Thomas Richardson I of Westmill

So many people in my tree named Thomas Richardson. This particular one we are speaking about now was born in 1523 in Westmill, England, and he died in 1570.

However, I should note there is a Millennium file document that says he died in March of 1630. But that could be his son.

What I can say for sure is when he was born and married.

• Born: May 14, 1523, in Westmill, Hertfordshire, England
• Married on June 15, 1567, in St. Albans, in Hertfordshire, England

It was originally thought that Thomas Richardson I of Westmill’s father was Ralph Richardson of the Jersey Channel Islands. That turns out, however, not to be true.

Thomas Richardson I of Westmill had a son known as Thomas Richardson of Westmill. We call him Thomas Richardson II of Westmill, just to avoid confusion.

This Thomas is not the person known as Sir Thomas Richardson. He is also not the Thomas Richardson from Alphamstone. This is also not the Thomas Richardson, who married Margaret and has a son named Thomas, who was born in Kirkham, Lancashire, England. We can say this for sure because that child was born on July 20, 1823. Our guy was dead hundreds of years before that.

Many have wrongly associated this Thomas Richardson with Sir Thomas Richardson of the Scottish Peerage. That would be impossible because ancient records tell us that he married on December 14, 1626, at St. Giles-in-the-Fields, London, without issue. That means he had no children, so he can’t be your ancestor because his line ended with him.

So who is our Thomas Richardson? This gets confusing for a few generations so to clarify …

• Thomas Richardson I of Westmill married Margaret Silverside (1523-1570)
• Thomas Richardson II of Westmill married Mary Margaret Champney (1543-1630)
• Thomas Richarson of Standon married Katherine Duxford (1590 – 1633)

Thomas Richardson I of Westmill married Margaret Silverside on June 15, 1567. How do we know when our Thomas was born? Thanks to the “Heritage Consulting. Millennium File”.  This record tells us that he was born in 1523.

Heritage Consulting. Millennium File. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2003. Original data: Heritage Consulting. The Millennium File. Salt Lake City, UT, USA: Heritage Consulting.

The problem is the death date is wrong. It lists the death date of his son, Thomas II. This is why it’s so hard to find accurate information when even “official” records are flawed.

Thomas Richardson married Margaret Silverside in 1567 at St. Albans Abbey.

Below is a copy of their marriage register which clearly shows they were married in 1567 on June 15th.

The problem with the name “Thomas Richardson” is that at this time in history, there were more than a few of them in the area. This makes it very hard to figure out which one is which. That’s why when you find any sort of absolute proof of information, you have to hold onto it tightly to make sure you don’t confuse or mix up people because it’s so easy to do.

This record comes from the Hertfordshire online archives. Why it is important because it further proves we have the right Thomas with the right wife.

So now the question is, who is Thomas Richardson I of Westmill’s father?

Thomas Richardson I of Westmill’s life, spanning the mid-16th century, occurred during a time of profound cultural, religious, and political transformation in England. He married Margaret Silverside on June 15, 1567, at St. Albans Abbey, another Hertfordshire town with deep historical significance. Although the details of his death remain unclear, it is likely he passed away around 1570, as you’ve noted.

Here’s a closer look at what life was like in Westmill and England during this period:

Westmill, Hertfordshire in the 1500s

1. A Rural Village Setting:
   • Westmill, like much of Hertfordshire, was a small agricultural village. It was surrounded by fertile farmland, which supported the livelihoods of most of its inhabitants. Families like the Richardsons would have been engaged in farming, producing crops such as wheat, barley, oats, and vegetables, as well as raising livestock like sheep, cows, and chickens.
   • The village likely consisted of a few cottages clustered around a parish church, connected by dirt roads. The church played a central role in daily life, not only as a place of worship but also as a hub for social and communal activities.
2. Population and Economy:
   • The population of Westmill in the mid-1500s was small, likely a few hundred people. Life revolved around agricultural work, with a strong emphasis on self-sufficiency. Any surplus produce was sold or bartered in local markets or fairs, such as those in nearby towns like St. Albans.
   • Land ownership was hierarchical, with local gentry or landlords controlling large estates. Tenant farmers and laborers worked the land in exchange for rent or wages. The Richardsons may have been tenant farmers or small landowners.

