Christopher & Isabella Bridson Obelisk Headstone - Kirk Braddan Cemetery - Braddan, Isle of Man - Obelisks on Waymarking.com

The 12-foot obelisk headstone for Christopher and Isabella Bridson is to be found in the Kirk Braddan Cemetery.

At the base of the column the memorial tablet has the following dedication:

'ERECTED BY THE
ISLE OF MAN DISTRICT OF THE
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODDFELLOWS
(MANCHESTER UNITY)
IN MEMORY OF
CHRISTOPHER BRIDSON
WHO FOR OVER 35 YEARS
HELD THE POSITION OF
PROVINCIAL CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
AND WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE
NOVEMBER 2ND 1896
AGED 70 YEARS.
"COME TO ME ALL YE THAT ARE WEARY
AND ARE HEAVY LADEN AND I WILL
GIVE YOU REST." Matthew 11:28

ALSO
ISABELLA
WIDOW OF THE ABOVE
WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE
DECEMBER 2ND 1921
AGED 81 YEARS.'


(John) Christopher Bridson was born around 1826, he was a joiner by trade and married Isabella the daughter of George Hampton on the 11 July 1865 at Braddan.

At the time of the 1851 Census Christopher was living at 46 Sand Street, Conchan (Onchan) with his first wife Catherine who was four years his junior and his widowed father James who was a sailor.

Ten years later at the the time of the 1861 the family had moved to South Quay in Douglas and the family had grown withe addition of James - 9, Isabella - 6 and Margaret - 4. Christopher is still employed as a Joiner.

By the time of the 1871 Christopher whose first wife Catherine has died has remarried and the family has grown again with addition of Lavinia - 7, Christopher - 4, William - 3 and Florence - !. The Bridson's and back in Conchan although this time on Mona Street.

On the last Census before William's death, conducted in 1891, the Bridson family are living at Harris Terrace, Kingswood Grove, Conchan, which is the address given in the Notice of Death shown below. The family now consists of 4 boys and 4 Girls. The oldest boys Christopher - 24 and William - 23 and now employed as a painter and joiner respectively. The eldest two girls Florence - 21 and Agnes - 19 are both dressmakers while their sister Lizzie - 16, is a Milner. The younger children are all still at school.

Notice of Death from the Isle of Man Times newspaper on Tuesday, November 3, 1896:
'DEATH OF MR CHRISTOPHER BRIDSON - Mr
Christopher Bridson of Harris-terrace, Douglas,
died on Monday evening, after a long illness.
Mr Bridson was for the past 35 years correspond-
ing secretary of the Isle of Man District of the
Independent Order of Oddfellows, a position
which he filled to the satisfaction of all. He was
also secretary of the Loyal Victoria Lodge, which
position he had also occupied for ouver 30 years.
In fact, it may be said that his life was spent in
Oddfellowship. He was looked upon as an
authority on the working of friendly societies,
and often his advice has been asked on matters
affecting the well-being of other societies in
Douglas. This advice was always given freely, and
Mr Bridson was always a gentleman, a kind and
loving friend, possessing more than the average
intelligence. His death removes on whose
name will always be connected with friendly
societies in the Isle of Man. His loss will be
more especially felt in the home, where the
widow and family are now mourning over the
departure from their midst of their main-stay -
of the one who brought light and happiness into
the home - the one whom they always looked to
for advice and counsel. The funeral takes place
on Thursday afternoon, leaving Harris-terrace
at 2-15. It is expected that representatives from
each lodge in the district will be present, and
probably it will be one of the largest funerals
that have been seen of a member connected with
friendly societies.'

and from the same newspaper on Saturday, November 7, 1896
'Death of a Noted Manx Oddfellow

An Eloquent Funeral Oration by
the Rev. George Paton.

As announced in out Tuesday issue, Mr Chris-
topher Bridson, of 10, Harris-terrace, Douglas.
departed this life on Monday last. The deceased
occupied the position of Corresponding Secretary
of the Isle of Man District of the Independent
Order of Oddfellows for over thirty-five year - a
most responsible position, when we consider that
he had to deal with the affairs of over 3,000
members...

