Person Page - 32

     Eva was born on 25 July 1873.¹ She married Frank Noyes on 12 February 1896.¹

     He married Eva May Goding on 12 February 1896.¹
     Owned the Riverside Stock Farm.

     Ada was born on 9 August 1875.¹ She married Lincoln Cummings on 31 August 1894.¹

     He married Ada Lillian Goding on 31 August 1894.¹ Lincoln died after 17 July 1901.

     Sadie was born at Livermore, Androscoggin, ME, on 26 November 1882.^1,2 She married Appleton Hodge at Canton, Oxford, ME, on 7 July 1903.^1,3 Sadie Elizabeth Goding died on 23 December 1926 at Canton, Oxford, ME, at age 44.²

     Appleton Hodge was born on 3 July 1882 at Canton, Oxford, ME.¹ He married Sadie Elizabeth Goding at Canton, Oxford, ME, on 7 July 1903.^2,1 Appleton Hodge died on 2 May 1956 at Canton, Oxford, ME, at age 73.³

     Perley was born on 24 September 1890.¹

     Walter was born on 21 May 1893.¹

     Clyde was born on 25 May 1896.¹

     Floyd was born on 12 October 1901.¹

     Inez was born at Winthrop, Kennebec, ME, on 11 March 1899.¹

     Carl was born at Winthrop, Kennebec, ME, on 9 March 1900.¹

     Lura was born on 29 May 1902.¹

     Rossie was born on 31 October 1905.¹

     Leon was born on 28 July 1895.¹

     Maud was born on 14 June 1897.¹

     Eva was born on 17 July 1901.¹

     Lottie was born at Livermore, Andorscoggin, ME, on 8 November 1874.¹ She married W. H. Norton on 25 November 1893.^1,2 Lottie died on 14 January 1912 at Livermore, Andorscoggin, ME, at age 37.²

     W. H. Norton was born on 24 July 1866 at Livermore, Andorscoggin, ME.¹ He married Lottie Ida Leach on 25 November 1893.^2,3 W. died on 24 August 1941 at Lewiston, Andorscoggin, ME, at age 75.⁴ He was buried at Waters Hill Cemetery, Livermore, Andorscoggin, ME.⁵

     Alice was born on 29 May 1876.¹ Alice died after 1876.

     Bertha was born on 16 October 1893.¹ She married Willis A Cole on 18 September 1921 at Livermore, Androscoggin, ME.²

     Carroll was born on 14 September 1895.¹

     Maud A. Blaisdell was born in 1871.¹ She married C. Scott West at Andover, Oxford, ME, on 8 September 1888.²

     Tristram was born at Rochester, Strafford, NH, on 27 July 1760.^1,2 He married Abigail York in 1784.^3,4 Tristram died on 8 June 1845 at Oxford, Oxford, ME, at age 84.^5,4 He was buried after 8 June 1845 at Fore Rd. Cemetery, Oxford, Oxford, ME.⁶
     Tristram was inducted into the Army in at Worcester, Worcester, MA, on 9 July 1780.⁷ He was released from active duty on 26 October 1780.⁷ In 1827 he resided at Oxford, Oxford, ME, with his son Samuel Richards on at Fore Road.^3,4 Morse says: "Tristram ... was a 'natural mechanic, and learned the cooper's trade, but labored a part of his time in a flouring mill; was esteemed a very industrious and upright man,' honorable in all his dealings, and endowed with an uncommon share of common sense."³

     Abigail was born in 1764. (Morse puts her birthdate at 1756.)^1,2 She married Tristram Richards in 1784.^3,4 Abigail died on 3 June 1856 at Oxford, Oxford, ME.^1,5

     John was born in 1722.^3,2 He married Abigail (Myers) Miles before 1754.^1,4 John died in 1792.
     He resided at Boston and Newbury, MA.^{5 6}According to Morse, pp. 185-6:

