RIDLEYS OF OXFORD, NORTH CAROLINA.
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a great interest in politics; was a Whig, and represented the people of his
County in the House of Representatives and Senate. He was in his relig
ious faith a Methodist. He was a true friend and bitter enemy; hospita-
ble and patriotic. His useful life terminated on Dec. 20, 1871, at his
homestead, La Grange, Ga.
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Rev. Joseph-James Ridley (1), D. D., fourth son of James² (1), was
born at Oxford, N. C., June 28, 1810; married to Eliza Kingsbury, - of
the same family as T. B. Kingsbury, who now owns the old homestead of
Dr. James Ridley, and sister of Gen. Charles P. Kingsbury, of Brooklyn,
N. Y., and died issueless, at Somerville, Tenn., March 10, 1878. He
was educated partly at a military school at Oxford, and partly at the
University of North Carolina, at Chapel Hill. He read medicine and
commenced the practice of the medical profession at Greensborough, Ga.,
but did not succeed. He then abondoned medicine and studied divinity.
He graduated in medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in 1837; re-
newed his baptismal vows, and became a candidate for Holy Orders under
the late Bishop Elliott in 1841; was ordained deacon by the bishop, in North
Carolina, in 1843, and advanced to the priesthood by the same bishop in
1844. From the date of his ordination he resided at Oxford, N. C., and
had charge of the missions at Williamsborough and Louisburgh; and at one
time held the rectorship of St. Stephen's, Oxford. In 1853 he became
rector of Trinity Church, Clarksville, and held the position with great
usefulness to the church, until June, 1860, when, having been elected
president of the University of east Tennessee, he removed to Knoxville.
Here he remained until February, 1862, when the university was closed.
in consequence of the war. Doctor Ridley then returned to North Caro-
lina, but was soon invited to St. Stephen's, Milledgeville. In 1867 he re-
turned to this diocese and accepted the rectorship of St. Thomas' Church,
Somerville. He resigned the parish in 1869, and accepted the rectorship
of Zion Church, Brownsville. His failing health compelled him to resign
his charge in November, 1877, and he returned to Somerville to end his
days. Doctor Ridley's career was one of great usefulness. His whole
soul was in his work. During his seven years residence in Clarksburgh,
he baptized one hundred and thirty persons, and confirmed one hundred
and sixteen. On the hearts of the people his memory is stamped as that
of an ever-zealous and simple-minded Christian, unwearied in well doing.
This interest seems to have been specially manifested in the poor and
young. No day passed during which he was not found in some poverty-
stricken cottage alleviating physical wants and ministering to spirtual
troubles. To youth and early manhood his house was always a pleasant
home, where, aided by his excellent wife, his hospitality was always attrac-
tive, because always genial, intelligent, and refined; no one ever left his
house without feeling that they were made the better and purer for hav-
ing been there. His idea of serving his Master was truly evangelical; trying
to copy his Master's example, Doctor Ridley did not conceive his Christian
duties ended by preaching one or more sermons every week, but spent the
time between public services in doing good deeds, in visiting the sick and
needy. He was one of the most accomplished scholars in the ministry;
a man of extensive reading and possessed of a fine literary taste and dis-
crimination. His sermons were inasterpieces of scholarly erudition, and
expressive of genuine and unaffected piety. He had a strong love for na-
ture and was a keen observer of the handiwork of his Maker; especially
did he cultivate a taste for flowers. His subject-matter, gathered from
