** Source: England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013.

She was the eldest child of Thomas Richardson and Katherine Duxford. Elizabeth Richardson is my 12th great-aunt.

Elizabeth would go on to marry Francis Wyman on May 2, 1617, and together they had five children.

• Thomas (Baptized April 5, 1618)
• Francis (Baptized February 24, 1619)
• John (Baptized February 3, 1621)
• Richard (Baptized March 14, 1623)
• William (Baptized August 31, 1628 – Buried July 3, 1630)

** Sources, Boston Transcript. Volume 1, page 67: N.E.H.G. Reg. Volume 50, Page 45.

She was born and lived in West Mill her entire life.

This Elizabeth Richardson is not the same as the one who died on September 4, 1630 and was buried in Middlesex, England. Our Elizabeth died in Westmill, England, and was buried at St. Mary the Virgin in Westmill – St Albans, St Albans District, Hertfordshire, England.

So let’s talk about where she is from.

Standon is a historic village in Hertfordshire, located about 25 miles north of London. During Elizabeth’s lifetime, it was a rural agricultural community with a close connection to England’s broader economic, religious, and political transformations.

• Standon was a typical English parish village, with life centered around the parish church, which served as both a spiritual and social hub. Elizabeth would have been baptized, married, and buried in the church, as was customary.
• The economy of Standon was primarily agricultural. Farmers worked on open fields, practicing a mix of subsistence and market-oriented farming. Sheep grazing for wool production was particularly important in Hertfordshire, as the county was known for its contribution to England’s textile industry.
• Local markets and fairs were key parts of village life. Surplus goods—like wool, grain, and dairy—were sold at markets, often regulated by local lords or the crown.
• Most people in Standon lived in timber-framed cottages with thatched roofs. Homes were simple, often consisting of one or two rooms, with a hearth for cooking and heating.
• Life was communal, with extended families often living together. Tasks like cooking, weaving, and farming involved the entire household.

The Broader Historical Context (1593–1630)

1. Elizabethan England (1558–1603):
   • Elizabeth Jane Richardson was born during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, a period often referred to as England’s “Golden Age.” It was marked by relative political stability, economic growth, and cultural flourishing.
   • The Elizabethan Poor Laws, passed in 1601, began to formalize social welfare, reflecting the growing concern about poverty and vagrancy in rural areas like Standon.
2. The Early Stuart Period (1603–1630):
   • After Elizabeth I’s death in 1603, James I (James VI of Scotland) ascended the throne, ushering in the Stuart dynasty. James’s reign saw ongoing religious tension between Anglicans, Puritans, and Catholics.
   • Hertfordshire was largely Protestant by this time, aligned with the Church of England. However, Puritan influence was growing, especially in rural areas. Religious conformity was expected, and deviations (like Catholicism or nonconformist Protestantism) were met with suspicion or punishment.
   • The Gunpowder Plot of 1605, a failed Catholic conspiracy to assassinate James I, heightened anti-Catholic sentiment across the country.
3. Economic and Agricultural Shifts:
   • The Enclosure Movement, which saw common lands privatized and fenced, was transforming rural life. While enclosure brought efficiency and productivity, it also displaced small farmers and contributed to rising poverty.
   • Farming in Standon would have been impacted by these changes, with some families thriving and others struggling to adapt.
4. Family and Gender Roles:
   • Women like Elizabeth Jane Richardson were expected to marry, bear children, and manage households. Marriage was typically arranged based on family alliances or economic considerations.
   • Childbirth was a frequent and dangerous part of women’s lives. The high infant and maternal mortality rates meant that families often had large numbers of children to ensure some survived to adulthood.

