RIDDELLS OF BEDFORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NO. 1. 225
Dec. 17, 1828," holding the appointment of surgeon's mate in the Bed-
ford Grenadier Company.
Anna Riddle³ (2), eldest daughter of Hugh² (1), was born in Bedford,
N. H., March 3, 1794; married Willard Parker, and had issue; died Oct.
7, 1876.
Polly Riddle³ (1), second daughter of Hugh' (1), was born in Bed-
ford, N. H., Feb. 12, 1796; married Oct. 10, 1820, to Rev. Daniel L.
French, of Nelson, and had issue; deceased.
Sally Riddle (1), third daughter of Hugh² (1), was born in Bedford,
N. H., Nov. 7, 1799; married in 1842 to Col. Daniel Gould, and lived in
Manchester. Still living, the only one of her generation (1884).
-
Susanna Riddles (3), fourth daughter of Hugh (1), was born in
Bedford, N. H., Oct. 10, 1801; married to Dea. Robert Boyd, of London-
derry, and had issue; died Jan. 21, 1849.
Jane Riddles (1), fifth daughter of Hugh2 (1), was born in Bedford,
N. H., Sept. 11, 1804; married Eleazer, son of Dea. Richard Dole, in
1825, had issue, and died March 24, 1834.
Gen. William-Pickels Riddles (2), eldest son of Isaac² (1), was born
in Bedford, N. H., April 6, 1789; married Miss Sarah, daughter of Capt.
John Ferguson, of Dunbarton, in 1824, and had issue seven children, of
whom hereafter. His boyhood was passed at home, at the district school,
and about his father's business, in which he early displayed aptness and
activity. At Atkinson Academy, under Professor Vose, he acquired all
the advanced education that it was his privilege in those days to receive,
and subsequently, for a short time, he taught school in his native town.
In 1811, Mr. Riddle located in Piscataquog, a village of considerable en-
terprise in Bedford, situated on the Merrimack River, and now a part of
the city of Manchester. There he first took charge of his father's busi-
ness affairs; business soon increased in importance, which led to the for-
ination of the firm of Isaac Riddle & Sons. This firm extended its business
operations throughout central New England. They owned and carried on
stores, warehouses, lumber-yards, saw- and grist-mills, at Boston, Bedford
Centre, and at Piscataquog; and operated cotton and nail factories, and
lumber and grain mills on the Souhegan at Merrimack.
In the latter place they erected dwelling-houses, stores, and a hotel,
whence it became to be known as "Riddle's Village," and was a thriving
place.
During this time the construction of the "Union Locks and Canals" on
the Merrimack River was inaugurated, an enterprise which rendered that
river navigable for boats and barges from Amoskeag to Lowell, making
connections between Concord and Boston. With this achievement Mr.
Riddle became personally identified, manifesting zeal and foresight in a
remarkable degree. Taking advantage of the facilities thus afforded for
inland navigation, the firm of Isaac Riddle & Sons established a line of
canal-boats, and in connection with their other extensive business opera-
tions, entered actively into the carrying trade. This business was con-
tinued by Mr. Riddle after the dissolution of the firm, and until the open-
ing of the Nashua and Concord Railroad.
At the decease of his father the old firm was dissolved, and Mr. Riddle
assumed and carried on the business thereafter, both at Merrimack and in
Bedford, on his own account. He supplied the surrounding countr ywith
merchandise, and from his extensive wood-lots and water-powers, and
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