Grant of arms dated 25 March 1829 Gives his pedigree as son of Solomon Richards of Solsborough, grandson of John Richards of Raheen, who was grandson of Colonel Solomon Richards of the same place by Sybella daughter of Bryan Kavanagh of Borris. There follows a Kavanagh pedigree back to the Earl Ormonde with a marginal note saying that this was all untrue. Betham's Sketch Pedigree says that Colonel Solomon Richards was married to Sibella Kavanagh: I think this was a third marriage and that she was not the mother of Goddard Richards (b 1661) Went to Mexico. According to his father's will he had taken the exam to join the Navy by 1803. Arrived in New York on 18 June 1825 on the ship Hudson. Listed as Bartholmew Richards gentleman, born in Ireland and en route to Mexico aged 30. With him was James Richards born in England aged 14. His will mentions his adopted son James Richards. In 1812 he was writing reports for British Foreign Secretary about Spanish possessions in South America. Some of his papers are in the Yale university library. The Will of Bartholomew Vigors Richards National Archives ref: PROB 11/1765/403 In the name of the most Holy undivided Trinity Amen. Unto all whom it may now or hereafter concern know that I Bartholmew Vigors Richards (second son) of the late Solomon Richards of Solsborough in the County of Wexford Esq by Martha Gorman (his first wife) both deceased whose souls I trust are numbered amongst the blessed being of sound mind healthful state of body and in the prime of life impressed with the instability of my existence have determined that previous to encountering the dangers of the Sea I should make my last will and testament in order that when it may please God to remove me to a better world those who are now or may hereafter be most dear to me should enjoy the benefit of my long and arduous labours consequently I hereby annul revoke and make void all former wills or powers made or executed by me to the present date which by this new and last testament are become as though they had never existed. And first I commend my soul to the care of my maker trusting alone to the merits of the Blessed Redeemer that through his most meritorious death and passion it may be had in everlasting remembrance. Second I hereby appoint my dear brother Capt Edwin Richards and my dear brother in law the Revd Henry Barnes of Monmouth sole Executors of this my last will and testament and on the demise of either before my decease I hereby constitute and appoint my dear brother in law The Revd Richard Fayle Rector of Wareham in his stead and should neither of the first named parties survive me then the place of the second mentioned to be represented by my dear Cousin Nicholas Aylward Vigors Esq of Regents Park London. Notwithstanding my being unmarried at this time it is not improbable that I may ere long alter my state Should such be the case and that the partner I may take to my bosom should survive me and continue faithful to the marriage bed to the date of my dissolution I hereby charge and encumber the most valuable part of my property in the sum of two hundred pounds per annum as a jointure to said wife during her natural life to be paid half yearly by one hundred pounds on the 25th day of March and the other sum on the 24th December with power to distrain in case of non payment of said Dower. The half of the remaining part of all my property as well as plate pictures China Minerals Court Dresses Diamonds and Jewels of all kinds manuscripts and books including all the Spanish books I give and bequeath to my heir in tail male begotten of my body on the body of said wife and in default of such issue male to the issue of my body begotten on the body of my wife in tail female provided always that said female heiress not only retain her maiden name after marriage but likewise oblige her husband and his issue begotten on her body to adopt and assume such name in perpetuity and failing to do so would substitute the second daughter of my body lawfully begotten and so in succession my future wife (should I marry) having terminated her mortal career the jointure of two hundred pounds should merge into that portion of the property I have allotted to the eldest son I may beget in lawful wedlock and in his default to the second and so by seniority of age In default of issue male or female lawfully begotten of my body on that of the wife I may take to my bed I will that my property be disposed of as follows viz After having first discharged all legal demand and debts against me and given a fourth part of the net proceeds to the most deserving poor of the parishes where my heirs and heiresses reside I will that the remaining three parts of all my property be equally divided among the issue of my brother Capt Edwin Richards of my brother in law The Revd Henry Barnes and of my sister Catherine Fayle excepting two hundred pounds be paid to my sister Frances Gorges should it on the contrary please God to bless me with lawful issue my will is that after paying all lawful debts out of the remaining part of the property not disposed of the net proceeds be equally divided among my younger children male and female after such have attained the full age of twenty one years that is to say after my eldest son has received the half of all my personal property free of deductions and James Richards my adopted son in Mexico received the sum of one thousand pounds sterling free of all deductions part of my property consisting of a large plate chest eight trunks and five packages are now deposited at Rumble and Bridges in the City another part is deposited at the house of Edgar & Son copper manufacturers Bristol the part in Mexico consists of three estates inland a large quantity of valuables in the house I resided No 14 Calle Zuleta Mexico part I take with me and intend returning a part to the ____ of the Revd Henry Barnes Monmouth five ???? of ??? china & glass are also deposited in my name (being also my property at Pellat & Greens Saint Paul’s Church Yard London I am quite free of debt in Great Britain & Ireland up to this date and have no demands against my person Stamped receipts for all my purchases will be found among my equipage This is my last will and testament In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my hand and seal in the City of London this fifth day of June one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine years of our redemption Bartholmew Vigors Richards (SS) - Signed sealed published and declared to be the last will and testament of Bartholomew Vigors Richards Esq in the presence of us who witnesses it in the presence of him and one another - George Fox Alexander Evors John Manning. PROVED at London 16th January 1830 before the judge by the oaths of Edwin Richards the brother and the Revd Henry Barnes the executors to who admonwas granted having been first sworn that is to say the said Edwin Richards before the Worshipful William Calverly Curtis and the said Revd Henry Barnes clerk before the worshipful John Dauberry respectively Doctors of Law & Surrogates duly to administer.