Deborah Richardson

     Deborah Richardson was born on 1 June 1727 in Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.⁴ She was the daughter of Zachariah Richardson and Sarah Butterfield.^2,3 Marriage intention for Deborah Richardson and Joseph Farrar was published on 7 March 1742/43 in Chelmsford.⁵ She died intestate "in a fit, very sudden" 31 June 1808 [sic] (30 June 1808, town record) in Chelmsford at age 81.⁶ She was buried in Forefather's Burying Ground, Chelmsford Center.⁶ An inventory and appraisal of her estate was ordered by the Probate Court in Groton on 28 November 1808 and administration was granted to John Farrar on 7 December 1808 at Concord. After all debts and charges were satisfied, a total of $156.40 remained in the estate, and a distribution order was handed down by the Probate Court in Chelmsford on 20 September 1810.⁷
     
     Judging by the distribution order, Deborah outlived nine of her thirteen children. Her estate was proportionally divided among her four living children - John, Sarah, Ruth and Rebecca - and the heirs of five deceased children - Molly, Joseph, Mercy, Deborah and Bridget, most of whom are mentioned by name. The four children not mentioned - Timothy, Jonas, Peter and Hannah - apparently had no living heirs.⁷