Ethel Ann Hopson

Ethel Ann Hopson was my great-grandmother on my father’s side. She is my grandmother’s mother.

She was born on January 11, 1903 – most likely in Montague, Texas. I say that because this is where she lived during the 1910 federal census.

Ethal Hopson PriceSometime between 1910 and 1920, she moved to what today is known as Waurika, Oklahoma. Back then it was known as Grayson (Jefferson County), Oklahoma.

Two years later she would marry Benjamin Franklin Price on October 18, 1922. US Census records show us back then he was a farmer. That was just before the great depression.

They didn’t have children right away. They wouldn’t have their first child until 1925, 3 years after their marriage. Back then this was rather unusual. Most people back then married young and started popping out babies left and right.

In all, they had 5 children, only 4 of which would grow into adulthood. Their youngest child, Gloria Sue would die by the time she was 2.

  • Ben Donald Price (1925-2004)
  • Glen Edward Price (1927-1982)
  • Kenneth Price (1929-2012)
  • Alice Joann Price (1935-)
  • Gloria Sue Price (1943-1945)

Ethel Ann Hopson and her husband lived in Waurika almost their entire lives – at the end, however, she would be moved to an assisted living facility in Oklahoma City, OK which is where she would die on June 15, 1990.

Here is a picture of me, with my sisters Melody and April on their porch as young children in Waurika.

John Henry Richardson

John Henry Richardson is the brother of my 2nd great-grandfather, William Alexander Richardson. He is the son of John Durk Richardson.

We know that during the 1880 US Census he was 2 years old, so that means he was about about 1878. This makes him 4 years younger than William Alexander.

This record also says that he was born in Texas, not Tennessee like so many others list.

john henry richardson - 1880

When I corrected that information on my bio is where I was able to find all my information about him.

John Henry Richardson was born on January 12, 1878 in Wise, Texas. We were able to get this information from his World War 1 Draft Registration Card.

John Henry Richardson married Lou Ella Fortner on May 4, 1897 in Smith, Texas.

He and his wife, Ella Lou (aka Lou Ella) Fortner, had quite a few number of children.  During the 1920 census we see that both he and his wife are 43. At the time they list off 7 children, however that’s not even half the story ….

  • Claude
  • Lizzie
  • Hazel
  • Lela
  • Dora
  • Fannie
  • JD
  • Dewie

In all they had at least 16 (maybe 17) children, several of which died young.

  1. Claude T (1896)
  2. Infant Son (possibly twins – Died – 1898)
  3. Anna Richardson (1899)
  4. Kendrick (1901)
  5. James Clifton (1903)
  6. Lizzie (1906)
  7. Jessie Lena (1907)
  8. Elsie (1908)
  9. Hazel Martha (1908)
  10. Infant Daughter (Died – 1910)
  11. Lela Gertrude (1910)
  12. Dora Carolina (1913)
  13. Frances Mae (1915)
  14. Fannie (1916)
  15. Jake D (1918)
  16. Dewie W (1919)

John Henry died at the age of 26 on January 17, 1924, in what today is Waurika, Oklahoma.

Benjamin Franklin Price

Benjamin Franklin Price was my great-grandfather. He’s my grandmother’s father.

He was born on August 08, 1901 in Mineral Wells, Texas. It’s a place most people have never heard of. Mineral Wells, Texas is located west of Fort Worth. It’s best known for its mineral springs and well that’s about it. It’s not really a big town.

On October 18, 1922 he married my granny, Ethel Ann Hopson. Unlike most people of this time, they didn’t have children right away. In fact they wouldn’t have their first child for years.

In all they had 5 children, only 4 of which would grow into adulthood.

  • Ben Donald Price (1925)
  • Glen Edward Price (1927)
  • Kenneth Price (1929)
  • Alice Joann Price (1935)
  • Gloria Sue Price (1943)

Their youngest child, Gloria Sue was born on December 3, 1943 and died on February 26, 1945.

Gloria Sue Price Gravestone

It was sometime right after they got married that they moved to Waurika, Oklahoma. I can still remember visiting them in that house when I was a little girl. I don’t know how old I was in this picture, but here is me with my two sisters (Melody and April) sitting on their back porch.

Melody-Tracy-April-in Waurika-OK

Benjamin Franklin Price died at the age of 81 (May 16, 1983) and is buried in the Waurika Cemetery.

ben price headstone

 The 1940 US census shows us that the highest grade he completed was 8th grade and that his address was 119 West E, Waurika, Oklahoma. I don’t think that’s right. I’m checking with my grandmother to see if she remembers what it actually was.

 After speaking with her she said the actual address was 103 West F, Waurika, OK 73573. While that address shows up in Google Maps, no actual house is there anymore. I guess they tore it down. When they first built the house, it didn’t even have indoor plumbing.

John David Richardson

John David Richardson was born in 1720 in Randolph, North Carolina. He received a delayed birth certificate and that is how we know his full name. (Roll # NCVR_B_C081_68002, volume 16, page 369)

He is the son of Stephen Richardson and Mary Trueblood.

I don’t have a lot of information on him. I think he might have died in 1777 in North Carolina.

He married Nancy Mary and together they had maybe 5 children.

  • William Drury (1735)
  • William (1750)
  • Stephen (1753)
  • Elizabeth (1755)
  • David (1760)

The problem is, when you have someone with such a common name like David or John David, you find it difficult to distinguish them from other men of the same name who also live in the same area.

While trying to find information about John David and his wife, I had to start by working on the files of his son, David Richardson. His son had more information available because he was in the military, having fought in the American Revolution.


1845, Oct 27 — Revolutionary War Application
Sarah Richardson (age 85), widow of David Richardson applied
lists David Richardson as dying on May 17, 1842 in Moore County, NC
listed marriage as 1785 in Cumberland County, NC
lists children as John Richardson, Polly Cockman, Jenney Smith, Nancy Richardson, Vicey Richardson, Betsey Morgan, Angy Brown, Peggy Richardson & Malony Smith.

1852, Oct 25 — Revolutionary War Application
John Richardson, son and administrator of David Richardson, deceased applied for pension
lists David Richardson as dying on May 17, 1842 in Moore County, NC
lists Sarah Richardson as dying on Oct 30, 1847
lists children as Polly Cockman, Jenny Smith, Nancy Richardson, Vicy Richardson, Betsey Morgan, Angy Brown, Peggy Richardson & Malony Smith.

David Richardson

David Richardson was born in 1760 in Cumberland County, North Carolina.

