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Richards Family of Ray County, Missouri

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Location: Ray County, Missourimap
Surnames/tags: Richards Adams
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This page includes research on the origins of the Richards family of Ray County, Missouri. In the mid-1800s, this family included mother Nancy Richards and her children Ann Richards, Manerva Richards, Austin Richards, and Nancy Ellen Richards.

The research below is organized as follows: the first portion documents the family's history in Missouri from the 1840s onward; the second portion documents the family's origin in Bartholomew County, Indiana; the third portion presents evidence of Nancy's connection to Mercer County, Kentucky.

This research asserts that the parents of Ann Richards, Manerva Richards, Austin Richards, and Nancy Ellen Richards were Leonard Richards and Nancy Adams, who married in Bartholomew County, Indiana, in 1824.

Census records (see below) show that Ann Richards was born in Indiana circa 1827, that Manerva Richards was born in Indiana in 1834, that Austin Richards was born in Indiana circa 1836, and that Nancy Ellen Richards was born in Indiana about 1842.

In this research, Alfred Richards, born in Kentucky in 1821, is presumed to be the son of Leonard Richards by his first wife, Polly Allen, and thus the older half-brother of Ann, Manerva, Austin, and Nancy Ellen. More research is needed to tie Alfred to the rest of this family.

This research asserts that the family (with or without Leonard Richards) was part of a group migration in the 1840s from Bartholomew County, Indiana, to Platte County, Missouri. This migration included several Gabbert families, the Jacob Cox family, and others. The bulk of this migrant group settled near the town of Weston, Missouri, in a community called Pleasant Ridge, at the center of which was the Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, built in 1844.

After several years in Platte County, in 1849, Nancy (presumably widowed) married Wynant Vanderpool of Ray County, Missouri. Thereafter, Nancy and her four children (but not Alfred Richards) lived the rest of their lives in Ray County, especially around the sparsely populated rural community of Knoxville.

Genetic evidence (see below) also suggests that Nancy Adams was the daughter or granddaughter of Francis Adams of Mercer County, Kentucky. This Francis Adams also had a connection to the Gabbert family: his son Henry married a Gabbert.

Note that there are two pieces of contradictory evidence regarding the name of the father of Ann, Manerva, Austin, and Nancy Ellen. An 1893 biography of a son of Nancy Ellen Richards (see below) says that her father was named "William Richards." The 1920 death certificate of Austin Richards (see below) indicates that his father was "J. Richards." The research here asserts that their father was Leonard Richards.

Contents

The Richards Family in Missouri (1844–1920)

Notes on Alfred Richards

A marriage record in Platte County, Missouri, shows that Alfred Richards married Emily Cox on 26 December 1844. Emily Cox was daughter of Jacob Cox and Jane Gatliff, formerly of Bartholomew County, Indiana. The Cox family migrated from Indiana to Platte County in the 1840s. [1]

A 1905 obituary of "Alfored Richards" shows his birth in Kentucky, his move to Indiana and Missouri, and his association with the Baptist Church since youth. The many spelling errors in that report are retained here:

Alfored Richards was born in Kentucky August 21, 1821 and died at his home in Meriden April 9, 1905, age 83 years 7 months and 18 days.
He was married to Miss Emily Cox in Platt Co. Missouri Dec. 26 1844. To his union 11 children were born 6 sons and 5 daughters of whom two daughters have preceded him to the silent shore of eternity.
When quite young he moved to Indiana and later to Missouri and from there with his young family they moved out on Muddy [Creek] in 1857 and remained their until about two years ago when they moved to Meriden. Hs was here during the early developement of the country and was known as one of the oldest settlers of this community.
He united with the Baptist Church when young in life and remained a member until death.

Marriage of Ann Richards and William Baker

A marriage record in Platte County, Missouri, shows the marriage on 12 November 1847 of William Baker and Ann Richards. The couple was married by Huston McFarland, justice of the peace. [2]

This is to certify that William Baker & Ann Richards was lawfully married by me on the 12th day of Nov. 1847. Given under my hand this 16th day of Nov. 1847. | Filed Nov. 16. 1847. | Huston McFarland J. P.

The book Annals of Platte County, Missouri, published in 1897, shows that in 1842 Huston McFarland owned a sawmill near Weston, Missouri. [3]

William Baker's family had migrated to Platte County from Tennessee and were not previously related or associated with any of the families from Bartholomew County, Indiana. However, in the 1850 census (see below), William's four brothers appear on the same census page of a Gabbert, showing some at least some proximity between the Bakers and a family of the Bartholomew County group.

Marriage of Nancy Richards and Wynant Vanderpool

A marriage record in Ray County, Missouri, dated 15 May 1849 shows the marriage of Wynant Vanderpool and Nancy Richards. The couple was married by John Stone. [4]

I do certify that Winant Vanderpool and Nancy Richards were by me lawfully married on this 15th day of May 1849 | Jno Stone

Further research finds that John Stone was a Baptist preacher in Ray County. See below for two more records of marriages that he officiated for the Richards family.

