The Richards family connection was through the marriage of
GGGGP James Vile (1801-1878) and
Ann Richards (1804-1877). Much of the information below is based on the excellent research of
'Chross 53' available on her Ancestry Website.
116.0 Diagram of the Early Richards Family Tree 1650-1800
117.0 GGGGM Ann Richards (1804-1877)
 |
| Baptisms Kingsbury Episcopi 1804 |
GGGGM Ann Richards was born on 15 Jun 1804 to
GGGGGGP Robert Symes Richards and
Hannah White. She was baptised later that year on 30 Dec in Kingsbury Episcopi.
NOTE. Some family histories list a different ancestry for
Ann Richards, but there are a number of records which point to this being the correct one, for the following reasons;
• It was a common practice for siblings to be witnesses at a wedding and
Ann’s sister Elizabeth Richards and her husband were witnesses at
Ann’s wedding to
James Vile in 1823
• Brothers
James Vile and William Vile married sisters
Ann Richards and Hannah Richards
•
Ann’s husband
James Vile was a witness at
Ann’s sister Hannah’s wedding
•
Ann’s sister Hannah and her husband William decided to migrate to Australia in 1849. They travelled on the same ship as
James and Ann Vile’s daughter,
GGGM Mary Vile, and her husband.
 |
| Marriages Kingsbury Episcopi 1823 |
On her nineteenth birthday (15 June 1823)
Ann 20 married
James Vile at Kingsbury Episopi. Both signed their names, with
Ann signing with her married name. Four members of the Richards family signed their names as witnesses. All were cousins, and children of Ann's uncle William Richards b1775. They were Robert Richards b1799, Samuel Richards b1801, Elizabeth Richards b1807 and Joan Richards (Unknown). All witnesses were children of Uncle William Symes Richards b1775.
After their marriage,
GGGGP James Vile and Ann Richards had eleven children; Mary Vile 1824-1825,
GGGM Mary Vile 1826-1910, Susan Vile 1828-1844, Rhoda Vile 1830-1854, Betsy Ann Vile 1832-1875, Eleanor (Ellen) Vile 1834-1839, Robert Vile 1836-1836, Elizabeth Vile 1837-1844, Ellen Vile 1839-1909, Martha Victoria Vile 1842-1844 and Martha Victoria Vile 1844-1844. Of their eleven children only one was a son, six died under the age of 10 and one more died as teenager. Only two daughters, Ellen Vile and
GGGM Mary Vile survived their parents. The baptism records of the Wesleyan Chapel at South Petherton list the children with their date of birth, name of parents, place of abode and the occupation of the father. Sometime before 1851,
James and Ann moved to London. (See 108.1 for more about
James and Ann Vile nee Richard's married life.)
 |
| Burials: Westminster, Old Brompton Cemetery 1877 |
GGGGM Ann Vile nee Richards died at the age of 73 at her home at 161 High St, Holborn. She was buried at Westminster in Old Brompton Cemetery on 4 Aug 1877.
GGGGF James Vile died the following year in 1878. He was
buried on 24 Dec 1878 at St Marys, Teddington, Middlesex aged 77, in the
same grave as his daughter Betsy Ann Piper nee Vile.
117.1 GGGGGP Robert Symes Richards (1778-1844) & Hannah White (1778-1830)
GGGGGGP Robert Symes (surname later Richards) was born in Kingsbury
Episcopi to single woman
Joan Symes around 1778. His mother
Joan Symes
married
Robert Richards b1758 the following year (See below). It is likely
that
Robert Richards b1758 was the natural father of
Robert b1778
because
Robert was given the same Christian name, took on his father's
surname and
Robert b1758 treated
Robert b1778 as his natural child when
writing out his will.
NOTE Baptisms in late 1777 are illegible and if
Robert was actually born in 1777, that may be why
Robert's name cannot be found.
 |
| Bladon House; one time residence of the Richard's family is located between KE and Burrow on Folly Rd/Burrow Way |
GGGGGF Robert was possibly born at Bladon House, just a short distance out of Kingsbury Episcopi. Bladon B&B operates as a successful accommodation site in present times. No baptism registration has been found, and some family histories indicate a birth year of 1781 based on his listed age in 1841. However, I am inclined to think his actual birth year was 1778 because;
i) That is the year suggested by his age at death.
ii) Ages were rounded down at the 1841 census
iii) A birth in 1781 would have made him 20 at the time of his marriage, which was a bit young. The age of consent was 21 and most males married after that age. His birth would have also been too close to that of sister Rachel who was baptised in 1780.
iv) Usually males were not younger than their wives, and wife
Hannah was born in 1778
v) A birth in 1781 would have made him a bit young to employ an apprentice in 1804.
vi)
Robert's father stated in his will that
Robert b1778 was born prior to his marriage to
Joan Symes in 1779.
Robert became a butcher by trade, and probably knew
GGGGGM Hannah White all his life. She had been baptised in nearby KE on 27 Feb 1778. (See 130.0)
 |
| Marriages Kingsbury Episcopi 1801 |
On 15 June 1801
GGGGGF Robert Symes Richards, 23 year old butcher (b1778), married
GGGGGM Hannah White at St Martin's, KE. Both
Robert and Hannah signed their names. Witnesses at the wedding were John
Baker and
Robert’s sister Rachel Richards (who later married each other. See 122.3).
 |
| Apprenticeships Kingsbury Episcopi 22 Dec 1804 |
By the age of 26,
Robert was working as a butcher in Kingsbury Episcopi and employed an apprentice named Samuel Gummer. Over the next 12 years
Hannah had six children; Elizabeth
Richards 1802,
GGGGM Ann Richards 1804, John Richards 1807, George Richards 1809, Rhoda
Richards 1811 and Hannah Richards 1813. In 1814 at the age of 5 baby George died. In 1816, 38 year old Hannah had
one more child, named Phoebe Richards.
 |
| Burials Kingsburt Episcopi 1830 |
GGGGGM Hannah Richards nee White
passed away in 1830 at the age of 52.
 |
| 1841 Census Thorney near Kingsbury Episcopi |
By the time of the first census in 1841, all but one child
had left home. Living in Thorney (just north of KE) at this time was the
widower
GGGGGF Robert Symes Richards 60 of independent means and unmarried son
John Richards, mistakenly described as 25, but was really 35.
 |
| Burials Kingsbury Episcopi 1844 |
GGGGGF Robert Symes Richards died in 1844 at his home in Thorney aged 66 (b1778), and was buried at KE on 15 Oct 1844.
118.0 Seven children of GGGGGP Robert Symes Richards (1778-1844) & Hannah White (1778-1830)
On 15 June 1801
GGGGGF Robert Symes Richards, 23 year old butcher (b1778), married
GGGGGM Hannah White at St Martin's, KE.
118.1 Elizabeth Richards (1802-1878) & Samuel Richards
 |
| Baptisms Kingsbury Episcopi 1802 |
Elizabeth was born in 1802, one year after her parent's marriage. She was baptised on 20 Jun 1802 at KE. On the 15 Jun 1823, Elizabeth Richards and her fiancé Samuel Richards (cousin b1801; son of William Richards b1775) were witnesses at younger sister
GGGGM Ann Richard’s wedding to
GGGF James Vile (see 108.0).
 |
| Marriages KE 1823 |
Sixteen days later on 1 July 1823, Elizabeth Richards 21 married Samuel Richards (1801-1875) at St Martins Church, KE. Witnesses at their wedding included Elizabeth’s cousin Hannah Baker (the daughter of her father’s sister, Rachael Baker nee Richards b1780). Other witnesses were two men named Robert Richards. The first was cousin Robert Richards b1799 and the second was likely her father (compare signatures).
 |
| Baptisms KE 1824 |
Over the next 13 years Samuel and Elizabeth had at least two daughters;
Mary Richards b1824, and Martha Richards born 1836 (baptised in 1837). Baptism records indicate that Samuel was a farmer (dairyman).
 |
| 1841 census Burrow Hill, KE |
By 1841 Samuel Richards 40 year old dairyman, and Elizabeth Richards 35 (age was rounded down and should be 39) had moved to Burrow Hill, Lower Burrow with their children; Mary Richards 15 and Martha Richards 4. Living with them was Tirzah (Thurza) Richards 20 (really 22; b1818).
Thurza Richards (died 1864 aged 46) was probably the unmarried mother of Robert Richards, who was living with Samuel and Elizabeth at the 1861 census (see below). The parish records show that Robert Richards was born in 1851 and baptised on 11 May 1851 to unmarried mother Thirza Richards. In the census, Robert is described as a nephew, which would make Thurza a half sister to Samuel. No baptism record has been found, and Samuel's stepmother Hannah Chappel would have been 46 in 1818 so that is unlikely. The other possibility is that perhaps Thurza was William's illegitimate child.
 |
| 1851 Census Stembridge, Kingsbury Episcopi |
In 1851 Samuel Richards 49, farmer of 5 acres, Elizabeth Richards (a badly written 48) farmer’s wife were living in Stembridge, KE with grandson Robert Peach 3 (son of daughter Mary Peach nee Richards b1824) and Elizabeth’s unmarried brother John Richards butcher 45 b1807). The census had an incorrect age of 10 for John, which is wrong for these four reasons; a) too young to be a butcher, b) he’s listed as unmarried (generally children were left blank) c) he’s listed as Elizabeth’s brother who was 48 and d) his correct age of 45 was put in the female column then scribbled out and incorrectly entered as 10 in the male column.
 |
| 1861 Census Pulpits Way, Kingsbury Episcopi |
By 1861 Samuel Richards 59 had expanded his farm to 15 acres and was living with his wife Elizabeth Richards 58, grandson Robert Peach 14 scholar at Pulpits Way, Bladen, KE. Also living with them was ‘nephew’ Robert Richards 9 who was born in 1851 (baptised 11 May 1851) to unmarried mother Thurza Richards (see above). They were still in Pulpits Way, Bladen in 1871. Samuel Richards 60 was farming 6 acres and had become a cheese dealer, Elizabeth Richards was 69 and grandson Robert Peach at 23 was now an unmarried lodger.
NOTE: There is a gravestone in St Martins KE
"In loving memory to Thirza Richars (sic) who died 1 Mar 1863 aged 61 years". Thurza was not a common name at that time and place, and there may be a connection to the above Thurza Richards 1818-1864 (buried 26 Mar 1864 aged 46)
 |
| Burials: Kingsbury Episcopi 1875 |
Samuel Richards died aged 76 at his home in Stembridge and was buried on 25 Jul 1875 at Kingsbury Episcopi.
 |
| Probate for the will of Samuel Richards was granted to wife Elizabeth on 26 Dec 1875 (death date was probably 15 Jul) |
Samuel's will left effects valued under £200 and wife Elizabeth Richards nee Richards was the sole executrix.
 |
| Burials Kingsbury Episcopi 1878 |
Elizabeth Richards died three years later at the age of 76. She was buried in KE on 12 Jan 1878.
118.2 GGGGM Ann Richards (1804-1877) & GGGGF James Vile
 |
| Baptisms Kingsbury Episcopi 1804 |
Ann was born on 15 Jun 1804 and baptised on 30 Dec 1804 at KE . The baptismal date is recorded in a copy of ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’ that has been handed down in the family.
On her birthday, 15 Jun 1823,
Ann Richards 19, married
James Vile b1801 in Kingsbury Episcopi. Witnesses to marriage were
Ann’s older sister Elizabeth and her fiancé Samuel Richards (a cousin, see 118.1), as well as cousins Robert Richards b1799 and Joan Richards b1802 (children of uncle William Richards).
James and Ann Vile nee Richards went on to have 11 children including
GGGM Mary Vile who migrated to Australia with her husband
Jacob Bisgrove in 1849. See 90.2 for more information about
Mary Vile's fascinating life
118.3 John Richards (1807-1883)
 |
| Baptisms KE 1807 |
John was born in early 1807 and baptised on 17 May 1807 at St Martin's KE. He became a butcher like his father and remained unmarried all his life. He was living with his widowed 60 year old retired father at Thorney, near KE, in 1841. In the census John was incorrectly listed as 25 when he should be 35.
After his father’s death in 1844, John moved in with his sister Elizabeth and brother-in-law at Stembridge, KE (see above). In 1851, the household consisted of Samuel Richards 49 a farmer of 5 acres, his sister Elizabeth Richards 40 farmer’s wife and his nephew Robert Peach 3 (son of sister Mary). Once again John’s age is incorrectly noted. His correct age of 45 was accidentally put in the female column then scribbled out and incorrectly entered as 10 in the male column.
 |
| 1871 Census Broad St KE |
At the censuses in 1861, 1871 and 1881 John was listed as an unmarried butcher living at 69 Broad St., KE.
John Richards died in 1883 aged 77 and was buried at Kingsbury Episcopi on 26 Nov 1883. John never married and there were no known children.
118.4 George Richards (1809-1814)
 |
| Burials KE 1814 |
George was born in 1809 in KE but died as a 5 year old in 1814. He was buried at Kingsbury Episcopi
on 16 July 1814.
118.5 Rhoda Richards (1811-1869) & Daniel Evers
 |
| Baptisms KE 1811 |
Rhoda was born in 1811 and baptised on 17 Mar 1811 at St Martin's, KE. In 1833 aged 22, she was a witness at younger sister Hannah’s marriage (see below). At some stage in the next eight years Rhoda moved to London and met a young publican named Daniel Evers (b1810, Kelvedon, Essex).
 |
| Freedom of the City of London 1841 |
On 10 Jun 1841 Daniel Evers of Ashenton Court, Whitefriars, victualler, was admitted to the Freedom of the City of London.
At the age of 30 Rhoda married Daniel 31 at St Brides, Fleet St. London on 25 Dec 1841. Rhoda's father was listed as
Robert Richards, butcher.
 |
| 1845 Post Office Directory |
In 1845 Daniel Evers was running a Public House called the "Cart & Horse' in Ashentree Court, Bouverie St (possibly now known as Magpie Alley), London. He was the publican from 1843 to at least until the beginning of 1851.
 |
| 1851 Census: Princes St Lambeth |
By 1851 Daniel Evers, 38 year old publican, and Rhoda Evers nee Richards 41 were living in Lambeth with their children; Andrew Evers 7, Daniel Evers 5, Henry Evers 3 and John Evers 9 months. Also staying with them as visitors, were unmarried nieces Betsy Vile 19 and Ellen Vile 11. (Daughters of Rhoda’s sister,
GGGGM Ann Vile nee Richards; see 109.0)
By 1861 the family had moved to Christchurch Surrey. Living there were Daniel Evers 48 now a labourer, Rhoda Evers 49, Henry Evers 12, John Evers 10, Arthur Evers 7 and Ellen Evers 5.
Rhoda Evers nee Richards died at the age of 59 in 1869 at Bermondsey, London. Husband Daniel Evers lived on till 1880 and died at 46 Great St Andrews St, Seven Dials, London at the age of 72. He was buried at Old Brompron Cemetery, London on 13 Apr 1880
Seven Children of Daniel and Rhoda Evers nee Richards
Daniel and Rhoda Evers nee Richards had seven known children named; Rhoda Caroline Evers 1842-1842, Andrew Robert Evers 1844-1893, Daniel Evers 1846-1851, Henry Evers 1848-1869, John Evers 1850-1903, Arthur Evers 1854-1926 and Ellen Evers 1855-1941.
The children spent their early lives living in public houses run by their father and at least two of them ended up working in this field. In 1861 at St. Martin in the Fields, Andrew Evers 17 was a servant to an innkeeper. In 1871 Andrew Evers 27 and brother, John Evers 20, were both barman in Soho, London. Andrew became a licenced victualler himself later on.
118.6 Hannah Richards (1813-1871) & William Vile
 |
| Baptisms KE 1813 |
Hannah was baptised on 17 Oct 1813 at St Martin, Kingsbury Episcopi. On 30 July 1833 she married William Vile at St Martin's KE. William was the brother of
GGGGF James Vile (1801- 1878), who had married Hannah’s sister
GGGGM Ann Richards (1804-1877) ten years earlier in 1823 (see 117.0). The wedding was witnessed by their siblings;
James Vile (older brother of William) and Rhoda Richards (sister of Hannah). All parties were able to sign the marriage papers. This is another instance of two brothers (William and
James Vile), marrying two sisters (Hannah and
Ann Richards).
 |
| Census 1841 Kingsbury Episcopi |
Hannah must have been very pregnant with their first child. Ann Vile was born later that year in 1833 followed by Emma in 1836 and Harriet Vile in 1839. By 1841 they were living at West St, KE. William Vile 25 was a shoemaker (as were his father and all his brothers), Hannah Vile was 25 and their children were Ann Vile 7, Emma Vile 4 and Harriett Vile 2. They were living next door to John, Mary & Emily Bisgrove and James, Eliza and Cornish Bisgrove who were sharing a house. (See Bisgrove Family Section)
The 1840’s were a mixture of births and deaths. Hannah gave birth to Robert Richards Vile in 1841 and Phoebe Vile in 1844. Hannah’s father
GGGGF Robert Symes Richards b1781 died later that year and in 1847 daughter Susan Vile was born.
In 1849 the couple took the huge step of deciding to migrate to the Colony of NSW (Australia). On 8 Jan 1849 the family set sail on the ‘Lady Amherst’ and arrived in Port Jackson on the 21 May 1849. There were William Vile 34 shoemaker and Hannah Vile nee Richards 33 dressmaker, with their children Ann 15 nursemaid, Emma 12, Harriet 10, Robert 8, Phoebe 5 and Susan 2. They listed their religion as Wesleyan. (The children had been baptised in the Wesleyan Chapel at Martock.) Both parents and most of the children could read and write. A factor that may have made the decision to migrate easier (it was usually a one way trip), was that both William’s (
GGGGGP John & Mary Vile nee Willy) and Hannah’s parents (
GGGGGP Robert & Hannah Richards nee White) were deceased.
