John Richards (I)
According to Peter Johnson's article in Festiniog Railway Heritage Journal No.135, John Richards was employed by the FR from its opening in 1836 until his death in 1876. He was born 1801 in Llanfihangel G G. 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. Unfortunately Hannah died during childbirth in 1844. He quickly married again (Elizabeth Roberts of Pwllheli, b1808) in 1845. They had two more children and Hannah died in 1862. 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 appears to have been a very prudent man as he left £500 (about 60,000 at 2018 values).
Other evidence suggest that he was a clerk in 1851-71. He may have been Chief clerk to the FR Company. First appears on Pay list in 1843 with a salaried position. He was employed in the Minffordd weigh office in 1872 (XD97/9982a)on a salary of £80/ year. The 1861 census shows him living at Boston Lodge maybe to operate the weighing machine there.
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 |