"Francis Rittal was a tailor, who married Lucy Houdelette and lived on Dresden Neck, where they kept a tavern which in later years was known as 'Granny Rittal's Tavern.' In the Journal of Rear-Admiral Bartholomew Jones who, while in the merchant service in 1791, made a trip up the Kennebec in his ship's longboat, during which he passed the night at the tavern, is found a diverting glimpse of Rittal and his wife
'who had a family of two sons and four daughters. Two of the latter were extremely handsome, and the civility of the whole house induced me to take up my quarters there for the night. I therefore directed a small supper to be provided, and at nine o'clock sat down to as comfortable a meal as I ever remember to have fed upon. The old man smoked his pipe and related his peregrinations and the difficulties he labored under in the American war; and the goodly wife prepared the feast, while the daughters, clad in homely apparel, did us the kindness to attend the table.' " (HOD, pg146) more on these difficulties to come
"In Vol. 43. p. 153, Massachusetts Archives... has a story... It illustrates the methods sometimes taken by 'patriots' to involve in trouble those who were suspected of Tory proclivities. Francis Rittal was a victim, and they were engaged in a scheme to obtain of him a quantity of corn by tendering depreciated paper money in payment. Rittal, or Ridley, as they called him, declined and
'the combination then procured a little silver and gave it to one. Dennis Lines, a very indigent fellow with a large family. Furnished with proper instructions, he repaired to Mr. Ridley, pleaded his necessity, and obtained half a bushel, for which he paid the above-mentioned silver, and then attempted to procure another half bushel for Kendall, and for that purpose offered the same paper bill which Kendall had offered before. Ridley, as might be expected, denied. No sooner had Lines returned to his employers and given the history of his traffic, than a violent clamor arose. It was instantly proclaimed abroad that Ridley had refused to take paper money and must therefore, be punished as a damned Tory. He was summoned before the court, but refused to appear. The mob then assembled at the liberty pole on the plains - this being near where Ridley lived, and proposed to tear down his buildings and plunder his estate. The case was finally compromised, & Ridley let off with a fine to be paid to Lines and Kendall, & other matters which amounted in all to more than eighty dollars.' " (HOD, pg 326)
generation 1
1. Francis Rittal, ancestor 136; born 1724 (UNK) died 1795 (UNK) married in 1755 (LDS) to Lucy (Lucielle) Houdelette; ancestor 137, born 1725 in Mannheim, Germany (LDS); married Francis Rittal, ancestor 136. (HOD); children: Mary, James, Sally, Francis, Martin, Louis, Lucy, John, Nancy, Elizabeth & Charlotte.
The Will of Francis Rittal
I Francis Rittal of Pownalbourgh in the County of Lincoln and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Tailor, being in health of Body and sound Mind and Memory, and knowing that I must shortly put off this earthly tabernacle, do make this my last Will and Testament; that is to say, in the first Place I commend my Soul into the hands of God who gave it, and my Body to the Earth to decently buried at the discretion of my Executrix hereafter named, in Expectation that I shall receive the same again glorious & immortal at the Resurrection of the Just.
And as touching such worldy Estate as it hath pleased God to bestow upon me in this Life, I give devise and dispose of the same in manner following,
Imprimis- I will and order that all my just Debts and funeral Expenses be paid out of my Estate as soon as may be after my Decease.
Item I give and bequeath to my beloved Wife Lucy the Improvement of all my Estate real & personal till my youngest Child shall arrive to full age; she to take care of & provide for all my Children under age out of Income & profits of my said Estate until they shall respectively arrive to full Age; and when the youngest Child shall arrive to full Age, then my said Wife to have one Third of all the Personal Estate, & a third Part of the real Estate, during her Life --
Item I give to my Daughter Sally Theobald twenty shillings to be paid out of my Estate, by my Executrix, after my youngest Child arrives to full Age--
Item, I give & devise to my Children Molly Stilphen, Francis, John, Louis, Lucy, Nancy, Betsey & Charlotta all the rest and Residue of my Estate, real personal & mixed, wheresoever the same is or may be found, equally to be divided among them, when my said youngest Child shall attain to the age of twenty one years.
