George Thomas Ridley (abt. 1738 - 1835)

Born about 11 Jan 1738 in Isle of Wight, Virginia

Husband of Elizabeth Marie (Weatherford) Ridley — married 20 Sep 1761 in Virginia

Husband of Sarah (Vincent) Bull — married 2 Mar 1777 in Nashville, Davidson, Tennessee

Descendants

Died 29 Nov 1835 at about age 97 in Nolensville, Williamson, Tennessee, USA

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Biography

George was born about 1738. He passed away in 1835. ^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ Memorial: Find a Grave (has image)
   Find A Grave: Memorial #13686793 (accessed 20 November 2023)
   Memorial page for George Ridley (11 Jan 1738-29 Nov 1835), citing Mill Creek Baptist Church Graveyard, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, USA.

"Ridleys of Rutherford County, Tennessee. Capt. George Ridley descended from an old and respectable family that came from England to Virginia in 1635; he was born in 1738, and died Nov. 29, 1835. He claimed to be ninety-seven years old at the time of his death ; but his widow and children said he lost the count of eleven years during a severe illness, and that he was one hundred and eight years of age when he deceased. ... He emigrated from Virginia when young, and settled in east Tennessee, then a part of North Carolina, on the Holston River, and followed the occupation of a "cowboy," or, to use polite parlance, a "herdsman." About the year 1790, he purchased a large tract of land in middle Tennessee, and removing, settled within one mile of where the city of Nashville now stands. Captain Ridley transported his family, household goods, and farm implements down the Holston River in large flat-boats; thence down the Tennessee River over the "mussel-shoals," and with the aid of his elder sons and eight negro-men brought his boats into the Mississippi River; thence by hard pulling and pushing with oars and poles up the Cumberland River to the present site of Nashville, where he came to anchor in the middle of the stream, and kept guard to protect himself and family from the hostile Indians then passing up and down in their canoes. Being one of the first settlers in middle Tennessee, he immediately erected a strong timber block-house, surrounded by stockades some ten feet in height, as a shelter and protection from the Indians. Here he cleared a large farm and became extensively engaged in agriculture and the raising of stock. The life of this man was attended with all the adventures and dangers incident to the pioneer of those days, and an interesting volume could be written on his experience. He was particularly qualified to act his part in leading the van of civilization into the wilderness, by the possession of remarkable courage, energy, fortitude, and physical endurance. Captain Ridley was a man possessed of a high sense of honor, and proverbially regarded as one in whom truth stood above all virtues. He was fond of prayer and the Holy Scriptures, and in sentiment a Missionary Baptist; this sentiment he practically exemplified in his relations with his fellow-men. With a force of will unyielding, whatever idea he embraced was held with a tenacity peculiarly his own; his traits of character were prominent and clearly defined; uncompromising and persistent, he would not allow any thing to stand in the way of his plans, and would drive straight on and execute where others failed. His characteristics were transmitted to his posterity, and typical representatives of the old pioneer may now be found in every branch of the Ridley family. I have not learned how the title "captian" came to the subject of this notice, but presume to say he was leader of some company during the Indian wars." History of the Ancient Ryedales, Ridlons, Ridleys