Sarah (Tatnall) Richardson (1745 - 1834)

Born 31 Aug 1745 in Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware

Ancestors

Wife of Richard Richardson — married 24 Apr 1766 in MM, Wilmington, New Castle Co., Delaware

Descendants

Died 6 Sep 1834 at age 89 in Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware, United States

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Biography

Sarah was a Friend (Quaker)

She was born in 1745 and her parents were Edward Tatnall and Elizabeth Pennock. She was the sister to the patriot Quaker miller, Joseph Tatnall, then one of Delaware's wealthiest citizens. ^[1]

Sarah married Richard Richardson in 1766. She was 21 years old and Richard was 46 years. They were married at the Wilmington MM. ^[1]

"Because the Richardsons were Quakers, and this sect was then very important in the business affairs of New Castle County, and particularly in Wilmington...and although the Quakers were opposed to privilege they had their own wealthy class... When Richard set about to build a home for his cultured bride he wanted something more gracious than the humble 'Brick Mill House'. Completed in 1765-66 the house still stands although somewhat modified"

Sarah Tatnall brought to her marriage with Richard Richardson an inheritance"

"Sarah's total legacy left to her by her father was L600, a respectable sume at the time, and Richard, with her consent, invested this in his own business enterprise (mill). At the time of his death he returned the full L600 pounds to Sarah with substantial interest." ^[2] Sarah and Richard Richardson had 7 children at their residence in Wilmington, Delaware:

• Joseph. aft 1766
• John, d. young
• Elizabeth
• Richard, d. young
• Ashton (dau.)
• Ann
• John

Excerpts during the Revolutionary War
In the Fall of 1777 George Washington marched his army through Wilmington to intercept British troops under General Howe and during that time that the regiment camped nearby the mill and abused the Quaker's property with theft and vandalism.

"When it was believed that the British landed at the Head of Elk the Richardsons "his millstones and other valuables and removed temporary to Chester County for safety...The battle eventually occurred at Chadd's Ford on the Brandywine and the family returned..." ^[1]

Richard Richardson passed away in 1797. Sara lived until 1834.

Research Notes
Caution there are at least 2 different Edward Tatnalls. Quaker Marriage Certificate source was added to Elizabeth Pennock showing she married on 11 Jun 1735 at London Grove Monthly Meeting in London Grove, Chester County, Pennsylvania to Edward Tatnall.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Weslager, C.A., "The Richardsons of Delaware; with the early history of the Richardson Park suburban area." pg.49-51. by Weslager, C.A. (1909-1994), published 1957, Delaware, Knebels Press., USA. E-text available online at: https://archive.org/details/richardsonsofdel00wesl/page/50?q=early+Delaware+Quakers
2. ↑ Weslager, C.A, pg.50-53.

• A. R. Dunlap, “Dutch and Swedish Land Records Relating to Delaware,” Delaware History, V. 6, No. 1, March 1954, p. 31. Quoted by Weslager, C.A.
• Richard Richardson, The Genealogy of the Richardson Family of the State of Delaware, Phila. 1878, (Weslager says) For another genealogy of the family see “The Richardson Genealogy Compiled by Anna Hodgson,” ed. Herbert H. Finch, Delaware History V. 2, No. 2, Sept. 1947, pp. 119-133.
• New Castle County Deed Book Y-l-393, 394. Unless otherwise indicated all subsequent deeds are from New Castle County and are recorded in the books in the Recorder of Deeds Office. See also Records, Court of New Castle, 1676-81, pp. 488-489.
• Records, Court of New Castle, 1676-81, pp. 143-44.