Lastly, I do hereby constitute and appoint my said Wife Lucy sole Executrix of this my last Will & Testament. In Testimony whereof I the said Francis Rittal do hereto set my hand and seal the twenty fifth day of April in the year of our Lord 1789---
Memo. The words, all my Children under Age, were interlin'd before seal'g.
Francis Rittal (seal)
The above Instrament was signed, sealed, and declared by the Testator to be his last Will & Testament in presence of us -- Edmd Bridge Phebe Bridge jun Edmund Bridge juneor Jon. Bowman
Probated 8 Jan., 1796
Inventory by Ezra Taylor, John Polereczky, and Jonathan Reed, all of Dresden, 13 Feb., 1796
[The Probate Records of Lincoln County, Maine 1760 to 1800, William Patterson, 1991, pp305-6]
generation 2
Children of Francis Rittal & Lucy Houdelette
1. Mary Rittal; born 17 Jun 1757 (HOD); married on 12 Jul 1773 (HOD) to George Stilphen, son of Michel Stilphen & Suzanna ? (UNK); children: Cornelius.
2. James Rittal; born 21 Sep 1759 (HOD); married on 8 Oct 1826 (LDS) to Carolina Goud.
3. Sally Rittal; born 7 Feb 1762 (HOD), died 2 Oct 1846 (HOD) died 20 Oct 1846 "in her 81st year" (AHD), buried in Theobald Cemetery, West Dresden; married on 22 Feb 1781 in Pownalborough ME (HOD) to Ernst Philip Theobald, born 2 Dec 1750 in Doernigheim Germany (HOD), died 1809 age 59 (HOD) died 6 Oct 1817 "in the 59th year of his age", buried in Theobald Cemetery, West Dresden (AHD) I think the 1809 date is probably correct and the other a transciption error, but not sure. aka Dr. Philip Theobald, naturalized 21 Nov 1788 see box below. children: Polly, Ernst, Lucy, Nancy, Charles, George, Lydia, Francis & Martha.
4. Francis Rittal; born 22 Apr 1764 (HOD), died 1819 (HOD); married in 1788 (HOD) to Elizabeth Mayers; children: James, Francis, Charles, Louis, Rose Ann, Philip & Sarah. (photo from painting of Francis HOD p567)
5. Martin Rittal; born 24 Sep 1766 (HOD) "probably died young; not mentioned in his father's will"(HOD, pg 149)
6. Louis Rittal; born 12 Aug 1769 (HOD)in Dresden Me (LDS).
7. Lucy Rittal; born 1 Jul 1771 (HOD); married ? Goud. LDS says her middle name is Gallois. Lds also lists a Lucy marrying Archibald McCrea 4 Sep 1794 in Woolwich ME.
8. John H. Rittal; born in 1765 or 1772 in Dresden ME (LDS); married to Margaret Goud; children: John, Francis, James, William & Nancy.
9. Nancy Rittal; born 22 Sep 1773 (HOD); married in 1790 (HOD) to Timothy Call, born 12 Feb 1773 (HOD), died 1807 (HOD) son of Obadiah Call Jr. & Abagail ?; children: Nancy, Francis, Alfred, & Nancy.
10. Elizabeth or Betsey Rittal; married in 1796 (HOD) to Obadiah Call, son of Obadiah Call Jr. & Abagail ?; children: Charlotte, Lucy, Louis, Obadiah, Stephen, Timothy, Elizabeth, Benjamin, Abigail, Ephraim, & Francis.
11. Charlotte Rittal; born abt 1779 prob in Dresden ME (LDS), died 20 Jul 1857 in Dresden ME (LDS);; married on 18 Oct 1800 (HOD) in Dresden ME to Joel Reed, born 24 Jan 1777 in Woolwich ME (LDS), died 30 Jun 1839, drowned (LDS), son of Joel Reed & Eunice Webb; children: Joel, Archibald, Rosella, Ebenezar, Sally, Betsey, Lucy, Frances, & Nancy.
