Richardson research notes

Introduction

This pages documents ongoing research of the ancestors of my grandfather, Raymond Richardson. The Richardson family spent most of the 1800s and 1900s in Coshocton, Ohio, United states and Zanesville, Muskingum, Ohio, United States. Our shared ancestor Joseph Richardson likely came to Ohio from Virginia sometime between 1794 (when he was born) and 1817 (when he marries Nancy Randles in Coshocton).

Current research questions

At present, I have been able to trace the paternal line back to Joseph Richardson, who was born in Virginia around 1794, and who first appears in Coshocton in 1817.

My biggest research hurdle to date is tracing Joseph back to his family in Virginia. When did he come to Ohio? Who were his parents? Where precisely was he born? These questions are still outstanding.

The male line and their families

The following represent my grandfather's male descendants and their families, from most recent back.

Raymond Richardson

• 9 Jul 2016: Ordered Ray's death certificate. Need to input that as a new source once it arrives.

Russell Richardson

• 9 Jul 2016: I only have secondary sources for Russ's death. I need to order Russ's death certificate. It should be available. And possibly his birth certificate (also only secondary sources).

Note to check Rita Richardson's diaries (which are in my possession) when I next can. Check for this date and other important dates.

Archibald Richardson

Leander Richardson

James Richardson

James spent all of his life in Coshocton County, Ohio. According to his will, he owned about 72 acres, which he referred to as the “Kimberly land,” which he directed to be sold upon his death. It was also noted in a history of Coshocton written in 1881 that James was raised on a farm, and was always a resident of the county.

James’ surname was spelled multiple ways over the course of his life, in various iterations such as “Richardson,” “Richissin,” “Richeson,” “Richison,” and “Richisin.” But based on the multitude of sources and their corroborating facts and evidence (such as noting the same set of children, same spouse, same location, etc. across records with a variety of surname spellings) I do not believe there were multiple James Richardsons in Coshocton, Ohio over the time that James lived there (other than, of course, his son James B.).

It is interesting that this spelling trait did not seem to affect his father or his son Leander. It did show up minimally in researching Arch, however not to the extent that it did in the research for James. It does appear that a spelling more similar to “Richissin” seems to have taken hold in the Coshocton area, as James’s descendants who remained in Coschocton adopted that spelling, unlike the Zanesville Richardsons.

The 1870 Census shows James and Leander (with correct birth for Leander) in Bethlehem Township, Coshocton (birthplace of Arch). Further, there is an Ella Richardson listed, which is the middle name of one of Leander’s daughters. These two facts suggest that this is Leander’s father, but Screptia(?) is not listed. It is possible she died young. In fact, a different wife is listed, Anthaliah.

The 1860 and 1880 census records offer further clues. In 1860 there was no spouse listed for James, only an “Elisabeth Martin” (40, born in Pennsylvania). I am not sure who this individual is. The 1870 US census offers one clue. It appears now that James has potentially remarried one “Anthaliah Richardson,” 38, born in Ohio. She did not appear on earlier cenus records, so we can only assume that James married her later in life.

Another note: I am fairly confident that I have the same family for all four census years (1850-1880). The children names are the same (or very similar) throughout (of course more children are born over the years), the location is the same (Bethlehem Township, Coshocton, Ohio), and James’ occupation is consistent (farmer).

There is a marriage record James Richardson and “Sarepta Car,” in Coshocton, Ohio. This seems like it could be a significant clue.

Based on the current research, this is my theory as to the timeline:

1823-30: James born (US census records)

1848: James and Sarepta Carr are married (marriage record)

1849: Julia A born to Sarepta and James 1853: Alonza born to Sarepta and James 1855: Leander born to Sarepta and James

Something happened between about 1855 and 1860 to Sarepta and James, but I am not sure what. Could she have died? Did they divorce?

1860: Census records show no sign of Sarepta or a wife of James. This is when Elisabeth Martin shows up. Is it possible she came in to help James with the kids after something happened to Sarepta? Perhaps she is Sarpeta’s sister and “Martin” is her married name?

1863: James marries Athaliah DUNLAP in Coshocton.

1865: James B. born - James B. death record lists Athaliah as mother 1866: Joseph born 1869: Ella born

1870: Census shows Athaliah as wife of James

1874: Seth born 1878: Howard born

1880: Census shows Athaliah Richardson as wife of James again

Another logical point here is that Athaliah would have been too young to be the mother of the first three children, so there is definitely another woman involved. This is an unsolved mystery: what happened to Screptia?

Joseph Richardson

Research notes for Joseph Richardson, the Joseph Richardson and Nancy Randles family, and the Joseph Richardson and Sarah Moore family.

Linking James Richardson to Joseph Richardson

Research goal: There is a Joseph Richardson (born abt 1794 in Virginia) family that appears in Coshocton, Ohio, United States beginning with the 1820 census. The goal is to establish that this Joseph Richardson is James Richardson's father. The following points establish this with reasonable certainty.

