Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: Genealogy Report: Descendants of James RICHARDSON-June 24, 2003

Big changes have come to Genealogy.com — all content is now read-only, and member subscriptions and the Shop have been discontinued.

Learn more

[ Home Page | First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page ]

Descendants of James RICHARDSON-June 24, 2003

Generation No. 2

2. VASHTI² RICHARDSON (JAMES¹) was born Abt. 1813 in South Carolina, and died Unknown. She married OWEN O'BRIAND 12 April 1832 in Lauderdale Co, AL ¹. He was born Unknown in lived in VA, and died Unknown in 1850 res Lauderdale Co, AL.

Notes for OWEN O'BRIAND:
According to working papers for DAR prepared by Birdie Ellen Richardson, this family had children who lived in Batesville, Mississippin in the 1930s.

This family is found at household #107 in Lauderdale Co, AL in 1850:
Obriand, Owen 46M Farmer b. VA
Vasthi 37F b. SC
Martha 18F b. TN
Levi 16M asst b. TN
Joseph 12M b. TN
Louisa 10F b. AL
Henry 6M b. AL
Sarah 5F b. AL

Marriage Notes for VASHTI RICHARDSON and OWEN O'BRIAND:
Marriage record says William Obrient.

Children of VASHTI RICHARDSON and OWEN O'BRIAND are:

	i.		MARTHA³ O'BRIAND, b. Abt. 1832, Tennessee; d. Unknown.
	ii.		LEVI O'BRIAND, b. Abt. 1834, Tennessee; d. Unknown.
	iii.		JOSEPH O'BRIAND, b. Abt. 1838, Tennessee; d. Unknown.
	iv.		LOUISA O'BRIAND, b. Abt. 1840, Lauderdale Co, AL; d. Unknown.
	v.		HENRY O'BRIAND, b. Abt. 1844, Lauderdale Co, AL; d. Unknown.
	vi.		SARAH O'BRIAND, b. Abt. 1845, Lauderdale Co, AL; d. Unknown.
	vii.		LIDDIA O'BRIAND, b. Aft. 1850; d. Unknown; m. .. WAITS, Unknown; b. Unknown; d. Unknown.

3. WILLIAM FLUKER² RICHARDSON (JAMES¹) was born 28 November 1818 in Spartanburg, Lexington District, SC, and died 10 January 1889 in at home; McNairy Co, TN. He married (1) MARIA LOUISA CANFIELD ² 08 October 1839 in Edgefield District, SC, daughter of JOHN CANFIELD and ELIZABETH JONES. She was born 22 November 1822 in Edgefield District, SC, and died 17 February 1907 in Wayne Co, TN. He married (2) MARTHA J. ROGERS 23 December 1869 in Monroe Co, MS ³, daughter of ROBERT ROGERS and JANE ALLISON. She was born Abt. 1835 in "Granny Matt" "Mattie" b. Alabama, and died Aft. June 1880 in (no dates on stone); d. McNairy Co, TN.

Notes for WILLIAM FLUKER RICHARDSON:
Vicki Clarke, during 2001 and 2002, did a great deal of research on the Richardson family and supplied a large number of Census and Social Security Death Index records for the family. They are posted where they apply.

William Fluker Richardson was tall and blonde and was an Englishman and a circuit preacher for the ME South Church.. (Cecil Binford)

Rebecca Carrier sends information from the Guys Cemetery in McNairy County, Tennessee, and gives the middle name "Fulker." I believe she is wrong about this, I have not changed it to "Fulker" as so many other family members have given the name as "Fluker."

Rebecca adds that family history shows that William was very much opposed to the Civil War and avoided the conflict. He wanted to move his family to Florida to avoid it. He and his wife (Louisa probably) had a daughter who was considered hydrocepheletic and she did not believe the child would survive the trip, so she stayed behind. John Wesley also stayed with his mother. During the day, he would hide in ditches to avoid fighting the war, but was eventually captured (somewhere around age 15). He was captured by the Yankees, but later his whole group was captured by the Confederates and forced to fight for the Confederacy. She adds that at the end of the war, he was left to walk home with an injured back. William F. returned from Florida and his wife never spoke to him again.