1850 Census Records

The 1850 census shows the household of Wynant Vanderpool and his wife Nancy listed in Knoxville Township, Ray County, Missouri. The census page was dated 28 October 1850. [5]

Wynant Vanderpool, 55, farmer, born in Tennessee;
Nancy Vanderpool, 46, born in Kentucky;
Milford Vanderpool, 17, farmer, born in Missouri;
Abraham Vanderpool, 13, born in Missouri;
Bluford Vanderpool, 19, farmer, born in Missouri;
Amanda Vanderpool, 10, born in Missouri;
Austin Vanderpool, 13, born in Missouri;
Nancy E Vanderpool, 10, born in Missouri;
Thomas B Vanderpool, 6, born in Missouri;
Lanceford Vanderpool, 4, born in Missouri;
Elizabeth Vanderpool, 3, born in Missouri;
Daniel W Vanderpool, 1, born in Missouri.

Most children in the household were children from Wynant Vanderpool's previous marriages. Note that two Richards children are mistakenly called Vanderpool in the listing. Austin Vanderpool, 13, was actually Austin Richards. Nancy E. Vanderpool, 7, was actually Nancy Ellen Richards.

This record shows the age of Nancy as 46, thus born about 1804. The 1860 census (see below) shows her age as 55, thus born about 1805.

Manerva Richards is not found in 1850 census records.

Ann Richards, who had married William Baker in 1847, is also not found in 1850 census records.

However, note that Ann's husband's brothers George Baker, Thomas Baker, James Baker, and Bowlin Baker are listed on the same census page as George Gabbert and his wife Sarah and children in Platte County. This George Gabbert was part of the large Gabbert family that had migrated from Bartholomew County, Indiana, to Platte County, Missouri. [6]

Marriage of Manerva Richards and Leonard Campbell

A marriage record from Ray County, Missouri, shows the marriage on 16 March 1854 of Leonard Camel (Campbell). The couple was married by John Stone. [7]

I do certify that Leonard Camel and Manerva Richards both of lawful age, were married by me the 18th of March 1854. | John Stone

Marriage of Austin Richards

A marriage record from Ray County, Missouri, shows the marriage on 13 October 1857 of Austin Richard and Mary Bales, both of Ray County. The couple was married by John Stone. [8]

State of Missouri | County of Ray | I do hereby certify that on the 13th day of October 1857 that I solemnized the rite of matrimony between Austin Richard and Mary Bales both of the County of Ray and State of Missouri … | John Stone parson

1860 Census Records

The 1860 census shows the household of W. (Wynant) Vanderpool listed in Knoxville Township, Ray County, Missouri. [9]

W. Vanderpool, 64, farmer, born in South Carolina;
Nancy Vanderpool, 55, born in Kentucky;
Ann Baker, 33, born in Indiana;
Ellen Prichard, 17, born in Indiana;
Thomas Vanderpool, 19, farm labor, born in Missouri;
Sanford (Vanderpool), 16, farm labor, born in Missouri;
George W. Baker, 12, born in Missouri;
Sarah C. Baker, 9, born in Missouri;
S. J. Vanderpool, 9, born in Missouri.

The record shows young George W. Baker and his sister Sarah C. Baker living with their mother Ann Baker (formerly Ann Richards) in the household of Nancy's husband Wynant Vanderpool. George W. Baker and his sister Sarah C. Baker were Ann's children by William Baker.

Ellen Prichard, 17, is listed in the household; this was actually Nancy Ellen Richards.

This record shows the age of Nancy as 55, thus born about 1805. The 1850 census (see above) shows her age as 46, thus born about 1804

In the 1860 census, Leonard Campbell, 26, and Manerva Campbell, 25, born in Indiana, are listed in Knoxville Township, Ray County, Missouri, with four children. [10]

Marriage of Ann Baker and David Teegarden

A marriage record in Ray County, Missouri, dated 20 September 1860, shows the marriage of Ann Baker and David Teegarden by William Russell, justice of the peace. [11]


Draft Record of Austin Richards

An 1863 record shows the draft of Austin Richards into the Union Army in Missouri. The record shows he was married and that he lived in Knoxville Township, Ray County. [12]

Deed

A deed in Ray County, Missouri, dated 4 November 1863, shows the sale by Wynant Vanderpool and wife Nancy Vanderpool for $70 to Wynant's son Alfred Vanderpool of 40 acres described as the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 15 in Township 53, Range 28. (See approx. 39.3995°, -94.0328°.) [13]

This same 40-acre property was owned by her daughter Nancy Ellen's husband Elijah Hill in the 1877 atlas of Ray County.[14] The property was diagonally adjacent to 40 acres of land owned by her daughter Manerva's husband Lenard Campbell.

