THE RICHARDS FAMILY


    After finding that Esther Richards and Micajah Pride were "married together" in
Norwich, Conn., I was at a standstill with the Richards family.  I found the birth
notice of an Esther, but the date was wrong.  There were several different Richards
families in Norwich and Norwalk at that time.  Mrs. Ruth Harlow of the Connecticut
Historical Society broke the impasse for me.  She sent me the information regarding
Esther's parents, and even gave her Cary grandparents.  The Adams Genealogy at the
Library of Congress filled in the rest of the very interesting details for me.

I.  JOHN RICHARDS
      I quote here from Mrs. Harlow's letter.  She is Chief of the Reading Room
      at the Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford, Conn.  "From the Preston
      First Church Book:  John Richards was one of the twelve original members of
      First Congregational Church at Preston, uniting to form the church Novem-
      ber 16, 1689.  John Richards was one of the early deacons, and in the town
      records his name never appears without the title (Deacon).  His ancestors,
      his earlier residence, and his previous church connection, research has
      failed to disclose.  In 1697 he acquired 25 acres of land on Stony Brook,
      adjoining the Norwich line, and in the deed he is described as of Preston." 
      John Richards might have been descended from Edward Richards, who came from
      England in the LION with Roger Williams, and settled at Dedham, Mass.  He was
      a Freeman in 1641.  He married Susannah Hunting.  Their sons were John, b.
      1641, and Nathaniel, b. 1648, d. 1726.  Since the given names are the same,
      it is possible that our John was descended from Edward, but I have no proof,
      and do not include this in the chart.

II.  NATHANIEL RICHARDS
       Quoting again from Mrs. Harlow's letter:  "his son lived in Norwich as early
       as 1716, his lands being on the east side of the Shetucket.  (from the Camp 
       Mss.) Nathaniel Richards married Mehitable Adams, daughter of Elisha and
       Mehitable (Cary) Adams."  Nathaniel moved to Connecticut.

III. ESTHER RICHARDS
        The daughter of Nathaniel and Mehitable was born in Norwich, Conn., August
        3, 1695.  She was baptized Oct. 29, 1721, in "The First Church at Preston,
        Conn."  (mss.)  She married Micajah Pride Aug. 10, 1742.  

        They had at least three children:  
        Abner, b. Dec. 3. 1744;
        Amasa, b. Jan. 23, 1758;
        Abigail, b. June 17, ---.
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