Succeeded by Thomas M. Burgess Political party Whig Party Education Brown University | Name Samuel Bridgham Alma mater Brown University | |
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Spouse(s) Elizabeth Paine Bridgham Died 1840, Providence, Rhode Island, United States Books The Charter and Ordinances of the City of Providence, with the General Assembly Relating to the City | ||
Resting place North Burial Ground | ||
Samuel Willard Bridgham (May 4, 1776 – December 28, 1840) was the first mayor of Providence, Rhode Island.
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A graduate of Brown University class of 1794, he became a lawyer before entering politics. He served nineteen terms in the Rhode Island General Assembly, two of those as the Speaker. He also served as Attorney General of Rhode Island for four years. When Providence was incorporated as a city in 1832, he was elected its first Mayor. He served in that office until his death in 1840, at the age of 66. Bridgham became the first mayor of Providence at a time when disorder and vice threatened the city. His solutions were free public education, temperance, and relief for the poor. He laid down foundations for good municipal government in Providence and served during one of the city's most significant expansions of the public school system.
Other career
Outside politics in 1821 he was elected Trustee of Brown University. He served as Brown's Chancellor from 1828 to 1840. For nineteen years he was the President of the Benevolent Congregational Society in Providence. Bridgham was elected a member of the American Antiquarian Society in 1813.
Family
He married Elizabeth Paine in 1798 and they had 6 children: Elizabeth W, Abby C, Samuel F, Julia B, Samuel W, and Joseph.