Richard Bridgens

1. 'Architect' and furniture-maker, author of 'Furniture with Candelabra' [2nd ed. 1831] and West India Scenery [1836], husband of Maria Bridgens née Shaw (q.v.), who had inherited the St Clair estate in Trinidad from her father Col. Daniel Henry Shaw. Worked with George Bullock cabinet maker (d. 1818); designed a porch at James Watt jr.'s house 1836. Took over the Abbotsford project from Bullock for Sir Walter Scott. In London 1814-1819.  In Trinidad 1826 until death in November 1846, although he was in London (at 29 George Street, New Road) when he filed his counterclaim c. 1835. Superintendent of Public Works, designed government offices in Port of Spain.

2. Marriage of Richard Hicks Bridgens and Maria Ann Shaw (of St Luke's Chelsea) St George's Hanover 1816; marriage date 05/10/1816. Their children were baptised at St Giles in the Fields (Richard Perkins Bridgens, 17/08/1820) and at Langham Middlesex (Henry Frederick Bridgens and Isabella Maria Bridgens, both 21/10/1825).

1. Virginia Glenn, 'George Bullock, Richard Bridgens and James Watt's Regency Furnishing Schemes', Furniture History Vol XV; T71/894 Trinidad Nos. 1455 and 1456 A& B.

2. Ancestry.com, Pallot's Marriage Index 1780-1837 [database online]; Ancestry.com, London, England, Marriages and Banns, 1754-1921 [database online]; Ancestry.com, London, England, Births and Baptisms, 1813-1906 [database online].

We are grateful to Judy Raymond for her help with this entry.