Notes on Philip Theobald, husband of Sally Rittal
"Dr. Ernst Fredrick Philip Theobald was the ancestor of the Theobalds on Kennebec River. Capt. George H. Theobald of Richmond has many relics of him, including his class album. In that album Dr. Theobald wrote - 'I Philip Theobald, born 2d day of Dec. 1750 at Doernigheim, near Frankfort upon the Main River in Germany, was married to Sally Rittal, born 7th day of Feb. 1762, at Pownalborough, on the 22d day of Feb. 1781, by Jonathan Bowman, Esq.' ... was chaplain in the German division of Burgoyne's army which surrendered at Saratoga October 17, 1777... He graduated at Gottingen, in 1772 (?) [sic]; studied medicine, and afterwards fitted himself for the ministry, and having made the acquaintance with Baron Reidesel, obtained a commission as chaplain. After the parole, hearing that there were Germans at Waldoborourgh, he came to that place and preached in the Luthern church there. He afterwards removed to Pownalborough...practiced medicine in Dresden, and died here in 1809, aged 59 years." (HOD, pg 329-330)
Immigrants to New England, 1700-1775.
THEOBOLD, Dr. Ernest Frederick Philip, of Broad Bay, Maine; from Germany, with the Hession Troops, 1777; b. Dec. 2, 1750, at Doernigheim, Germany; graduate of the University of G�ttingen, 1772; m. Sally Rittal, at Pownalboro, Me.; Feb. 22, 1781; Child: �; d. 1829, in Dresden, Me.�Miller�s Waldoboro, p. 237
Notes on the Call Family, in-laws of Nancy & Elizabeth Rittal
"Obadiah Call, the first of that Christian name to live here, had wife Eleanor; sons Obadiah and Stephen. His holdings of land were more extensive than those of any others of the family. April 7, 1781, he conveyed to Obadiah Call, Jr., 215 acres, situated on Dresden Neck opposite to Little Swan Island, which land appears to have included that which he took by grant from the Proprietors; and to his son Stephen he on the same day conveyed lots Nos. 21 and 22 situate east of Eastern River; the consideration in both transactions being love and good-will.... Philip and Obadiah Call, 'first settlers' here, can be traced to Amesbury and Ipswich in Essex County, Massachuesetts, to which their progenitors appear to have come from England. One Richard Calle long held a position of trust under the Paston family of County Norfolk, England, and he is many times mentioned in the Paston Letters" (HOD, 163-165)
generation 3
grandchildren of Francis Rittal & Lucy Houdelette
children of Sally & Philip Theobald
1. Polly or Mary Theobald; born 28 Sep 1781 (HOD), died 15 Aug 1829 age 48 (AHD) buried in Forest Grove Cemetery; married George Houdlette. Go to Houdlette page for more and descendants.
2. Ernst Philip Theobald; born 2 Nov 1783 (HOD)."Well known as Dr. Theobald in Wiscasset" (HOD, p 331).
3. Lucy Theobald; born 24 Jul 1786 (HOD).
4. Nancy Theobald; born 25 Sep 1789 (HOD); married Francis Houdlette. children: Harriet Go to Houdlette page for more and descendants.
5. Charles Theobald; born 20 May 1792 (HOD), died 19 Feb ???? (AHD) buried in Theobald Cemetery, West Dresden (AHD) buried with him are "Mrs. Charlotte, wife of Chas F. d. Apr 7 1823 29yr; Mrs. Julia Ann, wife of Charles, d. Feb 2 1842 aged 49; Sarah B. wife of Capt Chas., d. Sept. 22, 1886 age 74y" (AHD, p377) These are most likely his wives. "Well known as Capt. Charles Theobald, of Dresden" (HOD, p 331) "The brig Lady Richmond of 207 tons, built at Richmond in 1824, was owned by George Houdlette and commanded by Charles Theobald. Hailing port Dresden" (HOD, p 749) There was also a bark named Globe of Richmond that arrived from Cork IR in Boston 28 Apr 1847, Charles Theobald, master (see here).
6. George Theobald; born 11 Jun 1794 (HOD) Was a representative to the state legislature in 1841, (HOD, p635) LDS has a George born 10 Feb 1799 in Randolph ME ?..
7. Sally Theobald; born 21 Apr 1796 (HOD) in Dresden ME (LDS).
8. Lydia Theobald; born 29 Jun 1798 (HOD); married first to Maj. Abiel Wood of Wiscasset (HOD), a "well known Wiscasset merchant and shipowner" (HOD, p 290); married second to Bartholomew Nason of Hallowell and later of New York (HOD).
