The Affairs of Thomas and
Welthian Richards
Mayflower Descendant, VI: 98.
Ibid., IX: 65.
The will of Thomas Richards of Weymouth was made at the house of
Thomas Loring, in Hull, Mass., 17 December, 1650, and was proved 28 January, 1652/1.
Bequests were made to his wife; to son John, who is
away from home; to son James; to son Samuel; to sons Joseph and Benjamin, both under
twenty-one years of age; daughters mary and An and Alce and Hannah; shall have halfe so
much as my sonnes; all alike" but Mary is to have £10 more than the others; "to
Brother Thos Loringe." Son John, Thomas Loring and Nicholas Baker are to see that the
will is carried out.
On 18 and 25 January, 1650/1, the goods at Weymouth, Mass., and Boston were inventoried.
On 28 January, 1650/1, the inventories were sworn to by Mrs. Richards. An account rendered
by her mentions debts due to "mr ffermace of Plimouth," to Thomas Hinckley, to
Ephraim Hunt and to Captain Standish of Duxbury.
On the same day the following petition of the heirs was presented to the court.
"To the Honoured Court at Boston: 28: (11) 1650
Wheras our deare father Mr Thomas Richards late of Waymouth: dyed and left a will but
appoynted no executors of the same: We whose names are underwritten doe humbly desire this
Honor Court that our deare Mother mrs Welthian Richards: late wife of our deare father
deceased: may have power granted by this Court to improve the estate that our father left
untill our Brother John Richards shall returne hether he being now in England: or in case
of his not returninge untill the Court shall thinke good to dispose otherwise And that our
dear Mother may returne an Inventory into this Court of the whole estate of our said
father deceased and also be bound to give an account of the said estate upon all demands:
That so the estate may be ordred for our good & the payment of our fathers debt: Thus
not doubting of your fatherly care for the fatherlesse we humbly take leave
James Richards
Joseph Richards:
Beniamin Richards
mr Thomas Hinckley desires
ye same by his letter
mr wilm Bradford also
desires ye same by his letter
Epharim Hunt
hannah Richards
It is also the desire of us whose names are underwritten: whome m, Richard hath chosen
Overseers of his last will
Thomas Loringe Nico Baker"