Religious and Political Landscape

1. Religious Change:
   • Thomas Richardson was born during the early years of the English Reformation. In 1523, England was still a Catholic country, but by the 1530s, King Henry VIII had broken from the Catholic Church and established the Church of England. This led to significant upheaval in local parishes, including those in Hertfordshire.
   • By the time Thomas married Margaret in 1567, Queen Elizabeth I was on the throne, and Protestantism had been firmly established as the state religion. However, tensions between Catholics and Protestants persisted, and compliance with the Church of England was mandatory. Religious conformity was enforced, and dissenters were often fined or punished.
2. Social Structure:
   • Society in Westmill and Hertfordshire was highly stratified. The monarch and aristocracy held the most power, followed by the gentry and yeoman farmers. Below them were tenant farmers, tradespeople, and laborers.
   • The Richardsons may have been yeomen or prosperous tenant farmers, as they appear to have been respected members of their community. Marrying in St. Albans, a more prominent town, suggests some level of social mobility or standing.

Daily Life in 16th-Century Westmill

1. Work and Routine:
   • Life revolved around the agricultural calendar. Men and women worked long hours in the fields, tending crops and animals. Children were expected to help from a young age.
   • In addition to farming, villagers engaged in small-scale crafts or trades, such as weaving, smithing, or carpentry. Any extra income would be used to purchase essentials that couldn’t be produced locally.
2. Marriage and Family:
   • Marriage in the 16th century was often arranged or influenced by practical concerns, such as consolidating property or strengthening family alliances. Thomas and Margaret likely married for both social and economic reasons.
   • Families were large, as high infant mortality rates meant that not all children survived to adulthood. The Richardsons’ son, Thomas Richardson II, carried on the family legacy in Westmill, demonstrating the importance of maintaining a lineage during this period.
3. Education and Literacy:
   • Literacy was not widespread, but it was becoming more common among wealthier farmers and tradespeople. The Protestant Reformation placed a greater emphasis on reading the Bible, which may have encouraged basic literacy in rural communities like Westmill.

Hertfordshire’s Role in Tudor England

Hertfordshire, including Westmill, was strategically located near London and played a role in supplying food and goods to the capital. It was a relatively prosperous county due to its fertile soil and proximity to trade routes. Towns like St. Albans, where Thomas and Margaret were married, were significant centers of commerce and religion.

Clarifying Thomas Richardson’s Lineage

The challenge of accurately tracing Thomas Richardson I of Westmill’s ancestry underscores the complexity of genealogical research during this period. As you’ve noted, there were many individuals named “Thomas Richardson” in the area and throughout England, which complicates efforts to distinguish one from another. Misattributions, such as connecting him to Sir Thomas Richardson of the Scottish Peerage or other prominent figures, highlight the need for caution in interpreting historical records.

The Hertfordshire Marriages Record provides crucial evidence of Thomas’s marriage to Margaret Silverside, solidifying their connection and place in history. However, the question of Thomas’s father remains unresolved due to the lack of definitive documentation from the early 1500s. While it was previously believed that Ralph Richardson of the Jersey Channel Islands was his father, this claim has been debunked, leaving the matter open for further investigation.

Historical Significance

Thomas Richardson I of Westmill lived during a transformative period in English history, witnessing the shift from medieval to early modern England. His life, marriage, and descendants are part of the broader story of Hertfordshire’s development and England’s religious and social upheavals. As a farmer or tradesman in Westmill, he would have experienced both the challenges and opportunities of life in a rural Tudor community, contributing to the foundation of his family’s enduring legacy.