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34. 
Captain Ira Judge RICHARDSON Sr. (*) (~) was born on 23 January 1788 in Tolland Township, Tolland County, CT. (Connecticut became the 5th State of the Union on January 9, 1788, so it was no longer a British Colony when he was born.)
"HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF TOLLAND. Tolland was originally purchased of the native Indians by a number of gentlemen in Windsor. In 1715 it was incorporated by the Assembly, and the settlement of the town was commenced by two families. The progress of the settlement was slow; the number of families in 1720 was but twenty-eight. About one half of the township, comprising the south part, was claimed by a number of persons who were legatees of Joshua Uncas, sachem of the Mohegans. This proved a source of considerable difficulty, as the legatees commenced suits at law against the settlers. The proprietors holding under the Windsor claimants were obliged, at a dear rate, to purchase quit claims of the legatees of Joshua.
The Rev. Stephen Steel was the first minister of this town. He commenced his labors in 1720, and continued his ministry for about thirty-seven years, greatly beloved and revered by his people. Mr. Steel was from Hadley, Mass.
The first settlers were of the names of Chapman, Stearns, Grant, West, Carpenter, Aborns, Abbot, Lathrop, Nye and Dimock. The Chapmans were from Windsor; they located themselves about 2-1/2 miles westerly from the court house, near the Hartford road, in the vicinity of Snipsic pond or lake. John Stearns settled about 2 miles eastward of the court house; Zebulon West about 3 miles south; the Grovers, Carpenters and Samuel Aborns, located about 2-1/2 miles north. Ebenezer Grant, from East Windsor, settled on Grant's hill, about 2-1/2 miles south from the court house; Nye and Dimock settled near Willimantic river, about 4 miles east.
Tolland is bounded N. by a narrow section of land in Ellington, extending eastward, called "the Equivalent," W. by Vernon and Ellington, E. by the Willimantic river, dividing it from Willington, and S. by Coventry. It is upwards of six miles in length from north to south, and five and a half in breadth. The township is rough and uneven, being mountainous and stony, but some of the valleys and borders of streams consist of loam, which is warm and fertile. On the western boundary of the town is a large body of water, called Snipsic pond, being two miles in length and 100 rods in width. Some of the most valuable land in the township is in the vicinity of this pond. There is also a pond called Skungamug, in the central part of the town, upon which beavers were formerly taken by the Indians. Great quantities of cranberries are now gathered upon its borders.
The village in the central part of this town consists of about forty well appearing houses, pleasantly situated on an elevated plain of about half a mile in extent from north to south, narrow, but of sufficient width for a wide street. This place is 18 miles east from Hartford, and 52 from New Haven. A range of mountains rises immediately to the west of the village, dividing this part of the state from the great valley of the Connecticut."
"Ira Richardson, the third son of Lemuel and Rachel (Lothrop) Richardson, of Coventry, Ct.; born at Tolland, Ct., Jan. 23, 1788; moved to Waitsfield, Vt., and married Rachel Durkee. He removed to Fayston, Vt.,; was a volunteer in the War of 1812; held responsible town offices, and was twice elected representative to the Legislature from that town. He died in Fayston, Dec. 15, 1844, aged 56 yrs. She is now, 1876, living in Wisconsin." He appeared in the census in August 1790 in Tolland Township, Tolland County, CT. He served in the military between 1812 and 1815. He was a Volunteer in the War of 1812 and served as a Sergeant in the Vermont Militia. Afterward, he became a Captain of the Militia in Vermont. Ira appeared in the census in August 1820 in Waitsfield Township, Washington County, VT. His household consisted of 2 males, under 10 years old (Ira, Jr., 3, and Eli, 2); 1 male, 16-26 (unknown); 1 male, 26-45 (Ira, Sr., 32); 1 female, 10-16 (unknown); 2 females, 16-26 (Rachel, 25 and unknown); and 1 female, 26-45 (unknown). He appeared in the census in June 1830 in Fayston Township, Washington County, VT. His household consisted of two males, age under 5 (sons Dewitt and Duane); two males, age 10-15 (sons Eli and Ira, Jr.); one male, age 40-50 (himself); one female, age under five (daughter Lovila); two females, age 5-10 (daughters Lucinda and Rachel); one female, age 20-30 (unknown); and one female, age 30-40 (his wife Rachel). He appeared in the census in June 1840 in Fayston Township, Washington County, VT. He was living eight households from John C. Griggs, a brother of the husband of his daughter Rachel Cordelia. Ira's household consisted of two males, age 12-15 (Dewitt and Duane, 12); one male, age 50-60 (Ira, age 52); 1 female, age 10-15 (Lovila, age 14); 2 females, age 15-20 (Lucinda, 16, and Rachel, 20); and 1 female, age 40-50 (Rachel, age 45). Ira died on 15 December 1844 at the age of 56 in Fayston Township, Washington County, VT. He has reference number 113B-TS2. He was buried in Irasville, Waitsfield Township, Washington County, VT. in the Irasville Cemetery.
