexican War and owned "The Grove" in Tarboro from 1831-1847. A few years after Wilson's death, John L. and Rebecca purchased "The Grove". Architectural historians surmise this is the point (ca. 1850) when the Italianate porch was added and the unusual molding placed in the center hall.
It was at "The Grove" that John and Rebecca would raised their 3 children: John L. Bridgers, Jr. (b. 1850), Routh (Ruth) Bridgers (b. 1855) and Charles Bridgers (b. 1858).
In April 1861, when it became evident that North Carolina must secede or fight the Southern States, private parties, anticipating the action of the State, were organizing and drilling troops for service. One of the first of these companies was the "Edgecombe Guards" of Edgecombe County. It was organized April 18, 1861, and it consisted of eighty-eight privates, nine non-and four commissioned officers. The 40-year old, John Luther Bridgers, was the regiment's Captain. Its commanding colonel was Daniel Harvey Hill, of Mecklenburg, who later became a lieutenant general in the Confederate service.
The company became known as Company A, of what was then the First Regiment of North Carolina Volunteers. This regiment was the first of all the North Carolina troops to organize and take the field. Its term of enlistment was for six months and it was disbanded in the fall of 1861. After the enlistment of ten regiments of State troops, this became known as the Bethel regiment from its first battle, and by this name it has passed into history.
John L. Bridgers commanded the Edgecombe Guards at the Battle of Big Bethel, Virginia, on June 10, 1861 and was Commandant of Ft. Macon; and after the war was one of the Commissioners from N.C. in behalf of the Confederate States to the Peace Conference at Montgomery, Ala.
Returning from the war, John resumed his law practice. (Another notable Edgecombe County citizen, Joseph Blount Cheshire, son of the Reverend Joseph Blount Cheshire and Elizabeth Toole Parker, joined the law firm about 1875 before studying for the holy order.) Then, sadly, his bride of 18 years died in 1865, at age 36. The then 44-year old widower was left alone with 3 minor children to raise.
Two years later, on April 4, 1867, John married for the second time to 23-year old Mary Elizabeth Battle, daughter of Joseph Sumner Battle & (2nd) wife, Mary Anne Horne of Edgecombe.
John & Mary would have 4 known children: Marcus Milton (1868), Loulie (1870), Whitney Luther (1873) and Mary Horne (1882). It was during this time that John's fortunes began to change, and his was forced to sell off parcels of the "The Grove" plantation (originally 296 acres), and new homes sprouted up around the homestead, gradually changing the plantation from rural to an urban setting.
The Bridgers moved out of "The Grove" around 1881 and they built a Victorian Cottage nearby, that still stands today (2007), and was later inhabited by his two unmarried daughters (Loulie & Mary).
John L. Bridgers died in 1884 at age 62. His 2nd wife and their children continued to live in the now historic "Bridgers House" Victorian Cottage home until their deaths.
"The Grove" has been home to some of Tarboro's finest citizens through the years. Thomas Blount occupied the house from 1808-1812, Louis Dicken Wilson from 1831-1847, and Col. John Luther Bridgers, CSA from 1850-1880. In the early 20th century the Town of Tarboro purchased the house, using it as a Community House. It served a number of purposes through the years, including public library, dance studio and central office for the public school system. In 1979 the House was adaptively restored and turned into a museum. Today, the first floor is home to a collection of 19th century furniture, furnishing and Edgecombe County memorabilia. Visitors can learn about the history of the Town, the County and the House itself. The second floor houses the beautiful Hobson Pittman Memorial Gallery and a living museum to Pittman, Edgecombe County's premier artist (1899-1972).
He was the grandson of Brittain Bridgers & Mary Rice, and a direct descendant of Col. Joseph Bridgers (ca. 1625-1686) who came to the Isle of Wight, VA from Gloucester, England where he married Hester Pitt. He was the maternal grandson of William Routh/Rouse of Tidewater, VA and his wife, Nancy Poyner Williams of Edgecombe Co.
John studied for the law and eventually became a prominent and well-to-do attorney in Tarboro.