Daily Life and Customs

1. Religion:
   • Religion was central to daily life. The Anglican Church governed not just spiritual practices but also many aspects of social and civic life. Church attendance was mandatory, and major life events—like baptisms, weddings, and funerals—were conducted according to religious rites.
   • Elizabeth’s baptism in 1593 and burial in 1630 would have followed traditional Anglican practices, reflecting the deep integration of religion into the rhythms of life.
2. Food and Diet:
   • The diet of rural villagers like Elizabeth would have been simple but hearty. Bread, cheese, porridge, and ale were staples, supplemented by vegetables from gardens and occasionally meat or fish.
   • Seasonal cycles dictated food availability. In winter, preserved foods like salted meats and dried fruits sustained families.
3. Education:
   • Formal education was limited, especially for girls. Elizabeth would likely have been taught basic literacy and household skills by her family, as education for women was considered unnecessary beyond practical knowledge.
   • The Protestant emphasis on reading the Bible may have encouraged some level of literacy, but most women’s roles were centered on domestic work.

Major Events During Elizabeth’s Lifetime

1. Plague Outbreaks:
   • Elizabeth lived through repeated outbreaks of the bubonic plague, which struck England periodically throughout the 16th and 17th centuries. Villages like Standon would have been vulnerable, as people had limited understanding of disease transmission.
2. The Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648):
   • While largely centered in Europe, this devastating conflict between Catholic and Protestant powers influenced England. James I attempted to mediate peace, but the war heightened religious anxieties within the country.
3. Early Colonial Ventures:
   • The late 16th and early 17th centuries marked the beginning of English colonization efforts. In 1607, Jamestown was founded in Virginia, initiating England’s overseas empire. Though far removed from life in Standon, this era of exploration and expansion reflected the growing ambitions of Elizabethan and Stuart England.

End of Life

Elizabeth Jane Richardson’s burial on June 22, 1630, was likely conducted in the parish churchyard of Standon, in accordance with Anglican customs. Her death occurred just four years after the ascension of Charles I to the throne in 1625, a period of rising political tension that would later culminate in the English Civil War (1642–1651).

Legacy

Elizabeth’s life was shaped by the rhythms of rural village life, deeply influenced by the church, the land, and the family. Her experiences reflect the transition from the Elizabethan “Golden Age” to the uncertainties of early Stuart England, providing a window into the daily lives and challenges faced by ordinary people in 17th-century England.

If you’d like, I can help further explore religious practices, gender roles, or another aspect of life in her time!

He was the son of Thomas Richardson and Katherine Duxford. His exact date of birth is unknown, but it is thought to be somewhere between 1601 and 1604.

He died in  Woburn, MA on October 21, 1647.

He married Susanna and together they had seven children.

1. Phebe (Phoebe) (June 3, 1632)
2. Theophilus (December 22, 1633)
3. Josiah (November 7, 1634)
4. John (July 21, 1638)
5. Jonathan (February 13, 1639/40?)
6. James (July 11, 1641)
7. Ruth (August 23, 1645)

Ezekiel Richardson was among the early settlers of New England, arriving in America in 1630 as part of the Puritan migration during the Great Migration period (1620–1640). He is also referred to in historical records as “Ezechll Richeson,” reflecting the fluidity of spelling in the 17th century.

Ezekiel was the son of Thomas Richardson and Katherine Duxford. Although his exact date of birth is not recorded, historians estimate it to be between 1601 and 1604, based on the known dates of his parents and siblings. He was born in Westmill, Hertfordshire, England, a village about 30 miles north of London.

The Richardson family were Puritans, part of a religious movement that sought to reform the Church of England. Dissatisfied with the slow pace of reform and the persecution they faced under King Charles I, Ezekiel joined the thousands of Puritans who left England for the New World in search of religious freedom and a fresh start.

Ezekiel Richardson arrived in America in 1630 as part of the Winthrop Fleet, a group of 11 ships carrying nearly 1,000 settlers led by Governor John Winthrop. This expedition established the Massachusetts Bay Colony, a critical milestone in the history of English colonization in North America.

After landing in Salem, Ezekiel became a prominent member of the Puritan community, helping to lay the foundations for a new society governed by strict religious principles and communal cooperation.

Life in the New World

Ezekiel settled first in Charlestown, Massachusetts, one of the earliest settlements in the colony, where he was admitted as a freeman in 1630. Becoming a freeman signified that he was a full member of the church and granted him the right to vote in the colony’s affairs, a privilege reserved for Puritan men who adhered to the church’s strict moral and theological standards.

