Person:Thomas Richmond (3)

Thomas Richmond (age 21, born England, resides Killngly CT) married Juliette White (age 20, born Killingly, resides Killingly) were married in Killingly, Connecticut on 20 June 1868 by Minister Austin Robbins (Killingly CT Births, Marriages, Deaths, 1849-1881, page 358).

In the 1870 US census, the Thomas Richmond family resided in the Second Ward of Stonington, New London County, Connecticut (FHL Microfilm 0,545,613, page 775, house #272, family #386). The household included:

• Thomas Richmond -- age 23, male, works in woolen mill, born England
• Julia Richmond -- age 21, female, keeping house, born CT
• Anna Richmond -- age 1, at home, born CT

In the 1880 U.S. census, the Thomas Richmond family resided in Killingly town, Windham County, Connecticut (National Archives Microfilm Series T9, Roll 110, Page 379A, dwelling # 26, family #42, line 26, also on FHL Microfilm 1,254,110, page 379A). The family included:

• Thomas Richmond -- white, male, age 31, married, overseer in a woolen mill, born England, father and mother born in England),
• Julia Richmond -- white, female, age 33, wife, married, keeping house, born CT, father born CT, mother born RI * Annie Richmond -- white, female, age 10, daughter, single, attended school, born RI, father born England, mother born CT
• Everett Richmond -- white, male, age 4, son, single, born CT, father born England, mother born CT
• Grace Richmond -- white, female, age 3, daughter, single, born CT, father born England, mother born CT
• Emily Richmond -- white, female, age 1, daughter, single, born CT, born CT, father born England, mother born CT

The births of Charles Percy Richmond (25 May 1880), Alma Bessie Richmond (16 February 1882), Thomas Edwin Richmond (7 December 1883) and James Henry Richmond (16 November 1885) are in the Killingly town records (Killingly CT Births, Marriages, Deaths, Volume 3, 1882-1888).

Thomas Richmond of Killingly CT became a citizen of the United States on 10 September 1890 at a Superior Court held in Putnam, Windham County before the Hon. S.A. Robinson, Judge. He stated that he came to the United States as a minor under age 18, that it was then and ever since has been his intention to become a citizen of the United States, and he renounced forever all allegiance and fidelity to every foreign Prince, Potentate, State or sovereignty whatever. He also stated that he had resided in the United States for at least five years, and at least one year in the State of Connecticut, and that during this period he has behaved as a man of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the same. He declared under oath that he would support the Constitution of the United States and that he absolutely and entirely renounced and abjured all allegiance and fidelity to any Foreign Prince, Potentate, State or Sovereignty whatever, and particularly to Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, of whom he was before a subject. (Superior Court Records of Windham County, Volume 5, page 72).

While the family resided in Killingly, Thomas Richmond was the choir director at St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Putnam. There is a memorial plaque in the church for his excellent work there.

In the 1900 US census, the Thomas Richmond family resided at 42 Summer Street in Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. The head of household was indexed as "Thomas Richemond." The family included (National Archives Microfilm Series T623, Roll 692, page 225, ED 1644, Sheet 4B, dwelling #63, family #88, Line 61):

• Thomas Richmond -- head, white, male, born Jun 1848, age 51, married, for 31 years, born England, parents born England, immigrated in 1856, a resident of the US for 44 years, a naturalized citizen, an overseer of a woolen mill, rents a house
• Juliette Richmond -- wife, white, female, born Sep 1848, age 51, married, for 31 years, 9 children born, 1 living (obviously an error), born CT, parents born RI
• Grace Richmond -- daughter, white, female, born Aug 1876, age 23, single, born CT, father born England, mother born CT, a shirt maker
• Emily W. Richmond -- daughter, white, female, born Jan 1879, age 21, single, born CT, father born England, mother born CT
• Charles E. Richmond -- son, white, male, born May 1880, age 20, single, born CT, father born England, mother born CT, a painter
• Alma B. Richmond -- daughter, white, female, born Feb 1882, age 18, single, born CT, father born England, mother born CT, housework
• Edwin T. Richmond -- son, white, male, born Dec 1883, age 16, single, born CT, father born England, mother born CT, a laundryman
• James H. Richmond -- son, white, male, born Nov 1886, age 13, born CT, father born England, mother born CT, at school

In the 1910 US census, the family resided in Killingly, Windham County, Connecticut. The family included (National Archives Microfilm Series T624, Roll 143, ED 514, Sheet 16B, page 165, dwelling #335, family #392):

