Individual Details
JOHN RIDER
(4 Apr 1714 - FEB/MAR 1774)
Early life and move to The Oblong
John lived the first years of his life in Chatham, presumably at the farm of his father, near Ryder's Cove. There he married Mary Paine, and it was in Chatham that their first child, Ebenezer, was born.
Then in the late 1740s, when he was in his mid-30s, John moved to the Oblong, Dutchess (now Putnam) County, New York, accompanied by his brother Simeon, and bought land along the Croton River, about three miles north-east of Brewster NY. The metes and bounds are described this way:
land situate and being upon the Oblong and part of lot 9, and bounded as follows: Viz, beginning at a stake and stones at the southeast corner of said Sackett home at the side of the road south of Nathan Greens Dwelling house, Then south as the road goes sixty rods and a half to a stake and stones, Then east on the line of said Sacketts land across Croton to a stake and stones standing by a basswood stump, Then up the middle of Croton as the river runs 80 rods or thereabouts to a black ash tree marked standing on a little island in the middle of the river.
The Oblong probably needs some explanations now. For more than a century the states of New York and Connecticut had disputed the position of their common border. Finally, in 1731 a settlement was reached, and the border was moved 580 rods to the east of the old line. This strip of land - one mile and three-quarters and 20 rods wide and running from Connecticut to the Massachusetts border - was called the Oblong because of its shape. It is not particularly good land, running along the spine of an old mountain range, "its land rolling and hilly, the soil sandy and gravelly loam." [Historical and Statistical Gazeteer of New York State] Nowadays much of the bottom land is underwater, forming part of the Croton River Reservoir system. But the Oblong was much more than just land - it was "free land " - land not subject to the great landed estates of New York, and could be purchased outright by prospective homesteaders. When land came open to purchase, a land rush resulted, and old Cape Cod names appear there, including those of John and Simeon Rider.
[Picture of Croton River]
The Croton River lies serene in a tranquil landscape, showing no signs of John Rider's mill which stood here. However, the area is still called Milltown, the bridge from which the picture was taken is Milltown Bridge, and the road is Milltown Road.
Landowner, miller, and moderator
John Rider's land was on the Croton River, on lot 9, and those visiting the area can see it where Milltown Road crosses the Croton about three miles north-east of Brewster NY, an area still called Milltown. There John established a mill and farmed, becoming "a landowner and a man of prominence in that community." In 1773 he was chosen moderator of the Town of Southeast. But before that, in 1760, he swore an oath to King George the Third which may, muc later, have caused his family much grief. The oath included these words:
I do Plainly and Sincerely Acknowledge [my true allegiance to King George the Third] according to the Express Words by me spoken, and According to the Plain and Common Sence and Understanding of the same Words, without any Equivocation, Mental Evasion, or Senester Reservations whatever.
The oath was meant to support King George against the Pretender of the day, but it may possibly have been interpreted years later as support of England against as independent America.
John Rider's will and inventory
When John was chosen Moderator in 1773, he must have been in good health. But fatal illness struck suddenly. His will dated 21 Feb 1774, was proved in New York County (Manhattan) 22 Mar 1774, and reads in abstract:
In the name of God, Amen. I, John Rider, of Dutchess County, N.Y., direct all debts be paid. I leave to my wife, Mary, one good cow, and a case of drawers, a table, two chairs, one iron pot, 1 warming pan, a bed, and 5 Pounds. I leave all the rest of my estate to my children, Ebenezer, Reuben, Zadoc, John, Christopher, Patience, Mary, Rebecca, Mehitabel, Hannah, and Zerviah. To my daughter, Patience, 11 Pounds. To my granddaughter, Eleanor Regan, 11 Pounds. To my granddaughter, Huldah Regan, 11 Pounds. To my grandson, Thomas Regan, 21 Pounds, 8s, 6d, when of age. I make my wife Mary, and my brother, Simeon Rider, and my son Ebenezer, executors. Witnesses, Charles Cullen, of the South East Precinct, merchant, Ebenezer Benedict, Stephen Rockwell. Proved March 22, 1774
The inventory of his estate lists land, buildings, and mill, "50 Pounds in cash, a pair of silver shoe buckles, a tub of pickles, a barrel of cider, a spinning wheel, sundry books, a loom, two beehives and a basket of beans, and nine geese."