On April 17, 1847, the 26-year old married 18-year old Rebecca Louis Dicken, daughter of Lewis B. K. and Elizabeth Dicken of Tarboro. Rebecca was cousin of Louis Dicken Wilson (Lawyer), who served in the NC Senate and fought in the Mexican War and owned "The Grove" in Tarboro from 1831-1847. A few years after Wilson's death, John L. and Rebecca purchased "The Grove". Architectural historians surmise this is the point (ca. 1850) when the Italianate porch was added and the unusual molding placed in the center hall.
It was at "The Grove" that John and Rebecca would raised their 3 children: John L. Bridgers, Jr. (b. 1850), Routh (Ruth) Bridgers (b. 1855) and Charles Bridgers (b. 1858).
In April 1861, when it became evident that North Carolina must secede or fight the Southern States, private parties, anticipating the action of the State, were organizing and drilling troops for service. One of the first of these companies was the "Edgecombe Guards" of Edgecombe County. It was organized April 18, 1861, and it consisted of eighty-eight privates, nine non-and four commissioned officers. The 40-year old, John Luther Bridgers, was the regiment's Captain. Its commanding colonel was Daniel Harvey Hill, of Mecklenburg, who later became a lieutenant general in the Confederate service.
The company became known as Company A, of what was then the First Regiment of North Carolina Volunteers. This regiment was the first of all the North Carolina troops to organize and take the field. Its term of enlistment was for six months and it was disbanded in the fall of 1861. After the enlistment of ten regiments of State troops, this became known as the Bethel regiment from its first battle, and by this name it has passed into history.
John L. Bridgers commanded the Edgecombe Guards at the Battle of Big Bethel, Virginia, on June 10, 1861 and was Commandant of Ft. Macon; and after the war was one of the Commissioners from N.C. in behalf of the Confederate States to the Peace Conference at Montgomery, Ala.
Returning from the war, John resumed his law practice. (Another notable Edgecombe County citizen, Joseph Blount Cheshire, son of the Reverend Joseph Blount Cheshire and Elizabeth Toole Parker, joined the law firm about 1875 before studying for the holy order.) Then, sadly, his bride of 18 years died in 1865, at age 36. The then 44-year old widower was left alone with 3 minor children to raise.
Two years later, on April 4, 1867, John married for the second time to 23-year old Mary Elizabeth Battle, daughter of Joseph Sumner Battle & (2nd) wife, Mary Anne Horne of Edgecombe.
John & Mary would have 4 known children: Marcus Milton (1868), Loulie (1870), Whitney Luther (1873) and Mary Horne (1882). It was during this time that John's fortunes began to change, and his was forced to sell off parcels of the "The Grove" plantation (originally 296 acres), and new homes sprouted up around the homestead, gradually changing the plantation from rural to an urban setting.
The Bridgers moved out of "The Grove" around 1881 and they built a Victorian Cottage nearby, that still stands today (2007), and was later inhabited by his two unmarried daughters (Loulie & Mary).
John L. Bridgers died in 1884 at age 62. His 2nd wife and their children continued to live in the now historic "Bridgers House" Victorian Cottage home until their deaths.
"The Grove" has been home to some of Tarboro's finest citizens through the years. Thomas Blount occupied the house from 1808-1812, Louis Dicken Wilson from 1831-1847, and Col. John Luther Bridgers, CSA from 1850-1880. In the early 20th century the Town of Tarboro purchased the house, using it as a Community House. It served a number of purposes through the years, including public library, dance studio and central office for the public school system. In 1979 the House was adaptively restored and turned into a museum. Today, the first floor is home to a collection of 19th century furniture, furnishing and Edgecombe County memorabilia. Visitors can learn about the history of the Town, the County and the House itself. The second floor houses the beautiful Hobson Pittman Memorial Gallery and a living museum to Pittman, Edgecombe County's premier artist (1899-1972).
John Luther Bridgers was born in Tarboro, Edgecombe County, NC, the youngest of 3 known children (2 boys/ 1 girl), born to John Bridgers & Elizabeth Kettlewells Routh.
He was the grandson of Brittain Bridgers & Mary Rice, and a direct descendant of Col. Joseph Bridgers (ca. 1625-1686) who came to the Isle of Wight, VA from Gloucester, England where he married Hester Pitt. He was the maternal grandson of William Routh/Rouse of Tidewater, VA and his wife, Nancy Poyner Williams of Edgecombe Co.
