Caroline Richardson

   Cause of her death was Heart Failure - Pulmonary Oedema.

  General Information:

Caroline was born into the Richardson family of Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England. The Richardson's were a very large, extensive & well known/liked families in Bedfordshire by the time she was born in 1849.

During a 50-75 year span in the mid to mid late 19th century they were one of the most powerful land owning families in Bedfordshire; at one point operating no less than 5 large & profit turning farms. These farms (over time) dealt with all aspects of Agriculture on any level (meat, dairy, crops, etc..).

By 1850 it is known that the Richardson families had already been residing in Cranfield & the surrounding area since well before 1575 - to this day there are still Richardson family members of the same clan residing in Cranfield, Marston, Wootton, & Lidlington in the Shire of Bedford.

It is not yet known where the Richardson family originated - some believe strongly that they have been in the Cranfield area since the War of the Roses.

  Research Information:

The births of all of the children of William & Caroline Harris (except for Joe) were assisted by a woman by the name of Mrs. Sears - she is listed as the "Accoucheur" in all of the children's birth certificates that were found. In some she is listed simply as a "midwife". It is not known yet if "Mrs. Sears" could in fact be Sarah Ann (Douglas) Sear; the wife of Joseph Sear. Joseph Sear was the younger brother of Matilda Sear. Matilda was married to David Wagstaff; their daughter Ada (Wagstaff) would marry James Harris (Caroline & William's fourth child) in October 1901 at 450 Pape Avenue - the Harris family home. If indeed this is the "Mrs. Sears" mentioned, then she would have delivered her future "nephew in-law" into this world in 1878.

Joe Harris' birth was assisted by a "Mrs. Culligan". On a similar note (with regards to Mrs. Sears as detailed above), "Mrs. Culligan may have been "Mrs. Corrigan". There is a chance that the "Mrs. Corrigan" in question could be Jennie C. H. (Morgan) Corrigan (Granny Corrigan to most). Jennie's daughter, Beatrice Corrigan, would marry Joseph in the September of 1920 - also at 450 Pape. If in fact this is the "Mrs. Culligan/Corrigan" mentioned then Jennie (Morgan) Corrigan would have succeeded in delivering her future son-in-law into the world in 1892. It is known that Jennie's Husband, Rev. Richard Corrigan, was the preacher at the Woodgreen Church - the church regularly attended by the family. It was common during this time in history that a Preacher's wife would actively involved in & trained in some type of Medical Assistance/Charitable cause employment such as Midwifery, Nursing, Elder Care, etc....

Definition of an "accoucheur" is as follows:

Accoucheur: French for a male obstetrician, a physician skilled in the art and science of managing pregnancy, labor and the puerperium (the time after delivery). It is currently not known who Mrs. Sears is and/or if she is present in any family photo's.

Caroline's best friend, who is in many photo's with her, was Susan Smith aka Mrs. Harry H. Smith. She lived across the street at #403 Pape Avenue.

Caroline married William Harris, son of James Harris and Jane Barnard, on 25 May 1872 in Marston, Bedfordshire, England. (William Harris was born on 14 Feb 1848 in Marston, Bedfordshire, England, died on 11 May 1914 in 450 Pape Avenue, Toronto, Ontario and was buried in Forest Lawn Mausoleum, Toronto, Ontario.) The cause of his death was Heart Failure.

  Events of marriage:

• Immigration: Details, 1 May 1870, Marston, Bedfordshire, England. In the words of William's Mother, Jane:

"William left home for America April 11, 1870, took sail April 15 from Liverpool, landed May 1st, 1870. William returned home March 1st, 1872, left home May 29th with his wife and John Barnard Harris for America, landed June 11th at Quebec, reached home June 14th 1872."