James Richardson & Mary Ellen Stewart Genealogy
Scottish Immigrants to Western Pennsylvania in the Mid 19th Century
Aug 13, 2009
What is known about Scottish immigrants James Richardson and Mary Ellen (Stewart) Richardson is sketchy at best. Pieced together from oral family history and census records, it is known that their American lives would begin with the pair settling in Western Pennsylvania. Though they would have several children, little has been documented on their descendents beyond two of their children, George Stewart Richardson and Charlotte Jennie (Mowery) Richardson.
Western Pennsylvania Census Files 1860 through 1900
The 1900 U.S. Census indicated that both James (born May 1825) and Mary Ellen (born June 1831) emigrated from Scotland in 1851. The exact immigration records have not yet been located, and it is unknown whether James and Ellen journeyed to the United States as a married couple or on separate sailings. The presumption might be made that since George Stewart Richardson was born in 1852 in Millwood, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, that they were likely married at the time of immigration. However, this has not been confirmed.
By 1860 James settled the family in White Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania where he labored as a farmer through 1870 at least. In the 1880 U.S. Census, James was employed by the railroad and had relocated the family to Cochranton, Crawford County, Pennsylvania. He continued working for the railroad through the turn of the century, having been noted as still under their employment as a foreman in the 1900 U.S. Census. At that time, James and Mary Ellen, who often went by simply Ellen, were living in Derry, Westmoreland County. They resided there with daughter, Charlotte and her family.
Richison Alternate Spelling
Of interesting note, in both the 1870 and 1880 U.S. Cenus files, the surname Richardson is clearly recorded as Richison. All other records indicate the spelling was indeed Richardson. Perhaps the err was a recording mistake on the part of the census taker resulting from James and Ellen's Scottish accent blurring the pronunciation. Both James and Ellen were literate and should have been able to correctly spell their names had they been asked to do so.
Richardson Descendants in Indiana, Cambria, and Westmoreland Counties
George Stewart Richardson would marry Katherine Livingston and go on to have many children. This branch of the Richardson clan would settle primarily in Indiana County, eventually branching out to Johnstown, Cambria County. However, very little information on his siblings has been located. Holes remain in exact birth dates, death dates, marriages, and offspring. This is what is currently documented on James and Ellen Richardson's children:
- George Stewart Richardson (1852 - 1898). He married Katherine Livingston on the 3rd of September 1872. Together they would have 12 children between the years of 1873-1897. George died of complications related to pneumonia on March 17,1898 at his home on Railroad Avenue, Blairsville, Pennsylvania. Incidentally, his youngest son, Ernest Fay, would die of Scarlet Fever two short months later.
- Charlotte Jennie Richardson (November 1854 - unknown). She married Michael Young Mowery around 1870. Together they had at least 6 children, 5 boys and 1 girl.
- Isabella Richardson (about 1855 - unknown)
- Alice S. Richardson (about 1858 - unknown)
- Ellen Richardson (about 1859 - unknown)
- Sarah M. Richardson (about 1861 - unknown)
- James Richardson (about 1865 - unknown)
- Elizabeth Richardson (about 1868 - unknown)
- Mary Richardson (about 1872 - unknown)
Limited Genealogical Death and Burial Records
It is not currently known when James passed away. Possibly it occurred between 1900 - 1910, as no record of him can be found in the 1910 U.S. Census files. Mary Ellen died on the 29th of April 1901. It is unknown where she was buried.
With luck and a bit of persistence, trips to the Westmoreland or Indiana County Historical Societies or the County Courthouses might unveil more information regarding James and Mary Ellen Richardson's life and their children. For now, what is clear is these Scottish immigrants would establish a family that would continue to thrive in Pennsylvania throughout the latter half of the 19th century through to the present.
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