Digging Up Your Family

Continued from The Richards Epic: Part Two. 

   Photo of Jerome E Richards, Sr circa 1900 (I believe it was 1900 when the police department went to five pointed stars rather than six pointed) courtesy of my 2nd cousin once removed Rick Pollard of the Memphis Police Department

 

Jerome Richards is my 2nd great-grandfather.  Jerome was born February 20, 1856 in Crittenden County, Arkansas.  In 1860 he is found living in Eastland County, Texas with his father, cousin and four of his siblings.  In 1870 he is on the Austin, Tunica County, Mississippi census living with his father and four of his siblings.  The family lived next door to Spencer DeMumbrie and family.

Jerome married Minnie DeMumbrie on January 21, 1878 in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee.

Jerome and Minnie had a son on January 18, 1879 who they named Jerome Eddie Richards, Jr (according to the Richards Family Bible).

In 1880 Jerome and Minnie are found living in District 1 or 2, Tunica County, Mississippi.  The household is listed as:

JE (Jerome) Richards, 24, born in Arkansas, both parents born in Tennessee (which isn’t correct)

CA (Minnie) Richards, 21, born in Mississippi, father born in North Carolina (wrong) and mother born in Tennessee (correct)

JE Richards, Jr, 2 (Jerome E Richards, Jr)

MH McMillen, 70, grandmother (she is actually Minnie’s maternal grandmother)

JA Mathews (age 34 years), Ellis Sholly (age 22 years) and Barbary Shipp (age 12 years) all listed as servants.

On August 14, 1880 Minnie gave birth to their second son Claude Eugene Richards.

On March 9, 1884 Minnie gave birth to their third son Bluford Napoleon Richards.

From 1880 until 1900 the only way to track where Jerome and Minnie are is through the Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee city directories, which the first time he shows up is in 1885, so here we go:

1885 Dow:  Richards, Jerome, farmer, res Lucy av, 3d e of Rayburn av

1886 Dow:  Richards, Jerome, farmer, r Lucy av, se cor LaRose

1887 Dow:  Richards, Jerome E, gardener, res Lucy av, 1st e of LaRose

Jerome doesn’t appear in the 1888 city directory.

1889 Dow:  Richards, Jerome E, contractor, res Lucy av, 2d e of LaRose

1890 Dow:  Richards, Jerome E, contractor, res Lucy av, 1st e of LaRose (also to note is that this year I believe Edmund shows up in Memphis:  Richards, Edward, lab, res Gaines 5th e of Kansas av)

On March 16, 1890 Minnie had a fourth son Clegg DeMumbrie Richards.

1891 Dow: Richards, Jerome E, contractor, res Lucy av, 2d e of LaRose (Richards, Edmund, farmer, res Gaines, 3d e of Kansas av. Of course, Edmund died in 1890, so this would be the last time he is found in the directory, though I’m surprised that they didn’t list him as deceased, unless the directory hadn’t yet been notified as of the printing)

1891 Polk:  Richards, Jerome E, cont, res Lucy av s e cor Harris av.

1892 Dow:  Richards, Jerome L(?), contractor, res Lucy av, 2d e of LaRose

George Washington Richards, the couple’s fifth child, was born July 4, 1892.

According to The History of the Memphis Police Department by Eddie M Ashmore, Jerome joined the police department in 1892.

1892 Polk:  Richards, Jerome E, contractor, res Lucy av 1 e of LaRose

1893 Polk:  Richards, Jerome E, contr, res Lucy av 1 e of Harris av.

1894 Polk:  Richards, Jerome E, res Lucy av ne cor Harris av.

Sadly, little George Washington Richards passed away on March 3, 1894 one day shy of 1 year and 8 months of age.

1895 Polk:  Richards, Jerome E, dep sheriff, res Lucy av, se cor Harris av

1896 Polk:  Richards, Jerome E, jailer county jail, res Front ne cor Auction (listed below Jerome is: Richards, Jerome E Jr, res county jail)

From what I understand the family was having their home redecorated, and they were residing in an apartment at the jail. It was in this apartment that the couple’s sixth and final child, the only girl, was born on April 5, 1896. They named her Minnie Virginia Richards.

1897 Degaris:  Richards, Jerome E, agt, res Lucy av 1 e of LaRose.

1898 Degaris:  Richards, Jerome E, deputy trustee Court House, res Lucy av 3 e of LaRose exdt

1898 Polk:  Richard(s), Jerome E, deputy tax collector’s office, res Lucy av 2 e of LaRose.

According to The History of the Memphis Police Department Jerome was sworn in as Chief of Police in January of 1898.

1899 Polk:  RICHARDS, JEROME E, Chief of Police, office 2d sw cor of Washington, Tel 501, res 209 Johnson av, Tel 107.

1900 Polk:  RICHARDS, JEROME E, Chief of Police, office 2d sw cor of Washington, Tel 501, res 209 Johnson av, Tel 107.

In 1900 Jerome and Minnie can be found on the census living at 209 Johnson Avenue, Civil District 15, Ward 9, Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee.  The household is:

Jerome E Richards, Chief of Police, age 44 years, born Arkansas, father born South Carolina (wrong), mother born Louisiana (possible?)

