William Riddell (4), eldest son of Walter (1), was born in the parish of Lilliesleaf; married April 23, 1872, to Maggie Lambert; emigrated to Philadelphia, United States, and is now residing in that city; has two children, of whom hereafter. He sailed from Scotland in the steamship "Iowa," Captain Overstone. Walter Riddell (2), second son of Walter (1), was born in the parish of Lilliesleaf, and came to the United States in the steamship “Australia," Captain Hederwick, in 1873; now in Philadelphia. FOURTH GENERATION. Jane Riddell (1), eldest daughter of William3 (2), was born in the parish of Lilliesleaf, and married James Hogg. John Riddell* (2). Children of William3 (2), of Lilliesleaf. Thomas Riddell' (2), eldest son of William3 (3), was born in the parish of Lilliesleaf, and is now in America; carpenter. James Riddell (1), second son of William3 (3), was born in the parish of Lilliesleaf; is a carpenter by trade. Walter Riddell' (4), third son of William3 (3), was born in the parish of Lilliesleaf; has a family in Scotland; a baker. Walter Riddell* (5), eldest son of William3 (4), was born in Philadelphia, Penn., in 1873. James-Bambert Riddell (2), second son of William3 (4), was born in Philadelphia, Penn., in June, 1875. ANOTHER FAMILY. Thomas Riddell' (1), a son of Isabella Riddell, was born in the parish of Lilliesleaf, Scotland, in 1815 (father's name unknown); emigrated to the United States in 1820, and settled in Lawrence, Mass., where he was employed in the mills as a dresser, until the late war. He married April 15, 1856, to Sarah S. Henderson, a woman of Scotch descent, and had issue three sons, of whom hereafter. Mr. Riddell was drowned (lost overboard) from a steamer between Fall River and New York, on the night of Dec. 27, 1862. His widow is in trade with her brother in Lawrence, and her sons are with their mother. SECOND GENERATION. James Riddell (1), eldest son of Thomas1 (1), was born in Lawrence, Mass., July 4, 1857; unmarried in 1874. Walter Riddell (1), second son of Thomas1 (1), was born in Lawrence, Mass., Sept. 12, 1859; unmarried. David Riddell (1), third son of Thomas1 (1), was born in Lawrence, Mass., Sept. 21, 1861. RIDDELLS OF HAWICK, SCOTLAND. Frank Riddell (1), descended from the Riddells of Riddell (parents unknown), was born at Hawick, Scotland, in 1724 A. D.; married Annie Neal in 1846, and had issue, of whom hereafter. He was a gardener by occupation, and lived to old age. In an old Bible found in the home of John Fairgreaves (whose wife was a Riddell of this family), in Bridgton, Me., United States, I found the records of this branch. This old book was published in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1734 A. D. Several members of this family hold the tradition that they are descended from the old branches of the baronial family in Roxburghshire. SECOND GENERATION. John Riddell (1), eldest son of Frank1 (1), was born at Hawick in 1758; married in 1780 to Peggy Parris, and had issue twelve children, of whom hereafter. He was gardener and sexton. Walter Riddell (1), second son of Frank1 (1), was born at Hawick in 1760 A. D.; married Janet Hamilton, and had issue, of whom hereafter. He removed to Carlisle, England. THIRD GENERATION. Ann Riddell (1), eldest daughter of John (1), was born at Hawick, in 1784, and died when young, a single woman. Isabella Riddell (1), second daughter of John2 (1), was born at Hawick in 1786, and died young unmarried. Janet Riddell (1), third daughter of John2 (1), was born at Hawick in 1788, and was married to Michael Dryden. Francis Riddell (2), eldest son of John2 (1), was born at Hawick, Nov. 22, 1792; married Euphena Scott, and died in Northumberland, Eng. He drove a mail-coach about nineteen years. Issue not known. Isabella Riddell3 (2), fourth daughter of John2 (1), was born at Hawick, Aug. 4, 1795; died young. James Riddell (1), second son of John2 (1), was born at Hawick, Sept. 1, 1797; married Janet Ray in 1820, and had issue. He was a coachman for many years. Adam Riddell (1), third son of John2 (1), was born at Hawick, Nov. 29, 1798; married in 1821 to Martha Leatherhead, and resides in Edinburgh. Had issue; no names. John Riddell (2), fourth son of John2 (1), was born at Hawick, April 7, 1801, and was killed in a threshing-mill, at the age of nineteen. Jean Riddell (1), fifth daughter of John2 (1), was born at Hawick, Sept. 22, 1804; was the wife of John Watson, of