W. F. Richardson lived with an uncle after his father died (probably Sam Jones, according to C. D. Richardson). He was born in Lexington, South Carolina, and also lived in Lauderdale County, Alabama and Wayne County, Tennessee. Before 1850, he lived in Tishomingo County, Mississipi, last living in nearby McNairy County, Tennessee.

US Census 1840, Tishomingo County, Mississippi
No Township Listed - p. 234, #626
RICHARDSON, William F.
0 0 0 0 1 - 0 0 0 1
1M 20-30 1F 15-20

Tishomingo County Records of the Circuit Court 1842-1844 show Wm. F. Richardson as a juror. The same record shows a John Richardson as a party to a lawsuit.

Police Court Records 1836-1852
Tishomingo County, Mississippi

page 81

(no date given, but page 80 was 11 May 1840) William Moore is appointed overseer on the Jacinto and Nashoba road from the district old road to the Branch between Samuel Stockton and Dial Mills and that he have hands of:
(including)
Clement, William
Cockran, C. B.
Richardson, William

Old Tishomingo County (MS) Civil Cases Docket 1841-1847 shows a suit in 1845 for Wm. F. Richardson vs. Jas. Harris and Richard Nance.

In the Canfield lineage, Grandmother lists the marriage date for William Fluker and Maria Canfield Richardson as 8 Jun 1840, referencing Canfield, Lemuel & James L. Richardson Bible Records.

It is curious that he married twice, but his first wife lived 18 years after he died. We need to look for divorce proceedings.

His photo indicates that he was not blonde, but had dark hair.

William Fluker Richardson and family can be found on the 1850 county census of Tishomingo County, Mississippi:

Census 19 Sep 1850, page 157, dwelling #157, family 157
4th District Northern Division
Richardson, W. F., 31 male white farmer $560 b. SC
Richardson, Louisa 27F b. SC
Richardson, James 9M b. MS
Richardson, John 6M b. MS
Richardson, William, 3M b. MS
Richardson, Martha 3/12F b. MS

November 17, 1850, at Trenton, Tennessee, William Capers, a Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, "under the protection of Almighty God and with a single eye to His glory" set apart William F. Richardson for the office of a Deacon, qualified to administer baptism, marriage and burials inthe absence of an Elder and to "feed the flock of Christ so long as his spirit and practice are such as become the Gospel of Christ."

On 24 Mar 1852, Wm. Richardson and Gideon Butler was chosen for jury for the second week of the term. The Sheriff was ordered to summon them to serve.

Vickie Clarke (vacs@hotmail.com) sends information on the Civil War period: "William F. Richardson was opposed to war. He decided to move the family to Florida. Mary Louisa and William had a disabled daughter. In one of the letters written by my Aunt Falla Bailey, she referred to the disabled daughter as having a moon face. Sounds like it was possible this child had Down's Syndrome. Anyway, Maria Louisa decided she was not moving to Florida. She stayed behind with her daughter and son, John Wesley. (MRB note: The only daughter we have discovered is Martha, and she did reach adulthood and marry. It's unlikely a Down's child would reach this stage of life, but possible.)

(Vickie continues...) When William F. came back from Florida, Maria Louisa kicked him out of the house and made him build another house on the property and live there. According to the family, she never forgave him or spoke to him ever again.

Vickie Clarke located the 1860 US Census Record for William F. Richardson and family, living in McNairy County, Tennessee:
759/755
William Richards      41M       Meth Clergy & farmer $800/$775 b. SC
Lueza Richards      37F      b. SC
James L. Richards      18M      Farm Labor b. MS
Wesley Richards      16M      Farm Labor b. MS
William Richards      13M      b. MS
Martha A.            10F      b. MS
Samuel L.      7M      b. MS
Hesikiah            3M      b. MS

Don and Brenda Chandler located the following document from an 1861 meeting:

SOLDIERS AID SOCIETY - PUBLIC MEETING AT GRAVEL HILL

On Saturday the 17th of August 1861 according to a previous call, the citizens of Gravel Hill and vicinity convened at the Baptist Church for the purpose of establishing a Soldier's Aid Society. After a patriotic and eloquent speech by Rev. A. M. Johnson on the present crisis the house was called to order by Rev. W. F. Richardson, president pro tem, who stated the object of the meeting in an able and forceful manner. The House then proceeded to the election of permanent officers: James M. Huggins, Sr., President, Jno. M. Hamm Esq., Vice President, L. M. Huggins, Secretary, O. L. Meeks, Treasurer. After which the Society adjourned to meet again on the 24th of August 1861.