Research argument:

• There is a mention in “History of Coshocton County, Ohio” (1881) that a James Richardson (most likely "our" James) had a father named Joseph.
• A will by Joseph Richardson names his son James executor of his estate. Our James was alive in 1871, and based on analysis of Joseph Richardson’s census records it is likely that James would have been the oldest living son of Joseph, and so it's logical that he would be named executor of the estate.
• Based on examination of the census records of Joseph Richardson in Coshocton, Ohio for 1830 and 1840, there was a male in the household born between 1820 and 1825. This is consistent with James' birth year of 1823.
• James had a son named Joseph, which on its own isn’t strong evidence at all. But adds some amount of support to the idea that James could have had a father named Joseph.
• According to James’ death record, he was born in Jackson Township, Coshocton County, Ohio, which is where this particular Joseph lived at the time of James’ birth.
• James lived in Bethlehem Township, Coshocton County, Ohio, during 1850 census. Bethlehem Township is adjacent to Jackson Township, which is were Joseph lived in 1850, and where James was born.
• Based on a broad search of census records, it appears there was no other Joseph Richardson living in Coshocton County around the time that James was born. It also appears that there was no other James Richardson living in Coshocton County, born around 1823, during the 1800s.

Of course additional evidence would be helpful, like a birth record for James or an obituary for either man. But so far none have been found. Accordingly, based on the available evidence, the most reasonable conclusion is that James (1823–1896) had a father , and the Joseph oseph who was born around 1794 in Virginia and who died in 1871 in Coshocton County, is the father of James. Ohio.

Analysis of Joseph Richardson's 1820 through 1840 (b: abt 1794) Census records

The entries:

1820 ENTRIES - 7 Aug Male born between 1775 and 1794, COMMENT: Joseph Male born between 1810 and 1820, COMMENT: boy 1

Female born between 1794 and 1804, COMMENT: Nancy (wife)

1830 ENTRIES - 1 Jun Male born between 1790 and 1800, COMMENT: Joseph Male born between 1815 and 1820, COMMENT: boy 1 Male born between 1820 and 1825, COMMENT: boy 2, “new” child

Female born between 1790 and 1800, COMMENT: Nancy (wife) Female born between 1820 and 1825, COMMENT: girl 1, “new” child Female born between 1825 and 1830, COMMENT: girl 2, “new” child

1840 ENTRIES - 1 Jun Male born between 1790 and 1800, COMMENT: Joseph Male born between 1810 and 1820, COMMENT: boy 1 Male born between 1810 and 1820, COMMENT: boy 3 – not listed in 1830 Male born between 1820 and 1825, COMMENT: boy 2 Male born between 1825 and 1830, COMMENT: boy 4 – not listed in 1830 Male born between 1830 and 1835, COMMENT: boy 5, “new” child Male born between 1830 and 1835, COMMENT: boy 6, “new” child

Female born between 1790 and 1800, COMMENT: Nancy (wife) Female born between 1820 and 1825, COMMENT: girl 1 Female born between 1825 and 1830, COMMENT: girl 2 Female born between 1830 and 1835, COMMENT: girl 3, “new” child

Analysis:

Analysis of Oldest Male and Female, likely heads of house The above records support a birth date for Joseph between 1790 and 1794. Also note that these are all from the same township (Jackson) in Coshocton County, Ohio. This, along with basic consistency in the dates supports the fact that these census records are for the same Joseph. Also, it is likely that the oldest female is Joseph’s wife, Nancy, and she is likely born between 1794 and 1800. This is further supported by the 1850 Census in Jackson, Coshocton, Ohio, for Joseph and Nancy Richardson, which shows Joseph’s date of birth as about 1795, and Nancy’s as about 1795.

Analysis of Children Boy 1 was born between 1815 and 1820, based on 1850 and 1860 census and Joseph’s will, assumed to be William. Boy 2 was born between 1820 and 1825, based on prior research, this is assumed to be James. Boy 5 was born between 1830 and 1835, based on 1850 census, assumed to be Joseph Jr. Boy 6 was born between 1830 and 1835, based on 1850 census, assumed to be Thomas. Girl 1 was born between 1820 and 1825, based on Joseph’s will, assumed to be Jane. Girl 2 was born between 1825 and 1830, based on 1850 census, assumed to be Ellen. Girl 3 was born between 1830 and 1835, based on 1850 census, assumed to be Eliza.

Boy 3? Boy 3 was born between 1810 and 1820. He was first enumerated in Joseph’s household in 1840, and is between the ages of 20 and 30 at that time. There is no child fitting this age range in either the 1820 or 1830 census records. Boy 3 is tentatively considered to be someone outside of Thomas’ family of biological children. He could be a relative of Joseph or Joseph’s wife. He could also be unrelated and simply living in Joseph’s household at that time. Perhaps he is a farm laborer, as unrelated individuals show up in later census records in Joseph’s household as laborers and servants.

