A Richmond Genealogy 

This account is predominantly a reiteration of published material found in "The Richmond Family 1594 - 1896" by Joshua Bailey Richmond. The information after 1896 is from later family records.

Pre American

English Ancestors

John1 1594 - 1664

John2 1627 - 1715

Edward3 1665 - 1741

Josiah4 1697 - 1763

Josiah5 1711 - 1785

Edward6 1756- 1826

Josiah7 1786 - 1835

Albert8 1819 - 1885

William9 1864 - 1961

Durant10 1898 - 1975

Donald11

Michael12

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Pre American

    The Richmond family had its origin in Brittany, France. The name is derived from the French words riche and monte or monde, and is first given in early English history as Rychmonde, later as Richemount and Richmonte, and finally as Richmond. The family name Richemonte may still be found in France.
    It is extremely difficult to follow ancestral lines previous to the founding of the Herald's College by Richard III, in 1430, so much is tradition engrafted in history.
    The credit for tracing our English ancestors is mostly due to the nephew of the compiler, Henry I. Richmond, Jr., who has spent much time, in this country and in England, examining old wills and records, to enable the Richmonds to "read their title clear" to ancestors who served by the side of William the Conqueror on Hastings Field. Mr. Richmonds forte is Geology, which bears close relations to Genealogy, and he will not be satisfied until he discovers the bones of Richmonds in some anti-diluvian strata. It is possible that he may give the family a more complete and revised history of the English Richmonds at some future time.
    The line of English ancestors given is also that of Ashton-Keynes and other Wiltshire Richmonds; the former for five generations bore the alias of Webb, first assumed by William Richmond about 1430, when he married Alice, daughter and heiress of Thomas Webb of Draycott, Wiltshire, England.
    Francis Thackeray, uncle of William Makepeace Thackeray, who decended from the Richmonds of Wiltshire, compiled the records of the ancestors of the Ashton-Keynes Richmonds. These records correspond with our line with one exception: he claims that we decend through Roald, the son of Roaldus " le Ennase," while General Plantagenet-Harrison, in his " History of Yorkshire," states that we decend from Alan son of Roaldus " le Ennase," claiming that his son Roald had no children.
    William Makepeace Thakeray wrote of Colonel John Richmond-Webb (whose name may be found in the Gazetteer of the English Army): " He came of a very ancient Wiltshire family, which he respected above all familys in the world; he could prove a lineal decent from King Edward I , and his first ancestor, Roaldus de Richmond, rode by William the Conqueror's side on Hastings Field. ' We were gentlemen,' Colonel Webb used to say, ' when the Churchills were horse-boys.' "
    Roaldus de Richmond was granted lands by the crown in Yorkshire, and tradition informs us that this Richmond was a relative of Alan Rufus, but no positive proof of this statement has been found.
    Alan Rufus was a kinsman of the Conqueror, and was granted lands in Yorkshire. He built Richmond Castle, and was the first Duke of Richmond. ( This title and estate is now held by the Lennox family. Our ancestors were Lords of the Manor and Constables of Richmond Castle, but no claim can be established to the Arms of the Duke of Richmond. The compiler cannot determine whether the ducal coronet in the Richmond Arms comes from our being a lineal decendant of King Edward I, as claimed by Col. John Richmond-Webb, from kinship with Alan Rufus, the first Duke of Richmond, or from later inter-marriage with some ducal family.)
    Tradition from many sources informs us that John Richmond was born in Ashton-Keynes. The Reverend J.C. Richmond claims that he was allowed to take the old church records at Ashton-Keynes, Wiltshire, to his lodgings, as a special favor, and asserts that he found the date of the baptism of John Richmond in 1597.
    James Savage, in his Genealogical Dictionary, states: " Family tradition brings this John from Ashton-Keynes, a parish of Wiltshire, four and one-half miles west from Crichlade, where he was baptized in 1597." He died March 20, 1664, aged seventy years; therefore his birth occurred in 1594.
    The compiler cannot state positively whether Ashton-Keynes, Radborne, or Christian Malford is the place of nativity of John Richmond, but it seems more than probable that he was born in the County of Wiltshire, and there is no doubt that the Wiltshire Richmonds decended from the Yorkshire Richmonds, who came from Brittany with William the Conqueror.
    The following extract from a letter from William E. Richmond to William R. Richmond, dated in Providence, Dec. 31, 1865, may be of interest and show how traditions have been passed down in the family: " I have thought best to give you this much of the family history while I may, as life is uncertain and my hand is not often in condition to write. It will be eight hundred years in October, 1866, since our predecessor from Brittany landed in Pevensey Bay, England, an officer in King William's Army. On the fourteenth of October was fought the great battle of Hastings, in which the Saxon King Harold and half of his army were killed, and England was subjected to the King. Our Ancestor settled in Wiltshire, England, where traces of them for many generations are still found in cemeteries and parish records. John Richmond was born at the Manor of Ashton-Keynes, and came to America with his sons John and Edward," etc., etc.