William and Hannah wrote on the ship’s passenger list that they had no relatives living in the colony, but they did have other relatives on the ship. William’s niece
Mary Bisgrove nee Vile and her husband
Jacob Bisgrove were also sailing to Australia, following in the steps of
Jacob’s sister Charlotte, who had done so eight years earlier. As they all came from KE they must have known each other at least to some extent. Their life in Australia is covered more fully in Chapter 111.7.
On 12 Oct 1871 Hannah Vile nee Richards succumbed to tuberculosis and died at the age of 58. She was buried on 14 Oct 1871 in the Oakhampton Cemetery with daughter Ann and sons John and William Vile.
Her husband William Vile became a successful pioneer wine maker in the Hunter Valley and died in 1907 at Maitland, NSW. (see 111.7)
118.7 Phoebe Richards (1816-1882) & John Savidge
 |
| Baptisms KE 1816 |
Phoebe was born in 1816 and baptised on 17 Mar 1816 St Martin's KE by parents
Robert and Hannah Richards nee White.
At the age of 34 Phoebe married butcher John Savidge on 10 Dec 1850 at KE. The fathers of the couple were Benjamin Savidge, butcher and
Robert Richards, butcher. Perhaps the couple met through their father's working together. Witnesses at the wedding were Robert and Eliza Besgrove. Robert Besgrove b1812 had married Eliza Withy b1814 in 1835. He was the son of Robert Besgrove b1789 and Martha Besgrove b1784 and grandson of Robert Besgrove c1756 and Ann Priddle b1765. People in this ancestral line were distantly related to
GGGF Jacob Bisgrove b1822 who married Phoebe's niece
GGGM Mary Vile (daughter of
GGGGM Ann Vile nee Richards)
John and Phoebe had four known children named Mary Lucy Savidge 1852-1931, John Richards Savidge 1855-1925, Hannah White Savidge 1856-? and Benjamin Savidge 1858-1877. Apart from the first child's names, all Christian names were chosen to honour the parents and grandparents.
 |
| 1861 Census Kingsbury Episcopi |
In 1861 John Savidge 35 year old butcher and Phoebe Savidge were living in Kingsbury Episcopi with their four children; Mary Savidge 10, John Savidge 6, Hannah Savidge 4 and Benjamin Savidge 3. In 1871 the family were living at 29 Silver St, which may have been the location of their shop.
 |
| 1881 Census Kingsbury Episcopi |
By 1881 the family was living in the butcher's shop in the village. John 50 was still working as a butcher and living with Phoebe 54 and daughters Mary 27 and Hannah 22, who assisted in the shop.
 |
| Burials Kingsbury Episcopi 1882 |
Phoebe Savidge nee Richards died in 1882 aged 63 (really 66). She was buried in Kingsbury Episcopi on 13 Jun 1882. John Savidge died in 1905 aged 79.
119.0 GGGGGGF Robert Richards (c1725-1804) & Elizabeth Unknown (c1730-1778)
GGGGGGP Robert Richards was born around 1725. No baptism record has been found for
Robert or his siblings. He was most likely the first born son and was probably named after his father. His year of birth is a guess based on his likely age at the time of other life events. For example, the early to mid twenties was the most common age for men to get married and children usually arrived the next year and at regular intervals after that.
 |
| Apprentice Indentures Barrington 1736: Robert Richards, butcher |
There is an apprentice Indenture Record dated 17 Jul 1736, for Robert Richards, apprenticed to William Haggett, butcher of Barrington (died with a will in 1754) at Barrington. William's wife Elizabeth Haggett died in 1749. The Apprentice record is significant, because other records confirm that
Robert's descendants (including his son
Robert) were butchers; a Mary Haggett married Robert's brother, Thomas Richards around 1746, and Thomas Richard's descendants had property interests in Barrington. This could be the earliest record relating to
GGGGGGF Robert Richards. Barrington was less than five miles from KE and early members of the Richards family may have originated there.
NOTE: The mean age for apprentices in the early 1700's was 14. According to this record,
Robert may have been born in the early 1720's.
No record has been found for his marriage, but it appears he married a woman named Elizabeth around 1752 (in his late twenties). This has been determined from the baptism records of some his known children, who were Priscilla Richards 1753-1827, Ann Richards 1760-1819, Hannah Richards 1762-1803, Robert Richards 1763-1766, Samuel Richards 1765-1766 and Mary Richards 1770-1852. It appears that Elizabeth gave birth to no other children after 1770. We can assume she was around forty at this time, which would mean she was born c1730 and was a few years younger than her husband.
Tragically sons Robert and Samuel Richards both died whilst they were young children. They were buried together at KE in 1766. Only the four daughters
survived to be adults. (See below)
 |
| Burials KE 1778: Robert's first wife, Elizabeth Richards, was buried in Kingsbury Episcopi on 13 Mar 1778 |
As the above record indicates,
Robert's first wife died at Kingsbury Episcopi in Mar 1778 and was probably in her forties. During the second half of the 1770's, two babies were born to
Robert's second wife to be, single woman
Joan Symes. It is possible that
Robert c1725 fathered these two boys, especially since one of them was given his Christian name. (
Robert's first son by his first wife had been named Robert, but he died in 1766).
 |
| Note about Baptisms at Middle Lambrook |
The above note about Jephtha Willy and baptisms at Middle Lambrook from the 'Ancestry Page of William Archerd' probably explains why so many baptism and marriage records relating to the Willy and Richards families in the 1700's cannot be found. See 121.0 for information about
Robert's married life with his second wife
Joan Symes.
120.0 Six Children of GGGGGGF Robert Richards (c1725-1804) & Elizabeth Unknown (c1730-1778)
Robert Richards married a
woman named Elizabeth around 1752. This has been
determined from the baptism records of his children (see below).
120.1 Priscilla Richards (1753-1827) & Samuel Clark
No baptism record has been found, but her death registration confirms a birth year of 1753. On 3 Jan 1782 Priscilla's younger sister Ann Richards married William Bradford at KE. One of the witnesses at that wedding was Samuel Clark, who married Priscilla 18 days later.
 |
| Marriages South Petherton 1782 |
In her late twenties, Priscilla Richards married Samuel Clark 22 (b1760), on 21 Jan 1782 at South Petherton. The witnesses were brother-in-laws Jephtha Willy, who married sister Hannah Richards in 1783, and William Bradford, who had married sister Ann Richards 18 days earlier.
 |
| Baptisms South Petherton 1788: Sarah Clark |
 |
| Baptisms South Petherton 1790; Hannah Clark |
Samuel and Priscilla seemed to have settled in South Petherton. Children Sarah Clark 1788 and Hannah Clark 1790-1855 (baptisms above) were born over the next few years. Priscilla was in her late thirties when she had her last child. Samuel Clark died at the age of 64 at South Petherton and was buried on 11 Jan 1824.
 |
| Burials Kingsbury Episcopi 1827 |
Priscilla Clarke nee Richards died three years after her husband, at the age of 74 (b1753). She was buried at Kingsbury Episcopi on 15 Sep 1827.
120.2 Ann Richards (1760-1819) & William Bradford c1750
No baptism record has been found but other records indicate a birth in 1760.
 |
| Marriages Kingsbury Episcopi 1782 |
At the age of 21 Ann Richards married William Bradford at KE on 3 Jan 1782. This was just 18 days before her older sister married Samuel Clark. Future brother-in-law Samuel Clark was one of the witnesses at Ann's wedding. All parties signed their names.
William and Ann Bradford nee Richards had five known children; Hannah
Bradford 1783-1867, Elizabeth Bradford 1785-1816, Job Bradford
1789-1872, Isaac Bradford 1793-1862 and William Bradford 1801-1856. No
baptism registrations have been found for the children, but most later
named Kingsbury Episcopi as their place of birth on census documents.
 |
| https://www.thebradfordsgroup.co.uk/who-we-are/our-history/ |
The above extract from The Bradford Group Website is the only solid link tying our branch of the Richards Family to the Richards Family of Stapleton. It confirms that these two Richards families had a common ancestor. However it nominates
"William Richards the Lord of the Manor at Stapleton in 1650" as Ann's grandfather. I have found no records to support this contention and my research suggests her grandfather was Thomas Richards c1695. Other multiple records indicate that the Richards family did not acquire Stapleton until 1796! Further research may throw light on this.
 |
| Bradford family History from the Ancestry Web site of 'BarryBaker193' |
The two extracts above provide information about Ann's life and her involvement in running the business started by her husband, William Bradford. In particular she took over running the business when her husband died in 1806, assisted by her son Job Bradford. The first article also informs us that Ann's husband was born in 1750 and lived at Thorney, near Bladon House, which is often nominated as the home of our Richards ancestors.
NOTE: The Bradford Group's early commercial interest was in quarrying, but eventually they broadened their activities to include a wide range of building supplies and they still operate today.
 |
| Burials Kingsbury Episcopi 1806 |
William Bradford died in 1806 and was buried at Kingsbury Episcopi on 29 Nov 1806. Ann Bradford is said to have died in 1819, but no death registration has been found.
120.2a Job Bradford
(1789-1872) & Billah Male (1799-1880)
No baptism record has been found, but later census documents indicate a birth in 1789. Job's father William Bradford, died in 1806 and as a young man Job helped his mother run the family business, which he eventually took over.
At the age of 35, Job married his cousin Billah Male 24 (daughter of his mother's sister Mary Male nee Richards; see 120.6). The minister must have been unsure of Billah's name because that space was left blank, but she did sign her name.
 |
| Bradford family History from the Ancestry Web site of 'BarryBaker193'. NOTE Marriage was 26 Nov 1824, NOT 1825 |
Job and Billah were married at the end of 1824 (not 1825), but apparently within a year or two moved back to her parent's home for a few months. There was dispute about the family business and Billah was unhappy with her brother-in-law; either Isaac or more likely William Bradford,
 |
| Bradford family History from the Ancestry Web site of 'BarryBaker193' |
Jabez was the second baby (first son) to arrive (in 1827) and Job and Billah decided they needed a bigger house. While it was being built, they moved back in with 'grandfather' (on the Male side?) in Kingsbury Episcopi.
Job and Billah Bradford nee Male had ten children; Anne Bradford 1825–1851, Jabez Bradford 1827–1897, Anna Bradford 1828–1882, Job Bradford Jr 1831–1918, John Wesley Bradford 1833–1922, Ellen Mary Bradford 1835–1917, William Theophilus Bradford 1836–1912, Mary Richards Bradford 1838–1904, Watson Bradford 1839–1842 and Dorcas Maria Bradford 1841–1914. The children were baptised at the Wesleyan Chapel at South Petherton.
 |
| Bradford family History from the Ancestry Web site of 'BarryBaker193' |
Apart from adding to our knowledge about Job's family, the above paragraph provides some important information about life in Somerset in the mid 1800's. Agriculture was in decline and poor people especially, found their living conditions were intolerable. In many cases people found it hard to put food on the table and the general health of people suffered. As a result of these conditions, many people ( both rich and poor) in Somerset migrated overseas. The two main destinations were the US and Australia. The latter was providing free passage to potential settlers, and was particularly popular among those without land such as labourers. Our Bisgrove and Vile Ancestors were among those that leapt at the chance to make a new life for themselves in Australia. Many of our Richards ancestors on the other hand, could afford to pay for passage to the US, where they built a new life for themselves. The above passage also tells us that the Bradfords, like many members of the independent churches, took their social responsibility seriously, and used their business success to generate employment and better living conditions for their workers. Grandfather in this passage was probably referring to Job Bradford.
In 1835 Job paid 276 pounds to lease one acre adjacent to the River Parrett for his coal storage yard. This allowed the coal to be loaded/unloaded from barges on the river.
 |
| Census 1841 Thorney, Kingsbury Episcopi: Job Bradford 50 year old merchant listed on preceding page |
In 1841 Job Bradford 50 and wife Billah 40 were listed as merchants living in Thorney with seven children and one servant.
 |
| Census 1851 Thorney, Kingsbury Episcopi: Job Bradford merchant & farmer |
In 1851, Job Bradford 50 and wife Billah 40 were listed as merchants and farmers of 110 acres living in Thorney with five children, a niece and three servants. A decade later in 1861, the family were still in Thorney, but Job and Billah were listed as coal merchants.
 |
| Bradford family History from the Ancestry Web site of 'barrybaker1958 |
In 1855, daughter Ellen Bradford married Thomas Trew at KE, and father Job Bradford did not arttend the ceremony.
 |
| Census 1871 Kingsbury Episcopi: Job Bradford retired merchant & land owner |
Job 83 had retired by 1871. Job and Billah were living with 38 year old unmarried son, John Wesley Bradford, who had taken over the family business and was listed as a corn merchant and farmer employing 8 men and two boys on his 110 acre farm.
 |
| Probate for the will of Job Bradford granted in 1872: Effects valued under 4000 pounds |
Job Bradford died 16 Sep 1872. Billah Bradford nee Male died in early 1880 aged 79, with the death registered at Langport.
The Children of Job and Billah Bradford nee Male
 |
| Bradford Family History from the Ancestry Web site of 'barrybaker1985'. NOTE: Grandfather= Job Bradford |
Various parts of the Bradford business were taken over by Job's sons when he retired. The many extracts replicated above come from the Ancestry.com website of 'barrybaker1985' .There are many more anecdotes relating to members of the Bradford family to be found there.
120.2b Isaac Bradford (1792-1862) & Sarah Taylor
 |
| Note from Ancestry.com message board |
The above note from Ancestry.com message board relating to Ann's son Isaac gives a clue as to why some people seem to disappear from historical records; often they migrated overseas. Perhaps Ann Bradford nee Richards moved to the US with one or more of her children!
120.2c William Bradford and his Ancestors
 |
| Bradford family History from the Ancestry Web site of 'BarryBaker193' |
120.3 Hannah Richards
(1762-1803) & Jephtha Willy
No baptism record has been found, but other records indicate a birth around 1762. In 1782 Hannah's sister Priscilla was married and one of the witnesses was Jepththa Willy. Soon after Jephtha proposed to Hannah Richards.
 |
| Marriages KE 1783 |
At the age of 21 Hannah Richards married Jephtha Willy 47 (from age at death, b1736), butcher, at Kingsbury Episcopi on 27 Aug 1783. One of the witnesses was Ambrose Willy. All parties signed their names. On the same day in the same church, Ambrose Willy was a witness when Arthur White married Jemima Willy. The Willys, Whites and Richards are all in our extended family tree (see diagram).
The couple had at least one son named Samuel, born around 1786, but no baptism record has been found. Jephtha was an executor named in his father-in-law's will written in 1791 (long before
Robert's death in 1804).
 |
| Dudmore House, Kingsbury Episcopi |
 |
| From Ancestry File of William Archerd |
Jephtha and Hannah Willy nee Richards may have lived in a house named 'Dudmore' (aka Dudmoor) in Kingsbury Episcopi at least in the early 1800's. Today Dudmore House, on the corner of Dudmore and Folly Rds, operates as a B&B. The house is a listed historic building dating from the 17th century and is about a half mile from Bladon House (another building associated with the Richard's family)
 |
| Burials KE 1803 (Parish Record): Burial of Hannah Willy |
 |
| Gravestone Inscription for Jephtha & Hannah Willy nee Richards |
 |
| Burials KE 1812 (Parish Record) Bottom Entry: burial of Jephtha Willy, butcher |
Hannah Willy nee Richards died in her early forties and was buried in KE on 18 Jun 1803. Her husband Jephtha died aged 50 and was buried on 22 Jan 1812 and son Samuel aged 24, was buried on 21 Nov 1810 (See Below).
 |
| Note on the Ancestry.com Website of William Archerd re Jephtha Willy's will |
Jephtha Willy's will indicates he was well off and owned several parcels of land. People mentioned in the will include daughter-in-law Elizabeth Willy nee Bradford and grandson Jephtha Willy (see below).
NOTE: This branch of the Willy family had more than its share of tragedy. Hannah Willy nee Richards died at the age of 41, her husband Jephtha was 50 when he died, their only son died at the age of 24 and his son died at the age of 45 after a fall from a horse.
120.3a Samuel Willy (1786-1810)
Samuel was the only son of Jephtha and Hannah Willy nee Richards. He was born around 1786, but no baptism record has been found.
At the age of 21 Samuel married his cousin Elizabeth Bradford at KE on 16 Dec 1807. Elizabeth was the daughter of Samuel's aunt, Ann Bradford nee Willy. In 1809 Samuel and Elizabeth had their first and only child, who they named Jephtha after his grandfather. Tragically Samuel Willy died in 1810 at the age of 24, then two years later, his father Jephtha Willy passed away aged 50.
120.3b Jephtha Willy (1809-1854)
Jephtha Willy was the only child of Samuel and Elizabeth Willy nee Bradford born in 1809. Tragically his father Samuel died when he was one year old in 1810. In 1812 Jephtha's grandfather died leaving Jephtha a sizeable inheritance held in trust for him until he reached 21. Three years after his father's death Jeptha's mother, Elizabeth Willy nee Bradford,
married George Taylor. Son Jephtha apparently was left in the care of
his Bradford uncles, who were millers running Thorney Mill.
At the age of 22, Jeptha Willy farmer, married Susan Gillet on 20 Sep 1831 at Kingsbury Episcopi. The following year they had their first son, who was named Samuel after his grandfather. Son Samuel Richards Willy was baptised at Kingsbury Episcopi on 19 Ag 1832.
At the time of the 1841 census, Jephtha and his family were farming Burrow Farm. They had three servants to help run the household.
The 1851 census provides more information about the farm. It covered 160 acres and Jephtha employed 11 labourers to help run the business.
 |
| Letter from Samuel Richards Willy to Jephtha Willy from https://www.facebook.com/kingsburytimetravellers/posts/ |
Jeptha's eldest son Samuel Richards Willy b1832 migrated to the US and in 1850 wrote a letter to his father Jeptha who remaned in KE. The above article about the letter includes more information about Jephtha and his family including the fact that Jeptha b1809 died after a fall from a horse in 1854.
