Richard Fisher was born around 1845 in Goodleigh, Devon, to John Fisher (about 44), an agricultural labourer and later a shepherd of 600 acres (which is just less than one square mile), and Frances Fisher (formerly Abbott; nee Keal) (about 38), later a charwoman.
Richard was baptised on 13th April 1845 in Goodleigh.
Richard had one older half sister from his mother Frances' first marriage to a Robert Abbott:
- Elizabeth Jane 1831 -
The 1841 Census shows young Elizabeth, after her father's premature death and her mother's beginning a new family, went to live with her maternal grandparents, farmer William Keal and his wife Elizabeth, after whom she may have been named, in Goodleigh.
Richard was the fifth of seven children (six sons and one daughter) born to John and Frances:
- John 1834 -
- Mary 1837 -
- William 1840 -
- Samuel 1842 - 1850 (8 years old)
- Richard 1845 -
- Henry 1847 - 1847 (2 months old)
- James 1847 - 1847 (less than 2 months old)
When Richard was two, his younger siblings, twins Henry and James, sadly passed away very young. They were baptised on 21st September 1847. Less than two months later, James was buried on 14th December 1847; and then Henry, perhaps just two months old, was buried on 23rd December 1847. Both were baptised and buried in Goodleigh.
In 1850, when Richard was five, his older brother Samuel, aged eight, also passed away. He was buried on 27th November 1850 in Goodleigh.
Sometime around 1851, young Richard and his family moved about three and half miles south from Goodleigh to Swimbridge.
1851 Census:
Sometime in the 1850's, Richard and his family moved again, about sixteen miles north to Parracombe.
The 1861 Census shows Richard (16) and his future wife Elizabeth 'Bessie/Betsy' Brownscombe (18) both living and working at East Middleton Farm, in Parracombe, for farmer Philip Dovell. There Richard worked as a carter and Bessie/Betsy as a house and general servant. Richard's parents were their neighbours.
1861 Census:
On Christmas Eve 1863, Richard (18) married Bessie/Betsy (20) in Parracombe. At the time of their marriage, both still resided at East Middleton. Both were able to sign their name on their marriage certificate.
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| Richard Fisher's Signature, 1863 |
- Mary 1865 -
- John 1866 -
- Alice Brownscombe 1868 - 1929 (60 years old)
In 1866, when Richard was twenty, his father John tragically passed away, aged sixty-five, in Parracombe, in a accident at work. He was instantaneously killed, when, whilst turnip picking, he accidentally drove the 'butt' in which he was riding against a wall, causing it to capsize and himself to fall under the shaft.
John was buried on 24th March 1866 in Parracombe. Richard would name his next born child John, likely after his father.
Richard's widowed mother Frances would move in with Richard and his young family.
Also around 1866, Richard and his family moved a few miles south from Parracombe to Challacombe. There the family lived at Westland Cottage. Westland Cottage would be a real home. The family would live there for over sixty years!
1871 Census:
1881 Census:
1891 Census:
In early 1892, when Richard was about forty-six, his widowed mother Frances, aged about eighty-five, passed away in the district of Barnstaple. She had been an invalid in her later years, looked after by Richard and Bessie/Betsy.
1901 Census:
1911 Census:
Sadly illness kept elderly Richard to his bed for the last six years of his life, from about 1923 to 1929. He was cared for by Bessie/Betsy.
On 26th May 1929, Richard's widowed daughter Alice passed away, aged sixty, at Westland Cottage.
From the North Devon Journal on 30th May 1929:
Less than three months later, Richard himself passed away, aged eighty-four, on 5th August 1929, at Westland Cottage.
From the North Devon Journal on 8th August 1929:
His funeral, held on Saturday 10th August 1929 at Challacombe, was reported on. An short eulogy in the newspaper gives a lovely description of Richard's character and career.
Of his character: "A man of a bright and happy nature, he had a smile and a kindly word for all".
Of his career: "Mr Fisher lived in the same cottage for over 63 years... He was employed by the late Mr F.L. Smyth and sons of Westland Pound for over 50 years, being a keen horseman and an expert with the plough and other farm implements. He was well known at Southmolton, Barnstaple and Combe Martin in the old liming days, where he met and made many friends on his journeys with three horses and a wagon."
From the North Devon Journal on 15th August 1929:
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