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James A. Richardson Family Lindsay Schmeltz was gracious enough to share the letter and information below with the website. If you can help her in her quest to learn more about this family, please contact her directly.
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My husband and I live in Tangier, IN. Most of our neighbors refer to our home, as the "old Andy Allen house". He lived here at some point before the previous owners.
We were recently remodeling (gutting) the
living room. We found in the wall, an envelope with a letter, and a stack
of what looks to be either receipts or business type cards. Only part of
one could be read. Which says J.A. Richardson & Co. Tangier, IN 1899.
Dealers in Farm Implements. On back has some numbers written on it.
The letter was most incredible. It is very
frail, but almost all can be read. Even the envelope. The envelope is from
Lusks Springs, postmarked Sept. 23. 10 AM 1901. The writing on the
envelope is a bit hard to read, but I can make out Miss ............Richard
( I assume Richardson, but the envelope end has been torn off. Then Tangier
written underneath. Records indicate our house being built somewhere around
1914. If so, I am sure this letter was not sent directly here. But the
letter was written Sept. 22, 1901 to Hollis from Bessye. I cannot read the
writing on the last name, but looks to be Fundger, but that is a wild
guess. Bessye was a school teacher for one of the Sugar Creek Township
schools. One of three women, as it states in the letter. Herself, Cora
Thomas, and Milea Carter.
I wasn't sure if you would be interested in a
copy of the letter or business card, but I would be more than happy to scan
and send it to you. I would prefer to keep the originals. Also if you know
of someone that could give me some info on the Richardsons. That would be
great. They are of no relation to me, but I would be interested to know if
they were the builders of this house, or if they lived here.
This is what I do know, pertaining to the
Richardson family from an obituary.
?? Newspaper -- Mrs. Mary Atkinson
Richardson the daughter of Samuel and
Ruth
Atkinson was born in Fountain County, Ind
July 8, 1846; departed
this life Dec 21, 1917 age 71 years 5 months and 13 days. When she was only
6 her parents both died and she was then taken to the home of a near
relative where she remained until grown. She had no brother but an older
sister preceded her to the heavenly home 5 years ago. She was married to
James A. Richardson
on Sept 19, 1880 and to this union were born a
son and daughter, Roy Gilbert Richardson and Holis Anna Watson, both
of whom survive her. Her husband died March 29, 1904, leaving her to fight
the battles of life alone for almost 14 years. The deceased lived in Parke
Co. from the death of her parents until four years ago when she moved to
Newport to live with her only daughter who kindly cared for her thru
these years. She was converted at an early age and lived a consisted
Christian life in her daily walk. She had a birthright membership in the
Friends church and dearly loved all its doctrines. The night was never too
dark, nor the weather too cold for her to go and help the sick and needy as
long as her health permitted her to do so. The deceased had been in failing
health for over a year but was able to be up in her chair until 10 days
before her death when pneumonia seized its fatal grip upon her frail form
and she realized from the first of her sickness that her time on earth was
short. She asked her daughter not to grieve for her, saying, "I hate to
leave you," but turning her eyes heavenward said, "I would rather go."
Funeral services were conducted at the home in Newport
on Sunday following at 11 o'clock by Miss Ida Curtis pastor of the
Friends Church at Tangier.
Interment was made at Rush Creek cemetery by the side of her husband.
Also, I found some other info from what names
were mentioned in the obit. Roy took over the family business after James
passed, selling horse drawn implements. And from a marriage page, I believe
Hollis married Henry Watson Oct. 22, 1913. Mary's parents were Samuel
Atkinson and Ruth Lindley.
I lose the trail with Hollis after her
marriage.
This all stemmed from a hunt to find out who
built the house. And when it was actually built, without having to go
through all of the records, or paying someone to do so for me. So it's not
a huge deal if you can find anything or not, however, if it helps someone
else, great.
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Parke
County, Indiana