Probate Records of Wynant Vanderpool

Probate records from Ray County, Missouri, dated 3 June 1865, show that Nancy Vanderpool was named administrator of the estate of Wynant Vanderpool, deceased. [15]

Probate records from Ray County, Missouri, include a bond of administration for Nancy Vanderpool for the estate of Winant Vanderpool, dated 3 June 1865. Security for the bond was given by David Teegarden (husband of Ann) and William S. Wilson. [16]

1870 Census Records

The 1870 census shows the household of Elijah Hill listed in Knoxville Township, Ray County, Missouri. [17]

Elijah Hill, 33, Farmer, born in Tennessee;
Ellen Hill, 24, Keeping House, born in Missouri;
Preston Hill, 8, born in Missouri;
James Hill, 6, born in Missouri;
John Hill, 4, born in Missouri;
Mary S. Hill, [?], born in Missouri;
Nancy Vanderpool, 50, born in Indiana.

Ellen was born in Indiana, not Missouri. Nancy's age and birthplace are also incorrect. The 1850 and 1860 censuses suggest a birth about 1804 or 1805 in Kentucky. In 1870, she should have been about 74 or 75.

The 1870 census shows the household of David Tegarden listed in Knoxville Township, Ray County, Missouri. [18]

David Tegarden, farmer;
Ann Tegarden, 43, keeping house;
Sarah Baker, 19;
Isaac Tegarden, 16;
Samuel Tegarden, 12;
Edith Tegarden, 11;
Alvira Tegarden, 5;
Austin Tegarden, 5;
Aaron Tegarden, 7;
David Tegarden, 2.

Note that the youngest four Tegardens in the household were Ann's children with David. Sarah Baker was Ann's daughter from her first marriage to William Baker.

In the 1870 census, Leonard Campbell and Minerva Campbell appear in Knoxville Township, Ray County, Missouri. [19]

Leonard Campbell, 35, farmer, born in Tennessee;
Minerva Campbell, 35, keeping house, born in Indiana;
John Campbell, 14, works on farm, born in Missouri;
Nancy Campbell, 11, at school, born in Missouri;
Mary Campbell, 10, born in Missouri;
Solomon Campbell, 12, born in Missouri;
Elizabeth Campbell, 9, born in Missouri;
Amanda Campbell, 6, born in Missouri.

In the 1870 census, the Austin Richards household appears in the city of Richmond in Ray County, Missouri. [20]

Austin Richards, 40, stage drive, born in Indiana;
Mary Richards, 30, keeping house, born in Tennessee;
Edward Richards, 12, at home, born in Missouri.

Death of Ann Teegarden

Two newspapers ran the same report on the death of Mrs. Teagarden, sister of Mr. Aus. Richards. The Ray County Conservator published the report on 30 July 1870. [21]

Fatal Accident.— We were pained to learn that on Tuesday, the 26th of July, as Mrs. Teagarden, sister of Mr. Aus. Richards, was coming into the city, on a wagon loaded with wheat, the vehicle was turned over, and she was caught beneath the heavy sacks of grain, and so seriously injured as to cause her death the following Sunday, after suffering intense pain. Her remains were taken to Knoxville for internment, her late home.

The Platte County Reveille printed the same report on 19 August 1870. [22]

1876 Church Record

In a record book of the Crooked River Primitive Baptist Church in Ray County, Missouri, Lenard Campbell's name is listed on a page dated 1876. [23]

Atlas of Ray County

The book An Illustrated Historical Atlas of Ray County, Missouri, published in 1877, shows that D. Teegarden owned 40 acres in Section 6 of Township 53, Range 28. (See approx. 39.436°, -94.079°.) [24]

Published seven years after Ann's death, this may indicate where Ann lived while married to David Teegarden.

1880 Census

In the 1880 census, Austin Richards was 47 (born in Indiana to an Indiana-born father and Kentucky-born mother), his wife Mary Richards was 46 (born in Tennessee to Tennessee-born parents), his son Edward Richards was 20 (born in Missouri). There was also a boarder in the household named Edward Whitmer, 21. [25]

In the 1880 Census, Ellen Hill appears with her husband in Knoxville Township, Ray County, Missouri. She was 38, born in Missouri to Indiana-born parents. They had seven children. [26].

1893 Hill Biography

A short biography of her son Pres (Preston) appears in Portrait and biographical record of Clay, Ray, Carroll, Chariton, and Linn counties, Missouri. That biography says: "The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Ellen Richards. She was born in Indiana, and was the daughter of William Richards, born and reared in Indiana." [27]

1900 Census

In the 1900 census, "Lenard" Campbell and Manerva Campbell appear in Knoxville Township, Ray County, Missouri. Minerva was 66, born in Mar 1834 in Indiana to Indiana-born parents. She had had six children of whom five were living. She could read and write. In the household were grandchildren Emma F. Campbell, 10, and Orva Campbell (male), 7.

In the 1900 census, Austin Richards was a coal miner, born in March 1834. He was 66 and reported married for 50 years. He was born in Indiana to Indiana-born parents. His wife Polly Richards was reported born June 1838 in Tennessee to Tennessee-born parents. Polly had had 3 children but none were living in 1900.

In the 1900 Census, Ellen Hill appears with her husband in Knoxville Township, Ray County, Missouri. She was 57, born May 1843 in Indiana to Indiana-born parents. She had had ten children; nine were living.

