According to the 1870 census, Franklin Ridlon was a resident at this location, although this lot was not sold to Robert and Susan Ridlon by Tobias Lord until May 19, 1871.

The 1871 deed from Lord to Ridlon continues to reserve a 1 rod strip across the front of the Ridlon property for a road to be used in common by the Lord family, their heirs or their assigns. At this time there was only a very small cemetery beyond this property which was not significant enough to be noted on the 1871 map. The names in this cemetery are Cousins, Towle, & Bradbury. Tobias Lord was probably planning for the Lord cemetery to be built here.

The very next day, May 20, 1871 ownership was transferred to Robert's son, Franklin D. Ridlon.

A small adjoining 6 rod strip of land at the rear of the property was sold to Franklin D. Ridlon by Tobias Jr., Jeremiah & John D. Lord (of Baltimore,) in February 1888. Perhaps this land was needed for Mr. Ridlon to build a barn or outbuilding? In any event, Tobias Lord, Sr. had died by this date & his children sold this land to Ridlon.

Sarah A. Ridlon then transferred the property to Seth D. Ridlon, (her son?) in 1909, (about when this photograph was taken.) Sarah owned the property by right of descent from Franklin Ridlon and was accorded life tenancy.

Seth Ridlon owned the property for 34 years until it was sold to Irene Symbol in 1943.

It is not clear from available information when the present house was built. The evidence suggests that the Ridlon family lived here in a home owned by Tobias Lord as early as 1854. The architecture of the home, (the high front roof line, the semi eliptical fan above the door and the double chimney placement), suggests a late Federal Period home which is compatible with the 1850's.