In 1988, The Centennial History of Hurricane, WV was published to commemorate the town’s 100th anniversary. In 1994, the Centennial Committee published a follow up book which included family histories which were not submitted in time for the 1988 Centennial History. This week’s selection is the 28th history from The Centennial History of Hurricane WV Continued — 1994.

THE MATTHEWS FAMILY
Part II
ANN MATHEWS AND CHARLES JACKSON RIDDLE

Ann was the first child of record born to William and Lucinda Matthews. She was born in 1822, probably in Charlotte County, Virginia, where her parents were married and apparently lived at least for the next ten years. She married Charles “Jack” Riddle March 15, 1842. The ceremony was performed by James Mitchell, Jack was b. 1820, the son of George and Elizabeth Martin Riddle who were married Oct. 25, 1808 in Franklin County, Virginia. Jack came to what is now Putnam County in the 1830’s. He owned a large farm on Charley’s Creek, just over the ridge from the first Matthews homestead near Hurricane Creek and that is perhaps where they first became acquainted.

Ann and Jack were the parents of four children: Mary Elizabeth, b. 1843; Lee Frances, b. 1845, William Franklin, b. Mar. 1847; Louella, b. 1850. Mary married A. Pratt Nov. 13, 1868. They were the parents of Laura (m. (1) James Henderson, (2) Woodville Riddle), and twins, Edith and Ada. It isn’t known who Lee and Louella married. William Franklin married (1) Anna Olivia “Ollie” Rowan on Dec. 24, 1872. They were the parents of six children, only two (Ed and Bertha) lived to adulthood. Oliva died in 1883 (possibly in childbirth — last child born in March 1883) and Frank then married (2) Sarah “Sally” Garrett, daughter of Robert Garrett, Nov. 26 1884. Sally was b. Feb. 1866, d. Mar. 8, 1909. They were the parents of: Woodville, b. Nov. 26, 1885, m. Laura Pratt Henderson; Mary Edith, b. Mar. 31, 1887, m. A Brooks; Edna Ellen, b. April 7, 1889, m. Marion Fizer; Buford Jackson, b. Aug 10, 1895, m. Sadie (Turley) Woodall, and their children were Kyle W., Clarice, Alma and Raleigh; Fitzhugh McKinley, b. July 4, 1898, m. Reva Inez Ashworth and their children were Cebert and Erma Jewel; and Evaline “Evie”, who m. Walter Burton. Sadly, Ann Matthews Riddle died about 1851. Jack Riddle then married Mary Jane Powell in 1853 and they were the parents of at least 12 more children, including: Alice, Caroline E., James M., Flora J., Lucretia, Ann Eliza, Ellen W., Margaret Emma, Infant, Josephine, Virginia, and Charles.

The burial place of Ann Matthews is unknown, but Jack Riddle was buried in the Charley’s Creek Cemetery just below his farm. Numerous descendants of Ann and Jack still live in the Hurricane area.