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English Ancestors 1040- 1594

     Roaldus Musard de Richmond
                One of the most powerful leaders who accompanied William the Conqueror
                into England. Thackerays Genealogy. Plantagenet-Harrison gives Fulco
                de Richmond as the grandfather, and Robert as the father of Roald "
                le Annase."

    Hasculfus Musard de Richmond
                Held in Demense  Keddington and Chilworth, Oxfordshire, Sainbury,
                Glouchestershire and other lordships at the time of the general survey. (Dugale.)

    Roaldus de Richmond, " Le Annase"
                Second Constable of Richmond Castle under Alan III, Earl of Richmond, seized
                of lands in Skeeby and Croft by the gift of King Henry, who likewise gave him
                the manor of   Pickhall, etc,. which he gave in Marriage with his daughter to
                Jolanus de Neville. He was Lord of Burton, Aldborough and most of his uncle
                Emsart's lands ( the first Constable of Richmond) by grant of King Stephen.
                He founded an Abbey on his Manor of Easby in honor of St. Agatha, (1152)
                where he was buried.

    Sir Alan, fil Roald de Richmond
                Third Constable of Richmond Castle. In the first year of the reign of Richard I
                (1189), he owed the king two hundred marks for the custody of Richmond
                Castle; in the fourth year of the reign of Richard I (1193), he paid ten marks
                and owed one hundred ninety; in the third year of the reign of Richard I, he was
                surety for Walter de Lasceles. In the second year of the reign of John (1201),
                he gave the king three hundred marks and three palfreys to be Constable of
                Richmond   Castle the same to himself and his heirs, of the king and his heirs,
                by good and lawful services. In the ninth year of the reign of John (1208), he
                gave the king two hundred marks and four palfreys to have the Castle of
                Richmond, of which he had been deceased, and to have the kings letters
                patent granting him military jurisdiction which the Castle of Richmond
                ought to possess.

    Sir Roald, fil Alan de Richmond, Knight
                Fourth Constable of Richmond Castle, to whom King John, in 1208, gave the
                lands of William de Rollos, including the manors of Caldwell, Croft, Kipling,
                etc., with one mill and lands in Skelby which belonged to Harsculph fil
                Harsculph, who died with the kings enemies in Brittany, 1204. In the
                twenty-first year of the reign of Henry III (1237), he was summoned to answer
                the king by what right he held those manors, when he produced the letters of
                patent of King John, by which the same was granted to him and his heirs
                forever. He entailed the manors of Burton, Aldeburgh and Croft upon his son
                Roald, in the later part of the twenty-fourth year of the reign of Henry III
                (1240).

    Alan, fil Roald Richmond de Croft
                To whom his brother gave the manor of Burton, the third part of which, Sarah,
                who was the wife of Goscelyn Deyville, claimed as dower, in the thirty-third
                year of the reign of Henry III (1249); claimed lands in Roppele, Clareworth,
                Wurthington and Newland, County of Lincoln, in right of his wife, in the
                fourty-third year of the reign of Henry III (1259); was plaintiff in a plea of
                trespass, in the first year of the reign of Edward I (1272).

    Sir Roald, fil Alan Richmond de Croft
                To whom his uncle Roald fil Roald gave the manors of Caldewell and Croft.
                He was a defendant in a plea of dower, in thirty-fourth year of the reign of
                Henry III (1250); against whom Roald fil Roald de Richmond claimed the
                manor of Caldewell, in the thirty-fifth year of the reign of Henry III (1251);
                died in the fourty-sixth year of the reign of Henry III (1262).
                In Gale's " Honores de Richmond," this Sir Roald is said to have been the son
                of Sir Roaldus de Richmond, fifth Constable, brother to Alan fil Roald de Croft.

    Elyas de Richmond
              Was living during the time of Edward III and Richard II, 1327-1399.

    Richard de Richmond
                Brother of Elyas de Richmond. Upon Richard and Elizabeth, his wife, William
                de Burgh, entailed the manor of Burgh, near Catterick, County York, in the
                twenty-third year of the reign of Edward III (1350). Richard and Elizabeth
                de Richmond have free warren in Burgh, in the thirty-fourth year of the reign
                of Edward III (1360).

    Thomas de Richmond
                Was living in the time of Richard II, Henry IV, Henry V.