In Charlestown, Ezekiel and his fellow settlers worked together to clear land, build homes, and establish the Puritan way of life. The early years were challenging, marked by harsh winters, limited supplies, and the need to establish friendly—or at least neutral—relations with local Native American tribes.

In 1640, Ezekiel moved to Woburn, Massachusetts, where he played a key role in founding the town. Woburn was incorporated in 1642, and Ezekiel served as a selectman, helping to manage the town’s governance and development.

The Richardson family would have lived a modest but disciplined life centered on Puritan values. Education and religious instruction were emphasized, as children were expected to learn to read the Bible. Susanna played a critical role in managing the household, ensuring her children grew up with strong moral and religious foundations.

The Boston Church

Ezechiel Richardson and his wife were admitted to Boston church as members #80 and #81, which would be in the winter of 1630/1; on 14 October 1632.

Ezechiel Richardson and Susan, his wife, were dismissed for participating in the organization of Charlestown church; on 2 November 1632, “Ezek:” and “Susan Richeson” were admitted to Charlestown church as founding members.

Ezekiel Richardson was admitted as an inhabitant of Charleston in 1630 and appeared in the lists of inhabitants on January 9, 1633/4, and January 1635/6.

In his will, dated 20 July 1647 and proved 1 June 1648, “Ezekiell Richardson of Woebourne” appointed “my wife Susanna and my eldest son Theophilus joint executors”; and bequeathed to “Josias my son -30” at twenty-one years of age; to “James my son -3O” at twenty-one years of age; to “Phebe my daughter -3O” at “twenty years of age or within six months after the day of her marriage”; if any of these three should die before they come of age, the legacies be shared among the survivors; in case “my son Theophilus die before he shall accomplish one and twenty years of age, then his portion shall be equally divided to my other children”; discharged demands against “my brother Samuell Richardson“; to “my brother Thomas Richardson, his son Thomas, 1Os.”; overseers Ed-ward Converse and John Mousall of Woburn, if either of these die, then the survivor with the consent of Thomas Carter, pastor of the church in Woburn, to choose a replacement overseer; 30s. to each overseer; residue to my executors, “provided that my wife may peacably enjoy her habitation in the house so long as she shall live”.

The inventory of the estate of Ezekiel Richardson was taken on 18 November 1647 and totaled -19O 6s. 6d., with no real estate included.

On 6 March 1649/50 Edward Converse confirmed to the heirs of Ezekiel Richardson an earlier sale of twelve acres of meadow & upland in Woburn [MLR 2:71].

Now look at this tidbit of information —

On 27 March 1651, Samuel Richeson of Woburn, “having formerly sold unto Ezekill Richeson my brother (who is since deceased) forty acres of arable & meadow land” in Woburn, confirmed the same to “my sister Susanna Brookes (who was the wife of my deceased brother Ezekill Richeson”, On 23 March 1654/5

See that? That shows us that in fact, Ezekiel Richardson was the brother of Samuel Richardson, son of Thomas Richardson. So I’m not sure why Thomas Richardson of Standon left him out of the will, but it could have to do with why Ezekiel left to America a few years prior.

“Susanna Richeson now Brookes formerly the wife of Ezek: Richeson” confirmed a sale made eight years earlier by “Ezekill Richardson & Sussanna Richardson my wife” to Thomas Moulton and John Greenland of thirty-five acres of land in Woburn. On 13 December 1659, “Henry Brookes & Susanna Brookes of Woburn,” in accordance with an award of the court, deeded to Theophilus Richardson the right and title they had in “the moiety or half part of the housing & land of Ezekiell Richardson of Woburn aforesaid, by executorship or otherwise”.

So what this information tells us, is that Susanna Richardson was the wife of Ezekiel. These are the kinds of historical documents that are the proof we need to trace specific members of our family.

Death and Legacy

Ezekiel Richardson passed away on October 21, 1647, in Woburn, Massachusetts. His death occurred during a period when Woburn was still in its early stages of development, with settlers working hard to carve a new life out of the wilderness.

