Richards Family – Digging Up Your Family

The Will of Minnie DeMumbrie 1928

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF MINNIE RICHARDS, DECEASED
FILED NOV. 10, 1928.

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF MINNIE RICHARDS

STATE OF TENNESSEE,
COUNTY OF SHELBY.

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That I, Minnie Richards, of the County of Shelby and State of Tennessee, being in good health, of sound and disposing mind and memory, and being above the age of twenty-one years, do make and publish this my Last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all other wills by me at any time heretofore made.

I direct that all of my just debts shall be paid and that the legacies hereinafter given shall, after the payment of debts, be paid out of my estate.

II.

I give and bequeath to my daughter, Minnie Virginia Stalls, all of my jewelry, my automobile and all of my household furniture; if my sons should desire any part of my household furniture, it is my desire that my daughter, Minnie Virginia Stalls, make such a division as she sees fit to my sons. If she does not desire to make any division of such property, then she becomes the sole owner thereof.

III.

I desire, and it is my will, that my home at Number 493 Lucy Avenue, located at the corner of Driver Street and Lucy Avenue, in the City of Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, shall be sold by my executor after my death, either at public or private sale and converted into cash or its equivalent or notes acceptable to my executor, and the proceeds thereof be divided equally between my daughter, Minnie Virginia Stalls, and my sons, J. Ed Richards, Bluford N. Richards and Clegg D. Richards.

IV.

All of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate wherever situated or located, I will and bequeath to my children above named to be divided in equal parts.

V.

For the purpose of carrying out the intent of this will I hereby appoint J. Ed Richards, my son, as trustee to handle and sell the home above referred to, with full power and authority to convey the legal title, and for that purpose I hereby will to him the legal title in said property.

VI.

I hereby appoint and constitute J. Ed Richards sole executor of this my last will, to act without bond.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this the 10th day of December, 1925, in the presence of Wils Davis and Robert Eberhart, who attest the same at my request.

[Signed]
Minnie Richards

The above instrument was now here subscribed by Minnie Richards, the testator, in our presence, and we, at her request and in her presence, sign our names hereto as attesting witnesses, and at the time of our signing said testator declared said instrument to be her last Will and Testament.

[Signed]
Wils Davis
Robert Eberhart

Admitted to probate and ordered recorded Nov. 10, 1928.
F.M. Guthrie, Judge
Recorded Nov. 10, 1928.
Ed. B. Crenshaw, Clerk
By A.B. Hatcher, D.C.

Confederate Veterans’ Reunion 1901

Many times over the years I have come across newspaper articles about the 1901 Confederate Veteran’s Reunion held in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee. My 2nd great-grandfather Jerome E Richards was the chief of police in Memphis during that time, which is why I’ve read about it so much.

Back in May of 2015 my mother and I went to visit Richards cousins in Tennessee. Surprisingly, they had a photograph of some of the detectives that were there. I had started to work on a list of the others, however, I lost in in the genealogy pit in my house. I recently came across it again and realized I have never finished because some of the men I was unable to find.

I hope by posting what I have I can not only share, but maybe others will have more information on those pictured!

DETECTIVES ON DUTY

DURING

CONFEDERATE VETERANS' REUNION, MEMPHIS, MAY 28-30, 1901.