John5 Rider died between February 21 when he wrote his will, and March 22, 1774, when the will was proved. He was just short of his sixtieth year. His wife, Mary Paine, outlived him by many years. She was still alive for the 1790 census, aged 71.
The effect of the Revolution on the family
This family was divided in its loyalties by the Revolution. Both Ebenezer and Zadoc were branded as Loyalists and both had their land confiscated. On the other hand, John, Reuben, and Christopher all served in the Revolutionary Army. Following the War, Ebenezer was driven into excile to Canada, and his story will be told below. Zadoc was permitted to remain in the new United States, but lost his land. All brothers gave up their land in Dutchess County. John settled in Danbury Connecticut, where he has descendants. In 1795 Zadoc, Reuben and Christopher removed to Litchfield, now Winfield, Herkimer County, N.Y. (about 15 miles south of Utica), where they all had descendants. Zadoc, for instance, had seven boys. Of Christopher it is said that "a large number of descendants trace their lineage to him." Descendants scattered widely; at least one line is known to have moved to Chautauqua Co. N.Y., and another to Brookfield, Missouri.
[Page from the Ryder family Bible]
A page from the Ryder family Bible. The column on the left records three generations - John5 Rider, his father, and his children. The column on the right records the family of Stephen6 Rider, who returned to the United States after the Revolution.
Mary Paine, Mayflower descendant
Mary Paine deserves some special mention beyond her own intrinsic worth. Her father, her grandfather, and her great-grandfather, all married descendants of the Mayflower voyagers, so Mary is truly a Mayflower descendants! And through her, all descendants of John and Mary Rider are also Mayflower descendants.
Her descent follows several lines. Two are given here.
William Brewster - Patience m. Governor Thomas Prence - Mercy m. John Freeman - Hannah m. John Mayo - Rebecca m. Ebenezer Paine - Mary Paine m. John5 Rider.
Stephen Hopkins - Constance m. Nicholas Snow - Mary m. Thomas Paine - Joseph - Ebenezer - Mary Paine m. John5 Rider
The Paines were one of the most prominent of early American families. One Paine was President of Harvard. One wrote the song, "Home Sweet Home." Another signed the American Declaration of Independence. Their genealogy can be found in several periodicals and family histories.
The descending child in our line is Ebenezer6 Rider.
References: Stephen Rider family Bible, in the possession of Jean Ryder Smith of New Haven VT; Clayton Ryder, The Ryders of Putnam County, Poughkeepsie NY 1911; Dutchess County Land Registry, Poughkeepsie, Liber 9-191; William S. Pelletreau A History of Putnam County, New York , Philadelphia 1886 New York City Courthouse, 31 Chamber St New York City, Liber 28 p 73, the abstract published in New York Historical Society, Will Books, Abstracts of Wills Liber 29; Kenneth Scott and James A. Owre, Genealogical Data From Inventories of New York Estates, 1666-1825, New York 1970, p. 125; 1790 Census for Southeast Town Dutchess County NY, a manuscript index in the Adriance Memorial Library Poughkeepsie NY; An undated unidentified four-page typed manuscript found in the Adriance Memorial Library Poughkeepsie NY, in the file Ryder Family, two pages deal with the children of John5 Rider and two with the children of Zadoc, the author presumed to be a descendant of Zadoc; Dutchess County Land Deed, Poughkeepsie NY, Liber 9-187; W.T and Adella (Weed) Collins 102 Robin Lane, Oak Ridge TN 37830, phone 1-615-483-1024; A Poughkeepsie newspaper article, date not saved, found under Ryder Family in the Adriance Memorial Library Poughkeepsie NY; Nellie Rider, Fremont Rider; Inscription Carmel NY Baptist Church Cemetery; Historical and Statistical Gazeteer of New York State, Interlaken NY 1980, reproduction of 1860
See also: New York Historical Resource Center, Guide to the Historical Resources in Putnam County, New York, Resource Center 1987; William J. Blake, The History of Putnam County [LDS 0529189 it 4-5]; Dana Boyer, An Introduction to the Availablity of the Historical and Genealogical Primary Sources in Eastern Putnam County [LDS Book 974.7 A1 No. 407]; Historical and Genealogical Record of Putnam County [LDS 1303018]
For Mary Paine, Mayflower Ancestral Index, Vol 1, compiled by Milton Terry and Ann Bording Harding, Genereal Society of Mayflower Descendants, 1981.
