RIDDELLS of bedfoRD, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NO. 1. 223
in the family tomb at Bedford. He had a family of eight children, of
whom hereafter.
William Riddle² (1), fifth son of Gawn¹ (1), was born in Bedford, N.
H., July 5, 1765; married Janet Gilchrist in 1791, and lived on a part of
the homestead with his mother. He was upwards of twenty years town-
treasurer, and held the office of civil magistrate. He was frequently one of
the selectmen of the town, and was seven times its representative to the
General Court. At one time there were rumors afloat in his town that re-
flected upon the character of Rev. William Pickells, who had formerly
preached in Philadelphia (a native of Wales), but then the minister in
Bedford, where he had been very popular. The story soon created such
bitter opposition, and the contest waxed so warm between his enemies
and friends, that Lieut. John Orr offered to lay a wager of fifty dollars
that the charges were true. The wager was taken by the preacher's friends,
and William Riddle was chosen as agent for the parties, to proceed to
Philadelphia and investigate the charges, for it was in that city where ru-
mor located his pretended crimes. Mr. Riddle's report was to be final.
He went to Philadelphia on horse-back, being on the journey two weeks,
investigated the matter fully, found the charges untrue, and returning
reported the result. There was great exultation on the part of the win-
ners, and they gathered at the store of Isaac Riddle, Esq., to rejoice over
the victory. Mr. Riddle was designated to go to Mr. Orr's and get the
wager; he accordingly waited on that gentleman, and made known the
result of his investigations. Without making a remark, Mr. Orr went to
his money-drawer and paid the wager. Mr. Riddle took the money back
to the winners, and it was spent at the counter in treating the company.
Mr. Riddle was a man of great probity of character, firm, steadfast, and
unwavering in the undertakings of life. He was a lover of peace and
highly respected by all who knew him, always sustaining the unbounded
confidence of his friends. He had a family of nine children, of whom
hereafter. He died July 14, 1838, and was buried at Bedford Centre.
THIRD GENERATION.
Gawn Riddles (2), eldest son of John² (1), was born in Bedford, N.
H., June 29, 1776; married Dollie French, had issue three children, and
died in July, 1837, aged 61 years. He lived on a part of the homestead,
and held many offices in town; he was selectman in 1822, '24, '25, '27, '28,
'30, and treasurer in 1833-4; after when his name is not found on the
Bedford records. He was a man of marked executive ability.
Molly Riddle (1), eldest daughter of John (1), was born Dec. 11,
1778; married to Black, of Prospect, Me., in 1804, and resided in
said town.
Nancy Riddles (1), second daughter of John² (1), was born Jan. 5,
1781; married William French, of Prospect, Me., in 1806, and resided in
said town; died June 20, 1852.
Susanna Riddles (2), third daughter of John² (1), was born in 1784;
married Daniel Moor in 1807, and lived in Bedford.
James Riddles (1), second son of John² (1), was born Jan. 9, 1786;
married Anna Dole in 1815, had issue two children, and died in 1827,
aged 41 years.
Anna Riddles (1), third daughter of John² (1), was born in May, 1789;
married James Staples, of Prospect, Me., in 1841, and settled in said town.
