A BRIEF HISTORY OF BRIDGE HOUSE
BRIDGE HOUSE Circa 1708. A nice example of one of the “out” buildings, where the kitchen was once originally located. These now form part of one of two residences in Bridge House along with the Gallery, the entrance for which is located on the west side of the building. (see photo gallery below) Image © Peter Matcham 2019
Bridge House is one of Bermuda’s most historic and architecturally beautiful buildings and as a result, is also one of the most photographed and painted too. It is located at 1 Bridge Street, just off Kings Square, right in the heart of St. George’s, the islands beautiful World Heritage Site town, and charming first Capital.
The original wooden structure dates to 1662-63 and was built by Roger Bayley, a planter and shoemaker whose father arrived in Bermuda before 1623. Bayley left the house to his wife and two sons upon his death in 1686. The property can be found on the 1663 survey produced by Richard Norwood for the Somer Islands Company.
Construction of the current building was begun in 1702 after the purchase of the property by Captain James Follet and his wife Jane. Sadly, they both passed away before its completion in 1708 but they had ensured that the home would be completed by a good friend. Once finished, the home was considered stately enough to become the residence of then Governor Bennet who resided there until his death in 1736. At the time, Bridge House was known as Town House.
In 1742 the house was sold to John Esten, a prominent St. George’s merchant whose business was on the premises. His son, John Jr. then sold it in 1782, to the American-born Revolutionary War Loyalist and privateer Hon. Bridger Goodrich and his wife Elizabeth. He purchased Bridge House for US $1,000 cash and prizes he had amassed from the capture, by his Bermuda-built privateering vessels, of the commanders of a large number of American ships during the Revolutionary War, after his American home and lands were confiscated by their local authorities. His ships blockaded Chesapeake Bay, much to the consternation of Thomas Jefferson and others.
Goodrich was appointed to the local Legislature, hence his Honorable title. There's an ornate Memorial to him in nearby St. Peter's Church. His exploits are written about in full in the 2012 book "The Prince of Privateers. Bridger Goodrich and his Family in America, Bermuda and Britain 1775-1825" by Nick Hartley. He left the house to his son John Jr.
The house today, after many subsequent owners including the Silversmith George Rankin and the Gurr family, was sold to the Bermuda National Trust, the present owners, in 1971. It is comprised now of two residences and The Bridge House Gallery. The following gallery features examples of Bridge House’s interior and exterior.
