The Peffley, Peffly, Pefley Families in America, A historical and genealogical record of the Peffley, Peffly and Pefley families from1729-1938; Published in 1938, By May Miller Frost and Clarence Earl Frost

Call Number: R929.2 P375

1006 - LYDIA ANN PEFLEY (dau. of No.1004) married GEORGE THOMAS BRIDGES, born Feb. 11th, 1831, at Trafalgar, Ind., died July 16th, 1910, Johnson Co., Ind. (son of GEORGE and MATILDA (Forsyth) BRIDGES). Both are buried at 1st Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Johnson Co., Ind. Their home was two miles east of Trafalgar.

"Lydia Ann Pefley Bridges (affectionately called 'Aunt Liddy' by a multitude of friends and neighbors who knew her,) lost her mother at the age of 11. Soon after this sad event their father brought the five children to the home of an uncle, George Shank, who resided west of Trafalgar, Johnson Co., Ind. Here the children made their home until they became of age or were married. Not much is known of Aunt Lydia's girlhood days spent at the Shank home, except that she was taught how to work and how to sacrifice, the care of the other children falling largely upon her young shoulders.

"In the Shank neighborhood there lived the well to do family of George Bridges. Among the children of Mr. Bridges was one son George Thomas, with whom the girl Lydia became acquainted, possibly meeting for the first time at a husking bee or log rolling, or perhaps at some church gathering, because they were both deeply interested in church and religion. The acquaintance ripened into love and the love into marriage which was destined to become both happy and fruitful.

"After their marriage the couple moved to their own 140 acre farm, two miles northeast of Trafalgar. Though it would hardly be called a farm in those days, because much of it was in swamp and timber. Their land was a half mile from the nearest road and stretched on both sides of the creek, which ran almost diagonally through it. The only entrance to their land was through their neighbors. The road to town was impassable except on horseback during parts of each year. But George T. and Lydia were of real pioneer stock and each was imbued with a spirit of determination to win. Thomas set to work clearing the land, acre by acre, putting up necessary buildings and fences as needed, and above all draining the land. Lydia was just as busy in the home: raising and caring for a family of five, besides looking after some of her younger brothers and sisters who had come to make their home with her. Cooking for the family and farm hands, canning and drying fruit and vegetables in season, spinning and weaving, making soap and candles, churning, and caring for poultry were but a few of the numerous duties which she had to perform, and that with the help that was not too good.

"She was considered the finest cook in the sparsely settled community. The fame of her cakes and salt -rising bread traveled far. Few women could equal her skill as a seamstress. She was very particular with her milk and cream and her butter was always in demand at the Franklin stores, where she did her regular weekly trading. She taught her arts of cooking, sewing, and industry to her children and grandchildren.

"Lydia and Thomas were ever interested in the things of the higher Kingdom. They were regular attendants at the Christian Church of Trafalgar, of which they were both charter members. Very rarely did bad roads or inclement weather deter them, and only old age and infirmities prevented them from attending at least one service each Sunday. Charity they learned at an early age and practised until the end. For nearly sixty years they went about doing good. They both lived to a good and ripe old age, Lydia surviving her husband nine years. The imprints of their work and lives are indelibly left in the community in which they spent their whole lives." - (Written by Don Brannigin).

Issue: Born near Trafalgar, Johnson Co., Ind.

1 - SCOTT LAVIELLE BRIDGES, b. 3-5-1854, d. 1927, Sarasota, Fla.
2 - MATILDA JANE BRIDGES, b. 4-17-1856, d. 9-15- 1921.
3 - JAMES RILEY BRIDGES, b. 3-19-1958.
4 - FLORENCE BRIDGES, b. 2-6-1863.
5 - ROBERT H. BRIDGES, b. 1-14-1865, d. 4-9- 1905.
6 - SARIAH BRIDGES, b. 8-2-1867, d. 8-25-1869, bur. 1st Mt. Pleasant cem.