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This article is from the Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, 6 volumes, edited by William S. Powell. Copyright ©1979-1996 by the University of North Carolina Press. Used by permission of the publisher. For personal use and not for further distribution. Please submit permission requests for other use directly to the publisher.

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Ridley, Dan

by Claiborne T. Smith, Jr., 1994

Ca. 1744–April 1777

Dan Ridley, Revolutionary patriot, was probably the son of Nathaniel Ridley II of Southampton County, Va., and his wife Priscilla Apple-whaite. As a young man, Ridley moved across the line from Southampton County, Va., to Hertford County, N.C., where he became active in the movement that led to the American Revolution. A member of the committee of safety for the Edenton District, he represented Hertford County in the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Provincial congresses held at Hillsborough and Halifax between August 1775 and December 1776. He was present when the Halifax Resolves were adopted and when the Declaration of Rights and the State Constitution were drawn up. He also served as paymaster for troops in his district. His promising career was cut short by his death at a young age. By his wife Martha, daughter of Timothy Thorpe, he had sons, Nathaniel and Timothy, and daughters, Margaret and Martha.

References:

Henry W. Lewis, Southampton Ridleys and Their Kin (1961).

William L. Saunders, ed., Colonial Records of North Carolina, vol. 10 (1890).

Benjamin B. Winborne, Colonial and State Political History of Hertford County (1906).

Subjects:

Biographies

Military

Military personnel

Authors:

Smith, Claiborne T., Jr.

Origin - location:

From:

Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.

1 January 1994 | Smith, Claiborne T., Jr.