Minnie Richards, age 42 years, born Mississippi, father born Tennessee, mother born Tennessee

Eddie (Jerome Jr) Richards, city officer, age 21 years, born Arkansas (that’s interesting), father born Arkansas, mother born Mississippi

Claude, RR gate keeper, age 19 years, born Tennessee, parents see above

Bluford, RR clerk, age 16 years, same as Claude

Clegg, at school, age 10 years, same as Claude

Minnie, age 4 years, same as Claude

Frank Macon, John Smith and George Smith are all listed as servants.

Going through the city directory again Jerome is listed as the Chief of Police until 1903. 

1903 Polk:  RICHARDS, JEROME E, Clk Criminal Court Shelby County, 2d fl Court House, res 493 Lucy av, Tel Cum 2162

1904 Polk:  RICHARDS, JEROME E, Clerk Criminal Court Shelby County Court House (2d fl), res 493 Lucy av, Tel Cum 2162

1905 Polk:  RICHARDS, JEROME E, Clerk Criminal Court, Shelby County, Court House (2d fl), res 493 Lucy av, Tel Cum 2162

On December 4, 1905 Jerome’s son Claude shot himself in the chest near the parlor of the family’s home.  He died in his mother’s arms.

1906 Polk:  RICHARDS, JEROME E, Clerk Criminal Court, Shelby County Court House (2d fl), res 493 Lucy av

1907 Polk:  RICHARDS, JEROME E, Clk Criminal Court, Shelby County Court House (2d fl), res 493 Lucy av

1908 Polk:  RICHARDS, JEROME E, Clerk Criminal Court of Shelby County, Court House (2d fl), res 493 Lucy av

There is a court record dated September 30, 1908 for some sort of kerfuffle that I haven’t quite figured out completely.  Though I have the record, I will need to investigate this a bit more.

1909 Polk:  RICHARDS, JEROME E, Clerk Criminal Court of Shelby County, Court House (2d fl), res 493 Lucy av

1910 Polk:  RICHARDS, JEROME E, Clerk Criminal Court of Shelby County, 11 Court House (1st fl), res 493 Lucy av, Tel Cum 2162 Main

In 1910 Jerome and family are found on the census at 493 Lucy Avenue, District 271, Ward 25, Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee.  They are listed as:

Jerome E Richards, Clerk of Criminal Court, age 54 years, married 31 years (32), born Arkansas, father born North Carolina, mother born U
nited States

Minnie Richards, age 51 years, married 31 years (32), born Mississippi, father born Tennessee, mother born Tennessee

Bluford Richards, Lawyer, age 26 years, born Tennessee, father born Arkansas, mother born Mississippi

Clegg Richards, Office Clerk, age 20 years, same as Bluford

Minnie V Richards, age 14 years, same as Bluford

Dick Richards (a cousin of Jerome’s), Railroad Clerk, age 22 years, born Arkansas, father born Arkansas, mother born Arkansas

Also listed is a black man named Will Knoles, Family Servant, age 22 years, born Alabama, parents both born United States (for more about Will Knoles click here)

There is no 1911 directory listed in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee.  From 1912 through 1914 Jerome is listed as Clerk of the Criminal Court of Shelby County.  His occupation changed in 1915:

1915 Polk:  Richards, Jerome E contr North Memphis Savings Bank bldg (4th fl) res 493 Lucy av

1916 Polk:  Richards, Jerome E contr res 493 Lucy av

1917 Polk:  Richards, Jerome E res 493 Lucy av

1918 Polk:  Richards, Jerome E res 493 Lucy av

1919 Polk:  Richards, Jerome E res 493 Lucy av

1920 Polk:  RICHARDS, JEROME E, Poll Tax Assessor and Collector, 9 Court House (2d fl) res 493 Lucy av

In 1920 Jerome is found living with his family at 493 Lucy Avenue, District 202, Ward 25, Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee.  They are listed as:

Jerome E Richards, Poll Tax Collector for Shelby County, age 63 years, born Arkansas, father born North Carolina, mother born Louisiana (possible?)

Minnie Richards, age 61 years, born Mississippi, father born Tennessee, mother born Tennessee

Paul Stalls (son-in-law, Minnie Virginia’s husband), Music Teacher, age 36 years, born Kentucky (possible?), father born Kentucky (wrong), mother born Kentucky

Minnie Stalls (Minnie Virginia Richards), age 23 years, born Tennessee, father born Arkansas, mother born Mississippi

Bluford N Richards, Appraiser for the State of Tennessee, age 37 years, same as Minnie

Willie D Richards (daughter-in-law, Bluford’s wife), age 29 years, born Tennessee, father born Tennessee, mother born Tennessee

There is also a black woman named Nannie Taylor listed as a Family Servant living in the rear of the home, age 23 years, born Tennessee, father born Tennessee, mother born Tennessee

Jerome appears in two more city directories:

1921 Polk:  RICHARDS, JEROME E, Poll Tax Assessor and Collector, 9 Court House (2d fl) h 493 Lucy av

1922 Polk:  RICHARDS, JEROME E, Poll Tax Assessor and Collector, 9 Court House (2d fl) h 493 Lucy av

Jerome E Richards died at 2 o’clock in the morning on August 14, 1922 in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee.  The cause of death was cirrhosis of the liver.  Jerome E Richards is buried in the Richards Family Plot at Forest Hill Cemetery, Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee.

