438 RIDLEYS OF WILLIMOTESWICK, NORTHUMBERLAND.
Matthew White, Bart., died March 21, 1763, and was buried in All Saints'
Church, Newcastle-on-Tyne, and the subject of this notice succeeded to
his title and estate, in accordance with the patent aforesaid. Mr. Ridley was
one of the oldest members of the Merchants' Company, of Newcastle-on-
Tyne, and was its governor for thirty-five years. In so high a degree did
he possess the confidence and esteem of his townsmen, that, in eight suc-
cessive parliaments, they chose him as a representative. He was a firm
friend of the British Constitution; and during the long time he sat in the
senate, he had the merit of maintaining perfect consistency in his politi-
cal conduct. Displaying an urbanity of manners and a most endearing
condescension in his general intercourse with society, he invariably per-
formed all the relative and social duties of life in a way that threw an
amiable resplendency over his whole character. As a large landed pro-
prietor he showed himself one of the best landlords to his tenants, as all
who were so connected were loud in declaiming; in years of scarcity, in
particular, these experienced the liberality of his heart; and he granted
indulgences to them that must have embalmed his memory among those who
were the immediate objects of his generosity. Exclusive of serving his
town as a Member of Parliament, he discharged, for a number of years,
the duties of an active magistrate, and was three times mayor of the city
of Newcastle. Early in a contemporary war, when his country was
threatened with invasion, Sir Matthew-White Ridley was placed at the
head of a corps of volunteers excelled by none in the kingdom, either for
loyalty to their sovereign, or efficiency in military tactics. While a soldier
he discharged the important functions of chief; he might be said to live
in the hearts of his men, for the liberal and indulgent attention he paid
to the convenience and comfort of all under his command. He died at
Portland Place, London, after a two years' illness, in 1813, aged 67 years,
and was succeeded by his eldest son and namesake, of whom hereafter.
There is a fine monument with a statue of this man in St. Nicholas' Church,
Newcastle-on-Tyne, of which the author has a photograph (See portrait
in this book.)
Nicholas Ridley20 (13), third son of Matthew19 (1), was born at New-
castle-on-Tyne, March 5, 1748; married, 1790, Letitia, daughter of Hugh
Atkinson, a Russian merchant, and became a master in chancery; denomi-
nated "of Grey's Inn." He died at his lodgings at Bath, Jan. 1, 1804.
Edward Ridley20 (3), fourth son of Matthew 19 (1), died young.
Lieut. John Ridley20 (14), fifth son of Matthew19 (1), was an officer
in the Welsh Fusileers.
Rev. Henry Ridley20 (2), D. D., sixth son of Matthew19 (1), was born
July 2, 1753; married Frances, daughter of Aubone Surtees, Esq., of New-
castle-on-Tyne (she died in June, 1830), who was sister to Elizabeth,
Countess of Eldon, and had issue two children, of whom hereafter. He
received his clerical education at University College, Oxford, where he
proceeded M. A., June 12, 1776, and B. and D. D. grand compounder,
June 3, 1802. In 1804 he was elected one of the prebendaries of Glou-
cester; and in the following year His Majesty presented him to the living
of Kirby, Underdale. In 1817, the king, as Duke of Lancaster, presented
him to the livings of St. Andrew's, Cumberland, and St. Mary's, Hertford-
shire. He was His Majesty's Justice of the Peace for the Counties of
Hertfordshire and Gloucester, and Master of the Magdalen Hospital,
Newcastle-on-Tyne. He died Oct. 11, 1825, leaving one son.
Edward Ridley 20 (4), seventh son of Matthew (1), died young.
