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RIDLONS OF HOLLIS, MAINE.
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spent many winters in the backwoods of Maine and New Hampshire,
swamping roads " for the lumbermen, or acting as cook in their camps.
In summer he worked on the farms of his relations, or went to the "Grand
Banks" on board fishing-vessels. He almost always left his home or board-
ing-places unexpectedly; sometimes rising before daylight, and returning
as unlooked-for after years of absence. He was several times supposed to
be dead, but afterwards came back safe and sound. He enlisted in the
Nineteenth Massachusetts Infantry, April 21, 1864, and was killed in bat-
tle only a few hours after he reached the army. It was only a few months
before his enlistment that he was heard to say, "Uncle Sam' must give
me a very strong invitation (meaning a draft) before I shall enter the
army." James was a noble-hearted, generous-souled man; honest, gentle,
and harmless as a child. He was always watching for opportunities to do
good, in cases of sickness was a ready helper, and was never a burden to
any one.
A welcome guest in the homes of his relatives, he kept all hearts
cheerful, and being able to turn his hand to any kind of farm-work,
always more than paid his way. Poor fellow! he has left a host of friends,
who will never cease to remember his pleasant face and kind words. He
was small, but well formed; had black hair and beard, hazel eyes, deeply-
wrinkled face, and regular features of the family type.
Martha Ridlon" (4), eldest daughter of Thomas (2), was born in Hol-
lis, Me., Sept. 20, 1805; was married to John Ridlon,-her cousin, — and
lived only a few rods from her father's house nearly all her days. She
was a woman of great excellence, possessing every virtue that distinguishes
the wife, mother, and Christian. She was the first to reach and last to
leave the sick bed of her neighbors; always bestowing her sympathy upon
the afflicted, and giving substantial blessings to the poor and destitute.
Her mantle of charity was spread over the failings of others, and her great
tenderness of heart would not admit of her speaking unkindly of any one.
She was called "Aunt Martha" by old and young, relatives and acquaint-
ances; and her loving words, gentle ministries, and pure life will not, can-
not, be forgotten by any who came within the range of her heaven-born
influence. She was long in feeble health, and endured her sufferings with
remarkable patience and Christian fortitude. Departed to her rest on Jan.
21, 1878, aged 73 years (she had four children), and was buried in the vil-
lage cemetery at Moderation Mills.
Joshua-Decker Ridlon (1), eldest son of Thomas (2), was born in
Hollis, Me., April 4, 1807 (?), and died at the age of 18 years, unmarried.
He was fond of hunting and trapping, and spent much of his time in the
late autumn days in the woods; and only a few months before his death
caught a large, brown eagle in his fox-trap. This bird measured nearly
eight feet from tip to tip across the wings; all the aged people, with the
superstition characteristic of those days, believed his death was in some
way consequent upon his killing the eagle. Joshua was tall, erect, and
well formed; had fair hair and complexion, and resembled the Decker
family, from which he descended. He was kind of heart, noble in his
bearing, and highly esteemed by a large circle of acquaintances. Buried
in the "Old Ridlon Burying-ground," so called.
-
Judith Ridlon (4), second daughter of Thomas (2), was born in
Hollis, Me., Sept. 18, 1809; was married to Joseph Decker, her cousin,
— April 25, 1833, and lived near the home of her father all her days. She
was a woman of the most amiable and gentle disposition, always ready