Gravestone of Ellen Hill

Nancy Ellen is buried in Old Union Cemetery in Lawson, Ray County, Missouri. She shares a gravestone with her husband, Elijah P. Hill. Her inscription simply includes "Ellen" and "1842–1901"

1910 Census

In the 1910 census, Manerva's husband was widowed. Leonard Campbell, 76, was living in the household of his daughter Mary's husband David H. Briant.

In the 1910 census, Austin A. Richard was 74, born in Indiana to Indiana-born parents. Polly Richards was 72, born in Tennessee to Tennessee-born parents. They had been married 52 years. Polly had had 3 children but none were living in 1910. They had their "own income" and rented a house. Austin was a veteran of the Union Army. [28]

Obituary of Elijah Preston Hill

Nancy Ellen's date of death is recorded in her husband's 1920 obituary in the Richmond Missourian, 29 April 1920, page 3.

… In 1861 he was married to Miss Nancy Ellen Prichard, and to this union ten children were born, nine of whom survive him, and all were present during his last illness. His wife died April 23, 1901. On May 4, 1902, he was married again, to Mrs. Lucretia Wilson …

Death of Austin Richards

A Missouri death certificate (#22747) shows the death of Austin Richards on 29 June 1920. [29]

The certificate indicates he was buried 1 July 1920 in Richmond City Cemetery. He was a widower and a retired farmer. The certificate gives his date of birth as 8 August 1836. The certificate says he was born in Missouri but this is inconsistent with multiple census records. The only information given about his parents is the name of his father as "J. Richards." The name of his mother is given as "unknown." The informant was Henry Richards of Richmond, Missouri, Austin's only known grandchild.

An obituary for Austin Richards appears in the 30 June 1920 edition of the Richmond News of Richmond, Missouri. The obituary states that he was born in Platte County, Missouri, but this is incorrect; he was born in Indiana (as other records show) and moved to Platte County in his youth, before finally relocating to Ray County.

AUSTIN RICHARDS IS DEAD. | Aged Richmond CItizen Passed Away Tuesday Night. | Austin Richards, one of Ray County's oldest citizens and best known men, died at the home of his grand-son Henry Richards, on South Whitmer street, Tuesday evening at 8:30 o'clock at the age of eighty-three years. Mr. Richards had been a sufferer from asthma and bronchial troubles for several years and he became suddenly ill about a week ago, growing worse until his death. | Mr. Richards was a native Platte countian, born in the vicinity of Platte City, August 10, 1836. In October 1851, he was married to Miss Polly Bales, a daughter of Pleasanton Bales, one of Ray county's pioneers, and they were the parents of two children, both of whom died a number of years ago. Mrs. Richards, departed this life on April 13th, this year, and since her death Mr. Richards had [?] his home with his grand-son.

Death Certificates of Nancy Ellen's Children

Her son George Hill's 1940 death certificate (Boone County, Missouri) gives her name as "Ellen Richard". Her son John Calvin Hill's 1953 death certificate (Ray County, Missouri) gives her name as "Nancy Ellen Richard". Her daughter, who died Sarah Elizabeth Hankins in 1963 in Ray County has her name as "Ellen Richards" in her death certificate.

Teegarden Genealogy

The book Ten Generations of Teegardens, a Genealogy, compiled by Jeanette Teegarden Jones, circa 1970–72, shows the family of David Teegarden by his four wives, including third wife Ann Richards. The genealogy shows that her four children with David were Aaron, Elvira, Austin, and David. [30]

The Richards Family in Kentucky and Indiana (1811–1840)

Marriage of William Richards and Elizabeth Gabbard

A marriage bond in Lincoln County, Kentucky, shows the marriage on 7 February 1811 of William Richards and Elizabeth Gabbard. The bond is signed by William Richards and Jacob Gabbard. The record includes consent by the bride's father, George Gabbard. [31]

The family of Leonard Richards had a close association with the extended Gabbert family. This record establishes that Elizabeth Gabbard (Gabbert) was wife of William Richards. Later records show a close assocation between Leonard Richards and William Richards. William Richards's will makes a provision for Leonard Richards and calls him "cousin."

Marriage of Leonard Richards and Polly Allen

A marriage record in Casey County, Kentucky, shows the marriage on 19 April 1818 of Leonard Richards and Polly Allen. [32]

This is to certify that I Joined together in a state of Matrimony 19[?] of April 1818 Leonard Richards & Polly Allen. Lott Dillinghand.

The fate of this Polly Allen is unknown; she presumably died before 1824. She was presumably the mother of Alfred Richards, who later appears in Platte County, Missouri, in the 1840s. Later records indicate his birth in Kentucky in 1821. His obituary indicates that he moved to Indiana when quite young.

1820 Census

The 1820 census shows three men named Leonard Richards listed in Casey County, Kentucky.

The household of Leonard Richards Jun is listed in the middle of one page. This household includes five children. This was likely the Leonard Richards who married Nancy Sims in 1801 in Casey County, Virginia. [33]

3 white males under 10;
1 white male between 10 and 16;
1 white male between 26 and 40;
1 white female under 10;
1 white female between 10 and 16;
1 white female between 26 and 40.