David Richardson is the son of John David Richardson and the father of John David Richardson. Confusing? Yeah don’t worry, it was for me too.

David Richardson lived in Moore County, along Buffalo Creek, a tributary of Deep River.

We know that Jonathan David Richardson was born in 1760 because of his marriage record.

I was trying to find out if he was the same David Richardson that was born in 1760 in Cumberland County.  Turns out I couldn’t find out the record of his birth because in 1769 all Cumberland County records were destroyed in the burning of the Bladen County courthouse.

So what I needed to find is what could be the link between Cumberland County and Moore County.  And I finally found it!  Moore County was formed from Cumberland County in 1784.

A year later in 1785, he married Sarah in Moore County.

Name: John David Richardson
Gender: Male
Birth Place: NC
Birth Year: 1760
Spouse Name: Sarah
Spouse Birth Year: 1765
Marriage
Year:
1785
Marriage State: NC
Number Pages: 11

4 years after that he got a grant of land (50 acres)

And there we have it …. that is how I made the link, to confirm he is the same person.   I know it’s not scientific proof but it’s the best I can come up with. 🙂

Maybe one day I can get some kind of church records or whatnot to prove his birth is one in the same but for now, this will have to do.

David Richardson fought in the American Revolution. At the age of 85, his wife Sarah applied for a war pension as his widow. This is how we know he died on May 17, 1842.

She lists his children as John Richardson, Polly Cockman, Jenney Smith, Nancy Richardson, Vicey Richardson, Betsey Morgan, Angy Moore, Peggy Richardson & Malony Smith.

Through various records and notes, we found that David served as a Private and Lieutenant under Captain Cox-Captain Buie and Captain Henry Carter. He was taken prisoner at Charleston, SC and conveyed to Wilmington, NC where he was kept in confinement four months and then exchanged.

It appears that David Richardson fought on the side of the Confederate during the American Revolution. He served with the North Carolina Infantry as a Private. The American Revolution took place between 1765 and 1783. He was in the 45th Regiment, North Carolina Infantry, Company D. Film # M230 roll 33.

David Richardson was born in 1760. He married Sarah in 1785 (when he was 25 years old and Sarah was 20). That same year their daughter Polly was born.

In all, they had at least 9 children during their marriage.

  • Polly
  • Vicey
  • Jenney
  • Jonathan David
  • Peggy
  • Maloney
  • Nancy
  • Angy
  • Betsey

1789, Sep 3 — Land Grant #310, Moore County, NC

David Richardson died on May 17, 1842.

So to note this means he is not the same David who served in the Civil War because that was from 1861-1865. He was long dead. We know his exact date of death because of his widow’s request for a war pension.


  • 1780 — Tax List, Cumberland County, NC
    David Richerson listed in Captain John Cox’s District
    listed 400 acres valued at $450
    3 Horses, 7 Cattle and $7 cash
    Total tax value $7171783 — Tax List, Cumberland County, NC
    David Richardson listed as paying $10 in Captain John Cox’s District1789, May 18 — 1784-1795 County Court Minutes, Moore County, NC Page 228
    A deed from John Shuffield to Stephen Smith was proven by David Richardson

    1789, Jun 4 — Land Entry #189, Moore County, NC
    David Richardson entered 50 acres located on Mill Creek

    1789, Sep 3 — Land Grant #310, Moore County, NC
    David Richardson received a 50 acre Land Grant located on Mill Creek

    1789, Sep 3 — Land Grant #334, Moore County, NC
    David Richardson served as a Chain Carrier on John Morgan’s 50 acre Land Grant located East of Cabin Creek

    1790 — Census, Moore County, NC Page 156
    David Richeson
    (16+) 1M
    4F

    1790, Aug 17 — County Court Minutes, Moore County, NC
    David Richardson proved a Deed from John Morgan to William Morgan

    1790, Aug 17 — County Court Minutes, Moore County, NC
    Davey Richardson served Jury Duty

    1794, Aug 20 — County Court Minutes, Moore County, NC
    David Richardson served Jury Duty

    1795, Mar 27 — Land Grant #1054, Moore County, NC
    David Richardson served as a Chain Carrier on John Morgan’s 100 acre Land Grant located on Cabin Creek

    1795, May 20 — County Court Minutes, Moore County, NC
    David Richardson served Jury Duty

    1795, Nov 16 — County Court Minutes, Moore County, NC
    David Richardson served Jury Duty

    1798, Feb 14 — Land Grant #1740 & 1741, Moore County, NC
    David Richardson served as a Chain Carrier on William Smith’s (2) 100 acre Land Grants located on Wet Creek and Cabin Creek

    1798, Nov 30 — Land Grant #1474, Moore County, NC
    John Morgan receives a 100 acre Land Grant located South of Cabin Creek that included David Richardson’s improvement

    1800 — Census, Moore County, NC Page 69
    David Richardson
    (45+) 1M
    (26-45) 1F
    (16-26) 1F
    (10-16) 2F
    (0-10) 1M 2F

    1800, Jul 26 — Land Grant #1686, Moore County, NC
    David Richardson served as a Chain Carrier on Murdock McLeod’s 100 acre Land Grant located between Dry Creek and Horse Creek

    1803, Nov 15 — Land Grant #1837, Moore County, NC
    David Richardson listed as a Neighbor on John Dunn’s 100 acre Land Grant located South of Mill Creek

    1804, Apr 7 — Land Grant #1954, Moore County, NC
    David Richardson served as a Chain Carrier on Levy Deaton’s 50 acre Land Grant located East of Wet Creek

    1810 — Census, Moore County, NC Page 624
    David Richardson
    (45+) 1M 1F
    (16-26) 2F
    (10-16) 1F
    (0-10) 1M 4F

    1814, Nov 11 — Land Grant #2228, Moore County, NC
    Daniel McNeill received a 52 acre Land Grant located West of Wet Creek adjoining Grove, Neil McLeod, Thomas Harvel and Key. Phillip McNeill and David Richardson were chain carriers.

    1814, Nov 11 — Land Grant #2230, Moore County, NC
    Hector McNeill received a 15.5 acre Land Grant located East of Wet Creek adjoining own line, Neil McLeod and Grove. Phillip McNeill and David Richardson were chain carriers.

