Background
Robert Bridges reached Massachusetts probably in 1641, for in that year (June 2) he took the oath and became a freeman.
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Robert Bridges
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Career
Robert Bridges was a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company in 1641 and became a captain in the militia. In 1644 he was chosen representative to the General Court and appointed a member of the Quarterly Court at Salem. In October 1646 he was elected speaker of the House of Representatives, and in the next year became an Assistant, in which office he continued until his death.
An interesting episode in his career was his service as commissioner in 1646 to investigate the troubles between two French governors--the Huguenot, La Tour, and the Catholic, D'Aulnay--who were contending for the possession of Acadia and causing trouble to certain Plymouth traders in Maine.
Bog iron was discovered at an early date in Massachusetts but it was not until 1642 that a serious effort was made to take advantage of the discovery. In that year Bridges took some specimens of the ore from the region of the Saugus River and went to London for the purpose of interesting capital.
A company known as "The Company of Undertakers for the Iron Works" was formed and the eleven incorporators contributed £1, 000 for the enterprise. Skilled workmen were brought over and the industry established, 1643, at Hammersmith (near Lynn) on the Saugus, so named after the English town from which some of the workmen came.
The colonial authorities considered the establishment of these iron works a matter of great importance and aided them liberally with civil and religious immunities equal to any in the colony. Although they continued to be operated to some extent until 1683, the iron works met with indifferent success, and apparently did not long occupy the major attention of their founder.
Achievements
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Robert Bridges' most significant achievement was in his contributive work that he did establishing a company known as "The Company of Undertakers for the Iron Works". An iron industry was finally established around 1643 at Hammersmith (near Lynn) on the Saugus with the incorporation of most skilled workmen over that area. The colonial authorities considered the establishment of these iron works a matter of great importance and aided them liberally with civil and religious immunities equal to any in the colony. Another achievement was in becoming a speaker of the House of Representatives on October of 1646, in which office he continued to serve until his death. Being the only magistrate in Lynn for a long time, Bridges was evidently a man of considerable ability, for from the date of his arrival until his death he took a prominent part in the affairs of the community.
Religion
Bridges seems to have been a stern and unyielding Puritan.
Views
Although Bridges was an important figure for a few years in the administration of the Massachusetts colony, his chief interest to subsequent generations lies in his connection with the first iron works established in America.
Quotations: Edward Johnson bears witness to his prominence when he speaks of "the Band of Lyn led by the honored and much respected Capt. Robert Bridges, who is also a magistrate, being endued with able parts, and forward to improve them for the glory of God and his people's good".
Personality
Personally Robert Bridges was a man of tact, and his rapid rise and continued public service bear witness to his acceptability to the authorities of Massachusetts.
Connections
Bridges' wife was Mary Woodcock of London.
