Thomas Powell Richardson [r.2.2.6]

Thomas Powell Richardson was the sixth child of Thomas Richardson & Eleanor Powell, born June 4th, 1825 at West Hendon. He was christened on July 3rd 1825 at St Michaels, Bishop Wearmouth.

Thomas was living at home at the time of the 1841 census at White House farm, Houghton.

Thomas married Mary Wilson on Christmas Day, 1848 at Holy Trinity Parish church, Sunderland. Witnesses at the wedding were Richard Wiyzell, George Lord & Frances Smithson. Mary was the daughter of William & Mary Wilson, born c1820 at Hetton-le-Hole. William Wilson was a farmer and he and Mary had 6 children (including Mary, a weaver) at the time of the 1841 census and the family were living at Salters Lane, Haswell.

By 1851 Thomas & Mary were living at Burdon Cottage, Burdon and had 2 daughters – Ann born 1848 & Eleanor born 1850. There was a young visitor present at this time, Elizabeth Lamb aged 8, born at Haverley House, Co. Durham. Daughter Ann was in fact registered as Ann Richardson Wilson, born in Oct-December 1848 in Sunderland.

Church of St Mary the Virgin, Seaham - of Anglo-Saxon origin & one of the oldest churches built in England - where many Richardsons were christened & buried.

They had 3 more children – Elizabeth, Mary & Thomas, all born at Warden Law during the 1850s. Thomas was listed in the Post Office Directory of Northumberland & Durham of 1858 as a farmer of Wardenlaw hill.

By the time of the 1861 census all the family were living at Warden Law Hill house. Thomas was now a farmer of 8 acres.

By 1871 Thomas & Mary were living at the Sun Inn, Market Place, Houghton-le-Spring where Thomas was recorded as a farmer/publican. The 3 youngest children, Elizabeth, Mary & Thomas were at home, and son Thomas was recorded as a grocer.

By 1881 Mary had died. Widowed Thomas was still living at the Sun Inn with daughters Elizabeth, Eleanor (Ellen) & Mary. Mary had married Robert Place & with her were daughters Edith (2) & Lilly (5 months). Two 5 year old girls (Mary & Annie Richardson) were also recorded living there – they were listed as daughters of Thomas but the following census in 1891 suggests that Mary was the daughter of Mary Place & Annie was the daughter of Ellen Richardson.

Thomas died in 1888 at Houghton-le Spring & was described as a farmer & innkeeper on the probate form. He was buried on April 24th at St Nicholas, Hetton-le-Hole. His will was proved on July 5th, at Durham by son Thomas, a grocer, of Seaham Harbour & son-in- law Robert Earnshaw, miller, of Grangetown. His estate amounted to £537.16s. The sale by auction of Thomas’s farming stock, produce & implements was announced in December 1888. It was noted that he was of Cross House, midway between Houghton-le-Spring & Hetton-le-Hole. (Sunderland Daily Echo & Shipping Gazette of December 18th, 1888)

The children of Thomas Richardson & Mary Wilson were:

r.2.2.6.1 Ann Wilson/Richardson born Oct-December 1848 at Burdon Cottage, died November 7th, 1901, Ryhope
r.2.2.6.2 Eleanor Richardson born February 27th, 1850 at Burdon, christened March 31st, 1850 at St Mary the Virgin, Seaham; died May 27th, 1914 at Stoneygate, Waterworks Cottages, Houghton-le-Spring
r.2.2.6.3 Elizabeth Richardson born 1852 at Warden Law, christened May 2nd, 1852 at St Mary the Virgin, Seaham
r.2.2.6.4 Mary Richardson born 1853 at Warden Law, christened November 6th, 1853 at St Mary the Virgin, Seaham; died December 27th, 1926 at Ironside St, Houghton-le-Spring
r.2.2.6.5 Thomas Richardson born at Warden Law 1856, christened March 23rd, 1856 at Houghton-le-Spring, died September 2nd1893, at Bay Horse Inn, Houghton