360 RIDDLES OF CHATHAM COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA.
RIDDLES OF CHATHAM COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA.
[SCOTTISH BRANCH.]
Julius Riddle¹ (1), came early to Chatham County, N. C., from Scot-
land,* or the North of Ireland. He married Nancy Mentor, and had issue
seven sons and probably daughters, but the names of the latter have not
reached me. This member of the Riddle family must have been born as
early as 1720 or '25; time of death unknown. He was a farmer and land-
owner; was presumably a connection of the ancestors of other Southern
families. Died in 1756, leaving a widow and seven sons.
SECOND GENERATION.
William Riddle² (1), eldest son of Julius¹ (1), was born in Chatham
County, N. C., March 13, 1746; married Jane (she was born July
27, 1761, and died July 29, 1817), Aug. 14, 1779, and had issue eight chil-
dren, of whom hereafter. He served in the American army in the war of
the Revolution, without receiving a wound. Settled in Chatham County,
near Pittsborough, as a planter; died Oct. 5, 1811, aged sixty-five.
Capt. Richard Riddle² (1), a son of Julius¹ (1), was born about 1750,
and served as captain in the American army during the Revolution, with-
out receiving a wound. He married twice,-first, to-Stewart; sec-
ondly, to Horsee, and had issue seven children, of whom hereafter.
He settled in Chatham County, N. C., as a planter. Died about 1820.
It is related of Richard Riddle,-who was just three feet across his shoul-
ders, that the champion fighter of Chatham County went in search of
him with the intention of thrashing him, and when on his way saw a man
with a cow on his back, and asked him where Dick Riddle lived. "I am
the man," said Riddle, putting down his cow at the same time. "Well,"
replied the champion, "I have come thirty miles to give you a whipping,
but I am satisfied by seeing you"; and bidding Mr. Riddle good-day, re-
turned to his home.
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Capt. Cato Riddle² (1), a son of Julius¹ (1), was born (presumably)
near Haywood, Chatham County, N. C., March 10, 1755; married Martha
Tomlinson (one writes Tomlin), and had issue eight children, of whom
hereafter. He settled on Deep River, in his own native County; removed
from near Pittsborough to Clark County, Ga., in 1810, thence to Wash-
ington County in 1812 or '13, where he owned a farm. He built a log-
house containing two pens (rooms), in an oak and hickory grove. He
served in the American army during the war of the Revolution, and was
at the battles of Guilford and Cowpens; was not wounded or injured.
He was short, heavy-built, and of light complexion. Died in 1823, aged
sixty-eight; his widow in 1840, aged about seventy. Both were buried
in the church-yard near Sandersville. They were Baptists.
John Riddle (1),† a son of Julius¹ (1), was born near Haywood,
Chatham County, N. C.; served in the American army during the Revo-
* The ancestors of this branch of Riddles were supposed to be from Scotland, as
they were always telling anecdotes and fairy tales of Scotland; besides, the family
had all the characteristics of the Scottish people. The seven sons of Julius Rid-
Idle¹ (1) were men of great size and extraordinary physical strength. They were
of good average height and weighed from two to three hundred pounds.
The descendants of John Riddle, son of the first Julius, cannot be found, if
any. Some think his family settled in the "Northwest." These should stand be-
tween the children of Cato and Julius.
