The Founding Families of Maplebridge
For over a century, the founding families of Maplebridge have shaped the bones and breath of this town. Their names appear in ledgers, legends, and stone; their stories whispered from porch swings and library corners. Whether building bridges, burying secrets, or planting stories, these seven lineages have left a mark time itself hasn’t dared erase.
Established in 1876, these seven families are considered the original stewards of Maplebridge. Their legacies shaped the town's traditions, architecture, and enduring folklore. While much has changed, traces of their influence remain in every season, every street, and every whispered story.
The Munn Family
Motto: "What is kept, returns."
Traders and record-keepers, the Munn family were among the first to settle at the bridge crossing and establish formal trade in the region. Known for their detailed ledgers and uncanny memory, they managed the original general store and unofficially chronicled town history long before the Historical Society existed. It is said that a Munn never forgets—even events that haven’t happened yet.
The Ashby Family
Motto: "Look up. They already are."
Visionaries and observers, the Ashbys brought knowledge of the stars and sky to Maplebridge. They founded the town’s observatory and drafted the first town almanac. Their understanding of celestial patterns informed early planting seasons and festival dates. Ashby journals occasionally mention events out of order, with entries dated years before they occurred.
The Toll Family
Motto: "We close what others open."
Tied to rites of passage and remembrance, the Toll family established Maplebridge’s first funeral services. Their rituals became the foundation for several town traditions, including the Winterlight bell ceremony. Reserved and deeply respectful, the Tolls are often associated with quiet guidance and the comfort of closure. Bells are still rung for the Toll name, though not always by human hands.
The Bloom Family
Motto: "Everything blooms again. Even you."
Keepers of flora and folklore, the Blooms brought seeds, stories, and symbolism. Their gardens were said to flourish in unnatural patterns, and their family was responsible for early storytelling festivals. Children of Bloom are often imaginative and uncanny, and many claim that the fairy tales still told in Maplebridge began in their kitchen.
The Stump Family
Motto: "We build what breaks."
Craftspeople and fixers, the Stumps built much of the town’s original infrastructure: bridges, tools, homes. Known for their intuitive craftsmanship and heirloom tools that seem to “remember” how they’re used, their workshop remains a landmark. Legends say Stump blueprints sometimes show structures that do not yet exist.
The March Family
Motto: "We return. We always do."
Attuned to seasonal rhythms, the March family ran the town’s nursery and curated its seasonal festivals. They were known for their deep connection to the land, the shifting of seasons, and a peculiar kind of déjà vu that seemed to follow their lineage. Their stories often begin with "again."
The Hallow Family (Unofficial / Redacted)
Motto: [Erased]
Though not listed in official records, many believe the Hallow family predates the others. Their name does not appear in the visible Charter, though scorch marks suggest it once did. Some say they were the first to build at the site of the bridge, while others claim they never left the woods. Town legends speak of a seventh house, of tools with no owners, and signatures that burn through paper.
The Historical Society does not officially recognise the Hallow lineage.
This document is maintained by the Maplebridge Historical Society and updated seasonally, should memory allow.