    1815 — Tax List, Moore County, NC
    David Richardson lists 75 acres valued at $75

    1818-1823 — Tax List, Moore County, NC
    David Richardson lists 75 acres valued at $100

    1820 — Census, Moore County, NC Page 310
    David Richardson
    (45+) 1M 1F
    (16-26) 2F
    (10-16) 1F
    (0-10) 1M

    1830 — Census, Moore County, NC Page 477
    David Richardson
    (60-70) 1M
    (50-60) 1F
    (40-50) 1F
    (20-30) 1F
    (15-20) 1M
    (10-15) 1M

    1836, Jan 9 — Land Grant #2970, Moore County, NC
    Hiram Deaton received a 100 acre Land Grant located between Mill Creek and Cabin Creek and adjoins the land that he purchased from David Richardson

    1845, Oct 27 — Revolutionary War Application
    Sarah Richardson (age 85), widow of David Richardson applied
    lists David Richardson as dying on May 17, 1842 in Moore County, NC
    listed marriage as 1785 in Cumberland County, NC
    lists children as John Richardson, Polly Cockman, Jenney Smith, Nancy Richardson, Vicey Richardson, Betsey Morgan, Angy Brown, Peggy Richardson & Malony Smith.

    1852, Oct 25 — Revolutionary War Application
    John Richardson, son and administrator of David Richardson, deceased applied for pension
    lists David Richardson as dying on May 17, 1842 in Moore County, NC
    lists Sarah Richardson as dying on Oct 30, 1847
    lists children as Polly Cockman, Jenny Smith, Nancy Richardson, Vicy Richardson, Betsey Morgan, Angy Brown, Peggy Richardson & Malony Smith.

Thomas Richardson of Standon

Today we are going to talk about Thomas Richardson of Standon or Thoms Richardson. He is the son of Thomas Richardson II of Westmill and the grandson of Thomas Richardson I of Westmill.

Thomas Richardson of Standon is my 12th great-grandfather.

Thomas Richardson of Standon short biographical details from the book The Wymans: First Wyman Generation
Thomas Richardson of Standon short biographical details from the book The Wymans: First Wyman Generation

This is a person that I was struggling to verify information about. Luckily the UK is big on record keeping and thanks to the fact that Hertfordshire in England has their very own records database I was able to confirm the identity of Thomas Richardson who from now we will refer to as Thomas Richardson of Standon.

  • Birth: Aug 24, 1560 (1565??) – Standon, Hertfordshire, England
  • Death: Jan 7, 1633 – Westmill, Hertfordshire, England

The International Genealogical Index says that he was born on August 24, 1560, and died on January 8, 1633. It also states that he was married on  August 24, 1590.

Here is an image, although not a clear one — proving his marriage in 1590 – August 24, 1590, to be exact.

First name(s) Thoms
Last name Richardson
Marriage year 1590
Marriage date 24 Aug 1590
Place Westmill
Groom’s first name(s) Thoms
Groom’s last name Richardson
Groom’s parish Stondon
Bride’s first name(s) Kathren
Bride’s last name Duxforde
Bride’s parish West
County Hertfordshire
Country England
Record set Hertfordshire Marriages
Category Birth, Marriage, Death & Parish Records
Subcategory Parish Marriages
Collections from England, Great Britain

Notice the typos in the name. It’s not really as much a typo as a variation of the spelling.  Look at this clearer image of his grandmother’s marriage registry (Thomas Richardson I of Westmill)

thomas-richardson-marriage-register

We spell May as May and they spell it, Maye. We spell July they spell it, Julie. February to them was Februarie. Obviously, in context, we know what they meant, but it’s just a perfect example of why it’s so hard sometimes to find certain information.

So while we know they are talking about Thomas Richardson of Standon, it can complicate things when we are trying to find out the details Thoms Richardson of Stondon’s life.

We know he married Katherine Duxford of Westmill, but they call her Kathren Duxforde of West.


Thomas Richardson married Kathern Duxford (Katherine Duxford) on August 24, 1590, in Westmill, Hertfordshire, England. Their marriage took place at the St. Mary the Virgin Parish Church in Westmill. This is also where he would later be buried.

We know for a fact this is his wife because a copy of his will still exists in the Hertfordshire, England archives to this day.

For clarification purposes, this Thomas Richardson’s mother is not Agnes. So if you find a record that says something else, then it is not a record that belongs to this Thomas Richardson who we are now referring to as Thomas Richardson of Standon. Thomas Richardson of Standon’s mother was Mary “Margaret” Champney and his father, who married his father, almost named Thomas Richardson.

This Thomas Richardson is not Sir Thomas Richardson. Sir Thomas has some association with Alphamstone, while our Thomas does not. If you come across a Thomas Richardson record that references Alphamstone, then that isn’t Thomas Richardson of Standon.

Westmill is a very tiny village in England. Today less than 300 people live there. It’s just north of London.

Together he and his wife had 7 children.

We know the names of his children from his will. His will lists the name of each child as well as the exact date of their baptism.

Elizabeth y^ daughter to Thomas Richardson baptized 13 Jan. 1593.
John son to Thomas Richardson baptized 7 Nov. 1596.
James, y” sonne of Thomas Richardson baptized 6 Apr. 1600.
Samuel y® sonne of Thomas Richardson baptized 22 Dec. 1602 [or 1604],
Margaret ye daughter of Thomas Richardson baptized 19 April 1607.
Thomas ye sonne of Thomas Richardson baptized 3 July 1608. 

Notice that their son Ezekiel who had gone off to America in 1630, wasn’t event acknowledged in the will.

Thomas’ will indicates he was a farmer of moderate means. He was a Husbandman when his will was created on March 4 in 1630 (31?).

A husbandman in England at that time period was a free tenant farmer or small landowner. The social status of a husbandman was below that of a yeoman. The meaning of “husband” in this term is “master of the house” rather than “married man” like we know it today.

Back then yeomen were farmers who owned land. Their wealth and the size of their landholding varied. Sir Anthony Richard Wagner, Garter Principal King of Arms, wrote that “a Yeoman would not normally have less than 100 acres and in social status is one step down from the Landed Gentry, but above, say, a husbandman.”

Often it was hard to distinguish minor landed gentry from the wealthier yeomen, and wealthier husbandmen from the poorer yeomen.

Landed gentry basically meant the lesser nobility in England. They basically consisted of Baronets, Knights, Esquires, and Gentlemen.

So it went Landed gentry, then yeoman and then husbandmen — which is what Thomas Richardson of Standon was.

When he passed he left Katherine “my littell close of pasture called little hunnymease, containing half an acre”.

*** half an acre in Westmill today will cost you upwards of a million bucks.

After her death, he wishes it all to go to his son Samuel and his heirs.

John is to be paid 40 shillings for 3 years, after both his mother and father die.