Ezekiel’s legacy is one of perseverance and faith. As one of the early settlers and founders of Woburn, he helped establish a community that would thrive for generations. His descendants carried on his work, becoming part of the fabric of colonial New England society. His children, including Theophilus Richardson, played significant roles in expanding the Richardson family and contributing to the growth of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

He is the son of Thomas Richardson and Catherine Duxford. We know this because Samuel was the executor of his father’s estate on July 31, 1634, in Hutchins, England. This is the Thomas Richardson that we also call Thomas Richardson of Standon.

Samuel Richardson was christened at St. Mary the Virgin in Westmill on December 22, 1604.

Samuel Richardson married Joanna Thake. They were married on October 18, 163 in Great Hormead, Hertfordshire, England.

Together, they had at least nine children.

• Mary (1637-1677)
• John (1639-1696)
• Hannah (1642-1642)
• Joseph (1643-1718)
• Samuel (1646-1712)
• Stephen (1649-1717)
• Thomas (1651-1657)
• Elizabeth (1653-1677) ?????

In 1636, they arrived in Charlestown, Massachusetts. He was one of the founders and largest landowners of Woburn, Mass.

His father was Thomas Richardson of Standon, and his mother was Katherine Duxford.

Samuel Richardson (1602 – 1658)
11th great-grandfather

However, I should note there is a Millennium file document that says he died in March of 1630. But that could be his son.

What I can say for sure is when he was born and married.

• Born: May 14, 1523, in Westmill, Hertfordshire, England
• Married on June 15, 1567, in St. Albans, in Hertfordshire, England

It was originally thought that Thomas Richardson I of Westmill’s father was Ralph Richardson of the Jersey Channel Islands. That turns out, however, not to be true.

Thomas Richardson I of Westmill had a son known as Thomas Richardson of Westmill. We call him Thomas Richardson II of Westmill, just to avoid confusion.

This Thomas is not the person known as Sir Thomas Richardson. He is also not the Thomas Richardson from Alphamstone. This is also not the Thomas Richardson, who married Margaret and has a son named Thomas, who was born in Kirkham, Lancashire, England. We can say this for sure because that child was born on July 20, 1823. Our guy was dead hundreds of years before that.

Many have wrongly associated this Thomas Richardson with Sir Thomas Richardson of the Scottish Peerage. That would be impossible because ancient records tell us that he married on December 14, 1626, at St. Giles-in-the-Fields, London, without issue. That means he had no children, so he can’t be your ancestor because his line ended with him.

So who is our Thomas Richardson? This gets confusing for a few generations so to clarify …

• Thomas Richardson I of Westmill married Margaret Silverside (1523-1570)
• Thomas Richardson II of Westmill married Mary Margaret Champney (1543-1630)
• Thomas Richarson of Standon married Katherine Duxford (1590 – 1633)

Thomas Richardson I of Westmill married Margaret Silverside on June 15, 1567. How do we know when our Thomas was born? Thanks to the “Heritage Consulting. Millennium File”.  This record tells us that he was born in 1523.

Heritage Consulting. Millennium File. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2003. Original data: Heritage Consulting. The Millennium File. Salt Lake City, UT, USA: Heritage Consulting.

The problem is the death date is wrong. It lists the death date of his son, Thomas II. This is why it’s so hard to find accurate information when even “official” records are flawed.

Thomas Richardson married Margaret Silverside in 1567 at St. Albans Abbey.

Below is a copy of their marriage register which clearly shows they were married in 1567 on June 15th.

The problem with the name “Thomas Richardson” is that at this time in history, there were more than a few of them in the area. This makes it very hard to figure out which one is which. That’s why when you find any sort of absolute proof of information, you have to hold onto it tightly to make sure you don’t confuse or mix up people because it’s so easy to do.

This record comes from the Hertfordshire online archives. Why it is important because it further proves we have the right Thomas with the right wife.

So now the question is, who is Thomas Richardson I of Westmill’s father?

