M. (probably) in Bedford, New Hampshire2
Wife: Mary Bell
D. 22 Dec 1779 in Bedford, New Hampshire1
A story has been handed down about Gawn Riddle that reveals a bit of his personality. He was a fixture in the town of Bedford, New Hampshire during the 18th century, but very little is proven about his origins. Gawn (or Gaen, as it was sometimes spelled) was born in about 1700 in Londonderry, Ireland of Scottish descent.1,2 He had brothers named Hugh, Robert and John and a sister Margery, and they all migrated to America in about 1738.2
The Riddle siblings settled in New England, and most of them, including Gawn, moved to Bedford, which had a community of Scotch-Irish immigrants. Gawn lived there as early as as early as May 10, 1750, when his name appeared on a petition to the governor of New Hampshire for a town charter.2
During the early 1750s, Gawn married Mary Bell, whose family had also migrated from Ireland.2 Between 1754 and 1765, they had six children, of whom five were sons. The land where the family lived had a stream which became known as Riddle Brook after Gawn built a small dam in 1754 to reroute water for a sawmill.2 Gawn held many offices in Bedford including constable in 1751 and 1757, selectman and clerk of the market in 1754, surveyor of highways in 1758, and collector of taxes in 1770.2 He was also on a committee to build a meeting-house in 1759, and a committee to examine town accounts in 1773.2
Gawn's signature
Gawn's farm was next to one belonging to Reverend John Houston.2 One Saturday morning, they met and had some sharp words about their cattle and the fence that they shared. Some townsmen witnessed them arguing. The next day, Gawn attended church service as usual. Some of his neighbors, who had seen his argument, said, "Mr. Riddle, we thought you would not be at meeting today to hear your neighbor Houston preach, after having such a quarrel with him." Gawn replied, "I'd have ye to know, if I did quarrel with my neighbor Houston yesterday, I did not quarrel with the gospel."2 As it turns out, Gawn wasn't the only one who had issues with Reverend Houston — in May 1775, the town petitioned to have the minister ousted because he was a loyalist.2
Bedford meetinghouse in 19th century.
On November 29, 1779, near the end of his life, Gawn made out his will.3 He left a third of his estate to his wife, and ordered that everything else be divided among his children and grandchildren. His oldest son John seems to have already received land from him, so he specified that he should not receive a share. Gawn still owned the sawmill at the time of his death, and he deeded it to his youngest son, who was 14 when his father died.
Gawn died in Bedford on December 22nd,1 within a month of making out his will. His wife Mary outlived him by many years and passed away on January 7, 1813.4 Today several places in Bedford bear the name Riddle, including Riddle Drive.
Children:
1. John Riddle — B. 30 Oct 1754, Bedford, New Hampshire;5 D. 16 Nov 1814, Bedford, New Hampshire;6 M. (1) Agnes McAffee (~1756-1807), about 1775, (probably) Bedford, New Hampshire;7 (2) Sarah Hartshorn (1783-?), 22 Dec 1809, New Hampshire8
2. David Riddle — B. 16 Mar 1757, Bedford, New Hampshire;9 D. 18 Dec 1839, Bedford, New Hampshire;10 M. Mary Dunlap (~1773-1852), 27 Dec 1798, Merrimack, New Hampshire11
3. Susannah Riddle — B. 1759, Bedford, New Hampshire;2 D. 5 Nov 1841, Bedford, New Hampshire;2 M. Solomon Hutchinson (1750-1821), 17 Feb 1780, Merrimack, New Hampshire12
4. Hugh Riddle — B. 1761, Bedford, New Hampshire;13 D. 17 Aug 1833, Bedford, New Hampshire;13 M. Anna Maria Houston (~1765-1837), 1789, Goffstown, New Hampshire14
5. Isaac Riddle — B. 10 Jun 1762, Bedford, New Hampshire;15 D. 26 Jan 1830, Bedford, New Hampshire;16 M. (1) Ann Aiken (1764-1804), 5 Jun 1788, Bedford, New Hampshire;17 (2) Margaret McGraw (1776-1816), 6 Mar 1806, Bedford, New Hampshire;18 (3) Margaret Lincoln (1760-1837), May 1819, Bedford, New Hampshire19
6. William Riddle — B. 5 Jul 1765, Bedford, New Hampshire;20 D. 14 Jul 1838, Bedford, New Hampshire;20 M. Janet Gilchrist (1768-1839), 29 Sep 1791, New Hampshire21
Sources:
1 Find-a-Grave listing of Gaen Riddel
2 The History of Bedford New Hampshire from 1737, 1903
3 Probate record of Gan Riddel, New Hampshire County Probate Records, 1660-1973, FamilySearch.org
4 Find-a-Grave listing of Mary (Bell) Riddle
5 Birth record of John Riddle, New Hampshire Birth Records, Early to 1900, FamilySearch.org
6 Find-a-Grave listing of John Riddle
7 Marriage date based on birth record of oldest child, John Riddle, B. 28 Jun 1776, N.H.B.R.
8 Marriage record of John Riddle and Sarah Hartshorn, U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900
9 Birth record of David Riddle, N.H.B.R.
10 Find-a-Grave listing of John Riddle
11 Marriage record of David Riddel and Mary Denlap, New Hampshire Marriages, 1720-1920, FamilySearch.org
12 Marriage record of Solomon Hutchinson and Susannah ______, N.H.M.
13 Find-a-Grave listing of Hugh Riddle
14 Marriage record of Hugh Riddle and Annamaria Houston, N.H.M.
15 Birth record of Isaac Riddle, N.H.B.R.
16 Death record of Isaac Riddle, New Hampshire Death Records, 1654-1947, FamilySearch.org
17 Marriage record of Isaac Riddle and Ann Aiken, N.H.M.
18 Marriage record of Isaac Riddle and Margaret McGraw, N.H.M.
19 Marriage record of Isaac Riddle and Margaret Vinal, N.H.M.
20 Find-a-Grave listing of William Riddle
21 Marriage record of William Riddle and Jane Gilcrost, N.H.M.