120.4 Robert Richards (1763-1766)
Tragically sons Samuel and Robert Richards died in 1766, and were buried together on 26 Sep 1766. The cause of death was most likely an accident or possibly an infectious disease. (See below)
120.5 Samuel Richards (1765-1766)
 |
| Burials KE 1766 |
Tragically sons Samuel and Robert Richards died in 1766, and were buried together on 26 Sep 1766. The cause of death was most likely an accident or possibly an infectious disease.
120.6 Mary Richards (1770-1852) & John Male
 |
| Baptisms 1770 Kingsbury Episcopi |
Mary Richards was born to Robert and Elizabeth Richards, after the birth of two sons (who both died young). She was baptised at KE in Apr 1770. At the age of 19 Mary Richards eloped to Bath with her beau John Male, because her father had forbidden their marriage.
 |
| Marriage Allegation: John Male of the city of Bath & Charles Louch of the Parish of Curry Rivel 9 Dec 1789 |
On 9 Dec 1789, John Male and his friend Charles Louch from Curry Rivel (near Kingsbury Episcopi), who were residing in Bath, signed a 'Marriage Bond' that committed John to marrying Mary Richards.
 |
| Marriages Bath 1789 |
On 10 Dec 1789 Mary Richards, 19 year old spinster, married John Male, bachelor. No family members witnessed the wedding, probably because it was held forty miles from where the Richards family lived. All parties signed their names.
 |
| Extract from the Ancestry.com page of barrybaker1958 |
The above extract from an Ancestry.com page explains why Mary Richards was married forty miles from her home, with none of her family in attendance. It is also interesting to note that her father was
'violently opposed' to her choice in partners. This was a decade after Mary and her three sisters
'violently opposed' the marriage of their father to servant girl Joan Symes
. (See 121.0). It seems that these members of the Richards family were very strong minded, and felt the need to pass judgement on the life choices of their loved ones.
 |
| Extract from the Ancestry.com page of barrybaker1958 |
John and Mary Male nee Richards moved back to Burrow Hill, Kingsbury Episcopi in the early 1800's. Children born to the couple were John Male 1801 (from census), Mary Male 1807 (from census), Robert Male 1809, Eleanor Male 1811 and Caroline Male b1813 (but baptised 1814). More children were born to the couple in the 1790's, but no baptism registrations have been found. Elizabeth Male was born c1789 and died in 1790, Richard Male was possibly their first son c1794, and he died in 1797, Billah Male was born c1796 but died in 1797. A second daughter named Billah Male was probably born in 1799. (She later married her cousin Job Bradford.) Mary Male nee Richards would have been 43, when she had her last child in 1813.
 |
| Baptisms Martock 1809 |
Robert Male was born 4 Apr 1809 and baptised on 14 May 1809 at the
Independent Chuch at Martock. The father wasa listed as butcher, John Male, and the family
were living at West Lambrook.
 |
| Baptisms Independent Church Martock 1811 |
The above baptism record for Eleanor Male confirms that her father was a
butcher, the family lived at Higher Burrow in the tithing of
'Lake' and that the family attended the Independent Church at
Martock.
 |
| Extract from the Ancestry.com page of barrybaker1958 |
Around 1816 the Male family returned to Lambrook. Again we learn something about the nature of Mary Male nee Richard's character.
 |
| Extract from the Ancestry.com page of barrybaker1958. NOTE: 1918 should read 1818 |
The above extract from the Richards Family History (
date should read 1818) provides additional insight into the character of Mary Male nee Richards. The last sentence seems to have also applied to Mary's sisters and her father.
NOTE: Job Bradford's mother was Ann Bradford nee Richards; the sister of Mary Male nee Richards; see 120.2.
 |
| 1841 Census West Lambrook, Kingsbury Episcopi |
By 1841, John 70 year old farmer, and Mary Male nee Richards 70 were living at West Lambrook with the following; John Male 40, 'reliving officer', Mary Male 30, Robert Male 39, Eleanor Male 25 and Caroline Male 25. Ages were rounded down.
 |
| Burials KE 1843 |
John Male of West Lambrook died at the age of 76 in 1843. He was buried at KE on 8 Dec 1843.
 |
| 1851 Census West Lambrook, Kingsbury Episcopi |
In 1851 the widowed Mary Male nee Richards was still living on the family farm in West Lambrook. She was listed as head of the household and employed 6 men and 4 boys to help run the farm. Living with her (and probably running the farm too) were unmarried children; John Male 50 'reliving? officer', Robert Male 39, Eleanor Male 37, Caroline Male 33 and one servant.
 |
| Burials Kingsbury Episcopi 1852 |
Mary Male nee Richards died at home in West Lambrook at the age of 82 and was buried next to her husband in KE on 27 Mar 1852.
120.6a Billah Male (1799-?) & Job Bradford
No baptism record has been found for Billah Male, the second daughter of John and Mary Male nee Richards with that name. However later census documents indicate a birth around 1799.
At the age of 25 Billah Male married her cousin Job (son of his
mother's sister Ann Bradford nee Richards c1800; see 120.2). The minister
must have been unsure of Billah's name because that space was left
blank, but she did sign her name. One of the witnesses was Billah's brother John Male b1801.
For more information about the married life and descendants of Job and Billah Male nee Richards see 120.2a
121.0 GGGGGGP Robert Richards (c1725-1804) & Joan Symes (c1758-1781)
No baptism registration for
Robert Richards c1725 has been found, but other records suggest a birth in the early to mid 1720's.
Robert married his first wife (Elizabeth unknown) in the 1750's but sadly she died after giving birth to six children, in March 1778 (See 119.0).
There is also no baptism record for
GGGGGGM Joan Symes. This may be because she was born at about the same time as
Robert in KE and her baptism record is also 'lost', or she may have been born elsewhere. There is a baptism record for
Jane Syms at Somerton (a few miles from KE) in Aug 1758.
Joan and her family were illiterate and the minister may have made a mistake with her Christian name.
In her late teens
Joan became pregnant twice and had two sons; William Symes (born when
Joan was in her late teens) and
Robert Symes (born when
Joan was about 20).
 |
| Baptisms Kingsbury Episcopi 1775: William base born son of Joan Symes baptised 25 Feb 1775 |
The baptism of William Symes (base born son of
unmarried woman
Joan Symes) on 25 Feb 1775 confirms what
Robert b1804 states
in his will (that sons William and
Robert were born illegitimately; see will below).
Although no baptism registration has been found for
Robert Symes
Richards, he was very likely born in 1777 or 1778, prior to his mother
Joan's marriage to
Robert Richards in Dec 1779.
 |
| Extract from the Ancestry.com page of barrybaker1958 |
The above extract is a Richards family account relating to the marriage of
GGGGGGF Robert Richard to
GGGGGGM Joan Symes. There are some inconsistencies with the known facts in records, but these could be due to failing memories with the passing of time and/or a desire to minimise scandal.
Taking all information into account, it seems that after
Robert's first wife's death in Mar 1778,
Robert was lonely and struck up a friendship with his servant girl
Joan Symes.
Joan had possibly worked for the family for some time and was in her late teens. At the age of 18 three years earlier, she had given birth to an illegitimate son named William Symes. This child may or may not have been fathered by
Robert, but he did accept him as his own son later on.
At this time (1778)
Robert had four surviving children, all unmarried daughters. They ranged in age from Mary 8, up to Priscilla 25.
Robert's first two sons, including one named Robert, had died a decade earlier and
Robert would have been keen to father a male heir named after himself. Servant girl
Joan fell pregnant a second time and gave birth to another son, who she named
Robert (Symes). This son was very likely fathered by
GGGGGGF Robert. In fact he specifically confirmed that in his will. The fact that no baptism registration has been found for
Robert Symes Richards may relate to the friction in the family between
Robert's daughters and his second wife.
As the extract above says, the four daughters from the first marriage disapproved of their father's relationship and did their best to block it, no doubt by persuasion at first, and then by physical means when that failed. The suggestion that the son was born after the wedding was probably introduced to avoid acknowledging an illegitimate birth in the family, which in those days was frowned upon. The daughters' attitudes about what class of person would make a suitable partner for their father was demonstrated through their own marriages. All four daughters married 'well-to-do ' men of the 'landed class'. The family probably 'looked down' at
Joan, because she was from the 'working class' and uneducated in that she could not read or write (sign her name).
 |
| Marriages Kingsbury Episcopi 1779 |
Robert Richards yeoman in his forties, married
GGGGGGM Joan Symes 21, spinster, on 22
Dec 1779 at KE.
Joan was a single mother with two young children, and
Robert may have fathered one or both of those children. One of the witnesses at the wedding was Rachel Snell. None of his daughters were witnesses and may not have even attended the wedding. All parties apart from
Joan signed their names.
Robert and Joan raised at least three children; the first two born out of wedlock. They were William Symes (surname later Richards) b1775,
GGGGGF Robert
Symes Richards c1778 (See 122.0) and Rachel Richards baptised 2 Jan 1780 (married John Baker in 1803).
 |
| Burials Kingsbury Episcopi 1781 |
Sadly
GGGGGGM Joan Richards nee Symes 23 died in 1781 and was buried on 21 Nov 1781 at Kingsbury Episcopi.
Joan was buried at the same time as James Richards, who was possibly related to her husband. After his wife's death,
Robert Richards , widowed farmer, was once again left with young children to care for. The children were William 6, Robert 3 and Rachel 1.
 |
| Marriages Martock, 1791 |
In his sixties,
Robert Symes Richards, widower, married Mary Andrews from Coat, also in her sixties and probably a widow. The ceremony took place in Martock and all parties signed their names. Witnesses were son-in-law Jephtha Willy (See 120.3) and William Burford (This is likely to have been a son-in-law William Bradford; see 120.2). Later, Jephtha Willy was one of the executors of
Robert's will.
 |
| Burials Kingsbury Episcopi 1804 |
GGGGGGM Robert Richards died in his seventies in 1804, and was buried in Kingsbury Episcopi on 25 May 1804.
Robert Richards was quite wealthy when he died and left a will which throws some light on his family members.
 |
| The Will of Robert Richards proved 1804: "I Robert Richards of KE ..... yeoman do make my last will & testament ....." |
In his hard to read and very detailed will,
Robert identifies his three children (from his second marriage) and also other people who were close to him. The will includes the following,
"William Richards and Robert Richards natural children of my last deceased wife.... which she had before our marriage with me, and to my daughter Rachel Richards, for their private .... education .... until they shall respectively attain their ages of twenty-one years ". Later in the will the sons are listed along with daughter Rachel Richards as beneficiaries, with their inheritance held in trust until they
"attain the age of twenty-one". The will appears to have been written on 1 Apr 1791 (well before
Robert's death), when the age of son William was 16, son Robert was 13 and daughter Rachel was 11. The use of the words
"last deceased wife" is referring to his second and earlier wife (Joan), prior to his third and current wife.
In his will,
Robert Richard's also mentioned the following people:-
- William Ball of Ash, Martock gentleman executor of the will
- Jeptha Willy butcher of KE, executor of the will; married to Hannah Richards b1762, daughter from Richard's first marriage
- John Baker junior, who married Robert's daughter Rachel Richards in 1803
- Mary Andrews of Coat, Martock spinster "between whom and myself a marriage is now intended..." In a codicil written the following year Robert confirmed that Mary Andrews became his wife.
In a codicil
Robert also stated
"I do hereby give unto Mary my wife for her own use, all.... at my demise ... and also all my household goods and furniture". Dated and witnessed 18 June 1802.
The will was proved 10 Oct 1804.
NOTE: The will does not seem to mention Robert's youngest and eldest daughters Mary Male nee Richards (Robert opposed her marriage) and Priscilla Clark nee Richards.
 |
| Burials Martock 1814 |
Mary Richards nee Andrews died at the age of 82 at Stapleton, Martock, just 2 miles from KE. She was buried at Martock on 14 Nov 1814.
122.0 Three Children of GGGGGGP Robert Richards (1725-1804) & Joan Symes (c1758-1781)
Robert Richards yeoman in his fifties, married
GGGGGGM Joan Symes 21, spinster, on 22 Dec 1779 at KE.
Joan was a single mother with two young children, and
Robert c1725 may have fathered one or both of those children.
122.1 William Symes Richards (1775-1850) & 2 Wives
 |
| Baptisms KE 1775 |
William Symes was born to single woman
Joan Symes and baptised with her surname at KE on 5 Feb 1775. Although his father is unknown, it may have been
Robert Richards c1725, who
Joan later married. If this is so,
Joan was in her late teens at the time of William's birth. No other records confirm William's baptised name. Unlike his younger brother, for the rest of his life William went by the surname Richards.
 |
| Marriages KE 1796 |
William Richards, 21 year old husbandman (farmer) married Ann Edwards 22 on 21 May 1796. Strangely, William was not able to sign his name, but Ann and the witnesses did sign. William and Ann Richards nee Edwards had four children; Mary Richards 1797, Robert Richards 1799-1870, Samuel Richards 1801 and Joan Richards 1802. Two of their children were named after William's parents. Sadly Ann Richards nee Edwards died and was buried at KE on 30 Mar 1803
 |
| Marriages KE 1803 |
Three months later, the widowed William married Hannah Chappel on 2 July 1803. Once again William did not sign his name. Three more children were born to William; named Elizabeth Richards 1807, Ann Richards 1809 and Rhoda Richards 1815.
 |
| Census KE 1841 |
In 1841 William Richards, farmer, and Hannah Richards nee Chappel were living at 'Cross' in Kingsbury Episcopi. In this census, ages were rounded down. Daughters Ann and Rhoda 26 were still living at home. Rhoda's age was correct, but Ann was listed as 29, when she was actually 34.
 |
| Burials Kingsbury Episcopi 1850 |
William Richards died at the age of 76 and was buried in Kingsbury Episcopi on 24 May 1850. His wife Hannah Richards nee Chappel died two years later and was buried at KE on 7 Apr 1852.
122.1a Rhoda Richards 1815-1900 & William Bradford b1801
 |
| Marriages KE 1843 |
William Richards daughter, Rhoda Richards b1815, married farmer William Bradford b1801 on 10 Jan 1843. William Bradford was the son of Rhoda's father's stepsister, Ann Richards b1760 and William Bradford b1758. Rhoda's sister Ann Richards b1807 was a witness at the wedding. The fathers of the couple, William Bradford b1758 and William Richards b1775 were both listed as farmers.
Kelly’s Kingsbury Episcopi Directory 1875, listed significant people involved in commerce in the town including Rhoda Bradford, Bladon Farm. Rhoda would have inherited Bladon Farm.
122.1b Samuel Richards (1801-1875) & Elizabeth Richards
 |
| Baptisms KE 1801 |
Samuel was baptised in KE on 17 May 1801 by parents William Symes Richards and Ann Richards nee Edwards. He was named after his step uncle Samuel Richards b1765.
Samuel fell in live with his cousin Elizabeth Richards b1802 (their fathers were brothers). Samuel and Elizabeth were married in KE on 1 Jul 1823. Witnesses were two men named Robert Richards (Samuel's brother and Elizabeth's father) and Hannah Baker (a cousin; daughter of aunt Rachel Richards). All parties signed their names. See 118.1 for more information about their married lives.
122.2 GGGGGF Robert Symes Richards (c1778-1844)
Robert Symes Richards was born to single woman
Joan Symes and baptised with
her surname at KE c1778. Although no baptism record has been found and his father is unknown, he may have been the natural son of
GGGGGGF Robert Richards c1725, who
Joan married the following year. Other documents verify that
Robert retained the Symes surname as his middle name in later life,
GGGGGF Robert Symes Richards 23 year old butcher (c1778), married
GGGGGM Hannah White in 1801 and they went on to have seven children. They lived in the Kingsbury Escopi area for the rest of their lives.
Hannah died in 1830 and
Robert died in 1844. See 117.1 for more details about
Robert and Hannah's life.
122.3 Rachel Richards (1780-1858) & John Baker
 |
| Baptisms Kingsbury Episcopi 1780 |
Rachel was the third child born to
GGGGGM Joan Symes, but the first after her mother married
GGGGGGF Robert Richards in 1779. Rachel was baptised on 6 Jan 1780, just a few weeks after her parent's marriage in Dec 1779.
 |
| Marriages Kingsbury Episcopi 1803 |
At the age of 21, Rachel, along with family friend John Baker, were witnesses at brother
GGGGF Robert's wedding in 1801. Two years later on 15 Mar 1803, Rachel married John Baker. All parties signed the marriage registration. John and Rachel settled at East Lambrook and attended church there. The following children, apart from William, were baptised there; Hannah Baker Dec 1803, Amos Baker 1808, Elizabeth Baker 1813, Ann Baker 1815, William Baker 1818, Robert Baker 1821 and George Baker 1824. From the time of the birth of son Robert Baker, John's occupation was described as 'yeoman' (farmer) in the baptism record, which suggests that he had managed to acquire at least a small farm.
Daughter Hannah Baker married John Hawker in 1824 and witnesses included her two cousins Joan Richards b1892 and Robert Richards b1799 (children of her uncle William Symes Richards).
 |
| 1841 Census Kingsbury Episcopi |
In 1841 John Baker ag lab 65 and Rachel Baker nee Richards were living at East Lambrook with son John Baker 30 ag lab.
 |
| 1851 Census; Cambridge Rd Bethnal Green |
By 1851 John Baker 76 year old farmer and Rachel Baker 71 had retired and moved to London to live with their youngest son George Baker 26, a baker by trade. Also in the house were daughter Elizabeth Baker 35 (really 38) year old shop woman and unmarried Amos Baker 20 journeyman.
