REDLONS OF HOLLIS, MAINE.
605
was broken down by bears and 'coons. Neighbors were not near,
roads were poor, and the family only reached Saco Falls by a bridle-
path. His log-cabin was dismantled in a few years, and he erected a
large, low-posted, frame-house, a little back of the more modern one in
which his son lived. This was a great place for "huskings," "frolics,'
"quiltings," and "candy-pulls." "Uncle Jim" enjoyed company, and
being jovial and generous-hearted, always had a house-full. It was here
that the celebrated dance took place between Patience Redlon and Ralph
Bryant. (See Ridlons of Ohio in this book.) Mr. Redlon was a soldier
of the Revolution. He enlisted May 3, 1775, in the company of Capt.
Jeremiah Hill, of Biddeford, in the Thirtieth Regiment of Massachusetts
Foot-Guards, commanded by Col. James Scammon; he was in the expedi-
tion to Quebec with Arnold, and was one of the company who, after
Captain Hill resigned his commission, joined the regiment of Col. Joseph
Vose at West Point, and was at the surrender of General Burgoyne. He
passed through many hardships in the army and frequently suffered for
want of food when passing through the enemy's country. Mr. Redlon
was quite prominent in the early business of his town, as appears by the
records.
In 1804 he was chosen constable and collector, with the privilege
that his son Joseph may act in his stead if the father would be his
bondsman. He was "Lieutenant Redlon" in 1828; also appointed sur-
veyor that year. He was tall and compactly built, and in old age grew
quite corpulent; had sandy (some say red) hair, gray eyes; had ruddy
complexion, and his features were of the type so general among the early
members of the family. He and his brother Thomas were much together,
and their families constantly visited back and forth. Mr. Redlon was a
great woodsman and spent much of his time in winter cutting and haul-
ing masts. It was often said among the early settlers at Little Falls
Plantation, "Give Thamas the goard and Jeames the handspike, and their
team will never get stuck." He was an owner in "Ridlon's Mills,"
which were on the brook near the dwelling-house of his brother Thomas.
He was a good, judicious farmer, prudent in his calculations, and generally
successful in the execution of his plans; was a kind, accommodating
neighbor and useful citizen. He came home from a military training sick,
and lived but a few hours, passing away Sept. 12, 1812, aged 61 years.
He was buried in the "Old Ridlon Burying Ground," near his house,
where his tombstone may be seen. Children of James and Hannah, ten.
He always wrote his name in a strong, bold hand, and spelled it "Redlon"
in every instance.
Thomas Ridlon (1), third son of Matthias2 (1), was born in Saco,
Me., Dec. 28, 1755; married Jan. 24, 1779, to Martha, second daughter
of Lieut. Samuel Merrill and his wife, Elizabeth Bradbury, of Buxton,
and settled in Saco, on the Ferry Road, where his first two children were
born. The house in which Thomas and Pattie commenced life together
was near that of Dominicus Scammon, who was taken by the Indians, and sat
back in what is now a pasture, on the hillside, not far in the rear of the
building of the late "Uncle Nat. Ridlon," and was approached by a lane
from the carriage-road; some indications of the foundation may still be
seen there, and an ancient apple-tree stands near, which may have been
planted by Thomas, though he was there but a short time. In 1782 he
united with his brothers and relatives in the settlement of a tract of land
in "Little Falls Plantation," called the "Dalton Right," which consisted