James is to be paid 12 pence and his son Thomas will get 3 pounds, to be paid within 5 years of his and Katherine’s death.

In other words, after Thomas and Katherine are both dead, he wants Thomas to be paid 3 pounds within 5 years.

To his beloved with Katherine, he gives her all his movable goods for her life and thereafter they should go to his son Samuel who was named his executor. The will was witnessed by Richard Baker and Philip Baker.

You’ll also notice that in his will he leaves everything to Samuel and not John. Back then in England, they left everything to their eldest son. That means that John and James would have probably died prior to the creation of the will, sometime prior to March 4, 1630.



Thomas Richardson of Standon and Katherine Duxford of West mill were married 24 Aug. 1590. 

Elizabeth y^ daughter to Thomas Richardson baptized 13 Jan. 1593. 
John son to Thomas Richardson baptized 7 Nov. 1596. 
James, y'' sonne of Thomas Richardson baptized 6 Apr. 1600. 
Samuel y® sonne of Thomas Richardson baptized 22 Dec. 1602 [or 1604], 
Margaret ye daughter of Thomas Richardson baptized 19 April 1607. 
Thomas ye sonne of Thomas Richardson baptized 3 July 1608. 

Catherine the wife of Thomas Richardson buryed the x*** of March 1631. 
Thomas Richardson was bui*yed the viii daye of January 1633. 

It would naturally be supposed that the will of Thomas Richardson would 
be found in the Commissary Court of Essex and Hertfordshire, but the 
Archdeaconry Court of Huntingdon, or that portion in the Hitchin Reg- 
istry, had jurisdiction over part of Hertfordshire, and included 77 parishes. 

The original will of Thomas Richardson of West Mill, Herts, found at 
Hitchin, reads : . 

March the 4'^'^ Ano domini 1630. In the name of God Amen I Thomas ) 

Richardson of Westmill in the County of Herts, husbandman, being sick / 

in bodye but of good an perfect memory thanks be to God doe make and 
ordeyne this my laste will in manner and forme following, firste. I bequeath 
my soull unto the hands of God my maker and Redeemer by whose merits 
I only truste to be saved, and my body to be buryed in the i^lace of Chris- 
tian buryall and Touchinge my temporall goods I doe dispose of them as 
followeth. 

First. I gyve unto Katherine my wife duringe the tearme of her natu- 
rall life my littell close of pastm-e called little hunnymeade cont half an 
acre and after her decease I give the same to my sonn Samuell and his 
heyers for ever. 

Item. I give to my sonn John forty^ shillings to be payed to him within 
the space of three yeares next ensueing the decease of me and Katherine 
my now wife by my executor. 

Item. I give to my sonn James Twelve pence. 

Item. I give to my sonn Thomas three pounds to be payed to him with- 
in the space of fyve yeares next ensueing the decease of me and Kathy- 
rine my now wife. 

Item. I gyve unto Katherine my wife all my movable goods to use for 
and during the terme of her life and after her decease I gyve the same 
unto my sonn Samuel whom I doe ordeyne and make my sole executor. 
In Witness whereof I have sett my hand and Seal the daye and yeare 
above sayd. 

Sealed and declared vSig™ Thomas 

in the presence of us [mark] Richardson 

Richard Baker. 

Philip Baker, 
proved 31 July 1634 at Hitchin presented by son Samuel Richardson." 

The three brothers, Ezekiel, Samuel and Thomas Richardson, are known 
as such by the will of Ezekiel, who names the other two as his brothers. 

Ezekiel, evidently the oldest, was the first to come to New England, and 
was a planter in Charlestown in 1630. His departure previous to the 
making of the will, perhaps against his father's wishes, or possibly having 
received his share of his father's small estate, maj' account for the name of 



Ezekiel not appearing in the will. His baptism is not found at "West 
Mill, as are the baptisms of Samuel and Thomas. 

Ezekiel probably came with Winthrop, he and his wife becoming mem- 
bers of the Charlestown church, 27 Aug., 1630. 

Thomas Richardson, baptized at West mill, 3 July, 1608, had wife Mary, 
who joined the Charlestown church, 21 Feb., 1635-6, and he joined, 18 
Feb., 1637-8. 

Samuel presented the will of his father for probate ^t Ilitchin, England, 
31 July, 1634. He had previously married ; and had baptized, at West 
Mill, a son Samuel, 3 July, 1633, and a daughter Elizabeth, 22 May, 1635. 

Samuel Richardson's name does not appear in the Tithe Book of West 
Mill after 1635. Against Over Green, where he (and also his father, 
Thomas) lived, is written " none." It was, therefore, after that date he 
and his brother Thomas sailed for New England, with their families ; and 
we find, on 1 July, 1636, the brothers were on a committee to lay out lots 
of land in Charlestown, for hay. There is no record of the birth or bap- 
tism of a daughter Elizabeth to Samuel in Woburn, but the will of his 
wife Joanna, in 1666, mentions a daughter Elizabeth, who was probably 
the one baptized at West Mill, 22 May, 1635. 

Doubtless the register of the parish of Standon, which is but a few 
miles south of West Mill, would, if it existed, give further particulars of 
the Richardsons, or at least of Thomas who married in 1590 ; but the ear- 
liest entry to be found is 1671. Braughing, just east of West Mill, has 
a register which begins in 1563, but it gives no items of the Richardson 
name. Great and Little Hormead, north-east of West Mill, was the 
home of some of the Wymans in the past, but there are no traces of 
the Richardsons there. Just east of this locality is the border of Essex, 
and there are many of the name in that county, though the name is com- 
mon in aU the counties of England. From Nazing, Essex, about ten miles 
from West Mill, came John Eliot, the apostle, and many of the settlers of 
Roxbury, Mass. 


St. Mary the Virgin Parish Church in Westmill, where Thomas was married and buried has been around for a thousand years. The church still stands to this day.

It has the oldest bell in Hertfordshire, it’s 600 years old and still rings. Below you’ll find a video about the effort to rebuild the roof.

He made a will on 4 Mar 1630/31 at Westmill, Hertfordshire, England.1

Thomas RICHARDSON357, 9G Grandfather. Born abt 1565-70. Buried on 7 Jan
1633/4 in Westmill, Hertfordshire, England. Will dated on 4 Mar 1630/1 at Westmill,
Hertfordshire, England. Will proved on 31 Jul 1634.