Thomas Richardson I of Westmill’s life, spanning the mid-16th century, occurred during a time of profound cultural, religious, and political transformation in England. He married Margaret Silverside on June 15, 1567, at St. Albans Abbey, another Hertfordshire town with deep historical significance. Although the details of his death remain unclear, it is likely he passed away around 1570, as you’ve noted.

Here’s a closer look at what life was like in Westmill and England during this period:

Westmill, Hertfordshire in the 1500s

1. A Rural Village Setting:
   • Westmill, like much of Hertfordshire, was a small agricultural village. It was surrounded by fertile farmland, which supported the livelihoods of most of its inhabitants. Families like the Richardsons would have been engaged in farming, producing crops such as wheat, barley, oats, and vegetables, as well as raising livestock like sheep, cows, and chickens.
   • The village likely consisted of a few cottages clustered around a parish church, connected by dirt roads. The church played a central role in daily life, not only as a place of worship but also as a hub for social and communal activities.
2. Population and Economy:
   • The population of Westmill in the mid-1500s was small, likely a few hundred people. Life revolved around agricultural work, with a strong emphasis on self-sufficiency. Any surplus produce was sold or bartered in local markets or fairs, such as those in nearby towns like St. Albans.
   • Land ownership was hierarchical, with local gentry or landlords controlling large estates. Tenant farmers and laborers worked the land in exchange for rent or wages. The Richardsons may have been tenant farmers or small landowners.

Religious and Political Landscape

1. Religious Change:
   • Thomas Richardson was born during the early years of the English Reformation. In 1523, England was still a Catholic country, but by the 1530s, King Henry VIII had broken from the Catholic Church and established the Church of England. This led to significant upheaval in local parishes, including those in Hertfordshire.
   • By the time Thomas married Margaret in 1567, Queen Elizabeth I was on the throne, and Protestantism had been firmly established as the state religion. However, tensions between Catholics and Protestants persisted, and compliance with the Church of England was mandatory. Religious conformity was enforced, and dissenters were often fined or punished.
2. Social Structure:
   • Society in Westmill and Hertfordshire was highly stratified. The monarch and aristocracy held the most power, followed by the gentry and yeoman farmers. Below them were tenant farmers, tradespeople, and laborers.
   • The Richardsons may have been yeomen or prosperous tenant farmers, as they appear to have been respected members of their community. Marrying in St. Albans, a more prominent town, suggests some level of social mobility or standing.

Daily Life in 16th-Century Westmill

1. Work and Routine:
   • Life revolved around the agricultural calendar. Men and women worked long hours in the fields, tending crops and animals. Children were expected to help from a young age.
   • In addition to farming, villagers engaged in small-scale crafts or trades, such as weaving, smithing, or carpentry. Any extra income would be used to purchase essentials that couldn’t be produced locally.
2. Marriage and Family:
   • Marriage in the 16th century was often arranged or influenced by practical concerns, such as consolidating property or strengthening family alliances. Thomas and Margaret likely married for both social and economic reasons.
   • Families were large, as high infant mortality rates meant that not all children survived to adulthood. The Richardsons’ son, Thomas Richardson II, carried on the family legacy in Westmill, demonstrating the importance of maintaining a lineage during this period.
3. Education and Literacy:
   • Literacy was not widespread, but it was becoming more common among wealthier farmers and tradespeople. The Protestant Reformation placed a greater emphasis on reading the Bible, which may have encouraged basic literacy in rural communities like Westmill.

Hertfordshire’s Role in Tudor England

Hertfordshire, including Westmill, was strategically located near London and played a role in supplying food and goods to the capital. It was a relatively prosperous county due to its fertile soil and proximity to trade routes. Towns like St. Albans, where Thomas and Margaret were married, were significant centers of commerce and religion.

Clarifying Thomas Richardson’s Lineage

The challenge of accurately tracing Thomas Richardson I of Westmill’s ancestry underscores the complexity of genealogical research during this period. As you’ve noted, there were many individuals named “Thomas Richardson” in the area and throughout England, which complicates efforts to distinguish one from another. Misattributions, such as connecting him to Sir Thomas Richardson of the Scottish Peerage or other prominent figures, highlight the need for caution in interpreting historical records.