Gravel Hill, August 24th

The President of the Soldier's Aid Society called the House to Order.

Whereas, we are now engaged in an unholy war waged against us by our former sworn friends, for the purpose of subverting our institutions, usurping our liberties, and subjecting our country, And, whereas, we have hundreds of thousands of our relatives, friends and fellow citizens in the armies of the South battling for our independence and suffering all the rigors and dangers of a soldier's life that we may remain free and enjoy the blessings of a bountiful providence and birthrights bequeathed to us by our fathers.

And, whereas, it is the bound duty of every patriotic man and lady in the land to do all in his or her power to aid the glorious cause of the Southern Confederacy.

Therefore, Resolved, that we whose names are hereunto subscribed, agree to form ourselves into a Soldier's Aid Society at Gravel Hill.

Resolved, that there shall be one President elected by the members whose duty shall be to keep order when in session, to call the members together when necessary and appoint committees.

Resolved, there shall be one Vice-President elected by the members whose duty it shall be to act in the place of the President in his absence.

Resolved, there shall be one Secretary elected by the members, whose duty shall be to keep a record of the proceedings of this Society, to enter the names of all persons making donations and the amount.

Resolved, that there shall be one Treasurer whose duty shall be to receive all donations and dispose of them agreeable to the Society.

Resolved, that any person making donations to this Society shall constitute one of its members.

The following persons were appointed to a committee to solicit donations:

Ladies: Misses Nicey Chambers, Lizzie Hooker, Frances Burne, Caroline Hill, Victoria Jeans, Anna P. Tuley and Harriet Ray. Mrs. S. A. Cannon, C. L. Chambers, Louisa Springer, Canzada Blankenship, S. A. Smith, and Lena Caffey.

Gentlemen: Messrs. C. L. Chambers, W. C. Meeks, H. C. Richards, William Prather, R. I. Walker, John Hill, J. H. Reeder, J. A. Redding, David Horne, R. W. Caffey, and G. W. Chenault; and the Rev's W. F. Richardson and A. Moore.

Motioned and unanimously carried that the Publishers of the McNairy Whig Banner be requested to publish the foregoing proceedings.

Secretary reports there is about two hundred and twenty-five dollars subscribed in money and clothing.

The Society adjourned to 7th September.

Jas. M. Huggins, Sr., President
L. M. Huggins, Secretary

Taken from the Whig Banner, Purdy, TN, Sept 7, 1861
Source: "REFLECTIONS, A History of McNairy County, Tennessee 1823 - 1996," Compiled and edited by the Reflections Committee for the Tennessee 200 Bicentennial Celebration, 1996, Heritage House Publishing, 1600 North Missouri, Marceline, MO 64658.

The 1867 McNairy county, Tennessee, Tax List shows the following:
Richardson, J. L.       5
      Jas.      5
      John      5
      Joseph      1
      W.      5
      Wash.      1
      Wm.      1
      Wm.      7

In 1870, W. F. Richardson is not found in McNairy County, Tennessee enumerated on the U. S. Census.

The Alcorn County, Mississippi Index to Chattel Deeds, Book No. 1, 1876-1880 shows a sale of land from W. F. Richardson to Charles O. Glover on page 586. (This page apparently covers a year after 1880 since the front of the index shows pages as follows: 131-245 for 1876; 249-292 for 1877; 299-332 for 1878; 332-342 for 1879; 364-379 for 1880.)

US Census 1880, McNairy County, Tennessee
District 5, p. 67-B
RICHARDSON, W. H., 61, farmer, SC/SC/SC
Mattie J., wife, 41, AL/AL/AL;
Shristian D., son, 19, TN/SC/SC
Walter Lee, son, 8, TN/SC/SC.

