Matthew Ridley Papers 1717-1812 Guide to the Collection

Table of Contents Collection Summary Biographical Sketch Collection Description Related Collections Acquisition Information Alternative Form Available Organization Detailed Description of the Collection Preferred Citation Access Terms

Collection Summary

Biographical Sketch

Matthew Ridley (1746-1789) was born in England in 1746. In approximately 1770 he moved to America and settled in Baltimore, where he worked as the manager of the Maryland branch of the London mercantile firm of Stewart and Campbell. While in Baltimore, Ridley maintained a correspondence with Nancy Richardson (ca. 1754-1784), who was still living in London. In 1775, Ridley returned to England to marry her, and in 1777, Nancy gave birth to a son, Essex Sherbourne Ridley (b. 1777).

The Revolutionary War made it difficult for Ridley to conduct business with his contacts in America while he was living in England, and his allegiance to and support for American independence apparently led him to feel that he was being closely watched by the authorities. As a result, in late 1778 he relocated to France, leaving his wife and young son in England. By July of 1779, he had returned to Maryland, leaving his family in Europe once again.

In March of 1781, Ridley was appointed agent for the state of Maryland, and was sent to Europe to secure a loan for the state. Following a year in Paris, he traveled to Holland in May of 1782, where in July he secured a loan of 300,000 fl. from the firm of Nicolaas and Jacob van Staphorst of Amsterdam. He returned to Paris in August of 1782. During his time in France and Holland, Matthew spent time with Benjamin Franklin and John Adams.

In September of 1783, Nancy (Richardson) Ridley gave birth to a second son, Lucius Lloyd, who died in early January 1784. Weak from consumption, Nancy died later that month, on January 21, with Matthew at her side.

After his wife's death, Ridley spent some time in London. In the Spring of 1786 he returned to Baltimore with his son Essex and his sister Jane and her son. The following spring he married Catherine Livingston (1751-1813), daughter of William Livingston, governor of New Jersey. He and Catherine had two daughters, Susan Ann Livingston Ridley (Mrs. Theodore Sedgwick, Jr., 1788-1867), and Matilda Frances Sherbourne Ridley (Mrs. Robert Watts, 1789-1862). After a prolonged illness, Matthew Ridley died in Baltimore on November 13, 1789, six days before Matilda's birth.

Collection Description

The Matthew Ridley papers consist of three boxes of his correspondence, eleven volumes of letterbooks, four diaries, one account book and a collection of loose accounts, one miscellaneous volume; one unidentified notebook possibly belonging to a John Ridley; and two volumes of math lessons, one belonging to Matthew Ridley and the other to his son Essex Sherbourne Ridley. The letterbooks and diaries are available on microfilm, P-178, reels 1-4. The collection spans from 1717 to 1812, with the bulk of the collection falling between 1771 and 1796. The collection is divided into three series: Personal Correspondence; Business Correspondence; and Bound Volumes.

Of particular interest in this collection are letters and diary entries that pertain to Ridley's business as agent for the state of Maryland in 1781-1782, during the Revolutionary War. One entire diary, Bound Volume 14, and most of Letterbook 7, are dedicated to the time he spent in Holland in 1782 securing a loan for the state from the firm of Nicolaas and Jacob van Staphorst.

Also of interest are the many letters and diary entries that discuss the Revolutionary War. A firm supporter of American independence, Ridley documented the progress of the war in his diaries, and in his private business correspondence the war is often discussed in terms of its effect on commerce. While in Europe, Ridley was involved in the sale of military stores to America, and these activities are documented throughout his correspondence and in a collection of loose accounts.

The remainder of the collection documents Ridley's business matters as manager of the Maryland branch of Stewart and Campbell, a London mercantile firm, and in his private business endeavors. Information about his personal life can be found in the series Personal Correspondence and in his diaries.

Related Collections

See separate description of a second collection of Matthew Ridley papers (Matthew Ridley II). Three volumes of Theodore Sedgwick (1811-1859) travel journals (1836; 1850-51; 1857) formerly kept with the Ridley Papers have been removed and placed with the Sedgwick Family Papers.

Acquisition Information

The Matthew Ridley Papers consist of items acquired by two separate sources. All of the correspondence, nine of the letterbooks, and the remaining bound volumes except for the four diaries kept by Matthew Ridley were the gift of Dr. Charles L. Nichols, March 9, 1922. One letterbook (July 18, 1783 - May 7, 1785) and the four diaries were given to the Society by Mr. Alexander Sedgwick on March 8, 1923.

Alternative Form Available

The letterbooks and diaries are available on microfilm, P-178, reels 1-4

Organization of the Collection

The collection is organized into the following series:

Detailed Description of the Collection

Preferred Citation

Matthew Ridley papers, Massachusetts Historical Society.

Access Terms

This collection is indexed under the following headings in ABIGAIL, the online catalog of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related persons, organizations, or subjects should search the catalog using these headings.