According to Threlfall’s GMC50358, “THOMAS RICHARDSON was born about 1565-70. On
24 August 1590 [Threlfall gives this date as 25 August on p. 536] at West Mill, Hertfordshire,
he married Katherine Duxford of that parish. The marriage record states that he was of Standon,
which is the next parish to the south. She was the daughter of Richard and Joan Duxford, and
was born about 1565-70. They settled down in West Mill.

“Katherine was buried 10 March 1630/31 [Threlfall gives this date as 1631/32 on p. 536] at
West Mill. Thomas was buried there 7 January 1633/4. An abstract of his will follows.”

Thomas Richardson’s son Ezekiel had been comprehensively documented in Anderson’s
GMB359 where it is noted that “Samuel Richardson and Thomas Richardson, brothers of
Ezekiel, arrived in New England by 1635; Francis Wyman and John Wyman, sons of Ezekiel
Richardson’s sister Elizabeth, also came to New England [Sarah Hildreth Anc 25-27].”

Thomas Richardson and Katherine Duxford are ancestors to U.S. Presidents Bush, Coolidge,
Hoover (probably), and Pierce,360 and to suffragist Susan B. Anthony.281

Gary Boyd Roberts, Ancestors of American Presidents: First Authoritative Edition, Santa
Clarita, CA: Carl Boyer, 1995 (published in cooperation with the New England Historic
Genealogical Society).

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
It would naturally be supposed that the will of Thomas Richardson would be found in the Commissary Court of Essex and
Ilertfordshire, but the Archdeaconry Court of lluntingdon. or that portion in the Hitchin Registry, had jurisdiction over part of
Tlertfordshire, and included 77 parishes.
The original will of Thomas Richardson of West Mill, Herts, found at Hitchin, reads:
March the 4th Ano domini 1630. In the name of God Amen I Thomas Richardson of Westmill in the County of Herts,
husbandman, being sick in hodye but of good an perfect memory thanks be to God doe make and ordeyne this my laste will in
manner and forme following, llrste. I bequeath my soul1 auto the hands of God my maker and Redeemer by whose merits I
only truste to be saved. and my body to be buryed in t.he place of Christian buryall and Touchinge my teniporall goods I doe
dispose of them as followeth.
First. I gyve unto Katherine my wife (luringe the tearme of her naturall life my littelI close of pasture called little
hunnymeade cont half an acre and after her decease I give the same to my sonn Samuel] aud his heyers for ever.
Item. I give to my sonn John forty shillings to be payed to him within
the space of three yeares next ensueing the decease of me and Katherine
my now wife by my executor.
Item. I give to my sonn James Twelve pence.
Item. I give to my sonn Thomas three pounds to be payed to him within the space of fyve yeares next ensueing the decease of
me and Kathy-
rifle my now wife.
Item. I gyve unto Katherine my wife all my movable goods to use for and during the terme of her life and after her decease I
gyve the same unto my sonu Samuel whom I doe ordeyne and make my sole executor. In Witness whereof I have sett my hand
and Seal the daye and yeare above sayd.
Sealed and declared Sigm THOMAS
in the presence of us [mark] . RICHARDSON
Richard Baker.
Philip Baker.
proved 81 July 1634 at I-Iitchin presented by son Samuel Richardson.” He was married to Katherine DUXFORD on 13 Jan
1593 in , West Mill, Herts, England. (1288)

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Bluffs/2806/d1841.htm

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Alex Jessy Richardson

Alex Jessy Richardson was also known as Jake to his friends and family. He also has gone by the name of AJ.

Alex Jessy Richardson was born on July 5, 1935 in Paradise, Texas. His father was Rubin Nemon Richardson and Mary Vivian Phillips. He was my great uncle.

On October 26, 1970 he married Anita Gayle Neeld in Galveston, Texas. They lived in Pasadena, Texas before moving to Duncan, Oklahoma in the mid 1980’s. He lived there the rest of his life.

Together they would have 6 children, 2 sons and 4 daughters.

  • Alex
  • Bobby
  • Jana
  • Lisa
  • Lori
  • Renita

He died on November 7, 2007 in Duncan, Oklahoma and was buried in Comanche, Oklahoma. (find a grave)

Alex Jessy Richardson Gravestone

Duncan Banner Newspaper published is obituary on Sunday November 11,2007.

ALEX “JAKE” JESSY RICHARDSON, 72, of Duncan, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007, at his home in Duncan.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the City Heights Baptist Church in Duncan, with Rev. Jimmy Green officiating. Burial will be in the Fairlawn Cemetery under direction of Comanche Funeral Home.

Jake was born July 5, 1935 in Paradise, Texas, to Rubin and Mary Phillips Richardson.

He married Anita Neeld on Oct. 26, 1970, in Galveston, Texas, and they made their home in Pasadena, Texas.

They moved to Duncan in the mid 1980’s, where they have lived ever since.

Jake owned and operated A.J.R. Construction, doing cement work and constructing metal buildings. He enjoyed playing pool and loved playing the guitar.

He is survived by his wife, Anita Richardson of the home; two sons, Bobby Richardson and his wife Jolyn of Roosevelt, Utah, and Alex Richardson of Duncan; four daughters, all of Duncan, Lisa Thomas and her husband Mike, Lori Bates and her husband Tim, Renita Hackler and Floyd, and Jana England; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren; six sisters, Kittie McReynolds, Pat Scifres and Betty Heard, all of Weatherford, Texas, Ada Sellers of Azle, Texas, Bille Reed of Stigler, and Bobbie Heberling of Spokane, Wash.

Jake is preceded in death by his parents, one brother and seven sisters.

Jonathan David Richardson

John David Richardson (Jonathan David) was my 5th great grandfather. He appears to have been born and died in Moore, North Carolina. He is also known as Jonathan David Richardson on some official documents.

Sometimes I swear it would probably be easier to find your family members if you just had a list of every person who lived in the town at that time and be like, yeah that’s my guy.

I mean really how many people could possibly have been living in Moore, North Carolina in 1800? Turns out the answer to that question is 4,767 people lived in Moore, NC in 1800.

If you step back to the 1790 Census specifically for Moore County, North Carolina, we find that there are a few Richardson’s. Keep in mind there were a few typos so these names might not be exact.

  • Fagan Richardson
  • William Richardson
  • Drury Richardson
  • David Richardson

Unforutenly for us, it only tells us that this David listed is the head of household and is living with 5 (free white) females.  Since our John David would be 5 at the time, this makes me think that’s not a David Richardson from my family tree. But then again, we don’t know so I’m going to write this one off as a dead end and move to the next clue.

Now let’s go with what we do know to be true. John David was a loyal military man.