He is buried at the same large gravestone as his son, Ira, Jr. and other members of his son's family. Inscriptions for Ira, Sr. and his wife are on one side of the gravestone, while the opposite side contains inscriptions for his son Ira, Jr. and his wife, Harriet. The two other sides contain inscriptions for Harriet E. Richardson, the daughter of Ira, Jr., and for Lovila W. Richardson, a daughter of Ira, Sr.
Surrounding the main gravestone are small stones: "IR, Sr" for Ira, Sr.; "LWR" for Ira, Sr's daughter, Lovila W. Richardson; "IR" for Ira, Jr.; "HFC" for Ira, Jr's wife, Harriet F. Chapman; and "Little Hattie" for Ira, Jr.'s daughter.
Gravestone Inscription: "Ira Richardson, Sr. 1788-1844"
Ira has Ancestral File Number LWY2-8QK. Rachel Spaulding DURKEE (*) (~) and Captain Ira Judge RICHARDSON Sr. (*) (~) were married on 15 February 1815 in Waitsfield Township, Washington County, VT.
35. 
Rachel Spaulding DURKEE (*) (~) was born on 24 October 1795 in Haverhill, Grafton County, NH. She appeared in the census in 1820 in Waitsfield Township, Washington County, VT. She appeared in the census in 1830 in Fayston Township, Washington County, VT. Rachel appeared in the census in 1840 in Fayston Township, Washington County, VT. She appeared in the census in 1850 in Bernett Township, Dodge County, WI. She was living with her son Dewitt and his wife. She appeared in the census in 1860 in Barre Township, La Crosse County, WI. She was living with her daughter Rachel and her family. Rachel appeared in the census in 1870 in Lincoln Township, Eau Claire County, WI. She was living with her son Dewitt and his family. She appeared in the census in 1880 in Chester Township, Dodge County, WI. She died on 15 December 1884 at the age of 89 in Fayston Township, Washington County, VT. Rachel was buried in 1884 in Irasville, Waitsfield Township, Washington County, VT. in the Irasville Cemetery. Gravestone Inscription: "Rachel Durkee His Wife 1795-1884" She has Ancestral File Number 113B-TT8.