An 1882 Alcorn County, Mississippi, Sheriff's Account Book, Jury List shows the following entries:
Richardson,      J. L.      96      ---
            J. W.      40      Farmington
            Matt.      90      Moccasin
            W. A.      72      Kossuth
            W. F.      72      Kossuth
            W. F.      93      Miles
            W. R.      72      Kossuth
            Wm.      46      Sanders

This from a biography on Dr. H. X. Richardson:

Dr. H. X. Richardson, of Fowlkes Station, Tenn., was born in Tishomingo County, Miss., December 13, 1856; son of W. F. and Lucinda Richardson. The father was born in Lexington District, S. C., in 1818, and was of English descent. In 1825 he moved with his parents to northern Alabama. Here his father died in 1828, and he and his mother then moved to Tishomingo County, Miss. Here he married a year later and moved to McNairy County, Tenn., in 1858, where he purchased 160 acres of land. He now owns 700 acres, which he has earned by the sweat of his brow. In early manhood he taught school, and in 1846 was licensed to preach, and from that time until 1854 was an active worker in behalf of Christianity, advocating the Methodist Episcopal Church South doctrine. In 1854 he was admitted to the Memphis conference and traveled for several years, but owing to ill health was compelled to give up this work, but has preached since, when able. He is the father of six living children, all of whom have taught, or are teaching school. He lost his wife in 1865, and four years later he married Mrs. M. J. Mayfield, nee M. J. Rogers.

An account of Wm. F. Richardson's Death
as was printed from the pen of W. M. Young, 1889

Rev. W. F. Richardson, son of James and Lucinda Jones Richardson, was born in Lexington District, S. C. November 28th 1818, and died at his home in McNairy County, Tennessee, on January 10, 1889. He professed religion in the fifteenth year of his age, and joined the M.E. Church South; was appointed class leader in 1841, was licensed to exhort in 1843, and licensed to preach by the Quarterly Conference under Rev. R. Ellis on March 1st 1846, and was ordained deacon at Trenton, Tenn. by Bishop Capers, November 1850. He was ordained Elder at Somerville, Tenn. by Bishop Paine in 1854, at which time he was employed as supply on the Eastport Circuit, and in the Fall fo that year joined the Conference, and was appointed to the Purdy Circuit as senior preacher with Simeon Walker as junior. Here his health failed him and he was discontinued at his own request. He was never able to take work any more, but did much good in local ranks. He was married to Miss Maria Louisa Canfield, Oct. 8 1839 and reared seven children, all of whom are living but one. He married a second time to Mrs. M. J. Mayfield.

We have known Brother Richardson for the past three years and have often enjoyed his sermons in protracted meetings. I never knew a man whose conversation was more consistantly directed to religious subjects. He was a constant advocate of Mission and a strong advocate of national prohibition for the past forty years. He was a life long friend of the itinerancy, and made it a rule to renew his subscription to the Nashville and New Orleans Advocate, to pay liberally to Missions and his pastor on the first round the preacher made each year.

Our people on the Corinth Circuit will feel the loss of Brother Richardson financially as well as ministerially. He was a close friend to young preachers. He died a most triumphant death. His last days were full of peace, and when the last hour came it was deeply interesting to all those who witnessed the victorious passage of our beloved brother over the Jordan. Thus they go to their reward.

(Note: William Capers was appointed in 1821 by the South Carolina Conference of the ME South Church to be Missionary to the Indians.)

C. D. Richardson remarked that his father often said he would be satisfied to live his alloted time of seventy years, and he had just past that date.

In February 2001, Rebecca Carrier (becky@izzie.com) sent a scan of a letter written to Mary Katie living in Jackson, Tennessee, in June 1942. The letter, incomplete, with no signature, describes the author's efforts, along with "Uncle Gus, Wesley, and Annie/s (?)" to restore the Richardson Family Cemetery near the home of William F. Richardson. The author of the letter was Falla Richardson Bailey, who was visiting Corinth at the time. The cemetery is located 1-1/2 miles from Guys, Tennessee, which is a short distance from the Corinth-Jackson Highway and 8-10 miles north of Corinth, Mississippi. So "you find the way to Guys from the highway and then 1-1/2 miles over to theold Richardson home where Mr. Brumley (1942) lives now."

There are, the author said, 17 graves in the cemetery, which they marked with five iris bulbs on each grave, the stones having disappeared. There is only one granite marker near the center of the cemetery which reads "Richardson Family Cemetery Rev. W. F. Richardson, Nov. 28, 1818 - Jan 10, 1889."

