The Richards were long-established builders, and undertakers and property owners in Witham, and were also very active in the community, particularly St Nicolas Church and the choir. The last of the family in Witham was Miss Kath Richards, who died in 1991. She was a member of the Urban District Council and of many local organisations.
For a photo of the Richards’ premises, see:
https://www.janetgyford.com/church-street-nos-54-56-and-richards-funeral-directors-1975/
For interviews with Mrs Frances Hawkes, previously Mrs Richards, nee Filby, see interview tapes 17 and 20. For more information see Hawkes, Frances (nee Filby, first husband Richards), in the People files.
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1839 Tithe map
George Richards occupied a cottage and a garden at the site now no.56 Church St. He may not have been part of the Richards family described here.
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Census
1851 census
HO 107/1783, folio 221, page 5, schedule 14, Chipping Hill
Charles Richards Head M 32 Carpenter Born Westminster, London
Sarah Richards Wife M 35 Born Essex, Great Waltham
William George Richards Son 3
Born Witham
HO 107/1783, folio 223, page 9, schedule 28, Chipping Hill
Probably bottom of Church Street
William Richards H M 49 Cabinet maker
born Essex, Bocking
Miriam Richards W M 50
born Essex, Bradwell
Miriam Richards D U 20 Dressmaker
born Essex, Maldon
Elizabeth Richards D 16
born Essex, Maldon
William Richards S 14
born Essex, Maldon
Edward Richards S 12
born Suffolk, Sudbury
1861 census
RG 9/1107, folio 93, page 10, schedule 54, Church Street terrace
Charles Richards Head M 42 Carpenter empl 3 men born Middlesex, Westminster
Sarah Richards Wife M 45 born Essex, Great Waltham
William G Richards Son 13 Scholar born Essex, Witham
RG 9/1107, folio 99, page 21, schedule 111, New Road
Probably Braintree Road
Edward S Richards Visitor U 23 Cabinet maker
born Suffolk, Sudbury
[with Charles Hammond, bootmaker, and family]
1871 census
RG 10/1695, folio 59, page 5, schedule 30, Church Street
Charles Richards H M 52 Carpenter born London, Westminster
Sarah Richards W M 55
born Essex, Great Waltham
William George Richards Son U 23 Carpenter
born Essex, Witham
RG 10/1695, folio 22, page 7, schedule 36, Newland Street
William Richards H W 70 Cabinet maker (master)
born Ireland, Dublin
Edward S. Richards S U 32 Cabinet maker born Suffolk, Sudbury
Miriam S. Harrison Gddau 14 Scholar born Middx, Hoxton
RG 10/1695, foil 50, page 26, schedule 133, Guithavon Street
William Richards H M 35 Cabinet maker born Essex, Maldon
Elizabeth Richards W M 32 born Essex, Witham
1881 census
RG 11/1809, folio 60, page 12, schedule 75, Church Street
Charles Richards H M 62 Builder empl 13 men & 1 boy born Middx, Westminster
Sarah Richards W M 65 born Essex, Gt Waltham
RG 11/1809, folio 79, page 19, schedule 114, 7 Mill Field Terrace
William G Richards H M 33 Joiner
born Essex, Witham
Maria Richards W M 30
born Essex, Chelmsford
Harry Richards S 4
born Essex, Witham
Anna M Richards D 2
born Essex, Witham
Chas Edward Richards S 5 mo
born Essex, Witham
RG11/1809 folio 39, page 6, schedule 31, Newland Street
Probably 44 Newland Street
Edward Sach Richards H M 42 Cabinet mkr empl.4 hands born Suffolk, Sudbury
Annie Maria Richards W M 40 born Essex, Chelmsford
Miriam Richards D 8 Scholar born Essex, Witham
Margaret Richards D 6 Scholar born Essex, Witham
Kate Richards D 4 Scholar born Essex, Witham
Evelyn Richards D 2 born Essex, Witham
Lucy Danes Ser 14 Dom servant born Essex, Margaretting
1891 census
RG 12/1425, folio 55, page 19, schedule 112, Church Street
Probably 56 Church Street
Charles Richards H W 72 Ret’d builder born London, Westminster
Louisa Wood Niece M 35
?born London, Westminster?
RG 12/1425, folio 53, page 15, schedule 83, Chipping Hill
Probably 4 or 6 Church Street
William G Richards H M 43 Builder
born Essex, Witham
Maria Richards W M 40
born Essex, Chelmsford
Harry Wm Richards S 14 Scholar
born Essex, Witham
Anne M Richards D 12 Scholar
born Essex, Witham
Charles E. Richards S 10 Scholar
born Essex, Witham
Bertha M Richards D 3
born Essex, Witham
1901 census
RC 13/1725, folio 57, page 6, schedule 35, Church Street
Probably 56 Church Street
Charles Richards Head Wid 82 Retired builder born London Westminster
Louisa Wood Niece Wid 47 Housekeeper (Domestic) born London St. Martins
RG 13/1725, folio 55, page 2, schedule 10, Church Street
Probably 4 Church Street
Maria Richards Head Wid 50 Living on own means born Essex, Chelmsford
Harry W Richards Son S 24 Builder (employer) born Essex, Witham
Charles E Richards Son S 20 Carpenter (worker) born Essex, Witham
Bertha M Richards Dau S 13 born Essex, Witham