RIDLON FAMILY PORTRAITS.
WHEN my genealogical researches commenced, it was hoped that some of the
third generation of the Redlon and Ridlon family had left their portraits in some
form; but, although several of that generation lived many years after daguerreo-
types and ambrotypes were introduced, they were aged and infirm, and a consider-
able distance from an artist; moreover, there was a peculiar eccentricity running
through the family, which caused them to have decided objections to sitting for
their likenesses. John Redlon, of Waynesfield, O., who reached the great age of one
hundred and six years, was quite active for many years after daguerreotypes were
taken, and his descendants desired him to visit an artist, but the old patriarch did
not believe in "shadows," and absolutely refused to accede to their wishes. Mag-
nus Ridlon, of Durham, Me., youngest brother of the preceding, was once near an
artist, not long before his death, but it is not known that he ever gave sittings for
his picture.
After a long and persistent correspondence, and many visits to the localities
where the latest survivors of this generation lived, I am very sure they left no por-
traits. It would have added greatly to the value and interest of this book if a good
likeness of some cadet of this generation could have been engraved for its pages;
but as it is, the rising generation must be contented with such descriptions of their
personal appearance as I have been able to gather from those who were best
acquainted with them.
Believing the younger families, and others now unborn, would have the same
natural desire, as they read of their ancestors, to know how they looked, I deter-
mined to procure the portraits of all living members of the family of the fourth
generation and have them copied in India ink, so they could be permanently pre-
served. This has been accomplished, with but one or two exceptions, at a consid-
erable amount of money and exertion. At my request my father carried my
grandfather to an artist and had his likeness taken when ninety years of age.
After much entreaty, I prevailed upon two sisters of my grandfather to go with
me to the rooms of Dr. Edward Peabody and sit for their pictures, and was suc-
cessful in securing excellent likenesses, though both were then rising ninety years
of age. Two brothers of the preceding also had their pictures made especially
for my use. In the western family I found likenesses of two sons of Abraham
Redlon, and two other sons and three daughters had theirs taken when very aged
for me.
A brother and sister, children of Jacob Redlon, had their pictures taken
for my especial use, when very old. As a result of my efforts I have now between
forty and fifty nice portraits, mounted, eight by ten inches each, of the Ridlons of
the fourth generation, all finished in India ink, which will never fade. In one
frame, which measures two feet eight inches by four feet six inches, there are
twenty-one portraits of the sons and daughters of five brothers who were sons of
Matthias Redlon, 1st, second son of Magnus Redlon, the original Scotch ancestor.
Of the children of Matthias Ridlon, 2d, there are portraits of Sally, Mary, Rachel,
and Lydia; of children of James Redlon, there are portraits of Joseph and Robert;
of the children of Thomas Ridlon, there are portraits of seven, viz: Polly, Thomas,
