Louis Edward James Richardson

BIRTH & BAPTISM Louis Edward was christened at St Georges Church Brede on 22 April 1821. Louis is the son of a farmer,( perhaps Church Farm, Brede, East Sussex), in 1849 when his son William North is baptised.

Sussex Advertiser 7 November 1836: "The Hastings Harmonic Society met at the Royal Swan Hotel on Wednesday evening, and there were present nearly 100 Inhabitants and Visitants, who were much gratified and delighted with the talented and scientific Performances, both vocal and instrumental of Messrs. Richardsons, Hart, some of the town band, &c. There are already sixty members at 10 shillings each, for the winter season; non-subscribers are admitted at 1 shilling each, and the performances are to take place every fortnight. ......". The Richardsons who seem to be involved include William John, James, Henry Proctor, Louis Edward, and Thomas Wakeham. John was a musician, and there is a 'Master Richardson' who is probably one of the younger fry.

!844, Louis Edward marries Sally Wells of Rye, at Rye. Louis appears to have been living in Rye at the time.

1846: Newspaper reports of Messrs Richardson of Brede, well known singers of traditional Sussex songs, entertain a new friendly society meeting. Since Louis Edward played the flutina, I am confident he was one of the Richardson singing group, but this went on for decades, so the singing must have been done by more than one family of Richardsons, and over generations, to become so well known and to continue long after Louis Edward and his brothers had left Sussex. They were already well established by 1846, so earlier generations had apparently begun the tradition and gained the reputation.

1851 census for Brede shows Sally Richardson, head of household, with Lewis age 6 yrs, Charles Guy age 4 yrs, and William North age 1 yr. Where is Louis? Name: Sally Richardson Age: 32 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1819 Relation: Head Gender: Female Where born: Biddenden, Kent, England Civil Parish: Brede County/Island: Sussex Country: England Street Address: Occupation: Condition as to marriage: Disability: View image Registration District: Romney Marsh Sub-registration District: New Romney Name Age Sally Richardson 32 Lewis Richardson 6 Charles Guy Richardson 4 William North Richardson 1

Had he already left for Geelong, to prepare for bringing out his family? I cannot find him anywhere in the UK census, so perhaps he has gone to Canada and/or Victoria Australia to investigate opportunities. He has relatives in both places. By 1857 he is back in Sussex bringing his family to Victoria, Australia. I can find no evidence of Louis travelling to Victoria which might support this hypothesis, so perhaps he is in the UK somewhere and missed the census.

MIGRATION In March 1857 the "Admiral Boxer" brought 407 assisted migrants to Victoria, including Louis Edward Richardson age 33 yrs, Sally Richardson age 33 yrs, Louis Edward Richardson age 12 yrs, Charles age 9 yrs, and William North age 7 yrs. They moved to Moolap, and then Geelong.

1864: Louis Edward is gazetted to a school council. See documents

1865: The Government Gazette records LE Richardson re "Impoundings" at Kensington Victoria (Leopold), on page 1870. Impounding stray beasts was a profitable activity under the laws at the time.

About Leopold Leopold was originally called Kensington and was established in 1852 after other small subdivisions had failed. Initially, buildings were of wattle and daub, and perhaps a tent. Later there were paling houses with wooden shingles on the roof. Kensington's proximity to Point Henry helped the settlement - others settlers were people who had been to the Ballarat diggings and returned to buy small farms. Schools were quickly established with a church school opened in 1854 on the present St Marks site. The first church services were held in pioneer's homes - Brinsmead's on Lake Connewarre on the road that now bears their name (all denominations took part), and a Primitive Methodist service in Melaluka Road on the Barker's property. In 1885, Kensington was described as a good fruit growing area with a population of 100 people living within a mile of the Post Office. It was around that time that the name was changed to Leopold to stop confusion with Kensington in Melbourne. By that time, Leopold had a Free Library (established 1882), a Temperance Hall, pound, 2 churches, school and brass band. Early postal activities were conducted from early shops in the area. There was also a hotel (Help me through the World) on the Portarlington Road, and the Union Hotel, also on the same road.

1877: Louis' orchard is burned when a neighbour's fire gets away. See docs.

There is a picture of Louis' flutina in media.

1888: Louis Edward Richardson, farmer of Leopold Hill, is empanelled as a juror. See documents. Could also be his nephew.

DEATH & BURIAL 15 May 1898: Louis Edward Richardson, farmer of Leopold, dies age 78 yrs, born 1820, father James Richardson, mother Eliza Ann Irving. Reg No. 8087

Louis died in 15th May 1898 age 78 yrs, and is buried in the CofE section at Leopold (LPD-COE-QB-807-15) beside Sarah Richardson (Sally under her proper name), who died age 75 yrs on 1st January 1894 at Leopold. (LPD-COE-QB-807-16). The rest of the family seem to be in Geelong East Cemetery, Methodist section.

Geelong Advertiser Tuesday 17 May 1898, page 1. "RICHARDSON, on the 15th May at his residence, Leopold, Louis Edward Richardson, in his 79th year.The funeral will leave his late residence Leopold on 17th May for Leopold Cemetery. WB KING & SON, Undertakers, Moorabool St See documents

Louis left an estate of 2000 pounds.

LOUIS EDWARD -RICHARDSON, DECEASED. PURSUANT to the Trusts Act 1890, notice is hereby given that all persons having any claims against the estate of Louis Edward Richardson, late of Leopold, near Geelong, in the colony of Victoria, farmer, deceased, are required to send particulars thereof to James Humphries and Thomas Longville Price, the executors of the WILL of the said deceased, at the office of Mr. J. L. Price, solicitor, Yarra-street, Geelong, on or before the 21st day of July next. And notice is hereby further given that after that day the said will distribute the assets of the said deceased amongst the persons entitled thereto, having regard only to those claims of which they shall then have had notice. Dated this 13th day of June, 1898. J. LONGVILLE PRICE, Yarra-street, Geelong, proctor for the said James Humphries and Thomas Longville Price. 9394 Victorian Govt Gazette1898 No 2496.

A large number of Brede Richardsons emigrated to Canada, New Zealand and Australia around this time. James Robert seems to be the first, with many following, including their brother, John Gladwish in 1855. What was happening in Sussex at this time to cause so many to up sticks and go?