One of my favorite things I have read about him is contained in a book that I do not know the name of or when it was published (though it was published sometime during his career as Chief of Police, I’m guessing 1900).  All I have are photocopies of the pages he appears on.

Jerome E. Richards, the present head of the Memphis police department, was born in Crittenden County, Ark., on February 24, 1856.  Early in life he moved to Tunica County, Miss., and lived at Richards Landing.  He has been a citizen of Memphis for twenty years.  Prior to his connection with the Memphis police department he was engaged in the railroad construction business.  He first became a member of the department in 1892.  He occupied the position of patrolman at that time.  Finding other fields more profitable he retired for a while from the department, and did not take up the calling again until he was made chief by the Fire and Police Commissioners in February 1898.  He is well equipped for the duties which his position imposes.  He is a man of splendid abilities, possessing all the rare qualities that make a first-class executive officer.  He is prompt in his decisions, earnest in his convictions and unswerving in his loyalty and devotion to public duty.  He is as firm as a rock, and yet never harsh in his actions toward the unfortunates who come within the scope of his authority.  In dealing with the frailties of the human family, his judgment is always tempered with mercy, and his firmness inoffensive.  Personally, he is one of the best fellows.  Officially, his record is clean, clear-cut and business-like in every particular, and his administration is marked at every point by a rigid performance of public duty.  He is metropolitan in his ideas and has made many improvements since his induction into office that places the department generally upon a more creditable and a more useful basis.  He has surrounded himself with efficient officers, and while always active in politics, he has never allowed partisan feeling to sway him from his duty.  Recognizing that long service on the department tends to raise the standard of efficiency, he is in favor of a more liberal application of the doctrine of civil service reform in the management of the police department.  In entering upon the second term of his career as chief, he will probably recommend more useful and more creditable changes in the department than any of his predecessors.  He has been active in the suppression of crime, and the criminal report which he has just completed reveals a splendid record of a year’s work.  There is no fitter man for the place than Jerome E. Richards, and his successors in office will find it profitable to emulate his example, and they will have a high standard to follow.

From The History of the Memphis Police Department by Eddie M Ashmore (page 25 in the book, page 8 in the PDF of the book) with a different month of induction:

Jerome E. Richards became chief of police in January 1898 following the tenure of Chief E.B. Mosley.  Richards joined the department in 1892.  He was described as “probably the most rigid character who ever filled the office of Chief of Police in the city of Memphis.  He is a natural disciplinarian.  His word has the bark on it.  He means what he says and he sometimes gives to his language a sulphuric coloring that makes it even more forcible.”

Jerome E Richards, Sr and Minnie DeMumbrie had six children:

Jerome E Richards, Jr was born January 18, 1879.  Ed, or Eddie (as he was known in the family) became Judge of the Criminal Court of Shelby County.  My granddaddy told a story of his Uncle Clegg, Ed’s brother, taking him to the courthouse to watch Uncle Ed work.  Clegg told Granddaddy to stand up and thumb his nose at Uncle Ed to make him laugh, and Granddaddy did it.  Apparently everybody in the courtroom laughed.  Except Uncle Ed.  Ed married Laura Borner about 1902, but I have yet to find their marriage record.  They had two daughters:  Laura Richards, born in 1902, died in 1943 (she married Carl Edwin Speight and had three children:  Carl Edmund Speight, Carolyn Jean Speight and Albert Franklin Speight) and Dorothy Richards, born 1905 (no further information on Dorothy).  Judge Jerome E Richards, Jr died on May 18, 1929.  He is buried in Forest Hill Cemetery in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee. 

Claude Eugene Richards was born August 14, 1880 in Tennessee.  Not much is really known about his life, other than he worked as a gatekeeper for the Illinois Central Railroad, then as a conductor.  Claude committed suicide in the family home on December 4, 1905, and he is buried in Forest Hi
ll Cemetery in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee.  (for more information on Claude Eugene Richards click here)

Bluford Napoleon Richards was born on March 9, 1884 in Tennessee.  He was a clerk, then a lawyer, then a state appraiser, eventually becoming a Deputy Sheriff for the county court.  He married Willie Dee Sanders on December 10, 1910 in Wilson County, Tennessee.  Blu (as he was known) and Willie didn’t have any children.  Blu is also the only child of Jerome’s, besides George, that I do not have a photo for.  Bluford Napoleon Richards died May 13, 1955 at 6:25 in the morning in a car accident at Poplar and Third in Memphis.  My mother remembers when it happened.  She was at school early to see the movie that they showed before classes started and was pulled out and sent home.  Bluford is, according to his death certificate, buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee.