9. Francis Reus Theobald; born 19 Dec 1800 (HOD) "..long a cashier of Richmond National Bank, and was succeeded by his son, Capt. George H. Theobald, who now holds the position of President." (HOD, p 331).
10. Martha Custis Theobald; born 17 Sep 1804 (HOD); married to Alfred Gardiner Lithgow of Dresden (HOD), born 25 Sep 1795 in Dresden ME (HOD) died 29 Mar 1882 in Dresden ME (HOD) son of James Noble Lithgow & Ann Gardiner (HOD).
children of Francis & Elizabeth Mayers
1. James Rittal; born in 1790 (HOD) James Rittal Mar. 18, 1790 - Feb. 14 1882. Elizabeth W., wife, d. Mar 27, 1891. 87y 7m (AHD, p369) most likely him, but not sure yet.
2. Francis Rittal, a master mariner; born in 1792 (HOD) (He was an able shipmaster, and in 1809 he sailed in the Wiscasset ship Juno, owned by Thomas Nickels, of that place. In 1810, he succeeded Capt.John Stinson, of Woolwich, in command of the full-rigged ship United States, of whch Gen. David Payson, of Wiscasset, was sole owner. Captain Rittal's ship accounts are models in their neatness and accuracy. HOD p567).
3. Charles Rittal; born in 1797 (HOD).
4. Louis Rittal; born in 1799 (HOD).
5. Rose Ann Rittal; born in 1803 (HOD).
6. Philip Rittal; born in 1807 (HOD).
7. Sarah Rittal; born in 1812 (HOD).
children of John & Margaret Goud
1. John H. Rittal; born 18 Sep 1790 (HOD) in Pownalboro ME (LDS), there is a John Rittal buried in the Mayers Cemetery that died 9 Sep 1858 age 68 yrs (AHD), this is probably him; married on 25 Jun 1813 (HOD) to Tamar Turner, born Readfield (HOD); children: Margaret, Mary Ann, Sally, Virginia, Llewellyn, Catherine & Nancy
2. Francis Rittal; born 30 Jan 1792 in Pownalboro ME (LDS)
3. James Rittal; born 18 Mar 1794 in Dresden ME (LDS)
4. William Rittal; born 18 Apr 1796 in Dresden ME (LDS)
5. Nancy Polereczky Rittal; born 15 Jun 1798 in Dresden ME (LDS)
children of Nancy & Timothy Call
1. Nancy Call; born 13 Jul 1797 (HOD), died 18 Aug 1799 (HOD).
2. Francis Rittal Call; born 22 Sep 1800 (HOD), lost st sea 1858 (HOD); married 16 Nov 1826 to Jane Atkins (HOD).
3. Alfred Timothy Call; born 1 Nov 1802 (HOD), died 1852 (AHD), buried in Forest Grove Cemetery (AHD); married Clementine Reed (HOD) born 1805 (AHD), died 1894 (AHD) buried in Forest Grove Cemetery (AHD); children: Lewezar & Francis (AHD, p320).
4. Nancy Catherine Call; born 9 Dec 1805 (HOD); married first on 6 Apr 1826 (HOD) to Abiel Marshall (HOD); married second to Charles Rittal. see cencus box below for what I think are her children.
children of Elizabeth & Obadiah Call
1. Charlotte Call; born 20 Apr 1797 (HOD).
2. Lucy Call; born 15 Feb 1799 (HOD).
3. Louis Call; born 11Apr 1801 (HOD).
4. Obadiah Call; born 27 Nov 1803 (HOD).
5. Stephen Call; born 22 Feb 1806 (HOD).
6. Timothy Call; born 29 Feb 1808 (HOD).
7. Elizabeth Call; born 11 Mar 1810 (HOD).
8. Benjamin Call; born 27 Mar 1812 (HOD).
9. Abigail Call; born 13 Feb 1815 (HOD).
10. Ephraim Call; born 29 Jun 1816 (HOD).
11. Francis Call; (HOD).
"Of these Timothy, Stephen and Francis removed to Bangor." (HOD p164)
children of Charlotte & Joel Reed
1. Joel Reed; born 28 Jul 1801 in Dresden ME; died 6 May 1888 (LDS).
2. Archibald Reed; born 25 Feb 1803 in Dresden ME (LDS).
3. Rosella Reed; born 25 Jan 1805 in Dresden ME (LDS).
4. Ebenezar Reed; born 2 Mar 1807 in Dresden ME; married on 29 Jun 1831 to Mary C. Houdlette (for her ancestry go to Houdlette page 1); no children known.