Children were:
i. |  Ira Judge RICHARDSON Jr. was born on 6 October 1816 in Waitsfield Township, Washington County, VT. He appeared in the census in 1830 in Fayston Township, Washington County, VT. He appeared in the census in 1850 in Waitsfield Township, Washington County, VT. (His family is listed household number 68 on image 0012, page 8 of 603, in the census records on Ancestry.com.) In October 1850 Ira was a peddler in Fayston Township, Washington County, VT. He served as a State Senator from 1856 to 1860. He appeared in the census in 1860 in Waitsfield Township, Washington County, VT. His occupation was "Merchant" and the value of his real estate was listed as $9,000 and his personal property as $4,000. He appeared in the census in 1870 in Waitsfield Township, Washington County, VT. His household consisted of Ira; his wife, Harriet; their son Orville, age 18, born in Vermont; and their son, Merriden L, age 15, born in Vermont. Ira's occupation was "... of Leather and Farmer" and his real estate was listed as $26,000. He was one of the wealthiest people in Waitsfield Township.Ira died on 17 December 1877 at the age of 61 in Waitsfield Township, Washington County, VT. He died suddenly while riding in a carriage. He was "a man of large influence and was well known throughout." Obituary Notes: "Ira Richardson, Jr., was born 06 October 1816 in Waitsfield [Washington County], Vermont, son of Ira Sr. and Rachel (DURKEE) Richardson. He received his education in the common schools of his native town, where after leaving school he found employment in a store. Later Mr. Richardson engaged, on his own account, in the manufacture of lumber, in which he was very successful, being also a dealer in merchandise and conducting a tannery. This business, which grew to large proportions and included very extensive dealings, was managed by Mr. Richarson with consummate ability, joined to knowledge theoretical and practical and enforced by strict attention to details. Politically Mr. Richardson was in his early life a Whig, but joined the Republican party at the time of its organization [1854], remaining one of its ardent supporters. He was very active in public affairs; in 1856 and again in 1860 represented the town of Waitsfield in the state legislature; also represented Washington County in the state senate; and in 1868 and 1869 he served as assistant judge for Washington County. The manner in which he fulfilled the duties of these offices more than justified the high estimate formed of his abilities and the high regard felt for his character by his fellow citizens. Mr. Richardson was an active member of the Methodist church, foremost in every benevolent enterprise, and ever ready to aid, to the utmost of his power, all charitable associations and projects. On 06 April 1843 Mr. Richardson married Harriet, daughter of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Campbell) Chapman, of Fayston [Washington County, Vermont], in which town Harriet was born 06 January 1818. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson were the parents of the following named children: (1) a son, born 28 August 1844, who died in infancy; (2) Calvin Clinton, born, as were the all the other children, in Waitsfield [Washington County], Vermont, 06 October 1845, now residing in Minneapolis [Hennepin County], Minnesota; (3) Clarence Milton, born 20 November 1849, a resident of Waitsfield, Vermont; (4) Orville Hale, mentioned at length hereafter; (5) Meriden Lee, born 06 September 1854, now living in Waitsfield, Vermont; and (6) Harriet Elizabeth, born 07 March 1857, who died 20 September 1861. Mr. Richardson died 17 December 1877, deeply and sincerely regretted, not only by his family and near friends, but by the whole community, to which he had so long given the example of an honorable and fearless citizen, faithful in the discharge of every duty and ever foremost in enterprises having for their object the advancement of public welfare. His character, as a business man, a public official, and a member of society, was such as to command the highest degree of affection and veneration of all who were brought within the circle of his influence. Mrs. Richardson survived her husband several years, dying 08 August 1882, in the sixty-fifth year of her age. Source: Genealogical and Family History of the State of Vermont: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding of a Nation. Carleton, ed. Chicago: Lewis, 1903, pp 524-526. http://www.rockvillemama.com/washington/richardsonorvillehale.txt His gravestone contains inscriptions for him and his wife on one side; for Harriet E. Richardson, his daughter, on another side; for Lovila W. Richardson, a sister, on the third side; and for Ira Richardson, Sr., his father, and Rachel Durkee, his mother, on the fourth side. | |
