Thursday, June 10, 2010

Treasure Chest Thursday - Hannah Richmond's obituary

It's Thursday - time to find a family history gem in the Treasure Chest of artifacts, papers and memories.

My cousin, Laura, sent a number of newspaper clippings two years ago after we found each other (her great-grandmother is Grace Richmond, and my grandmother is Alma Bessie Richmond, both daughters of Thomas and Julia (White) Richmond). One of the clippings was the obituary of Hannah (Rich) Richmond (1824-1911), who died 7 August 1911 in Putnam, Windham County, Connecticut. Hannah was the wife of James Richman/Richmond (1821-1912), and the mother of Thomas Richmond and eight other children.


The obituary reads:

"MRS. JAMES RICHMOND

"Mrs. Hannah Richmond, wife of James Richmond, died at her home on the Pomfret road Monday evening. Mrs. Richmond had lived in Putnam over forty years and was well-known throughout this vicinity. She was born in Wiltshire, England, in April, 1825, the daughter of John and Rebecca Rich and came to this country in 1856, coming to Pascoag, R.I. For the past 36 years, however, she has lived with her husband on the farm homestead where she died, known as the Richmond farm. She was married to Mr. Richmond 66 years ago, before coming to this country. She was always of a quiet disposition and was content to make a happy home for the large family which she reared.

"Besides her husband, who is known as 'Father' Richmond in the Methodist church, she leaves seven children, Thomas of Putnam, James of Stroudburg, Pa., Louisa living on the home farm, Mrs. Elizabeth Prentice of Danielson, Mrs. Emma Fitts of Pomfret, John, living on the home farm, Charles of Manchester, besides a large number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also leaves one brother, William Rich, of Putnam, who is the only surviving member of eight.

"The funeral will be at the Methodist church, of which the deceased was a member, Thursday afternoon at 1 o'clock. Rev. Mr. Belcher will officiate and burial will be in Grove street cemetery."
The obituary doesn't mention two other children - Ann who died in Wiltshire as a child, and Hannah (Richmond) Smith, who may have died in Connecticut before her mother.

This obituary is the only record I have that describes the life of Hannah (Rich) Richmond, especially her demeanor and religion. It also provides a list of her living children and their residence at the time of her death, which could be helpful in tracking them down.

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