The funeral took place on Thursday after-
noon. On the coffin were placed the Secretary's
sash and apron, and beautiful wreaths of flowers
from the Isle of Man District, Victoria Lodge, and
friends. Capt. Killip of Laxey, read in an
impressive manner, the Oddfellow's service - the first
part, at the door of the house of the deceased, and
the concluding part at the graveside. The Rev. G.
Paton (Deputy-Grand Master) gave out the hymn.
"Jesu, Lover of my Soul" which was feelingly
sung by the large gathering present, which included
representatives of the Foresters and Rechabites,
and members of the Oddfellows from Ramsey,
Laxey, Castletown, Port St. Mary, Peel and Kirk
Michael. The bier was borne by the following Past
Officers of the District:-....

The remains were carried the
whole way to the Cemetery by members of the
Order. Arriving there, the Victoria Lodge Officers
carried the bier to the Chapel. The Rev F. J.
Moore and the Rev. G. Paton conducted the service,
at the close of which.

The Rev. G. PATON, addressing the large number
present, said: "Dear Brothers of our Order, and you,
other friends, who have met with us to-day, to pay
a Last tribute of affection and respect to the memory
of the one who occupied, for so many years, a high
position of trust in our District, I thank you, in the
name of the Grand Master, and my own, for your
attendance and, observance here; and I pray the
good God, who hath put into our minds good affec-
tions and desires, that He may continue His good-
ness towards us, so that, drawn to one another by
kindly ties on earth, we may go on our way together
until, when death divides us here, we may be re-
united hereafter, in still closer bond of union in
the Kingdom of our Father and our God: when
that which is our motto now may have its fulfilment
then; when Faith and Hope may merge in the
wide ocean of His Love. Our friend, whom we
have laid to earth, had reached to the goodly
limit of active life of three-score years and ten;
and no one need mourn that that life was not pro-
longed until it reached to four-score years; when
our strength then is but labour and sorrow. No,
let us rather rejoice that our friend has been spared
that slow-going down into the silent land, which is
often so painful to him who journeys, and to those
who are called upon to witness his travail, and his
toil. No, let no one grudge to the happy dead his
happiness. Let no one mourn, because he whom we
lay to rest in final and assured hope of the resurrec-
tion day, is safe from all sorrow, and from all
temptations to sin, is safe in the presence and the
care of the Saviour of the souls of men. Not now,
but on some more fitting occasion, it will be the
duty of myself, or of some other member of
our Order, to move to put on record our appreci-
ation of the character and services of our
departed brother. That is no point of our
duty to-day. Rather let us go away with
the feeling that that record has yet to be spoken;
that there we leave behind us what is mortal of a
friend who was truly a friend of many in need - a
friend to the fatherless and widows, a friend of
whom, looking back upon his long and honourable
career, it needeth not that anyone of us, his friends
should be ashamed. I Think it shows something of
the personal regard in which we held him that some
of the newer members, scarcely knew him by the
name of Bridson. "Christopher" - may I speak the
words, in fond and respectful recollection - "Old
Christopher" was the name by which some of us
knew him best and by that name will he be long
remembered by us. he rests now here in
peace. It is our hope that, in the glory of God's
brighter world above, some radiance of that bright-
ness and that glory may even now be shining on
his face." - Mr Paton then pronounced the Bene-
diction, and the members filed past the grave, each
one throwing in the sprig of thyme.'

At the time of 1901 Census the Bridson family were living at 8 Raphael Road, Douglas with her two son's Christopher and Herbert and four daughter's Agnes, Maud, Florence and Edith. Interestingly at this time Christopher's occupation is shown as Secretarial Work.

From the Mona's Herald newspaper of Wednesday, December 7, 1921 here is the Notice of Death for Isabella:
'BRIDSON-On December 2nd, at Peel-road,
Douglas, Isabella, widow of the late Christopher
Bridson - Interred in Kirk Braddan Cemetery,
on December 5th.'

Date Created/Placed: 1896 Address: Kirk Braddan Cemetery, Braddan Road, Braddan, Isle of Man. Height: 12ft Illuminated: no Website: Not listed

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