RIDLONS OF HOLLIS, MAINE.
637
the second one built by Mr. Martin. Mrs. Martin is still living in the
family of her daughter, Mrs. Martha Ridlon, in Hollis, and although 95
years of age she is intelligent, and actively engaged in braiding and sew-
ing rugs. "Aunt Eunice" is a small woman with the features character-
istic of her family, and in habits and disposition closely resembles her
brother Matthias. She had a clear, shrill voice, and could be heard a great
distance as she stood in the door and called her husband and sons from
their work in the field. Like her sisters she was a nice weaver, and the
author remembers the "clash" of her loom and "click" of shuttle as she
threw it from side to side through her web, while making cloth for her
family. She and husband were devoted Christians; they had a large
family, of several of whom hereafter.
Had
William Ridlon* (1), second son of Thomas (1), was born in Phil-
lipsburgh (now Hollis), Me., Feb. 26, 1792; married (the intention re-
corded Nov. 16, 1812) to Isabella, daughter of Robert Martin (records of
Hollis say "of Standish "), and sister of the husband of his sister Eunice,
before mentioned. His first wife died in the year 1843, and he married,
secondly, Feb. 28, 1844, Catherine Martin, sister of Isabella. This cere-
mony was performed by Elder Jeremiah Bullock, of Limington. Mr.
Ridlon first settled in Hollis, not far from the homestead of his brother
Thomas, but was induced to sell this excellent tract of land, and moved
to Bridgton or Sebago. The names of his children are recorded in
Bridgton, and I think he lived some time in that town; he finally located
on land in Sebago, in a neighborhood called "Folly," -appropriately
named, where he erected farm-buildings and has lived ever since.
he remained in Hollis he would have owned one of the best farms in town;
but he has worked hard on a rocky, ungenerous little farm among the
mountains, and consequently was always poor. He is still living, at the age
of 93, and has attended every State election since his majority; his politi-
cal sentiments are strictly Democratic. He is tall and rather slim, but
has a strong, well-knit frame; his head is high, but not so broad as his
brothers'; hair, originally black; brows, long and outstanding; eyes, gray;
complexion, florid. He is nervous and impulsive in temperament, quick
to resent an insult, or any intrusion upon what he considers his personal
rights; and God pity the man who stands in his way when his temper is
up. He once had a neighbor who habitually came home intoxicated and
abused his wife, and "Uncle Billy" was frequently called to take the poor
woman's part. When he was cutting his wood the following autumn he
found a knotty, scrubby oak limb and laid it up in his wood-house; on
being asked by his wife what it was for, he replied, "I am gwine to keep
that to wallop O. T. with when he comes home to whip his wife." Not
long after the woman was heard to scream, and "Uncle Billy" seized his
club and ran for the house; he met the infuriated man at his door, and
pulling him into the yard gave him such a thrashing as he never forgot,
and which completely cured him from whipping his poor wife. This took
place when Mr. Ridlon was an old man, and shows the spirit that was in
him. He had issue twelve children (all by his first wife), of whom here-
after.
Dea. Matthias Ridlon (3), third son of Thomas (1), was born in
Phillipsburgh (now Hollis), Me., March 28, 1794; married (intention
recorded Jan. 30, 1818) to Rachel Pendexter, of Cornish, whose grand-
mother was Rachel (Redlon) Field, and settled in Eaton, N. H., where
he built him a log-house, and planted a three-acre cut-down. He had no
