Broersma Family Tree » John Richmond (1594-1664)

Personal data John Richmond 

• He was born in the year 1594 in England.Source 1
• He died on March 20, 1664 in Taunton, RI, he was 70 years old.Source 1
• This information was last updated on May 20, 2012.

Household of John Richmond

Child(ren):

1. John Richmond  ± 1627-1715 
2. Edward Richmond  ± 1632-1696 
3. Sarah Richmond  ± 1638-????
4. Mary Richmond  ± 1639-????

Notes about John Richmond

Genealogical and family history of western New York, vol 2
by: William Richard Cutter
pg 752

RICHMOND
The family here described originated in Brittany, France, deriving their name from the two French words "riche" and "monde" or "monte," and being known at various times and places by the different forms of the name, such as: Rychemonde, Richemount, Richmonte,Richmond and Richmon. Roaldus Musard de Richmond, who came from France to England with William the Conqueror, is said to have ridden at the side of his illustrious leader at Hastings Field, and is spoken of by Thackeray as being a direct descendant of King Edward I. The family settled early in Yorkshire, and the branch which located at Ashton-Keynes, county Wiltshire, are supposed to be descended from the Yorkshire Richmonds, the line of descent to the American family being as follows: Roaldus Musard De Richmond (heretofore mentioned), Hascalfus Musard De Richmond, Roaldus De Richmond "Le Ennase,-i Sir Alan De Richmond, Sir Roald De Richmond, Alan Richmond De Croft, Sir RoaldRichmond De Croft, Eudo De Richmond, Elyas De Richmond, Elyas (2) De Richmond, Thomas De Richmond, William De Richmond (who married Alice, daughter and heiress of Thomas Webb, of Draycott, and for the next four generations the family assume the name of Webb); WilliamRichmond, alias Webb; William (2) Richmond, alias Webb; Edmond Richmond, alias Webb; Henry Richmond, alias Webb; John Richmond, supposed to be identical with John Richmond, of Taunton. The last named, according to a manuscript left by one of his family, took part in the civil wars in England. Their manor at Ashton-Keynes contained about four hundred acres of land, and they owned the entire village of that name.

(I) John Richmond, known as John of Taunton, to distinguish him from others of the name who came to America during the same period, was born in 1594, and in 1597 was baptized at Ashton-Keynes, a parish in county Wiltshire, England. He emigrated to America about 1635, perhaps direct to Massachusetts, but as the first definite knowledge of his being there is in 1637, it has been supposed by many that he may have been the John Richmond spoken of as being in Maine, as George Richmond, who may have been his cousin, was trading with Saco, Maine, in 1635, and the name of John Richmond is found on the court records of that place during March, 1636. He became one of the original purchasers of the town of Taunton, Massachusetts, in 1637, being owner of six shares, and took the oath of allegiance there prior to 1640. His name does not appear on the list of those able to bear arms, in 1643, ancl no record of his name is found there until 1655, when he was also in Rhode Island. If he took part in the civil wars of England during this time, according to family tradition, his absence is thus easily explained, and tradition also says he was known as Colonel John, as result of this service. He and his sons became large landholders, and the family lived in the easterly part of the town, their name being still perpetuated in the village of Richmondtown, in that location. John Richmondmade his will in 1664, in which document he bequeaths to his son John all his writings, "which are in my chest, in my son-in-laws, Edward Rews house." He made his mark in signing this will, the reason being probably on account of his age and feebleness, as he therein mentions his "writings," and his sons Edward and John were well educated, refined and gentlemanly for their day and age. He was one of the older men of Taunton and died there March 20, 1664. Neither the date of his marriage nor the name of his wife has yet been found, but it is supposed he married before coming to America. Children: John; Edward, born about 1632; Sarah, about 1638; Mary, about 1639.

New England families, genealogical and memorial Vol 1
By: William Richard Cutter
pg 55

(I) This John Richmond was the American ancestor of the particular branch of the family to be treated of in these annals, and it is believed that he came to this country with a colony of cadets of noble English families on the western coast of Ireland, who had chosen this remote region that they might be able to "engage in commercial and other pursuits without shocking their aristocratic relatives." It is believed that John Richmond came to America in a trading vessel, and it is known that he was engaged in carrying on an extensive and flourishing trade with Saco, Maine, in 1635, for the records show that in 1636 he was in court with a suit brought by him, "to collect from Thomas Lewis six pounds and ten shillings for two barrells of beife." In 1637 he was one of the purchasers and proprietors of Taunton, Massachusetts, and there his daughter Sarah was probably born in 1638, and his daughter Mary in 1639. From the fact that nothing is known of him between the years 1643 and 1655 it is thought that he returned to England and took part in the wars, for family tradition runs to that effect, and also says that he was referred to as Colonel John Richmond. He probably married before coming to New England. He was away from Taunton much of the time, and is known to have been in Newport and other places, but eventually returned to Taunton and died there March 20, 1664, aged seventy years.
His children were:
1. John, of whom further.
2. Captain Edward, born about 1632, in England, died in November, 1696; married (first) Abigail Davis, daughter of James Davis; (second) Amy Bull, daughter of Governor Henry and Elizabeth Bull.
3. Sarah, born about 1638, in Taunton, Massachusetts, died in 1691; she married (first) Edward Rew, who died July 16, 1678; married (second) November 4, 1678, James Walker, the immigrant, born in 1618. died February 15, 1690-91; married (third) Nicholas Stoughton.
4. Mary, born about 1639, in Taunton, died October 3, 1715; she married William Paul, of Berkley, Massachusetts, born in 1624, died November 6, 1704.

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