Thomas Bridges (Anglican Missionary) - Retirement From The Mission

Retirement From The Mission

In 1886, the government of Argentina established a presence in Ushuaia. Bridges left the Mission and was granted citizenship and 50,000 acres (200 km2) of land to the east of Ushuaia, now Estancia Harberton, where he raised sheep and cattle. The house on the ranch was prefabricated in England by Stephen Varder and shipped to Tierra del Fuego in the 360 ton brigantine Shepherdess. Also on board were two carpenters and Mr. Edward Aspinall, the new superintendent of the Ushuaia Mission who would later relocate to the Wollaston Islands.

Thomas Bridges died in Buenos Aires on July 15, 1898 due to stomach cancer and is buried in Cementerio Británico His tombstone records that he was 55 years old. Buried in the same grave are his grandson, Percival William Reynolds (1904–1940), his son, Esteban Lucas Bridges, who wrote a book detailing his father's expedition, and Esteban's wife, Jannette McLeod Jardine (1890–1976). Thomas' wife, Mary Ann, returned to Shipbourne, Kent, England where she died in 1922. A monument was later erected in his honour.