Clegg Demumbrie Richards was born on March 16, 1890 in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee.  I’m perplexed as to why I am unable to find him on the 1920 census.  I assumed initially that he may have been overseas in the military, but there is no military information for him with the exception of a WWI draft registration card.  He, much like his brothers and father, went into law enforcement.  He eventually became a detective for the Memphis Police Department.  He was one of the detectives involved in the capture of George C Barnes, aka Machine Gun Kelly.  On June 4, 1913 Clegg married Clara Evelyn Ketchen.  They divorced prior to 1929.  On July 3, 1929 Clegg married Lily Margaret Hart.  Clegg had three children:  Mary Evelyn Richards and Jerome Richards with Clara Evelyn Ketchen and Marydell Richards with Lily Margaret Hart.  Clegg Demumbrie Richards died on June 18, 1955.  The cause of death was carcinoma of the omentum.  According to his death certificate Clegg is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee.

George Washington Richards was born on July 4, 1892.  He did not live long, and I have no cause of death.  There are no known photographs of him (that I know of, is what I mean).  George Washington Richards died on March 3, 1894 at the age of one year and eight months.  He is buried in Forest Hill Cemetery, Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee.

Minnie Virginia Richards was born on April 5, 1896 in the Memphis jail.  Minnie married James Paul Stalls, Sr on July 27, 1914.  They divorced on August 10, 1926.  Minnie Virginia then married Stephen Anthony Para on January 29, 1927.  Minnie Virginia had one child from her first marriage.  Her son James Paul Stalls, Jr married first on August 21, 1938 to Christine Meredith Hester and had a son Richard Anthony Stalls.  After they divorced he married a final time on March 12, 1948 to Ruth May Craft and had two daughters Virginia Marie Stalls and Paulette Stalls.  Minnie Virginia Richards died on July 6, 1974.  She is buried in Forest Hill Cemetery, Memphis Shelby County, Tennessee.  (for more information on Minnie Virginia Richards click here) 

Continued from The Richards Epic: Part One

The cover of History of Eastland County, Texas (1904) by Mrs. George Langston, reprinted by Cornell University Library. 

 

Edmund Richards was born about 1823 in Jones County, North Carolina. On March 14, 1846 Edmund married Caroline McQueen, daughter of Peter McQueen and Elizabeth Freeland, in Crittenden County, Arkansas.

In 1850 Edmund and Caroline are found living in Tyrongee, Crittenden County, Arkansas. The household consists of:

Edmund Richards(listed as Edward, age 25 years)

Caroline Richards (listed as Catharina, age 22 years)

George Richards (George Washington Richards, Esq., age 3 years)

Lucy Richards (age 2 years)

Mary Edwards (I don’t know who she is, age 14 years)

Mary McQueen (Caroline’s sister, age 18 years)

Sometime between 1850 and 1856 the couple had at least four more children. Caroline died between 1856 and 1860, though I can’t be certain if she died in Arkansas or Texas.

In 1860 Edmund is found in Eastland County, Texas with his niece and children:

Edmund Richards (stock farmer, age 37 years)

Melissa Richards (daughter of John Richards III and Lucinda Parker, keeping house, age 16 years)

George Richards (age 12 years)

Laura Richards (age 10 years)

Alice Richards (age 8 years)

Marshall Richards (age 6 years)

Jerome Richards (age 4 years)

About his time in Texas: According to History of Eastland County, Texas (1904) by Mrs. George Langston the first settler came to the area about 1856. Soon after more families settled the area.  Oddly enough the book doesn’t name the Richards family, but does list a Richardson family from Arkansas, the patriarch being a doctor.  I spoke with a county genealogist in in Eastland who researched the names for me and sent me a letter:

“I looked in the Eastland County History Book and did not find an Edmund Richards.  I did find Doctor C.S. Richardson in the list of physicians.” 

I have searched the 1860 and 1870 US Federal Census, the 1860 and 1870 Texas State Census, the Selected US Federal Census Non-Population Schedules-1850-1880, tax records, and land records.  There is absolutely, positively no CS Richardson listed anywhere that I could find, let alone a doctor by that name, even remotely close to Eastland County, Texas (though help with this man would be fantastic!).  In fact, the closest I could find is a William L Richardson, listed as a “stock teamer” in Erath County, Texas in 1860, but he was from Florida (and I was able to find him there in 1850 with his mother and siblings).  The names listed on the 1860 Eastland County, Texas State Census are:

John W Flannegan

Singleton Gilbert

Samuel M Gilbert

Davis Millburn

William Highsaw

Edmund Richards

William M Mansker

William J Folles

Charles C Blair

James Ellison

James M Ellison

Dempsey Wyatt

Noah Fitzwaters

John Birden

William Barden

Joseph Barden

William E Wilson

Silas C Shirley

AW Bell

Alfred Oliver

John H Owens

This follows the US Federal Census exactly.  Another thing I find interesting from the book is (page 70):

“J.M. ELLISON

At the time of the Indian’s first raid through this County in December, 1859, they stole Dr. Richardson’s horses. Mr. Ellison, with six others, followed them three days through a fearful snowstorm without any success.”

