58
RIDDELLS OF NORMANDY AND ARDNAMURCHAN.
TWENTY-FIFTH GENERATION.
John Riddell 25 (5), only son of Thomas (4), succeeded his father
when a child. In the year 1550 he sold his manor of Sallows, and other
possessions in Norfolk, to one Nicholas Southerton, being then fourteen
years old. He then went to and dwelt in Scotland, where he was well
received by King James I. He married a daughter of Thomas Urquahart,
of Cromerty, by Helen, daughter of Lord Abernethy, of Salton, by whom
he had two sons. He died in 1584 A. D.
TWENTY-SIXTH GENERATION.
James Riddell26 (1), eldest son of John25 (5), succeeded to his father's
estates.* He remained in Scotland where his father had settled, and
acquired considerable property in the County of Edinburgh; to this a
remarkable addition was made by his marriage with Elizabeth, daughter
of Adam Alleyn, Esq., a connection which formed a sufficient induce-
ment for him to fix his residence in Scotland. He died in the year 1620,
leaving an only son, his successor.
TWENTY-SEVENTH GENERATION.
James Riddell27 (2), only son of James26 (1),† was styled, "of King-
lass, in Linlithgowshire, Esquire." The estate of Kinglass he purchased
soon after his father's death. He was a man of great talents, and of the
most exemplary virtues, both public and private. To his patriotic endeav-
ors Scotland is indebted for the introduction of some of its most valuable
manufactures. To these endeavors his great influence, both in England and
Scotland, gave success, as it secured the concurrence and assistance of some
of the most eminent men of that time, and particularly that worthy noble-
man, the Earl of Crawford and Lindsey, who in one manufactory joined with
him in partnership. Being a man of the most liberal spirit, he was equally
respected during the time of the commonwealth, and afterwards under the
newly established monarchial government. ‡ Many friendly letters which
* About 1595, this James Riddell was made a free denizen of the royal city of
Kasimier, and in 1602, he had from Alexander, then King of Poland, all the priv-
ileges of a free citizen confirmed to him. On his return to Scotland he became a
burgess and guild-brother of Edinburgh. He died in 1620.
"J
The following acrostic in praise of James Riddell and the antiquity of his fam-
ily, which was taken from the family papers, is a curiosity worthy a place here.
I cannot chuse but preyse thy noble name,
A As one descended from an ancient stoke;
M Mars into belyck hes renoined thee feme,
Excelling all the base and vulgar sort.
E
S So hold thyself of a brave, loftee mind,
R Resembles rycht thee art comyt of that kynd,
Join all the art wyse and judicious;
I
D Descreet in lyfe and conversatione,
D Distroying all evil leafes virtious,
E
Esteemed, beloved, and of gentill fashoun;
L Loftce and gallant, a youth of pregnant spirits,
L Likely by fortune to be raiset by merit."
It is not known which James Riddell this was written to, but believed to repre-
sent the above James, hence placed in this connection.
During the civil wars this James Riddell was much in the confidence of Oliver
Cromwell and General Monk; the former once lodged with him in his house at
Leith, and afterwards corresponded with him. He was appointed by the Scots Es-
tates, Commissary General to their forces, in their expedition to the north, and he
is so designated in his burgess ticket from the town of Brechin, in 1645. At Mr.
