Richardson Family of Woburn

Besides Charles Forest Richardson, Charles Elijah had three other children. The youngest was the only daughter Mary Grace Richardson, born 1880. She never married and is credited with collecting and labeling most all the Richardson artifacts that we have. My mother-in-law, who knew Mary Grace as a child, says that she was weird. I wonder if "weird" means she spent all her time looking at old family photos and letters, lol! One of these is labeled with her name, but no date. The other has dates only, but I think it looks very much like her, and again she was born in 1880. Based on characteristics of the undated photo, I believe it was probably taken in the early 1900s, 1900-1910.

One of my favorite Richardson pictures, I don't really know how she is related yet, although I have some guesses. The stamp on the back is a Sun Picture Tax stamp, used to raise money during the Civil War. These were used between August 1864-August 1866.

Married to Charles E. Richardson, and mother of Charles Forest was Ellen E. Trull (abt 1847-1930).

Charles Forest Richardson's father was Charles Elijah Richardson (1845-1923). Characteristics of this photo of him lead me to think it was taken in the early to mid 1890s. Notice the lapel pin on his vest of 3 chain links. I believe this indicated his membership in the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows.

Here is another cabinet card of C. Forest Richardson. His name and approximate date are on the back. All the characteristics of the photo are consistent with the dating "about 1895". He would have turned 21 in 1891, I'm wondering if the photo was taken on that occasion.

A picture of Charles Forest Richardson's high school class. Cardstock mounts with different colored backs and fronts were used about 1880ss to 1890s. Photographer's name taking up entire back of card 1880s to 1890s. 1 millimeter thick cardstock mount indicates 1900-1910. Charles Forest would have been 18 in 1888. Everything points to this being taken in the late 1880s.

Ruth Trull Richardson's father was Charles Forest Richardson. As indicated on the back of the photo, he was born in 1870. This type of photo is called a cabinet card, as these were considered suitable for display in a hutch or cabinet. Although this was taken in a Boston studio, Forest, as he was called, lived his life in Woburn, Massachusetts.

Here is a picture of Ruth at 14 months old, front and back. Besides having her name on the back, the characteristics of the photo all indicate it being taken between 1895 and 1905. Ruth Trull Richardson was born in Woburn in 1898.

My husband is Steve, his mother is Jan, and her mother was born Ruth Trull Richardson. That's where our Richardson connection begins.

My husband is Steve, his mother is Jan and her mother was born Ruth Trull Richardson. That is where our Richardson connection begins.