UPDATE–The Richards Epic

While I do my best to make sure that all information on Digging Up Your Family is correct, there are times that I make mistakes.  I am always happy, however, when readers and family are able to tell me when mistakes occur.

In September of 2012, I posted The Richards Epic in three parts.  It is not a complete lineage for all descendants of John Richards and Rhoda Metz (there is still an attempt to authenticate her name – Metts, maybe?), but I did attempt to put as much information for descendants as possible.  Updates are necessary, though.

1.  Nearly a year after I first posted The Richards Epic: Part One, Jeanie Hale Martz left the comment, “My grandmother, Kate Richards(Hale) was the daughter of Wm. Alexander Richards and Sarah Rose. Kate b. 1874 . Mother of James C. Hale of Marion, Ar. You left her off... Tks.”  I am grateful that she pointed this out for me.  Originally I had written:

William Alexander Richards was born in 1825 in Jones County, North Carolina. He married Saphroney (or Safroney) Gilmore in 1855. He held the office of Justice of the Peace.  William and Saphroney had two children: James Emery born 1857 (died. February of 1900) and William Alexander born 1862 (died in January of 1900). In 1860 Edward Page was living with William and family, along with Williams nephew John M Richards, and two men: Green McDaniel and John Blocker. Saphroney died in 1864. William then married Sarah H Rose in 1866. Together William and Sarah had two children: Robert E Lee Richards in 1867 (died about 1869) and Clarence Addice “Addie” Richards born in 1869 (died in 1950). The 1870 census really confuses me. William and Sarah are listed, along with; JE Richards (James Emery), WL Richards (age 18, born about 1852, a male…who is this!?!?!?!?), CA Richards (Clarence Addice), RE Rose (a 17 year old female that I can only assume is a sister of Sarah) and Nick Wooley or Worley (a farmhand). Who is WL Richards? It’s driving me crazy not knowing! Anyway, William Alexander Richards died January 10, 1875.

I dug a bit deeper and discovered that prior to William Alexander Richards’ death, he and Sarah had two more children: Almeda Richards and Kate Cora Richards.  From The Earle Epic (1981):

Almeda “Mead” Richards, born June 1, 1872 in Crittenden County was killed in 1902 when a tree fell on him; buried in Blytheville.

Kate Cora Richards, born Nov. 25, 1874 in Crittenden Co., died Feb. 6, 1968 in Washington, D.C.

The majority of the information concerning the early generations of the Richards family was found in The Earle Epic, so I have no clue how I missed that.

Also, I mentioned a mysterious “W.L. Richards” in the 1870 census with William Alexander and Sarah A. Richards.  He is still a mystery.  I compared the handwriting on the census to see if it actually had him listed as “W.L.”, and it does:1870 US Federal Census, PO Black Fish, Tyronza Township, Crittenden County, Arkansas, page 2

As you can see, the “W” matches the “W” marked under “Color” (race) for “white” and the “L” matches the “L” in Laura Hood’s name.

So, who is WL Richards (born about 1852 in Arkansas)?  I’m sure when I find out it will be a head slapping moment!

2.  Pat Isabel Brown, who has researched the Richards family extensively (as well as wrote the Richards article in The Earle Epic!), recently contacted me with information.  I was also able to help her, so it has been a great week for research!

Here are a couple of tidbits that have helped me (there are certain to be future posts, and I don’t want to wear my readers out all in one post!):

-In The Richards Epic: Part One, I had questioned the name “Nelia Richards, born 1847…”.  Apparently, this was a misprint in the book.  Nelia is actually Julia Richards, born May 5, 1846.  In that same family, I have her mother listed as Lucinda Parker.  On my Ancestry tree I have an asterisk (*) next to her last name, denoting that it has not yet been proven.  I should have made mention of that in the post, so as not to confuse readers.

-Pat Brown also sent me a Richards family group sheet (as well as a Lyles family group sheet) that contains some interesting information.  A lot of it was told to Jim Hale, Jr by Kate Cora Richards Hale, as recollections of what she had been told by her aunt, Rhoda Richards Hood.  As promised, however, that will be saved for another post or two.

As I update my tree and correct information, I will update and correct information on Digging Up Your Family.

Comments

[Jeanie Hale Martz]

Sarah Ann Rose Richards did have a sister named Rachel Rose. I was told by my grandmother that she died young.I am not sure what she meant by "young." Perhaps R.E. Rose is Rachel. Jeanie H. Martz

[Jimmy Richards]

The W.L.Richards born in 1852 age 18, you are referring to in the 1870 Census, is most likely William Alexander Richards, Jr Born in 1862 age 8. This is probably a transcription error. Also, The J. E. Richards is likely, James Emery Richards born in 1857. William and James mother was Sofroney Gilmore,Sarah would have been their step-mother. C.A. Richards listed on the 1870 census, is Sarah's son Clarence Addice Born Oct 1896 (10 Mouth old) @ time of census. The R.E. Rose Born Abt 1853 Age 17 is likely Rachel Sarah's sister.

[Jimmy Richards]

I made an error on C. A. Richards birth date, it is suppose to b October 1869(not 1896)

[Stephanie @ Digging Up Your Family]

Hi Jimmy!

After writing this post I had gone on to adding those people to my tree. I should really do an update! I was mainly following my line, but it's always great to meet another Richards cousin! There are so many of us!