RIDLEYS OF RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TENNESSEE.
503
George-Granville Ridley' (8), second son of Henry2 (1), was born
in Rutherford County, Tenn., March 6, 1817; married Sally McEwen, a
niece of Gov. Aaron V. Brown, and had issue, of whom hereafter (some
say Mr. Ridley married Rebecca McEwen).
William-A. Ridley³ (4), third son of Henry2 (1), was born in Ruther-
ford County, Tenn., March 6, 1819; married, firstly, to a daughter of
Maj. Thomas Anthony, by whom no issue; secondly, to a Miss Shillcut,
and had one child, of whom hereafter.
Samuel-Jones Ridley' (4), fourth son of Henry2 (1), was born in
Rutherford County, Tenn., Feb. 4, 1812; married Sally McEwen (some
say Rebecca), twin sister to his brother's wife, and had issue one daughter,
of whom hereafter. He had charge of a celebrated battery in the Con-
federate army, during the Southern war, and fought with desperation at
the battle of Vicksburg, Miss., - his home, where he was killed, after
all his men had fallen, while defending his guns with his revolver; and
after his death-blindness came on he continued to strike with his sword
till he expired; his death occured May 16, 1863.
Dr. James-Allison Ridley³ (3), fifth son of Henry2 (1), was born in
Rutherford County, Tenn., Dec. 25, 1822; married, firstly, a Miss Rus-
worm, and by her had two sons, of whom hereafter; secondly, a Miss
Copeland, by whom no issue; third, a Mrs. Vanleer, daughter of Hon.
James P. Clark, of Nashville, by whom no issue. He was captain in the
Confederate army, and fought bravely through the war from beginning to
its close; he was called "the brave old Captain Ridley" by the soldiers.
He did not receive a wound during the war though frequently exposed to
showers of lead. He is said to be "an uncompromising Democrat of the
Andrew Jackson stripe"; and in 1873 was senator in the Tennessee Legis-
lature. Since the war he has discontinued the practice of medicine and
has turned his attention to farming; resides near the city of Nashville.
Was considered a skillful physician but did not like his profession. He is
tall, erect, and commanding in person; is possessed of strong intellectual
powers, and an active, spirited temperament.†
Nancy-Allison Ridley (2), eldest daughter of Henry2 (1), was born
in Rutherford County, Tenn., Nov. 19, 1823; was married, firstly, to her
cousin, John-Clark Ridley, March 4, 1841, and secondly, to Col. Valentine
S. Allen (he was born in North Carolina, Oct. 10, 1802; died Aug. 23,
1877), a lawyer by profession, who won distinction in public life. Mrs.
Allen is a woman who deserves more than a passing notice; her experience
during the late war brought out remarkable traits of character. Her res-
idence was near Huntingdon, Tenn., and as her husband was prominent
as a public speaker in favor of the war, he retired before the Union army,
and she was left alone in charge of their large property, a place that was
much frequented by the Federal soldiers, who soon carried away nearly
everything available. Mrs. Allen had a very valuable young horse which
she managed to keep secreted by running him from county to county; the
Union soldiers swore they would have this horse, and she was equally de-
JAMES-DERICK RIDLEY, eldest son of Henry2 (1), was named in honor of a
man who shot an Indian when in the act of shooting or striking Mr. Ridley, the
father. This son died in infancy.
CAPT. JAMES A. RIDLEY, had charge of a company from Rutherford County,
Tenn., in the Twenty-third Regiment, under General Cleburn; was laid up with
rheumatism after the battle of Shiloh, returned to his command and fought as an
independent to the end of the war.
