An American Family History

Edward Richards and Ann Knight married about 1650. They lived on the eastern part of Essex street in Lynn. Edward was a joiner.

Their children were all born in Lynn. John Richards was born about 1652. Abigail Richards was born about 1655. Mary Richards Nick was born about 1660. William Richards was born on June 7, 1663. Daniel Richards was born in 1665. Deborah Richards was born about 1667. She died December 24, 1679 when she was about twelve years old.

In 1688 Edward and Ann wrote to their son William and asked him to come home and to never leave.

Edward died in 1690.

Lynn Meeting House 1682

from A Genealogical Register of the First Settlers of New England by John Farmer published by Carter, Andrews & Co., 1829

Richards, Edward, Dedham 1639, freeman 1641, had a son John, b. in 1641. There was an Edward Richards of Lynn,who d. 26 Jan. 1690, K. 74, leaving a son John.

from History of Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts by Alonzo Lewis, James Robinson Newhall, published by J. L. Shorey, 1865

Edward Richards, born in 1616 was a joiner, and was admitted a freeman in 1641. He lived in the eastern part of Essex street. On the third of April 1646, he sold to Daniel King, "one parcel of land, called Windmill Hill," being the eastern mound of Sagamore Hill. He died 26 Jan. 1690, aged 74.

His descendants remain. His wife's name was Ann, and they had children, William, born 7 June, 1663; Daniel; Mary; Abigail; and, it is thought, John. William was living abroad in 1688, as appears by a parental letter superscribed

These for my loveing sonn William Richards Liveing att Philadelphia in pensylvanah or elsewhere present, [and] sent ffrom Lin in New England this 12th of June, 1688.

The letter urges him to return to Lynn, as his parents are getting old, and much desire his presence. And they want him to make up his mind never to leave the place again; the father agreeing, for his encouragement, to give him half of his place.

In 1678 Mr. Richards made oath that he had lived here forty-five years. The inventory of his estate, taken about a month after his decease, by William Bassett, jr. and Samuel Johnson, gives an amount of £180.

A joiner is a carpenter skilled in finished woodwork.