Thomas Richardson [r]

Tree showing lineage from Thomas Richardson to granddaughter Ann Richardson

Thomas Richardson was born 1790 at Biggin, & christened March 28th, 1790 at Esh, Co Durham. He was the son of Thomas & Elizabeth Richardson of Biggin, near Esh, Co Durham. It is known that he had 2 sisters – Ann, christened July 27th, 1788 & Elizabeth, christened April 8th, 1792 & a brother Ralph, christened October 26th, 1794, all christened at Esh.

Thomas married Eleanor Powell on June 3rd, 1816 at Bishop Wearmouth, by licence at St Michaels, Bishop Wearmouth. On the register it was noted that Thomas made his mark and the witnesses were Elizabeth Powell & W? Powell. Eleanor was the daughter of Thomas & Jane Powell, and was christened at Stanhope on April 5th, 1795.

Thomas & Eleanor initially lived in the Sunderland area where they began their family. Their first child, Henry Powell was christened August 25th, 1816. At that time they were living at Ryhope Lane, Sunderland, & Thomas was a farmer. Next was Elizabeth born 1817, followed by Jane born 1821. Then came Eleanor, born 1823 and Thomas Powell was born in 1825. Then followed John, William & Joseph.

By the time of the Electoral Register of 1833 the family had moved to Carr House Farm in Old Seaham where Thomas continued to be a farmer. Their 9th & 10th children, Robert & Henry were born at Seaham.

In the 1841 census they had moved to White House, a farm in the Houghton-le-Spring district. All the children were living at home.

By 1851 Thomas & Eleanor had moved to Seaton Blue House, at Seaton with Slingley, where Thomas was a farmer of 44 acres. At home were Elizabeth (31), William (21) an agricultural labourer, Joseph (17) & Henry (13).

Thomas died at Seaton Blue House on July 5th, 1853 aged 64, and was buried on July 8th 1853 at St Mary the Virgin, Old Seaham.

Eleanor died 7 years later at Seaton Blue House, February 17th, 1860, aged 65 and was also buried at St Mary the Virgin on February 21st, 1860. Their headstone is shown below which also reveals that alongside them are buried Eleanor’s brother Thomas Powell who died November 30th, 1834 aged 55 years, and was buried December 4th, 1834. He is described as ‘formerly of Customs’ Sunderland’ but he died at Seaham. Also buried there is Mary Dixon, sister of Eleanor & Thomas Powell. She was the widow of Joseph Dixon a coal fitter from Sunderland. Mary died November 7th 1863, aged 78.

The children of Thomas Richardson & Eleanor Powell were:

r.1. Henry Powell Richardson born 1816 at Ryhope Lane, christened August 28th, 1816 at St Michael & All Angels, Bishop Wearmouth
r.2. Elizabeth Richardson born 1817 at Barley Mow, christened December 5th, 1817 at St Michaels Bishop Wearmouth, died 1888 at Seaton.

r.3. Thomas Richardson christened October 3rd, 1819 at St Michael's, Bsihop Wearmouth
r.4. Jane Richardson born 1821 at West Hendon, christened April 8th, 1821 at St Michael's, died Apr-June 1855 at Houghton
r.5. Eleanor Richardson born January 2nd, 1823 at West Hendon, christened May 25th, 1823 at St Michael's, Bishop Wearmouth
r.6. Thomas Powell Richardson born June 4th, 1825 at West Hendon, ch. July 3rd, 1825 at St Michael's, Bishop Wearmouth, died 1888 at Houghton
r.7. John Richardson born 1827 at High Hendon, christened September 9th, 1827 at St Michael's, Bishop Wearmouth
r.8. William Richardson born 1829 at Ryhope Lane, christened October 25th, 1829 St Michael's, Bishop Wearmouth, died September 8th, 1880 at Seaham
r.9. Joseph Richardson born c1831 at Red House, christened December 4th, 1834 at St Mary the Virgin, Seaham, died December 7th, 1889 at Seaton, buried at St Mary the Virgin, Seaham
r.10. Robert Richardson christened December 4th, 1834 at St Mary the Virgin, Seaham, died August 8th, 1907 at Seaton
r.11. Henry Powell Richardson christened July 18th, 1837 at Seaham, died 1877 at Seaton Blue House