John Baker died at the age of 79 in 1853 (his residence was given as Bethnall Green) and was buried at Kingsbury Episcopi on 16 Mar 1853.
 |
| Burials Kingsbury Episcopi 1858. Rachel was buried in KE but her residence had been in London. |
Rachel Baker nee Richards was buried in Kingsbury Episcopi on 16 Dec 1858. Up until near the time of her death she had lived in London.
123.0 Ancestors of GGGGGGP Robert Richards (c1725-1804)
The ancestors of
Robert Richards c1725 cannot be determined with certainty from the few records that are available. The following information includes members of the broader Richards family living near Kingsbury Episcopi in the 1700's. They were probably related to
Robert, but the nature of that relationship is yet to be confirmed.
As explained below
GGGGGGF Robert Richards c1725 was possibly a son of
GGGGGGGP Thomas (c1695) and
Mary Richards nee Bristow (c1696).
Robert's branch of the family prospered and male descendants often took up the occupations of farmers and butchers. They acquired properties and often ended up as notable people in their communities.
Robert's brother Thomas Richards c1720 was probably the older brother and as such would have inherited the bulk of his father's estate. He and his surviving children also did very well in life, and the chapters below look at his possible descendants. They were associated with several historic properties including Stapleton Manor.
123.1 GGGGGGGP Thomas Richards (c1695-?) & Mary Bristow (1696-?)
An early ancestor of many
members of the Richard’s family in KE was
Thomas Richards who was born
in the mid 1690's. Records indicate three possible locations for his birth; Kingsbury Episcopi, Barrington and Evershot, Dorset (unlikely). At some stage
Thomas met his future wife,
Mary, in Kingsbury Episcopi, which was 17 miles away from Evershot.
 |
| Baptisms KE 1696 |
Mary Bristow/Bristoll was born at KE on 17 Feb 1696 and baptised there on 14 Mar 1696. Her parents were
Stephen and Mary Bristoll.
 |
| Marriages Kingsbury Episcopi 28 Jan 1715/1716 |
At the age of 21,
Thomas Richards married
Mary Bristow/Bristoll b1696 at KE on 28 Jan 1716. Their children would have been born between 1716 and 1740.
GGGGGGF Robert Richards c1725 was possibly a son of
Thomas and Mary Richards nee Bristow. He may have had a brother named Thomas Richards c1720, who was born before him, named after his father and as the eldest son, probably inherited most of the family assets.
 |
| Burials Kingsbury Episcopi 1786 |
As the record above shows,
Thomas Richards c1695
possibly died at KE in 1786 and was buried in Kingsbury Episcopi on 26 Jan 1786 and left a detailed will. If this was
Thomas c1695, he was in his nineties when he died, making this possibility
unlikely. On the other hand, Thomas, who died in 1786, may have been a son of Thomas c1695, also named Thomas (c1720). The fact that
Robert c1725 was not mentioned in the will (see below), supports the contention that the will was written by Thomas c1720 and that
Robert c1725 was his brother.
123.2 Thomas Richards (c1720-1786?) & Mary Haggett (1722-?)
The existence of Thomas c1720 is a guess at this stage, as no records, apart from death records and a will from 1786, indicate he existed (as explained above). He was possibly a brother to
GGGGGGF Robert Richards c1725. Thomas may have married Mary Haggett around 1750, but no marriage registration has been found. The 1786 will lists his wife as Mary Richards (nee Unknown).
 |
| Baptisms Somerton, KE 1722 |
Mary Haggett was born about 8 miles from KE at Somerton (12 miles from Barrington) in 1722 to parents Thomas and Suzanne Haggett. Thomas and Mary Richards nee Haggett would have had children between 1750 and 1770. If this scenario is correct, the will below probably belongs to Thomas c1720, and he had two sons, who were listed as beneficiaries. They were Thomas Richards (1747-1827) and William Haggett Richards (c1750-1805). The name Haggett may indicate that Thomas Richards c1720 married a woman with that surname and then used her name for his son William.
123.3 Will of Thomas Richards (either b1692 or c1720) Died1786
As explained above, this will may have been written by Thomas b1692, or more likely his son Thomas Richards c1720 (no baptism registrations found)
 |
| The Will of Thomas Richards; probate granted 1786 |
In his long and hard to read will, Thomas Richards wrote,
"I Thomas Richards gent of Kingsbury Episcopi....... I give and bequeath unto my loving wife Mary Richards..... an annuity of 20 pounds .... and all of my estate ... lying in Kingsbury ... during the term of her natural life. I bequeath the same upon my son William Haggard Richards .... and my son Thomas Richards .. all my estate at .... Barrington ... six hundred pounds. If son Thomas Richards should happen to die without issue ....
Dated 6 Aug 1778. The will was written eight years before Thomas' death. It was proved on 2 Mar 1786, a few months after Thomas' death, by the sole executor William Haggard Richards."
Thomas Richards wrote ihis will in 1778 (six years prior to his death and from that document we know that:
- wife Mary Richards (possibly Mary Haggett) and her two sons William Haggard Richards and Thomas Richards were all alive.
- Apparently Thomas had only two surviving sons; Thomas and William Haggett Richards. No daughters, grandchildren or wives were mentioned, and the records show that the sons did not have any children of their own at that stage (in 1778)
- Thomas d1786 was not the father of Robert Richards (c1730-1804), because Robert was not mentioned in the will.
- Thomas Richards d1786 was quite wealthy and owned property at both KE and Barrington which were about 5 miles apart.
124.0 Richards Family of Stapleton, Martock (Not Directly Related)
 |
| Diagram showing familial Relationships for the Richards Family of Stapleton Manor 1700 to 1850 |
125.0 Two sons of Thomas Richards (c1720-1786?) & Mary Haggett (c1722-?)
Thomas Richards c1720 was possibly the brother of GGGGGGF Robert Richards b1725. Thomas Richards married Mary Haggett (See123.2) and had two known sons that survived to adulthood; Thomas Richards b1747 and William Haggett
Richards c1750. No daughters were mentioned in the will written in 1781.
125.1 Thomas Richards (1747-1827) & Mary Whitehead
Thomas Richards was the first son of Thomas Richards c1720 and according to his death registration he was born in 1747. According to some of the 1786-1796 land documents below, he was "of Evershot", but whether this indicates he was born there, or just lived there during the 1780's for a while is unknown.
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| Burials Martock 1767 Bottom Entry: 28 Oct Mary D. of Thos & Betty Richards |
In his twenties (c1767) Thomas married an unknown woman, who later died. On 28 Oct 1767, a baby named Mary, daughter of Thomas and Betty Richards, was buried at Martock. Thomas Richards b1747 was living in the Martock area in the 1770's. This may have been Thomas' first daughter born to his first wife. If this is correct Thomas and Betty would have married around 1767. Thomas' first wife Betty Unknown would have died sometime between 1767 and 1774, but no marriage or burial record has been found.
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| Marriages KE 1775 |
At the age of 28, the widowed gent, Thomas
'of the Martock Parish', married for a second time. On 28 Apr 1775, Thomas Richards, gent and widower, married Mary Whitehead of Martock. All parties signed their names. This union produced six or seven known children including William Richards (1787-1835) and Thomas Richards (1791-1866), who were to later inherit the family property. Thomas b1747 was residing in Evershot, Dorset from at least 1780 onwards, because that is where his known children were baptised. See 126.0
On his father's death in 1786, as the eldest son, Thomas b1747 would have inherited a sizable inheritance. Two years prior to that his father's death, Thomas Richards was listed as owning two parcels of land at Evershot, which was 17 miles away from Martock. One or both of these may have belonged to Thomas Richards senior and then passed to Thomas junior (b1747), when his father died.
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| Evershot Land Tax Return dated 16 Jun 1786: |
The Land Tax Returns for Evershot 1784 to 1807 confirm Thomas Richards owned land in Evershot. The 1786 record above reads,
"Owner: Mr Richards for late Thomas Unreadable; Occupier Mr Thomas Richards". This document supports the contention, that after his second marriage Thomas lived at Evershot. The 1794 and 1795 returns listed Thomas Richards as owning several parcels of land at Evershot.
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| Thomas Richards was the Evershot Church Warden and signed his name in the Parish Record on 18 Jun 1790 |
Thomas Richards was listed as one of the land tax assessors for Evershot in 1794. His signature is at the bottom of the page and matches the signature as church warden and on his marriage registration above.
 |
| History Of Stapleton Manor, Martock from www.british-history.ac.uk |
According to the book extract above, Thomas Richards
of Evershot b1747, and a relative (probably his brother?) named William
Haggett Richards (d1835) of KE, jointly purchased Stapleton Manor in
1796, perhaps using their father's bequest).
 |
| Land Tax Return Stapleton 1798 |
The Land Tax Return for Stapleton Parish in 1798 confirms that Thomas Richards and William Haggett Richards owned Stapleton Manor. It must have been a huge parcel of land because the assessed tax was twenty times the amount others were paying in the parish. In addition, Thomas occupied a smaller parcel of land owned by Elizabeth Bailey (possibly sister or mother of his brother's wife).
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| Electoral Register Evershot 1807 |
The
Evershot Electoral Register for 1807 listed Thomas Richards as a landholder, but recorded his residence at Martock, which indicates that Thomas had moved to Stapleton Manor around 1800.
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| Burials Martock 1827 |
Thomas lived the rest of his life at Stapleton Manor, Martock and died there in 1827 at the age of 80. He was buried at Martock on 13 Jul 1827. His age at death provides an approximate birth year of 1747.
125.2 William Haggett Richards I (c1750-1805) & Ann Bayley
William Haggett Richards was the second son of Thomas Richards c1720. No baptism registration has been found, but his father's name was given in William's will (see below). He was probably born in KE c1750 and seems to have been the first in a long line of men named William Haggett Richards. His middle name coming from his mother's surname.
At around 30 years of age, William Haggettt Richards of Kingsbury Episcopi married Ann Bayley 21 on 3
Feb 1780 at nearby Martock. William and Ann had eight known children over the next twenty years. Ann was born in 1759 and was 37 when she had her last child in 1796. The children's baptism records are below. William Haggett Richards c1750 wrote his will in
1801 and only mentioned three daughters and three sons, which means two of their children; Betty (b1782-1786) and the first William Richards (b1789-1789) were deceased by that date.
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| Baptisms 1780 KE: (Ma)ry Ann the daughter of Wm & Anne Richards Dec 28 1780 |
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| Baptisms KE 1787: Thomas Bailey Richards baptised 5 Sep & admitted to the church 9 Nov 1787 |
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| Baptisms KE 1790 John Whitehead Richards 1790 |
William and Mary had the following eight known children (baptisms above);
Mary Ann Richards 1780 1847, Betty Richards 1782-1786, Ann Bayley Richards 1784-1862, Thomas Bayley
Richards 1787-1812, William Richards 1789-1789, John Whitehead Richards 1790-1840, Elizabeth Haggett Richards 1793-1867 and William Haggett
Richards 1796-1860. All baptisms were conducted in Kingsbury Episcopi. It is interesting to note that between 1790 and 1793 (the baptisms of John and Elizabeth), William Haggett Richard's status seems to have increased and he started using his middle name in documents. By 1793 he was described as a 'gent', and a much bigger space was allocated for his daughter's baptism registration. This rise in status is confirmed by that fact that his gravestone is located inside St Martin's Church at KE, not out in the graveyard, where most people are buried. Like most of the wealthy people at that time, William probably supported the church financially.
NOTE: From 1796 there were another couple named William and Ann Richards, who were having their children baptised at KE. This couple were William (Symes) Richards, (William's cousin's son) and Ann Edwards (See 122.1). This may have been another factor explaining why the William c1750, started using his middle name at his children's baptisms.
According to the book extract above, William Haggett Richards
of Kingsbury Episcopi, and his brother Thomas Richards of Evershot (see above), jointly purchased Stapleton Manor in
1796, perhaps using their father's bequest.
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| Burials KE 1805: Willm Haggett Richards |
Tragically William Haggett Richards died in his mid-fifties, after a fall from his horse in 1805. He was buried at Kingsbury Episcopi on 30 May 1805. According to his place of marriage and the birthplace of his children he seems to have lived most of his life at Kingsbury Episcopi.
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| Burials Martock 1840 |
Ann Richards nee Bayley died at the age of 81 and was buried at Martock on 25 Jun 1840. Her place of residence at the time was Stapleton Manor; the home of her son.
Will of William Haggett Richards I (c1750-1805)
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| Will of William Haggett Richards who died in KE 1805 |
William wrote a will with two codicils which was proved on 29 Oct 1813. An edited version follows,
"I William Haggett Richards of Kingsbury Episcopi .....give and devise unto Ann my wife for the term of her natural life an undivided third part of all ... lands ... I also give to my daughters Mary Ann Richards, Ann Bailey Richards and Elizabeth Haggett Richards the sum of one thousand pounds to be paid when respectively they shall attain the age of 21 years or day of marriage, which shall first happen, provided such marriage be with the of my trustees herewith named. (If any of my daughters should die before this, their share)
....shall be equally divided amongst all my sons and daughters."
Page 2
"In trust for my sons John Whitehead Richards and William Haggett Richards I... all my tenements, lands and .... (save and except those that were devised to me by the will of my deceased father Thomas Richards) ...." The will was dated 9 Aug 1801, and the second of two codicils was dated 28 Feb 1802
Ownership of Stapleton Manor passed to William's sons eventually passing to youngest son William Haggett Richards 1796-1860. Mentioned in the will were:
Father Thomas Richards (c1720) deceased father of William
Friends
>
William Abraham Bartley of East Lambrook (executor)
>
Richard Toller of South Petherton (executor)
>S
tephen England added as an executor in a codicil
Wife Ann Richards nee Bailey (beneficiary and joint executor)
Daughters (Unmarried & under 21 when the will was written in 1801)
>
Mary Ann Richards b1780
>Ann Bailey Richards b1784
>Elizabeth Haggett Richards b1793
Sons (Under 21 when the will was written)
>
Thomas Bailey Richards b1787
>
John Whitehead Richards b1790 buried at Stapleton 27 May 1840
>
William Haggett Richards II b1796 As the last surving son, William b1796 inherited Stapleton House.
126.0 Eight Children of William Haggett Richards I (c1750-1805) & Ann Bayley (1759-1840)
Of William's eight offspring only four had children of their own.
126.1 Mary Ann Richards (1780-1847) & Henry Cary
Mary was the first born child to William Haggett and Mary Richards nee Baily and was named after her mother. She was baptised at KE on 28 Dec 1780 ten months after her parent's marriage (see above).
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| Marriages 1808 Martock |
At the age of 28 Mary Ann Richards spinster married widower Henry Cary at Martock. Mary Ann's younger sister Ann was a witness. Henry and Mary Ann Cary nee Richards had four known children: Ann Bailey Cary 1812, Elizabeth Cary 1813, Henry Cary 1815 and Mary Ann Richards Cary 1817.
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| www.british-history.ac.uk Ann account of Mills at Martock |
The couple lived their whole life in Martock occupying the Martock mill during the latter part of their lives. Henry died there in 1839 and Mary Ann Cary nee Richards died there in 1847.
126.2 Betty Richards (1782-1786)
Betty was the second daughter born to William Haggett and Mary Richards nee
Bailey. She was baptised at KE on 31 Jul 1782 (see above).
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| Burials KE 1786 |
Sadly Betty died at the age of 3 in 1786 and was buried at Kingsbury Episcopi on 22 Feb 1786.
126.3 Ann Bayley Richards (1784-1862) & William Chaffey
Ann was the third daughter born to William Haggett and Mary Richards nee
Bailey. She was baptised at KE in Sep 1784 (see above).
At the age of 30 in 1814, Ann Bailey married William Chaffey, a yeoman from Stoke Under Hamden (5 miles from KE). Brother W.H. Richards was a witness. The couple had seven known children.
Ann Bailey Richards 76 died at Stoke Under Hamden on 20 Mar 1862.
126.4 Thomas Bailey
Richards (1787-1812)
Thomas Bailey Richards was baptised on 5 Sep 1787 at KE. He was the
eldest son of William Haggett Richards and Ann Richards nee
Bailey and does not appear
to have married or fathered children.
Thomas
Bailey Richards, gent died at the age of 25 at KE. He was interred in a
new family vault in the chancel of St Martin's Church KE on 17 Oct
1812 . He left a will dated tenth Oct 1812, which named the following
people:-
- Mother: Ann Richards
- Brothers: John Whitehead Richards and William Haggett Richards
- Sisters: Mary Ann Cary nee Richards (married Henry Cary), Ann Bailey Richards and Elizabeth Haggett Richards
- Grandfather: Thomas Richards
As Thomas died seven days after making his will at the young age
of 25, we can assume that he was ill for some time before his death.
126.5 William Richards (1789-1789)
William Richards was baptised on 17 Feb 1789 at KE but died a few days later, and was buried on 27 Feb 1789.
126.6 John Whitehead Richards (1791-1840)
John Whitehead Richards was born to William Haggett Richards and Ann Bailey and was baptised on 19 Jun 1791. He is easily confused with his nephew
John Whitehead Richards 1836-1893, who was born to brother
William Haggett Richards b1796 and Mary Besley England Richards.
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| Large Landholdings in Martock c1824 |
Thomas Richards and John Whitehead Richards jointly held 673 acres at Stapleton in 1824.
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| Land Tax Records 1834 |
In 1834 John was leasing his share of the property to the William Chaffey, the husband of sister Ann Bailey Chaffey nee Richards.
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| Burials Stapleton 1840 |
John Whitehead Richards died in 1840 at the age of 48 and was buried at Kingsbury Episcopi on 27 May 1840. John Whitehead Richards appears to have never married nor had children.
126.7 Elizabeth Haggett Richards (1793-1867) & William Adams
Elizabeth Haggett Richards was born to William Haggett and Ann Bailey and was baptised ay KE on 18 Aug 1793.
