669.Thomas Richards. Born ca 1596 in Pitminster, Somerset. Thomas was baptized in Pitminster, Somerset, on 15 Apr 1596.16 Thomas died in Weymouth, MA ca Dec 1650.25 Occupation: merchant. Religion: admitted ot the Weymouth church by 13 May 1640.
Thomas was of Pitminster, Somersetshire, England. He came to America in 1633 on the Mary and John, first residing in Dorchester, where he was selectman in 1633. He removed to Weymouth in 1639, where he was admitted freeman 13 May 1640. He returned to England in 1640, 1646, and 1649, and perhaps other occasions. In Dorchester, he was a selectman in 1633.2516
Will abstract: Thomas Richards of Weymouth. Will dated 17 Dec 1650 at Thomas Loring’s home in Hull, inventory 18 Jan 1650/1, proved 28 Jan 1650/1. Mentions sons John, James, Samuel, Joseph, and Benjamin; daughters Mary, Ann, Alice, and Hannah; wife; “brother” Thomas Loring [though whether “brother” means dear friend of the same church, or brother-in-law, is not clear]; Thomas Prosser. Overseers son John, Thomas Loring, and Nicolas Baker, both of Hull. No executor was named in the will, but his widow Welthian was assigned to be executrix after petitions by his sons and others.
Welthean was perhaps the sister to Thomas Loring, whom Thomas called ‘brother’ in his will.16
Anderson16 writes: “In 1653/4 Welthian Richards was threatened with the charge of wichcraft, having in the heat of passion threatened terrible things would happen to those she was angered at, they later falling victim to various unpleasant fates. Thomas Thacher, writing in her behalf to John Wilson and others from Weymouth 27 February 1653/4, indicated that she took Christian care of her children and that ‘God hath so blessed [them] that five or six of them have approved themselves to one church or other, and been readily entertained into their fellowship. Three of whom are now asleep in Jesus. Three survive. One more with us gives great hope of a thorough work on his heart” [WP 6:372]. Her case does not seem to have been brought forward.”