General Notes

The following is from "The Richmond Family" by Joshua Baily Richmond

                        "THE Richmond FAMILY"
                         "First Generation"
                     (written in the late 1800's)

"(1) John Richmond 1, the emigrant, was born in 1594; he came to America from Ashton Keynes, Wiltshire, England.  He probably left England about 1635, and was one of the purchasers of Taunton in 1637.  Undoubtedly he was married before he came to this country, but neither the name of his wife, the date of their marriage, nor the date of her death, has been found.   He was away from Taunton much of his life, - through the records he is known to have been at Newport and other places, - but he returned to Taunton and died there March 20, 1664, aged seventy.   The following records, without much doubt, refer to John Richmond, of Taunton: - "To the Constable of Saco" (Maine): "These ..."

At "the sitting of the Council," in Newport, R.I., 1656 and 1657: - Upon the petition of Richard Ussel to the Court concerning an execution granted to him, against Edward Richmond of Newport, for the sum of three pound, thirteen shillings, which execution being unserved by reason that no estate was found to serve it on, and now being adjitated in the Court of redress for same, here appeared John Richmond of Newport sen'r, and to this Court did pay, etc."

"Court of Commissioners, 17th March, 1656.  Mr Roger Williams, Moderator."
"Case 22.  It is ordered, that, Whereas, there are divers presentments standing uppon a books of record (belonging to y? Island), against John Richmond, Sen'r, John Smith, George Blisse, Henrie Hobson, Henry Timberlake, and Bartholomew Hunt, all of Newport.  These presentments shall not be, any of them, prosecuted, except by express orders from His Highness ye Lord Protector."

"He was one of the Commissioners, for Newport, of the Court of Commissioners, held at Portsmouth in 1656.  He owned six shares in the original purchase of Taunton in 1637.  John Richmond (1) was one of the older men of the settlement in Taunton.  His name does not appear in the list of males (able to bear arms) in 1643: he was in Rhode Island in 1655, and it is probable that he was there at that time or in England. He took the oath of fidelity in Taunton before 1640.  The family were large land-owners in the easterly part of the town, and gave to a village in that section the name of Richmondtown, which it still bears."

                     THE WILL OF JOHN Richmond

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

     Witness                                               his
Joseph Wilbore                                       John X Richmond
Shadrach Wilbore                                         mark
s (seal)

The above written Will was exhibited to the Court held at Plymouth the ?? day of October 1669 ."

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The following is an excerpt from the "Richmond Family News Journal" which, also I believe, is no longer in publication. (Bud Schafer)

"John Richmond, the eldest son of Henry and Elizabeth (Christian) Richmond was born at Amisbury, Wiltshire in 1594.  He married Elizabeth Nicholas before 1629.  The date of her birth is not known, but she was probably born at Amisbury or Ashton-Keynes."

"It is believed that John Richmond came to America with a group of cadets (younger sons of brothers) of noble English families who had chosen to emigrate to America so that they might be able to "engage in commercial and other pursuits without shocking thier aristocratic relatives."  (see footnote). Richmond probably came to America in a trading vessel about 1635.  It is known that he was engaged in carrying on an extensive and flourishing trade with Saco, Maine, in 1635...."

"In 1637 John Richmond was one of the purchasers and proprietors of Taunton, Massachusetts.  His daughters, Sarah, Mary, and Amy, were born there in 1638, 1639, and 1641.  Nothing is known of him between the years 1643 and 1655.  Family tradition has it that he returned t o England and took part in the wars during that time.  He was referred to as Colonel John Richmond."

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"Note:  Another source states that John Richmond came to America from Ashton-Keynes after accidentally killing his brother in the English Civil Wars. Before leaving for America, he joined a colony of cadets on the western coast of Ireland, where his cousin, George, carried on a flourishing trade with Saco, Maine."

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The following was taken from "The Richmond Family News-Journal", Vol X No. 2 & 3, c1982.  The only reference to the source states "New England Records" but later entries indicate this data was abstracted from the Court Records of the Province of Maine, held in Saco.  Also quoted are the Rhode Island Col. Rec.

Febr. 7, 1636.  Mr. Theophilus Davies against Mr. John Richmond, an action of Slander.  Mr. Henry Broade, an action of trespass against Mr. Theop. Davies and Mr. John Richmond.

March 6, 1636.  John Richmond, an action of trespass against Mr. Tho. Lewis, and also a complaint against the said Lewis for detayning the said Richmond's servant.

March 7, 1736.  Mr. Thomas Lewis is by verdict of the jury to pay unto John Richmond six pounds ten shillings, for two barrells of beife.

March 14, 1636.  John Richmond, an action against Mr. Tho. Lewis for detayning his servant against the law.

