|
13
Eichelberger. Nicholas Greenbury Ridgely (1770-1829) was descended from Colonel
Henry Ridgely who immigrated to Maryland in 1659. No common descent for the two
Ridgely families, prior to the marriage of JOHN and Eliza, has been established.
Eliza Eichelberger Ridgely was a wealthy woman. Her mother died at the time of
Eliza's birth and Nicholas Greenbury Ridgely never remarried. Eliza was raised by her
father and her maternal grandmother, Eliza (Mrs. Martin) Eichelberger. Following Eliza
Ridgely's marriage and the death of Nicholas Ridgely, Mrs. Eichelberger spent part of
each year with the Ridgelys of Hampton and lived long enough to see her great-great
grandchildren.
Eliza Ridgely attended boarding school at Miss Lyman's Institution in Philadelphia to
become "a lady of learning as well as accomplishments." She took instruction in natural
history, philosophy, botany, Les Belles Lettres, English grammar, Italian, drawing and
music.
While in Philadelphia, Eliza's father, Nicholas, commissioned her portrait, painted
by Thomas Sully in 1818. Mr. Sully also painted her father's portrait in 1820. Her hus-
band, JOHN RIDGELY, and his father, CHARLES CARNAN RIDGELY, also had
their portraits painted by Sully, in 1841
and 1820 respectively.
Following her return to Baltimore as
an "accomplished" young lady, Eliza
is described by her contemporaries as
"beautiful," "charming," and "fascinating."
She was a favorite of the Marquis de
Lafayette, to whom she was introduced
during his trip to Baltimore in 1824. It is
said that she played the harp for him and
he was captivated. They maintained a
lively correspondence thereafter, and in
later years, JOHN and Eliza Ridgely
visited at "La Grange," Lafayette's French
estate.
With the death of CHARLES CARNAN
RIDGELY, the great period of the Hamp-
ton "empire" had vanished. The estate
was divided among the GENERAL'S
many children and grandchildren. JOHN
RIDGELY received only the Mansion and
approximately 4000 surrounding acres.
A courtesy entail, devised in the will of
CAPTAIN CHARLES RIDGELY, kept the
core estate intact.
JOHN and Eliza Ridgely had five chil-
dren, two of whom survived to adult-
hood. Their daughter Eliza (1828-1894)
recorded life at Hampton during the sec- Marble statue ofEUzaRidgely white Buckler and
ond quarter of the 19th century. Two of her son William Buckler, by P. Romanelti, cJ868.
|