    William de Richmond
                Assumed the name of Webb upon his marriage, about 1430, and quartered the
                Webb Arms. He was mentioned as of Yorkshire in Herald's " Visitation of
                Gloucester," 1682-1683,p.195. He lived at Draycott, Wilts.

    William Richmond alias Webb
                Of Draycott Foliott, Wilts.

The Will of William Richmond.

" In the name of Gode amen. The year of our lorde Gode 1502 and the 28 day of
March. I, William Richmond otherwise called William Webbe, being whole and stedfast in minde make this my testament and last will. First I bequeath my soul unto almighty Jesus, to our lady his blessed mother and to all the blessed company in heaven, and my body to be buried in the parish church of Swyndon." ...Bequests to the poor of the same church: to the priests of the same church: to the cathedral church of Sarum (Salisbury): " to the priests of the parish church of Swyndon to pray for me and for all my descendants souls."
Bequests " to each of my godchildren; to Joanna my wife; to Thomas, Richard,
William Sr, Richard ( my youngest son), Henry, Christopher, William Jr., my
sons and Alice and Ann my daughters." ..." The residue of all my goods and
chattels not bequeathed, my debts and bequests being content and paid, I give
to Joanne, my wife, and to my children not married to be equally divided by
them and, if it fortunes any of them to decease, then their share to be divided
among them that liveth; and I will that Thomas Richard and Richard my sons be myn executors of this my last will for my soul's health and repose and I make William
Wroughton, gentleman overseer of this testament."
                                                                    William Richmond alias Webb
Will was probated 24 April, 1502

    William Richmond alias Webb
                Of Stewkley Grange, Bucks County, and Over-Wroughton, Wilts, had £22
                per annum, in land in the County of Wilts, 1565. In Aubrey's Wills, p.38, it
                is stated that " There was a grant of church land ( in Wroughton) by the
                Crown to William Richmond alias Webb, in the thirty-second year of the reign
                of Henry VIII (1541). The Webb family had lands in Rudlow, Sherston and
                Magna; and twenty-second year of the reign of Elizabeth, a grant of land in
                Bishoptown or Bushton was made to William Webb. Aubrey's Wills, p.153,
                says; " The Baskett family disappeared about 1576, when they sold their
                estate at Lydiard-Milicent to William Richmond alias Webb. After one hundred
                and thirty-eight years, the Webbs sold it in 1714 to Sir John Askew." He bought
                lands in Chiseldon and Over-Wroughton, Wilts, in the thirty-sixth year of the
                reign of Henry VIII (1545), of of Sir Edward Baynton.

    Edmond Richmond alias Webb, Esq.
                Of Denford ( Durnford), Wilts, was living in 1575. He had four sons and three
                daughters, all unmarried in 1575. His Death is not recorded at Durnford.
                He was probably the ancestor of the Richmond-Webbs of Lidiard-Milicent,
                Wilts.
 

Henry Richmond alias Webb
                His second son, unmarried, in 1575. He lived at Christian-Malford, Wilts; was
                married four times and had twenty five children, according to a letter written
                by Oliffe Richmond of Ashton-Keynes (1679-1757) to Rev. Silvester
                Richmond of Walton.
 

          John Richmond
                Eldest son; was an officer of distinction during the civil wars.

" On the night preceding one of the engagements, Henry, his brother, went into
the camp of the other army, eluded the vigilance of the sentinels, and reached
Johns tent in the hope of enjoying an affectionate interview previous to the
uncertain events of the morrow. On entering the tent, John, alarmed at the
sudden appearance of a stranger, as he conceived Henry to be, rose upon his
bed and shot him dead upon the spot, When he discovered his mistake, it is
said he became deranged." ( Manuscript Book of Rev. Legh Richmond.)


THE RICHMOND MANOR HOUSE

    The Richmond Manor House was owned and occupied by Oliff Richmond in the early
    part of the last century.( 1700s) The Manor comprised originally about four hundred
    acres, and the entire village of Ashton-Keynes belonged to this branch of the Richmond
    family.
    By the marriage of Bridget, granddaughter of Oliffe Richmond, with Edward Nichols,
    the Richmond Manor House passed in 1768 into the Nichols family. They sold it in
    1856 to the Duke of Cleveland. The Manor House was in a good state of preservation
    in 1876, when the compiler saw it.
 