[Below is from Fremont Rider Book:
He married before he moved to Putnam Co, NY., which was prob. about 1750. His ch. are listed in N.Y. Hist. Soc. Collections:8:166-7. He d. 1774. His will was dated 1774. He was characterized as "a land owner and prominent man". "No Riders of this branch of the family remain in Dutchess Co." Virkus has him mar. to a Hannah Burns. (Rider, Nellie; Dutchess:346; Ply. Col. Recds:2:139; Transcript:8732; 1911:Fe15:1783; Register:22:295; Gray, Edw:25; Mass. Biog:907; Virkus:3:220)]
John lived the first years of his life in Chatham, presumably at the farm of his father, near Ryder's Cove. There he married Mary Paine, and it was in Chatham that their first child, Ebenezer, was born.
Then in the late 1740s, when he was in his mid-30s, John moved to the Oblong, Dutchess (now Putnam) County, New York, accompanied by his brother Simeon, and bought land along the Croton River, about three miles north-east of Brewster NY. The metes and bounds are described this way:
land situate and being upon the Oblong and part of lot 9, and bounded as follows: Viz, beginning at a stake and stones at the southeast corner of said Sackett home at the side of the road south of Nathan Greens Dwelling house, Then south as the road goes sixty rods and a half to a stake and stones, Then east on the line of said Sacketts land across Croton to a stake and stones standing by a basswood stump, Then up the middle of Croton as the river runs 80 rods or thereabouts to a black ash tree marked standing on a little island in the middle of the river.
The Oblong probably needs some explanations now. For more than a century the states of New York and Connecticut had disputed the position of their common border. Finally, in 1731 a settlement was reached, and the border was moved 580 rods to the east of the old line. This strip of land - one mile and three-quarters and 20 rods wide and running from Connecticut to the Massachusetts border - was called the Oblong because of its shape. It is not particularly good land, running along the spine of an old mountain range, "its land rolling and hilly, the soil sandy and gravelly loam." [Historical and Statistical Gazeteer of New York State] Nowadays much of the bottom land is underwater, forming part of the Croton River Reservoir system. But the Oblong was much more than just land - it was "free land " - land not subject to the great landed estates of New York, and could be purchased outright by prospective homesteaders. When land came open to purchase, a land rush resulted, and old Cape Cod names appear there, including those of John and Simeon Rider.
[Picture of Croton River]
The Croton River lies serene in a tranquil landscape, showing no signs of John Rider's mill which stood here. However, the area is still called Milltown, the bridge from which the picture was taken is Milltown Bridge, and the road is Milltown Road.
Landowner, miller, and moderator
John Rider's land was on the Croton River, on lot 9, and those visiting the area can see it where Milltown Road crosses the Croton about three miles north-east of Brewster NY, an area still called Milltown. There John established a mill and farmed, becoming "a landowner and a man of prominence in that community." In 1773 he was chosen moderator of the Town of Southeast. But before that, in 1760, he swore an oath to King George the Third which may, muc later, have caused his family much grief. The oath included these words:
I do Plainly and Sincerely Acknowledge [my true allegiance to King George the Third] according to the Express Words by me spoken, and According to the Plain and Common Sence and Understanding of the same Words, without any Equivocation, Mental Evasion, or Senester Reservations whatever.
The oath was meant to support King George against the Pretender of the day, but it may possibly have been interpreted years later as support of England against as independent America.