      John figures in the history of the Indian wars; but every account published of him is not correct. The most reliable one seems to have been derived from his son Tristram, who used often to relate it in the hearing of his grandson, Samuel Richards, Jr. of S. Paris, Me., who has obligingly forwarded the following sketch, adding that the same, in substance, has been handed down among other descendants of this ancestor. "As he, and some of his neighbors, were at work in a field, at Rochester, N.H., they were suddenly surprised by a party of Indians, who ran towards them with terrific yells and whoops. Richards and his neighbors ran for his house, which was near by. Richards, however, concluded, as he neared the house, not to go in; and as his wife was at a garrison, at some distance, he directed his flight for her, but was soon brought down by a bullet. An Indian soon stood over him, with upraised tomahawk, and would soon have killed him, had he not called for quarter. The Indian, finding that he was not dangerously wounded, and that he could travel, spared his life, and took him, with another young man, as a prisoner to Canada. The men who ran inot Richards' house were all killed; their bodies being found by some of their friends soon after; and a web, which Mrs. Richards left in the loom unfinished, was found stained with the blood of her neighbors. Richards, and the other young man, having arrived in Canada, and appearing to be contented, were permitted to go out hunting with the Indians; and as they did not try to escape, were after about a year, allowed to go out alone. They then planned a way to escape. They found a large hollow log in the forest, and prepared it to hide in. as they passed that way they stowed a part of their provision there, and one evening crawled inot the log out of sight. The Indians, finding that Richards and his mate did not come home at dark, as usual, were soon searching for them, making the woods ring with their calls and answers, and many times passed over the log. after 24 hours search the Indians gave them up, and retired to their wigwams. Richards and his mate, hearing no more of the Indians, then crpet from their hiding and started for Rochester. Their scanty allowance was soon gone, and they began to suffer from hunger and fatigue. Richards' mate now gave himself up to die, as he could go no farther. Richards, being loth to leave him, carried him some distance, but finding his own strength failing also, and the young man begging Richards no to die with him, but to save his own life if possible, he reluctantly consented to do so. They found here the entrails fo a deer, which some hunter had left, and striking a fire, broiled it on the coals. This, said Richards, was the sweetest meat that I ever ate. He now left his companion, but had proceeded but a little way when he heard dogs barking behind him, and returnin, discovered that some hunters had found his friend. They were from Rochester, and carried Richards and his friend home." Of his sufferings and emotions in this events, fancy can paint but an imperfect sketch. Previous to his captivity, he m. at R., Abigail "Myers" or "Miles;" built his house by a living spring on the bank of the river, at Norway Plains in R., where he lived the rest of his days.



⁷According to McDuffee, p. 22-24:

     "A thrill of horror ran through the settlement when on the twenty-seventh day of June, 1746, by an artfully contrived and boldly executed plot, four men were murdered within sight of a garrison, and a fifth was wounded and taken prisoner. Their names were Gershom Downs, Joseph Heard, John Richards, and Joseph Richards. They were on the way to their work in the field, carrying guns and traveling in company for mutual protection. A band of Indians, having first sent one of their number forward to station himself behind a tree at a convenient distance on the opposite side of the road, had concealed themselves near where these men must pass. Having thus prepared a snare with the noted cunning of the race, they awaited the approach of their victims. When the workmen arrived at the ambush the solitary decoy suddenly stepped forth in full view and fired upon the company. "Face your enemies; fire!" was the instant order of Joseph Richards who acted as captain. All immediately discharged their pieces at the savage, who having thus drawn their fire, instantly disappeared and escaped unharmed. The remaining Indians springing from their ambush in the rear, immediately rushed forward with terrific whoops and yells. All the guns on both sides having been discharged, an exciting race ensued. The men fled down the road toward a deserted house owned by John Richards. The Indians followed with caution, lest some of the guns might still remain loaded. The flying party, except John Richards, who was wounded succeeded in reaching the house. Closing the door behind them, they planted themselves firmly against it and hastened to reload their guns. But before they could accomplish this, the Indians mounted to the roof, tore off the poles of which it was constructed, and falling upon the now defenseless men, dispatched them in the most brutal manner. The guns of the murdered men were afterwards found half-loaded; and an unfinished web which Mrs. Richards had left in the loom, was stained with the blood of her neighbors. John Richards, instead of following the others, directed his flight towards the garrison where his wife was dwelling; but before he could reach it, an Indian overtook him, and with uplifted tomahawk was about to take his life. Richards called for quarter and was spared. His wound not being dangerous, and being able to travel, he was carried prisoner to Canada. This massacre occurred near the spot where a schoolhouse now stands, on the main road. The ambush was a short distance this side, near where Bidfield Meserve now resides. Taking the wounded Richards with them, the Indians, to escape pursuit, struck hastily into Whitehall swamp. After killing some cattle and cutting out their tongues and a few tidbits, they came out on the Salmon Falls road near Adams's Corner. Here a party of men were at work in the field, on of who had stationed his son, Jonathan Dore, a boy of twelve years, on the fence to keep a sharp lookout and give the alarm if any Indians appeared. As in youthful innocence he sat whistling on the fence, the Indians suddenly came in sight. He gave the alarm and the men all escaped; but before he could get down from the fence the Indians had seized him. The father from his hiding-place saw his son captured and carried away, but knew that all attempts at rescue were hopeless.      