The author gives a burial list as follows:
Richardson, Virginia Ellen, Aug 1906-1907
Richardson, Walter Lee, 16 Aug 1870-21 Sep 1885
Cochran, Lucinda Jones Richardson, no dates
Richardson, Oliver Cromwell, 1871-1872
Richardson, Edgar Eugene, Jun 1908-Nov 1909
Richardson, William Fluker, 28 Nvo 1818-10 Jan 1889
Richardson, Candace, no dates
Richardson, William Wesley, 27 Mar 1881-23 Feb 1899
Richardson, Susan Elizabeth, Nov 1909-Nov 1909
Richardson, Mattie Rogers Mayfield "Granny Matt", no dates
Richardson, Willie Jeff, no dates
Richardson, Emma Frances, 1885-25 Mar 1899
Richardson, Marcus, no dates
Richardson, Frances Louisa, 17 Jan 1851-Nov 1916, 65y
Richardson, Levi, no dates
Richardson, Lela Alma Eugenia, 1877-Oct 1917, 40y
Richardson, John Wesley, 30 Mar 1844-20 Jun 1922, 78y

Note that Don Chandler shows a child, Walter Lee Richardson born about 1872 in Tennesee, as child of William F. and Maria Louisa Richardson. I believe this Walter Lee is not their child, but a grandchild, but see notes at Walter Lee who died in 1885.

Notes for MARIA LOUISA CANFIELD:
In 1994, I examined every gravestone in Box Chapel which is located 5-6 miles from Corinth, Mississippi on Kendrick Road, but failed to find a stone for Maria Louisa Canfield Richardson. I visited with a lady who lived next to the cemetery and she called another lady who was knowledgeable on the burials, but to no avail. Although I left complete information on dates and names, I have heard nothing from Corinth as to whether anyone has any documentation that Maria was buried at Box Chapel.

In Roberta Dukes Richardson's papers:

"Father Richardson's note from the Bible:
In Memory of Our Mother
Maria L., wife of W. F. Richardson
born Nov. 22, 1822
died Feb. 17, 1907
By Her Children

Perhaps this was a planned stone that was never ordered? It is not part of James L. Richardson's family Bible, but may have been a note inserted. In any case, it is lost forever, along with the rest of Roberta's source documents.

C. D. Richardson ("Uncle Gus" / "Uncle Dolly") states in an 8 Dec 1933 letter that "I have not got the date of mother's death. I suppose it is on her headstone where she was burried at Box's Chapel."

Don Chandler notes in July 2001:

MARRIAGE: Record not located in Mississippi Marriages, 1826-50; have also seen Edgefield Co., SC; have also seen 8 Jun 1840 (Lemuel Canfield and James L. Richardson's Bible records, as per Vickie Clarke).

DIVORCE: The 1880 Census shows William Richardson married to his 2nd wife, Mattie J., so if Maria lived until 1907 (as Vickie Clarke shows) she and William must have divorced. Unable to find Maria Louisa in TN or MS in 1880 as a Richardson, so maybe she remarried too?

Vickie Clarke solved this problem by finding the US Census of 1880 in Tishomingo County, Mississippi:

4 Jun 1880
District 3, ED 199 (or 191), p. 10
15/15
Harvey, Jackson, WM 55 (?), Farmer, TN TN NC
      Martha, WF 44, wife, keeping house, AL NC NC
Richardson, Louiza, WF 48, sister-in-law, at home, AL NC NC

Of course, Louisa should be 57 at the time of this census, but given her precarious marital status, perhaps she decided to fib about her age.

Marriage Notes for WILLIAM RICHARDSON and MARIA CANFIELD:
William F. Richardson and Maria Canfield were first cousins.

Don Chandler shows the marriage taking place in Tishomingo County, Mississippi. He say the marriage ended in divorce. He has looked for the marriage in Mississippi Marriages 1826-1850, without success. He notes that he has seen the marriage listed as 8 Jun 1840, citing Lemuel Canfield and James L. Richardson's Bible records, as per Vickie Clarke. I don't know about Lemuel Canfield Bible records, but the marriage is not entered in the Bible record of James L. Richardson.