John Rider's will and inventory
When John was chosen Moderator in 1773, he must have been in good health. But fatal illness struck suddenly. His will dated 21 Feb 1774, was proved in New York County (Manhattan) 22 Mar 1774, and reads in abstract:
In the name of God, Amen. I, John Rider, of Dutchess County, N.Y., direct all debts be paid. I leave to my wife, Mary, one good cow, and a case of drawers, a table, two chairs, one iron pot, 1 warming pan, a bed, and 5 Pounds. I leave all the rest of my estate to my children, Ebenezer, Reuben, Zadoc, John, Christopher, Patience, Mary, Rebecca, Mehitabel, Hannah, and Zerviah. To my daughter, Patience, 11 Pounds. To my granddaughter, Eleanor Regan, 11 Pounds. To my granddaughter, Huldah Regan, 11 Pounds. To my grandson, Thomas Regan, 21 Pounds, 8s, 6d, when of age. I make my wife Mary, and my brother, Simeon Rider, and my son Ebenezer, executors. Witnesses, Charles Cullen, of the South East Precinct, merchant, Ebenezer Benedict, Stephen Rockwell. Proved March 22, 1774
The inventory of his estate lists land, buildings, and mill, "50 Pounds in cash, a pair of silver shoe buckles, a tub of pickles, a barrel of cider, a spinning wheel, sundry books, a loom, two beehives and a basket of beans, and nine geese."
John5 Rider died between February 21 when he wrote his will, and March 22, 1774, when the will was proved. He was just short of his sixtieth year. His wife, Mary Paine, outlived him by many years. She was still alive for the 1790 census, aged 71.
The effect of the Revolution on the family
This family was divided in its loyalties by the Revolution. Both Ebenezer and Zadoc were branded as Loyalists and both had their land confiscated. On the other hand, John, Reuben, and Christopher all served in the Revolutionary Army. Following the War, Ebenezer was driven into excile to Canada, and his story will be told below. Zadoc was permitted to remain in the new United States, but lost his land. All brothers gave up their land in Dutchess County. John settled in Danbury Connecticut, where he has descendants. In 1795 Zadoc, Reuben and Christopher removed to Litchfield, now Winfield, Herkimer County, N.Y. (about 15 miles south of Utica), where they all had descendants. Zadoc, for instance, had seven boys. Of Christopher it is said that "a large number of descendants trace their lineage to him." Descendants scattered widely; at least one line is known to have moved to Chautauqua Co. N.Y., and another to Brookfield, Missouri.
[Page from the Ryder family Bible]
A page from the Ryder family Bible. The column on the left records three generations - John5 Rider, his father, and his children. The column on the right records the family of Stephen6 Rider, who returned to the United States after the Revolution.
Mary Paine, Mayflower descendant
Mary Paine deserves some special mention beyond her own intrinsic worth. Her father, her grandfather, and her great-grandfather, all married descendants of the Mayflower voyagers, so Mary is truly a Mayflower descendants! And through her, all descendants of John and Mary Rider are also Mayflower descendants.
Her descent follows several lines. Two are given here.
William Brewster - Patience m. Governor Thomas Prence - Mercy m. John Freeman - Hannah m. John Mayo - Rebecca m. Ebenezer Paine - Mary Paine m. John5 Rider.
Stephen Hopkins - Constance m. Nicholas Snow - Mary m. Thomas Paine - Joseph - Ebenezer - Mary Paine m. John5 Rider
The Paines were one of the most prominent of early American families. One Paine was President of Harvard. One wrote the song, "Home Sweet Home." Another signed the American Declaration of Independence. Their genealogy can be found in several periodicals and family histories.
The descending child in our line is Ebenezer6 Rider.