PW McGuire
PJ Donovan
E Buttinghaus - Emil Buttinghaus, detective
JE Richards, Jr – Jerome E "Eddie" Richards, Jr, son of Chief Jerome E Richards
WJ Hendricks – or Hendrick. I found him listed as a patrolman
Martin Kelly - http://historic-memphis.com/memphis-historic/portraits/portraits.html#K
PE Horan – Patrick E Horan, special police
CL Sanderson
AL Chamblin – detective in East St Louis 1905, justice of the peace in Ferguson, Missouri in 1912
JF Alexander – was found as a deputy in Memphis in 1900 in a newspaper article
WE Irwin – detective from Nashville, Tennessee
Ed Flynn
JP Mahon – James P Mahon, patrolman
Ike Wolf – Isaac Wolff, detective, I believe he was born in France
MF Crawley – Matt F Crawley, I found him as a detective at Palace Hotel in San Francisco in 1917
WS Lawless – Walter S Lawless, detective
Al Ray – Alton G Ray, Fort Worth, Texas detective, San Antonio Express
CW McCarthy – detective from Chicago, Illinois
RH Kirwin
John Sexton – detective from Louisville, Kentucky
SB Humble – detective from Columbus, Ohio
Ed Kehoe – I believe he was born in Ireland
GW Bryant
RB Stubbs – Robert B Stubbs, detective, New Orleans, Louisiana
JT Barry
Chief Richards – Jerome E Richards, my 2nd great-grandfather
JD McGrath
MJ Conway – in 1899 I was able to find him listed as a Pinkerton Detective
JF Fogerty - Nashville, Tennessee detective

Jerome E Richards’ Obituary

I have been working on identifying men in a photograph with Jerome E Richards, and I discovered I may have to turn to newspapers for possible identification (the photo is from a convention). Along the way I remembered that Newspapers.com has offered an upgrade from their basic subscription to a subscription that offers papers that are still under copyright. And within those papers I found Jerome’s obituary.

Some things of note:

1. According to the obituary Jerome died of dropsy. According to his death certificate he died of cirrhosis of the liver. After some research I discovered that the cirrhosis could have caused dropsy, in which case you’d think that the death certificate would have said “Cause of Death was as follows: Dropsy. Contributory: Cirrhosis of Liver.”

2. A new way to spell DeMumbrie/Demonbruen! (spoiler: Demurry”")

3. I don’t know if the three initials for Jerome, Jr or wrong or not. Lucky for me, I have someone I can ask!

4. I can’t help but wonder if Jerome, Sr and Jerome, Jr actually had the middle name of Edmund/Edmond, and not Edward. On Jerome, Sr’s death certificate, Jerome, Jr provided the information. He said Jerome, Sr’s father was Edward Richards, yet we already know it was Edmond/Edmund. Just a thought.

Read away!

From August 15, 1922 issue of The Tennessean (Nashville, Tennessee). The_Tennessean_Tue__Aug_15__1922_

PROMINENT SHELBY CO. MAN DIES AT MEMPHIS

Jerome Edwards Richards Is Victim of Dropsy’s Ravages.

(Special to the The Tennessean.)

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Aug. 14. – Surrounded by his immediate family, Jerome Edward Richards, poll tax collector, and one of Shelby County’s most prominent political figures, died at 1:50 o’clock this morning at this residence, 493 Lucy avenue. Dropsy was the contributing cause.

Mr. Richards had lived in Memphis 40 years and each of these were milestones will marked with usefulness.

He was born in Crittenden County, Ark., February 24, 1858. He was former chief of police here and served as criminal court clerk for 1902 until 1914. He was appointed poll tax collector in 1919.

At the outbreak of the World War Mr. Richards attempted to get into service, but on account of his age the government would not take him, so he went to Nashville and offered his services in the construction of the Old Hickory powder plant.

Mr. Richards married Miss Minnie Demurry at the Central Baptist church and they have four children, Judge J. E. R. Richards, and Bluford Richards, Clegg D. Richards and Mrs. J. Paul Stalls, all residing in Memphis.

John Wilson and Jerome E Richards

I love when I find new articles about my ancestors! This one concerns the death of a “bad guy” and my 2nd great-grandfather Jerome E Richards.

From the May 26, 1911 issue of The Tennessean (Nashville, Tennessee), p. 6:

In the Hour of Need.