May 2, 1637.  Thomas Page, an action of trespass against John Richmond.

June 1637.  John Richmond, an action for debt against Theoph. Davies. The court records (Court Records of the Province of Maine, held in Saco under Capt. William Georges) close July 4 , 1637, when Capt. William Gorges was recalled, and there are no further court records until 1640.

"He seems to have been living or trading on the grant of Mr. Theop. Davies, which ran a few miles along the shore from Saco towards Richmond Island, as he was sued by the latter gentleman as just shown and Davies deed is now given.  'Land between Cape Elizabeth and Cape Porpoise extending 4 miles along the seashore north of Swanckadock [Saco] river and 8 miles inland granted by Patent to Mr. Thomas Lewis and Capt. Richard Bonighton [Bonython] by Council for New England Feb. 12, 1629.'" York Deeds

"It was thought that Mr. John Richmond might have been a brother or other relative of Mr. George Richmond of Bandon Bridge, Ireland, who made voyages to Richmond Island about that time (see Trelawney Papers in Maine Hist. Soc. Coll.)  Richmond Island, Maine, was called by that name as early as 1628.  George Richmond was the son of Mr. John Richmond of Bandon Bridge (Prerogative will. 1611, in Four Courts, Dublin), who came of an old Somerset family, using the arms of the Constables of Richmond (Visitations of Somerset 1531-1591, perhaps 1623, p. 69, ed . by Fred W. Weaver).  George Richmond had a brother John of Carrilucas, County, Cork, whose will was proved 21 July, 1637.  As neither John or George had sons John, the Saco records probably refer to John of Taunton, for he appears at the latter place in 1638."  R.I. Host. Soc. Co l. Jan 1928.

"Since the above was written the discovery that George Richmond's eldest bro. Capt. Richard Richmond with possibly his son "Lieut John Richmond" were privateers in Va. in 1623 makes it possible that the John Richmond at the Saco Court in 1637 was the son of Capt. Richard Richmond.  The Visitation states Capt. Riochard had a son John but no further particulars.  This John may be the one who went to Taunton but we do not know.

[1637 July 21:  John Rd. als Shepard will proven in Dublin.]

1637:  John Richmond owned 6 shares on the original purchase of Taunton. Rd. Gen., p. 2.

1638:  About this date dau. Mary was born.

1639:  About this date dau Sarah was born.

1639:  He took the oath of Fidelity before 1640 in Taunton.  Rd. Gen., p. 2.

1639+:  Some time after birth of Sarah his wife died.

1642 Dec 7:  Quarter Sessions Court at Newport. [John Ric]hman drawn as juror.  R.I. Col. Rec ., p. 20.

"We find John left Taunton, by the end of 1642, coincident with the rise in power of the Puritans, came back to Taunton after 1661 on the return of the Royalists into power.  But he may have left Taunton for Newport because the latter was more suited for trading and safe for a family of 4 young children like his."

1643 June 7:  Quarter Sessions Court at Newport.  John Richman on the Grand Jury and Petit Jury.  R. I. Col. Rec., p. 24.

1643 Jun 7:  "At the Quarter Sessions held at Nuport.  Item, an action of John Richman against John Wood of the same Town in an action of Trespass; referred to Mr. Easton in peace to abide arbitrament of all causes."

"Item an action of Slander by John Richman against Job Tiler of the same Towne for saying in the months of too wittnesses that the plaintiff stoole a bagg of meale and layd it in his h ouse and confessed by the defendant that he did him wrong.  The Jury find for the plaintiff 2 0sh damages and cost of Court, and forgiveness of the plaintiff who did and was forgiven."  R .I. Col. Rec. p. 22.

"This last action shows John owned a house of his own before June, 1643."

1643 Sept. 5:  Quarter Sessions Court at Portsmouth.  John Richman on the Grand Jury and Peti t Jury.  R.I. Col. Rec. p. 24.

1644 +-:  Had 30 acres of land from town of Newport probably on Millbrook.  ibed. p. 31.

1644:  Begins his "Mansion House."  [This term was applied at this period to a large house usually with chimneys at each end.]  R.I. Col. Rec., see p. 4.

"John Richmond was now a man of about 50 years in prosperous corcumstances, as shown by his building a large house on his property by the "Mill Brook."

1644/5 Feb:  Sells 22 out of the 30 acres granted to him by the Town of Newport near the Mill brook to James Rogers.  R.I. Col., p. 31.

