Big House On The Maine Coast — Agnes Riddle

B. 5 Jan 1781 in Bedford, New Hampshire
M. 9 Feb 1807 in Bedford, New Hampshire
Husband: William French
D. 20 Jun 1852 in Prospect, Maine

For most of her life, Agnes Riddle made her home in a place so beautiful, it’s used today for destination weddings. She was born on January 5, 1781 in Bedford, New Hampshire to John Riddle and Agnes McAffee, the third of their nine children. Early records show that she went by the name "Nancy" when she was young (see below). At the time of her birth, her father was serving as a lieutenant in the American Revolution. The house where they lived still exists today.

Agnes married her husband William French, also a native of Bedford, on February 9, 1807. Within a couple of years, they moved to Prospect, Maine and started a family. Between 1809 and 1828, Agnes gave birth to 8 children with the youngest two being twin girls. Six of the children were given her maiden name as their middle name.

In 1814, the family moved into a house Agnes' husband purchased that was located on 100 acres of farmland. The property was near where the mouth of the Penobscot River widens into a bay, and the place became known as French’s Point. It’s likely that the family added onto the original house, which was said to be built sometime in the late 18th century. Agnes would live there for the rest of her life.

Agnes’ husband William died on March 1, 1847. In June 1849, Agnes was “very sick” according to her son James, who was writing to his fiancé saying that he needed to visit his mother before she dies. She continued on for a few more years. In 1850, she was listed in the census as head of the household with the occupation of “farmer.” She had three unmarried children living with her ages 38, 25 and 22. Her estate was valued at $2,400, one of the wealthiest of the people in the area.

On June 20, 1852, Agnes died at her home in Prospect. The house stayed in the family for many years until it was sold in 1905 to a church who used it for retreats. Today, French’s Point is owned by a family who rents it for destination weddings. A newer house on the property is used for services and receptions, but the house where Agnes lived is where the wedding guests can stay overnight. It is said to be the oldest wooden building in Waldo County, Maine.

Agnes' house as it appears today.

The interchangeable names Agnes and Nancy
It was a Scottish tradition that girls named Agnes or Nancy often changed back and forth between the two names, which sometimes makes identifying relationships challenging. Agnes’ birth record is missing from Bedford town records, but other vital records starting with the birth of oldest son James Riddle French gave her name as Nancy. It’s believed that Agnes’ maternal grandmother was named Nancy; she was long dead, so perhaps this name was in her honor. The switch to using Agnes came later in life, and this may have been after her daughter Nancy was born in 1828. The name Nancy got passed along to granddaughter Nancy Sophia French, born in 1856, but by this time, the tradition of interchangeable names seems to have been phased out.

Children:
1. James Riddle French — B. 18 Jun 1809, Prospect, Maine; D. 23 Mar 1857, Stockton Springs, Maine; M. (1) Nancy Riddle French (1811-1848), 13 Sep 1832, Bedford, New Hampshire; (2) Sophia Newell Kittredge (1824-1900), 7 Aug 1849, Nelson, New Hampshire

2. Sarah Ann French — B. 27 Nov 1810, Prospect, Maine; D. 28 May 1839; M. Nathan Cutler (1799-1881), 12 Jun 1834, Prospect, Maine

3. William Riddle French — B. 27 Feb 1812, Prospect, Maine; D. 3 Mar 1880; M. Augusta Maria Eustis (1827-1909), 13 Dec 1855, Prospect, Maine

4. John Riddle French — B. 15 Dec 1814, Prospect, Maine; M. Eliza Jane Black (1816-?), 29 Aug 1837, Prospect, Maine

5. Dolly Coburn French — B. 17 Apr 1818, Prospect, Maine; D. 17 Jul 1905, Stockton Springs, Maine; M. Alexander Black (1814-1890), 6 Feb 1842, Prospect, Maine

6. Robert Riddle French — B. 28 Dec 1824, Prospect, Maine; D. 11 Oct 1890, Stockton Springs, Maine; M. Frances A. Stowers (1827-1908), 13 Sep 1850, Maine

7. Nancy Riddle French — B. 11 Jun 1828, Prospect, Maine; D. 15 Sep 1860, Prospect, Maine; M. Samuel Addison Stowers (1823-1865), 19 Dec 1850, Prospect, Maine

8. Mary Riddle French — B. 11 Jun 1828, Prospect, Maine; D. May 1832

Sources:
The History of Bedford, New Hampshire, from 1737, Rumford Printing Company, 1903
Historical Sketches of Stockton Springs, Faustina Hichborn, 1908
Inventory of the will of John Riddle, 22 Mar 1815
New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources: Bedford Center Historic District, 2013
“A Brief History of French’s Point,” T.P. Dadmin, 2011, French’s Point (website)
Letter from James Riddle French to Sophia Newell Kitredge, June 1849
Find A Grave

Scottish Forenames: Their Origins and History, Donald Whyte, 2005