John, alias “Punch,” Wilson died in Memphis the other day – died in the county poorhouse, to be exact. Tuberculosis carried him off. “Punch” was one of the bad men of Memphis. He had committed more crimes than one. But when he approached the great divide but one dread possessed him: he feared to lie in Potter’s field. The friends of other days had deserted him, all but a few. They knew where he was; they knew his end was approaching. As the shadows began to lengthen about Wilson’s bedside, the great dread of a pauper’s grave grew stronger and stronger; and as a last resort he told those about him to inform Jerome Richards when death came. Richards was not a personal friend, he was not an associate – but “Punch” knew his man. When the Pale Horseman called and Wilson was dead Jerome Richards was told. Then the big heart of the ex-police chief and present criminal court clerk was touched. He ordered that Wilson have a decent burial, and he told the undertakers to see to it and send him the bill.

“I never admired the character of ‘Punch’ Wilson,” said Mr. Richards, “but death settles all earthly scores and makes us all equal. If he can fix it all right with his Maker at the judgment, I am satisfied. Death wipes out everything so far as I am concerned, and my only hope is that he may know that his last request was complied with.”

No man who knows expected Jerome Richards to do otherwise or say less. Possibly he is not a saint; but his heart overflows with the milk of human kindness, and, after all, that is the true Christian spirit.

Below are the death records for John “Punch” Wilson (click to enlarge).

UPDATE!

I found a picture of John “Punch” Wilson in the December 16, 1908 issue of The Tennessean (Nashville), p 6:

John Richards 1738

I’m pretty thrilled over this find! It is a mention of my earliest Richards in Jones County, North Carolina.

From the December 20, 1790 edition of The Encyclopedian Instructor (Edenton, North Carolina), page 3:

I state to correct certain patents, or grants in the described, where there have been errors by the surveyor or in making the returns, or by the secretary issuing the same.…for making conformable to the plan the second course of a tract of land lying in Jones county, formerly Craven, granted by patent to John Richards, bearing date the 24th day of November, 1738, containing 300 acres on both sides of Trent river.

Can you hear me squealing with excitement!?

Minnie DeMumbrie and Jerome E Richards

I just returned from a trip to Tennessee where my mother and I visited with cousins from my Granddaddy’s side, the Richards family and the Stalls Family. There will be pictures!

One of my favorite photographs I was able to get a copy of came from my Granddaddy’s cousin Marydell. I am unsure of the year, but the photograph is Minnie DeMumbrie and Jerome E Richards.

Juvenile Offenders, Presented by Chief Jerome E Richards in 1900

I often search for my ancestors in newspaper archives and turn up the same articles over and over, for months on end. Sometimes, though, I find something new and spectacular. I have seen in the past quotes and comments made by my second great-grandfather Jerome E Richards, but this is the first time I was able to read a full paper that he had presented to his peers.

What follows is from the July 22, 1900 issue of the now defunct newspaper The Morning Post (Raleigh, North Carolina), page 15:

GAMES FOR POLICE RELIEF FUND

The report of the seventh annual convention of the chiefs of police of the United States and Canada, held in Cincinnati May 8-11, has just been issued in book form. It contains the texts of the various papers on municipal administration and the suppression of crime read before that body by distinguished police chiefs and detectives throughout the country. Among others is a paper presented by Chief Jerome E. Richards, of the Memphis police force. It was read by Chief Richards immediately folowing [sic] a similar paper by the distinguished detective Wm. Pinkerton of Chicago.

The theme of Chief Richards’ was “Juvenile Offenders”, and the text of his contribution to the convention follows:

“Scientists may wrangle over theories as to the origin of crime, and write learned and profoundly technical papers as to its growth and development. They may speculate as to whether it is on the wane or decrease, and whether or not crime will ever disappear from the human race. The policeman and the peace officer have nothing to do with these elements of the question, further than to carry out the letter and spirit of legislation based upon an intelligent understanding of criminal conditions, and report the results of his observation and experience.

