Page:The History of the Church & Manor of Wigan part 2.djvu/244

Rh Truly my Lo: I am as glad I had itt in my power to doe you this kindenesse in your sonnes as you have been ready for my sake to gratify Dr. Morton, being placed so far off as that I could not well doe for him

1640, on the nomination of Lord Stanley and Strange (Chester Instit., pp. 81, 82), and collated to the archdeaconry of Richmond on 28th May, 1648. He was chaplain to the Earl of Derby, whom he accompanied to Bolton-le-Moors, and was present at his execution there on 15th October, 1651. An historian of that period, in speaking of this cruel scene, says: "There was one chaplain who continued to the last such dutiful and affectionate attendance as circumstances allowed him, and, according to most of the accounts, was recognized by the Earl as being seated on horseback among the troopers, and received from him his last remembrance." The Earl of Derby, just before his execution, attempted to make a speech, which was interrupted, and the soldiers, fearing a rescue, dispersed the multitude. Whilst the executioner was waiting for the block. Lord Derby turned and bowed to the Rev. Mr. Bridgeman, who was on horseback near the scaffold, and said: "They have brought me hither too soon; the block is not ready for me, Mr. Bridgeman. Tell your brother I take it as a great mercy of God that I am brought hither, for I might have died in the midst of a battle, and not died so well; for now I have time to make my peace with God" (Civil War Tracts of Lancashire, Chetham Society, vol. ii. pp. 316, 322). Mr. Bridgeman was ejected from both his benefices; and by an order of the committee of plundered ministers, 22nd July, 1646, Katherine, wife of Henry Bridgeman, was appointed to have fifths of Bangor (Palatine Note-Book, vol. ii. p. 216). On the Restoration, Mr. H. Bridgeman was nominated to the deanery of Chester 13th July, 1660, was created Doctor of Divinity towards the beginning of the following August, soon after installed into his deanery, and made prebendary of Stillington, in York Cathedral, 20th of September in the same year. He is said to have restored and beautified the dean's house in the Abbey Court, Chester; and the chancel of the parish church of Barrow was built by him in 1671. On the translation of Dr. Isaac Barrow to the see of St. Asaph, he was made bishop of the Isle of Man, to which he was consecrated 1st October, 1671, but was allowed to hold in commendam with it the deanery of Chester, together with the rectories of Barrow and Bangor, the prebend of Stillington, and the sinecure of Llanrwst in the county of Denbigh. Bishop Henry Bridgeman was twice married. His first wife was Katherine, eldest daughter of William Lever, of Kersall, in the county of Lancaster, gent., and Elizabeth his wife. She was living 13th October, 1665, as appears by a letter of that date from her mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Lever, to Lord Chief Justice Bridgeman. By her he had, with two daughters Henrietta and Katherine, who died unmarried and were buried in the chapel of St. Mary in Chester cathedral, an only surviving child Elizabeth, married, in April, 1665, to Thomas Greenhalgh, of Brandlesham, in the county of Lancaster, Esq., by whom she had a numerous issue. Bishop Henry Bridgeman's second wife, whom he married late in life, was named Margaret. By her he had another daughter Henrietta, born about the year 1680. The bishop died at Chester on 15th May, 1682, and was buried