References: Stephen Rider family Bible, in the possession of Jean Ryder Smith of New Haven VT; Clayton Ryder, The Ryders of Putnam County, Poughkeepsie NY 1911; Dutchess County Land Registry, Poughkeepsie, Liber 9-191; William S. Pelletreau A History of Putnam County, New York , Philadelphia 1886 New York City Courthouse, 31 Chamber St New York City, Liber 28 p 73, the abstract published in New York Historical Society, Will Books, Abstracts of Wills Liber 29; Kenneth Scott and James A. Owre, Genealogical Data From Inventories of New York Estates, 1666-1825, New York 1970, p. 125; 1790 Census for Southeast Town Dutchess County NY, a manuscript index in the Adriance Memorial Library Poughkeepsie NY; An undated unidentified four-page typed manuscript found in the Adriance Memorial Library Poughkeepsie NY, in the file Ryder Family, two pages deal with the children of John5 Rider and two with the children of Zadoc, the author presumed to be a descendant of Zadoc; Dutchess County Land Deed, Poughkeepsie NY, Liber 9-187; W.T and Adella (Weed) Collins 102 Robin Lane, Oak Ridge TN 37830, phone 1-615-483-1024; A Poughkeepsie newspaper article, date not saved, found under Ryder Family in the Adriance Memorial Library Poughkeepsie NY; Nellie Rider, Fremont Rider; Inscription Carmel NY Baptist Church Cemetery; Historical and Statistical Gazeteer of New York State, Interlaken NY 1980, reproduction of 1860
See also: New York Historical Resource Center, Guide to the Historical Resources in Putnam County, New York, Resource Center 1987; William J. Blake, The History of Putnam County [LDS 0529189 it 4-5]; Dana Boyer, An Introduction to the Availablity of the Historical and Genealogical Primary Sources in Eastern Putnam County [LDS Book 974.7 A1 No. 407]; Historical and Genealogical Record of Putnam County [LDS 1303018]
For Mary Paine, Mayflower Ancestral Index, Vol 1, compiled by Milton Terry and Ann Bording Harding, Genereal Society of Mayflower Descendants, 1981.
[Below is from Fremont Rider Book:
He married before he moved to Putnam Co, NY., which was prob. about 1750. His ch. are listed in N.Y. Hist. Soc. Collections:8:166-7. He d. 1774. His will was dated 1774. He was characterized as "a land owner and prominent man". "No Riders of this branch of the family remain in Dutchess Co." Virkus has him mar. to a Hannah Burns. (Rider, Nellie; Dutchess:346; Ply. Col. Recds:2:139; Transcript:8732; 1911:Fe15:1783; Register:22:295; Gray, Edw:25; Mass. Biog:907; Virkus:3:220)]
Events
| Birth | 4 Apr 1714 | Chatham, Barnstable County, Massachusetts |  | ||
| Marriage | Chatham, Barnstable County, Massachusetts - MARY PAINE | | |||
| Death | FEB/MAR 1774 | Southeast, Putnam County, New York | |
Families
| Spouse | MARY PAINE (1719 - 1790) |
| Child | EBENEZER RIDER U.E.L. (1746 - 1784) |
| Child | MEHETABEL RIDER (1748 - 1807) |
| Child | Living |
| Child | MARY RIDER (1751 - 1830) |
| Child | ZADOC RYDER (1752 - 1827) |
| Child | JOHN RIDER (1760 - 1832) |
| Child | CHRISTOPHER RIDER (1761 - 1839) |
| Child | Living |
| Child | Living |
| Child | Living |
| Child | Living |
| Father | JOHN RIDER (1692 - 1766) |
| Mother | MEHITABLE CROWELL (1691 - 1766) |
| Sibling | REUBEN RIDER (1717 - 1773) |
| Sibling | STEPHEN RIDER (1717 - 1766) |
| Sibling | SIMEON RIDER (1720 - ) |
| Sibling | MEHITABLE RIDER ( - 1788) |
| Sibling | ZENAS RIDER (1726 - 1766) |
| Sibling | BETHIA RIDER (1728 - 1766) |
| Sibling | ZERUIAH RIDER (1733 - 1801) |
| Sibling | ESTHER RIDER (1734 - ) |
Endnotes
1. RYDER GENEALOGICAL FILES.
2. RYDER GENEALOGICAL FILES.
3. RYDER GENEALOGICAL FILES.