Jack has an interesting family history and he requested it be added to his classmates page. Here in Jacks own words is the history of his family.

Family Background-The Story of Cornelius Ridley

The history of the maternal side of my family in Media began in the 1830's, with 2 slaves who were imprisoned on neighboring plantations in Virginia. My great-great grandfather, Cornelius was enslaved on the Thomas Ridley plantation in Gloucester County, Va. He got his last name from the master of the plantation, Major Thomas Ridley, who was also his father. Cornelius' common-law wife, Martha Jane, lived on the neighboring Parham plantation in the same county. Cornelius was a house slave, butler and the family carriage driver. Martha Jane was a field slave and also a "breeding-woman". Besides harvesting crops, she was one of the unfortunate victims, forced to breed slave slaves to help repopulate the plantation, or for sale at slave auctions.

Prior to the start of the Civil War, Cornelius planned and executed a daring escape from slavery, when he stole some of his father's/master's clothes, and walked from Virginia to freedom in Media. He was undoubtedly assisted in his escape by safe houses and "conductors" on the Underground Railroad. He miraculously avoided apprehension and detection from the Confederate slave patrols (known as "paddy-rollers"), because he was a mulatto, with a White-like appearance-fair skin, reddish-brown hair, green eyes, and stylish clothes. Although completely illiterate by law, Cornelius had a familiarity with maps and distance, which aided him greatly in his escape.

After months of walking, Cornelius was guided to Media as a safe haven because of the strong influence of Quakers in and around Media. He was fed, clothed and sheltered by the Quakers and other abolitionists in Media, namely the Yarnall family. He made a name for himself as a hardworking, industrious, law-abiding citizen. After achieving freedom in Media, Cornelius was able to find employment as a wagon driver for Hawley & Snowden's store, help found Campbell's AME Church in North Media, and purchase a home at 308 N. Olive St., the same house I lived in while I attended Media High School. The home is no longer standing, but the site is now occupied by the Rose Tree/Media School District. Freedom undoubtedly extended Cornelius' life, as he lived into the1920's.

This photo is from the I. Frank Lees archives (I think he was a relative of our classmate Susan Lees). Mr. Lees was a former mayor and historian of Media. The image shows my great great grandfather, Cornelius Ridley, on the left, driving a team of horses for Hawley & Snowden's store, Media's first dept store., which was once located on West State St.

This photo shows Cornelius Ridley training a horse

In this photo, Cornelius is posing with a cut-out image of a suit like they used to have at Atlantic City, or photography studios. Only his face and hands are authentic.

This is the first property purchased by Cornelius and his wife, Martha Jane, at 308 N. Olive St. in the early 1900's. Jack lived there while attending MHS.

This photo shows the Bonnie Doon Slave Plantation-birthplace of my G-G-Grandfather Cornelius in 1839.