 



TRADITIONS OF JOHN RICHMOND

    The traditions recorded in the manuscript of the Rev. Legh Richmond, if true would
explain the mystery which shrouded the life of John Richmond. Soon after the death of
his brother, Henry, mentioned in this manuscript, it seems probable that he joined a
colony of cadets of noble English familys on the western coast of Ireland, who had
chosen this remote spot where they could engage in commercial and other pursuits
without shocking their aristocratic relatives. Here George Richmond, possibly a cousin
of John Richmond, was established and largely interested in navigation. It is well known
that he carried on an extensive and flourishing trade with Saco, Maine., in 1635. It is the
opinion of the writer that John Richmond came to America on one of those trading
vessels about 1635, and engaged in business in Saco, Records of Courts held at Saco in
the Province of Maine, under Capt. William Gorges, mention sundry by and against John
Richmond - among others, a suit by John Richmond " to collect from Thomas Lewis
six pounds and ten shillings for two barrells of beif," showing that a John Richmond
was engaged in trade at that place Marsh 7, 1636.
    It is positively known that John Richmond was one of the purchasers of Taunton in
1637. The birth of his daughter, Sarah, in 1638, and of Mary, in 1639, probably occurred
in Taunton, Mass., but his name does not appear in the list of men able to bear arms in
1643. Nothing seems to be known of him from 1643 to 1655, and tradition leads us to
believe that he returned to England and engaged in the civil wars between the dates
mentioned.
    The compiler, in his childhood, always heard John Richmond referred to as
" Col. John," and that he was engaged in the English civil wars, which, if true, would
account for the absence of his name from all records in this country between 1643 and
1655, and  the sad tragedy mentioned in the letter of Oliffe Richmond might have
occurred during this time.
    In his Will is the following bequest; " I give and bequeath unto my eldest son John
all my writings in my chest which is in my son-in-law Edward Rew's house." This
treasure, now lost to us, would undoubtedly remove the mystery which surrounds his
life, and furnish us with facts where we have only traditions.
    Although somewhat vague and unsatisfactory, the compiler believes that the results of
his researches relating to our English ancestors will prove of sufficient interest to the
family to warrant their being included in this volume; but it is with undisguised
satisfaction he turns from the region of "Quien sabe?" with its mysteries, romance
and uncertain traditions, to the well established dates and facts concerning
JOHN RICHMOND of Taunton.

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John1 1594 - 1664

    John Richmond1, the emigrant, was born in 1594; he came to America from Ashton Keynes, Wiltshire, England. He probably left England about 1635, and was one of the purchasers of Taunton, Mass., in 1637. Undoubtedly he was married before he came to this country, but neither the name of his wife, the date of their marriage, nor the date of her death, has been found.
    He was away from Taunton much of his life,- through the records he is known to have been at Newport and other places, = but he returned to Taunton and died there March 20, 1664, aged seventy.


CHILDREN:
    +2. John2, born about 1627
    +3. Edward2, born about 1632
    +4. Sarah2, born about 1638
    +5. Mary2, born about 1639
The following records, without much doubt, refer to John Richmond, of Taunton:-
    "To the Constable of Saco: These
    "Febr. 7, 1636. Mr. Theophilus Davies against Mr. John Richmond, an action of slander."
    "Mr. Henry Broade, an action of trespass against Mr. Theop. Davies and Mr. John Richmond."
    "March 6, 1636. John Richmond, an action of trespass against Mr. Tho. Lewis and also a complaint against the said Mr. Lewis for detayning the said Richmond's servant."
    "March 7, 1636. Mr. Thomas Lewis is by verdict of a jury to pay unto John Richmond Six £ ten shillings, for two barrells of beife."
    "March 14, 1636. John Richmond, an action against Mr. Tho, Lewis for detayning his servant  against the law."
    "May 2, 1637. Thomas Page, an action of trespass against John Richmond."
    "June 1637. John Richmond, an action for debt against Theoph. Davies."
    The court records close July 4, 1637, when Capt. William Gorges was recalled, and there are no further court records until 1640.
    At the "sitting of the Council," in Newport, R.I., in 1656 and 1657:-
    "Upon the petition of Richard Ussel to the Court concerning an execution graunted to him, against Edward Richmond of Newport, for the sum of three pound, thirteen shillings, which execution being unserved by reason that noe estate was found to serve it on, and now being adjitated in the Court of redress for same, here appeared John Richmond of Newport sen'r and to this Court did pay," etc.
    "Court of Commissioners, 17th March, 1656. Mr. Roger Williams, Moderator."
    "Case 22. Itt is ordered, that, Whereas, there are divers presentments standing upon a booke of records (belonging to Ye Island), against John Richmond, Sen'r, John Smith, George Bliss, Henrie Hobson, Henry Timberlake, and Bartholomew Hunt, all of Newport. These presentments shall not be, any of them, prosecuted, except by expresse orders from His Highness ye Lord Protector."