We know he was in the Moore County Regiment, Fourth Company during the war of 1812 and appears on the NC 1812-1814 Muster Rolls.

This is a verifiable fact using database NC 1812-1814 Muster Rolls. This database contains indexes to the North Carolina (U.S.A.) portions of the 1790-1870 U.S. Federal Censuses as well as indexes to 1812-1814 Muster Rolls, the 1840 Pensioners Lists, the 1890 Veterans Schedules, and other early censuses. Information contained in these indexes can include name, state, county, township, year of record, and name of record set.

John Richardson fought in the Civil War. He was a farmer and enlisted on March 13, 1862, in Moore County, North Carolina. He fought on the side of the Confederacy.

This is another verifiable fact which comes from at least 16 sources, but mostly from Historical Data Systems, comp.. American Civil War Soldiers [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA.

He served our country from April 9, 1862, to April 9, 1865, under the 48th Infantry Regiment North Carolina. He fought in many battles including …

Fought on 25 Jun 1862 at King’s School House, VA.
Fought on 27 Jun 1862 at Gaines’ Mill, VA.
Fought on 31 Aug 1862 at Sharpsburg, MD.
Fought on 12 Sep 1862 at Frederick, MD.
Fought on 13 Sep 1862 at South Mountain, MD.
Fought on 14 Sep 1862 at South Mountain, MD.
Fought on 15 Sep 1862 at Maryland.
Fought on 15 Sep 1862 at Sharpsburg, MD.
Fought on 15 Sep 1862 at Harper’s Ferry, WV.
Fought on 17 Sep 1862 at Frederick, MD.
Fought on 17 Sep 1862 at Sharpsburg, MD.
Fought on 18 Sep 1862 at Sharpsburg, MD.
Fought on 19 Sep 1862 at Sharpsburg, MD.
Fought on 20 Sep 1862 at Sharpsburg, MD.
Fought on 2 Dec 1862 at Winchester, VA.
Fought on 13 Dec 1862 at Fredericksburg, VA.
Fought on 1 Jul 1863 at Gettysburg, PA.
Fought on 3 Jul 1863 at Gettysburg, PA.
Fought on 6 Aug 1863.
Fought on 14 Oct 1863 at Bristoe Station, VA.
Fought on 9 Nov 1863 at Culpepper, VA.
Fought on 10 Nov 1863 at Culpepper, VA.
Fought on 27 Nov 1863 at Payne’s Farm, VA.
Fought on 15 Feb 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 30 Mar 1864 at Fort Harrison, VA.
Fought on 4 May 1864 at Malvern Hill, VA.
Fought on 5 May 1864 at Wilderness, VA.
Fought on 6 May 1864 at Wilderness, VA.
Fought on 7 May 1864 at Charlottesville, VA.
Fought on 9 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.
Fought on 10 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.
Fought on 12 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.
Fought on 15 May 1864 at VA.
Fought on 15 May 1864 at Wilderness, VA.
Fought on 15 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.
Fought on 20 May 1864 at Little River, VA.
Fought on 22 May 1864 at Hanover Junction, VA.
Fought on 23 May 1864 at North Anna River, VA.
Fought on 24 May 1864 at Mechanicsville, VA.
Fought on 24 May 1864 at North Anna River, VA.
Fought on 24 May 1864 at Hanover Junction, VA.
Fought on 24 May 1864 at Hanover Court House, VA.
Fought on 31 May 1864 at Turkey Bend, VA.
Fought on 1 Jun 1864 at Cold Harbor, VA.
Fought on 2 Jun 1864 at Cold Harbor, VA.
Fought on 3 Jun 1864 at Cold Harbor, VA.
Fought on 4 Jun 1864 at Cold Harbor, VA.
Fought on 11 Jun 1864 at Gaines’ Mill, VA.
Fought on 11 Jun 1864 at Cold Harbor, VA.
Fought on 15 Jun 1864 at Richmond, VA.
Fought on 15 Jun 1864 at Riddle Shop, VA.
Fought on 15 Jun 1864 at White Oak Swamp, VA.
Fought on 15 Jun 1864.
Fought on 15 Jun 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 22 Jun 1864 at Malvern Hill, VA.
Fought on 16 Aug 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 17 Aug 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 20 Aug 1864 at Weldon Railroad, VA.
Fought on 21 Aug 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 21 Aug 1864 at Globe Tavern, VA.
Fought on 24 Aug 1864 at Reams’ Station, VA.
Fought on 25 Aug 1864 at Reams’ Station, VA.
Fought on 26 Aug 1864 at Reams’ Station, VA.
Fought on 9 Sep 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 30 Sep 1864 at Fort Harrison, VA.
Fought on 1 Oct 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 2 Oct 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 7 Oct 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 27 Oct 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 27 Oct 1864 at Burgess’ Mill, VA.
Fought on 4 Nov 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 15 Dec 1864 at Belfield, VA.
Fought on 5 Feb 1865 at Hatcher’s Run, VA.
Fought on 6 Feb 1865 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 7 Feb 1865 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 15 Feb 1865 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 15 Feb 1865.
Fought on 25 Mar 1865 at Hatcher’s Run, VA.
Fought on 25 Mar 1865 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 25 Mar 1865 at Fort Stedman, VA.
Fought on 31 Mar 1865 at Hatcher’s Run, VA.
Fought on 1 Apr 1865 at Point Of Rocks, VA.
Fought on 1 Apr 1865 at Hatcher’s Run, VA.
Fought on 2 Apr 1865 at Hatcher’s Run, VA.
Fought on 2 Apr 1865 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 2 Apr 1865 at Burgess’ Mill, VA.
Fought on 3 Apr 1865 at Hospl., Richmond, VA.
Fought on 3 Apr 1865 at Richmond, VA.
Fought on 3 Apr 1865 at Sutherland’s Station, VA.
Fought on 3 Apr 1865 at Amelia Court House, VA.
Fought on 3 Apr 1865 at Appomattox River, VA.
Fought on 4 Apr 1865 at Appomattox Court House, VA.
Fought on 5 Apr 1865 at Nottoway, VA.
Fought on 5 Apr 1865 at Paynesville, VA.
Fought on 5 Apr 1865 at Amelia Court House, VA.
Fought on 6 Apr 1865 at Farmville, VA.
Fought on 6 Apr 1865 at Sayler’s Creek, VA.
Fought on 6 Apr 1865 at Amelia Court House, VA.
Fought on 7 Apr 1865.
Fought on 12 Apr 1865 at Salisbury, NC.
Fought on 13 Apr 1865 at Raleigh, NC.


