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Edward Richards (abt. 1610 - 1684)

Edward Richards
Born about in Englandmap [uncertain]
Son of [father unknown] and [mother unknown]
[sibling(s) unknown]
Husband of — married 10 Sep 1638 (to 25 Aug 1684) in Dedham, Suffolk, Massachusetts Bay Colonymap
Descendants descendants
Father of , , and
Died at about age 74 in Dedham, Suffolk, Massachusetts Bay Colonymap
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Profile last modified | Created 30 May 2013
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The Puritan Great Migration.
Edward Richards migrated to New England during the Puritan Great Migration (1621-1640). (See The Directory, by R. C. Anderson, p. 282)
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Contents

Biography

Edward Richards' origins and parents are currently unknown.[1] He was probably born between 1610 and 1615 in England.[2][3]

Edward Richards was one of the signers of the Dedham Covenant on August 15, 1636 in Dedham, (then) Suffolk County, Massachusetts Bay Colony.[4][5]

Edward married Susan Hunting on 10 September 1638 in Dedham, (then) Suffolk County, Massachusetts Bay Colony.[6][7][8][9][10] She was the daughter of William and Margaret (Randolf?) Hunting.[11]

Children by wife Susan, all born Dedham:

  1. Mary, b. 29 Sep 1639;[12] d. 04 Feb 1723; m. Nathaniel Bullard 15 Dec 1658 at Dedham.
  2. John, b. 01 July 1641;[13] d. bef. 21 Dec 1688 (probate); m. Mary Colburn 01 Aug 1672 at Dedham.
  3. Dorcas, b. 24 July 1643, [14]bap. 01 Aug 1643; d. 12 Aug 1648.
  4. Nathaniel, b. 25 Jan 1649,[15][16] bap. 26 Jan 1649;[17][18] d. 15 Feb 1726/27.[19]
  5. Sarah, b. 25 May 1651,[20] bap. 18 May 1651 (sic); m. John Hearsey 18 May 1669 at Dedham.

On 23 Nov 1638, "Edward Richards, shoemaker," and two other men were "propounded to consideration against the next meeting at Dedham."[21]

On 17 May 1639:

whereas Thomas Hastings hath sold unto Edward Richards all that his lot formerly granted unto him without consent of the town & contrary unto an order made the 14th September 1636 whereby the said lot is become forfeited unto the town.

On 26 Jun 1639:

it is now ordered that the said lot shall be seized upon and remain in the hands of the town until the said Tho[mas] Hastings be spoken with concerning the same".

Finally, on 1 November 1639:

Thomas Hastings appearing to answer this case, and he acknowledging his fault in making sale of his lot without consent of the town freely submitted unto the censure of the town to stand to what they shall determine in the same. And for that he (living in Watertowne) was misinformed that the purchaser was accepted formerly for a townsman, so that his fault appeared to us to be rather of mistake than of any willingness. Wherefore we think fitting to remit the whole penalty that was fallen upon the lot by the same fault committed.

If Thomas Hastings ever actually resided in Dedham, it can only have been for a very short time.[22]

On 17 July 1640, "Edmond Richards" was admitted to Dedham church, "received in the church giving good satisfaction", admitted the 17th day of the 5th month 1640 in the First Parish, Dedham.[23] His wife Susan was received 19 (11) 1644.[24]

On June 2, 1641, he took the Freeman's oath.[25]

In 1646 he was chosen selectman, and by annual elections served nine years.[2]

Edward Richards Sr. died in Dedham on 25 August 1684.[26][10]

Probate

Edward Richards made a verbal will shortly before his death, proved September 25, 1684, in which he gave:

