Mary Richards (nee Tackaberry)

Also known as “The Widow Richards”

According to census data, May Richards was born in Ireland anywhere between 1801 and 1811. Most likely she was born around 1806 which would make her about twenty years old when she moved with her husband Edward Richards to Canada. Edward died sometime before 1838 leaving her the matriarch of the Richards Clan, a position she would hold for the next half century. The family took up residence in a log shanty at the rear of lot 10 in Kitley Township near the border with Elizabethtown Township north of Brockville, Ontario.

1826 – Mary Richards immigrated 1826
Source: Note on 1842 Census (see below)

1838 – Widow Richards (Mary Richards the Widow of Edward Richards) settled in Kitley in 1838 on the rear of Lot 10 in the 10th Concession. Source: Archives of Ontario; Papers on Early Settlers to Kitley Township

1842 – Census, Kitley Twp., County of Leeds, page 19, Widow Richards, Farmer, Non-proprietor
1 Native of Ireland (16 years in Canada)
5 Natives of Canada
1 male (6-13)
3 single male (14-17)
1 single male (18-20)
1 single male (30-60)
4 single female (14-45)
Source: Archives of Ontario.

1848 – Census, Kitley Twp., County of Leeds,
Mary Richards (Widow) , Lot 10, Con 10
7 members present
2 members absent
9 Church of England
1 Native of Ireland
6 Natives of Canada
1 Male (6-13)
2 Female (6-13)
2 Single Males (21-29)
1 Single Female (45 or more)
1 Single Female (14-44)
Archives of Ontario #M5909

1852 – Census, Kitley Township, County of Leeds, Pt. 2, Pg 149,150,
Mary Richards, Farmer, Birthplace: Ireland, Religion: WM, Age: 45, Widow
John Richards, Labourer, Birthplace: Canada, Religion: WM, Age: 25, Single
Francis Richards, Labourer, Birthplace: Canada, Religion: WM, Age: 24
Eliza Richards, Labourer, Birthplace: Canada, Religion: WM, Age: 21, Single
Richard Richards, Labourer, Birthplace: Canada, Religion: WM, Age: 20, Single
Sarah Richards, Labourer, Birthplace: Canada, Religion: WM, Age: 17, Single
Mary Ann Richards, Labourer, Birthplace: Canada, Religion: WM, Age: 13, Single
House type: Shanty, 1 Story, 1 Family
Source: Archives of Ontario #C965

1861 – Census, Kitley Twp., County of Leeds,
Mary Richards, Farmer, Birthplace: Ireland, Religion: CE, Age: 50, M.S.: W
Mary A. Richards, Farmer, Birthplace: Canada, Religion: CE, Age: 20, M.S.: S
House Type/Comments: Log, 1 Story, 1 Family
Source: Archives of Ontario, #C1044

1881 – Census, Kitley Twp., County of Leeds, A-2, page 42, family # 205
Hinton, Mary Anne, 40, Born: Can. Religion: C. Meth. Origin: Irish, Widow
Hinton, Mary Jane, 15, Can., C. Meth., Irish
Hinton, William, 16, Can., C. Meth., Irish
Hinton, Richard, 11, Can., C. Meth., Irish
Richards, Edward. 9, Can., C. Meth., Irish
Richards, Mary, 80, Ire., C. Meth., Irish, Widow
Richards, John, 51, Can., C. Meth., Irish, Pump Maker
Source: Archives of Ontario #C13230
Editors Notes: Could not find Charity Hinton nor William Henry Richards on the 1881 Census.