He married a lady by the name of Nancy Perry. Together they had at least 9 children. They might have married in 1819 (still looking for documents to confirm this).

  • Sarah Sallie (1821-1891)
  • Rosana (1822-1880)
  • Angelica (1824-1880)
  • Thomas (1826-1898)
  • Enoch Spinks (1828-1910)
  • Catharine (1830-?)
  • Eliza A (1833-1880)
  • Deborah Debby (1840-1900)
  • Lydia  (1842-1870)
  • Margaret Roseanne (1843-1885)

Thanks to the 1850 US Federal Census we know that he was 57 at the time, so is birth year was about 1793. He was family # 998 and lived in Moore, North Carolina at the time of that census. Nancy, his wife was 50 at the time.

These were the people who lived in his household at the time of the 1850 US census.

John Richardson 57
Nancy Richardson 50
Rosanna Richardson 31
Angelica Richardson 29
Catharine Richardson 21
Eliza Richardson 16
Deborah Richardson 14
Lydia Richardson 8
Sallie Moore 25

Interesting to note, despite the fact that he fought on the side of the Confederacy, which fought to preserve slavery, he himself didn’t seem to own any slaves prior to the war, even though farmers often did.

In the 1830 census, he had a total of 6 free white persons living in his household, and no slaves or free colored.

In 1840 you find the same thing, he lives with his wife and children – no slaves.

Total Free White Persons 6
Total All Persons – Free White, Free Colored, Slaves 6

Something else that caught my attention – he, his wife, and his eldest three children couldn’t read or write. However, Eliza, Deborah and Lydia could – his 3 youngest children.

I wanted to know more about John David’s wife Nancy. We know her first name from the US census records. But I thought if we could find the death certificate of one of the children, we might be able to identify their mother’s maiden name.

The problem is, death certificates in the 1800s were rare.  So I’m also search for birth and christening records. I’ll keep you updated with what I am able to find.

  • Sarah Sallie (1821-1891)
  • Rosana (1822-1880)
  • Angelica (1824-1880)
  • Thomas (1826-1898)
  • Enoch Spinks (1828-1910)
  • Catharine (1830-?)
  • Eliza A (1833-1880)
  • Deborah Debby (1840-1900)
  • Lydia  (1842-1870)
  • Margaret Roseanne (1843-1885)

Thomas Richardson

What I love most about genealogy is that it’s like a mystery and you have to dig and figure out how to solve this puzzle – these puzzle pieces just so happen to be parts of my very existence.

Today we delve into the mystery that is Thomas Richardson. Now there are a lot of Thomas Richardson’s out there today and there were a lot of them back in the 1800’s as well.

This makes it quite complicated when you are trying to find the exact Thomas Richardson that belongs in your family tree.

The Thomas Richardson we are looking for today is the father of John Durk Richardson.

Thomas Richardson was born on January 12, 1826, in Moore, North Carolina. He is my 4th great grandfather. He died on May 18, 1898, in McAlester, Oklahoma.

What we don’t have though is a death certificate to prove it.

Oklahoma became a state in November 1907. The state began accepting birth and death records for filing in October of 1908. The filing of these records became mandatory in 1917, however, the practice of filing birth and death records with the state did not become routine until the 1940’s when they began to be used for identification purposes.

Going this far back in history it isn’t always so easy to find answers with proof. I’ve been trying to piece together his life but it hasn’t always been easy.

We know that Thomas Richardson is the father of John Durk Richardson. But even that simple fact gets muddled and confused when digging that far back in history.

We know that Thomas Richardson was born in North Carolina based not only on several US census records which each time state place of birth being North Carolina. His place of birth is also listed on his son William’s death certificate.

William Bruford Richardson Death Certificate

This document should serve as a reminder that if you can’t find information on your own direct relative start doing some research into their brothers and sisters.

Let’s take a look at the 1850 US census. This document tells us that in 1850 he was 24, which puts his birth year about 1826. This matches perfectly with other data we have found.

It tells us that he was born in North Carolina and that at the time he was living in Moore, North Carolina. So far it all checks out.

Listed on the US Census were

Name Age
Thomas Richardson 24
Nancy Richardson 24
Lydia M Richardson 5
John D Richardson 3
Isham T Richardson 1
    This document tells us that in 1850 John Durk Richardson (or John D) was 3 years old. That matches perfectly with our known date of birth for John Durk. That means we have the right guy. This guy is in fact the father of John Durk Richardson.
    That means we now can confirm that John’s mother was Nancy and Thomas Richardsons’s wife was Nancy. Nancy who though?
    During the course of their marriage Thomas and Nancy Richardson had at least four children.
  • Lydia Martha Richardson (1845-1931)
  • John Durk Richardson (1847-1926)
  • Isham Thomas Richardson (1849-1923)
  • William Bruford Richardson (1854-1924)

We learned from the US Census records that John Durk’s parents were Thomas and Nancy Richardson. In 1850 Thomas and Nancy Richardson were both 24 years old. During that time, three of their 4 children were alive. Lydia was John was 3 and Isham was 1.

This means that our Nancy (whoever she may be was in fact alive in 1850. She however died sometime before 1860.

In 1860 the census records show us that Thomas is married to someone named Margaret. Everything else matches up including Lydia, John, Isham – they are all now 10 years older than the previous one. The newest addition is WM Richardson – which with other documents we would find is William Bruford. All we know about his new wife is that she is 20 years old in 1860 and she was born in North Carolina.

But let’s go back to Nancy. For awhile I thought that the Nancy in question was Nancy Keller (several other family trees said that), whose father in Solomon Keller. But I eventually found an old clipping from a North Carolina archive about her father. In that story it says that Nancy Keller married James Jackson. So that means that John Durk’s mother Nancy isn’t Nancy Keller.

nancy-keller-is-not-nancy-richardson

There is however a Nancy Kelley that could be our mystery Nancy. The William Richardson death certificate doesn’t list the maiden name of his mother. It states he doesn’t know her maiden name or even where she was born at.

There is no known death certificate for John Durk so I began looking for them for Lydia Martha and Isham Thomas, Nancy’s other children. Lydia Martha died in Oklahoma in 1931. I couldn’t however find a copy of her death certificate.

