Early Life
Bridges was born in England in 1842. According to local legend, he was later found abandoned on a bridge, in Bristol, by George Despard, the chaplain of the Clifton Union. Despard adopted Bridges and educated him in a private school that he ran. Later, upon being told of the adoption, Thomas "chose for himself the surname Bridges in honor of the meeting that had saved his life."
There is no record of Thomas Bridges in the 1851 UK census; however, he is believed to be registered in the private school run by George Despard as George H Bridges. The name change was most likely due to a transcription error.
Read more about this topic: Thomas Bridges (Anglican Missionary)
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