    He was one of the Commissioners, for Newport, of the Court of Commissioners, held in Portsmouth in 1656. He owned six shares in the original purchase of Taunton in 1637.
    John Richmond1 was one of the older men of the settlement in Taunton. His name does not appear in the list of males (able to bear arms) in 1643: he was in in Rhode Island in 1655, and id is probable that he was there at that time or in England. He took the oath of fidelity in Taunton before 1640. The family were large land-owners in the easterly part of the town, and gave to a village in that section the name of Richmondtown, which it still bears.

THE WILL OF JOHN RICHMOND

    This fourteenth day of December in ye year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and sixty three. I, John Richmond of Taunton in Plymouth. Patent. Being of of perfect understanding Blessed be God. Do Make this my last Will and Testament as followeth. I give and bequeath unto my eldest son John Richmond my purchase held in Taunton. Also I give and bequeath my land which is at Squamicott which is half a share purchase, first, I give and bequeath to my son in law William Paul and Mary his wife and to their children forty acres of ye land at Squamicott above named. And also I give and bequeath to my younger son Edward Richmond and his son Edward after him forty acres of ye land at Squamicott.  Also I give and bequeath to my son in law Edward Rew and to Sarah his wife half a share of land which is at Squamicott. Also I give and bequeath to my eldest son John Richmond my mare, only ye first foal my mare bringeth I do give and bequeath unto ye use of his son Thomas. Also I give and bequeath unto my eldest son John Richmond all debts that are due to me &c. he my eldest son John Richmond shall see my debts which I owe discharged. Also I give and bequeath unto my eldest son John the mare or sixteen pounds which I layed out for ye land wherein my son John now dwellith. Also I give and bequeath unto my eldest son John all my goods which are now in my eldest sons house now. Also I give and bequeath unto my son in law Edward Rew and Sarah his wife all my goods which are now in my son Edward Rew's house, except a pair of sheets and a Hamack, which I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary the wife of William Paul, and the Hamack I give to my son in law William Paul. Also I give and bequeath unto my eldest son John Richmond my cow to defray my funeral charges. Also I give and bequeath unto my youngest son Edward Richmond all my wearing apparel. Also I give and bequeath unto my eldest son John Richmond all my writings in my chest which are in my son in law Edward Rew's house. And I the said John Richmond do nominate and appoint my eldest son John Richmond, Executor of this my last Will and Testament. And I the said John Richmond, Institute and Appoint, Shadrach Wilbore with my eldest son John Richmond to see this last Will and Testament performed and to this as my last Will and Testament I have set my hand and seal the day and year above said.
    Witness
Joseph Wilbore.                                                                       John  X  Richmond.
Shadrach Wilbore                                                                        his     Mark
                                                                                                                a (seal)


