186
RIDDELLS OF BALLYBLACK, IRELAND.
that was but a few feet below the surface. After resting awhile he pushed
forward again, and by a desperate struggle succeeded in reaching the
shore, where he found several persons who had been watching him in his
perilous adventure, expecting to see him drowned. He was carried down
the river more than a mile. An account of this undertaking was pub-
lished in the newspapers at the time, and it has ever since been regarded
as a feat accomplished by no other man. He removed from Bellefonte to
Scrubgrass, in Venango County, where he remained nine years; thence
returned to Centre County, where he was employed for many years as
superintendent of the iron-works of Roland Curtin, father of Governor
Curtin. He purchased land and followed farming in Centre County until
1824, when he removed to Clearfield County, where he died March 22,
1856. He was an exemplary citizen, and for many years a devoted mem-
ber of the Methodist church, highly respected for his sincere piety.
John Riddle (2), a son of John¹ (1), was born at Ballyblack, County
Down, Ireland, and died there when young.
James Riddle² (1), a son of John' (1), was born at Ballyblack, Ire-
land, and died there. Supposed to have been poisoned by a young woman.
Elizabeth Riddle² (1), a daughter of John¹ (1), was born at Bally-
black, Ireland; was married to Samuel Ewart; had eight children, and
died in her native country.*
Margaret Riddle² (1), a daughter of John (1), was born in Bally-
black, County of Down, Ireland; was married to James Conn, and lived
in Scotland, where her descendants reside.
Agnes Riddle² (1), a daughter of John' (1), was born in Ballyblack,
County of Down, Ireland; was married to Thomas Kenney, and her de-
scendants are living in Scotland and Ireland.
Ann Riddle (1), eldest daughter of Matthew¹ (1), was born in West-
moreland County, Penn., March 6, 1783; was married Jan. 23, 1810, to
James Pollock, a man of Scottish descent, and had issue six sons and one
daughter. She died Feb. 1, 1864, aged 79 years.
John Riddle² (3), eldest son of Matthew¹ (1), was born in Westmore-
land County, Penn., March 10, 1786; married July 20, 1813, to Esther
Crawford (she was born April 24, 1790, and died March 10, 1877), and
had issue six children, of whom hereafter. Farmer; died Feb. 9, 1826.
Elizabeth Riddle² (2), second daughter of Matthew¹ (1), was born in
Westmoreland County, Penn., June 26, 1784, and died July 30, 1873, aged
89 years.
Never married.
Robert Riddle² (1), second son of Matthew¹ (1), was born in West-
moreland County, Penn., Feb. 21, 1788; married Feb. 4, 1817, to Cathe-
rine Phipps, and had issue ten children, of whom hereafter. Farmer;
died Sept. 18, 1856, aged 68 years, leaving a widow who is still living.
THIRD GENERATION.
William Riddle³ (2), eldest son of Matthew2 (2), was born at Bally-
*Her children were John, Samuel, Alexander, William, Margaret, Elizabeth,
Mary, and Susanna. John Ewart is still (1880) living in Ballyblack, Ireland, with-
out issue. Samuel died without issue. Susanna was married to Charles Robinson,
and left surviving children, Charles and Eliza-Jane (my correspondent), who was
married to Mr. McWilliams. Elizabeth was married to John McColloch, and is still
living, with issue. Margaret was married to John Montgomery, who after her
decease, went to America with his family. William (sometime dead) left issue
three sons and one daughter, still alive.
