Samuel was born in January 1813 in Stonham Aspall, Suffolk and was baptised on January 31st, 1813. Samuel's father was James Bridges and his mother was Hannah Davie. His paternal grandparents were James Bridges and Elizabeth Scott; his maternal grandparents were <Unknown> and <Unknown>. He was the second of four children. He had two brothers and a sister, named John, Benjamin and Mary.