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John2 1627 - 1715

    John Richmond2 (John1) was born about 1627, before his father came to this country. He married Abigail Rogers, daughter of John Rogers of Duxbury, born in 1641. He died October 7, 1715 aged eighty-eight, and she, August 1, 1727, aged eighty-six. Both are buried in Taunton, Mass.
CHILDREN:
    +  6. Mary3, born June 2, 1654, in Bridgewater
    -   7. John3, born June 6,1656 in Bridgewater; killed Sept. 20,1672, by the upsetting of a cart.
    -   8. Thomas3, born Feb. 2, 1659, in Newport, R.I.; died unmarried, in Middleboro, Dec. 14, 1705.
    +  9. Susanna3, born Nov. 4,1661, in Bridgewater.
    +10. Joseph3, born Dec. 8, 1663 in Taunton.
    +11. Edward3, born Feb. 8, 1663 in Taunton.
    +12. Samuel3, born Sept. 23, 1668 in Taunton.
    +13. Sarah3, born Feb. 26, 1671 in Taunton.
    +14. John3, born Dec. 5, 1673 in Taunton.
    +15. Ebenezer3, born May 12, 1676 in Newport, R.I.
    +16. Abigail3, born Feb. 26, 1679 in Newport R.I.
There is no specific authority for the statement that he had a wife before Abigail Rogers; but the inscription upon her gravestone makes her age eighty-six at her death, Aug. 1,1727: that would fix her birth at 1641: so she would have been only thirteen years old when Mary was born. Deeds of the land of John Rogers show that Joseph Richmond was the son of Abigail. It is probable that John Richmond2 had a previous wife, who died in 1662, and that he married Abigail Rogers early in 1663.
That Thomas died unmarried is shown by a deed from James Reed of Middleboro, and Susanna, his wife, dated December 20, 1705, to Edward Richmond of Taunton, of all rights, & etc., in the estate of " our brother Thomas," late of Taunton, deceased: the deed was proved April 16, 1706; also by deed from John of Taunton, Ebenezer of Plymouth, of the land " my son Thomas lived on."
    John Richmond2, on March 1712-13, and July 16, 1713, conveyed land to his son Edward.
    John Richmond2, and James Walker were appointed to buy land of Indians, 1672. He was of Town Council February 29, 1676-6, also in 1690. There is a deed of John Richmond2 conveying to his son John, for £400, his house-lot and dwelling-house, "where he now dwells," and various lots of land. On September 28, 1671, Wm. Brenton, Jas. Walker, Wm. Harvey, Walter Deane and John Richmond bought land from Phillip and his head men: the tract included Taunton, of which the purchasers were already in possession. October 1, 1672, there was another sale to the same parties.
    He was Constable, member of the Town Council, Commissioner and Surveyor. His residence at "Neck of Land" was about three quarters of a  mile from the "Green" or Center. He and his wife are buried there.
     He was a distributor, in March, 1677, of £10, being Tauntons apportionment of £363. 3s. "Irish Charity," sent from Dublin, Ireland, in 1676, "to distressed suffers" by King Phillips War, and apportioned among the people of forty seven towns. John Richmond2 was a member of every important committee in Taunton for the purchase, division and settlement of land and other matters of public interest. He was interested in several extensive purchases of land from the Indians in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Concerning one purchase for the Town of  Taunton is the following record: " On 25th May, 1680, Town voted to accept what the committee had done, & etc., concerning settlement of our lands." John Richmond2 took his share "on rights that was his father's, and rights that was Mr. Francis Doubty's (Doughty)."
    In a communication from John Richmond2, dated Taunton, April 30, 1698, addressed to Lieut.-Col. Elisha Hutchinson, Esq., Capt. Samuel Lowell, Esq., and Elisha Cook, Esq., Boston, he mentions the first purchase of Taunton as a matter within his personal knowledge, which should settle that question. After referring to a dispute with Bridgewater men about town boundaries, and to what his neighbor Hathaway had said, he proceeds:-
" And, first, I desire it may be considered how inconsistent to justice their sense is, for they say and sense it that although Taunton hath the eldest grant, yet it is theirs notwithstanding, because it was granted before: and although it be Tauntons by purchase from the Indians three times over,= for we bought it first of Woosamequin in the year '39 or '40 [ this was in my minority], the sum I paid I knew not ; then we bought that very spot of Josiah, he claiming some land there, as appears by his deed; then we bought that spot again, with other lands of Maj. Bradford; he had twenty pounds more;= they have owned that they never made any purchase, yet theirs because granted," etc.
    This matter is also referred to in the History of Bristol County, Mass., in the following words:-
"Dighton, as is well known, was once a part of Taunton. It was called the Taunton South Purchase, and was bought by a company of the Sachem Phillip for one hundred and ninety pounds, lawful money. The land was bought in two sections and at two different times. The first section was stated to be three miles broad on the river, and extended back into the woods four miles.
    "The deed of the first section was dated the 28th day of September, 1672, and the consideration mentioned was one hundred and forty-three pounds. The land was conveyed to a committee of associates consisting of William Benton, Esq., William Harvey, James Walker1, Richard Williams, Walter Deane, George Macy, and John Richmond2, who transferred the deed, excepting their own rights, to the Rev. George Shove, third minister of Taunton and seventy-six associates or proprietors of the land. The second section purchased was on the south side of the first section, and was one mile wide on the river and four miles in length. The price paid for it was forty-seven pounds, and the deed was dated Oct. 1st, 1672. It was ostensibly bought by Constant Southworth, treasurer of the Plymouth Colony, who immediately transferred the deed to the committee of the associates mentioned."

 
 

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Edward3 1665 - 1741

    Edward Richmond3 (John2, John1), was born in Taunton, February 8, 1665. He married, first,
Mercy ---; and second, May 6, 1711, Rebecca Thurston, daughter of Johnathan and Sarah Thurston, born November 28, 1689. She died, and he married Mary ---. He died in 1741.


Children by First Wife (born in Taunton)
    +61. Mercy4, born in 1693; married Edward Walker
    +62. Edward4, born 1695; married, first, Elizabeth Deane; 2nd, Mrs. Elizabeth (Shaw)
                Sampson.
    -62a. Richard4.
    +63. Josiah4, born in 1697;  married 1st, Mehitable Deane; 2d, Mrs. Lydia Crocker.
    +64. Nathaniel4, born about 1700; married Alice Hackett.
    +65. Seth4, married Lydia Haskins.
    +66. Elizabeth4, married --- Hathaway.
    +67. Phebe4, born in 1706; married Noah Elliot.

Children by Second Wife:
    +68. Sarah4, born Dec. 20, 1711; married, 1st, Josiah Washburn; 2nd, Samuel Crane.
    +69. Mary4, born in 1714; married Edmond Burt.
    +70. Pricilla4, born Feb. 27, 1718, Married John Hackett.
    +71. Eunice4, born Sept. 23, 1722; died young; not mentioned in will.

