The owner of this document is descended from George Riddell of Philadelphia (1843-1931), who arrived in Philadelphia from Ireland in 1856. There is no signature on the document. There are no dates in the narrative. However, several of the listed names have been located in 1860 & 1870 U.S. Census records. Therefore Jeff has deduced this document was written around the 1870s. One of the listed sons of James Riddell was found on an 1832 passenger list, aged 40, which could set James Riddell as born in the 1750-1770 period.
This document is transcribed as is using the wording and spellings contained in the actual document.
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James Riddell was born in NewtownStewart County Tyrone date of Birth
unknown married
Isabelle Park
they had four Sons and Three Daughters when thy children was young he came
out to America to see if he liked thy Country before bringing them out – he
was returning to Ireland to bring his family out and when within a few days
of landing was drowned his eldest son John, eldest son of the first James
Riddell, was a Cambric weaver by trade and married Sarah Doak of
NewtownStewart and had five sons and one daughter.
John Eldest son James was a gun maker and bell Hanger by trade he married Fannie Oliver of BarnesCourt Near NewtownStewart
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and had five sons they Eldest
son James Riddell machinist by trade Son of the
Second James married Margret
Miller of Londonderry they have five children two sons and three daughters
and residing in Montreal Canada all unmarried.
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Cummings thy second son of the
Second James was a
Shoemaker by trade came to this country when a young man
and Married Eliza Jane Devine of Newtownstewart – they had three daughters
Margaret Fanny and Sarah Riddell their father died in Philadelphia.
Oliver Riddell third son of the Second James was a tailor by trade he was drowned in the St. Lawrence River in Canada unmarried
Thomas Riddell fourth son of the second James kept Store in Canada died suddenly unmarried.
Alexander Riddell fifth son of the second James keeps store in Canada unmarried.
these is they decendents of John Riddell Oldest son James.
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They first James Riddell second
son Robert was a Shoemaker by trade he was
married to
Harriet Galbrath of
NewtownStewart, had three sons and two daughters.
They eldest son James was a white smith by trade.
Roberts second son John was a Shoemaker by trade was married and had no Children both dead
Roberts third son Robert was a Seafaring Man died in Philadelphia unmarried.
Roberts Eldest daughter Mary came to Philadelphia and married David Storey. She is a
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Widow lady living in
Philadelphia.
Roberts youngest daughter Ann came to Philadelphia and married. She is dead and left two daughters.
They first James Riddells third son William was a Shoemaker by trade he married Jane Wiley of Birnagh they came to America. I think he had three sons and three daughters they only child living is Robert a painter by trade lives in Richmond Philadelphia.
The first James Riddells fourth son James was Shoemaker by trade. He married Elizabeth Park of Newtownstewart - had three sons and one daughter they are all dead
They first James Riddells
Eldest daughter Nanny Married Thomas McCormick – was a mason by trade – they
had eight nine sons and 1 daughter.
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Nanny Riddells Eldest son
Arthur was School teacher came to Philada and died
unmarried.
Nanny Riddells second son James Mason by trade died unmarried
Nanny Riddells third son Henry was a Doctor went out on a Whale fishing Vessell they ship was Wrecked into Brasil when he went their they Emperors army was in they hospital a dieing and one of thy doctors asked him to go into they hospital with him to see they men and he allowed them medicine and they all recovered. They Emperor sent for him they Best Horse he had and to go out in they morning and ride all day and what ever land he went-over was his as token of Esteem for they service he had rendered they army. A gentleman from England went
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to Brasil as a English planter
and had one child a daughter and Henry and her
was married. he got they
weight of herself in gold as her fortune after that he was made a knight,
they had two children a son and a daughter. they sons name was Thomas Henry
and they daughter name was Nanny. they girl died when she was young. he was
three years arranging his affairs to come to Ireland to see his father and
mother. he brought his son with him he spent some time with His father and
mother and took his son Edinborough and left him to bordd in a Ministers
family during they time he was in Collage learning to be a doctor. They
father was going to travel around thy Continent - to the boy would be
through his Studies, the father took sick while in Edinburgh and had an
opperation performed and he died
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in their hands. The Boy
finished his Studies and his mother wrote for him to
go home for She was
going to get Married.
Nanny Riddells fourth son Thomas Ornamental plasterer by trade was Married had two sons lived in New York.
Nanny Riddells fifth son Robert Tailor by trade went to England unmarried.
Nanny Riddells Six son John Mason by trade went to Brasil and died there.
Nanny Riddells Seven son George Mason by trade went to Brasil unmarried.
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Nanny Riddells Eight son
William Mason by trade came to Philadelphia and
died unmarried.
Nanny Riddells ninth son Frederick Doctor Shot himself in his fathers house in Newtownstewart, County Tyrone Ireland unmarried.
The first James Riddells second daughter Mary was married to John Alexander – had one son and four daughters all dead.
The first James Riddells third daughter Gretta died unmarried