The Hertfordshire Marriages Record provides crucial evidence of Thomas’s marriage to Margaret Silverside, solidifying their connection and place in history. However, the question of Thomas’s father remains unresolved due to the lack of definitive documentation from the early 1500s. While it was previously believed that Ralph Richardson of the Jersey Channel Islands was his father, this claim has been debunked, leaving the matter open for further investigation.

Historical Significance

Thomas Richardson I of Westmill lived during a transformative period in English history, witnessing the shift from medieval to early modern England. His life, marriage, and descendants are part of the broader story of Hertfordshire’s development and England’s religious and social upheavals. As a farmer or tradesman in Westmill, he would have experienced both the challenges and opportunities of life in a rural Tudor community, contributing to the foundation of his family’s enduring legacy.

He is not the person known as “Sir Thomas Richardson.”

He is also not the person who was buried on  December 13, 1630, at St Mary, Whitechapel, Tower Hamlets, Middlesex, England.  Although they have the same name and died in the same year, our Thomas Richardson, Thomas Richardson of Westmill II, died in March, not in December. Our Thomas died in Westmill, not in Middlesex.

There is a record out there stating that Thomas Richardson was buried on December 13, 1630, at St Mary, Whitechapel, Tower Hamlets, Middlesex, England. This is an official Parish register.

This is from “London, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1538-1812 – Tower Hamlets – St Mary, Whitechapel – 1558 – 1643”.

Middlesex is in modern-day London. That’s about an hour’s drive from Westmill. St. Mary’s was a church in the 1600s that was located in Whitechapel. This is a district that is now in the East End of London, in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

The document in question refers to the St Mary Matfelon church, which was an English parish church on Whitechapel Road in Whitechapel, London.

The distance from Westmill to Whitechapel (approximately 30–40 miles) would take at least 8–12 hours round-trip, depending on road conditions and breaks. Travel in the 1600s was arduous and not undertaken lightly, particularly for funerals.

It’s highly improbable that a person who was born, married, and lived in Westmill their entire life would have been buried at St. Mary’s in Whitechapel. Burials typically occurred in the local parish churchyard, which, in the case of Westmill, would have been St. Mary the Virgin, the village church.

Given the historical context of burial practices, the importance of local parish records, and the travel difficulties of the time.  Therefore, we can reasonably assume that the record for Thomas Richardson, who was buried on December 13, 1630, is not our Thomas Richardson II of Westmill.

____________________

Thomas Richardson II of Westmill was born in St. Albans Abbey in Westmill.  His wife was Mary Margaret Champney and together they had at least one child.

• Thomas Richardson of Standon

They could have had more children and likely did, but so far, I haven’t been able to find any information other than about their son, Thomas Richardson of Standon.

His date of death on March 4, 1630, in Westmill, comes from the Find a Grave listing. This, however, lists his wife as Mary Margaret Silverside, who, in fact, is his mother.

We have a record called the Millennium File that tells us Thomas Richardson was born in 1523 in Westmill. He died in March of 1630 in Westmill, and his wife was Margaret Silverside. Their child was Thomas Richardson.

Because this can get confusing, I named  …

• Thomas Richardson was born in 1523 – Thomas Richardson I of Westmill
• I then named his son Thomas Richardson II of Westmill.
• I then named his son Thomas Richardson of Standon.

We next have the England, Select Births and Christenings file that tells us Thomas Richardson of Standon is the father of Samuel Richardson.

Next, we have a document telling us that Thomas Richardson married someone named Mary. Well, guess what?  That document is totally useless to us because both Thomas Richardson I and Thomas Richardson II of Westmill both married someone named Mary.

• Thomas Richarson I of Westmill married Mary Margaret Silverside.
• Thomas Richarson II of Westmill married Mary Margaret Champney.

See the problem? So, we must keep trying to figure out more family connections.

That turns out not to be true.

