Born and married in New Jersey. Came to Ohio (Montgomery Co) when he was 40. Soon after his arrival his wife died, leaving him with 5 small children. He served in the War of 1812 (Detachment 3 Reg't (Renick's), Ohio Mil.) and came to Delaware Co in 1812 where he married Effie Minter.

Will of Ralph Dildine Oct 20, 1855
RALPH DILDINE WILL
Written 29 day of October 1853
Probated October 20, 1855

Will Book 3, Delaware County, Ohio, Page 258
Wittnesses John Cunningham and Nathan Price.
In the name of the Benevolent Fathr of all, I , Ralph Dildine of County of Delaware, Ohio, being of sound mind, do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following:

1st, I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Effy Dildine during her natural life, the farm on wihich I now live situated in the County of Delaware and State of Ohio and in reange twenty, township first section one USM lands containing about 180 acres of land. Also I give and bequeath to my said wife all my household and kitchen furniture, all my money and credits and all my grain and stocks and effects as hereinafter mentioned by her paying all my debts and funeral expenses and costs of administration.

2nd, I give and bequeath to my daughter Effy C. Olds one horse.

3rd, I give and bequeath to my son William Dildine at the death of my said wife all that part of my said farm lying south of the county road leading from the Delaware and Delhio road to the Scioto river by him paying the following sums to my daughter Effy C Olds, one hundred dollars; to my daughter Abigail Murley (spelling uncertain, could be Morley, Money, or some other - Money is a name not uncommon in that area) fifty dollars; to my son Richard Dildine one dollar, to my son Allen Dildine one dollar.

4th, I give and bequeath to my son Valentine Dildine all that part of my farm lying north of said county road at the death of my said wife by him paying the following sums to my son Sampson Dildine now residing in the state of Indiana one hundred dollars; to my daughter Rebecca Collins fifty dollars; to my daughter Martha Minter one dollar. All the above and within named legacies to be paid in two years after the death of my said wife.

5th, I do hereby nominate and appoint my beloved wife Effy Dildine, executor of this my last Will and Testament. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 29th day of October A.D. 1853.

Ralph Dildine

Witnesses John Cunningham Nathan Price probated Oct 20, 1855

His (Joseph Dildine’s) paternal grandfather died in 1855, aged eighty years. His grandmother died in 1812. They had six children – Sampson, Martha, Sarah, Allen, Richard and Abigail. His grandfather was married a second time, and to the second marriage were born five children – John, William, Rebecca, Valentine and Effie. His great-grandparents were natives of Germany and came to America in an early day, settling in New Jersey. His maternal grandparents, Joseph and Massey (McDonald) Highland, were of Scotch-Irish ancestry., ,