Last but not least I went to Isham Thomas Richardson. I was hoping with such an unusual name it would be easier to find official documents on him. His find a grave listing had a photograph of his headstone which confirms his date of birth and date (April 2, 1849-February 23, 1923).  Sadly I couldn’t find a copy of his death certificate or any other official document stating Nancy’s maiden name. It could be Nancy Kelley, but then again it may not be. Until we have some sort of actual document verifying it, we can’t say for sure. All we can say for sure is that it’s not Keller nor is it Jackson. I just to note that there was in fact a Nancy Kelly who lived in Moore, NC of all places that appears in the 1860 US census. This person is not our Nancy. That Nancy Kelly is married to Salley Kelly, obviously not making that our girl.

Moving forward with Thomas Richardson, we next have a North Carolina, Marriage Records document that show Thomas married his next wife, Margaret McCaskell on May 8, 1860 in Moore, North Carolina.

This means that his wife Nancy seems to have died sometime between the birth of William in 1854 and the 1860 census.

In 1880, the US census tells us that he was 54 years old and was living in Parker, Texas at the time. His birthplace was North Carolina (which we already knew) and that both his mother and father were born in North Carolina as well. He was a farmer and his wife (2nd wife) was 41 in 1881.

At this time they had only two children living with them, King (15) and Julie (11). The King listed is Rufus King and the Julie listed is their youngest daughter Julia Frances. They also have a 11 year old child living with them named Thomas Rogers who is listed as their white, 11 year old adopted son. It says his real father was born in Tennessee and his mother was born in Texas.

What this document tells us is that both Thomas’s parents are from North Carolina. That’s one more clue in the mystery of who his parents were.

There is a John David Richardson who was born in Moore county of North Carolina in 1795 who had a son named Thomas. Is that our Thomas, father of John Durk? I just don’t know. Not yet. 🙂

We know that our Thomas had a son named Isham Thomas Richardson in 1849.

 

 

John Durk Richardson

John Durk Richardson was born on April 22, 1847, in Moore County, North Carolina. He died on January 17, 1926, in Balsora, Texas when he was 78 years old.

In the 1880 United States census (he was 33) we know that he moved his family to Parker County, Texas which Google Maps tells us is just west of the Dallas / Fort Worth area. Prior to that, he lived in North Carolina working on his father’s farm. While in Parker County, Texas the census shows us that he was still a farmer and Mary was a housewife.

  • Born: April 22, 1847
  • Died: January 17, 1926
  • Father: Thomas Richardson
  • Mother: Nancy (maiden name unknown)

In 1865 when he was 18 years old, he served in the American Civil War in the Tennessee Calvary Company E, United 9. The American Civil War lasted from 1861 to 1865 so that means when he turned 18 he immediately joined the war which was just as it was ending. Being from Tennessee, that means he fought on the side of the Union during the war. He may have entered the war as early as 1863 which would have made him 16 at the time.

This information is somewhat confusing and I’ve been unable to verify the actual date he entered the war, only the date he got out. One document shows Enlisted: Sept. 28 and Mustered: Oct. 13 but it does not indicate which year. So he either served a few months in 1865 or from 1863 to 1865.

Here is what I can say for sure – he served in the 9th regiment of the Tennessee cavalry, company E. The 9th Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry Regiment served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was a private when he both entered and left service.

At 19 (September 1866) he married Mary Elizabeth Mckensie and together they had at least six children.

At 72, (in 1919) he and his wife were living in Balsora, Texas and that is when she died. He went on to live another 7 years. He died on January 19, 1926.

John Durk Richardson and Mary had 6 children.

  • Sarah Caroline Richardson (1867-1953)
  • Kendrick Thomas Richardson (1869-1951)
  • Margaret Jane Richardson (1871-1945)
  • William Alexander Richardson (1874-1971)
  • John Henry Richardson (1878-1924)
  • Julie Richardson (1879-1894)

He died in a county (Wise, Texas) that has a lot of their records available to the public online, but I’ve been unable to get my hands on his actual death certificate. I have placed an order with the state of Texas but I didn’t have any luck.

We know exactly where he is buried and his date of death and birth is on his headstone, but sadly the state of Texas for some reason has no record of his death.

John Durk Richardson - Death Certificate

John Durk Richardson is buried in Balsora, Texas next to his beloved wife Mary (view entry here).

John Durk Richardson had a brother, Isham Thomas (two years younger than John Durk) who followed his brother to Wise County Texas, in the Wilson Prairie area, prior to moving to Oklahoma. His brother Isham Thomas is buried in the area of Tishomingo, Oklahoma. Here is a photo of the two brothers. The photo was provided by Anne Richardson, who got it form her father’s first cousin, Karen Richardson.

She says that the one on the far left is John Durk Richardson (1891-1947), We are guessing that the young man second from the left could be his brother James Richardson. Next, we have no idea who the little girl could be. Lastly, we are also assuming that the older woman and man are Elizabeth J and Isham T Richardson since it really looks like a family picture and John was his son.

john durk richardson - with his brother

I don’t know that she is correct in naming who is who in this photo simply because John Durk is two years older than Isham. The man on the far left is clearly way younger than the man on the far right. But if you look at the picture of John Durk with his wife, taken years later, you’ll see the man on the far right looks very much like John Durk, making the woman at his side his wife.

John Durk Richardson

 

John Durk Richardson is my 3rd Great Grandfather

In 1850 John Durk was 3 years old. He was living in Moore, North Carolina with his father Thomas and his mother Nancy as well as his sister Lydia who at the time was 5 and his little brother Isham who was 1.

What’s interesting is that just 10 years later, during the 1860 census, he was still living with his siblings but not either of his parents. During the 1860 census, they were living with their grandparents Thomas and Nancy.

We catch up with him against in the 1880 census where John Durk is now 34 years old and is married to Mary Elizabeth. He’s a farmer living in Parker, Texas and is working as a farmer.

During the 1880 census, he listed children are Sarah Caroline, Kendrick Thomas, Margaret Jane, and John Henry.

What about William Alexander and Julie? Julie was born in 1879 so it’s possible she wasn’t born during the time of this census but what about William Alexander? Where was he in 1880?

S.C. Richardson – Sarah Caroline
K.T. Richardson – Kendrick Thomas
M.J. Richardson – Margaret Jane
A.R. Richardson ??? William Alexander?
J.H. Richardson – John Henry

We know that John Durk is the father of William Alexander because we have William’s death certificate. It tells us that his father was John Durk Richardson and his mother was Mary McKinsey (aka Mary Elizabeth Mckensie).

It is possible the AR Richardson is William Alexander. I’m not sure what the initials AR would stand for though. During the course of his life, William Alexander did go by “Alex” so it’s possible A.R. stands for Alex Richardson.