Boy 4? Boy 4 was born between 1825 and 1830. He was first enumerated in Joseph’s household in 1840, and is between the ages of 10 and 15 at that time. There is no additional child fitting this age range in either the 1820 or 1830 census records. Boy 4 is tentatively considered to be someone outside of Thomas’ family of biological children. He could be a relative of Joseph or Joseph’s wife. He could also be unrelated and simply living in Joseph’s household at that time. Perhaps he is a farm laborer, as unrelated individuals show up in later census records in Joseph’s household as laborers and servants.

1850 and Onward By 1850, William, James, and Jane have left the household, according to the 1850 census record for James. By 1850 William would have been between 30 and 35, James 27, and Jane between 25 and 30. Based on these ages it likely that these three would have left to begin their own families. There are records for William in 1850 Jackson Township (along with Joseph). In fact they are next to each other in the census records. It appears that by 1850 James has moved to Bethlehem Township, but still nearby. At this time I have not yet been able to locate Jane in 1850. I presume this is because she has been married by this time, and I have not yet discovered her married name or marriage record. In any case, I believe that this analysis supports these approximate age ranges for Joseph’s children, and helps to make the link between James and Joseph, along with the other records examined (wills, newspaper articles, land records, etc.).

Joseph Richardson’s Marriage History

Nancy Roberson, his first wife

Joseph Richardson probably married twice. In the 1820 through 1840 census records to a woman named Nancy. First, he is living with a woman born between 1794 and 1800. Then in the 1850 census for Joseph Richardson, a wife, Nancy, is listed (born about 1796 in Virginia, according to the census records). Nancy is likely the woman from the 1820, 1830, and 1840 censuses, as the birth years are consistent.

It is reasonable that this is the correct census for Joseph because (1) it is in Jackson Township, the same location as the 1820 through 1840 census records, (2) the approximate ages and number of children line up with what is expected from the 1820 through 1840 census records (see previous section), and (3) his wife’s age matches those records as well. As such we can assume Joseph did indeed marry Nancy.

Second, this marriage is further supported by a marriage record available that shows Joseph “Richison” (his name was often misspelled) marrying a Nancy Roberson on 1 December 1817 in Coshocton, Ohio, United States. This would be in line with Nancy being a part of Joseph’s household by 1820 which is consistent with the census records.

Sarepta (Sara) Carr, his second wife

By the 1860 census, Joseph is married to new a woman named Sarepta and known as Sara. She was born around 1817 in Ohio. As additional support for this marriage, Joseph only refers to his wife “Sarah A.” in his will. And there is a marriage record available showing Joseph marrying Sarah A. Moore on 23 December 1858 in Coshocton, Ohio.

Working Theory

There is no reason to doubt that the 1860 Joseph Richardson is not the same Joseph as before. The names and birth dates of his children, his birth date, location of the census, etc. are all consistent with earlier census records. So something happened to Nancy between 10 August 1850 (date of 1850 census) and 23 Dec 1858 (date of Joseph's marriage to Sarah). Divorce was extremely uncommon at that time period, and so the most likely scenario is that Nancy died during that period, and Joseph re-married Sarah in 1858. There are no death or probate records available for Nancy, and to date there have been no newspaper articles found to confirm a date of death. This will remain a theory until further evidence can be uncovered.

John Richardson?

Notes:

• On the 1820 Census from Perry Township, Coshocton, Ohio, USA, right below Joseph Richardson, is an entry for John Richardson. Could this be Joseph's father?

• 8 Jun 2016: I've learned that there is another John Richardson who died in 1840 in Ohio. I'm writing this note because this is not our John. He filled out a Revolutionary War pension application on 7 Jun 1832. Most of this information is from there. This John was born in Bedford, Virginia, United States on 12 Nov 1762. He lived there for 49 years until 1811, then moved to North Carolina for five until 1816, before finally moving to Highland, Ohio, United States, which is where he filled out his pension application and died in 1840. He apparently never spent time in Coshocton, so this is probably not our John.

• One of the records in the pension files for the John Richardson (above) notes that he is the only John Richardson they have in their files; it seems likely that our John Richardson was not a soldier in the revolution. Perhaps he was too young?

Is it Joseph's Father?