ii. |  Eli Baker RICHARDSON was born on 13 February 1818 in Waitsfield Township, Washington County, VT. (The 1860 Census listed his birth place as Ohio.) He appeared in the census in 1830 in Fayston Township, Washington County, VT. He appeared in the census in 1850 in Chester Township, Dodge County, WI. He was listed as "Eli B." and his occupation was "Farmer." Eli appeared in the census in 1860 in Barre Township, La Crosse County, WI. He was listed as "E. B. Richards" and his occupation was "Farmer." His birthplace was listed as Ohio.His farm may have been near that of his cousin, Lucius Smith Griggs, who also lived in Barre Township. He appeared in the census in 1870 in Burns Township, La Crosse County, WI. His occupation was "Farmer." The value of his real estate was $10,000, and that of his personal estate was $2,500. He died on 10 January 1872 at the age of 53 in La Crosse County, WI. Eli was buried in 1872 in Bangor, La Crosse County, WI. | |
iii. |  (Unknown Son) RICHARDSON was born in 1819 in Waitsfield Township, Washington County, VT. (This is a picture of the covered bridge at the east entrance to Waitsfield Township.) He died in 1819 at the age of 0 in Waitsfield Township, Washington County, VT. He has Ancestral File Number 18WN-DWR. | |
17 | iv. | Rachel "Cordelia" RICHARDSON (*) (~). |
v. | Lucinda C. RICHARDSON was born on 14 February 1824 in Waitsfield Township, Washington County, VT. She appeared in the census in 1830 in Fayston Township, Washington County, VT. She appeared in the census in 1840 in Fayston Township, Washington County, VT. Lucinda appeared in the census in 1860 in Chester Township, Dodge County, WI. She lived in Waupaca, Waupaca County, WI in 1876. She died on 24 April 1901 at the age of 77 in Waupun, Dodge County, WI. Lucinda has Ancestral File Number 18WN-F81. | |
vi. | Lovila W. RICHARDSON was born on 17 May 1826 in Fayston Township, Washington County, VT. (Her birth place may have been Fayston Township.) She appeared in the census in 1830 in Fayston Township, Washington County, VT. She appeared in the census in 1840 in Fayston Township, Washington County, VT. Lovila died on 22 February 1847 at the age of 20 in Vermont. She was buried in 1847 in Irasville, Waitsfield Township, Washington County, VT. in the Irasville Cemetery. She has Ancestral File Number 18WN-F0C. | |
vii. |  Dewitt Clinton RICHARDSON was born on 31 January 1828 in Fayston Township, Washington County, VT. He appeared in the census in 1830 in Fayston Township, Washington County, VT. He appeared in the census in 1840 in Fayston Township, Washington County, VT. Dewitt appeared in the census in 1850 in Bernett Township, Dodge County, WI. His occupation was "Farmer." He appeared in the census in 1860 in Eau Claire Township, Eau Claire County, WI. His occupation was "Farmer." He appeared in the census in 1870 in Lincoln Township, Eau Claire County, WI. His occupation was "Farmer." Dewitt appeared in the census in 1880 in Lincoln Township, Eau Claire County, WI. His occupation was "Farmer." He lived at his home in Eau Claire, Eau Claire Township, Eau Claire County, WI in 1894. He died on 5 December 1898 at the age of 70 in Augusta, Eau Claire County, WI. (A search of the Lakeview, Forest Hill, Oak Grove, St. John's, St. Patrick's and Sacred Heart cemeteries in Eau Claire failed to find his gravestone or that of his wife.) Dewitt has Ancestral File Number 18WP-3WC. He was buried at Forest Hill Cemetery in Eau Claire, Eau Claire Township, Eau Claire County, WI. | |
viii. |  Dewain Milton RICHARDSON was born on 31 January 1828 in Waitsfield Township, Washington County, VT. (His cemetery records list his birth year as 1827, but that is incorrect because he was a twin and they were born in 1828.) He appeared in the census in 1830 in Fayston Township, Washington County, VT. He appeared in the census in 1840 in Fayston Township, Washington County, VT. Dewain appeared in the census in 1870 in Leon Township, Monroe County, WI. He lived at his home in Waupun, Fond du Lac County, WI in December 1877. He appeared in the census in 1880 in Codington County, SD. (At the time of the census, Codington County was located in the "Dakota Territory.") Dewain appeared in the census in 1900 in Codington County, SD. He died on 22 May 1904 at the age of 76 in Codington County, SD. In a letter to her cousin Elton Griggs in January 1905, Florence (Griggs) Bigelow mentions that "There are none of Mother's and Father's family left. Uncle D.M.R. died last spring, the last one to go; he died as he lived--a very wicked man." Florence was a daughter of Rachel Cordelia Richardson, who was a sister of Duane Milton Richardson.He may have died in South Dakota. He has Ancestral File Number 18WP-466. Dewain was buried in Watertown, Codington County, SD. in the Mount Hope Cemetery. |