RIDLEYS OF RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TENNESSEE.
497
residence of Gen. Andrew Jackson, with whom he served in the Indian
battles of the South, and acquired a lasting favoritism with the old hero
for signal service and promptness in the discharge of duties in the com-
missary department. He was a wagon-master, and on one occasion, when
an attack was about to be made by the Indians on Jackson's advanced
force, intelligence was sent the commander that a number of his wagons
were detained in a muddy stream and unable to move for want of help.
The danger of the surroundings was iminent and prompt action was re-
quired to have the wagons moved forward. Jackson despatched an
officer with a detachment of men back to the wagon-train, already bur-
ied in water and mud; it was but a short time, however, before the officer
reported to the general in person that it was impossible to move the wag-
ons. On the reception of the report Jackson straightened himself in the
saddle and said, "By the Eternal! send Jimmy Ridley to me and I will
have every wagon out in an hour." Ridley was soon sent forward but
found the train more difficult to move than the General had anticipated.
Impatience prompted Jackson to ride back to the place of detention and
give his personal direction; on reaching the spot he found several officers
sitting on their horses apparently unconcerned, while Ridley was at a
wheel, covered with the mud and slimy water, lifting with all his power.
No sooner had the General's keen eyes espied him than he dashed his
horse to his side, and swinging his sword over his head, shouted at the top
his voice "By the Eternal! if I had ten thousand Jimmy Ridleys, I
could storm hell and capture the devil." Mr. Ridley never forgot the
event and often mentioned it in after life with feelings of pride and
pleasure. He and General Jackson lived and died within three miles of
each other, the most profound confidence and friendship existing between
them through life.
Abigail Ridley2 (1), eldest daughter of George¹ (1) by his second
wife, was born in eastern Tennessee, April 26, 1786; was married to Dr.
Charles Mulherin, and had five sons whose descendants are farmers of
wealth and note.
'Winifred Ridley (1), second daughter of George¹ (1) by his second
wife, was born (presumably) in eastern Tennessee, Feb. 7, 1789; was mar-
ried to Thomas Garrett, and had two sons and two daughters; her descend-
ants occupy positions of respectability in Nashville and its vicinity.
Samuel-Jones Ridley (1), fifth son of George¹ (1) by his second
wife, was born in Tennessee (place unknown) Oct. 1, 1791; married Sally
Hay, an accomplished scholar and popular teacher of Kentucky. No
children.
Henry Ridley2 (1), sixth son of George¹ (1) by his second wife, and
youngest child of this family, was born in Rutherford County (presum-
ably) Tenn., May 29, 1794; married Elizabeth Allison, and had issue
eight children, of whom hereafter. He was a man of considerable note
and of great agricultural worth; was a member of the State convention
to amend the State constitution.
THIRD GENERATION.
William Ridley (2), eldest son of Beverly2 (1), was born in Davidson
County, Tenn., Jan. 5, 1793; married Oct. 27, 1831, to Minerva-Tennessee
Hamilton (she was born Jan. 13, 1813, and died June 23, 1853), and had
issue four children, of whom hereafter. Mr. Ridley was a private soldier
under Gen. Andrew Jackson in 1814, in fighting the Indians; undoubtedly
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