For many years the Richins Surname Association has searched for the marriage record for Thomas Richins and Sarah and the christening dates of their two sons, Thomas and Henry. So far, we have failed to find them.

Thomas was the son of John Richins and Ann King. He and his brother William were christened at Hawkesbury, Gloucestershire, England on November 22, 1727. Apparently twins, they were born into a family that consisted of eight children. An older brother, John, and a sister, Mary, preceded them and they were followed by a younger brother, Richard and three sisters—Elizabeth, Ann and Sarah. The family lived at Hawkesbury the early part of Thomas’ and William’s lives. Hawkesbury was a rural village and the church was the center of activity. Even the whipping post and stocks were placed near the church so the people could see the lawbreakers punished and heed the warning. The felons received little sympathy from the townspeople, who would gather to jeer and taunt them, or even make a sport out of throwing rotten eggs at the captives. Even the poor vagrant tied to the whipping post sometimes received his 20 lashes to the cheer of unsympathetic onlookers. The trials and hardships of their time caused people to harden their feelings so not to be overcome.

With no newspapers, telephones or radios, the church bells were the voice of the village. If they clanged vigorously, it was a warning of danger, such as fire, flooding or a call for volunteers. The chimes each Sabbath called the people to worship. The bells rang to announce a wedding or tolled mournfully for a death. Their cheerful ringing announced the opening of the fair or the beginning of the holidays.

There were two turnpike roads leading into Hawkesbury. One came from Bath, a popular health resort with warm mineral waters believed to cure many ailments. This road led north to Gloucester and on to Cheltenham. The other turnpike came from Bristol and continued on to Oxford. In good weather, the people of the village could see the travelers passing through the parish on their way to the larger cities and towns.