RIDLEYS OF TRURO, MASSACHUSETTS.
537
THIRD GENERATION.
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Thomas Ridley³ (2), eldest son of Thomas² (1), was born in Truro,
Mass., Dec. 13, 1715; married Elizabeth and had issue ten children,
of whom hereafter. He was a seaman and fisherman. No record of his
death or that of his wife. Tradition says he lived to a great age."
James Ridleys (1), second son of Thomas² (1), was born in Truro,
Mass., Feb. 6, 1718; married March 30, 1738, to Ruth Smalley, of Truro,
and had issue several children, of whom hereafter. He resided in his na-
tive town till the year 1752, when he removed to Great Island, Harpswell,
Me. (then in the colony of Massachusetts), where he settled and became
the progenitor of the numerous families of the name in that State, except
a small branch of the Ridlon family who now spell their name identical
with this family, and hence great confusion was occasioned between the
two. Mr. Ridley located at a place on the island since called "Ridley
Point." He owned extensive lands, and carried on farming and fishing.
He was a daring woodman and bold hunter; spent much of his time
trapping along the eastern rivers, and could find his way through a track-
less wilderness in any direction. He married, secondly, September, 1753,
to Mary Bacy. He was killed by lightning at Harpswell.
John Ridley (1), third son of Thomas² (1), was born in Truro, Mass.,
May 6, 1722, and probably died when young.
Mark Ridley (2), fourth son of Thomas2 (1), was born in Truro,
Mass., Aug, 26, 1724; married Jan. 30, 1745, to Phebe Dyer, of Truro, and
tradition says went to Harpswell with his brother James. There is a
mist over this man's history, to me impenetrable. No mention of chil-
dren is found in any town in Barnstable County, nor can I find his de-
scendants anywhere in New England. Many members of the family
remember of hearing the name "Old Mark" but cannot give any other
information. There is a family of Ridleys in the South said to be des-
cended from an ancestor, who, previous to the Revolution, was living
somewhere in Massachusetts, but I cannot connect them with this Mark.
All tradition concerning him is vague and unreliable. I must leave him
to his rest.
Mary Ridley (1), eldest daughter of Thomas² (1), was born in Truro,
Mass., March 12, 1707; was married Feb. 13, 1728, to Nicholas Sparks.
Ann Ridley (1), second daughter of Thomas² (1), was born in Truro,
Mass., March 7, 1710; died Aug. 16, 1712.
Ann Ridley (2), third daughter of Thomas2 (1), was born in Truro,
Mass., July 19, 1713; married to Dea. Edward Knowles.
Sarah Ridley (1), fourth daughter of Thomas² (1), was born in
Truro, Mass., April 10, 1720; was married Sept. 18, 1739, to Henry Dyer,
of Truro.
Thankful Ridley³ (1), fifth daughter of Thomas (1), was born in
Truro, Mass., Nov. 26, 1726; was married Sept. 15, 1737, to Taylor
Smalley, of Truro.
Bette Ridleys (1), sixth daughter of Thomas2 (1), was born in Truro,
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*"A LONELY GRAVE. - About midway of East Harbor, near a dismal swamp, with
not a habitation in sight or sound, with not a tree, or rock, or post, or sign of life,
where the hills rest tier on tier, Alps piled on Alps, and the valleys circle
deeper and deeper, is the solitary grave of Thomas Ridley, who died of small-pox,
1776. The dark slate heads-tone lay scattered in fragments about the grave. By
careful matching, the name and date were made out, though part of the stone is
missing." History of Truro.