“While I would not deprecate intelligent study and close investigations by policemen into the scientific data relating to crime, I would emphasize upon their mind that we deal with facts more than the excursions of dreamers into the realms of speculation, that our business is with conditions and not with theories. We are confronted by effects. Primarily, it is the duty of law-makers to deal with the causes and to enact laws looking to remedies that are based upon the undisputed results of scientific thought and action. Whatever may be the cause of crime in the human family, whether it was handed down from Eve’s first impulse to disobedience, or whether it is an accident in the heart of the individuals, we know that it is here. It is with us, and in spite of dreams and theories and all the schemes and plans of humanitarians and philanthropists it will not be eradicated in our generation. I fail to see how it can point us very much in our relation with criminals to know whether they are criminals by heredity or by the accident of environment. The tendency toward evil which manifests itself in offenses against the written and unwritten laws of society must be removed from the heart that harbors it before a remedy can be effected. And so all speculations and all legislation is directed to this end at last.

“If the theory of heredity were true to its extremist point it would be useless to establish schools of reform and institutions of that nature to reclaim the youth after the first manifestations of the evil instinct. It would be better for society and more humane to the embryo criminal to strangle it in youth.

“I am convinced that much weight is to be attached to hereditary conditions, but I am just as firm in my conviction that early environment is responsible for more crime than the sins of the parents. However this may be, we are confronted by the fact that offenses against the laws are increasing among the youth of this land. It is more the remedy that the cause which demands our attention.

“I am a believer in reformatory schools, and have been a consistent advocate of these systems, basing my opinion on the efficacy of these institutions upon observation no less than research. I believe in the kindergarten and the theory that we become accustomed to doing good by constant contact with those who practice doing good. There is philosophy in the ancient maxim that the tree is inclined in the direction the twig is bent.

“No child ever improved under the prison lash. Workhouse, penitentiary and rock pile with their associations, breed crime in the heart as a swamp breeds malaria in the physical system. It is the duty of parents to arrest the immoral bent of their children. When they neglect it and the child in consequence commits a crime, they are more guilty than the child. Where the domestic environments are conducive to crime, and no efforts are made to arrest the evil then, the State should provide a remedy.

“Considerations of the very highest nature are demanding the establishment of reformatory institutions for the juvenile offenders, and the continued incarceration of these erring children in dirty prisons for petty offenses will bring reproach upon the age which tolerates it. The economics of government, with equal force, demand a different method of dealing with youthful delinquents. The total cost of maintaining prisons, charitable institutions and houses of correction in the United States is something more than $75,000,000 annually. Upon this basis, the per capita cost to the citizens of the United States would be $1. By dealing more considerately with the juvenile offender, we can not only improve the morals of the country, but we can materially reduce the expenses of the government along the lines indicated.

“The social system of prison treatment known as the Mark system is probably the best method of dealing with the youthful offenders. The system was established in a British colony in Norfolk in 1840, but later was improved upon and modified by Walter Crofton, who provided, first, for a penal stage of separate punishment; second, a reformatory stage, in which the principal of classification and progression comes into play; and third, a testing stage, designed to verify the reformatory power of discipline. Reformatory institutions of this country have conformed to the Crofton system since the establishment of the reformatory at Elmira in 1876.

“Information received through the superintendents of many of the reform schools, and from other sources, indicate that the per capita cost of maintaining a juvenile delinquent in the leading reformatories of the country will range from $10 to $15 per month. The minimum is reported from a majority of these institutions.

“This method of dealing with the youthful offender would prove infinitely cheaper than the present system of annually increasing the cost of criminal prosecution without any resultant benefit to the child.

“Tennessee spends annually about $300,000 in punishing criminals and about $20,000 a year in attempting to reclaim them; and the same proportion is observed in other States.