If you look at the Selected US Federal Census Non-Population Schedules-1850-1880 you will see that Edmund has no horses at all. Though he isn’t the only one without horses, it makes me think that Mrs. George Langston was talking about Edmund (by the way, looking at the US Federal Census for 1860, the State Census for 1860 and the Selected US Federal Census Non-Population Schedules-1850-1880 there are no doctors listed at all, pretty much just stock farmers and seamstresses…and if you’ve ever been on the Seattle Underground Tour then you’d know why I find that immensely funny).

By November 20, 1863 Edmund had moved back to Arkansas. It was that date that he enlisted in the Union Army at Benton, Arkansas. His son George also enlisted on the same day. Edmund’s niece Melissa stayed behind in Texas presumably because she fell in love and married Joseph Hinshaw.

In 1870 Edmund and family are found in District 1, Tunica County, Mississippi living next door to the DeMumbrie family. They are listed as:

Edmund Richards (planter, age 47 years)

George W Richards (superintendent of farm, age 22 years)

Laura Richards (keeping house, age 19 years)

Alice Richards (age 17 years)

Marshall Richards (age 15 years)

Jerome Richards (age 14 years)

In 1880 Edmund is found living in Council Township, Lee County, Arkansas with his daughter Alice. They are listed as:

E Richards (farmer, age 56 years)

Allice Richards (housekeeper, age 21 years)

This census also tells us that Edmund’s father John was born in Virginia and his mother Rhoda was born in North Carolina.

According to Earle Epic, Edmund Richards was buried the first time on October 22, 1890 in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee at Elmwood Cemetery. Then on January 18, 1906 his was moved to Forrest Hill Cemetery in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, I assume to the Richards Family plot (I’m waiting to hear back from the cemetery to tell me).

The children of Edmund Richards and Caroline McQueen are:

George Washington Richards, Esq was born on February 4, 1847 in Crittenden County, Arkansas. I can find no marriage record for him, nor does his obituary mention a spouse. George Washington Richards, Esq died in Tunica County, Mississippi on September 2, 1875 of consumption. I’m not sure what newspaper the obituary appeared in:

“DIED

At the residence of his father, at Alexis, Tunica County, Miss., of consumption on 2nd day of September, 1875, Geo. W. Richards, Esq., age 28 years, 6 months and 28 days.

The subject of this notice has been long afflicted with this dread disease, and though his demise was only a question of time, and hourly anticipated by his friends, and anxiously awaited by the sufferer himself, yet, when the time came, and the brittle thread was snapped, his many friends, and all who knew him were his friends, felt keenly the pangs of grief, and it was hard to realize that one so young, so amiable, so true and pure in all his actions, could not be permitted to remain here an ornament to the world, and a pride to his fond and devoted parents, and his friends and relations. But the ways of Providence are mysterious, and we can but say "Thy will be done."

The subject of this notice was born in Crittenden county, Arkansas, on the 4th day of February, 1847. He died as he had lived, a pure, honest, upright man, and had as fears of the King of Terrors. He was well aware that the time had come, and just before he breathed his last, he bade his friends, who surrounded his bedside, adieu, shaking them by the hands, and begging them to live so as to meet him in a better world. Though young he had been called to fill important trusts and at the time of his death was the only acting Ju
stice of the Peace in district No. 2. Words are inadequate to express the sorrow and grief which his neighbors feel. Suffice it to say all feel that they have lost a friend. None knew him but to love him, but they are consoled with the thought that their loss is his eternal gain.”

Lucy Richards was born about 1848 in Crittenden County, Arkansas. She appears only on the 1850 census living with her parents, but she doesn’t appear anywhere after that. I believe she passed prior to 1860, though like her mother, I don’t know when or where (or how). I have no further information.

Laura Richards was born about 1851 in Crittenden County, Arkansas. She is found on the 1860 and 1870 census records. I think she married prior to 1880, possibly in Mississippi, but I am unable to find a record. I have no further information.

Alice E Richards was born August 11, 1853 in Crittenden County, Arkansas. In She married Bluford L Baskett on January 30, 1882 in Memphis Shelby County, Tennessee. Bluford Baskett was a police officer in Memphis before his death in 1907 of nephritis. Alice and Bluford had one child, Jessie, who married Eldran Harvey Rogers. They had at least one child named Alice Rogers. Alice E Richards died on August 3, 1929 of pyelitis. Her nephew Bluford Richards was the informant for her death certificate.

Marshall Richards was born about 1855 in Crittenden County, Arkansas. Though he appears on the 1860 and 1870 census records, he does not appear on any other records. I have no further information.

Jerome Richards (see Part Three of The Richards Epic)

…to be continued!

 

The  Cover of Earle Epic by Gladys Wright.  The photo is the Richards Family home in Earle, Crittenden County, Arkansas.

 

*UPDATE* – Updates for this post can be found by clicking HERE.

My Richards family is a pretty interesting, intriguing, story. I have been researching them and I have so many questions, some which may never be answered.