  • to his loving wife the use of the end of his dwelling house where he was living and the cellar during her life and £40 in household goods, and £12 per year to be paid by the executors John and Nathaniel Richards.
  • To son John half his meadow bought of Mr. Allin, his meadow at Fowle meadow upstream of Major Lusher's bridge adjoining Nathaniel Whiting, 6 acres of land called pond plain, 9 acres at Poweset plain and birch plain, 4 acres at great plain.
  • To John and Nathaniel he gave the remainder of Mr. Cooks farme.
  • To Nathaniel all his houseing & home lots, half of the meadow bought of Mr. Allin, 4 acres meadow, all lands at pond plain, powset plain, birch plain, great plain and all meadow at Fowle meadow not alread disposed of.
  • To son(-in-law) Bullard he gave £5,
  • to daughter Mary Bullard in case she was left a widow £15.
  • To son(-in-law) Hearsey £40 in addition to what had already been given him.
  • To granddaughter Mary Gay £30 added to what she alread received.
There should be no division of the estate until after his wife's decease, and his executors to have four years time after her decease to pay the legacies.
If son Nathaniel was to bring up one of his sons to learning, £60 to that grandchild towards it.
The residual of his estate to go to John & Nathaniel Richards.

Peter Woodward Sr. aged about 80, and Peter Woodward Jr. aged about 46 testify that Edward Richards "came to our house sometime in or about May last 1684 and then all the perticulars in this paper were by ye said Edward Richards Order and desire written down and were read to the said Edward Richards, with the addition of those words or to the same effect in reading (during her life) And the said Richards declared that the above mentioned perticulars were his minde for his last will & left them at our house desiring Peter Woodward junr. to write them fairer/ Peter Woodward Senr. further testifyeth that Edward Richards the day before he dyed sent for me to come to him & manifested to me yt his mind continued as to the disposeing of his Estate as he had formerly declared and also manifested himselfe earnestly desirous that that which was written might stand & be performed."

John Aldis aged about 60 yeares testifyet yt. three dayes before Edwd. Richards dyed he went to see him & then the sd Edward Richards said to him that his mind concerning the disposall of his Estate was in writing and the sd Edward Richards had sometimes before discoursed with this deponant & told him where the writing was. 25 September 1684, all three witnesses to this insturment appeared before the County Court at Boston and made oath to the truth of their depositions.[27]

Rev. Abner Morse, in his Genealogical Register of the Descendants of Several Ancient Puritans[2] suggested that Edward was concerned that his son John had only one male child, where Nathaniel already had three sons, and more possibly on the way and wanted to ensure the continuity of the family's name and holdings. Richards appears to have given a double portion to his younger son, Nathaniel. Robert Farrington, provided a different perspective in "Edward Richards of Dedham, Mass."[28]

Sons-in-law John Hersee (Hersey) and Nathanell Bullard filed in County Court an undated petition in which they said they had married daughters of Edward Richards and knew by the will their wives were "exceedingly wronged in that the Honored Court yet did never understand the truth in that cause, because we never had nor did obtein a time in which we could prepare to speake to our just cause we were suddenly surprized by our Bretheren and at that time wee could Say nothing legally, but plead for a time to be heard whereby wee might have oppertunity to produce our testimony." The case was heard on 3 and 12 Nov 1685. There were 12 depostitions, and certain receipts. In the end, the court declared they saw no reason to revoke or alter their former order in allowing the will. [28]

Edward Richards' will provided for his daughters and sons-in-law as follows;

I give to my son Bullard five pound to be paid in Country pay as an addition to what he hath had already. And to my daughter Mary Bullard in case he leave her a widow more fifteen pounds to be paid three pound per yeare. I give to my son hearsey Forty pound to be paid in Country pay to be added to that which I gave him before.

The sons-in-law apparently challenged the settlement as Edward's wife, Susanna, died 15 days after her husband. If his will were allowed, the household furnishings valued at £40 could be claimed by the children. But if it was disallowed, Susanna's share would have been one third of her husband's personal estate, which may have been higher. No inventory of his estate was taken, but it is probable that the value of his livestock, farming implements and "indoor moveables" would have exceed £40. Hersey and Bullard accepted £8 as their wives' shares, and in doing so were then accepting the provisions of Edward Richards' will. No court will look with favor on a person who is trying to have a will set aside while at the same time accepting payments on a bequest made to him in that will.[28]

This court case probably is what caused Edward's son Nathaniel to add to his will the provision that if any legatees who should attempt to break his will, they were to lose their portions.[29]

