Person:Mellvern Richardson (1)

Childhood

Melvern and twin sister, Cora, were born in 1860. They already had an older sister, Ida, and the three girls probably played together, went to school together, and had many of the same friends. They grew up in a large house on Hill Street in Cassadaga. In the winter the hill was wonderful for sledding.

Adulthood

Melvern was about 20 years old when her older sister Ida died. Melvern helped her parents and Cora raise Ida's boys, Merle and Perle. Merle and Perle's surname of SHEFFIELD was changed to RICHARDSON when the young boys started school since they were living in a RICHARDSON home. In a legal brief written by VanVlack, Bargar & Berglund, Attorneys and Counsellors at Law, Melvern testified that she had two nephews, Merle and Perle RICHARDSON, and she treated them as her own children.

1900, living with parents, Nathan and Rosa, and nephews, Merle and Perle. Melvern was single, 40 years old.

1910, living alone in South Dakota. The photo of Melvern was taken in South Dakota. Her parents, at least one sister, plus nieces and nephews visited her there.

Melvern labeled herself as a writer. Searches have failed to find anything written by her yet, except a personal letter written at the birth of her nephew's son, Maurice Richardson.

In 1917, at the age of 57, Melvern married Frank E. Carrier, and moved to Windsor, Broome, New York.

Melvern, Cora and their mother, Rosa RICHARDSON

1911, South Dakota, Melvern is standing and her mother, Rosa, on horse

1.   Chautauqua Couty Surrogate's Court, Citation Judicial Settlement Administrator
   July 1930.

   Mellvern Carrier is listed along with Maurice E. Richardson, Pearl Richardson, Elmer Burnham, Elizabeth Burnham, and others regarding the estate of Frank R. Richardson, late of Charlotte, Chautauqua, New York. (typed in the form) ... and why the real estate of the decedent should not be sold for the payment of debts and for distribution. signed 5th day of July 1930

2.   Brief on Behalf of Defendant, Bessie A. Richardson
   1930.

   Compiled by VanVlack, Bargar & Berglund, Attorneys and Counsellors at Law, Jamestown, New York. State of New York Supreme Court: Chautauqua County. Mellvern Richardson Carrier, Plaintiff, against Bessie A. Richardson, individually and as Executrix of the Estate of Merle Richardson, deceased, and Perle E. Richardson.
   
   Testimony was given by Mellvern Richardson that she raised Merle and Perle as her own children after their mother died. Mellvern had property in South Dakota that she deeded to Merle Richardson before he died. After his death she tried to give it to Perle. Bessie was the beneficiary of Merle's Will and the farm would have gone to her.

3. ↑ Chautauqua, New York, United States. 1900 U.S. Census Population Schedule
   1900.

   Mellvern RICHARDSON, age 40, living with her parents: Nathan RICHARDSON, age 76, and Rosetta, age 74, and with Merle RICHARDSON, age 22, and Perle RICHARDSON, age 20 who were grandchildren of Nathan and Rosetta. Merle and Perle had been given surname of RICHARDSON after their mother died and father gave the boys to his inlaws, Nathan and Rosetta Richardson.

   "United States Census, 1900," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MS6V-VXN : accessed 20 Jun 2014), Nathan Richardson, Stockton Township, Chautauqua, New York, United States; citing sheet 13A, family 326, NARA microfilm publication T623, FHL microfilm 1241015.

4. ↑ Chautauqua, New York, United States. 1880 U.S. Census Population Schedule
   NARA T9-0816, page 91 [1], 1880.

   Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
   Nathan S Richardson Self M 57 New York, United States
   Rosetta Richardson Wife F 44 New York, United States
   Cora Richardson Daughter F 20 New York, United States
   Mallvern Richardson Daughter F 20 New York, United States

   "United States Census, 1880," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MZZZ-H7H : accessed 20 Jun 2014), Nathan S Richardson, Stockton, Chautauqua, New York, United States; citing sheet 91D, NARA microfilm publication T9.

5. ↑ Chautauqua, New York, United States. 1870 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration Publication M593).

   Household Gender Age
   Nathan Richardson M 46y
   Rosetta Richardson F 32y
   Ida U Richardson F 14y
   Cara Richardson F 10y
   Vernie Richardson F 10y
   Luella Wheelock F 17y

   "United States Census, 1870," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M8XM-P7C : accessed 20 Jun 2014), Nathan Richardson, New York, United States; citing p. 12, family 106, NARA microfilm publication M593, FHL microfilm 000552412.

6. ↑ Broome, New York, in Broome, New York, United States. 1920 U.S. Census Population Schedule
   T625, roll 1085, 1920.

   Frank E. CARRIER, head-of-household, age 58. Melvern, his wife, age 58.

   HeritageQuest Online Census Collection

7. ↑ Chautauqua, New York, United States. 1930 U.S. Census Population Schedule.

   Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
   Perle Richardson Head M 50 New York
   Mellvern Carrier Aunt F 70 New York

   Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
   Perle Richardson Head M 50 New York
   Mellvern Carrier Aunt F 70 New York

8. ↑ Chautauqua, New York, United States. 1940 U.S. Census Population Schedule.

   Mellvern Carrier Inmate F 80 New York (with long list of others)

   Listed as Inmate but actually is a patient like the rest of the residents of WCA Home for the Aged.

   "United States Census, 1940," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KQMP-83H : accessed 20 Jun 2014), Minnie Augram, Fredonia, Pomfret Town, Chautauqua, New York, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 7-115, sheet 15A, family 395, NARA digital publication of T627, roll 2512.

9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1 9.2} Find A Grave.

   Mellvern D. Richardson Carrier (1860-1945)

   http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Richardson&GSiman=1&GScid=64150&GRid=17235645&

10. ↑ Tripp, South Dakota, United States. U.S. Census Population Schedule.

    Name Melhern Richardson
    Event Type Census
    Event Date 1910
    Event Place Augusta, Tripp, South Dakota, United States
    Gender Female
    Age 50
    Marital Status Single
    Race White
    Race (Original) White
    Relationship to Head of Household Head
    Relationship to Head of Household (Original) Head
    Birth Year (Estimated) 1860
    Birthplace New York
    Father's Birthplace New York
    Mother's Birthplace New York

    "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MPXZ-VXJ : accessed 10 January 2016), Melhern Richardson, Augusta, Tripp, South Dakota, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 108, sheet 9A, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,375,500.