ALEXANDER RICHES SNR
1840 - 1910
1) Possibility that name Riches is not the correct surname. Origonal name could have been Jarrett (or Garrett or similar). Story that Alexander Riches worked as goldsmith in Torquay, England. He was commissioned to make an engagement ring for a cousin of the Duke of Wellington whom she was to marry. Story is that when she came to choose the ring or have the ring designed, she fell in love with the goldsmith and they eloped under the name Riches. Later she left him and settled in Australia with possibly one daughter. (Story from A Connie who said that she heard it from Aunt Maud when she used to visit her prior to 1955.)
There is a Birth of an Alexander Riches at Saint Luke, Middlesex 24 March 1839
Parents : John Riches, Silversmith and Maria (nee Gibbons)
Residence : 2 Johns Place
Not known if this is related in any way to the NZ Alexander Riches
2) Military Record
Nominal and Descriptive Roll of the Melbourne Contingent of the Taranaki Military Settlers. (page 65)
Name : Riches, Alexander
Reg Number : 891
Enrolment : 28 January 1864
Place : Melbourne
Where Born : Dartmouth, Devonshire
Trade : Carrier
Age at Enlistment : 27
Size at Enlistment : 5 ft 8 in
Ship : Brilliant
Ref to Page of Variance/Service : 516
General Observation : Single
(ref - details in National Archives)
3) Service Record
Variation of Service with the Melbourne Contingent of the Taranaki Military Settlers during the Year ending 30 June 1864.
891 Riches, Alexander Private
Cause of Casualty or Variation : 96 hrs IHL 26 Oct 1864
by Commanding Officer
released 30 Oct 1864
4 days IHL 7 Feb 1866
4) New Zealand War Medal
Maori Wars:- Application for New Zealand War Medal.
Application Dated : 30 March 1870
Claimant : Alexander Riches.
Company in which Served : No 10 Co Taranaki Military Settlers
Military Settlers No 12 Co
(under Captain Page)
Rank : Private, Wairoa Rifle Volunteer Corps
Period of Service in the Field : 4 years and 6 months
Place and Date when came under fire
: Kaitaka - Hau Hau
Pipiriki 17/7/1865
Okutuku 7/11/1868
Signed Alexander Riches, Wairoa Rifles
(ref Nat Archives - Maori Wars/3976)
5) Land Order issued 67/623
Town Land : lot 88 Sect 49 Wairoa
Farm Land : lot 10 Sect 119 Okutuku
(ref National Archives AD 31/8)
6) Intention to Marry Document
Name : Alexander Riches, batchelor
Profession : Carrier
Age : 34 years
Dwelling Place : Wairoa
Length of Residence : 8 years
--------------------------------------------------------
Marriage to:
Name : Emma Harris, Spinster
Age : 18 years
Residence : Wanganui
Length of Residence : 18 years
(age 34 = born 1840)
7) Marriage Certificate - married 25 April 1874 at Wanganui Wesleyan Church. Ages as above.
8) Death Certificate:-
Died : 14 January 1910
Place : Taumarunui.
Name : Alexander Riches
Profession : Settler
Cause of Death : Heart Failure. Systole
Parents
Father : Alexander Riches
Mother : Mary Harriet Riches
Maiden name of Mother : Harris
Profession of Father : Jeweller
Where Born : Dortsmouth, England
How Long in New Zealand : 30 years
Where Married : Wanganui
At what age married : 41
To whom married : Emma Harris
Age of Widow :
Age and sex of living issue : M 36, 32, 23
F 34, 30, 27
9) Electoral Rolls - Alexander Riches
23 June 1869 - No Riches found
Wanganui Electorate : 22 June 1870 - Wairoa (=Waverley),
: 28 June 1871 Freehold 50 Acres
: 24 June 1872 Sect 119 Okutuku Block
: 18 June 1873
: 20 June 1874
: 31 May 1875
Waitotara Electorate: 1887
: 1890 - Freekhold, farmer, Waverley.
: 1893 Sect 49, Okutuku
: 1896 - No Riches
: 1899 - No Alexander Riches but Emma Riches, Waverley, Domestic Duties
Patea : 1902 - No Alexander Riches Snr but have Alexander Riches jnr, Tailor, and Emma Riches and Adeline Gertrude Riches
: 1908 - Alexander Riches Snr and Emma, Waverley
10) Freeholders of New Zealand - 1882 (published book):-
Riches, Alexander, Settler, Waverley, Patea County. Country Land 100 Acres, value £904. Borough and Town District - Waverley, value £200. Total value £1104.
11) Stones Directory - 1904, 1905 & 1907 - Riches, Alexander, settler, Waverley. (Alexander jun, Tailor also 1904 & 1905)
12) Photograph - Waverley School Anniversary - photo shows Maud Riches, March 1893
13) Wedding Report - 26 October 1909, Taumarunui Press - account of wedding and wedding presents - marriage of Hannah Maud Riches in Taumarunui, daughter of Mr & Mrs Alex Riches, to Edwin R P Millar. Wedding breakfast at residence of Mr & Mrs Riches Snr. Was given away by her brother; father Alex Riches not named as taking part in proceedings..