Family and Education

b. Apr. or May 1543, o.s. of John Ridgeway^† of the Middle Temple, London and Abbotskerswell, by Elizabeth, da. of John Wendford of Newton Abbot. educ. I. Temple 1560. m. (1) 12 Jan. 1563, Mary, da. of Thomas Southcote of Bovey Tracey; (2) Alice; 9s. inc. Thomas 1da. suc. fa. 1560.

Offices Held

J.p. Devon, sheriff 1590-1.

Biography

Ridgeway was probably returned for Dartmouth through the influence of the 2nd Earl of Bedford, who had intervened on his behalf when Ridgeway was implicated in a charge of piracy in 1578. He was of moderate means—his assessment for the 1576 subsidy was £30—and most of the references found to him concern lawsuits over land transactions. He was ‘very aged and sick’ in 1595 when his son was excused on these grounds from appearing personally at the Exchequer to make his account as comptroller of customs at Exmouth. It was not until 26 June 1598, the day before his death, that Ridgeway made his will, proved 2 Nov. following. The executor and residuary legatee was his eldest son Thomas, and (Sir) William Strode II was an overseer.1

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: P. W. Hasler

Notes

This biography is based upon the Roberts thesis.

• 1. PCC 97 Lewyn; C142/252/33.