Selkirk. Katharine Riddell (1), sixth daughter of John2 (1), was born at Hawick, Sept. 22, 1806; was married to John Fairgreaves, a weaver; emigrated to Bridgton, Me., United States, and had issue (besides others) a son, who resided in Bridgton. John Riddell (3), fifth and youngest son of John2 (1), was born at Hawick, Nov. 20, 1809; married Barbara Hall, an English lady, and had issue. He was a coachman. Mary Riddell (1), seventh and youngest daughter of John2 (1), was born in Hawick, Feb. 9, 1810; died young. James Riddell (1), eldest son of Walter2 (1), was born at Hawick, April 4, 1784; married and had issue three daughters, of whom hereafter. Frank Riddell (3), second son of Walter2 (1), was born at Hawick, June 10, 1786, and was a clerk in a store at Leith. He died when in his prime, unmarried. Willie Riddell (1), second son at Walter2 (1), was born at Hawick, Oct. 14, 1789, and settled at Carlisle, Eng. Isabella Riddell3 (3), eldest daughter of Walter2 (1), was born at Hawick (or Carlisle, Eng.), Aug. 2, 1791. Margaret Riddell (1), second daughter of Walter (1), was born at Carlisle, Eng., Sept. 6, 1793. Walter Riddell3 (2), a son of Walter (1), was born at Hawick, and died young. He was a student for the ministry, and a very fine young man; he was greatly lamented. FOURTH GENERATION. Nellie Riddell (1), eldest daughter of James (1), was born at Hawick, and died when young, and unmarried. Betsey Riddell (1), second daughter of James (1), was born at Hawick, and died young, unmarried. Jennie Riddell (1), third daughter of James (1), was born at Hawick, Scotland, and became the wife of John Hislop. RIDDELLS OF GALASHIELS, SCOTLAND. Walter Riddell' (2) (parents' names unknown) married Miss Isabelle Heiton, and was a mason and builder in Galashiels. He had issue three children, of whom hereafter. He was a brother (presumably, as per tradition) of the ancestor of the family styled in this book "Riddells of Hawick." Mrs. Riddell belonged to the ancient family of the Heitons of Damick Lewer; see tale respecting the Heitons in Wilson's "Tales of the Border." SECOND GENERATION. John Riddell (1), eldest son of Water (1), was born in Galashiels, Scotland, 1796, and became a soldier in the Seventy-first Scottish Regiment. He fought and was wounded at Waterloo; became a pensioner in 1834, and died in his seventy-second year. He married Helen, daughter of James Leitsh, cooper, and had issue one son, of whom hereafter. Thomas Riddell (1), second son of Walter1 (1), was born in Selkirk, Scotland, say 1798-9, and died young, unmarried. Mary Riddell (1), only daughter of Walter1 (1), was born at Selkirk, Scotland, and married Thomas Hogg, a hosier and manufacturer in Selkirk; both long dead. THIRD GENERATION. Walter Riddell (2), only son of John2 (1), was born in Selkirk (?), Scotland, Oct. 24, 1832; married Agnes Tait (she was born in 1832), and has had issue nine children, of whom hereafter. Mr. Riddell writes from Galashiels, and I think he resides there, FOURTH GENERATION. 8 John Riddell (2), eldest son of Walter (2), was born 1854; dead. Janet Riddell (1), eldest daughter of Walters (2), born July 10, 1856. Helen Riddell (1), second daughter of Walters (2), born July 26, 1858. Frank Riddell (1), second son of Walter3 (2), was born Feb. 5, 1862. Euphemia Riddell (1), third daughter of Walters (2), born Oct. 6, 1865; dead. Mary Riddell* (1), third daughter of Walter3 (2), born May 5, 1864; dead. Isabelle Riddell (1), fifth daughter of Walters (2), born April 12, 1868. Agnes Riddell (1), sixth daughter of Walter3 (2), born Sept. 3, 1870. Elizabeth Riddell (1), seventh daughter of Walters (2), born April 17, 1873. RIDDELLS OF TIVIOTDALE, SCOTLAND. Robert Riddell (1) is said to have been a native of Tiviotdale.