Most of the early information I have for the Richards comes from a small book titled Earle Epic by Gladys Wright published in 1981. Though the information is brief, it helped to push the research of the Richards family forward, though not back far enough (yet). The rest is what I have found through research, along with family stories. Though what follows may not include everyone in the Richards family, it will include as much as I have found thus far. Perhaps distant cousins will come forward with more information (and photos!) to share.

The Richards family story that was passed down from my great-grandmother Minnie Virginia Richards to my mother was that our Richards line came from King Richard (probably from “cavorting” in the countryside). Her husband Stephen Para (being of Italian ancestry) found the story amusing and would always say, “Hell, 'Ginia, that’s nothing. Your ancestors were still swinging through the trees while mine had conquered the known world”. There were three Kings of Britain named Richard, so I’m not totally sure which she would have been talking about: King Richard I the Lionheart had no children in his marriage, though there are rumors of him having had at least one illegitimate child, if not more (but then again, there are other rumors of…ah, let’s just say rumors); King Richard II, whose first marriage was childless, as well as his second marriage to a 6-year-old Isabella of Valois; King Richard III did have illegitimate children, but that doesn’t mean that we are descended from him (I wonder how many Richards families out there have the same story?).

The first instance of the Richards family, as far as it was known at the time Earle Epic was published, and as far as I can tell from how far back others have researched so far, is John Richards, born about 1755 (the book gives 1750-60, so we can split the difference and work off that) in Virginia. John Richards was a shoemaker who married a woman by the name of Catherine Cocke and gave her a gold coin as a wedding present. I have been unable to find a place and date of death, though I’m betting Jones County, North Carolina.  I have not been able to find a marriage date or location for them either. I do know, however, that they were living in Jones County, North Carolina, as that appears to be where their son John married in the early 1800s.

So, the story goes that John was a shoemaker. He and Catherine had at least two children, John Richards (Jr? the Third?) and William Richards. There were, apparently, more children, according to the census records:

1790 Jones County, North Carolina

Head of Household: John Richards

Free White Persons-Males-16 and Over: 1

Free White Persons-Males-16 and Under: 1

Free White Persons-Females: 5 (no ages!)

Number of Household Members: 7

1800 Jones County, North Carolina

Head of Household: John Richards

Free White Persons – Males – 45 and Over: 1

Free White Persons – Males – 16 thru 25: 1

Free White Persons – Males – Under 10: 2

Free White Persons – Females – 45 and Over: 1

Free White Persons – Females – 16 thru 25: 3

Free White Persons – Females – 10 thru 15: 1

Number of Household Members Under 16: 3

Number of Household Members Over 25: 2

Number of Household Members: 9

In 1810 the shoemaker John was still alive because he appears on the census record as John Richards, Sr, though his age is off:

1810 Jones County, North Carolina

Head of Household: John Richards, Senior

Free White Persons – Males – 26 thru 44 : 1

Free White Persons – Males – Under 10: 2

Free White Persons – Females – 26 thru 44: 1

Free White Persons – Females – 10 thru 15: 3

Number of Household Members Under 16: 5

Number of Household Members Over 25: 2

Number of Household Members: 7

Also found in Jones County, North Carolina that year listed separately his his son John Richards, Jr with his wife and…someone.

1810 Jones County, North Carolina

Head of Household: John Richards, Junior

Free White Persons – Males – 26 thru 44: 1

Free White Persons – Males – 16 thru 25: 1

Free White Persons – Females – 16 thru 25: 1

Number of Household Members Over 25: 1

Number of Household Members: 3

Based on the estimated year of birth for John Richards, Jr (about 1790) I am supposing that “Free White Persons – Males – 16 thru 25” is him and “Free White Persons – Females – 16 thru 25” is his wife (more on that in a second). But I don’t know who on earth “Free White Persons – Males – 26 thru 44” could be.

Sometime between 1810 and 1820 John Richards, Sr, the shoemaker, died. The story is so terrible. John, Sr was seasoning some white oak pegs (drying them out, for those not in the “wood” know) and he suddenly had a stroke. He fell into the fire and died as a result of the burns he received. Whether he died in the fire, or hours (or days or weeks) later is not known. At least, I can’t find anything further about it.

John Richards, Jr married Rhoda Metz sometime around 1809/1810, possibly in Jones County, North Carolina. I say “possibly” because I am unable to find a marriage record for them AND because there are no Metz (or Metts) families found in Jones County. Or any of North Carolina at that point.

John, Jr and Rhoda had at least nine children, all were most likely born in Jones County, North Carolina. The known children are:

John Richards III born about 1811

Susan “Suki” Richards born about 1813

Mary Richards born about 1815

Nancy Richards born about 1819

Julia Richards born about 1821

Edmund Richards born about 1823

William Alexander Richards born about 1825

Rhoda Richards born about 1829

James “Jim” Richards born about 1832

In 1820 John, Jr and family are listed on the census as two adults over the age of 25 and five children under the age of 10.