John studied for the law and eventually became a prominent and well-to-do attorney in Tarboro.
On April 17, 1847, the 26-year old married 18-year old Rebecca Louis Dicken, daughter of Lewis B. K. and Elizabeth Dicken of Tarboro. Rebecca was cousin of Louis Dicken Wilson (Lawyer), who served in the NC Senate and fought in the Mexican War and owned "The Grove" in Tarboro from 1831-1847. A few years after Wilson's death, John L. and Rebecca purchased "The Grove". Architectural historians surmise this is the point (ca. 1850) when the Italianate porch was added and the unusual molding placed in the center hall.
It was at "The Grove" that John and Rebecca would raised their 3 children: John L. Bridgers, Jr. (b. 1850), Routh (Ruth) Bridgers (b. 1855) and Charles Bridgers (b. 1858).
In April 1861, when it became evident that North Carolina must secede or fight the Southern States, private parties, anticipating the action of the State, were organizing and drilling troops for service. One of the first of these companies was the "Edgecombe Guards" of Edgecombe County. It was organized April 18, 1861, and it consisted of eighty-eight privates, nine non-and four commissioned officers. The 40-year old, John Luther Bridgers, was the regiment's Captain. Its commanding colonel was Daniel Harvey Hill, of Mecklenburg, who later became a lieutenant general in the Confederate service.
The company became known as Company A, of what was then the First Regiment of North Carolina Volunteers. This regiment was the first of all the North Carolina troops to organize and take the field. Its term of enlistment was for six months and it was disbanded in the fall of 1861. After the enlistment of ten regiments of State troops, this became known as the Bethel regiment from its first battle, and by this name it has passed into history.
John L. Bridgers commanded the Edgecombe Guards at the Battle of Big Bethel, Virginia, on June 10, 1861 and was Commandant of Ft. Macon; and after the war was one of the Commissioners from N.C. in behalf of the Confederate States to the Peace Conference at Montgomery, Ala.
Returning from the war, John resumed his law practice. (Another notable Edgecombe County citizen, Joseph Blount Cheshire, son of the Reverend Joseph Blount Cheshire and Elizabeth Toole Parker, joined the law firm about 1875 before studying for the holy order.) Then, sadly, his bride of 18 years died in 1865, at age 36. The then 44-year old widower was left alone with 3 minor children to raise.
Two years later, on April 4, 1867, John married for the second time to 23-year old Mary Elizabeth Battle, daughter of Joseph Sumner Battle & (2nd) wife, Mary Anne Horne of Edgecombe.
John & Mary would have 4 known children: Marcus Milton (1868), Loulie (1870), Whitney Luther (1873) and Mary Horne (1882). It was during this time that John's fortunes began to change, and his was forced to sell off parcels of the "The Grove" plantation (originally 296 acres), and new homes sprouted up around the homestead, gradually changing the plantation from rural to an urban setting.
The Bridgers moved out of "The Grove" around 1881 and they built a Victorian Cottage nearby, that still stands today (2007), and was later inhabited by his two unmarried daughters (Loulie & Mary).
John L. Bridgers died in 1884 at age 62. His 2nd wife and their children continued to live in the now historic "Bridgers House" Victorian Cottage home until their deaths.
"The Grove" has been home to some of Tarboro's finest citizens through the years. Thomas Blount occupied the house from 1808-1812, Louis Dicken Wilson from 1831-1847, and Col. John Luther Bridgers, CSA from 1850-1880. In the early 20th century the Town of Tarboro purchased the house, using it as a Community House. It served a number of purposes through the years, including public library, dance studio and central office for the public school system. In 1979 the House was adaptively restored and turned into a museum. Today, the first floor is home to a collection of 19th century furniture, furnishing and Edgecombe County memorabilia. Visitors can learn about the history of the Town, the County and the House itself. The second floor houses the beautiful Hobson Pittman Memorial Gallery and a living museum to Pittman, Edgecombe County's premier artist (1899-1972).
He was the grandson of Brittain Bridgers & Mary Rice, and a direct descendant of Col. Joseph Bridgers (ca. 1625-1686) who came to the Isle of Wight, VA from Gloucester, England where he married Hester Pitt. He was the maternal grandson of William Routh/Rouse of Tidewater, VA and his wife, Nancy Poyner Williams of Edgecombe Co.