At the age of 27 Elizabeth Haggett Richards married William Adams at Martock. The marriage took place on 10 Oct 1820 and was witnessed by brother-in-law William Chaffey and William Richards. The couple had three known children; Isabella Lucy Adams 1816 -1851, John Adams 1822 and Mary A Adams 1824-1881.
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| Burials MartocK 1867 |
Elizabeth Haggett Adams nee Richards died at the age of 74 and was buried at Martock on 12 Jun 1874.
126.8 William Haggett
Richards II (1796-1860) & 2 wives
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| Baptisms KE 1796 |
William Haggett Richards was the last child baptised by his parents William Haggett and Ann Richards nee Bailey on 4 May 1796.
At the age of 25, on 22 Oct 1821, William Haggett Richards married spinster Elizabeth England at Kingsbury Episcopi. Elizabeth was possibly baptised at Martock on 3 Oct 1802 by parents William and Mary England (d.1826)
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| Baptisms KE 1822 |
Seven months later, a daughter named Mary Ann England Richards was born to the couple and baptised on 30 May 1822. Sadly she died a few months later on 24 Aug 1822. It seems that William's first wife also died in the 1820's but no death registration has been found. Around 1830 William moved into Stapleton Manor.
On 10 July 1828 William 32 married Mary Besley England 21 (b1806) at Martock. Both were
'of this parish' and William's signature matches the one on his first marriage registration. Mary England was not a sister of William's first wife, but was quite likely related in some way. Mary's mother was Ann England c1777 (from 1851 census below). According to the baptism places of their children, William and Mary Richards nee England resided in Axminster, Devon from 1835 to 1849. However other documents list their abode as Martock in 1841 and 1842. Perhaps Mary went to Axminster for support from family members when she gave birth!
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| 1841 census Stapleton, Martock |
According to the above census in 1841, William 45 years old and living off independent means and Mary Richards nee England 35 were residing at Stapleton, Martock with two children John Richards 5 and William Richards 4. The family was helped by two female servants, one of whom was 40 year old Sarah Hutchings. Interestingly, in 1844 William and Mary named their son Henry
Hutchings Richards. Perhaps he was named after a much loved servant. William and Mary's other children; Edward 8 and Ann 6 were probably away at boarding school at the time of the census
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| Pigots Directory 1842: List of gents in Martock |
In 1830 and 1842 William Haggett Richards and his cousin Thomas Richards of Stapleton Manor were listed as "gentry" of Martock. The same page listed two John Richards living in Martock; one a blacksmith and one a shoemaker. Their relationship is unknown.
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| 1851 Census Stapleton, Martock |
At the time of the 1851 census William Haggett Richards 54 year old magistrate and farmer of 400 acres was living in Stapleton House with wife Mary Besley Richards 44 (b1807) and seven children: Ann Besley Richards 16, William Haggett Richards 13, Caroline England Richards 9, Henry Hutchings Richards7, Emma Maria Richards 6, Charles Frederick Richards 5 and Sidney Richards 2. Also living in the house was mother-in-law Ann England 72 year old widow, a governess and five servants.
Willian Haggett Richards II and Mary Besley had eleven known children including two sons named after himself (the first son died young). Their children were William Haggett Richards III 1829-1837, Thomas Bayley Richards 1832-?, Edward England Richards 1833-1874, Ann Lydia Richards 1835-1915, John Whitehead Richards 1836-1893, William Haggett Richards IV 1838-1879, Caroline England Richards 1842-1851, Henry Hutchings Richards 1843-1900, Emma Maria Richards 1844-1939, Charles Fredrick Richards 1846-? and Sidney Richards 1849-?. Mary Richards nee Besley was 43 when she had her last child. Most of their children were baptised in Axminster.
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| Burials Kingsbury Episcopi 1860 |
William Haggett Richards died at home at Stapleton, Martock, at the age of 64, and was buried at Kingsbury Episcopi on 20 Sep 1860.
The inscripton on William Haggett's II gravestone has been recorded on
Ancestry.com by
margaretanne38. It reads,
"William Haggett Richards esq.. In a vault beneath, are deposited the remains of William Haggett Richards Esq. of Stapleton house, Martock. J.P for Somerset and Devon. Who died September 11th 1860 aged 64 years ......... Also of Mary Besly Richards, widow of the above named William Haggett Richards who died March 17th 1866 Aged 60 years".
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| Probate for Will of William Haggett Richards was granted 20 Mar 1861: Effects valued under 3000 pounds |
Probate was granted to widow Mary Besley Richards on 20 Mar 1861 with William's effects valued at under 3000 pounds. According to the British History website extract above, William left his half of Stapleton Manor to his three surviving sons Edward England Richards 1833-1874, John Whitehead Richards 1836-1893, William Haggett Richards IV 1838-1879.
NOTE: Henry Hutchings Richards 1843-1900 seems to have been disinherited. Some family histories list him as being from a different mother. His middle name matches the name of a servant (Sarah Hutchings), who was with the family in the 1840's (1841 census). The 1851 census listed him along with the rest of the family as a son, which suggests that he was either an illegitimate son, or perhaps he was adopted by the family.
Mary Besley Richards survived another six years and died at Stapleton House at the age of 60 in 1866.
127.0 Eleven Chn of William Haggett Richards II (1796-1860) & Mary Besley England (1806-1866)
Willian Haggett Richards II and wife Mary Besley England had eleven known children
including two sons named after himself (the first son died young). Their
children were William Haggett Richards III 1829-1837, Thomas Bayley
Richards 1832-1832, Edward England Richards 1833-1874, Ann Lydia
Richards 1835-1915, John Whitehead Richards 1836-1893, William Haggett
Richards IV 1838-1879, Caroline England Richards 1842-1851, Henry
Hutchings Richards 1843-1900, Emma Maria Richards 1844-1939, Charles
Fredrick Richards 1846-? and Sidney Richards 1849-c1900. Mary Richards nee
Besley was 43 when she had her last child. Most children were baptised in Axminster.
In contrast to their parents, the eleven children had very few children of their own; possibly only ten children in total and these in turn had few children of their own. Three of William's children died before they reach adulthood.
127.1 William Haggett Richards III (1829-1837)
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| Baptisms Kingsbury Episcopi 1829 |
William Haggett Richards was the first son of William and Mary and named after his father. He was baptised in Kingsbury Episcopi by parents William Haggett Richards and
Mary Besley Richards nee England on 15 Dec 11829. The family residence
was listed as Martock on his baptism record.
Tragically William died at the age of seven at Axminster and was buried at Kingsbury Episcopi on 11 Mar 1837.
127.2 Thomas Bayley Richards (1832-1832)
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| Baptisms Kingsbury Episcopi 1832 |
Thomas Bayley Richards was the second son of William and Mary and named
after his uncle, who had died in 1812. Thomas was baptised in Kingsbury Episcopi by parents
William Haggett Richards and
Mary Besley Richards nee England on 8 Aug 1832. The family residence
was listed as Kingsbury on his baptism record.
There are several records relating to men named Thomas Bayley Richards but all have been found to belong to other men with the same name. It is assumed that our Thomas Bailey Richards died young, although no death record has been found to confirm this.
127.3 Edward England Edwards (1833-1874) & 3 wives
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| Baptisms Kingsbury Episcopi 1833 |
Edward was born in Hallam, Gloucestershire (from census documents), but baptised in Kingsbury Episcopi by parents William Haggett Richards and Mary Besley Richards nee England on 27 June 1833. The family residence was listed as Axminster on his baptism record.
At the age of 24, bachelor Edward Richards, lieutenant in the Royal Navy residing at Martock, married Maria Father Lowman on 4 Aug 1857 at Broadwindsor. Edward's father was listed as William Haggett Richards Esquire, and one of the witnesses was younger sister Annie Richards b1835.
Sadly Edward's wife died just one year after her marriage on 22 Aug 1858. For an unknown reason, probate for her will was not granted for another 26 years. Perhaps Edward was too grief stricken. Eventually though, probate was granted to Mary Isabella Richards on 5 Nov 1884. Mary was the third wife of Edward, who by that time was deceased.
On
the death of his father in 1860, Edward, along with his two brothers, William Haggett Richards and John Whitehead Richards, inherited half of Stapleton Manor Estate.
In Oct of 1861 Edward 28 married 23 year old Ann Miles Clark at Blaby, Leicestershire. Ann fell pregnant soon after the marriage.
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| Baptisms Martock 1863. Note on left indicates William was born 2 Jan 1863. |
Ann Miles Richards nee Clark gave birth to son William Miles Richards on 2 Jan 1863 (see note in left margin) and was baptised several weeks later on 20 Jan 1863.
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| Probate for the will of Ann Miles Richards nee Clark |
Tragically, Edward's second wife Ann Miles Richards nee Clark died at the age of 25 on 9 Jan 1863 at Stapleton House. Her death was fourteen months after her marriage and one week after the birth of her son.
Three years later Edward fell in love for the third time. He married Mary Isabella Allan in 1866 at Blaby, Leicestershire.
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| Baptisms, Stapleton, Martock |
On 1 May 1868 Mary gave birth to a son named John Cooper Allan Richards, who was baptised at Martock on 7 Jun 1868.
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| 1871 Census Martock |
In 1871 Edward England Richards was living at Stapleton Manor not far from brother William Haggett Richards and his family. Living with 38 year old Edward (Retired H.M.S). was his third wife Mary Jane Richards nee Unknown 21, second son John C. A. Richards 2, brother Charles F Richards 24 year old retired sail factor (worked as an agent in the provision of sails) and two servants.
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| Hampton Hospital 1874 |
Edward spent the last year of his life in Hampton Hospital, Northampton. He was admitted on 10 Jan 1874 and stayed there until his death in September. The nature of his illness is not known, but was most likely related to mental illness of some kind.
Edward England Richards died at the age of 43 on 14 Sep 1874 at Northampton.
Probate for Edward's will was granted to his widow Mary Isabella Richards of Borstal, Rochester. The addresses listed in the probate notice provide information about Edward's location during his life. He was listed as formerly of Stapleton House, Martock, but late of 14 Lytton St, Liverpool, but he died at Billing Rd, Northampton.The value of Edward's effects was quite substantial at 12,000 pounds.
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| 1891 Census Blaby Leicestershire |
Edward's widowed wife went to live with her widowed mother after Edward's death. In 1891 Mary Isabella Richards nee Allen 40 was living at Blaby with her mother Mary Allen 71 farmer. Also in the household was Mary Isabella's son John C. A. Richards, 22 year old B.A, living on own means, and there were three servants to help with the farm.
In 1911 Mary Isabella Richards 65 was living with her unmarried son John 42 who was farming the Allan family property at Blaby. The house had 13 rooms and they had two servants to help run the household.
Mary Isabella Richards nee Allan died at the age of 68 on 17 Feb 1918. Probate on her will was granted to her son John (1868-1936) with her effects valued at 10,565 pounds.
127.4 Ann Lydia Richards (1835-1915) & Augustus A. Arnold
No definitive baptism registration has been found, but all census documents list her place of birth as Axminster and most point to 1835 as her year of birth. This date is confirmed by her burial registration. Ann lived with her family up until the 1860's.
At the age of 27 Ann Richards, spinster married solicitor and landowner Augustus Alfred Arnold, gentleman, at Cheltenham, Gloucestershire on 19 Apr 1862. Ann was residing there at that time. Ann's father was listed as William Haggett Richards esquire and one of the witnesses was younger sister Emma Maria Richards. b1844.
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| Ann Arnold nee Richards |
By 1871 Augustus and Ann Arnold nee Richards were living in Borstal House, Rochester. They had two children; Ann Arnold 8, Mary Arnold 3 and Robert Arnold 1. Also living with them were Ann's unmarried sister, Emma Maria Richards 26, landowner, and four servants to help run the household.
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| 1881 Census Rochester |
In 1881 Ann 43 was still living in Borstal House, but her husband was temporarily absent. Children Ann Richards 18 and William Richards 4 were living with her and she was still assisted by four servants. Augustus Arnold 55 year old solicitor was back with the family in 1891 living with Ann Arnold nee Richards 53 and sosn Robert Arnold 21, attending university, and William Arnold 14. They now had three servants working for them. By 1901, Augustus and Ann had moved to Cobham and all children had left home. The 1911 census provides more information about their residence in Chobham. It had sixteen rooms, not counting minor rooms such as bathrooms. Augustus had retired and they still had three servants; including a maid, housekeeper and cook.
Ann Arnold nee Richards died in 1915 aged 80 and was buried at Cobham on 18 Sep 1915.
127.5 John Whitehead Richards (1836-1893)
No definitive baptism registration has been found, but all census documents list his place of birth as Axminster and most point to 1836 as his year of birth. John was named after an uncle with the same name.
 |
| Marriage Licence John Witehead Richards 15 May 1863 at Stoke sub Hamden |
At the age of 27 on 19 May 1863, John married Mary Ann Chaffey at Stoke sub Hamden. The marriage documents tell us he was a solicitor, living at Martock and his father was William Haggett Richards (deceased). One of the witnesses was brother William Haggett Richards b1838.
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| 1871 Census Lymington Hampshire |
In 1871 retired solicitor John 34 and Mary Ann Richards nee Chaffey 31 were living at 10 Station St. Lymington in Hampshire.
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| 1881 Census Stoke Under Hambdon |
Ten years later John 44 and Mary Ann Chaffey 41 had moved to Stoke Under Hambdon and were sharing their house with unmarried brother Henry Hutchings Richards 37 year old Captain in the 1st Somerset Militia. Two servants were employed to help with household work. In 1891 John 54 and Mary Ann 51 were still at Stoke and living in "The Cottage" in the grounds of Windsor House. They were living next to Robert Chaffey 56, of independent means, and his family in East Stoke House. Robert was probably Mary Ann's brother.
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| Probate on the will of John Whitehead Richards was granted in 1894 |
John Whitehead Richards died on 19 Oct 1893 aged 57. Probate was granted on his will to his widowed wife the following year.
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| Probate on the will of Mary Ann Richards nee Chaffey who died in 1931 |
John's wife Mary Ann Richards nee Chaffey survived for another 37 years and died at East Stoke on 24 Dec 1931. Probate was granted to her brother Robert Chaffey Esquire with the value of her effects listed as 7280 pounds. John and Mary Ann Richards nee Chaffey had no known children.
127.6 William Haggett Richards IV (1838-1879) & Sarah A Collins
William Haggett Richards, born in 1838, was the second child
of that name born to William Haggett Richards b1796 and Mary Besley Richards nee England. His elder brother with the same name was baptised in 1829 but died in 1837 at the age of 7 (see above).
 |
| Baptisms Kingsbury Episcopi 1829 The first William Haggett Richards born to W.H Richards & Mary Besley England |
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| Burials Kingsbury Episcopi 1837 |
The records above show the baptism and burial dates of William's older brother with the same name. The second record also confirms the family were living in Axminster in 1837.
Soon after the birth of the second William Haggett Richards, the family moved 18 miles to Axminster in Devon, where most of William's ten siblings were born. The 1841 census is confusing, because it shows William b1838 living with his parents at Stapleton Manor. Perhaps they lived in each house for part of the year! From 1851 William b1838 and his family seemed to have moved back at Stapleton Manor. (See census records above).
On the death of his father in 1860, William along with his two brothers, Edward and John, inherited half of Stapleton Manor Estate
 |
| 1861 Census Stapleton House, Martock |
One year after his father's death in 1861, the family were still residing at Stapleton House. William Haggett Richards b1838 was listed as a 22 year old famer of 500 acres employing 19 men and 10 boys. His mother Ann Besley Richards nee England was listed as the 56 year old widowed head of the house who was a "landed proprietor". Brother Edward E. Richards was a 28 year old widower and a lieitenant in the Royal Navy on half pay. Others residing at the house were William's siblings Ann Richards 23 and Charles Richards 15 and servants; Martha Hodges 20 year old parlourmaid and Mary Denning 189 dairymaid.
 |
| 1871 census Stapleton, Martock |
In the 1871 census listed William, 31 year old farmer at Stapleton, farming 500 acres and employing 20 labourers . He was listed as the head of the house and an unmarried 31 year old farmer living with unmarried brothers; Henry Hutching Richards (name crossed out) and Sidney Richards 21 year old farmer's son.
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| Baptisms Martock 1838 |
In 1877 William Haggett Richards 39 married Sarah Ann Collins 21 at Westminster in London. The following year, a son William Haggett Richards, was born on 29 Aug 1878 and baptised on 22 Sep 1838 at Martock.
Tragically William Haggett Richards died at the age of 40 in early 1879
 |
| 1881 Census Martock |
At the time of the 1881 census Sarah Richards nee Collins 24 widow, and son William Haggett Richards aged 2 were living in the hamlet of Martock. They resided in North St, and had enough financial resources to employ a servant.
 |
| 1891 Census Radipole, Weymouth |
By 1891 the family were not so well off. Sarah Ann 34 and son William Richards 12 has moved in with her sister's family. They were living at Radipole in Dorset and Sarah Ann was working as an assistant in her sister's lodging house.
 |
| 1901 Census Weston Somerset |
Sarah Ann Richards nee Collins, was elsewhere in 1901, but son William H. Richards b1878 was still living with his aunt (mother's sister). They had moved to Weston and William Haggett Richards 23 was single and working as a waiter.
 |
| 1911 Census Bath |
In 1911 Sarah Ann Richards nee Collins 56 year old widowed domestic nurse was back living with her sister at 3 Cumberland Rd, Bath. Sarah Ann's date of death is unknown
127.6a William Haggett Richards (1878-before 1920)
William Haggett Richards, was born on 29 Aug 1878 and baptised on 22 Sep 1838 at Martock by parents William Haggett Richards b1838 and Sarah Ann Richards nee Collins. Sadly William senior died the next year, leaving his widowed wife to look after young William.
