644
REDLONS OF OHIO.
Abraham Ridlen* (4), fourth son of Abraham³ (2), was born in Phil-
lipsburgh, Mass.,-now Hollis, Me.,- Feb. 26, 1799, and was about one
year old when carried by his parents to Ohio. He married, May 9, 1822,
Annis Ballard, by whom he had five children. His first wife died in Free-
stone County, Tex., Oct. 6, 1849, and he married, secondly, Phebe Van
Camp, by whom he had three children, of whom (with those of first wife)
hereafter. He was in the war of 1812; enlisted as a musician at Spring-
field, O., Aug. 25, 1814, under Capt. Martin Shea, of the State militia, but
afterwards served as a private soldier. He was stationed at Fort Win-
chester, at the mouth of the Clare, which empties into the Maume River,
but was discharged at Fort Mary, Feb. 26, 1815. He was a carpenter and
cabinet-maker by trade, and a Missionary Baptist preacher by profession.
Mr. Ridlen was about medium height, and in old age became very stoop-
shouldered and bald. Resembled his father more than either of his broth-
He visited his brothers and relatives a short time before his death,
and bade them all a last farewell, telling them he should see them no more
on earth. He was a man of eminent piety and very useful, and when he
died at Bourbon, Douglas County, Ill., Feb. 29, 1872, he was sincerely la-
mented by a large number of his acquaintances.
ers.
Rachel Ridlen (4), fourth daughter of Abraham³ (2), was born in
Ohio (near Cincinnati), Sept. 20, 1801; was married to Peter Teitsort,
and in 1873 was living at Little York, Ind., near her brother John's farm.
She is a large woman, and resembles the Tibbetts family more than the
Ridlons. Her portrait, finished in India-ink, hangs in my house.
Susan Ridlen (2), youngest daughter of Abraham (2), was born in
Ohio in 1803; married Jeremiah Mann; died in Park County, Ind., in 1870.
came down the ladder, saying as he descended, “Good heavens! do you suppose I
can stay up here when ye sing like that?" We were sitting on the porch of Mrs.
Alexander's house one hot afternoon, when on looking across the fields I saw the
old patriarch approaching on horse-back, his long, white beard blowing back over
his shoulders. A little granddaughter was leading the horse and chatting pleas-
antly with the old sire, while he sat erect, cooling himself with a large palm-leaf
fan, which he carried with him everywhere. He was soon sitting at our side, tell-
ing his "experience" again; and it was indeed a rich treat every time, especially
when he commenced the description of his sensations when he was converted, and
interspersed his story with "Glory hallelujah!" and "Glory to God!" He was
also enthusiastic in his descriptions of his fine stock of cattle, and no language at
his command seemed strong enough to delineate their matchless beauty. His
stories respecting his hardships in the army were painfully interesting. His beard
was snowy white, with the exception of a black stripe running from his chin,
which gave him a peculiar appearance. I was very ill while at the house of his
daughter, and for a few hours it was thought I should never return to my home.
The tender care bestowed by these relatives will never be forgotten by me. The
last time I saw "Uncle Samuel" was on the morning of our departure. He had
come to the home of his daughter, Mrs. Aiken, where we were to take a public con-
veyance for McLeansburgh. We had all knelt in prayer, the parting hand had been
given, and as we stood a moment at the gate we saw his son leading him down the
orchard-path toward his own home; all at once the old man stopped, raised his
broad-brimmed hat from his head, and while his white hair and beard were streaming
in the breeze, he raised himself to his greatest height, and with a wave of his hand
said, "Farewell, my dear kindred, farewell; we shall meet no more on earth; meet
me in heaven." As he spoke these words the tears fell like rain from his blind eyes,
and his trembling voice evinced how full was his heart. My last view of him was
through a window of the coach, as he was passing under the garden trees leaning
on the arm of his noble son, and the scene was truly patriarchal and impressive,-
that of weakness leaning on strength, and old age upon vigorous manhood. I af-
terwards received a local newspaper which contained his obituary.