At the bottom of another page, below an entry for an older Leonard Richards is another Leonard Richards Jun. This household includes one male child under 10. [34]

1 white males under 10;
1 white male between 26 and 40;
1 white female between 26 and 40;
1 white female 45 and older.

This profile of this Leonard Richards Jun must be the same Leonard Richards who married in 1818. Note that the name George Gabbert appears on the same page.

History of Bartholomew County

The name William Richards appears in a long list of early settlers on page 374 of History of Bartholomew County (published in 1888) and says that he entered land in Bartholomew County in 1821. Near his name on the list is Jacob Gabbert.

1823 Land Records

Two certificates dated 14 January 1823 show William Richards of Lincoln County, Kentucky, acquiring land in Bartholomew County, Indiana. One certificate shows land in Township 8 Range 5, the other in the NW quarter of Section 36 of Township 9 Range 5 (at approx. 39.182°, -85.9255°).

Newspaper Item

A notice mentioning William Gabbard, William Richards and Leonard Richards of Columbus Township, Bartholomew County, Indiana, appeared in the Indianapolis Indiana Journal, December 13, 1828, page 4. [35]

TAKEN UP by William Gabbard, living in Columbus township, Bartholomew county, Ind. a DARK BROWN HORSE COLT, star in his forehead, supposed to be one year old—appraised to ten dollars, by William and Leonard Richards. …

Marriage Record

A marriage record from Bartholomew County, Indiana, shows the marriage on 1 July 1824 of Leonard Richards and Nancy Adams. [36]

Be it remembered that on the 30 day of June 1824 mariage licens issued for Leonard Richards & Nancy Adams both of lawful age and residents of Bartholomew County, and that they were Joined in Marriage as appears from the following certificate filed in my office on the 2nd day of July 1824. I hereby certify that I Joined together in the banns of Matrimony Leonard Richards and Nancy Adams this 1st day of July 1824 | N C Jones, J. P.

1830 Census

The 1830 census shows the household of Leonard Richards listed in Bartholomew County, Indiana. [37]

1 male under 5
1 male 5-10
1 male, 40-50
1 female under 5
1 female 20-30

Deeds

A deed from Bartholomew County, Indiana, dated 12 October 1836 shows Leonard Richards buying 40 acres of land from William Gabbert and his wife Matilda. The land was located at the southwest corner of the southeast corner of Section 34 in Township 9, Range 5. [38]

A deed from Bartholomew County, Indiana, dated 7 December 1838 shows Leonard Richards and his wife Nancy selling 40 acres of land to William Gabbert. The land was located at the southwest corner of the southeast corner of Section 34 in Township 9, Range 5. [39]

1840 Census

The 1840 census shows the household of L. Richards listed in Bartholomew County, Indiana. [40]

1 male under 5
1 male 15–20
1 male 40–50
1 female under 5
1 female 5–10
1 female 10–15
1 female 30–40

In the 1840 census, in Bartholomew County, Indiana, William Richards was 50–60. The household included a female aged 50–60, a male 20–30, and a female 15–20.

1843 Tax List

In an 1843 tax list (see image 91 of 132) in 1843 in Bartholomew County, Indiana, William Richards is listed in Columbus Township, line 2789; 1 Part SW Section 36, Township 9, Range 5; 100? acres, $980 value of land, $700 value of improvements. This section is in the southern part of Columbus township, near Wayne township.

The same tax list (see image 127 of 132) also includes William Richards and Thomas J. Richards in Wayne township, Section 11, Township 8, Range 5. This section is at the northern edge of Wayne township, bordering Columbus township.

Will of William Richards

William Richards died in 1846. His will, written in 1836, is found in Bartholomew County records. All of his estate, including several tracts of land were to go to his wife Elizabeth and after her to Thomas J. Richards and his heirs, etc, except for one tract of land to go to his wife Elizabeth and after her death to his "cousin" Leonard Richards and his heirs, etc. The land is described in the will as the west half of the northeast quarter of Section 2 in Township 8, Range 5 (at roughly 39.1535°, -85.937°).

The will does not indicate how William Richards and Thomas J. Richards were related, though later court records indicate that Thomas was the son of William and Elizabeth.

James Glanton, Jacob Gabbert, and Thomas J. Gabbert were witnesses. Land of Burwell Glanton is mentioned as being adjacent to William Richards's land.