In 1830 the family was still living in Jones County, North Carolina. They appear on the census as:

1830 Jones County, North Carolina

Head of Household: John Richards:

Free White Persons – Males – 40 thru 49: 1 (John, Jr)

Free White Persons – Males – 20 thru 29: 1 (?)

Free White Persons – Males – 15 thru 19: 1 (John III)

Free White Persons – Males – 5 thru 9: 1(Edmund)

Free White Persons – Males – Under 5: 2 (William Alexander and ?)

Free White Persons – Females – 30 thru 39: 1 (Rhoda)

Free White Persons – Females – 15 thru 19: 2 (Susan and Mary)

Free White Persons – Females – 10 thru 14: 2 (Nancy and Julia)

Free White Persons – Females – Under 5: 1 (Little Rhoda)

Free White Persons – 20 thru 49: 3

Free White Persons – Under 20: 9

Total – All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 12

So there are two male children that we are unsure of who they are.

Sometime after the youngest (known) child, Jim, was born in North Carolina the Richards family decided to head west. In a covered wagon, of course. According to the story they would travel for a while and stop in the Spring so that they could farm enough crop to live on while travelling. During one of these stops, in Tiptonville, Lake County, Tennessee, which is in the faaaaar northwest corner of the state, John, Jr died. It was either 1834 or 1835 when it happened. From Earle Epic:

“The crop had been gathered in and he was taking a rest at the end of the day. He was leaning back in a chair on the porch, smoking a corncob pipe when he had a heart attack and died”.

It is thought that the reason no one knows where he is buried is because the family didn’t have enough money for a headstone.

After the death of John Richards, Jr his widow Rhoda and her brother-in-law William decided to push forward and move…across the state line to Arkansas. In 1840 they are found in Jasper, Crittenden County, Arkansas. There are actually two census records:

1840 Jasper, Crittenden County, Arkansas

Head of Household: Rody Richards (Rhoda)

Free White Persons – Females – 40 thru 49: 1

Free White Persons – Females – 20 thru 29: 1

Free White Persons – Females – 10 thru 14: 1

Free White Persons – Males – 15 thru 19: 1

Free White Persons – Males – 10 thru 14: 1

Free White Persons – Males – 5 thru 9: 1

1840 Jasper, Crittenden County, Arkansas

Head of Household: John Richards (John III)

Free White Persons – Males – 20 thru 29: 1

Free White Persons – Females – 15 thru 19: 1

Free White Persons – Males – Under 5: 1

Colored Persons – Insane and Idiots at Private Charge: 1

Interesting. Anyway, It’s not until 1850 when we can see more information.

The family is found living in Tyrongee Township, Crittenden County, Arkansas (I had to look up the name of this place. I believe it sat where Earle is now on the Tyronza River Bend. There is a town in Arkansas named Tyronza, but it is in a different county). Rhoda is listed as Rhody Richards, age 56 years. Living in the household with her are: Susan (age 37 years, listed as “idiotic”), William (age 25 years) and James (age 18 years). Living next door to Rhoda is her son Edmund and his family. Edmund is shown as Edward Richards, age 25 years. Living in the household with him are: Catharina (Caroline, age 22 years, Edmund’s wife), George (age 3 years), Lucy (age 2 years), Mary Edwards (age 14 years, I don’t have a clue who she is or why she lives with them) and Mary McQueen (age 18 years, Caroline’s sister). John III and his family didn’t live far from Rhoda and Edmund. He is listed as John Richards, age 39 years. Also living in his household are: Lucinda (age 22 years, either a second wife or she lied about her age…see the 1840 census), John (age 11 years), Amanda (age 9 years), Malissa (age 6 years), Julia (age 3 years) and Mary (age 1 year). Also living in Jasper, Crittenden County, Arkansas, not far from either Rhoda and Edmund or John III is John, Jr’s brother William. He is listed as William Richards, age 50 years. Living in the household with him is a man by the name of Amos Page, age 40 years.

It is here where the family starts to split up. I will go down the list of children, filling in as much information as I can, but I am going to leave Edmund for Part Two of The Richards Epic, as he is the line I know more about at this point since he is my 3rd great-grandfather.

1. John Richards III was born about 1811 in Jones County, North Carolina. I can’t say for certain if he married once or twice, but by 1850 he had married Lucinda Parker (born 1825-1828). It is said that Lucinda may have been Native American. John and Lucinda had the following children:

John M Richards (though, as stated before, Lucinda may not be his mother), born about 1839. It doesn’t appear that John M ever married. In 1860 he is found living with his uncle William Alexander Richards and employed as a laborer. I am unable at the moment to find him in 1870. In 1880 he is found living with his sister Rhoda and her family and is employed as a farmer. I do not have a date or place of death for John M Richards.

Amanda Richards was born about 1841. I have no further information.

