Building Mills in Bedford, New Hampshire — John Riddle

B. 30 Oct 1754 in Bedford, New Hampshire
M. (1) 1775 in (probably) Bedford, New Hampshire
Wife: Mary McAfee
M. (2) 22 Dec 1809, New Hampshire
Wife: Sarah Hartshorn
D. 17 Nov 1814 in Bedford, New Hampshire

A man who could build things was valuable to his community, especially during colonial times. During the late 18th century, John Riddle helped construct mills and bridges in the place he lived his entire life: Bedford, New Hampshire.

John was born on October 30, 1754 in Bedford to Gawn Riddle and Mary Bell, their oldest child; he had four younger brothers and one sister. His parents’ heritage was Scottish, as were many of the people in Bedford. In about 1775, John married a young woman named Agnes McAfee (or McDuffee), who was born in about 1756. John and Mary had nine children born between 1777 and 1793.

John came of age around the start of the American Revolution, and he signed the Declaration of the Inhabitants of New Hampshire in 1776. This was a statement of support for the fight for independence, and all young men in New Hampshire were encouraged to sign it.

The following year, John decided to become a soldier, and enlisted in the First New Hampshire Regiment. During John’s service, the regiment was present at both battles at Saratoga (1777), and the Battle of Monmouth (1778). In the summer of 1779, they were involved in an action called Sullivan’s Expedition, a “scorched earth” campaign against Loyalists and Iroquois in western New York. It isn’t known if John actually participated in any of these campaigns, but it’s likely that he did. His service continued at least into 1780; on a muster roll from July of that year, he was listed as being sick in the hospital, and seems to have been back within a few months. 

One of many muster rolls from the American Revolution showing John Riddle.

In his civilian life, John was known to be a carpenter, and around 1781, he built a saw mill and a grist mill on the Piscataquog River. At least one of the mills was still in operation into the 20th century. He also was involved in constructing bridges in the Bedford area, including one in 1785. And in April 1786, he was on a Bedford building committee for an enclosure made of stone to replace a previous one made of logs. The enclosure to keep stray livestock until the animals could be claimed by their owners.

In addition to the other things he built, during the 1770s or 1780s, John constructed his own house. Remarkably, it’s still standing in 2022 near the intersection of New Amherst Road and Wallace Road in Bedford. The official description of the house describes it as a single-story clapboard Cape Cod with a center chimney. 

John's house in Bedford.

John’s wife Agnes died on July 20, 1807. He married a second wife, Sarah Hartshorn, on December 22, 1809 and they had two children. John passed away on November 17, 1814 and was buried in Bedford Center Cemetery. The inventory of his possessions was made the following year, and it showed that his oldest son, Gawn, was working as his partner and shared ownership of his carpentry equipment. 

Children by Mary McAfee:
1. Gawn Riddle — B. 28 Jun 1777, Bedford, New Hampshire; D. Jul 1837, Bedford, New Hampshire; M. Dolly French (1778-?), 20 Feb 1800, Merrimack, New Hampshire

2. Mary Riddle — B. 11 Dec 1778, Bedford, New Hampshire; D. 22 Jun 1854, Frankfort, Maine; M. John Black (1769-1842), 2 Jan 1814, Prospect, Maine

3. Agnes Riddle — B. 5 Jan 1781, Bedford, New Hampshire; D. 20 Jun 1852, Prospect, Maine; M. William French (1781-1847), 9 Feb 1807, Bedford, New Hampshire

4. Susannah Riddle — B. 1784, Bedford, New Hampshire; 3 Sep 1862; M. Daniel Moore (1780-1850), 24 Sep 1807, Bedford, New Hampshire

5. James Riddle — B. 9 Jan 1786, Bedford, New Hampshire; D. Mar 1827; M. Anna Dole (1790-1849), 6 Dec 1815, Bedford, New Hampshire

6. Anna Riddle —B. May 1789, Bedford, New Hampshire; M. James Staples (1786-1869), 10 Aug 1811, Prospect, Maine

7. William Riddle — B. 1791, Bedford, New Hampshire; D. 1845, Bedford, New Hampshire

8. John Riddle — B. about 1791, Bedford, New Hampshire; D. about 1812

9. Matthew Riddle — B. 1793, Bedford, New Hampshire; D. 1 Sep 1828, Terre Haute, Indiana; M. Sarah Dole (~1792-1844), 13 Dec 1819, Butler County, Ohio

Children by Sarah Hartshorn:
1. Gilman Riddle — B. 25 July 1811, Bedford, New Hampshire; D. 25 May 1893, Manchester, New Hampshire; M. (1) Mary J. Eveleth (1811-1839), 1836; (2) Emeline Henry (1811-1899), 1841

2. Eliza S, Riddle — B. 1814, Bedford, New Hampshire; D. 18 Sep 1859; M. William Wiseman West (1807-1872)

Sources:
The History of Bedford, New Hampshire, from 1737, Rumford Printing Company, 1903
Inventory of the will of John Riddle, 22 Mar 1815
New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources: Bedford Center Historic District, 2013
History of the First New Hampshire regiment in the war of the revolution, Frederic Kidder, 1868

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