    The dates of birth of children of the first wife are correct within less one year, being computed from the date of death and age at that time.
    The will, dated June 3, 1738, probated Dec. 9, 1741, mentions wife, Mary Richmond; sons Edward, Nathaniel and Seth of Taunton, and Josiah of Middleboro; and daughters, Mary Burt, Mercy Walker, Pricilla Hackett, Sarah Crane, Elizabeth Hatheway and Phebe Elliot; and brother John Richmond. He reserves one quarter of an acre for a burying place "for myself and posterity, at the place where the burying place is already begun." The witnesses to the will are John Richmond, John Richmond, Jr., and Elkanah Leonard; Elizabeth Hatheway is mentioned in the will, but not in its record.
    He and Joseph bought one hundred and fifty acres of land in Middleboro, of John Roger of Duxbury, in 1687.
    The descendants of Nathaniel4 say that he was born about 1700; that he was killed at the siege of Louisburg; that he left a son Nathaniel, who married his second cousin, Mary Richmond (daughter of John and Dighton (Mirick) Richmond); that this last Nathaniel was born about 1731, and died in 1813, at Camillus, New York.
 
 
 

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Josiah4 1697 - 1763

    Josiah Richmond4 (Edward3, John2, John1) was born in Taunton in 1697. He married, first, Mehitable Deane, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Williams) Deane, born June 6, 1697. She died, and he married, secondly, February 5, 1745-6, Lydia Crocker, widow of Theophilus Crocker, and daughter of Jabez Eddy. He died in 1763.
Children (born in Middleboro):
+219. Mary5, married Phillip Leonard, Jan. 6, 1737-8.
+220. Josiah5, born in 1711; married Elizabeth Smith.
+221. Gershom5, married Phebe Richmond.
+222. Benjamin5, born in 1727; married Silence Deane.
+223. George5, married Hannah Caswell.
+224. Ephraim5, born Feb. 12, 1735; married Ann Deane of Taunton, March 27, 1766.
+225. Eleazer5, born Feb. 27, 1737; married Deborah Barrows.
+226. Lemuel5, born in 1733; married Mrs. Molly (Richmond) Lincoln.
+227. Miriam5, born in 1733; married, 1st, Elisha Walker; 2d, Samuel Ray.
+228. Zeriah5, married Jeremiah Tinkham.
+228. Mercy5, married Benjamin Hackett.
-229a. Mehitable5, died young.
    His will, dated January 26, 1672, probated April 5, 1763, Mentions wife Lydia; sons Josiah, Gershom, Benjamin, George, Ephraim, Eleazer and Lemuel; daughters Mary Leonard, Mary Hackett, Miriam Walker and Jirah Richmond. He is described as of Middleboro, blacksmith. Witnesses, Joseph and Rufus Richmond.
    "Mary Hackett" in the record is an error for "Mercy" (the original will has not been preserved). The order of births is not known, and it is quite certain that the above is not the correct arrangement. Wonderful stories are told of the strength of Josiah Richmond, and also one of his sisters.

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Josiah5 1711 - 1785

Josiah Richmond5 (Josiah4, Edward3, John2, John1) was born in Middleboro in 1711. He died in 1785, aged seventy-four years. He married, June 9, 1743, Elizabeth Smith of Middleboro. She died about 1803.
Children (born in Taunton)
    -592. Edward6, died May 26, 1748.
    +593. Phebe6, married Jeb Townsend.
    +594. Josiah6, born in May, 1750; Married Betsey Hathaway.
    +595. Mercy6, married Matthew Briggs.
    +596. Walker6, born in 1753; married Mary Waldron of Dighton.
    +597. Edward6, born March 14,1756; married Olive Briggs.
    +598. Nathaniel6, born April 13, 1766; married 1st, Mary Horsewell;
                2nd, Abigail Wood; 3rd, Azubah Cobb.
    +599. Abner6, born about 1769; married Betsey Holmes.
    +600. Pricilla6, married Joseph Pierce; no children.
    +601. Elizabeth6, married Asa Stephens.
    +602. Hannah6, born about 1761; marries 1st, March 4, 1756, Joseph Ware;
                2nd Zephaniah Talbot.
    His will, dated March 9, 1785, proved September 6, 1785, mentions wife Elizabeth; sons Josiah, Walker, Edward, Nathaniel and "Abnah"; daughters Phebe Townsend, Pricilla, Elizabeth Stephens and Hannah Ware; and children of daughter Mercy Briggs, deceased. He gave to his son Josiah a farm in Middleboro.
    His son Walker and Lemuel Richmond6 were executors.
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Edward6 1756 - 1826