* He married a lady named Agnes Scott, a native of the same locality, and a woman of remarkable strength of mind and excellence of character. Mr. Riddell was a professional shepherd, and followed this branch of husbandry during life. A writer describes him as "a man of strong though uneducated mind." He made his home for many years in a remote district called Langshawburn; and while living in this "most friendly and hospitable district," his humble home was frequently visited by Walter Scott, Pulteney Malcolm, and James Hogg, the Ettrick shepherd. He was subsequently a resident of a place called Capplefoot, and there carried on a farm owned by Thomas Beattie; while resident here, and being remote from the school, he employed a teacher in his house to instruct his children. Mr. Riddell returned to his employment in the Forest of Ettrick under Mr. Scott, of Doleraine, to whom he had been a shepherd in his younger days; with this family and that of Mr. Borthwick, all his years were passed, save one, since he was large enough to wear the "plaid." Mr. Riddell died when in the prime of life, leaving a widow and seven children, six sons and one daughter, of whom hereafter. SECOND GENERATION. William Riddell2 (1), eldest son of Robert1 (1), was born in Tiviotdale, Roxburghshire, in the year 1789; married to Elizabeth Mill, Jan. 6, 1831, and followed farming and sheep-herding in his native district. He * I am not acquainted with the history of the ancestors of this branch of the Riddells; have failed, after an extensive correspondence and liberal advertising, to trace any connection between them and the old tree planted so early in Roxburghshire. At one time there were reasons for believing that they were descended from the Glen-Riddell family of the same shire, but after a careful examination of the pedigree, no cadet was found who could have been the progenitor of this family. Tradition says these Riddells are an offshoot of the ancient stock at Riddell, and I am inclined to believe the statement; but in the absence of proof I must leave their antecedents to some one who may find access to sources of information from which I am far removed. Author. died Nov. 29, 1867, having had issue seven children, of whom hereafter. His wife predeceased him June 14, 1853, at the age of 53 years. The family lived at Ramcleuchburn, Scotland. Borthwick Riddell2 (1), second son of Robert1 (1), was born in Tiviotdale, Roxburghshire; married, and followed farming as a vocation. He was a distinguished performer on the bagpipe, and for many years was known as "Riddell, the piper." He was a large, dark man, and the best player on the small pipes on the Scottish border. See a lecture in which mention is made of his playing at the wedding of the son of the Duke of Buccleuch; also see Wilson's " Songs of Scotland." He played on many important occasions, and always won the applause of the company. Mr. Riddell played at Minto House when Earl Russell married a daughter of the Earl of Minto, - the parents of Lord Amberley, and for this service was rewarded with one of the cheapest and best farms on the estate. No children. Henry-Scott Riddell (1), third son of Robert1 (1), was born at Sorbie, near Langholm, Sept. 23, 1798; married to Eliza, daughter of Mr. Clark, a merchant of Biggar, and by her had issue three sons, of whom hereafter. He spent his younger days as a shepherd with his father and elder brothers. His advantages for education in early life were very limited; sometimes his father employed a teacher in his house, and during a few weeks in winter sent his children to the district-school. When his father removed a distance from the schools, he was sometimes boarded for study at Davington, Roberton and Newmill; at each of which, he says, "I only remained a short time, making, I suppose, such progress as do other boys who love the foot-ball better than the spelling-book. He early manifested a preference for literature, and read all the books he could borrow in his neighborhood; and when on the mountains with his flocks, he constantly carried a book to these lonely solitudes, and with these silent companions and his dog, surrounded by the wild scenes of nature, he passed his time most pleasantly. While thus employed he commenced the composition of poetry and, as he has said, loved to write out the thoughts that came into his mind. The following lines best show the habits of the shepherd-lad at that time: My early years were passed far on The hills of Ettrick wild and lone; Through summer sheen and winter cold, In bold, enthusiastic glee I sung rude strains of minstrelsy; Which mingling with, died o'er the dale, Oft where the waving rushes shed A shelter frail about my head, Weening, though not through thoughts of fame, I'd there secure in rustic scroll, The wayward fancies of my soul. Even where yon lofty rocks, arise, Hoar as the clouds on wintry skies, Wrapp'd in the plaid and dernel beneath The colder cone of drifted wreath, I noted them afar from ken, Till ink would freeze within the pen; So deep the spell that bound the heart |