• Thomas Richmond -- head of household, male, white, age 61, first marriage, married 41 years, born England, parents born England, immigrated in 1856, naturalized, a carder, in a woolen mill, out of work for 26 weeks
• Juliette Richmond -- wife, female, white, age 62, first marriage, married 41 years, born CT, parents born RI

Thomas Richmond died 9 November 1917 in Clinton, Massachusetts, at the home of his daughter, Annie (Richmond) Pickford. His obituary (dated November 17, 1917, unknown newspaper, obtained from family papers) reads:

"Thomas Richmond, one of the best known woolen carders in New England, died in Clinton, Mass., on Friday, November 9, at the home of his son-in-law, Walter Pickford, the well-known secretary of the National Association of Woolen and Worsted Overseers. Mr. Richmond was born in England in 1848 and came to this country with his parents at the age of eight. He began his mill career in some Connecticut mill and by the time he had reached his majority he had already become an overseer, holding his first position with the Westerly (R.I.) Woolen Co., long since out of business. During a long and busy life the recognized ability of Mr. Richmond obtained for him some of the best positions in the country. Besides being overseer of carding in Westerly, R.I., Mr. Richmond was in the early days of his mill career employed with old time mills in Salisbury and Elmville, conn.

"He had been ill since last April from pernicious anaemia, and last August went to live with his son-in-law, Walter Pickford. Although the best medical service was employed, it was without avail. Mr. Richmond was well and favorably known in the textile industry. His passing away will be a distinct shock and loss to the overseers of New England, among whom he passed his busy and practical life. He was of a very affable disposition and his spirit of good will maintained even during his last days illness buoyed him up to the last.

"He leaves one son and four daughters, one of whom is the wife of Walter Pickford, head of the Alliance Chemical Company in Boston. Mr. Richmond had been a member of the National Association of woolen and Worsted Overseers for many years. Funeral services were held at St. Phillip's Episcopal Church, Putnam, Conn., and interment was in Grove Cemetery, same city. He held his last position with the Putnam (Conn.) Woolen Co."

Thomas Richmond died intestate in Clinton, Worcester County, Massachusetts. His probate records are in Worcester County Probate Records, Enclosure 65,803B (reviewed at Worcester County Court House in Worcester M, Massachusetts). Administration of the estate was filed on 18 April 1918 and was granted to son Edwin T. Richmond on 7 May 1918 by the Court. Edwin T. Richmond, George S. Boynton and James C. Smith, all of Leominster, were bondsmen, with a bond of $700 posted on 16 April 1918. The heirs-at-law were listed as:

• Annie F. Pickford, Clinton, Mass., daughter
• Emilie W. Taylor, San Diego, Cal., daughter
• Grace L. Shaw, Fitchburg, Mass., daughter
• Bessie A. Seaver, Leominster, Mass., daughter
• Edwin T. Richmond, Leominster, Mass., son.

An inventory of the estate of Thomas Richmond was appraised on 18 June 1918. There was no real estate listed. The personal property included:

• Deposit, Putnam Savings Bank (Putnam CT) $ 208.31
• Deposit, Brooklyn Savings Bank (Danielson CT) $ 122.90
• Deposit, Fitchburg Savings Bank (Fitchburg MA) $ 53.06
• Piano $ 100.00
• Household furniture $ 25.00

  TOTAL						$ 509.27

Thomas and Julia (White) Richmond are buried in Grove Street Cemetery, in Putnam, Windham County, Connecticut.

1. ↑ (i)Hilperton, Wiltshire, England Civil Registry(/i).
2. ↑ (i)1880 United States Census, Population Schedule(/i) (online database accessed at Ancestry.com, original data
   Killingly, Windham County, Connecticut, Page 379A, dwelling #26, family #42, line 26, on National Archives Microfilm Series T9, Roll 110.
3. ↑ (i)1900 United States Census, Population Schedule(/i) (online database accessed at www.ancestry.com, original
   Leominster, worcester county, Massachusetts, Page 225, ED 1644, Sheet 4B, dwelling #63, family #88, Line 61, on National Archives Microfilm Series T623, Roll 692.
4. ↑ (i)1910 United States Census, Population Schedule(/i) (online database accessed at www.ancestry.com, original
   Killingly, Windham County, Connecticut, ED 514, Sheet 16B, page 165, dwelling #335, family #392, on National Archives Microfilm Series T624, Roll 143.