The Richards family

 

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.


The Richards family tree

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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


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