Disproved

"Edward Richards is presumed to have been the nephew of Thomas, Sr., and the brother of Nathaniel and Thomas, Jr., and the cousin or brother of William and John of Plymouth. He probably came with Nathaniel in the LYON, in 1632, and resided with him at Cambridge until 1636."[2]

These were actually two distinct people.[1]

Sources

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration Directory: Immigrants to New England, 1620–1640 (Boston, MA: NEHGS, 2015), p. 282
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Rev. Abner Morse, compiler, Genealogical Register of the Descendants of Several Ancient Puritans (Boston, MA: HW Dutton & Son, 1861), p. 106.
  3. ↑ Jeremiah Richards, editor, Richards Family [Also Metcalf, Aldis, Stratton, Wiswall, Barrett, Kidder, Peck, Crane, Monfort, and Carman families, all ancestral to Jeremiah Richards, b. 1844, and his wife Susan Adrianna Monfort.] (New York, NY: n.pub., 18--?), p. 1.
  4. ↑ Don Gleason Hill, The Early records of the town of Dedham, Massachusetts, 1636-1659 (Dedham, MA: Dedham Transcript, 1892) Vol. 3:3.
  5. ↑ Wikipedia "List of signers of the Dedham Covenant"
  6. ↑ [1] Dedham VRs Vol. 1, Marriages 1638. Image of original record.
  7. ↑ Don Gleason Hill, compiler, The Record of Baptisms, Marriages & Deaths ... Town of Dedham, MA, 1638-1845 (Dedham, MA: Town of Dedham, 1886), p. 126. "Edward Richards & Suzan Hunting, were married ye 10 of the 7 mo."
  8. ↑ Robert B. Hanson, Dedham, MA, VRs 1635-1845, (Picton Press, Camden, ME, 1997), p. 310. "Richards, Edward m. 9/10/1638 Susan Hunting."
  9. ↑ Jeremiah Richards, Richards Family [Also Metcalf, Aldis, Stratton, Wiswall, Barrett, Kidder, Peck, Crane, Monfort, and Carman families, all ancestral to Jeremiah Richards, b. 1844, and his wife Susan Adrianna Monfort. (New York, NY, 18--?) Repository: NEHGS. Boston, Massachusetts, Call Number: call #G RIC 815 p. 1
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Charles Henry Pope, The pioneers of Massachusetts, a descriptive list, drawn from records of the colonies, towns and churches and other contemporaneous documents, (Boston, MA: Charles H. Pope, 1900) page 383.
  11. ↑ Robert Charles Anderson, "The English Origin of John Hunting (1602-1689) of Dedham, Massachusetts," National Genealogical Society Quarterly 78(1990):85-97. Demonstrates that John Hunting, who arrived in Dedham in 1638, was born in Thrandeston, co. Suffolk, in 1602, moved with his family to Hoxne in the same county, and lived briefly in the adjacent parish of Oakley before sailing for New England. Also provides three generations of his ancestry, and shows that Susanna Hunting who married Edward Richards and Anna Hunting who married Henry Phillips, both at Dedham, were sisters of John.
  12. ↑ "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L979-R6TD?cc=2061550&wc=Q4D6-FMC%3A353350501%2C353350502%2C353355801 : 20 May 2014), Norfolk > Dedham > Births, marriages, deaths 1635-1853 > image 6 of 763; town clerk offices, Massachusetts. (Image of original record)
  13. ↑ "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-8979-RXFV?cc=2061550&wc=Q4D6-FMC%3A353350501%2C353350502%2C353355801 : 20 May 2014), Norfolk > Dedham > Births, marriages, deaths 1635-1853 > image 7 of 763; town clerk offices, Massachusetts. (Image of original record.)
  14. ↑ "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-9979-RXH7?cc=2061550&wc=Q4D6-FMC%3A353350501%2C353350502%2C353355801 : 20 May 2014), Norfolk > Dedham > Births, marriages, deaths 1635-1853 > image 9 of 763; town clerk offices, Massachusetts. (Image of original record.)
  15. ↑ Don Gleason Hill, compiler,The Record of Births, Marriages & Deaths and Intentions of Marriage in the Town of Dedham, MA, 1635-1845 (Dedham, MA: Town of Dedham, 1886), p. 4.
