It is thought that John L.'s father's name is John Bridges. There is a John Bridges living in Forsyth County, Georgia, according to the 1845 State Census, with a household of nine, including two male childrena dna three females. This could in fact, be the father. It should be noted that there is a Lewis Bridges living in Hall County in 1840 and later, Forsyth County in 1850. If his parents migrated west, this would be a normal progression. Because John is reported in the 1845 State Census, residing in Forsyth County and later named one of his childrfen, Lewis, you have to assume that this elder Lewis Bridges is a relative, perhaps an uncle or grandfather. John L. Bridges married Margaret Ellis of Forsyth County around 1853. The 1860 Federal Census shows his family residing in Cummins, Georgia, with three children. Sometime after Amelia's birth, they migrated to Mississippi. The 1870 Federal Census lists Margaret Bridge (no s) as the head of the household, occupation farmer. The three boys are working the farm. Thus, apparently, John L. Bridges died sometime between 1864-1870. Since this time period was during the Civil War, possibly he died in combat, although I have not confirmed that he enlisted. Information from Teresa A. Ratzlaff; 29005 East 63rd Street; Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74014; gymratz@prodigy.net; (918) 357-2310.
Fanny middle name may have been Seveville.
Venie's girls, "Cleo, Myrtle and Alma were all in Houston visiting her and decided they were going to give Mom a makeover. Now for those of us who knew Venie she always seemed to look the same. She wore her long hair pulled back in a bun, no makeup, no bra...her teeth sat up in the window over the kitchen sink. Well one of the girls gave her a permanent, one made her a dress and the other one went out and got Mom a bra. The one who bought the bra was Cleo...when Venie saw it she looked at it and said "I haven't worn a harnes yet and I am not about to start wearin one now." The next day Venie's hair was pulled as gtight as she could get it back in her bun...she really didn't care for the permanent...and her teeth continued to sit in the window. She did however enjoy the new dress. Venie pieced many quilts over the years and manyof her children and grandchildren have reaped the labor of her love and needlework. She had a quilting frame she could use and spent manhy hours at it. She embroidered many lovely scarves and pillow cases. Information from Teresa A. Ratzlaff; 29005 East 63rd Street; Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74014; gymratz@prodigy.net; (918) 357-2310.