He commenced his college life at Oriel College, Oxford, from whence he removed to St. Peter's college, Cambridge. Anthony à Wood tells us that on 12th July, 1597, John Bridgeman, B.A., was incorporated at Oxford.[1]
He was elected a fellow of Magdalene college, Cambridge, 31st October, 1599, having been proposed for election on 21st May, 1598, as it was then the custom to pre-elect before a vacancy actually occurred; and the following entry records his election in the college books: "Ego Johannes Bridgman admissus fid in perpetuum Socium hujus Collegii pro domino fundatore in locum quern nuper resignavit Magister Paulus Brudenel tricesimo primo Octobris, A.D. 1599."[2]
Having commenced M.A. at Cambridge, on 11th April, 1600, he was admitted ad eundem at Oxford on 4th July of the same year.[3] He was ordained deacon and priest by Dr. Thomas Dove, bishop of Peterborough, at Walden, 29th April, 1601, and qualified as his chaplain on 2nd August, of the same year.[4] He was made university preacher on 1st July, 1603;[5] and in the following year was preferred by his uncle, Mr. Jasper Bridgeman, to the prebend of Carswell attached to St. Mary's chapel in the castle of Exeter, to which he was admitted by Bishop Cotton on 20th February, 1603-4.[6]
It would seem that at this time he resided upon his fellowship at Magdalene college, for on 18th May, 1604, a notice occurs in the college books of his having leave of absence until the ensuing Michaelmas, reserving to him the rights and profits of his fellowship, dividend only excepted. This notice is signed by himself.[7]
On 4th October, 1604, he was instituted to the rectory of North Tawton, in Devonshire, void by the death of Christopher Cottle, on the presentation of Mark Cottle, Esq., and Richard Cottle, his son and heir, dated on 2nd July of that year.[8] Having now
- ↑ Fasti Oxonienses
- ↑ Ex inf. Hon. and Rev. Latimer Neville, Master of Magdalene college, Cambridge.
- ↑ Fasti Oxonienses, vol. i. p. 286.
- ↑ Family Evidences.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Register Cotton 79b (Diocesan Registry at Exeter).
- ↑ Ex. inf. Hon. and Rev. L. Neville.
- ↑ Reg. Cotton, folio 80, and Family Evidences.