“If I am not imposing upon you valuable time too much, I would like in this connection to make a statement of a case that I have had to deal with upon three occasions in the last two years. I received numerous complaints from our citizens that their morning papers and their milk pails were being stolen every morning. I had a watch placed, and the result was that five boys whose ages ranged fro [sic] eleven to fourteen years were the offenders. They were arrested and kept in confinement for two days and released with a strong reprimand. Within thirty days I had several complaints that robberies had been committed, and upon investigation it was plain to be seen that it was the work of a novice, and watch was kept upon these same boys, and within a few days they were caught with stolen property upon their persons, but were again released upon the promise of their parents that they would take steps to prevent them from committing any furt
her depredations; but in the course of a few months several residences and storehouses were robbed, and these same boys were finally caught in the act, and they are now in the county jail awaiting their trial. But the question presents itself to the court, what can be done with them after conviction, as there is only one reformatory in the State, and each county has its proportion, and ours is fully taken up; and I see no other course to pursue but to release them, and as they will have no restraining influence to be exercised over them, they will again enter upon criminal operations, as their extreme youth will not permit of them being incarcerated in the workhouse or penitentiary.”

The reading of Chief Richard’s [sic] paper aroused acute interest, and with it was finished Chief Crandall of Duluth, Minn., arose and moved that a vote of thanks be extended. The motion was seconded and carried.

UPDATE–The Richards Epic

While I do my best to make sure that all information on Digging Up Your Family is correct, there are times that I make mistakes. I am always happy, however, when readers and family are able to tell me when mistakes occur.

In September of 2012, I posted The Richards Epic in three parts. It is not a complete lineage for all descendants of John Richards and Rhoda Metz (there is still an attempt to authenticate her name – Metts, maybe?), but I did attempt to put as much information for descendants as possible. Updates are necessary, though.

1. Nearly a year after I first posted The Richards Epic: Part One, Jeanie Hale Martz left the comment, “My grandmother, Kate Richards(Hale) was the daughter of Wm. Alexander Richards and Sarah Rose. Kate b. 1874 . Mother of James C. Hale of Marion, Ar. You left her off… Tks.” I am grateful that she pointed this out for me. Originally I had written:

William Alexander Richards was born in 1825 in Jones County, North Carolina. He married Saphroney (or Safroney) Gilmore in 1855. He held the office of Justice of the Peace. William and Saphroney had two children: James Emery born 1857 (died. February of 1900) and William Alexander born 1862 (died in January of 1900). In 1860 Edward Page was living with William and family, along with Williams nephew John M Richards, and two men: Green McDaniel and John Blocker. Saphroney died in 1864. William then married Sarah H Rose in 1866. Together William and Sarah had two children: Robert E Lee Richards in 1867 (died about 1869) and Clarence Addice “Addie” Richards born in 1869 (died in 1950). The 1870 census really confuses me. William and Sarah are listed, along with; JE Richards (James Emery), WL Richards (age 18, born about 1852, a male…who is this!?!?!?!?), CA Richards (Clarence Addice), RE Rose (a 17 year old female that I can only assume is a sister of Sarah) and Nick Wooley or Worley (a farmhand). Who is WL Richards? It’s driving me crazy not knowing! Anyway, William Alexander Richards died January 10, 1875.

I dug a bit deeper and discovered that prior to William Alexander Richards’ death, he and Sarah had two more children: Almeda Richards and Kate Cora Richards. From The Earle Epic (1981):

Almeda “Mead” Richards, born June 1, 1872 in Crittenden County was killed in 1902 when a tree fell on him; buried in Blytheville.

Kate Cora Richards, born Nov. 25, 1874 in Crittenden Co., died Feb. 6, 1968 in Washington, D.C.

The majority of the information concerning the early generations of the Richards family was found in The Earle Epic, so I have no clue how I missed that.

Also, I mentioned a mysterious “W.L. Richards” in the 1870 census with William Alexander and Sarah A. Richards. He is still a mystery. I compared the handwriting on the census to see if it actually had him listed as “W.L.”, and it does:1870 US Federal Census, PO Black Fish, Tyronza Township, Crittenden County, Arkansas, page 2

As you can see, the “W” matches the “W” marked under “Color” (race) for “white” and the “L” matches the “L” in Laura Hood’s name.

So, who is WL Richards (born about 1852 in Arkansas)? I’m sure when I find out it will be a head slapping moment!