  16. ↑ ["Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-8979-RXR3?cc=2061550&wc=Q4D6-FMC%3A353350501%2C353350502%2C353355801 : 20 May 2014), Norfolk > Dedham > Births, marriages, deaths 1635-1853 > image 12 of 763; town clerk offices, Massachusetts.] Dedham VRs Vol. 1, Births 1648, image of original record.
  17. ↑ Don Gleason Hill, compiler, The Record of Baptisms, Marriages & Deaths ...transcribed from the Church Records in the Town of Dedham, MA, 1638-1845 (Dedham, MA: Town of Dedham, 1888), p. 31.
  18. ↑ Don Gleason Hill, compiler,The Record of Births, Marriages & Deaths and Intentions of Marriage in the Town of Dedham, MA, 1635-1845 (Dedham, MA: Town of Dedham, 1886), p. 17.
    "[1678] Nathanaeel Richards and Mary Aldis marryed ye 21th of 12th, 78."
  19. ↑ Don Gleason Hill, compiler, The Record of Baptisms, Marriages & Deaths ...transcribed from the Church Records in the Town of Dedham, MA, 1638-1845 (Dedham, MA: Town of Dedham, 1888), p. 280.
    "Here lyes Buried ye body of Mr. Nathaniel Richards, aged 78 years, decd February ye 15th 1726-7."
  20. ↑ "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-9979-R61V?cc=2061550&wc=Q4D6-FMC%3A353350501%2C353350502%2C353355801 : 20 May 2014), Norfolk > Dedham > Births, marriages, deaths 1635-1853 > image 14 of 763; town clerk offices, Massachusetts. (Image of original record)
  21. ↑ Dedham Town Records Vol. 1:50.
  22. ↑ Great Migration: Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, Volume III, G-H p. 240, citing Dedham Town Records, Vol. 1:54, 55, 61.
  23. ↑ Dedham Church Records, p. 23.
  24. ↑ Dedham Church Records, p. 28.
  25. ↑ Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, Records of the governor and company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England (New York, NY: William White Printers, 1853) Vol. 1:379.
  26. ↑ Don Gleason Hill, compiler, The Record of Baptisms, Marriages & Deaths ... Town of Dedham, MA, 1638-1845 (Dedham, MA: Town of Dedham, 1886), p. 20. "Edward Richards, Senr., deceased ye 25: 6: 84."
  27. ↑ Will of Edward Richards, Suffolk Co. Probate, mis'l docket 1684 [Suf. W., Vol. 6:472.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 Robert I. Farrington, "Edward Richards of Dedham, Mass." TAG 24 (1948):87-95, citing printed records of the Court of Assistants of the Colony of Mass Bay 1630-1692, Vol. 1:291.
  29. ↑ Will of Nathaniel Richards, Suffolk County Probate case #6187, will Vol. 29:336-340.

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[Living Baker]
According to Anderson in the Great Migration Dir p 282 his parents are origins are unknown and he didn't arrive until 1638 in Dedham. See DeTR 1:50; DeVR 1. 126; DeChR 23; MBCR 1:379; NGSQ 78:90; TAG 24:87-95, 143-46. Also Anderson says he is not the same man as Edward Richards of Lynn who did arrive in 1633 on the Lyon.
posted by [Living Baker]

Featured National Park champion connections: Edward is 13 degrees from Theodore Roosevelt, 19 degrees from Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger, 10 degrees from George Catlin, 16 degrees from Marjory Douglas, 23 degrees from Sueko Embrey, 12 degrees from George Grinnell, 24 degrees from Anton Kröller, 12 degrees from Stephen Mather, 21 degrees from Kara McKean, 14 degrees from John Muir, 13 degrees from Victoria Hanover and 24 degrees from Charles Young on our single family tree. Login to find your connection.

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Categories: Dedham, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Bay Colony | Signers of the Dedham Covenant | First Settlers of Dedham, Massachusetts | Puritan Great Migration