486
RIDLEYS OF SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA.
3
County, Va.; removed to Hertford County, N. C., and died without
issue.
Ridley (?), a daughter of (?), was born in Southampton
County, Va.; was married to Dr. Samuel Brown, and had issue an only
son, Dr. LaFayette Brown, to inherit the family property.
8
Ridley' (?), a daughter of (?), was born in Southampton
County, Va.; was married to Abridgton Brown, brother of Dr. Samuel
Brown, before mentioned, and had issue.
Maj. Thomas Ridley' (2), eldest son of Thomas (1), was born in
Southampton County, Va.; married Mary Wright, and had issue four
children, of whom hereafter. Married, secondly, Ann-Gilliam Wilkerson,
by whom no issue. He, like his father, became conspicuous for his mili-
tary career, having commanded a cavalry company in the war of 1812.
Francis Ridley (1), second son of Thomas (1), was born in South-
ampton County, Va.; married Louisa R. Blunt, and had issue two sons, of
whom hereafter. Few men had more and warmer friends than the sub-
ject of this notice. For many years he represented the County of South-
ampton in the Virginia Legislature, and proved an able and popular mem-
ber; by his foresight and prudence held his seat, while many others by
their rashness lost theirs. He died a young man.
FIFTH GENERATION.
William Ridley' (3), eldest son of Thomas (2), was born in South-
ampton County, Va., and died unmarried.
Col. Thomas Ridley' (3), second son of Thomas' (2), was born in South-
ampton County, Va., Aug. 22, 1809; married Nov. 2, 1837, Margaret B.
Jordan, daughter of John B. Jordan, of Northampton County, N. C., the
belle and beauty of her age, and in all the bearing of life she has proven
that the homage paid her was the just tribute to her worth. They had
issue eight children, of whom hereafter. Colonel Ridley must have re-
ceived the mantle of his grandfather of Revolutionary fame, for from his
early manhood he displayed a fondness for military life. When very young
he was made captain of a company of cavalry, keeping this position for
many years. Afterwards he was elected colonel of the militia forces of
his native County, and there he was ever the popular commander, the kind
friend, the honored gentleman. He possessed a kindness of heart, a gen-
tleness of manner, which caused him to be ever loved and appreciated, es-
pecially in the home circle; yet in his bearing there was a dignity, a re-
serve of manner, that forbade anything like familiarity for even his friends.
He declined the solicitations of his friends to become a candidate for legis-
lative duties, preferring to devote his time to the cultivation of his exten-
sive farms. In political sentiment he was a warm Democrat, and was ever
devoted to what he regarded the best interests of his country. In the
moral relations of life his character was irreproachable. Like his ances-
tors, he embraced the faith and usages of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
His personal appearance was commanding; he was straight, spare, and
but little above the medium height, but from erectness of carriage and
military precision of gait, had the appearance of being tall. The cast of
his features was good; the expression of his countenance rather grave,
unless when lighted with pleasurable emotions. His advantages for ac-
quiring an education were all that affluence could provide. By judicious
management he increased the ample fortune left him by his father, and
became the possessor of great wealth. He died March 7, 1875.
