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RIDDELLS OF BEDFORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NO. 1.
truck-wagons were not then in use. He occupied for a store-house the
front room of his mother's dwelling, and trade increased until he was ena-
bled to commence the manufacture of potash. But the funds were want-
ing to purchase a new kettle at an expense of thirty dollars. Emboldened
by conscious integrity, without money or city friends, he started for Bos-
ton. On arriving at Medford, he was met by Maj. John Pinkerton, who
was a man of the same stamp, the pioneer of trade in Derry, who gave
him a note of introduction, and the desired utensil was secured. This
line of manufacture proved lucrative; the potash was taken to Boston
with ox-teams, and bartered as an article of export for imported goods.
After some years had elapsed he purchased a lot of wild land at Bedford
Centre, and erected a spacious mansion. By his indomitable business en-
ergy and perseverance he added acre to acre, and farm to farm, until he
owned lands in several towns.
Mr. Riddle's house was literally a home for ministers, strangers, and a
wide circle of acquaintances; and these were entertained with a hospital-
ity and attention only found under the influence of the old-school gentle-
man. By generosity and many acts of kindness, he gained the respect of
a wide-spread community. Often called upon to render pecuniary assist-
ance, many instances are worthy of note. Judge Ebenezer Webster, of
Salisbury, when on his way to Amherst to attend county court, usually
passed the night at his house. On one occasion he spoke of his embar-
rassment on account of his son Daniel, then at college, and asked assist-
ance, which was promptly rendered by the loan of money. Being one of
the stockholders in the Concord Bank, the officers often made application
to him for aid in order to meet the exigencies of the times; such calls he
always effectually answered, he frequently being obliged to make a jour-
ney to Portsmouth, and obtain money in his private capacity.
În 1814, during the war with Great Britain, a public call was made by
Governor Gilman, of New Hampshire, for volunteers from that class of
citizens who were exempt from military duty in the ranks of the militia,
to form themselves into companies for home-defence, in case of sudden
invasion; this call was responded to by a veteran band of men, number-
ing about sixty, of fifty years of age and upwards, under the command of
Capt. Isaac Riddle. He was prepared himself for military service, as pre-
viously intimated, as a volunteer soldier in the Revolution, under Colonel
Nichols, and did duty at the important post of West Point, in 1780.
About 1817, an accident occurred which is still cherished in grateful re-
membrance. Mr. Riddle was returning from "Pembroke muster," when,
seeing a ferry-boat nearing the fatal plunge of Hooksett Falls, crowded
with people, without a moment's pause he sprung from his chaise, plunged
into the stream, and, when all were expecting instant death, his courageous
arm caught the rope attached to the boat, and thus saved thirty lives.
He had married a third wife, Mrs. Mary Vinall, of Quincy, Mass., an
accomplished lady, belonging to one of the best families in the State,
being a sister of the first governor, Levi Lincoln, and Captain Lincoln,
one of the party who destroyed the tea in Boston harbor in 1773. Mrs. Rid-
dle kept among her relic-treasures the axe with which her brother opened
the memorable chests of tea. Mr. Riddle built a spacious mansion-house at
Quincy, where, in the sunshine of earthly prosperity, he passed his last days.
His death, which occurred Jan. 26, 1830, was very sudden, caused from the
effects of a slight wound received at the time his factory was burned at
Souhegan. He was buried with Masonic honors, and his remains interred