    Edward Richmond6 (Josiah5, Josiah4, Edward3, John2, John1) was born in Taunton March 14, 1756, and died October 15, 1826. He married March, 1781, Olive, daughter of Eliakim Briggs of Dighton. She was born May 18, 1756, and died November 12, 1838.
    He enlisted in the State service for nine months. When time expired he enlisted in the United States service for three years. He was in the battle of Monmouth, which was one of the most important engagements he participated in.
    "During that memorable winter, when he was stationed with Washingtons troops at Valley Forge, he had the smallpox. Serving out his time, he returned home and soon embarked on a privateer, engaged in this service three months. One ship from Glasgow, freighted with dry goods, was the only prize of the expedition. He was Lieutenant in the Militia, where he served until honorably discharged. His company was called out to supress Sharps troops, who attempted to stop the Court, then sitting at Taunton. After his marriage, he lived four or five years in the 'old stone fort' with his father; then he bought the house and lot 'at the corner.' In 1793 he removed to Hoosac, N.Y., and became a farmer.
Children:
    +1513. Alice7, born Sept. 4, 1781; married Fredrick Richmond. (No. 1553)
    +1514. Edward7, born April 8, 1783; married Betsey Knight.
    +1515. Dyer7, born Jan. 23, 1785; married Sally Cox.
    +1516. Josiah7, born Dec. 4, 1786; married Phebe Warren.
    +1517. Eliakim7, born April 1, 1791; married Deborah Comstock.
    +1518. Mercy7, born Jan. 22,1789; married John B. Ryan.
    +1519. Sally7, born March 26, 1793; died Jan. 23, 1796.
    +1520. Zenas B.7, born May 25, 1795; married Anna Pratt.
    -1520a. Sylvester7, born May 26, 1797; died Nov. 16, 1824.
    +1520b. Polly7, born May 22, 1799; married James P. Agan.
    +1520c. Eliza7, born April 5, 1801; married Levi Brown.
    +1520d. Volney7, born June 23, 1802; married, 1st, Lucy Townsend; 2d, Mary Barnett.


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Josiah7 1786 - 1835

    Josiah Richmond7,(Edward6, Josiah6, Josiah4, Edward3, John2, John1) was born in Dighton, Mass., December 4. 1786, and died September 12, 1835. He married Phebe Warren of Pittstown, N.Y. He was a wealthy farmer.
Children:
    +3777. Theodore C.8, born Oct. 20, 1815; married, 1st, Emily C. Geer;
                    2nd, Caroline Bancus.
    -3778. Josiah8, married Lydia Milleman; died aged 27, leaving one daughter.
    +3779. Albert E.8, born Sept. 23, 1819; married Anna Quackenbush.
    +3780. Perry Warren8, married Caroline Campbell.
    +3781. Julia Ann8, married Gideon Reynolds.
    -3782. Ruth8, married John S. Bancus in 1860.
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Albert8 1819 - 1895

Albert E. Richmond8 (Josiah7, Edward6, Josiah5, Josiah4, Edward3, John2, John1) was born in Pittstown, Reni County, N.Y., September 23, 1819, and died May 31, 1895. He married, October 22, 1857, Anna Quackenbush, who was born in Hoosac N.Y., April 9, 1836. He was a merchant in Hoosac, and a member of New York Assembly in 1852. Later he removed to Massachusetts, and was a member of the Legislature of that State in 1889. He was the proprietor of the Richmond House, North Adams, Mass.
+6691. Clinton Q.9, born Dec. 17, 1859, in Hoosac; married Hannah M. Bates.
+6692. William W.9, born Jan. 4, 1864; married
-6692a. May9, born in 1866; died May, 1866.
+6693. Grace V.9, born Oct., 27, 1879; married Thomas Edward Doremus.
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William9 1864 - 1961

    William W. Richmond9(Albert E.8, Josiah7, Edward6, Josiah5, Josiah4, Edward3, John2, John1) was born January 4, 1864. He married 1st, Margaret M. Hunter who died in 1916;
                2nd, Mildred Fuller in 1920. He died June 29, 1961.
Children:
    -8110. Donald Hunter10, born Sept. 20, 1892; died Sept. 11,1893.
    +. ---   Durant Hunter10, born Feb. 10, 1898.
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Durant10 1898 - 1975

    Durant H. Richmond10 (William9, Albert E.8, Josiah7, Edward6, Josiah5, Josiah4, Edward3, John2, John1) was born in North Adams, Massachusetts on Feb. 10, 1898. He married Martha Elizabeth Blackburn, born on June 10, 1911, in Wilmington, Delaware, married on Aug. 20, 1936.
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