Gazlay Family History
 

Family HistoryFamily History - Lydia Edwards


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 Lydia Edwards and one of her descendants down to the second generation.


First Generation
1. Lydia Edwards,1 born ____ (parents not determined). Lydia married Eleazer Ely (born ____, parents not determined).

Child of Lydia Edwards and Eleazer Ely:

+2i. Bessie Ely, born 29 January 1875 in Johnstown, Fulton County, New York; died 1 January 1967 in Laurens, Otsego County, New York. Married Jacob S. Bridger.

Second Generation
2. Bessie Ely2 (Lydia1), born 29 January 1875 in Johnstown, Fulton County, New York;1, 2, 3 died 1 January 1967 in Laurens, Otsego County, New York.1, 3 Bessie married, 20 October 1919 in Albany, Albany County, New York, Jacob S. Bridger3, 7 (born 18 November 1858 in Greenbush, Rensselaer County, New York, the son of William Bridger and Mary Newkirk;2, 4, 5, 6, 7 Jacob died 25 March 1940 in Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York4, 7). Bessie is buried in Lake View Cemetery, Pultneyville, Wayne County, New York.1 Jacob is buried in Lakewood Cemetery, Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York.4, 7

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.3

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.7


  1. 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).
  2. 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).
  3. 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.
  4. 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).
  5. 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).
  6. 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.
  7. 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.