Gazlay Family History
 

Family HistoryFamily History - William Bridger


Key:1.“+” before a child’s name indicates the child has their own entry in the next generation.
 2.“born xxxx” indicates the child is under 18 years of age so the birth date is not shown.
This family history features William Bridger and one of his descendants down to the second generation.


First Generation
1. William Bridger,1 born ____ (parents not determined). William married Mary Newkirk1 (born ____, parents not determined1).

Child of William Bridger and Mary Newkirk:

+2i. Jacob S. Bridger, born 18 November 1858 in Greenbush, Rensselaer County, New York; died 25 March 1940 in Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York. Married (1) Ellen Gazlay Married (2) Bessie Ely.

  1. Obituary, The Otsego Farmer, Cooperstown, New York. Available at www.fultonhistory.com and/or nyshistoricnewspapers.org, 29 March 1940, Jacob S. Bridger, died 25 March 1940. The article provides brief biographical details, including his two marriages, and the names of survivors.
Second Generation
2. Jacob S. Bridger2 (William1), born 18 November 1858 in Greenbush, Rensselaer County, New York;1, 2, 3, 4, 5 died 25 March 1940 in Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York.1, 5 Jacob married, first, 20 October 1896 in Rochester, Monroe County, New York, Ellen Gazlay4 (born March 1857 in Pultneyville, Wayne County, New York, the daughter of William H. Gazlay and Alice Alcock;2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Ellen died 21 September 1917 in Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York4, 6). Jacob married, second, 20 October 1919 in Albany, Albany County, New York, Bessie Ely5, 13 (born 29 January 1875 in Johnstown, Fulton County, New York, the daughter of Eleazer Ely and Lydia Edwards;3, 12, 13 Bessie died 1 January 1967 in Laurens, Otsego County, New York12, 13). Jacob is buried in Lakewood Cemetery, Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York.1, 5 Ellen is buried in Lakewood Cemetery, Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York.4, 6 Bessie is buried in Lake View Cemetery, Pultneyville, Wayne County, New York.12

Jacob was born in Greenbush, New York, and he moved with his family to Cherry Valley, New York, when he was young. Around 1890, Jacob moved to Cooperstown, where he was employed by Captain P. P. Cooper on the steamer “Gem,” one of the first passenger boats on Otsego Lake. He was an assistant manager of the Cooperstown Aqueduct Association for forty years, and he work as a mechanic at the Clark Estate. Jacob was known as a quiet and unassuming person, a skilled and faithful worker, and always exhibiting good cheer and kindness. He was married twice, first to Ellen Gazley, who died in 1917, and later to Bessie Ely. He is survived by his wife and one brother, Samuel Bridger, along with many nieces and nephews.5

Ellen was born in Pultneyville, New York, and moved in 1876 to Cooperstown to live with the family of her uncle, Captain Peter P. Cooper [the actual relationship has not been determined]. Trained by the captain, who operated a boat livery in Cooperstown, Ellen was one of the most expert sailors on the waters of Otsego Lake. She married Jacob S. Bridger in 1896 in Rochester, New York. She is survived by her husband, a brother Armine H. Gazley, and a sister, Miss Elizabeth Gazley.4

Bessie was born in Johnstown, New York. She worked for many years as a glove buyer, and she also worked as a nurse. Bessie was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Cooperstown, and a member of Otsego Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, also in Cooperstown.13


  1. Find a Grave (website). Lake View Cemetery, Pultneyville, Wayne County, New York, Jacob S. Bridger, born: 18 November 1858 in New York; died: March 1940 in Cooperstown, Otsego, New York (from record, which includes the text of his obituary, and provides the names and links for his two wives).
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, New York, Otsego County, Otsego Town, Enumeration District 132, Sheet No. 10B, family of Jacob S. Bridger (41, New York, Nov. 1858, engineer, stationary); wife of 4 years Ellen G. Bridger (43 New York, Mch. 1857, no children).
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, New York, Otsego County, Cooperstown Village, Enumeration District 39-42, Sheet No. 24A, family of Jacob S. Bridger (72, New York, supt., water works, public utility; first married age 60 [undoubtedly refers to this marriage, not his first]); wife Bessie E. Bridger (55, New York, first married age 44).
  4. Obituary, The Otsego Farmer, Cooperstown, New York. Available at www.fultonhistory.com and/or nyshistoricnewspapers.org, 28 September 1917, Mrs. Jacob S. Bridger, Ellen Gazley, died 21 September 1917. The article provides brief biographical details, including her marriage to Jacob S. Bridger, two sibling survivors, and place of burial.
  5. Obituary, The Otsego Farmer, Cooperstown, New York. Available at www.fultonhistory.com and/or nyshistoricnewspapers.org, 29 March 1940, Jacob S. Bridger, died 25 March 1940. The article provides brief biographical details, including his two marriages, and the names of survivors.
  6. Find a Grave (website). Lake View Cemetery, Pultneyville, Wayne County, New York, Ellen Gazley Bridger, born: 1857; died: 21 September 1917 in Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York (from record, which includes the text of her obituary, and provides the names and links for her parents, husband, and one sibling).
  7. U.S. Federal Census, 1860, New York, Wayne County, Town of Williamson, Page No. 40, William Gazley (37, NY, day laborer); Alice Gazley (32, NY); Armine Gazley (6, NY); Ann E. Gazley (4, NY); Ellen Gazley (3, NY). They are living next door to William’s brother Joseph.
  8. U.S. Federal Census, 1870, New York, Wayne County, Williamson, Page No. 27, family of Ann Gazlay (72, New York); Armine Gazlay (16, New York, sailor); Ann E. Gazlay (14, New York); Ellen Gazlay (13, New York).
  9. U.S. Federal Census, 1880, New York, Otsego County, Village of Cooperstown, Enumeration District 113, Page No. 7, family of Peter P. Cooper (64, New Hampshire, boat livery); wife Julia L. Cooper (60, Canada); son Frank Cooper (21, New York); nephew Armine Gazlay (26, NY, boat builder); niece Ellen Gazlay (23, NY).
  10. New York State Census, 1892, Wayne County, Williamson, Second Election District, Page 15, family of Joseph Gazlay (69, US, farmer); Phebbe Gazlay (68, US); Ellen Gazlay (34, US) [Ellen is their niece, the daughter of William Gazlay].
  11. Michigan State Census, 1894, Bay County, Bay City, Page No. 6, family of George L. Fisk (32); wife Inez Fisk (31); son Joseph Fisk (2); cousin Ellen Gazley (37). [Ellen is the daughter of William and Alice Gazlay].
  12. Find a Grave (website). Lake View Cemetery, Pultneyville, Wayne County, New York, Bessie Ely Bridger, born: 1875; died: 1967 (from record, which provides the name and link for her husband).
  13. Obituary, The Otsego Farmer, Cooperstown, New York. Available at www.fultonhistory.com and/or nyshistoricnewspapers.org, 5 January 1967, Mrs. Bessie E. Bridger, died 1 January 1967. The article provides brief biographical details, including her marriage to Jacob S. Bridger, and several survivors, including a brother, a cousin, nieces and nephews.