WELTHIAN LORING (RICHARDS) 1599-1679

[Ancestral Link: Lura Minnie Parker (Stagge), daughter of Minnie May Elmer (Parker), daughter of Mark Alfred Elmer, son of William Elmer, son of Sarah Peak (Elmer), daughter of Joanna Ellingwood (Peake), daughter of Joanna Hunt (Ellingwood), daughter of Ephraim Hunt, son of Thomas Hunt, son of Anna Richards (Hunt), daughter of Welthian Loring (Richards).]

Welthian Loring Accused Witch 1650s, Boston, Massachusetts

After Thomas' death, Welthian moved to Boston in 1651 where "she was evidently treated as one of the aristocracy."

"In 1653/4 Welthian was threatened with the charge of witchcraft, having in the heat of passion threatened terrible things would happen to those she was angered at, they later falling victim to various unpleasant fates. Thomas Thacher, writing in her behalf to John Wilson and others from Weymouth 27 February 1653/4, indicated that she took Christian care of her children" [WP 6:372]. Welthian brought her maid Edye White to John Winthrop for correction. Among the charges against the maid was that she was "discovering the secrets of the family, one thing she confessed about a maid that drank too much there" [WP 4:232] In her will she bequeathed to granddaughter "Mary Bradford I leave the worst of my three feather beds."
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A charge of witchcraft
The 1640-1653-4, Weymouth, Massachusetts

It certainly sounds like Welthian Richards was quite a spitfire.

About 1640, Mrs. Richards was overheard speaking of two gentleman saying they were "cozeners and cheaters." One of the gentlemen telling his side of the story in a letter to John Winthrop dated 25 January 1640-41, indicated that "Mrs. Richards behaved in a fashion "unbeseeming a modest woman's carriage". There was another undated (circa 1640) complaint against Welthian and her husband Thomas...for the division of one dwelling house belonging to the mill of Weymouth."

The general court ruled that, "Welthia, the wife of Thomas Richards of Waymoth, was to enjoy rent from this gentleman's part of the house until "her husband return, (if he return this summer)".

At some point, Mrs. Richards brought her maid Edye White to John Winthrop for correction. Among the charges against the maid was that she was "discovering the secrets of the family, one thing she confessed about a maid that drank too much".

In 1653-54, Welthian Richards was threatened with the charge of witchcraft, having in the heat of passion threatened terrible things would happen to those she was angered at, they later falling victim to various unpleasant fates. Thomas Thatcher, writing in her behalf to John Wilson and others from Weymouth, 27 February 1653-54, indicated that she "took Christian care of her children and that "God hath so blessed (them) that five or six of them have approved themselves to one church or other, and been readily entertained into their fellowship. Three of whom are now asleep in Jesus. Three survive. One more with us gives great hope of a thorough work on his heart". Her case does not seem to have been brought forward.

No doubt she learned to hold her tongue after that charge.

SOURCE: The Great Migration Begins
Sketches
PRESERVED PURITAN
found on ancestry.com

Welthian Loring family notes
Thomas Richards and Welthian Loring

Thomas and Welthian came to America in 1633 on the "Mary and John", first living in Dorchester, Massachusetts, where Thomas was selectman in 1633. They moved to Weymouth, Massachusetts in 1639 where Thomas was admitted freeman in May 1640. He returned to England in 1640, 1646, and 1649, and perhaps on other occasions. Welthian was probably the sister of Thomas Loring, whom Thomas called "brother" in his will, (although whether "brother" means dear friend of the same church, or brother-in-law is not clear).

After Thomas' death, Welthian moved to Boston in 1651 where "she was evidently treated as one of the aristocracy."

"In 1653/4 Welthian was threatened with the charge of witchcraft, having in the heat of passion threatened terrible things would happen to those she was angered at, they later falling victim to various unpleasant fates. Thomas Thacher, writing in her behalf to John Wilson and others from Weymouth 27 February 1653/4, indicated that she took Christian care of her children" [WP 6:372]. Welthian brought her maid Edye White to John Winthrop for correction. Among the charges against the maid was that she was "discovering the secrets of the family, one thing she confessed about a maid that drank too much there" [WP 4:232] In her will she bequeathed to granddaughter "Mary Bradford I leave the worst of my three feather beds."Welthian Loring:

Will: 03 July 1679
proved 4 November 1679:
"Welthean Richards of Boston ..., widow," bequeathed to "my eldest son John Richards all that my dwelling house and land adjoining scituate in Boston," along with £300 of mine which has been in his hands; to "my son James Richards" £250 of mine which has been in my hands; to Thomas Bradford £5, to Alice Bradford £60, to Hannah Bradford £40; to Mercy Bradford £10, to William Bradford Jr. £20, to John Bradford £10, to Samuel Bradford £5, to Melatiah Bradford £5, to Mary Bradford £5, to Sarah Bradford £5, "these ten above last named being children of William Bradford of Plimouth Colony and my daughter Alice deceased"; to Samuel Hinckley £20, to Thomas Hinckley Jr. £30, to Sarah Bacon £10, to Hannah Glover £5, to Mellatiah Crocker £5, to Bathshua Hinckley £5, to Mehitable Hinckley £5, to Mary Wyborne £5, "these eight last mentioned being children of Thomas Hinckly of Plimouth Colony and my daughter Mary deceased"; to Ephraim Hunt and John Hunt, "sons to Ephraim hunt Sr. of Weymoth and my late daughter Anne," £5 apiece; to "the daughter of Mary Wiborne abovesaid £5, and to her son £10; to the son of Hannah Glover £5; to John Bradford's two children £5 each; to Samuel Hinckley's child £5; to Sarah Bacon's two children £5 each; to "my son James's six children" 20s. apiece; to Thomas Hunt's two children £5 apiece; "more to Alice and Hannah Bradford £5 each to put them in mourning at my funeral"; various philanthropic bequests and bequests of household goods to some of the children and grandchildren named above; "my loving son John Richards to be sole executor and residuary legatee
http://members.cox.net/spartanshope/Tree/famf248 .html#1
found on ancestry.com