In 1881 William Haggett Richards aged 2 and his mother had moved into the
hamlet of Martock. They were living in North St, but had enough financial
resources to employ a servant. By 1891 the family were not so well off. William's mother Sarah Ann Richards nee Collins 34 was living with
her sister's family with son William 12 at Radipole in Dorset. Sarah Ann was working as an
assistant in her sister's lodging house.
William's mother, Sarah Ann Richards nee Collins, was elsewhere in 1901, but William
H. Richards 23 was still living with his aunt (mother's sister). They
had moved to Weston and William Haggett Richards 23 was single and
working as a waiter.
It seems that William Haggett Richards b1878 had at least one daughter named Wilhelmena Henrietta Richards born in the mid 1890's. There is no record of William marrying, so Wilhelmena may have been illegitimate.
Wilhelmena married in 1920 and her father William Haggett Richards, gentleman, was listed as deceased. The marriage took place at St Marys, Tyndal Park, Clifton, Gloucestershire.
No death registration has been found for William Haggett Richards b1878, but it seems he died before 1920.
The Mystery of Wilhelmena Henrietta Richards (1894-?)
The records below may or may not apply to the same woman. 'Wilhelmina' was not a common name, and to have it combined with names like 'Henrietta', 'Harriett' and 'Richards' does suggest that these records are linked.
A baby named Harriett Wilhelmina Richards was baptised at Westminster to single woman Annie Richards on 8 Mar 1894. It is unlikely, but William Haggett Richards would have been 16 at this time and may have been the father. In 1837 a single woman b1894 named Wilhelmena Richards sailed to New York from London, possibly on holiday.
The 1939 register listed single woman, Wilhelmena Richards, with a birth date of 3 Mar 1896, living at Kingston upon Thames, Surrey. However her name is crossed out, and replaced with Harriett Wilhelmena Baldrey. This mystery is made even more puzzling by the fact that there is a record for Wilhelmena Richards marrying Geoffrey A Baldrey in 1942 in Surrey! No other information can be found.
127.7 Caroline England Richards (1842-1851)
No definitive baptism registration has been found, but at the 1851 census lists her place of birth as Axminster and points to 1842 as
her year of birth. This date is confirmed by her burial registration.
Ann lived with her family up until the 1860's.
 |
| Burials Kingsbury Episcopi 1851 |
Caroline England Richards died at Stapleton at the age of 9 and was buried at Kingsbury Episcopi on 15 Nov 1851.
127.8 Henry Hutchings Richards (1843-1900)
Henry Hutchings Richards was born in early 1843 at Axminster, Devon. His middle name may have been chosen in honour of a much loved family servant that was employed by the family at that time. By 1861 aged 18 he was attending Addiscombe Barrack as a "gentleman cadet" boarder. A decade later he was listed as living with brother William Haggett Richards at Martock.
In 1881 he was listed as a Captain in the 1st Somerset Militia and was living with brother John Whitehead Richards and his family at East Stoke. Things were much the same in 1891.
 |
| Probate was granted on Henry Hutchings Richards will granted to brotherinlaw Augustus Arnold 1 Jan 1901 |
Henry Hutchings Richards of Stoke sub Hambdon died on 10 Nov 1900. Probate was granted to brother-in-laws Augustus and Robert Arnold. There was no known marriage nor were there any known children.
127.9 Emma Maria Richards (1844-1939) & William Ironside
Emma was baptised at Axminster in 1844. She lived with her family during her early years.
 |
| 1871 Census Rochester, Kent. |
The 1871 census listed Emma M Richards living with her sister Ann Arnold nee Richards and her family at Borstal House, Rochester. Emma was listed as an unmarried 26 year old landowner. Whilst in Kent Emma met her future husband and they were married in the following year.
At the age of 28 Emma married William Ironside in Kent on 10 Aug 1872. They had two known children; Grizeal Mary Ironside 1879–1969 and Field Marshal Lord William Edmund Ironside 1880–1959. The gap between marriage and the birth of children was most likely a result of William serving overseas on military duties.
William Ironside was Surgeon-Major, Royal Horse Artillery. He was severely wounded in the Afghan War in 1879 and died of his wounds on 16 Jan 1881. Emma Maria Richards or Ironside was named as the executrix when probate was granted for William's will.
 |
| 1881 Census Broadwater, Sussex |
In the 1881 census the widowed Emma M Ironside 34 was living with her children Mary G Ironside 2 and William E Ironside 11 months in Broadwater with one servant. Emma was listed as the widow of an Army Medical Officer. The census tells us that both her children were born in Scotland. In 1901 Emma 54 year old widow and daughter Mary were living in Rochester with one servant. Both were living by independent mean.
 |
| Portrait of Emma Maria Richards as a young woman |
 |
| Excerpt fromWikipedia artilcle about Field Marshal Lord William Edmund Ironside 1880–1959 |
The above extract from Wikipedia provides some details about Emma Maria Ironside nee Richard's life after the death of her husband. It is interesting to note that according to the article, the time she lived on the continent, was an economic decision, because the cost of living there, was lower than in England.
 |
| Probate was granted on the will of Emma Maria Ironside nee Richards |
Emma Maria Ironside nee Richards died on 19 Mar 1939 at Alassio in Italy. Probate was granted to her son William E Ironside.
127.10 Charles Frederick Richards (1846-?) & Sarah E Dickinson
No definitive baptism registration has been found, but all census
documents list his place of birth as Axminster and most point to 1846 as
his year of birth. Charles spent his early years living with his parents.
In 1871 Charles F
Richards, 24 year old retired sail factor (worked as an agent in the
provision of sails), was living with his brother Edward England Richards at Stapleton Manor.
At the age of 33 Charles married Sarah Emily Dickinson on 14 Oct 1879 at Bebington, Tranmere Parish, Cheshire. Charles father was listed as William Haggett Richards.
No other documents about Charles or his wife have been found, including a death record. It is likely that Charles migrated overseas after his marriage.
127.11 Sidney Richards (1849-c1900) & Ann Travis England
No definitive baptism registration has been found, but all census
documents list his place of birth as Axminster and most point to 1849 as
his year of birth. Sidney spent his early years living with his parents.
In 1871 Sydney
Richards, 21 year old farmer's son, was living with his brother William Haggett Richards at Stapleton Manor.
At the age of 25 Sidney Richards, gentleman, married Anna Travis England 24 year old spinster at Kingsbury Episcopi. The marriage was held on 23 Oct 1873 and Sidney's father was listed as William Haggett Richards, gentleman. Sidney's abode at the time was West Lambrook, Kingsbury and Anna's was Manor Farm, Kingsbury. Anna may have been a cousin of Sudney's because 'England' was his mother's surname.
 |
| Baptisms Kingsbury Episcopi 1874 |
The following year Anna gave birth to a son, who they named after Sidney's brother and father. William Haggett Richards was baptised at Kingsbury Episcopi on 6 Dec 1874. Sidney's occupation was listed as gentleman farmer, and the family abode was listed as West Lambrook.
By 1881 Anna Travis Richards nee England 31 was back living with her parents in Manor House Kingsbury Episcopi. She was listed as married, but her occupation of 'farmer's wife' was crossed out. Sidney's son William Haggett Richards 6 was also living with his grandparents. These living arrangements suggests that all was not well in the marriage!
Sidney's only son was married in 1905 and the marriage registration listed Sidney Richards as being deceased. No other documents listing Sidney have been found, including a death
record. It is likely that Sidney migrated overseas after his marriage and died there. He may have migrated with his brother Charles Richards.
 |
| Probate on Anna Travis Richards will granted in 1937 |
Anna Travis Richards nee England never remarried and died at 9 Kingsway, Burnham on Sea on 18 Dec 1936. Probate was granted to her only son William Haggett Richards, retired nurseryman.
127.11a William Haggett Richards (1874-1951) & Jane Filby Clapcott
William Haggett Richards was born on 5 Oct and baptised on 6 Dec 1874 at West Lambrook (see above) by parents Sidney and Anna Travis Richards nee Clapcott.
At the age of 30 on 1 July 1905, William, a nurseryman, married Jane Filby Clapcott 25 (b24 Sep 1880). William's father Sidney Richard was listed as a deceased farmer. The marriage took place in Frimley, Surrey, which is where both William and Jane were residing.
 |
| 1911 Census Guildford |
In
1911, William 36 year old nurseryman and Jane 31 were living at
Guildford in a five roomed house with daughter Phyllis Maud Richards 5.
 |
| 1939 Register Burnham on Sea |
In 1939 William Haggett, 64 year old retired farmer, and Jane F Richards nee Clapcott 59 were living at Burnham on Sea. Their address was Kingsbury St Marys Rd.
William Haggett Richards died in Surrey in 1951 at the age of 77. His wife Jane Filby Richards nee Clapcott died in 1963.
128.0 Six or Seven Children of Thomas Richards (1747-1827) & Mary Whitehead
On 28 Apr 1775, Thomas Richards, gent and
widower, married Mary Whitehead of Martock (See 125.1). This union produced six or seven known children including two sons; William Richards
(1787-1835) and Thomas Richards (1791-1866). All children were baptised at Evershot in Dorset.
128.1 Elizabeth Richards (1780-1780)
 |
| Baptisms Evershot 1780 |
Elizabeth Richards was baptised in Evershot by parents Thomas and Mary Richards nee Whitehead on 25 Sep 1780. No more is known so she possibly died as an infant.
128.2 Hannah Richards (1781-1868) & William Bown
According to this record, Hannah Richards was baptised in Evershot by parents Thomas and Mary
Richards nee Whitehead on 19 Oct 1781.
At the age of 32 Hannah Richards married William Bown of Drayton. The marriage took place on 20 Oct 1813 at Martock. Witnesses included Hannah's siblings William Richards, Thomas Richard and Eleanor Richards as well as an unknown relative, W.S.Richards.
 |
| 1851 Census Curry Rivel |
In 1851 William 69 year old 'landed proprietor' and Hannah Bown nee Richards 69 were living Curry Rivel and had two servants working for them.
 |
| 1861 census High Ham |
In 1861 Hannah Bown 80 year old widow, was living at High Ham with her sister Mary Reynolds nee Richards and her family. Hannah Bown nee Richards probably died in 1868 aged 87.
128.3 Ann Richards (1783-?)
According to the record above, Ann Richards was baptised in Evershot by parents Thomas and Mary
Richards nee Whitehead on 29 Sep 1783. No more is known, so she possibly
died as an infant. As the name 'Ann' was another version of Hannah, this record may be a misreading of the baptism of the daughter above in 126.2. Alternatively, it may be a misreading of the record below; especially considering the day and month of both records are identical and the number '5' in 1785 can look like a number '3'.
128.4 Eleanor? Richards (1785-1847) & George Harding
 |
| Baptisms Evershot 1785: September 29th 1785 Christened ???? Daughter of Thos & Mary Richards |
This baptism took place in Evershot on 29 September 1785. The Christian name of the child is very hard to read, but may be 'Eleanor'. The child must have been born before 1785 because the next child (Mary) was born in Jan 1786. Mary was baptised 18 months after her birth.
At the age of 29, Eleanor Richards married widower George Harding yeoman of North Cadbury (14 miles from Martock). The wedding took place at Martock on 6 June 1814 and was witnessed by Eleanor's brothers, William Richards and Thomas Richards. It was also witnessed by a second Thomas Richards with the same signature as was used at sister Mary's wedding below. This Thomas was probably Eleanor's father Thomas Richards b1747.
The couple settled at Woolstonn, North Cadbury to have their family. Children born to the couple included Mary Ann Harding 1815, William Harding 1817, Emily Harding 1818, Susannah Harding Oct 1819 and George Harding 1823. Eleanor was 38 when she had her last child.
 |
| 1841 census Speckington, Yeovilton |
In 1841 George Harding 60 year old farmer and Eleanor Harding nee Richards 50 were living at Speckington with unmarried daughter Susannah Harding and one female servant.
 |
| Burials at Woolston, Milton Clevedon 1847 |
Eleanor Harding nee Richards died age of 63 at her home at Woolston. She was buried at 26 Apr 1847 at Milton Clevedon.
128.5 Mary Richards
(1786-1875) & William Reynolds
 |
| Baptisms Evershot 1787 |
Mary Richards was the daughter of Thomas Richards b1747 and Mary Richards
nee Whitehead. She was born on 7 Jan 1786 and baptised, along with her younger brother, at Evershot on 6 Jul 1787.
At the age of 27 Mary Richards married widower William Reynolds, retired yeoman, at Martock. The wedding took place on 13 May 1813 and it was witnessed by both of Mary's brothers; William and Thomas Richards and a person whose signature looks like H. Richards, but was probably Mary's father Thomas Richards n1747. Two samples of his signature are side by side below. Another remote possibility is that 'H.Richards' was Mary's cousin (William) Haggett Richards b1796. Perhaps he signed as 'H. Richards' to distinguish himself from his deceased father, who had the same name.
 |
| Signatures of Thomas Richards b1747. Left 1794 Thos Richards; Right 1813 Th. Richards |
After their marriage William and Mary Reynolds nee Richards settled in High Ham, Somerset (8 miles north of Martock), where they had their family.
 |
| Baptisms Martock 1815 |
They had two known children; Eleanor Reynolds 1815 and Samuel Reynolds 1816.
 |
| 1861 Census High Ham |
In 1861 William 73 year old gentleman landowner and Mary Reynolds nee Richards 74 were living at High Ham with unmarried daughter Eleanor 46 and Mary's widowed sister Hannah Bown nee Richards 80. They had one servant and a nurse to help in the house.
 |
| Burials High Ham 1875 |
Mary Reynolds nee Richards died at High Ham, Somerset on 24 Dec 1875 at the age of 89.
128.6 William Richards
(1787-1835) & Mary Gervis
 |
| Baptisms Evershot 1787 |
William
Richards b1787 was the son of Thomas Richards b1747 and Mary Richards
nee Whitehead. He was born on 17 June 1787 and baptised at Evershot on 6 Jul 1787.
William Richards, 29 year old gent,
married Mary Gervis 23 (b1793) on 11 Sep 1816 at Hemyock, Devon. The 1861 census confirms Mary was born
in Hemyock, Devon which was 23 miles from Martock.
Mary Gervis was baptised on 1 Jan 1793 at Hemyock by parents John (b1762) and Prudence Gervis nee Lutley (b1764 at Hemyock). They were married at Hemyock in 1787. Mary's sister Jane Gervis married William's younger brother, Thomas Richards, thirteen years later in 1829 at Thorverton, Devon (see below).
 |
| Baptisms Martock 1817 |
The children's baptismal records also show that William had four children. The first child was Ella born in 1817 to William Richards, gent and his wife Mary. Ella was baptised at Martock, but the family residence was listed as Milton, about one mile north of Stapleton. Sadly baby Ella died after six months.
 |
| Baptisms Martock 1820 |
The next child was Rosina Jane Richards ,who was baptised at Martock four years later in 1820. The family residence was again listed as Milton, but on this occasion William's wife was listed as Eleanor Richards! Daughter Rosina survived into her teenage years, but died at the age of 16 in 1836
 |
| Baptisms Martock 1824 |
The third child was Thomas Henry Richards, baptised at Martock in 1824. The family residence was listed as Stapleton, and again William's wife was listed as Eleanor
Richards! Baby Thomas died at the age of 13 months in 1825 and the family residence was listed as Stapleton.
 |
| Baptisms Sydling St Nicholas, Dorset 1830 |
According to the baptism record of William's fourth and final child, the family had moved 20 miles to Sydling St Nicholas in Dorset by 1830 (about 6 miles from William's birth place of Evershot). The last baby's name was Ellanette and her parents were listed as William and Mary Richards! Mary was in her late thirties when she gave birth to her last child.
The change in name for William's wife could possibly be a second marriage, but as her name reverted back to Mary in 1830, it is more likely that her full name was 'Mary Eleanor' and at different times she went by one or the other of those names. This contention is supported by the fact that the first daughter was named Ella (a contraction of Eleanor) and the fourth daughter was named 'Ellanette' (little Eleanor?) and both girls were named after their mother Mary Eleanor Richards. Also the memorial plaque for William's family only mentions his wife Mary Richards.
 |
| History Of Stapleton Manor, Martock from www.british-history.ac.uk |
In 1827 William (1787-1835) inherited a share of Stapleton Manor from his father. William and Mary may have moved to Sydling in Dorset for a few years at around this time, because that is where William's wife gave birth to his fourth child. The family were back at Stapleton by the mid 1830's.
 |
| Burials Martock 1836 |
In 1836, eldest daughter Rosina Jane Richards died at the age of 16. She was buried at Martock on 27 Oct 1836 and the family residence was listed as Stapleton.
 |
| Memorial Plaque making the graves of William Richards and his deceased children |
William Richards late of
Stapleton Cross, died 10 Aug 1835 aged 48 and was buried at Martock, along side children, Ella Richards 1817-1817 aged 6 months, Rosina Jane Richards 1820-1836 aged 16 years and Thomas Henry Richards 1824-1825 aged 13 months.
By 1841 Mary Richards 43 (really 48) 'landed proprietor' and Ellanette 11 had moved in with William's brother
Thomas Richards, 50 year old of independent means and his family; Jane
Richards and son Thomas Richards jnr 11. They were still living together at the time of the 1851 census.
 |
| Burials Yeovil 1866 |
 |
| Probate on Mary Richards will was granted 9 June, 1870 |
Mary Richards nee Gervis died at the age of 75 and was buried at Yeovil on 15 Oct 1866. She was living with her daughter Ellanette and her family. The executors of Mary's will (above) may have had a family connection to husband William's brother-in-law William Reynolds (see 128.5) and cousin William Chaffey (see 126.3).
