Remarks:
Baptised at the New Jerusalem Church, LAN Accrington [C1847: CMB Registers transcribed by Jack BRODERICK]; aged 4 years (born in LAN New Accrington) (living with his
parents) [C5]; office boy, aged 14 years (born in LAN Accrington) (living with his parents) [C6]; ironmonger [C1870]; ironmonger employing 3 men, of 31 Avenue Parade, LAN
Accrington, aged 25 years (born in LAN Accrington) [C7:RG10/4143/135/32]; ironmonger employing 6 men, of Whalley Road, LAN Accrington, aged 34 years (born in LAN
Accrington) [C8:RG11/4145/106/9]; iron monger (employer) of Wellfield, Whalley Road, LAN Accrington, aged 44 years (born in LAN Accrington) [C9:RG12/3359/107/26];
widower, ironmonger & shopkeeper of Wellfield, Whalley Road, LAN Accrington [C0:RG13/3860/147/6]; iron merchant & ironmonger, appointed JP for Lancashire, 1906
[X1917]; Joseph William BRIDGE of Wellfield, Whalley-road, Accrington and of Wellfield, Birkdale, near Southport, Lancashire, died 29 July 1919 at Birkdale. Probate London
11 September to Albert Edward BRITCLIFFE, solicitor, Charles Spencer HAYWOOD, crown valuer and William Spencer WALTER and Frederick HINDLE, ironmongers. Effects
£ 51,383 14s 8d [W1919]
Accrington Observer & Times (1919): The will of Mr J W BRIDGE, JP, described as of Wellfield, Whalley Road, Accrington and Wellfield, Birkdale, Southport, governing director
of J W Bridge Ltd., Accrington, and director of Lang Bridge Ltd., Accrington, who died without leaving issue on July 29th has been proved at £51,383 14s 8d. There are no
public bequests, Mr Bridge was a generous supporter of many charitable institutions during his life-time. His widow and a number of his relatives, and also relatives of his first
wife, benefit under the will. The executors are Albert Edward Britcliffe, solicitor, Charles Spencer Hayward, crown valuer, William Spencer Walker, ironmonger, and Fred Hindle,
ironmonger
Accrington Men of Mark (1924): "Jos Wm Bridge, JP, Wellfield, prominent tradesman, died July 29, 1919 aged 73. One of the best-known business men in East Lancashire, Mr
Jos Wm Bridge, head of the firm of J W Bridge Ltd, iron and steel merchants, followed his brother, Mr Lang Bridge, in 1850, in the business in St James'-street, where he
continued until he erected the handsome pile of buildings at the corner of Blackburn-road and Church-street in 1890. For a time he had as partner Mr John Walmsley, under the
style of Bridge and Walmsley. The partnership was dissolved in 1868, and Mr Bridge continued the business for a while, and then took Thomas Hy Osbaldeston into
partnership, the present company being formed later. Like the rest of the Bridge family, he was closely associated with the New Church, and was a leading spirit in the social life
of the school. Interested in drama and opera, he was at one time a 'first-nighter' at London productions; for a long period was Chairman of the Amateur Operatic Society, and
was connected with other organisations in the town, a member of the Education Committee, of the Military Tribunal and the Choral Society. A lover of art, he was well-informed,
a great reader and traveller."
110 GRO: Frances Martha Alice, Preston
Source: Alan Whiteley