Let’s look at what we know for sure. Ralph Richardson was born in 1455 and died in 1520. He lived in the Jersey Channel Islands.

Ralph Richardson is presumed to have been Richard III’s army officer. He came to Jersey after the King was killed at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485.

What we know of Ralph Richardson of The Channel Islands early records which state …

He must have had previous connections to Jersey because he became a tenant of the Seigneur of Rosel and is believed to have farmed 70 vergées in St Martin. There is some dispute about the timings because family tradition has it that he arrived immediately after the battle, the last significant engagement of the English Civil War, and took up farming then.

“An Account of the Island of Jersey” by Rev. Philip Falle in 1837 tells us that in the 1400s …

"Seigneur of Rose was slain in an assault during that siege on the eve of Corpus Christi day. The siege lasted nineteen weelts."

_______________

Going back to the Island Wiki data, it says ….

However, 19th century historian J Bertrand Payne, in his Armorial of Jersey says that Ralph took up farming in St Martin in 1507, four years after the birth of his son Thomas in England and the death of his wife.

Ralph married Jane Mychiel, daughter of John, in Jersey, but their son Thomas was born in England. He had a son, also Thomas, who stayed in England and his lineage is traced in one of the trees below. Another of Ralph’s children, Edmund, was born in Jersey, and other sons of Thomas also established families in the island. One branch moved to Guernsey, where their surname was corrupted to Reserson. The two island families were united by the marriage of Clement Richardson and Jacquine Reserson in the 18th century.

This was very much a St Martin family and the first baptism was recorded there in 1599. Although the family largely remained in the parish, it did spread into neighbouring Grouville, Trinity and St Saviour, and ultimately throughout the island, most notably in St Ouen.

What we learned is that Ralph Richardson is not only not related to Bedo ap Richard but also is not the father of Thomas Richardson I of Westmill.

1 Ralph Richardson m Jane Mychiell, d of John

• 2 Thomas Richardson
  • 3 John Richardson m Isabel Le Marquand, d of Raulin
    • 4 Nicholas Richardson (1571- )
    • 4 Jane Richardson m John Collas
  • 3 Hugh Richardson ( -1598) m Phillippine de Quetteville, d of Michael
    • 4 Nicholas Richardson m Jeanette Le Quesne, d of Richard

Ralph Richardson did, in fact, have a son named Thomas Richardson, but not our Thomas Richardson I of Westmill.

His son’s family tree is as follows ….

1 Thomas Richardson m (1605, Gr) Jeanne Giffard, d of Richard )Thomas is possibly the son of Jean and Marie Averty, of Grouville, or Thomas and Anne Le Ray, of St Martin)

• 2 Jeanne Richardson (1605- )
• 2 Elizabeth Richardson (1606- )
• 2 Richard Richardson (1609- )
• 2 Thomas Richardson (1609- ) m Elizabeth Bree
  • 3 Jeanne Richardson (1630- )
  • 3 Marie Richardson (1634- )
  • 3 Marthe Richardson (1636- )
  • 3 Thomas Richardson (1638- )
• 2 Noeul Richardson (1615- )

If I were to believe the hundreds of family trees on Ancestry.com and other similar sites, I would be here telling you today that Bedo Ap Richard was the father of the very first “Richardson.” His name means Bedo, son of Richard ap Hywel, and he was born in 1430 in Glamorgan, Wales. He died in 1470.

Hundreds and hundreds of family trees have this information wrong.  Why? Because they all just accepted that the information was true because someone else said it was.

So then, who is Bedo ap Richard? He was born in Mathraval. I googled that, and it turns out Mathraval (also known as Mathrafal) is a castle.

It was the original capital of the Princes of Powys, one of the three royal seats in Wales. The castle was destroyed in 1212. That means he couldn’t have been born in 1430, two hundred years after his birthplace was destroyed.

So that tells us Bedo ap Richard was born sometime before 1212.

Now I found a document that tells us who his family is. His father was in fact Richard ap Hywel. Just not the one from Glamorgan. This document comes from page 416 of the book “The Montgomeryshire Collections, Volume 8”.