Melissa Richards was born in December of 1845 (according to Find a Grave). In 1860 she is found living in Eastland County, Texas with her uncle Edmund Richards and his family. She married Joseph Hinshaw in Texas sometime after 1860. According to History of Eastland County, Texas (1904) by Mrs. George Langston Joseph was on the roster as part of a required militia company for the County of Eastland. He was listed as Joe Henshaw. Between 1876 and 1880 Joseph died leaving Melissa a widow. She is found at that census living in Coryell County, Texas with her children: George, John, Celia and Benjamin. I can see that other’s trees have an Eva listed as being born in 1882. This is either the wrong birthdate or she is a child born out of wedlock. By 1900 Melissa and her children had made their way to Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory, though it’s not clear why at the moment. Melissa passed in 1930 in Carter County, Oklahoma.

Nelia (?) Richards was born about 1847, according to Earle Epic. I have no further information.

Mary Richards was born about 1849. I have no further information.

Rhoda Richards was born January 6, 1851. She married James Carroll David about 1869. According to census records and others’ trees she and James had at least three children: Florence, Julia Eva and John H. James died in 1908 and Rhoda died a year later.

2. Susan Richards was born about 1813 in Jones County, North Carolina. Susan, or Suki as she was known, had suffered an illness and her mind had never matured (according, again, to Earle Epic). She lived with her mother in 1850, where she is listed as “idiotic”. In 1860, after Rhoda had passed (I suppose?) Susan was living with her sister Rhoda and family, again listed as “idiotic”. I am unable to find Susan on a census record after 1860, so I can only assume that she died sometime prior to 1870.

3. Mary Richards was born between 1815 and 1819 in Jones County, North Carolina. I can find no records on her at all, yet her name is listed in Earle Epic. I’m supposing it is possible that she married in Tennessee and never actually moved to Arkansas.

4. Nancy Richards was born between 1815 and 1819 in Jones County, North Carolina. She is another I cannot find any records for, yet she is listed in Earle Epic.

(note: in 1840 there is a female between 20 and 29, but I am assuming that is Susan. If you notice, Rhoda only has five of her children living with her in 1840)

5. Julia Richards was born in 1821 in Jones County, North Carolina. It is thought that she might possibly be the “Free White Persons – Females – 15 thru 19” on the 1840 census in the household with her brother John Richards III. And this goes back to his wife Lucinda having been only 11 years of age when his son John M Richards was born. So it is commonly thought that he must have been married previously and his wife died, therefore Julia went to help take care of the baby. On June 22, 1847 Julia married George M Merriman, though there are two interesting things to note: 1. George’s last name on the marriage record is (and this is how it was transcribed) Maryman, and 2. Julia is listed as Julia Lea, leading some to believe she may have been married before. I really doubt that. I can’t view the actual document, but I’m guessing it’s very possible that Lea may have been her middle name. I looked up Lea families all around the area of Crittenden and Lake counties, and I can’t find any that can’t be tracked, but then again, I wasn’t there. Anyway, so Julia appears on the 1850 census with her two children, George M Merriman, Jr and Nancy Serena Merriman, but no husband. It’s assumed he died in late 1849/early 1850 since he had petitioned the courts in late 1849 to gain guardianship of a 15 year old boy named John Shelfer. I don’t know who John Shelfer is, but he and a boy named Edward Page, aged 9 years, are both living with Julia in 1850. In 1851 Julia married Hiram Campbell, a widower and single father from New York. Together they had a son named Albert Hiram Campbell born in 1852 in Crittenden County, Arkansas (died in 1890). Hiram died sometime before 1854 because it was that year that Julia married Joseph Lyles. Together Julia and Joseph had one child, Julia Florence Lyles who was born December 11, 1856.

6. Edmund Richards (see The Richards Epic: Part Two)

7. 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.

8. Rhoda Richards was born August 15, 1829 in Jones County, North Carolina. Though the exact date of marriage isn’t known (from what I understand the marriage records are missing), Rhoda married Sterling Hood about 1849, most likely in Crittenden County, Arkansas. Rhoda died on March 11, 1911. The children of Rhoda and Sterling are:

Nancy J Hood was born about 1850. I have no further information.

James W Hood was born in August of 1853. He married Ester S (surname unknown). James and Ester had the following children: Sterling Hood, Parker E Hood, Rosa Lee Hood, Julia F Hood and James W Hood, Jr.

Hillary or Hillowry E Hood was born about 1855. I have no further information.

Robert S Hood was born in 1858. He married Minnie M Newton on July 24, 1890. Robert and Minnie had the following children: Olive W Hood, Bluford K Hood, Nancy Rhoda Gertrude Hood, Ida Bell or Isabell Hood, Jessie Caroline Hood and Rachel Hood.

Laura Hood was born about 1865. She married WT Wilkins on December 19, 1886. I believe I found her on a 1940 census living in Houston, Harris County, Texas with her granddaughter, but I can’t be certain. I have no further information.

Edmund P Hood was born about 1871. Edmund married Dora Jane Place on October 8, 1893. Edmund and Dora Jane had the following children: Jerome R Hood, Clarence R Hood and Everett P Hood.

9. James “Jim” Richards was born about 1832 in Jones County, North Carolina. The closest I can find for him on census records after 1850 (where he is found in Crittenden County, Arkansas living with his mother) is a JJ Richards living in Bossier, Louisiana. I have no further information.

 

…to be continued!