According to the 1820 census, this John Richardson is likely born before 1775. And there's a woman in the household also born before 1775, likely his wife. There were also seven children in the household in 1820, born in the following order:

• Born between 1794 and 1804: 1 boy and 1 girl
• Born between 1804 and 1810: 2 boys
• Born between 1810 and 1820: 1 boy and 2 girls

There's no way to confirm presently whether this is in fact Joseph's dad. But nothing in this record contradicts that as a possibility, and the record is consistent with this being his father for a few reasons:

• John's age would be consistent with him being Joseph's dad. Joseph was born around 1794, and John would have been at least 19 at that time, possibly older.
• John probably lived next to Joseph, given that they are listed next to each other on the census form

My task now is to try to find this family in later census records to see if I can pin down names, dates of births, places of birth, etc. I will also search for wills, land records, obituaries, etc. The goal is to connect this John with our Joseph.

Tracing the census records

1820 Census for John Richardson of Perry, Coshocton, Ohio, United States

Here's what the 1820 census lists for this household:

• Head of family: John Richardson

• Person 1 (John Richardson), born in 1775 or earlier, at least 45 years old
• Person 2, female, born in 1775 or earlier, at least 45 years old
• Person 3, male, born between 1794 and 1804, between 16 and 26 years old
• Person 4, female, born between 1794 and 1804, between 16 and 26 years old
• Person 5, male, between 1804 and 1810, between 10 and 16 years old
• Person 6, male, born between 1804 and 1810, between 10 and 16 years old
• Person 7, female, born between 1810 and 1820, between 0 and 10 years old
• Person 8, female, born between 1810 and 1820, between 0 and 10 years old
• Person 9, male, born between 1810 and 1820, between 0 and 10 years old

1830 Census for John Richeson of Jefferson, Coshocton, Ohio, United States

I've discovered an 1830 Census with John Richeson in Jefferson, Coshocton, Ohio. It's a different spelling, but I think he and John Richardson from the 1820 census are the same person.

Let's begin with what this census lists for the household:

• Head of household: John Richeson

• Person A (John Richeson), male, born between 1760 and 1770, between 60 and 70 years old
• Person B, female, born between 1770 and 1780, between 50 and 60 years old
• Person C, female, born between 1810 and 1815, between 15 and 20 years old
• Person D, female, born between 1810 and 1815, between 15 and 20 years old
• Person E, male, born between 1815 and 1820, between 10 and 15 years old
• Person F, female, born between 1820 and 1825, between 5 and 10 years old

So is this the same family as the 1820 census for John Richardson? I think so, for a few reasons:

• The 1830 census for Joseph Richardson also misspells the last name Richeson
• The 1820 census is in Perry Township; the 1830 census is in Jefferson Township, which shares its southwest corner with Perry's northeast corner; moreover, Jefferson Township wasn't even established until 1826, so it's possible that John didn't even move, but that his property simply became Jefferson Township from what was once Perry Township
• The ages and family composition between the 1820 and 1830 are consistent:
  • John Richeson was likely born between 1760 and 1770; this is consistent with John Richardson who was born in 1775 or earlier.
  • The oldest woman listed in John Richeson's household was born sometime between 1770 and 1780; this is consistent with the oldest woman in John Richardson's household, who was born sometime before 1775.
  • The number and ages of the children make sense too. I'll elaborate on that next.

Let's take the 1820 census from above and add ten years to everyone's age. Here is what we get:

• Person 1, (John Richardson), born in 1775 or earlier, at least 55 years old
• Person 2, female, born in 1775 or earlier, at least 55 years old
• Person 3, male, born between 1794 and 1804, between 26 and 36 years old
• Person 4, female, born between 1794 and 1804, between 26 and 36 years old
• Person 5, male, between 1804 and 1810, between 20 and 26 years old
• Person 6, male, born between 1804 and 1810, between 20 and 26 years old
• Person 7, female, born between 1810 and 1820, between 10 and 20 years old
• Person 8, female, born between 1810 and 1820, between 10 and 20 years old
• Person 9, male, born between 1810 and 1820, between 10 and 20 years old

Just to reiterate, the ages of the oldest adults in this 1820 census would be consistent with what you see in the 1830 census. Thus I believe it's plausible that Persons 1 and 2 from 1820 are Persons A and B from 1830, respectively.

More importantly, the children between each record are plausibly consistent too.

• Persons 3, 4, 5, and 6 from 1820 do not show up in 1830. But that makes sense, because by 1830 these children would have all been aged anywhere from 20 to 36 years old. It seems plausible that, given the times, these people would have been married and starting a new household of their own. At some point I need to look for other Richardsons in the area to see if I can match the birth years to support this theory.
• I believe that Persons 7 and 8 from 1820 are Persons C and D from 1830. In both censuses they are each female, and both censuses support an age of between 10 and 20 years old by 1830.
• I believe Person 9 from 1820 is Person E from 1830. Both are male, and both are between 10 and 20 years old by 1830.
• Finally, there's a new addition in 1830, Person F. But it makes sense that Person F wouldn't have existed in 1820, because she was born between 1820 and 1825, most likely after the 1820 census was taken

Thus while it's not definitive, I feel fairly confident that these are the same families.