496
RIDLEYS OF RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TENNESSEE.
years old when his father moved from the Holston River to west Tenn-
essee. Made a tour through Kentucky by way of the "Crab Orchard"
when a small boy. Was with Gen. Andrew Jackson in the battle of
New Orleans. Owned a large tract of land in the "New Purchase" in
Kentucky. No other information.
Thomas Ridley' (1), second son of George¹ (1) by his second wife,
was born on the Holston River, in Virginia (now Tennessee), Feb. 16,
1780; married Margaret Harwood (whose father was a wealthy Virgin-
ian), a lady of fine accomplishments, with a well and correctly cultivated
mind, and by her had issue seven children, of whom hereafter. When a
boy the subject of this notice moved to Nashville, Tenn. (or near that
city), where he received a liberal education; he afterwards followed the
profession of school-teacher, in which he acquited himself with credit; his
patrons were well pleased with him; his pupils and all who knew him
loved and respected him. He left "no stone unturned" to advance those
placed under his care, in morals, integrity, and knowledge. After mar-
riage he settled on his farm in Williamson County, Tenn., where he lived in
affluence for many years; was confident of success and prospered in all
the undertakings of life. While on his farm he was elected sheriff of his
County, and held the office for nine years in immediate succession, by
re-election; and during his term of service generally sympathized with
the suffering and afflicted. His purse was open to all who needed or
seemed to need assistance, which resulted in wasting the wealth he had
hitherto accumulated. He was in every sense a Christian; he culti-
vated a love of justice to friend or foe; and no one could truthfully say
he had wronged anyone in any manner. After having served his County
as sheriff acceptably, Thomas Ridley removed to Franklin County, Tenn.,
where his wife died, leaving four children, who, their father's attention
to his business demanding his absence from home, were carried to his
father's (Capt. George Ridley), where they were tenderly cared for and
educated. The latter portion of Mr. Ridley's life was spent alternately
with his daughters, Mary M. Rhine, who lived in Mississippi, and Louisa
A. Horton. A few years anterior to his decease he was afflicted with
dyspepsia with which he suffered greatly, till he yielded to the fell disease,
and (in 1854) died at the house of one of his granddaughters. He said
to those present he was resigned and that all was well. His strong intel-
lect he retained to the last. He was considered, by those who knew him
well, one of the best and most honorable men the age had produced.
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Moses Ridley2 (1), third son of George¹ (1), by his second wife, was
born in eastern Tennessee, June 6, 1782; married October, 1808, Kate
Haward (she was born March 11, 1793; died Nov. 11, 1841), and had issue
nine children, of whom hereafter. He resided on the Harpeth River, in
Tennessee, until 1818 when he moved to Stewart's Creek, Rutherford
County. Died March 16, 1864.
James Ridley2 (1), fourth son of George¹ (1) by his second wife, was
born in eastern Tennessee, May 24, 1784; married Feb. 9, 1806, Amy
Hamilton, and had issue nine children, seven sons and two daughters, of
whom hereafter. He lived and died in Davidson County, Tenn., near the
*CAPT. VINCENT RIDLEY was but ten years of age at the time his father moved
from his home on the Holston River, and with a negro-man drove the horses around
by land to his new home on the Cumberland River. The Indians were then hostile,
and on the way young Ridley and his attendant passed by nearly forty emigrants
who had recently been killed by them, but reached their destination without injury.