Notes for MARTHA J. ROGERS:
According to the 1880 US Census, Martha's parents were also both born in Alabama.

Don & Brenda Chandler say that Vickie Clarke gave them information that Mattie may have been a Jones (married twice before William F. Richardson?), and speculates that she may actually be Martha Jones, daughter of Samuel C. Jones. The 1850 US Census shows that that daughter was born about 1835 in Alabama.

Louisa is found on the US Census as follows. Note that ages vary wildly:

1870 Tishomingo County, MS
Township 2, R10, Eastport & Iuka PO
21 Jun
19/19
Richardson, Louis, age blank, (10 entered above the "f" in the box for gender,
      domestic servant, b. SC
(She is living in her parents' household).

1880 Tishomingo County, Mississippi
p. 60-B, District 3, Beat 3, ED 199
4 June 1880, 15/15
Richardson, Louiza, sister-in-law, 48, divorced, at home, AL/NC/NC

(She is living in her sister, Martha Harvey's, household. The age should show 57, not 48.)

1900 Alcorn County, Mississippi
p. 73-A, ED3, Beat 2, North of Memphis & Charleston RR
26 Jun 1900
216/221
Richardson, Lou E., female, b. Oct 1825, age 74, widowed, TN/TN/TN, no occupation
O/-/H
(Living alone. Despite conflicting data, this is perhaps "our" Louisa.)

Marriage Notes for WILLIAM RICHARDSON and MARTHA ROGERS:
Rebecca Carrier sends information on the marriage, having found it on the Internet at Family Search international Genealogical Index. Vickie Clarke sent the same information in August 2001.

Children of WILLIAM RICHARDSON and MARIA CANFIELD are:

6.	i.	JAMES LAFAYETTE³ RICHARDSON, b. 26 August 1841, Tishomingo Co, MS; d. 05 July 1919, Corinth, Alcorn Co, MS.
7.	ii.	JOHN WESLEY RICHARDSON, b. 30 March 1844, Tishomingo Co, MS; d. 20 May 1922, Corinth, Alcorn Co, MS.
8.	iii.	WILLIAM HENDERSON RICHARDSON, b. 30 March 1847, Tishomingo Co, MS; d. Aft. 1900.
9.	iv.	MARTHA ANN RICHARDSON, b. Abt. June 1850, "Mattie" b. Tishomingo Co, MS; d. Bef. 08 December 1933.
	v.	SAMUEL LEVI RICHARDSON, b. Abt. 1854, Tishomingo Co, MS; d. Unknown, drowned after 1860.
10.	vi.	HEZEKIAH XENEPHON XERXES RICHARDSON, b. 13 December 1856, "Uncle Ked" b. Tishomingo Co, MS; d. 1930.
11.	vii.	CHRISTIAN DAVIS GUSTAVOUS ADOLPHUS RICHARDSON, b. 07 May 1861, "Uncle Dolly" b. McNairy Co, TN; d. Aft. 1937.

Child of WILLIAM RICHARDSON and MARTHA ROGERS is:

viii.

WALTER LEE³ RICHARDSON, b. 16 August 1870, Tennessee; d. 21 September 1885, McNairy Co, TN.

Notes for WALTER LEE RICHARDSON:
It was first thought that this is the youngest child of John Wesley and Frances Richardson. But since their youngest child (named Walter Lee) married and had several children, he cannot be the Walter Lee buried in Guys Cemetery. Also, the Walter Lee buried in the cemetery died before the approximated birth of the youngest child, Walter Lee, so it is entirely possible that the couple named two children by the same name.

The 1880 US Census for John Wesley Richardson does not show this child at all, and as he died in 1885, he should appear on that census. In fact, a Walter Lee of about this age is on the US Census in 1880 appearing in the household of William Fluker and Martha Mayfield Richardson. Before this record was found, it was not believed that William and Martha had children, but a closer look shows that the parents of Walter Lee (of the 1880 Census) were both born in South Carolina, while Martha is shown in 1880 to be born in Alabama. "Shristian" living in the same household is the son of Louisa and William F. Richardson and the census shows both his parents born in South Carolina.

We still do not have a definitive answer to the parents of this child, but I have put him here until more information surfaces.

[ Home Page | First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page ]