Esther Green (1835 - 1917)
Esther Green was the daughter of James Green (b. 1797) and Sarah Ward. She was born in Kirkbymoorside Parish (probably on Rudland Rigg), in 1835 (christened 25 August, 1835, Kirkbymoorside, North Riding of Yorkshire. She was aged 5 in the 1841 Census (registration district: Kirkbymoorside).
When she was 18 Ester (as sometimes spelled) had a son, James Green (b. 1853) by a man whose last name was Moon. (James Green told his son, on a long drive from Guelph, ON to Winnipeg (to pay taxes on land still owned there): "You know, your name might have been 'Moon.'") Esther may have been working for the Moon family at Cowl House or just north in the dale. William Moon had built a chapel in West Bransdale and it is probable that he was the grandfather of James Green.
Esther Green subsequently married Ralph Richardson in Yorkshire before moving to Canada, via Boston, MA, settling in the village of Eden Mills, Ontario, and then removing to near Rockwood, where they would live and raise their family. In the 1881 Census of Ontario Esther was 'age 48, born England - Wesleyan Methodist.' Ralph Richardson was born c1838 in Yorkshire; he was a blacksmith and wagon-maker.In Eden Mills, the Richardsons lived on the West side of Main Street, Lot 3 (Lot 1, Concession 2). There is a note that "on the 13 of July, 1867, John Oulton and hs wife - to Ralph Richardson for $500" - presumably related to this or other land purchase.
In the 1881 Census of Eramosa Township, Ralph Richardson was 43, waggon (sic) maker; Wesleyan Methodist. (The Census Place is District 151; Sub-dust. D; Division 1; p. 41; household #194.)
Esther Green Richardson died 1 January, 1917 in Guelph, ON, and was buried at the Presbyterian Church cemetery at Eden Mills, 3 January, 1917. Ralph Richardson was 79 when he died. He too was buried at Eden Mills, 13 October, 1906. He is buried in the same plot as Esther Green.The half-siblings of James Green (b. 1853) and the children of Esther Green and Ralph Richardson were:
1. Annie Richardson - born ca 1863, Ontario - a 'glover'
2. John Richardson - born ca 1866, Eden Mills, ON - a wagon and buggy maker (age 15 in 1881 Census; Wesleyan Methodist); 25 in 1891 Census.
3. Esther Richardson - born 1869 - Eden Mills, ON - died 21 February, 1953 St. Joseph's Hospital, Guelph, ON; buried: 24 February, 1953, Woodlawn Cemetery, Guelph, ON. She was 12 (student; Wesleyan Methodist) in in the 1881 Eramosa Twp. Census and 22 in the 1891 Census. Esther married James Hillis of Guelph, ON, and they had a son Roland Hillis who was a respected doctor of dentistry in Guelph and Elora. He had no children. He and his two colleagues would offer free service to the poor. He practiced first in Elmire and then in Guelph, where he had a large home.
4. Elizabeth Richardson - born ca 1871, Eden Mills, ON. She was 9 in the 1881 Census of Eramosa Twp. (student) and 19 in 1891 Census.
5. William Richardson - ca 1874, Eden Mills, Eramosa Twp., ON. He was 7 in the 1881 Census of Eramosa Twp., Wellington County (student).
1841
England Census
Ether Green
Age: 5
Estimated birth year: abt 1836
Household: View other family members
Gender: Female
Where born: Yorkshire, England
Civil parish: Kirkby Moorside
Hundred: Ryedale
County/Island: Yorkshire
Country: England
Source information: HO107/1263/6
Registration district: Helmsley
Sub-registration district: Kirkby Moorside
ED, institution, or vessel: 3
Folio: 47
Page: 2 (click to see others on page)
Line number: 11
GSU Number: 464235