I William Richards of the county of Bartholomew and state of Indiana do make and publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me at any time heretofore made.
1st I direct that my body be decently intered and that my funeral be conducted in a manner corresponding with my estate and situation in life and as to such worldly estate as it has pleased god to intrust me with I dispose of the same in the following manner to wit. I direct first that all my debts and funeral expenses be paid as soon after my decease as possible out of the first monies that shall come to the hands of my Executrix from any portion of my estate. I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Elizabeth Richards all my estate both real and personal for and during her natural life. I direct and bequeath after the death of my wife Elizabeth that Thomas J. Richards and his heirs and assigns have the following tracts or parcels of land and the appurtenances thereunto belonging forever, to wit the East half of the South West quarter of section No thirty six in Township No nine of Range No five East in the County of Bartholomew aforesaid, also twenty acres of land situate and lying in Township and Range aforesaid and known and designated as the South half of the North half of the West half of the North West quarter of section No thirty six aforesaid and is also to be known by it being the South part of the forty acre tract south of Burwell Glantons containing twenty acres more or less and also the South half of the North West half of the North West quarter of section No twenty six in Township and Range aforesaid containing forty acres more or less.
I also will and direct that after the death of my beloved wife that my Cousin Leonard Richards and his heirs and assigns have the following described tract or parcel of land and the appurtenances thereunto belonging forever to wit the West half of the North East quarter of section No two (2) in Township No eight North of Range five East situate and lying in the county of Bartholomew aforesaid.
I will and bequeath unto my wife Elizabeth and to her heirs and assigns forever all of my personal estate or so much thereof that shall remain after the payment of all my just debts and funeral expenses and authorize my executrix herein after named to sell and dispose of any portion of my personal estate without appraisement for the purpose of paying my just debts or for her convenience or support. And I hereby make ordain and appoint my beloved wife Elizabeth Richards executrix of this my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I William Richards the testator have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirty first day of December in the year 1836.

Gravestone of William Richards

Findagrave shows three people buried in Gabbert Family Cemetery in Bartholomew County, Indiana, one of whom is William Richards. His gravestone reportedly reads: "In memory of William Richards who departed this life August the 8th, 1846, in the 53d year of his age."

According to Findagrave another of the three burials in Gabbert Family Cemetery is for Savanah Richards, "Daughter of Thomas J. & Rebecca Richards, Died March 5th, 1848, Aged 4 years 11 mo. & 11 days."

Findagrave says that the Gabbert Family Cemetery is located in Columbus Township in Section 35 Township 9 Range 5 (at about 39.1794°,-85.954°). This would be just one section to the west of where William Richards's farm was located in the 1843 tax list (so within one mile), so this must be the same William Richards.

In the 1843 tax list, among much land owned by a William Gabbert was about 320 acres of the 640 acres in Section 35 Township 9 Range 5.

Probate Records of William Richards

Probate records in Bartholomew County appear for William Richards, deceased, and Elizabeth Richards, executrix. See Bartholomew County probate records, Complete Records, volume D, pages 604–607 (available to view at Ancestry). The record seems to involve a dispute between Elizabeth Richards as executrix of the estate and a Nicholas Turner regarding an alleged unpaid debt of William Richards, deceased, of $200 to Turner. Among several individuals summoned to appear at court regarding the case was Thomas J. Richards. The record ends with the names of the twelve jurors and the jury's verdict in the case.

These probate records make no mention of Leonard Richards, despite Leonard's mention in William's will.

Court Records Regarding the Estate of William Richards

Court records involving a dispute between William's widow Elizabeth and his son Thomas are physically archived in Bartholomew County. The records include testimony that Thomas was son of William and Elizabeth.

These court records make no mention of Leonard Richards, except for Leonard Richards's farm, which was apparently land that William owned and that Leonard farmed, and was presumably the same land stipulated in William's will.

Given the absence of any mention of Leonard Richards in William's probate records and the subsequent dispute over William's estate, it is possible that Leonard Richards died before William's death in 1846.

Migration of the Richards to Missouri

In the 1840s, a large group from Bartholomew County, Indiana, migrated to Platte County, Missouri, to a community near the town of Weston called Pleasant Ridge, centered around Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, which still stands. Among this group from Bartholomew County, Indiana, were many Gabberts and the family of Jacob Cox.

A booklet called Adams Family History, published in 1956, includes the passage: "Nancy, who married Leonard Richards also lived near Weston" in Platte County, Missouri. [41]

Unfortunately, this booklet mistakes Nancy as the daughter of John Adams of Bartholomew County, Indiana. (This John Adams was part of the group that migrated from Bartholomew County to Missouri in the 1840s. The same John Adams had a daughter named Nancy, who was born in 1813, died in 1845, and is buried in Bartholomew County. This Nancy Adams was far too young to have been married in 1824 to Leonard Richards.)

This source clearly confuses Leonard Richards's wife and the daughter of this John Adams. However, could this source still be credible in placing Leonard and Nancy near Weston, Missouri, in the late 1840s?

The Adams Family of Mercer County, Kentucky

Genetic evidence suggests that Nancy Adams was likely the daughter or granddaughter of Francis Adams of Mercer County, Kentucky.

Descendants of Francis Adams's known children and of Nancy Adams include triangulated autosomal segments and a triangulated X-chromosome segment. An X-chromosome segment can only be inherited through certain descendants. (An X-chromosome segment can pass through any females but can pass through one male generation, but not more than one male generation). This limitation of the inheritance of X-chromosome segments narrows the possibilities of the relationship between Nancy and Francis — Nancy was likely the daughter or granddaughter of Francis Adams and Francis's wife Nancy.

