John Richards (I)
According to Peter Johnson's article in Festiniog Railway Heritage Journal No.135.
John Richards was employed by the FR from 1837 (as shown in the PAYs) until his death in 1876. He was born 1801 in Llanfihangel G G.(Llandre near Aberystwyth). He married Hannah Roberts (b1813) in 1831 in Portmadoc. She was the daughter of a ship's brokers. At the time of the birth of their 3rd child in 1835 they were living in Tremadoc. By the 1841 census they were living in Holborn St., Portmadoc with 5 children, John is described as 'Weigh Master'. Unfortunately Hannah died during childbirth in 1844.
He quickly married again (Elizabeth Roberts of Pwllheli, b1808) in 1845. They had three children. Elizabeth died in August 1862.
The 1851 census shows him living on Garth Terrace, the 1861 census at Boston Lodge cottages (to operate the weighing machine there) and the 1871 census shows him living at 8 Britannia Terrace.
By 9th April 1869, when a testimonial was presented to traffic manager Thomas Pritchard, Richards was called upon to present an engraved gold watch because he was ‘the oldest official on the line’.
At various times he was described as operating a "weighing machine, Portmadoc" or as "Railway machine" or in "Railway machine office" or as "Clerk". He first appears on Pay list in 1837 and with a salaried position from August 1839. His last known employment was in the Minffordd weigh office in 1872 (XD97/9982a)on a salary of £80/ year.
He appears to have been a very prudent man as he left £500 (about 60,000 at 2018 values) when he died in 1876.
Father of John Richards (II) THere could be some confusion with his son.
Census Entry for 1851
[edit]| For the full name of: John Richards (I) |
| An entry has been found for this person at Garth Terrace, Portmadoc |
| where the age is recorded as: 50 |
| where the year of birth is recorded as: 1801, in Llanfihangel G G |
| The occupation given is: Clerk |
Census Entry for 1861
[edit]| For the full name of: John Richards (I) |
| An entry has been found for this person at Boston Lodge |
| where the age is recorded as: 60 |
| where the year of birth is recorded as: 1801, in Llanfihangel G G |
| The occupation given is: Clerk |
Census Entry for 1871
[edit]| For the full name of: John Richards (I) |
| An entry has been found for this person at 8, Britannia Terrace, Portmadoc |
| where the age is recorded as: 70 |
| where the year of birth is recorded as: 1801, in Llanfihangel G G |
| The occupation given is: Clerk |