Robert Riddell

GEDCOM Note === see also DISCUSSION tab

Robert Riddle did not come in 1718 as (Ridlon) suggested because there is no mention that he signed the governor Shute petition for the settlement at Londonderry, New Hampshire. If He immigrated in 1718 we would expect to see him as a signer of the Governor Shute petition. The first legal document that he is a witness to is the Will of Jesse Christy in 1739. Another possibility could be 1750 for the immigration date because this the birthdate of Robert Riddle (RIddell)'s first child Susannah Riddell in Londonderry, new Hampshire.

Robert's siblings were Marjory, Hugh and Gawn Riddle (these went to Bedford, NH.

No. 2 (Robert Branch) Mr. Riddell was a man of gigantic proportions, and of symmetrical form; a man of formidable strength, but of mild disposition. His eyes were blue, and his complexion fair. There are many traditions preserved in the family, among his descendents, respecting his great feats of strength, on of which was the shouldering of a canon on muster-day, which was considered a Hurclean feat. He was nortious as a bold Indian-fighter. Many of his descentants are very large men. He died at Coleraine, Sept 14, 1787 (according to date on grave-stone) 79 years; if born in 1698 (as per records from Ireland), he was 89 years old at his death. His tombstone stands near the northern extremity of the old burying-ground at Coleraine, nearly concealed wtih rank briars, and bears the following inscription:- (Ridlon page 254) 1

Family History

The Riddells traced their family ancestry from the <b>Barony of Riddell and Lilesclive, Scotland in the Eighth Century. Robert Riddell , great-grandfather of John Leonard Riddell, was born in Colraine, [Londonderry, Northern Ireland?] in 1713, and emigrated to New England in 1737. Robert married Mary Thompson and their son Gawn was born in Londonderry, New Hampshire on February 22, 1753. Gawn married Mary Taggart of Londonderry. see source number 2

Chandler Hill Cemetary, Colraine MA, grave stone: In memory of Mr. Robert Riddle who died Spetember 17, 1787 in the 79th year of his age.
"All ye advanced in years healthy and robust tottering around the grave and soon must well turn into dust.t;
In A History of Colrain MA with Genealogies of Early Families , by Lois McClellan Patrie, a genealogy for Robert says he was one of the five Riddles (Riddells) who came to Colrain in 1736 from Lononderry, Ireland/ This date conflicts with the date given in the Ridlon book which says 1718. I am inclined to trust the Ridlon book since all the information is based on letters and records from original family members. (GwynnNote: This is a problem because in the Ridlon book the sources are NOT documented and we cant just assume one way or another. For further discussion see "The Mystery Parish of Ballymeath" report that Gwynn wrote in 2010 and edited in 2020. There is a problem with historical witnesses to events forgetting or mixing up facts as well...)3

;History of Bedford, NH: Robert came to Londonderry, Ireland to Londonderry, NH in 1790.(ROBERT DID NOT GO TO BEDFORD) ( Ridlon)
Ridel, Riddell, Riddle, the latter spelling having adopted by the Bedford branch about 1790, is an old name, derived from Ryedale, a dale or delle of rye, heads and sheaf of which appear in coats of arms of families of the name in Great Britian, Robert Burns, Scotland's Baird, wrote of them:… Bonnie Annie Laurie's mother was Jean Riddell. Upon one of the name was bestowed the "Star of India" the highest gift of the British crown for meritorious service.<sup>4

;Riddel, Robert R E 1698 Urney, Tyrone (township Strabane?)
[note birthdate matches and County Tyrone is south of Londonderry county, the area which is Urney is near the border of Donegal County. 5

Riddell, Robert and Mary: Children: Susanna b. May 11, 1750
Gann, b. Feb 22, 1753
(no marriage Riddell and Death for Riddell);6
;

1. Ridlon, G.T.; HIstory of the ancient Ryedales and thier descendents: in Normandy, Great Britain, Ireland and America, from 860 ti 1884, comprising the genealogy and biography of the families of Riddell, Riddle, Ridlon, Ridley, etc... Manchester, NH: Ridlon, 1884, page 193-194. page 253 (see Riddells of Coleraine, Massachusetts),

2. John Leonard Riddell Scientist-Inventor; Melter and Refiner of the New Orleans Mint 1839-1848; Postmaster of New Orleans 1859-1862 by Karlem Riess: Louisiana Heritage Press: New Orleans, 1977. p. 4.

3. E-Mail: Mary Jane Lewis slwjmc@aol.com March 4, 2005

4. Heritage Quest: Internet
(note: This is the book referred to by wgriddle@comcast.net <mailto:wgriddle@comcast.net>
in document 876 (email) Wally Riddle (see Riddle/Riddell Ireland)

5. Bolton, Charles Knowles. Scotch Irish Pioneers in Ulster and America
Scotch Irish Pioneers,Appendices p. 369

6. Annis, Daniel Gage. Vital Records of New Hampshire. Manchester, New Hampshire. Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co. Baltimore, Maryland, 1994. IBSN 0-8063-1415

Research Notes
Contact me for revised 2020 report "Mystery Parish of Ballymeath" written by Gwynn Socolich updated from "The Mystery Parish of Ballymeath".

2022 Contact me in regard to the "Robert Riddell, akaRiddle family in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Londonderry, NH" project wihch I am researching with a Wilson cousin. This report analyzes GT Ridlon's "Riddells of Ballymeath" chapter and presumed affiliated surnames. None of the data found so far matches ALL of the other family lines Ridlon claims in the book. However, I have found partial matches in Londonderry county, Ireland and county Down. gwynngenealgy@gmail.com