John studied for the law and eventually became a prominent and well-to-do attorney in Tarboro.
On April 17, 1847, the 26-year old married 18-year old Rebecca Louis Dicken, daughter of Lewis B. K. and Elizabeth Dicken of Tarboro. Rebecca was cousin of Louis Dicken Wilson (Lawyer), who served in the NC Senate and fought in the Mexican War and owned "The Grove" in Tarboro from 1831-1847. A few years after Wilson's death, John L. and Rebecca purchased "The Grove". Architectural historians surmise this is the point (ca. 1850) when the Italianate porch was added and the unusual molding placed in the center hall.
It was at "The Grove" that John and Rebecca would raised their 3 children: John L. Bridgers, Jr. (b. 1850), Routh (Ruth) Bridgers (b. 1855) and Charles Bridgers (b. 1858).
In April 1861, when it became evident that North Carolina must secede or fight the Southern States, private parties, anticipating the action of the State, were organizing and drilling troops for service. One of the first of these companies was the "Edgecombe Guards" of Edgecombe County. It was organized April 18, 1861, and it consisted of eighty-eight privates, nine non-and four commissioned officers. The 40-year old, John Luther Bridgers, was the regiment's Captain. Its commanding colonel was Daniel Harvey Hill, of Mecklenburg, who later became a lieutenant general in the Confederate service.
The company became known as Company A, of what was then the First Regiment of North Carolina Volunteers. This regiment was the first of all the North Carolina troops to organize and take the field. Its term of enlistment was for six months and it was disbanded in the fall of 1861. After the enlistment of ten regiments of State troops, this became known as the Bethel regiment from its first battle, and by this name it has passed into history.
John L. Bridgers commanded the Edgecombe Guards at the Battle of Big Bethel, Virginia, on June 10, 1861 and was Commandant of Ft. Macon; and after the war was one of the Commissioners from N.C. in behalf of the Confederate States to the Peace Conference at Montgomery, Ala.
Returning from the war, John resumed his law practice. (Another notable Edgecombe County citizen, Joseph Blount Cheshire, son of the Reverend Joseph Blount Cheshire and Elizabeth Toole Parker, joined the law firm about 1875 before studying for the holy order.) Then, sadly, his bride of 18 years died in 1865, at age 36. The then 44-year old widower was left alone with 3 minor children to raise.
Two years later, on April 4, 1867, John married for the second time to 23-year old Mary Elizabeth Battle, daughter of Joseph Sumner Battle & (2nd) wife, Mary Anne Horne of Edgecombe.
John & Mary would have 4 known children: Marcus Milton (1868), Loulie (1870), Whitney Luther (1873) and Mary Horne (1882). It was during this time that John's fortunes began to change, and his was forced to sell off parcels of the "The Grove" plantation (originally 296 acres), and new homes sprouted up around the homestead, gradually changing the plantation from rural to an urban setting.
The Bridgers moved out of "The Grove" around 1881 and they built a Victorian Cottage nearby, that still stands today (2007), and was later inhabited by his two unmarried daughters (Loulie & Mary).
John L. Bridgers died in 1884 at age 62. His 2nd wife and their children continued to live in the now historic "Bridgers House" Victorian Cottage home until their deaths.
"The Grove" has been home to some of Tarboro's finest citizens through the years. Thomas Blount occupied the house from 1808-1812, Louis Dicken Wilson from 1831-1847, and Col. John Luther Bridgers, CSA from 1850-1880. In the early 20th century the Town of Tarboro purchased the house, using it as a Community House. It served a number of purposes through the years, including public library, dance studio and central office for the public school system. In 1979 the House was adaptively restored and turned into a museum. Today, the first floor is home to a collection of 19th century furniture, furnishing and Edgecombe County memorabilia. Visitors can learn about the history of the Town, the County and the House itself. The second floor houses the beautiful Hobson Pittman Memorial Gallery and a living museum to Pittman, Edgecombe County's premier artist (1899-1972).
Inscription
Farmer, Lawyer, Soldier/Capt. Edgecombe Guards, Bethel Regiment/Col. 10th Artillery C.S.A./One of the Commissioners from N.C. in behalf of the Confederate States to the Peace Conference at Montgomery, Ala.
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