Jacob Ridgway (April 18, 1768 – April 30, 1843) was an American merchant and diplomat from Philadelphia. He served as Consul for the United States to Belgium during Thomas Jefferson's presidency.
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Early life
Ridgway was born on April 18, 1768, in Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey. He was the youngest of five children born to John Ridgway and Phebe (née Bellanger) Ridgway, who were members of the Society of Friends. His father died when he was around six or seven years old and his mother died when he was around sixteen, after which he went to Philadelphia with his older sister and her husband, who he chose as his guardian.
Career
Ridgway studied the wholesale dry goods business under Samuel Shaw and succeeded as a partner in the business with his son, Thomas Shaw. He later went into partnership with his brother-in-law, James Smith, until the business was sold to Joseph Pryor. Ridgway and Smith then went into the shipping business and were very successful before the Napoleonic Wars between England and France when their ships were seized. Finding it necessary to live abroad to protect their property, Ridgway moved to London where he ran the business before settling in Antwerp where he succeeded Isaac Coxe Barnet, to serve as Consul for the United States appointed by President Thomas Jefferson. While there, he also became a partner in Merton & Ridgway, while still continuing the firm of Smith & Ridgway.