2. Pat Isabel Brown, who has researched the Richards family extensively (as well as wrote the Richards article in The Earle Epic!), recently contacted me with information. I was also able to help her, so it has been a great week for research!

Here are a couple of tidbits that have helped me (there are certain to be future posts, and I don’t want to wear my readers out all in one post!):

-In The Richards Epic: Part One, I had questioned the name “Nelia Richards, born 1847…”. Apparently, this was a misprint in the book. Nelia is actually Julia Richards, born May 5, 1846. In that same family, I have her mother listed as Lucinda Parker. On my Ancestry tree I have an asterisk (*) next to her last name, denoting that it has not yet been proven. I should have made mention of that in the post, so as not to confuse readers.

-Pat Brown also sent me a Richards family group sheet (as well as a Lyles family group sheet) that contains some interesting information. A lot of it was told to Jim Hale, Jr by Kate Cora Richards Hale, as recollections of what she had been told by her aunt, Rhoda Richards Hood. As promised, however, that will be saved for another post or two.

As I update my tree and correct information, I will update and correct information on Digging Up Your Family.

Wedding of Minnie Virginia Richards and James Paul Stalls, Sr

I honestly thought I had already transcribed this article describing (in great detail) the wedding of my great-grandparents Minnie Virginia Richards and James Paul Stalls, Sr. Apparently I had not, so here it is!

(I actually wish that a photo of the wedding party were included with the article. If anyone is researching any members of the bridal party, and happens to have photos of a stranger’s wedding, please contact me! PLEASE!)

Published in the Commercial Appeal, Tuesday July 28, 1914:

WEDDINGS

RICHARDS-STALLS

The McLemore Avenue Christian Church was the scene of a very pretty wedding last evening at 8:30 o’clock when Miss Minnie Virginia Richards became the bride of J. Paul Stalls, the Rev. Milo Atkinson officiating in the presence of a large gathering of friends and relatives.

For the occasion the church was prettily decorated with a profusion of plams (sic),ferns and garlands of southern smilax, caught with graceful bows of pink tulle. Electric lights shone through the ferns and palms and lighted tapers glowed through the white shades of the candelabra.

A beautiful programme of wedding music was rendered by Enoch Walton, who presided at the organ, assisted by Mrs. C. W. Parke, soprano, and Mrs. S. H. Lambert, violinist. The Bridal Chorus from “Lohengrin” was used as the processional, with Mendelssohn’s wedding march as the recessional, and during the ceremony Mr. Walton softly played “To a Wild Rose.

The specially selected programme included the following numbers:

Organ-Pilgrim’s Chorus from “Tannhauser”………………..Wagner

Voice-“The Rosary”………………………………………………………..Nevin

Organ-Andante in G………………………………………………………Batiste

Voice-“All For You”…………………………………………….…D’Hardelot

Organ-“Evensong”……………………………………………………….Batiste

Voice-“Because”…….…………………………………………..…D’Hardelot

Organ-“Spring Song”……………………………………….….Mendelssohn

Violin-“Evening Star”………………………………………..……..…Wagner

Organ-Humoresque……………………………………………..….……Dvorak

Voice-“O, Promise Me”…………………………………………….De Koven

Organ-(a) Bridal Chorus from “Lohengrin”……………….…Wagner

(b) “To a Wild Rose”…………………………………..MacDowell

Voice-“At Dawning”

Organ-(a) Wedding March…………………………………..Mendelssohn

(b) March from “Tannhauser”……………………………Wagner

The bride, who was given in marriage by her father, Jerome Richards, was gowned in a robe of white duchess satin with draperies of Chantilly lace, with she wore a filmy veil of tulle, falling from a Juliet cap and caught with orange blossoms. She carried a shower bouquet of Bride roses and valley lilies and wore as her only ornament a diamond and pearl pendant: the gift of the groom.

Miss Zella Smith of Meridian, Miss., acted as maid of honor, gowned in pink crepe de chine with a draped cape and carrying a French basket filled with Bride roses.