"The foregoing account of the capture of Richards and the slaughter of his companions is founded upon a few lines in Belknap's History. In order to form a more minute and connected narrative, incidents and particulars are derived from tradition and other sources have been here added. The correctness of Belknap's history of the affair has been unjustly questioned by a great-grandson of Richards, who received a different version from his father Tristram. His account was published in a history of the Richards family by Rev. Abner Morse. The following is the account as given in Mr. Morse's book, and is, to say the least, interesting: - " (see Morse, pp. 185-6)      

"Not to dwell upon the improbability that hunters from Rochester should have been, in time of war, at such a dangerous distance in the wilderness in the enemy's country, it is well known that Dore did not escape as related. After careful investigation there is no doubt the following accounts are substantially correct. Belknap's general accuracy as a historian is unquestioned. He derived his information of this particular event from the Rev. Joseph Haven, at a period when many persons were still living who dwelt here when these events took place. Even Richards himself lived in the village after Mr. Haven's settlement here. The account also agrees with the tradition preserved and credited by the people in the locality of the tragedy.      

"Richards was kindly used by the Indians, and under their skillful treatment his wound was soon healed. After remaining a year and a half in Canada, he was sent by a flag of truce to Boston, and thence returned to his friends at Rochester. He bought the place now owned by a son of Hon. Jacob H. Ela, and here lived till 1792, when he died at the age of seventy. His son of the same name inherited the place, and for years was a miller in the Horne and Hurd mill, opposite where Dea. Barker's grist-mill now stands."

⁸Belknap's narrative, pp. 290-1:

      "Whilst the upper settlements were thus suffering, the lower did not escape. A party of Indians came down to Rochester, within twenty miles of Portsmouth. Five men were at work in a field, having their arms at hand. The Indians concealed themselves. One of them fired, with a view to induce the men to discharge their pieces, which they did. The enemy then rushed upon them before they could load again. They retreated to a small deserted house and fastened the door. The Indians tore off the roof, and with their guns and tomahawks despatched Joseph Heard, Joseph Richards, John Wentworth and Gershom Downs. They wounded and took John Richards; and crossing over to another road, came upon some men who were at work in a field, all of whom escaped; but they took Jonathan Door, a boy, as he was sitting on a fence. Richards was kindly used, his wounds were healed, and after eighteen months, he was sent to Boston in a flag of truce. Door lived with the Indians and acquired their manners and habits; but, after the conquest of Canada, returned to his native place."³

     She married John Richards before 1754.^3,4

     John was born at Boston, Suffolk, MA, on 1 April 1669.¹ He married Hannah Goodrich at Newbury, Essex, MA, on 22 March 1694.^3,1 He married Sarah Cheney at Newbury, Essex, MA, on 16 July 1696.^3,1 John died before April 1755 at Newbury, Essex, MA.¹
     According to Morse, p. 184; "He did not remain many years at Newbury, but after 1703 probably followed others from Newbury to Piscataqua river, and finally settled about nine miles west of Dover, in N.H., on the present road to Rochester. Here he or his sons erected a substantial garrison-house, which may be ascertained about one mile east of the village of Rochester, and marks a spot rendered classical, not only by the tragedy there enacted, but from its being the geographical centre of a numerous race. Here he and his wife are supposed to have died, but no record or headstone inofrms us how or when. His first location in Newbury is said to have been near Plumb Island."