Francis Adams was a veteran of the American Revolution. After Francis's death in 1837, his war pension records leave valuable testimony of his biography. Francis marched south to Virginia with Rochambeau and Washington's troops. He may have been French and may have come to America with Rochambeau's troops. On the march southward, he married Nancy (surname unknown) in Fredericksburg, Virginia, "about two months" before the capture of Yorktown. Francis was apparently stationed outside the battle during the siege of Yorktown in September and October 1781.

After the war, Francis and his wife Nancy migrated to Mercer County, Kentucky, apparently settling in Harrodsburg. There are no records of Francis Adams owning land there. The war pension testimony includes an interview with their daughter Susannah Cummins, aged 48, called the fifth child of Francis and Nancy. Thus the testimony indicates that there were at least five children of the couple, but names only one.

An 1805 deed in Mercer County, Kentucky, shows that Francis Adams, for $1, gave rights to his small estate (including cattle and furniture) to his daughter Anne Adams and son Henry Adams. Mysteriously, Francis's wife, his daughter Susannah, and no other children are mentioned in the deed. The intention of the deed is unclear.

Thus, Francis Adams had at least five children, though only three are known by name: Susannah, Henry, and Anne, who all appear in later records and left descendants.

Summary

Following is a summary of the above research:

Leonard Richards was living in Casey County, Kentucky, before his move to Bartholomew County, Indiana, between about 1821 and 1824. He had previously been married to Polly Allen (m. 1818 in Casey County), by whom he was possibly father of Alfred Richards, born 1821 in Kentucky. Leonard's first wife Polly Allen presumably died before 1824.

Records show that Leonard Richards was cousin of William Richards, formerly of Lincoln County, Kentucky, who had married Elizabeth Gabbard/Gabbert in that county in 1811. The Gabbert family would be prominent in Leonard's life in Indiana and in the Richards family's relocation from Bartholomew County, Indiana, to Platte County, Missouri, in the 1840s.

Nancy Adams was likely a daughter or granddaughter of Francis Adams of Mercer County, Kentucky. Her likely brother Henry Adams had married Phebe Gabbert on 24 February 1824 in Mercer County. Phebe Gabbert was a cousin of the Gabberts who were prominent in Bartholomew County, Indiana, and Platte County, Missouri.

It is possible that the marriage in February 1824 in Mercer County, Kentucky, of Henry Adams (possibly Nancy Adams's brother) and Phebe Gabbert (cousin-in-law of William Richards) may have somehow led to the meeting and marriage of Leonard and Nancy.

Leonard Richards and Nancy Adams were married on 1 July 1824 in Bartholomew County, Kentucky. Census records from 1830 and 1840 in Bartholomew County show Leonard and Nancy having sons and daughters in their household. In the same time period, William Richards and Leonard Richards were close associates, presumably farming together, and had a close association with William Gabbert.

The fate of Leonard Richards is not known. His last known record is the 1840 census. His cousin and associate William Richards died in 1846. William's will, written in 1838, includes provisions for "cousin" Leonard Richards.

(A legal dispute between Leonard's widow Elizabeth and his sole heir Thomas Jefferson Richards leaves a large volume of court records in Bartholomew County records. Leonard Richards is not mentioned in those records except for references to his farm, which was presumably land owned by William and thereafter bequeathed in William's will to Leonard. There is no evidence of Leonard ever taking possession of that land, so we may speculate that Leonard died before William's death in 1846.)

Nancy and her children Ann, Austin, Manerva, and Nancy Ellen migrated from Bartholomew County, Indiana, to Platte County, Missouri, probably sometime between 1840 and 1844. They appear to be part of a group migration that included several Gabbert families, the Jacob Cox family, and the John Adams family. Alfred Richards also made the move and at the age of about 23 he married Jacob Cox's daughter in Platte County in 1844.

(Note that Nancy Adams is often confused with another Nancy Adams, who was daughter of John Adams of Bartholomew County. However, John Adams's daughter Nancy Adams was far too young (11 years old) to have been married in 1824. Also, John Adams's daughter Nancy Adams was still unmarried when she died and was buried 1845 in Indiana. [42])

Nancy and her children lived in Platte County, Missouri, until Nancy married Wynant Vanderpool on 15 May 1849 and moved her family to Ray County, Missouri. (Alfred Richards remained in Platte County, later relocating to Kansas.)

Nancy and her children Ann, Austin, Manerva, and Nancy Ellen lived the rest of their lives in the sparsely populated rural community of Knoxville in Ray County, Missouri. Ann Richards was married to William Baker and after his death to David Teegarden and left descendants by both. Manerva Richards married Leonard Campbell and left descendants. Nancy Ellen married Elijah Preston Hill and left descendants. Austin Richards married Polly Bales. Austin died with just one grandchild, who died in 1940 with no children.