NOTE The 1841 to 1861 censuses tell us that Mary Richards nee Gervis was born at Culm Davey Mansion near Hemyock in Devon between 1791 and 1798. Mary's sister, Jane Richards nee Gervis was born in the same place. An undated document titled 'Hemyock Tithe Apportionments' list their brother John Templeton Gervis as owning the vast Culmdavey Estate
128.6a Ellanette Richards (1830-1864) & John Glyde
Ellanette Richards was born in Sydling, Dorset to William Richards, gent, and his wife Mary Gervis. Ellanette was baptised on 6 Aug 1830. Her family moved back to the family home at Stapleton, Martock soon after her birth. Her father died there in 1835, followed by her older sister in 1836. She was left the only surviving child in her family, living with her widowed mother. On the death of her father and sister she (along with her mother) inherited their family's share of the Stapleton Manor estate.
 |
| 1841 census Stapleton |
In 1841 Ellanette 11 and her mother 43 had moved in with her uncle Thomas Richards b1791, 50 year old of independent means, and his family; wife Jane Richards 44 and son Thomas Richards jnr 11.
 |
| 1851 Census Stapleton, Martock |
In 1851 things were much the same. Ellanette 20 and her mother 59 were living with her uncle
Thomas Richards, 60 year old landed proprietor and his wife Jane
Richards 61. There were also two servants working in the household.
In 1856 Ellanette 26 year old spinster married solicitor John Glyde 30 (1826-1866)
of Yeovil. The marriage took place at Islington, Middlesex on 12 June 1856. Witnesses were Thomas (probably her uncle 1791-1866) Thomas and Mary Richards (probably her mother 1792-1866)
 |
| History Of Stapleton Manor, Martock from www.british-history.ac.uk |
In 1857 Ellanette and her husband received 159 acres of Stapleton Manor Estate when the property was partitioned. The two accounts above describe the period leading up to the Richard's family giving up Stapleton House. However they differ in one regard, in that one lists Ellanette as the daughter of Thomas Richards and the other as the daughter of William Richards. Documents confirm the latter to be correct. The confusion probably arose because Ellanette's father died young, and she and her mother lived with her uncle Thomas Richards and his family for many years.
 |
| 1861 Census Wyndham House, Yeovil |
In 1861, John 34 and Ellanette Glyde 30 were living in Wyndham House Yeovil along with their two children Rosa Richards Glyde 3 and Ella Mary Gervis Glyde 2. Living with them were John Glyde senior 59 year old "landed proprietor", his wife Susan Glyde 60 and Ellanette's mother Mary Richards 70, "widowed landed proprietor". There was also a cook, housemaid and a servant to help run the household. The following year in 1862, a third daughter, Nettie Gertrude Sutton Richards, was born. All three daughters were born at the family home in Princes St, Yeovil.
 |
| Burials Yeovil 1864 |
In 1864 Ellanette Richards died at home in Princes St, Yeovil at the young age of 33. She was buried there on 7 Jun 1864. 1866 was also a very tragic year for the remaining family.
 |
| Burials Yeovil 1866 |
Rosa Richards Glyde died on 24 Sep 1866 and in Oct Ellanette's mother died.
 |
| Burials Yeovil 1866 |
 |
| Probate on Will of John Glyde of Yeovil. Effects valued under 4000 pounds |
Then Ellanette's husband, John Glyde, gentleman, died at the age of 40 at Princes St, Yeovil on 8 Nov 1866.
 |
| History Of Stapleton Manor, Martock from www.british-history.ac.uk |
According to the extract above John Glyde's daughters sold their share of the property in 1868.
128.7 Thomas Richards (1791-1866) & Jane Gervis
 |
| 1851 Census Stapleton, Martock showing Thomas' birth place Evershot, Dorset |
Thomas Richards was born in 1791 at Evershot Dorset. No baptism record has been found, but the 1851 census indicates a birth year of 1791.
In his late thirties, Thomas Richards married Jane Gervis 39 on 21 Jan 1829 at Thorverton which was 16 miles from Hemyock. Census records indicate that Thomas' wife, Jane, was born in Hemyock, Devon in 1790. Jane's age at the time of her marriage explains why she only gave birth to one child.
There was a Jenny Jervis baptised at Hemyock on 1 Jan 1790 by parents John and Prudence Jervis. As it was not uncommon for the spelling of names to vary, this record was probably referring to Jane Gervis, who was the sister of Mary Gervis, wife of Thomas' brother William Richards (See above). The names of their parents were identical. The two Gervis sisters married the two Richards brothers.
 |
| Baptisms 1830 Stapleton, Martock |
Thomas and Jane Richards nee Gervis had their first son in 1830. Thomas Richards jnr was baptised at Martock on 3 Jun 1830 with the family residence listed as Stapleton. Jane was forty at this time and had no more children.
 |
| 1841 Census Stapleton Martock |
In 1841 Thomas 50 of independent means, wife Jane 44 (really 51) and son Thomas 11 were sharing their home with Thomas' widowed sister-in-law Mary Richards 43 (really 49) and her daughter Ellanette Richards 11.
 |
| 1851 Census Stapleton, 1851 |
Things were much the same in 1851. Thomas 60 year old landed proprietor and wife Jane Richards 61 were still sharing their home with Thomas' widowed sister-in-law Mary Richards 59 and her daughter Ellanette Richards 20. There were also two servants working in the household.
 |
| Burials Martock 1866 |
Thomas Richards II (1791-1866) of 'Cainawon' was buried at Martock on 17 Mar
1766 aged 75.
128.7a Thomas Richards (1829-1905) & Eliza Parker
Thomas Richards b1829 was the only known child of Thomas Richards b1791 and was named after a line of Thomas Richards in his family over the previous six generations.
In 1841 Thomas 11 was living with his family at Stapleton, Martock. By 1851 he had moved out of the family home and there are very few records about him after that.
 |
| History of Stapleton Manor from http://www.yeovilhistory.info/glyde-john.htm Last sentence re Thomas Richards jnr |
In 1857 Thomas and his cousin Ellanette divided their share of Stapleton Manor Estate between them. At that time they were the only surviving descendants of Thomas Richards b1747, who originally jointly purchased the property with William Haggett Richards in 1796. Thomas Richards b1829 received 185 acres including Stapleton Mead farm which still exists today.
Some family trees say that Thomas migrated to the USA, where he married Eliza Parker in 1853. There are census records listing Thomas and Eliza Richards up until his death in 1905. This person may or may not be our Thomas. A marriage date in 1853 in the US seems to contradict the above record of transfer of property ownershipin 1857.
Thomas Richards may have died in Michigan, USA in 1905.
129.0 Reserved for Future Use
White & Munckton Families
130.0 Ancestors of GGGGGM Hannah White (1778-1830)
Hannah White was born in 1778 and baptised by parents GGGGGGP Arthur and Alice White nee Munckton at KE on 2 Feb 1778. On 15 June 1801 GGGGGM Hannah White married 23 year old butcher GGGGGF Robert Symes Richards at St Martin's, KE. See118.0
130.1 GGGGGGP Arthur White (c1730-c1801) & Alice Munckton (1757-1822)
GGGGGGP Arthur and Alice White nee Monckton were the parents of
GGGGGM Hannah White. No baptism record has been found for
Arthur White, but he was probably born around 1730 in the Kingsbury Episcopi area, first married at the age of 23 in 1753, remarried at the age of 47 in 1777 and died around the age of 70 in 1801.
 |
| Marriages Kingsbury Episcopi 1753 |
Arthur White 23 married Mary Gifford 24 on 23 Jul 1753 at Kingsbury Episcopi. Mary Gifford was baptised in Kingsbury Episcopi 25 Oct 1729.
Arthur and Mary probably had five children; Elizabeth White (c1756), Arthur White jnr 1759, Mary White (c1761), Charlotte White 1763 and John White 1768. However baptism records have only been found for three of them, possibly because some the parish records are illegible. The existence of Elizabeth c1756 and Mary c1761 is known from other records.
 |
| Baptisms Kingsbury Episcopi 1759 |
GGGGGGP Arthur and
Mary White nee Gifford had a baby in 1759, who was named after his father. Arthur White junior was baptised in Sep at Kingsbury Episcopi. Other children born to the couple include Charlotte White baptised 30 Aug 1763 and John White 1768.
 |
| Burials Kingsbury Episcopi 1775 |
Mary White nee Gifford, the first wife of
Arthur White, died in 1775 and was buried in Kingsbury Episcopi on 1 Nov 1775.
 |
| Marriages Kingsbury Episcopi 1777 |
Around the age of 47,
GGGGGGF Arthur White, widowed butcher, married
Alice Munckton 21 at Kingsbury Episcopi on 15 Dec 1777. The witnesses were William Glover and Margaret Munckton (probably Alice's sister born c1750). All parties signed their names.
GGGGGGM Alice Munckton was baptised at Kingsbury Episcopi on 7 Aug 1755. Her parents were
GGGGGGGP Edward and Hannah Munckton.
 |
| Baptisms Kingsbury Episcopi 1778 |
Arthur and Alice had one known baby, who they named
Hannah in 1778.
GGGGGGM Hannah White was baptised in KE on 2 Feb 1778, when her mother was 23. Unusually
Alice had no more babies during her twenties and thirties.
Alice White nee Munckton was a witness at several weddings in Kingsbury Episcopi. On 19 Apr 1784 she witnessed the marriage of James Munckton (probably a cousin b1763 Curry Rivel) and also another marriage on 13 Nov 1787. The land tax records of 1798 indicate Arthur owned blocks of land in
Kingsbury Episcopi, Burrow and Stembridge and also occupied (probably
farmed) several other farm lots.
 |
| Burials Kingsbury Episcopi 1801 |
GGGGGGF Arthur White died in 1801 and was buried on 21 Jan 1801. He was probably aged in his early seventies and appeared to be a wealthy man.
 |
| Last Will & Testament of Arthur White 1801 |
GGGGGGF Arthur White's long and detailed will is very hard to read. His will includes surviving children from both marriages. It commences
"I Arthur White of Kingsbury Episcopi in the County of Somerset, yeoman, do make my last will and testament in (the) manner following (that is to say) first I give and bequeath unto my ..... now wife all that my .... in the Parish of Kingsbury..." His estate seems to have been very large for the times, and included a number of properties and at least several hundred pounds, which he dispersed to members of his family. Names mentioned in the will (along with some of the bequests) include;
- Arthur's wife (Alice White nee Munckton)
- Son Arthur White only son and sole executor
- Daughter Hannah White bequeathed £200 and a third part of all my household goods ...
- Daughter Charlotte Stuckey (nee White) bequeathed £200 .... William Stuckey ...
- Daughter Mary (nee White) possible surname Male; £200 amongst all her children who shall be living..
- Son John White bequeathed £160 and one third of all my household goods and furniture including all the goods, utensils and effects purchased off Sarah Gifford ...
- Daughter Elizabeth Best the wife of Samuel Best bequeathed all monies due on the estate of Samuel Best
 |
Burials Kingsbury Episcopi 1822
|
GGGGGGM Alice White nee Munckton died at the recorded age of 65 (really 66) in Kingsbury Episcopi on 19 Apr 1822.
131.0 Six Children of GGGGGGF Arthur White (c1730-1801)
Arthur White had six children by two wives. There were probably five born from his first marriage and one (Hannah) by the second. All six children were mentioned in his will in 1801.
131.1 Elizabeth White (1756-1823) & Samuel Best
No baptism record has been found for Elizabeth White. As she married in 1776, she must have been born early in
Arthur's first marriage; probably early 1757. Her birth year was confirmed by the age listed on her death registration.
 |
| Marriages Kingsbury Episcopi 1776 |
Elizabeth White 21 married Samuel Best 29, butcher, in Kingsbury Episcopi 24 Dec 1776. The White family must have been regular churchgoers because siblings Elizabeth, John and Alice White were witnesses at several weddings at this time. Samuel Best was also a witness at many weddings. The fact that Samuel was a butcher suggests that he may have worked with Elizabeth's father who was also a butcher.
Eight children born to Samuel and Elizabeth Best nee White were Susanah Best 1778, Samuel Best 1780, William Best 1782, twins Thomas and Henry Best 1778, Thomas Best 1780, Mary Best 1792 and Elizabeth 1796; born when her mother was around 40 years old. Several of Samuel's sons followed his lead and became butchers.
We know Elizabeth was alive in 1801, because she was mentioned in
Arthur's will in that year.
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| Burials Kingsbury Episcopi 1805 |
Samuel Best, butcher, died at the age of 57 in 1805 and was buried in KE on 2 May 1805.
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| Burials Kingsbury Episcopi 1823 |
Elizabeth Best nee White died at the age of 68 in 1823 and was buried at Kingsbury Episcopi on 24 Sep 1823.
131.2 Arthur White (1759-1829) & Jemima Willy
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| Baptisms Kingsbury Episcopi 1759 |
Arthur White junior was baptised by parents
Arthur and Mary White nee Gifford in 1759
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| Marriages Kingsbury Episcopi 1783 |
At the age of 24, Arthur White jnr married Jemima Willy, at Kingsbury Episcopi on 24 Aug 1783. Witnesses at the wedding were Ambrose Willy and William Glover. All parties signed their names. The land tax records of 1798 indicate Arthur had an interest several blocks of land in Kingsbury Episcopi, Burrow and Stembridge. These were most likely owned by his father (see will below), but Arthur jnr probably worked with his father, and in 1801 when his father died, took over the land interests.
Only two children are known to have been born to Arthur and Jemima. They were Mary White (later England) b1785 (from census) and Charlotte White 1788. Sadly Arthur's wife Jemima died in 1789 and was buried in KE on 22 Apr 1789. As her death was soon after the birth daughter Charlotte, the cause may have been due to complications from the birth.
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| Marriages Kingsbury Episcopi 1805 |
Arthur's daughter Mary, married Robert England, bachelor at the age of 21. Witnesses were John Willie and Unknown England. All parties signed their names.
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| Burials Kingsbury Episcopi 1829 |
Arthur White junior died in 1829 at the age of 69, and was buried in Kingsbury Episcopi on 8 July 1829.
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| Extract from a book titled 'Thomas & Jane Willy of Middle Lambrook', by John Archerd |
131.3 Mary White (c1761-1802) & Isaac Male
No baptism record has been found for Mary White, but she was probably the second daughter born in the first marriage, and named after Arthur's first wife. On 19 Nov 1799, Mary was a witness at a wedding in KE.
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| Marriages Kingsbury Episcopi 1783 |
At the age of 22, Mary White married Isaac Male on 27 July 1783 in Kingsbury Episcopi. Witnesses were Henry Best and William Glover. All parties signed their names.
Mary was certainly alive in 1801, because she was mentioned in her
father's will, which was proved in that year. The will implied that
Mary had children, but baptism registrations for them have not been
found.
Mary Male nee White may have died at the age of 39 in 1802 and was buried on 30 May 1802 at Kingsbury Episcopi. An alternative death year is 1831, when a Mary Male, listed as 74 years old, was buried on 3 Aug 1831.
131.4 Charlotte White (1763-1808) & John Stuckey
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| Baptisms Kingsbury Episcopi 1763 |
Charlotte was born to parents Arthur and Mary White and baptised 9 Aug 1763.
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| Marriages Kingsbury Episcopi 1785 |
At the age of 22 Charlotte White married John Stuckey on 12 Apr 1785 at Kingsbury Episcopi. The witnesses were Francis Gillard (or Gifford) and brother John White. All parties signed their names.
She was certainly alive in 1801, because she was mentioned in her father's will which was proved in that year.
Charlotte Stuckey nee White possibly died in 1808 and was buried in Muchelney (3 miles from Kingsbury Episcopi) on 9 Apr 1808.
131.5 John White (1768-1835) & Chloe Langfield
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| Baptisms Kingsbury Episcopi 1768 |
John White was baptised at Kingsbury Episcopi by his parents on 31 Mar 1768
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| Marriages Kingsbury Episcopi 1791 |
At the age of 23 John White, butcher married Chloe (aka Clodina) Langfield on 5 July 1791 at Kingsbury Episcopi. Witnesses were Henry Best and William Glover. All parties except Chloe signed their names.
John and Chloe had the following seven known children; Ann White 1793, Arthur White 1795, Elizabeth White 1798, Kezia White 1801, William White 1803, John White 1805 and Mary White 1808.
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| Burials South Petherton 1835 |
John White was a resident of South Petherton (3 miles south of KE) when he died in 1835 aged 67. No death record has been found for his wife Chloe.
131.6 GGGGGM Hannah White (1778-1830) & Robert Symes Richards (1778-1844)
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| Baptisms Kingsbury Episcopi 1778 |
Hannah White was born in 1778 and baptised by parents
Arthur and Alice White nee Monckton at KE on 2 Feb 1778. At the age of 21, Hannah White witnessed weddings at Kingsbury Episcopi on 19 Apr 1799 and also on the 29 Aug 1799. She was also mentioned in her father's will in 1801.
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| Marriages Kingsbury Episcopi 1801 |
At the age of 22
Hannah married
Robert Symes Richards who was a butcher. Witnesses were John Baker and Rachel Richards.
Robert and Hannah had seven known children; Elizabeth Richards 1802,
GGGGM Ann Richards 1804, John Richards 1807, George Richards 1809, Rhoda Richards 1811,
Hannah Richards 1813 and George Richards 1814. For more about
Hannah's married life see 118.0
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| Burials Kingsbury Episopi 1830 |
Hannah Richards nee White died at the age of 52 in 1830 and was buried at Kingsbury Episcopi on 3 Aug 1830.
132.0 Ancestors of GGGGGGM Alice Munckton (1757-1822)
See 130.1 for more information about her married life.
NOTE The surname Munckton was spelt in various ways
(Munkton, Monckton or even Munston). There are also several illegible
pages in the baptismal record so there were possibly more children born
to
Hannah in the 1740's.
132.1 GGGGGGGP Edward Munckton (1716-1773) & Hannah Willy (1718-1795)
Alice Munckton was born in 1755 at Kingsbury Episcopi to
GGGGGGGP Edward Munckton and
Hannah Willy. No baptism record has been found for
Edward but he was probably born around 1716, which would have made him 21 at the time of his marriage in 1737.
