Biographies of American Seedsmen and Nurserymen Bridgeman, Thomas–(d.1850)–New York, New York–was born in Berkshire, England and came to America in 1824 and opened a seed store.  In 1829, he published The Young Gardener’s Assistant that was later reprinted many times and copyrighted in 1847.  The store was later run by his son Alfred Bridgeman.
Sources:  Woodburn2; Bailey; Leighton2