Holman refutes this saying; "The statement made by Morse, in 1861, that this John Richards settled in Rochester, N.H., has been copied by many, but, unless he went there to live in his old age - over seventy - with a son or grandson - he did not go there, and certainly not in 1715 as has been stated. The deeds call him, carpenter, wheelwright and yeoman. There is no record of him in the N.H. sources - deeds, probate, vital records, etc. He was of full age, 1 Apr. 1690, and, 15 June 1691, was a memeber of the Newbury Watch, as see the Coffin Papers. (Coll. Essex Inst. 35:140.) This same source shows that he appeared in the town rate of Newbury in 1711. (ibid., 35:137.)^4,1

On on 28 May 1700 he exchanged property with Thomas Rogers at bounded by Amesbury Rd., Newbury, Essex, MA. He transferred 6 acres along the Amesbury Rd. to the Newbury Saddle tree maker for land in the woods.⁵.¹ On on 10 July 1700 John sold the woods land he purchased from Thomas Rogers in May to Richard Bartlett at Newbury, Essex, MA. ⁶.¹ On on 20 June 1703 he bought property from John Kent at Newbury, Essex, MA. The deed states that Kent "... for ... forty pound ... confirme unto John Richards of ye towne ... aforesaid [Newbury] Wheelwright ... a certain house with Two ... Tracts of Land ..." one piece bounded s. and w. by Silvanus Plummer, n. by common and e. by Joshua Plummer; the other piece bounded e. by Abner Dole, s. and w. by Joshua Plummer, n. by common; the whole being about 4 acres..¹ On on 15 July 1706 he sold five acres to Daniel Noyes at meadow in the Great Marshes, Newbury, Essex, MA, for eighteen pounds. ⁷.¹ On on 14 April 1715 John bought a tenament and land and two-ninths right to a woodlot from James Cheney at two-ninths of Daniel Cheney esta, Newbury, Essex, MA, for 110 pounds. ⁸.¹ He sold property to John Hale Jr. at Newbury, Essex, MA, on 15 April 1715.¹ On on 20 November 1721 he bought ten acres of land for 60 pounds from Charles Pierce at marsh near Pine Island, Newbury, Essex, MA. ⁹.¹ On on 24 June 1724 John bought property at on Thatch Island, Newbury, Essex, MA, from the Town of Newbury. ¹⁰.¹ On on 2 October 1729 he sold ten acres to John Cheney at Thatch Island, Newbury, Essex, MA, for three pounds. ¹⁰.¹ On on 28 May 1733 John bought land and buildings at Newbury, Essex, MA, from Joseph Garrish for 250 pounds. ¹¹.¹ On on 12 December 1733 John sold five acres of arable land and orchard to William Dole at bounded s.e. by John Dole, Newbury, Essex, MA, for 270 pounds . ¹².¹ On on 31 January 1734 he deeded property at home "in which I now dwell", Newbury, Essex, MA, to his son Humphrey Richards . "I, John Richards of Newbury ... Wheelwright ... for ... Love ... which I do bear towards my beloved Son Humphrey Richards of Newbury, Cordwainer," give to him a messuage there, "in which I now dwell", on and one half acres, and the south end of the house and the barn: I also give him my woodlot in Newbury 1st division #8, and my right in old Town Hill Pasture or Pine Island Pasture, and all other rights to land in Newbury"¹³.¹ On on 5 September 1736 John deeded to his son John Richards the north half of the family home and associated property at the home "in which I now dwell", Newbury, Essex, MA. ¹⁴.¹ He and his son Humphrey sold a small parcel of land at a pasture, Newbury, Essex, MA, on 20 May 1741 to Joseph Knight for twelve pounds.

¹⁵.¹ On on 1 October 1741 John and his son Humphrey sold to John Knight three acres of pasture at lot 1, 2d division, Newbury, Essex, MA, for twenty-two pounds . ¹⁶.¹

     Sarah was born at Newbury, Essex, MA, on 11 September 1666.¹ She married John Richards at Newbury, Essex, MA, on 16 July 1696.^2,1 Sarah died before April 1755 at Newbury, Essex, MA.¹
     She resided at Newbury, Essex, MA, in January 1743.¹

     Hannah was born at Newbury, Essex, MA, on 17 July 1665.¹ She married John Richards at Newbury, Essex, MA, on 22 March 1694.^2,1 Hannah died on 24 January 1696 at Newbury, Essex, MA, at age 30.^2,1