So from this document, we can say for sure that the line here starts with Hywel ap Einws. This would be Bedo ap Richard’s grandfather. (Remember ap = son of).

Ieuan ap Robert
son of Robert ap y Bedo – (married Jane Verch Rhys Dafydd ??)

The document also tells us who married who. Bedo ap Richard’s son married Jane daughter of Rhys Dafydd. This makes her name Jane Verch Rhys Dafydd. (Remember Verch means daughter of like ap means son of).

At the very bottom of this document, we see that Bedo ap Richard’s son Robert’s mother was Mawd Verch Ieuan Vychan.

Bedo ap Richard is in fact son of Richard ap Hywell, not the same Richard ap Hywell who has the son Morgan ap Hywell who married Joan Button.

Bedo could also be known as Blddn or Bleddyn.

Other variations of Hywel include Hywell, or Howell or Howel.

Bedo’s wife is Mawd Verch Ieuan Fychan, aka Mawd Verch Ieuan Vychan.

That means you may find documents calling him Blddn ap Richard or Bleddyn ap Richard, or even Bedo ap Rich’d, which is a variation of “Richard.”

So, anyone doing their family tree and wanting to list Ralph Richardson of the Jersey Channel Islands as having a father named Bedo ap Richard would be wrong.

Are there any other references to Bedo ap Richard in old books? Turns out there are!

In a document called Montgomeryshire Pedigrees (page 137) it says …

Griffith ap Thomas, of Halchton, ap Llywelyn ap Madock ap David ap Evan. 

Griffith's mother was Jonet, vrch. Owen Bedo ap Rich'd ap  Howell ap Einion, of Drewern. 

Griffith ap Thomas's children were Rich'd; Edw'd; David ; Evan ; 
Catherin, who maried Tho. Lewis ap David ap Griffith; Mawd ; 
Alice ; and Catherin. Their mother was Catherin, vrch. Llewelyn ap Reynold. 

The previous document said that Bedo ap Richard’s father was Richard ap Hywel (howel), whose father was Hywel ap Einws. This document tells us something similar.

It says Griffith’s mother was Jonet verch Owen (Jonet daughter of Owen).

Then it says Bedo ap Richard is the son of Richard ap Hywel (Howell) who is the son of Hywel ap Einion of Drewern.

Now we have two different new spellings. The first is Bedo ap Rich’d. The next is Hywel (Howell) ap Einion of Drewern.

With this new variation in his name, I was about to find a Hywel ap Einion.

This led me to a new book called – “Montgomeryshire Pedigrees: Heraldic Visitations of Wales and Part of the Marches, Between the Years 1586 and 1613; Ed. with Notes by Samuel Rush Meyrick”.

This book reveals to us a new family tree of this previously mentioned Griffith.

David ap Evan

Madog ap David
Son of David ap Evan

Llyweln ap Madock (Madog)
Son of Madog ap David

Thomas ap Llywelyn
Son of Llyweln ap Madog

Griffith ap Thomas of Halchton’s
Son of Thomas ap Llyweln

Again, they reference Griffith’s mother as Jonet Vrch. Owen Bedo ap Richard ap Howell ap Einion, of Drewern.

This means that his mother was Jonet Verch (daughter of) Owen. Owen may be a spelling variation of Owain (just as Hywel is of Howel or Rich’d is of Richard).

What I don’t know is, does this make her Bedo ap Richard’s wife? Or is Owen Bedo ap Richard’s son?

If you recall, in a previous document, where we learned about Robert ap y Bedo (son of Bedo ap Richard), we learned his wife was Mawd. So that means that this Jonet isn’t his wife. But she could be the wife of a child of Bedo or maybe the daughter of a child of Bedo?

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

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.

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)

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.

• Elizabeth (1593)
• John (1596)
• James (1600)
• Samuel (1602)
• Ezekiel (1604 ???)
• Margaret (1607)
• Thomas (1608)

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. Searching for roofing companies near me. Call Overson Roofing in Arizona.

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).

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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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