RIDLEYS OF WAYNE, MAINE.
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tinued till his land was paid for. He loved work from a boy, and, as soon
as he became a land-owner, commenced to clear him a farm; and while
the other young men of his neighborhood were away at trainings, raisings,
and town-meetings, he was away in some rick, clearing new land. It
is said of him that when thirsty he would run to a spring in the woods,
drink, and run back to his work. Practising close economy, and turning
every dollar to good account, he acquired a handsome estate, but did not
live long to enjoy it; for, by overwork in building a new brick house, he
impaired his constitution, and died Feb. 20, 1850. Mr. Ridley had mar-
ried, for a second wife, Rebecca Graves, who brought one son into the
family, and died Feb. 27, 1871. Daniel was of medium stature, round,
and compactly made; had broad shoulders, thick neck, black hair, coarse,
Scottish features, and by hard work became very much bowed over in
latter years. Children, of whom hereafter, eleven in number.
Capt. Benjamin Ridley (3), fourth son of Daniel' (3), was born in
Saco, Me., June 20, 1804; married Eliza, daughter of Hamilton Jenkins,*
and settled in the town of Wayne, to which he went with his parents at
the age of ten. He built a house near that of his father-in-law, a few
rods toward Wayne Village, and lived there several years, but subse-
quently removed to the town of Leeds. He lived on a farm, but worked
as a stone-mason and contractor; laid the foundations for many mills,
built bridges for railroads, and whatever work he superintended was
done in the most thorough and workmanlike manner, as is proved by its
durability. He was a prominent man; captain in the military, and rep-
resentative to the legislature of his State. He availed himself of every
advantage to acquire useful knowledge, and was considered a well-in-
formed, sound-minded man. Tall, broad-shouldered, full-chested, and
strong-framed, he was a man of remarkable physical powers; was a great
worker, and could endure almost any tax, apparently unfatigued and un-
impaired. He had dark hair and beard, gray eyes, high forehead, heavy,
outstanding brows, bald crown, and regular features. His first wife hav-
ing deceased when young, he married, secondly, Abiah — who died
Jan. 7, 1807. Mr. Ridley (as he spelt his name after going East) died
March 12, 1854. This family is buried in a beautiful, sequestered spot
near the old Jenkins homestead. Children, three in number.
Pelina Ridley (1), second daughter of Daniel' (3), was born in Saco,
Me., March 7, 1807; was married to Charles Graves, of Wayne, in 1827,
and died June 16, 1863, leaving issue.
Mary Ridley (12), third daughter of Daniel' (3), was born in Saco,
Me., April 4, 1809; was married to Naaman Bishop, of Wayne, and had
issue. She is now (1882) living; a good woman, and a complete type of
the old Ridlon family.
Betsey Ridley' (5), third daughter of Daniel (3), was born in Saco,
Me., Aug. 20, 1811; was married to Hamilton Gould, of Wilton, and had
issue. Deceased.
Jannes Ridley (1), fifth son of Daniel (3), was born in Wayne (presum-
ably), July 27, 1814, and became an eccentric, roving character. He would
* HAMILTON JENKINS, formerly from Saco, married a daughter of John Boothby,
of Saco, and settled on land purchased of Stephen Boothby, his brother-in-law, who
was a brother of Rev. John Boothby, late of Saco, who, as well as Stephen who
died in Wayne or Leeds, lived to great age. Hamilton Jenkins was a brother of
Dennis Jenkins of Wayne, and Thomas Jenkins, the centenarian, late of Saco.
Sometimes Junkins.
