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RIDLONS OF HOLLIS, MAINE.
neck, short, thick, and very full under the chin; his head, large, high
crowned, well developed, and bald in early life; his hair and whiskers-
the latter worn heavily upon the sides of his face, like those of his brother
Thomas were jet-black, and inclined to curl; his features were regular,
his cheeks red, and his expression serious and thoughtful; indeed, he
was a deep thinker and reasoner. Since I knew him he was moderate in
his movements, and his disposition was more even and well-balanced than
that of his brothers. Candid, cautious, and of sound judgment, he proved
a valuable townsman and good neighbor, and few men in old age had as
many real friends and well-wishers. He lived in peace with all men, and
endeavored to make peace between others who were at variance. A dear
lover of home, and industrious always, he did not become involved in
those political broils and business embarrassments that have burdened the
lives of many; he reared a large family of respectable children, who mar-
ried and settled in plenty around their parental home, where he could see
them all on a day. Scores of grandchildren gathered around his knee, to
love and venerate him, and his descendants of the third generation have
nestled their sunny heads in his patriarchal arms. In 1880 he had lived
to see between eighty and ninety descendants: fourteen children, fifty
grandchildren, and twenty-four great-grandchildren. Mr. Ridlon and his
wife died within a few weeks of each other, in 1883, and were buried in
a small cemetery a little north of his house, and near the South Hiram
meeting-house. Funeral conducted by the author of this book.
Betsey-E. Ridlon' (2), sixth daughter of Thomas (1), was born in
Hollis, Me. (then in Massachusetts), Oct. 4, 1799; was married to David
Nason, of Limington, Nov. 14, 1816, and went to live in that town. She
was twin to Rachel, and a remarkably pretty woman as good as beau-
tiful. She died June 24, 1841, aged 42 years, leaving a large family of
children, some of whom resemble the Ridlons, and was buried in Hollis
in the "Old Ridlon Burying-ground," near her father's lot.
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Rachel Ridlon* (3), seventh daughter of Thomas (1), was born in
Phillipsburgh (now Hollis, Me.), Oct. 4, 1799, and died at the home of
Samuel Ridlon, who married her eldest sister, in Baldwin, Nov. 2,
1811, but was buried with her parents.
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Rebecca Ridlon' (2), eighth daughter of Thomas (1), was born in
Phillipsburgh, Mass. (now Hollis, Me.), Nov. 11, 1802, and died when a
young woman, unmarried, at home.
Sarah Ridlon* (4), ninth daughter of Thomas (1), was born in Phil-
lipsburgh (now Hollis, Me.), Sept. 1, 1805, and lived at home with her
father and maiden-sister Judith. She was in a feeble condition of health
many years, and died unmarried some years after her father, but I have
no date. She was laid to her earthly rest in her father's lot, in the "Old
Ridlon Burying-ground," so called.
William Ridlon' (2), eldest son of John³ (3), was born in Phillips-
burgh (now Hollis, Me.), April 10, 1791, and was burned to death when
a child by falling into the open fire from a clothes-basket, in which his
mother had placed him, while she went out for some wood. This child
was the first person buried in the small ground just back of the brick
house subsequently built by David Martin.
Matthias Ridlon* (4), second son of John (3), was born in Phillips-
burgh (now Hollis, Me.), June 4, 1793. He was taken to Vermont with
his parents, enlisted in the army during the war of 1812, and having, from