Misses Annie Sites, Katherine Lawless and Dorothy and Laura Richards served as bridesmaids, gowned in pink crepe de chine and lace and carrying French baskets filled with pink Killarney roses.

Little Misses Alice Rogers and Ruth Frances Parke acted as flower girls, wearing dainty frocks of lace over pink satin and carrying small baskets filled with pink rose petals, while Master Clifton Drane Bondurant served as ringbearer, wearing an Oliver Twist suit of white and pink and carrying the ring in the heart of a lily.

The groom was attended by W. Franklin Robinson as best man, Robert Love and Clarence Banning as groomsmen and Earle F. French and Lin Sheffer as ushers.

Following the ceremony an informal reception for the immediate relatives and members of the bridal party was held at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Richards, on Lucy Avenue, where the decorations were of pink and white, carried out in garden flowers, ferns, and palms.

A cordial welcome was extended to the guests by Mr. and Mrs. Richards, the latter gowned in black crepe de chine and lace, and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Curtius, the latter gowned in hand-embroidered voile.

Many handsome presents attested the popularity of the young couple, who left last evening for New Orleans, en route to New York and points along the Great Lakes. For traveling the bride was gowned in a tailored suit of blue serge, with a hat of white straw.

After the middle of September Mr. and Mrs. Stalls will be at home to their friends with the parents of the bride, Mr. and Mrs. Richards, on Lucy Avenue.

DeMumbrie’s and Richards’ Plantations Under Water

If you will remember (or if you haven’t been here before and this is new to you) I mentioned back in June that I think I found approximately when Spencer DeMumbrie died. I gave the dates I was estimating as between September 1874 and September 1876. However, after mulling it over, and speaking with my mother numerous times, I believe I can shorten the length of time to something more approximate. I made a call to the Mississippi Archives to see if they they knew if there were any specific months that the taxes would have been done in the 1870s, but they didn’t. However, they did confirm that if Spencer’s estate paid taxes in 1876 then he would have died between the 1875 tax season and the 1876 tax season. Then I remembered that at the end of every year the county sections were recapitulated and sworn and signed on specific days that the information was true. In 1874 that date was June 30th. In 1876 that date was September 4th. So, given the furthest dates possible, I would say Spencer died sometime between May 1, 1875 and September 4, 1876. That is still a lot of time to cover.

I am not saying that I know what happened to Spencer. If I had to guess I would say it is possible he either a) drowned, or b) died of pneumonia. Don’t hold me to that. The reasoning, however, is due to a terrible flood that occurred in the latter half of 1875 to Spencer’s plantation. I will not transcribe the entire news article, as it is very long, but here are portions of the story that appeared on the front page in the August 3, 1875 issue of the Memphis Daily Appeal:

GENERAL INUNDATION

The reports of the doings of the rivers above here the past twenty-four hours are anything else by encouraging; on the contrary, they are of a most disheartening character. Up to yesterday afternoon, we saw some hope for the planters in the Mississippi valley, but the dispatches and the official report of the signal service bureau have begotten a different feeling, and we are almost disposed to give up the ship. Still, there are those who believe there will not be a general disaster, but we fear their opinions are not well-founded…

…The only great disaster yet known between Memphis and Friar’s point is at Demummer’s bend, where the water is running with tremendous current through the fields. At Richard’s bend, just below, the water is covering a good deal of cotton, but as yet not so effectually at its mercy as at the Demummer place…

I would assume that the newspaper would have mentioned his death, and it may have and was just transcribed wrong. But now I have it narrowed down within roughly 16 months. Keep your fingers crossed!

Also, I think it’s worth mentioning that George Washington Richards, Esq died of pneumonia on September 2, 1875. Being Edmund’s son and Jerome’s brother, he would have been living at the Richard’s plantation. So the idea of death by pneumonia after slogging through a flooded plantation isn’t that hard to imagine, or any other illness or disease that may be the product of a flood.

Category: Richards Family