5. Sally Reed; born 21 Dec 1809 in Dresden ME (LDS).
6. Betsey Reed; born 17 Apr 1811 in Dresden ME (LDS).
7. Lucy Reed; born 25 Oct 1813 in Dresden ME (LDS).
8. Frances Reed; born 13 Feb 1816 in Dresden ME (LDS).
9. Nancy Reed; born 20 Oct 1821 in Dresden ME (LDS).
generation 4
grandchildren of John & Margaret Goud
children of John & Tamar Turner
1. Margaret Rittal; born in 1814 (HOD).
2. Mary Ann Rittal; born in 1816 (HOD).
3. Sally Rittal; born in 1819 (HOD).
4. Virginia Rittal; born in 1821 (HOD).
5. Llewellyn Francis Rittal; born 2 Aug 1823 (HOD), died 22 Jul 1900 age 78yrs 11mos (AHD); married to Sarah Ann Goud, buried as Ann S. Goud (AHD), died 14 May 1897 age 59yrs 8mos (AHD), daughter of Edward F. Goud (HOD) & Elizabeth H. (AHD); children: Fred, Llewellyn, George, Elizabeth & Alice.
6. Catherine Rittal.
7. Nancy W. Rittal.
8. Lucy H. Rittal; born 1827 (LDS).
generation 5
grandchildren of John & Tamar Turner
children of Llewellyn & Sarah Ann Goud
1. Fred Horace Rittal.
2. Llewellyn Rittal.
3. George Willis Rittal.
4. Elizabeth Hall Rittal; married John J. Bathrick of Chelsea MA (HOD).
5. Alice Trott Rittal.
1850 Dresden Census entries (AHD, photocopies)
Charles T Rittal 55 m
Nancy " 44 f
Joseph T. Marshall 21 m
Samuel M. " 19 m
Adelia F (?) " 14 f
Abiel F. " 10 m
Charles H. (?) Rittal 2 m
Edward F. " 1 m
(can't easily read two of the intials).
James Rittal 60 m
Caroline " 44 f
John F. " 19 m
William L. " 13 m
Louis Rittal 50 m
Philip " 40 m
Mary A. " 45 f
Sarah " 38 f
1860 Dresden Census entries (AHD, photocopies)
Charles T Rittal 60 m
Mary C. " 55 f
Charles H. (?) " 12 m
Edward " 11 m
(can't easily read one of the intials).
Lewis Rittal 60 m
Mary A. " 54 f
Philip " 50 m
John H. Rittal 25 m
Charlotte A. " 24 f
Llewelyn F Rittal 36 m
Ann. S. " 22 f
Frederick H. " 2 m
some others I know are Rittals, but the copies are illegible
children of George & Harriet
1. George Theobald; born 20 Aug 1842 in Randolph ME (LDS)
- Francis Rittal married July S Blair 5 Mar 1826 in Dresden (LDS)
- John Alonzo Rittal married SUSAN AGUSTA CHATTERLY-PATTERSON on 7 Dec 1891 in Dresden
- John H Rittal married Charlotte A Thompson 8 Aug 1858 in Dresden (LDS)
- Carrie Rittal "widow of Herbert C. Hamilton, & wife of Howard D. Chisk, March 28, 1889 - March 1 1926" AHD p313
- John Rittal "died July 3, 1863, aet 28yrs - 4th Maine 'killed in the battle of Gettysburg' "(AHD, p337)
- Mary L Rittal "dau. of John H and Charlotte Rittal, d. March 2 (?)[sic], 1863, aet 4yrs. 6mos." (AHD, p337)
-- James Rittal married Betzy Porter 20 Nov 1825 in Dresden (LDS) james Fredrick Rittal, sone of James and Elizabeth W. Porter, born 12 Oct 1840 in Dresden (LDS)
References
1. HOD refers to History of Dresden Maine by Charles Edwin Allen, 1931, reprinted 1977.
2. AHD refers to A History of Dresden Maine by Rundlette Palmer, 1979.
3. LDS refers to the LDS online resource center, see link page for link.
4. UNK source unknown, thus very subject information.
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