John Richmonde deede to James Rogers.
Feb. 28, 1644/5.
"Memorandum that James Rogers, Carpenter having bought and purchased 22 acres of Land of Jo : Richman which was part of 30 granted to him by the Towne and having had 20 more granted him for service done as a Beadle to the Towne if satisfaction being given for both it is thus Laid forth to him vide 4 acres more or less in Sachuit Marshes lying between Mr. Lenthall's and Jo: Roomes Marsh and 30 acres of upland more or less lying on the aforesaid Millbrook bounded on the North by Mr. Coggeshall on the East by the Hie way to the comon on the South by George Borden and Hugh Durdalls and Jo: Layon's Land and on the West by the way next to the forsed brook which ye said parcil of Land is impropriated to the said James and his heirs forever witness this present record Feb. 28, 1644.  Wm Dyre, Recorder."  r.I. Col., p. 31.

1645 April:  By this date his Mansion house was to have been finished. ibed. p. 4.

1646 May 22:  "The declaration of John Richman of Nuport plaintiff against John West of the same towne in a plea of surcese case complaineth that whereas the said John Richman plaintiff did agree with the aforesaid John Weest by a verball accord viz.. that the said Deft. should help to build the said plaintiff a Mansion House by the mill brook at Nuport and to be finished by April last past was twelve months bye.  Deffendant hath not so done to the damage of the estimation 30li. And further the said poaintiff complaineth against the said defendant for non satisfaction of thirtie eight seekes diet and washing to the value of nine pounds ten shillings at five shillings a week.  And further the said plaintiff complaineth that where as seeing there was no written couvenant nor witness of the bargain making between the said Plaint. and Defend. but the said Plaintiff relying upon the honestie of the defendant in the accord, yet so it is that since the house so far done as it is, and the difference arysing between the said Plaint. and Deft. the Plain. hath at divers times offered to compromise the matter of difference between them and to that end did take with him two sufficient workmen to judge of the work who have given under their hands their estimation of the said work that a peaceable end might be made, the said defendant hath refused to attend thereto the damage of the plaintiff 20li.  Recorded and ended."  R.I. Col. Rec.. p. 4.

1646 Oct 6:  Quarter Sessions Court at Newport John Richmond on Petty and Grand Jury.  R.I. C ol. Rec.. p. 7.

John Richmond's purchase of James Rogers.
1646 Nov 1 +-:  "Memorandum that John Richman Land that he had partly of the Towne vide. 8 acres also twenty acres that the said John bought of James Roges is bounded from the fence of Jeremy Willis on the east side of the mill brook upon a streight line to ouer against John Peckam's stave (or stake) fence foure pole bieng left for a hei way at the south end and two pole at the other side and so the hie way to pass to the hie way between Nuport and Portsmouth and so the land of the said John Richman goes up all along upon the land of the said John Peckam and is bounded 16 poles at the east end upon the Comon and so down by the hie way side to the brook and marct tree of the said hie way and so down by the brook to the first mark or bounds, together with that land which the said John bought of Mr. Easton bounded by the brook of the East side by Jeremy Willis his Lande fence on the South by the Comon on the west and north end and sides, which Land so butted and bounded is fully impropriated to the said John Richman and his heirs forever.  Teste. William Dyre"  Rec. R. I. Col. Rec., p. 8.

1648:  Oldest son John (2) of age.

1648/9 Mch. 1:  "John Hick to John Richmond."
"Memorandum that on the 1 Day of March an. 1648 John Richman of Nuport did enter upon record his purchase of a parcell of Land that the said John purchase of the said John Hicks contayning fifty acres more or less which was Layd forth to the said John at Nuport Cliffs Lying o n the North west side of Road Island bounded on the east partly by Robert Stanton's Land an d partly by the hie way also on the Eastern side bounded by the hie way that goes to the Schoole Land and on the North end by the way that goes up from the Sea to the North corner of the little salt marsh and is bounded on the western side by the sea which said parcell of Land with all its immunities and priviledges is impropriated to the said John Richman and his heirs forever.  Test. hoc Rec. Willm Dyre, Gen. Rec." R. I. Col. Rec., p. 43.

1655:  John Richmond on list of Freeman in Newport.  Bartlett's R.I. Col. Rec., 9. 301.

"There is a complete blank in his life between 1649 and 1655 from the death of King Charles to the middle of the Commonwealth.  We have absolutely no clue to his whereabouts.  As the following records show he is very frequently mentioned after 1655 and attains one of the high honors of the Colony as member of the Court of Commissioners and has diverse "presentiments" pardoned.  The many troubles that now befell some of his children suggest that their mother was dead and that their father was away so they had no one to look after them."

This is the end of the chronology.  The above statement - "As the following records show", indicates that the chronology was to be continued, perhaps in the next issue.  Unfortunately, I do not have that issue, nor know if it was ever published.  I am intrigued by the statement, "The many troubles that now befell some of his children suggest that their mother was dead and that their father was away so they had no one to look after them.", and would like to learn more.

Bud Schafer
November 10, 2002

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