Edward was probably the son of
GGGGGGGGP James and Judith Munckton. They had several children baptised at Kingsbury Episcopi at this time and
Edward was probably the last of their children. Unfortunately the parish record around 1716 is in very poor condition and that is the most likely reason
Edward's baptism record cannot be found.
GGGGGGGM Hannah Willy was baptised at South Petherton Independent Church on 6 June 1718 by her parents
George and Mary Willy. She probably knew her future husband all her life.
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| Marriages Kingsbury Episcopi 1737: bottom entry |
Edward Munckton 21 married
Hannah Willy 19 in Kingsbury Episcopi on 15 Oct 1737.
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| Baptisms KE 1738 |
Their first baby, named Hannah after her mother, was baptised at KE on 2 Jun 1738. Other known children were Samuel Munckton bapt 9 Dec 1739, Edward Munckton bapt 25 Dec 1742 (d1822) and
GGGGGGM Alice Munckton 1755. Another sibling was probably Margaret Munckton probably born between 1743 and 1754. No baptisam registration has been found for Margaret (the records have several years missing), but she was a witness at sister
Alice's wedding in 1777. Margaret Munckton married John Sylvester in the same church as her sister in 1779. It appears that
Hannah Munckton nee Willy's last baby was either
Alice or Margaret, born when
Hannah was in her late thirties.
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| Burials Kingsbury 1773 |
GGGGGGGF Edward Munckton was probably in his late fifties, when he died in Kingsbury Episcopi in 1773. He was buried on 15 April 1773.
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| Burials Kingsbury Episcopi 1795 |
GGGGGGGM Hannah Munckton nee Willy died at the age of 77 in 1795, and was buried at Kingsbury Episcopi on 10 June 1795
132.2 GGGGGGGGP James Munckton (1671-1737) & Judith Unknown (c1676-?)
GGGGGGGF Edward Munckton was probably born to
GGGGGGGGP James Munckton (1671-1737) and
Judith Unknown (1676-?) in 1716. The relevant pages in the baptismal record are illegible, but James and Judith had other children baptised from 1700 to 1710 and probably a few after that.
GGGGGGGGF James was probably born around 1671 and judging by the birth years of her children,
Judith was born around the mid 1670's. They would have been married in the mid 1690's. The parents of
Judith are unknown.
Known children of GGGGGGGGP James Munckton (1671-1737) & Judith Unknown (c1676-?)
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Baptisms Kingsbury Episcopi 1696
Elizabeth was the first known child born to the couple in Kingsbury Episcopi on 12 May 1696 and baptised on 27 May.
|
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| Baptisms KE 1701: Susannah daughter of James Munston (sic) & Judith his wife was born Feb 25 & bapt Mar 5 |
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| Baptisms Kingsbury Episcopi 1704: Mary Daughter of James Munston (sic) husbandman (farmer) & Judith his wife |
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| Baptisms KE 1708: Joseph son of James Munston (sic) & Judith his wife was Baptised May the 17th |
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| Baptisms Kinghsbury Episcopi 1710: James Munckton baptised 30 Jul 1710 |
Children born to
GGGGGGGGP James and Judith (surname spelt Munston), include Elizabeth Munckton 1696 1732, Susannah Munckton 1701, Mary Munckton 1704 Joseph Munckton 1708, James Munckton 1710 and
Edward Munckton c1716. No baptism record has been found for
Edward because the records are in such a poor state after 1712. There may have been more children born. Going by the baptism place of the children, it appears the Munckton family lived in the Kingsbury Episcopi area all their lives.
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| Burials Kingsbury Episcopi 1737 |
GGGGGGGGP James Munckton died at the age of 66 and was buried in Kingsbury Episcopi on 22 May 1737. The year of death of
Judith Munckton nee Wolfe is unknown
132.3 GGGGGGGGP George Willy (c1680-?) & Mary Wellment (1684-?)
GGGGGGGM Hannah Willy was born in Kingsbury Episcopi in
1718 and baptised at South Petherton Independent Church on 6 June 1718
by her parents
GGGGGGGGP George Willy and Mary Wellment.
No baptism record has been found for
George Willy, but he was probably born around 1680.
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| Baptisms Kingsbury Episcopi 1684: Written in latin |
|
George's future wife,
GGGGGGGGM Maria (Mary) Wellment filia (daughter) of
Robert and Mary Wellment was baptised on 24 Sep 1684.
George and Mary Willy nee Wellment named their third son Robert. Naming offspring after parents and grandparents was a very common practice.
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| Marriages Kingsbury Episcopi: George Willey & Mary Wellment were joined in marriage June 5th, 1707 |
GGGGGGGGP George Willy married
Mary Wellment 23 at Kingsbury Episcopi on 5 June 1707.
The nine children born to the couple were George Willy 1708-1709, George Willy 1710-1766, Robert Willy 1712, Mary Willy 1714, Joane Willy 1716,
GGGGGGGM Hannah Willy 1718, Margaret Willy 1720, Alice Willy 1722, and Samuel Willy 1724. Mary was 40 when she gave birth to her last child in 1724.
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| Baptism of George, son of George & Mary Willy at their house in Kingsbury in 1710 |
The baptism records of all children were listed in the South Petherton Independent Church Record, but the records indicate that the baptism was held at the home of George and Mary in Kingsbury.
Dates of death for GGGGGGGGP George and Mary Willy nee Wellment are unknown.
132.4 GGGGGGGGGP Robert Wellment (1657-?) & Mary Unknown (?-?)
Robert Wellment was baptised at KE on 11 Jan 1657 by his parents Michael Wellment and Joane Stuckey. (Baptism record below).He had five siblings.
Robert Wellment married Mary Unknown in Kingsbury Episcopi in the early 1680's. There is no record because some pages in the Parish Marriage Record are missing. The dates of death for Robert & Mary Wellment are also unknown, because no records have been found.
NOTE: Marriage records are missing from April 15 1680 to May 13 1695 in Kingsbury Episcopi. The only child known to be born to Robert and Mary (Maria) was GGGGGGGGM Mary Wellment in 1684 (See 132..3).
132.5 GGGGGGGGGGP Michael Wellment (c1630-?) & Joane Stuckey (c1634-?)
No baptism documents had been found for either
Michael or Joane, but there is a registration of their marriage in Kingsbury Episcopi in 1656. According to the dates of birth of their children,
Joane would have been born around 1634.
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| Marriages Kingsbury Episcopi 1656 |
The above marriage document is found in the Kingsbury Episcopi Parish
Records. It reads
" ... was then certified of a marriage intended
between Michael Wellman the son of ......... the one ... and Joane Stuckey of this parish? .... three several Lord's (Days), then next following .... in the Parish of Kingsbury, at the close of the morning service no exception was brought against them unto me, they may proceed in marriage. Michael Wellman and Joane Stuckey were married the 1st of Dec? 1656".
Michael and Joane Wellment nee Stuckey had six known children in the two decades after their marriage. There were probably other children born too, but there are large chunks of the Parish Record missing. Their children were
Robert Wellment 1658, Michael Wellment 1660-?, Joane Wellment 1662-?, Mary Wellment 1666-?, William Wellment 1668-? and Edith (Edithe) Wellment 1674-? All children were baptised in Kingsbury Episcopi and their baptism records are reproduced below.
If
Joane Wellment nee Stuckey was around 40 when she had her last child in 1674, she would have been around 22 when she was married 18 years earlier. That equates to a birth year for
Joane of 1634.
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| Baptisms KE 1758: Robert the Son of Myhill & Joane Wellman born Jan 17 (1758; see lower entry above) |
GGGGGGGGGF Robert Wellment was baptised by his parents on 17 Jan 1647 at Kingsbury Episcopi.
NOTE: Although there is a note in the Parish record with the year 1647, the above extract makes it clear from later entries that the year was actually 1658. This date also fits in with all the other records in this section including parent's date of marriage, birth years of siblings, names of parents and place of birth.
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| Baptisms Kingsbury Episcopi 1660: Myhill (Michael) the son of Myhill and Joane Wellman baptised 13 Oct |
Son Myhill (Michael) was baptised by
Michael and Joane Wellment on 13 Oct 1660 at KE and named after his father.
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| Baptisms KE 1662 |
Joane was born on 27 Feb and baptised at KE on 12 Mar 1662. As the first daughter, she was named after her mother.
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| Baptisms KE 1666 |
Mary Wellment was baptised at KE on 12 Oct 1666.
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| Baptisms KE 1668 |
William Wellment was baptised at KE on 16 Dec 1668.
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| Baptisms KE 1674: Edithe filia (daughter) of Michalis et Joanne Wilmot (Wellment) Bapt 4th Sep |
Edith Wellment was baptised at KE on 4 Sep 1674 by parents
Michael and Joanne Wellment. Her mother was probably around forty years old when Edith was born.
The dates of death for
GGGGGGGGGP Michael and Joane Wellment nee Stuckey have not been found.
133.0 Reserved for Future Use
134.0 Diagram of the Extended Richards & Vile Family Trees
135.0 Kingsbury Episcopi, Somerset
The Bisgrove, Vile and Richards ancestors in the family tree, and most of their spouses, originated in Kingsbury Episcopi (KE) or the numerous hamlets in this area of Somerset. The ‘Episcopi’ part of the village name means ‘of the Bishop’ in Latin. It refers to that fact that the village originally belonged to the Bishop of Bath and Wells.
135.1 Description of Kingsbury Episcopi
The following edited extract is from John Marius Wilson's
‘Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales’, 1870.
"Kingsbury Episcopi...
has a post office, of the name of Kingsbury, under Ilminster; and it contains
the tythings of Burrow, Lake, Stembridge, West Lambrook, and East Lambrook, and
the hamlets of Middle Lambrook, Southay, and Thorney."
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| Map of Kingsbury Episcopi and the nearby hamlets of Thorney, Burrow and Stembridge |
‘Kingsbury Episcopi is 2½ miles north-west from Martock
station on the Yeovil branch of the Bristol and Exeter railway, and 4m south
from Langport... situated on the river Parrett. The church of St. Martin is a
noble Gothic stone structure, built probably in the reign of Henry VII., and
restored in the years 1845-1849. The register dates from the year 1728....
There is a handsome school-house, where day and Sunday schools are held in
connection with the church. There is a chapel and school for Wesleyans. There
is a charity for apprenticing poor boys. The chief crops are wheat, barley,
beans, flax, and apples and a large quantity of cider is made here. The area is
3,646 acres; houses 351; and the population in 1871 was 1,707."
Kelly’s Kingsbury Episcopi Directory 1875, listed some of the people involved in commerce in the town including the following, who have a connection to people in the family tree; Rhoda Bradford, Bladon Farm; John Bulgin, blacksmith; James Lovell, wheelwright; Samuel Quantock, farmer; Ann Richards, (Miss) shopkeeper, Samuel Richards, farmer; Simeon Vile, shoe maker and Arthur White Willy, shopkeeper. Most people in this list have some connection to our family tree!
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| Thorney Mill, Kingsbury Episcopi |
John Richards died in 1883 aged 77 and was buried at Kingsbury Episcopi on 26 Nov 1883. John never married and there were no known children.
At the age of 30 Rhoda married Daniel 31 at St Brides, Fleet St. London on 25 Dec 1841. Rhoda's father was listed as Robert Richards, butcher.
Rhoda Evers nee Richards died at the age of 59 in 1869 at Bermondsey, London. Husband Daniel Evers lived on till 1880 and died at 46 Great St Andrews St, Seven Dials, London at the age of 72. He was buried at Old Brompron Cemetery, London on 13 Apr 1880
William and Hannah wrote on the ship’s passenger list that they had no relatives living in the colony, but they did have other relatives on the ship. William’s niece Mary Bisgrove nee Vile and her husband Jacob Bisgrove were also sailing to Australia, following in the steps of Jacob’s sister Charlotte, who had done so eight years earlier. As they all came from KE they must have known each other at least to some extent. Their life in Australia is covered more fully in Chapter 111.7.
On 12 Oct 1871 Hannah Vile nee Richards succumbed to tuberculosis and died at the age of 58. She was buried on 14 Oct 1871 in the Oakhampton Cemetery with daughter Ann and sons John and William Vile.
At the age of 35, Job married his cousin Billah Male 24 (daughter of his mother's sister Mary Male nee Richards; see 120.6). The minister must have been unsure of Billah's name because that space was left blank, but she did sign her name.
At the time of the 1841 census, Jephtha and his family were farming Burrow Farm. They had three servants to help run the household.
The 1851 census provides more information about the farm. It covered 160 acres and Jephtha employed 11 labourers to help run the business.
Samuel fell in live with his cousin Elizabeth Richards b1802 (their fathers were brothers). Samuel and Elizabeth were married in KE on 1 Jul 1823. Witnesses were two men named Robert Richards (Samuel's brother and Elizabeth's father) and Hannah Baker (a cousin; daughter of aunt Rachel Richards). All parties signed their names. See 118.1 for more information about their married lives.
At around 30 years of age, William Haggettt Richards of Kingsbury Episcopi married Ann Bayley 21 on 3
Feb 1780 at nearby Martock. William and Ann had eight known children over the next twenty years. Ann was born in 1759 and was 37 when she had her last child in 1796. The children's baptism records are below. William Haggett Richards c1750 wrote his will in 1801 and only mentioned three daughters and three sons, which means two of their children; Betty (b1782-1786) and the first William Richards (b1789-1789) were deceased by that date. 
According to the book extract above, William Haggett Richards
of Kingsbury Episcopi, and his brother Thomas Richards of Evershot (see above), jointly purchased Stapleton Manor in
1796, perhaps using their father's bequest. 
Ann Bailey Richards 76 died at Stoke Under Hamden on 20 Mar 1862.
Thomas
Bailey Richards, gent died at the age of 25 at KE. He was interred in a
new family vault in the chancel of St Martin's Church KE on 17 Oct
1812 . He left a will dated tenth Oct 1812, which named the following
people:-
At the age of 27 Elizabeth Haggett Richards married William Adams at Martock. The marriage took place on 10 Oct 1820 and was witnessed by brother-in-law William Chaffey and William Richards. The couple had three known children; Isabella Lucy Adams 1816 -1851, John Adams 1822 and Mary A Adams 1824-1881.
At the age of 25, on 22 Oct 1821, William Haggett Richards married spinster Elizabeth England at Kingsbury Episcopi. Elizabeth was possibly baptised at Martock on 3 Oct 1802 by parents William and Mary England (d.1826)
On 10 July 1828 William 32 married Mary Besley England 21 (b1806) at Martock. Both were 'of this parish' and William's signature matches the one on his first marriage registration. Mary England was not a sister of William's first wife, but was quite likely related in some way. Mary's mother was Ann England c1777 (from 1851 census below). According to the baptism places of their children, William and Mary Richards nee England resided in Axminster, Devon from 1835 to 1849. However other documents list their abode as Martock in 1841 and 1842. Perhaps Mary went to Axminster for support from family members when she gave birth!
At the age of 33 Charles married Sarah Emily Dickinson on 14 Oct 1879 at Bebington, Tranmere Parish, Cheshire. Charles father was listed as William Haggett Richards.
At the age of 25 Sidney Richards, gentleman, married Anna Travis England 24 year old spinster at Kingsbury Episcopi. The marriage was held on 23 Oct 1873 and Sidney's father was listed as William Haggett Richards, gentleman. Sidney's abode at the time was West Lambrook, Kingsbury and Anna's was Manor Farm, Kingsbury. Anna may have been a cousin of Sudney's because 'England' was his mother's surname.
At the age of 27 Mary Richards married widower William Reynolds, retired yeoman, at Martock. The wedding took place on 13 May 1813 and it was witnessed by both of Mary's brothers; William and Thomas Richards and a person whose signature looks like H. Richards, but was probably Mary's father Thomas Richards n1747. Two samples of his signature are side by side below. Another remote possibility is that 'H.Richards' was Mary's cousin (William) Haggett Richards b1796. Perhaps he signed as 'H. Richards' to distinguish himself from his deceased father, who had the same name.
William Richards, 29 year old gent,
married Mary Gervis 23 (b1793) on 11 Sep 1816 at Hemyock, Devon. The 1861 census confirms Mary was born
in Hemyock, Devon which was 23 miles from Martock. 
Mary Gervis was baptised on 1 Jan 1793 at Hemyock by parents John (b1762) and Prudence Gervis nee Lutley (b1764 at Hemyock). They were married at Hemyock in 1787. Mary's sister Jane Gervis married William's younger brother, Thomas Richards, thirteen years later in 1829 at Thorverton, Devon (see below).
In 1856 Ellanette 26 year old spinster married solicitor John Glyde 30 (1826-1866)
of Yeovil. The marriage took place at Islington, Middlesex on 12 June 1856. Witnesses were Thomas (probably her uncle 1791-1866) Thomas and Mary Richards (probably her mother 1792-1866)
In his late thirties, Thomas Richards married Jane Gervis 39 on 21 Jan 1829 at Thorverton which was 16 miles from Hemyock. Census records indicate that Thomas' wife, Jane, was born in Hemyock, Devon in 1790. Jane's age at the time of her marriage explains why she only gave birth to one child.
There was a Jenny Jervis baptised at Hemyock on 1 Jan 1790 by parents John and Prudence Jervis. As it was not uncommon for the spelling of names to vary, this record was probably referring to Jane Gervis, who was the sister of Mary Gervis, wife of Thomas' brother William Richards (See above). The names of their parents were identical. The two Gervis sisters married the two Richards brothers.
In 1841 Thomas 11 was living with his family at Stapleton, Martock. By 1851 he had moved out of the family home and there are very few records about him after that.
Thomas Richards may have died in Michigan, USA in 1905.
GGGGGGM Alice Munckton was baptised at Kingsbury Episcopi on 7 Aug 1755. Her parents were GGGGGGGP Edward and Hannah Munckton. 
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