Sources

  1. ↑ Marriage record. Platte County, Missouri. Film # 007514188. Image 57 of 583. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-9989-S994
  2. ↑ Marriage record. Platte County, Missouri. Marriage Records, vol. A, page 144. Film # 007514188, image 79 of 583. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-8989-S9SD
  3. ↑ Annals of Platte County, Missouri. Published in 1897. Page 49. https://archive.org/details/annalsofplatteco00paxt/page/49/mode/2up
  4. ↑ Marriage record. Ray County, Missouri. Marriage records, vol. 2, page 102. Film # 007514080, image 216 of 674. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G989-9LVW
  5. ↑ 1850 United States Census. Ray County, Missouri. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DC3Q-GPL
  6. ↑ 1850 United States Census. Ray County, Missouri. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DZHS-4VV
  7. ↑ Marriage record. Ray County, Missouri. Film # 007514080, image 271 of 674. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-8989-9G4B
  8. ↑ Marriage record. Ray County, Missouri. Film # 007516248, image 118 of 1142. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-8989-QSPJ
  9. ↑ 1860 United States Census. Ray County, Missouri. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GBS4-56D
  10. ↑ 1860 United States Census. Ray County, Missouri. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GBS4-5BM
  11. ↑ Marriage record. Ray County, Missouri. Marriage Records, vol. 3, page 135. Film # 007514080, image 321 of 674. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G989-S9H6
  12. ↑ Draft Registration. United States Civil War Draft Registration Records.Ancestry.com
  13. ↑ Deed. Ray County, Missouri. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C39Y-D9RK-J
  14. ↑ An illustrated historical atlas of Ray County, Missouri. 1877. Page 37. https://digital.shsmo.org/digital/collection/plat/id/9798
  15. ↑ Probate record. Ray County, Missouri. Probate Records, vol. G, page 554. Film # 007631026, image 626 of 643. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9LM-CN6P
  16. ↑ Probate record. Administrators, Bonds, Wills and Letters, vol. D, page 71. Ray County, Missouri. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9LM-CD5M
  17. ↑ 1870 United States Census. Ray County, Missouri. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6W3G-C6
  18. ↑ 1870 United States Census. Ray County, Missouri. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M462-P8H
  19. ↑ 1870 United States Census. Ray County, Missouri. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6W32-9P
  20. ↑ 1870 United States Census. Ray County, Missouri. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6W3K-JM
  21. ↑ Ray County Conservator. Richmond, Missouri. 30 July 1870. Available on microfilm from the State Historical Society of Missouri. https://shsmo.org/collections/newspapers
  22. ↑ Platte County Reveille. Platte City, Missouri, 19 August 1870, page 1. newspapers.com
  23. ↑ Crooked River Primitive Baptist Church. Image 10 of 110. https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/612577-crooked-river-primitive-baptist-church-rayville-mo
  24. ↑ An Illustrated Historical Atlas of Ray County, Missouri. Published in 1877. Page 35. The State Historical Society of Missouri. Image 37 of 63. https://digital.shsmo.org/digital/collection/plat/id/9798
  25. ↑ 1880 United States Census. Ray County, Missouri. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6FH-HT8
  26. ↑ 1880 United States Census. Ray County, Missouri. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6FH-QVJ
  27. ↑ Portrait and biographical record of Clay, Ray, Carroll, Chariton, and Linn counties, Missouri. Chapman brothers, Chicago. 1893. Pages 275–76. Available to view at archive.org.
  28. ↑ 1910 United States Census. Ray County, Missouri. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2BR-4TN
  29. ↑ Missouri death certificate (#22747) for Austin Richards, died in Ray County, Missouri.
  30. ↑ Ten Generations of Teegardens, a Genealogy, compiled by Jeanette Teegarden Jones. Pages 135–39. https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/401758-redirection
  31. ↑ Marriage bond. Lincoln County, Kentucky. Film # 007897107, image 73 of 704. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4F-H3MT-4
  32. ↑ Marriage record. Casey County, Kentucky. Film # 004263468, image 14 of 561. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89S7-7J2T
  33. ↑ 1820 United States Census. Casey County, Kentucky. Film # 005156973, image 118 of 131. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YYY-WWL
  34. ↑ 1820 United States Census. Casey County, Kentucky. Film # 005156973, image 124 of 131. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YYY-75F
  35. ↑ Indianapolis Indiana Journal, December 13, 1828, page 4.
  36. ↑ Marriage record. Bartholomew County, Indiana. Film # 004200279, image 53 of 292. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6QP7-55T
  37. ↑ 1830 United States Census. Bartholomew County, Indiana. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYBM-9ZKL
  38. ↑ Deed. Bartholomew County, Indiana. Film # 008059757, image 444 of 617. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSFP-Q9QH-D
  39. ↑ Deed. Bartholomew County, Indiana. Film # 008059758, image 280 of 634. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSF5-W9PZ-Y
  40. ↑ 1840 United States Census. Bartholomew County, Indiana. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YY1-97B6
  41. ↑ Adams Family History. By May Adams Arbuckle. Published in 1956. Page 14. Image 18 of 70. https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/530177-redirection
  42. ↑ Findagrave entry. www.findagrave.com/memorial/61667918




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