An Old Lincolnshire Family 



claim that from the year 141 3 to that of 1846, when the subject 

 of this memoir was born, his ancestors were thoroughly liked 

 and respected in their native county. Surely that is a great 

 test, for "a prophet is not without honour, save in his own 

 country, and amidst his father's kin," and that John Maunsell 

 Richardson, by the straightness of his aims, and by the honesty 

 of his dealings, especially in all matters pertaining to his racing 

 career — which by general consent is admittedly the form of 

 sport most open to monetary temptations — was a worthy 

 descendant of the old stock, few will deny. 



In spite, however, of the " unambitious " character of the 

 Richardson chronicle, upon examination, one or two entries 

 show that the family preserved a certain determined dignity of 

 surroundings, and that some of the marriages in the family were 

 advantageous in a worldly sense. 



For instance, we find that one Mary, grand-daughter of John 

 Richardson, of Kirton, married Edwin Anderson, of Manby, in 

 1 743, an ancestor of the present Pelham family, now Earls of 

 Yarborough. We also find that in 1808, one Richard Maun- 

 sell, son of Robert Maunsell, of Bank Place, Limerick, married 

 Catharine, daughter of William, 1st Earl of Listowel. Hence, 

 before my brother, John Maunsell Richardson, married Victoria, 

 Countess of Yarborough, who was Victoria Alexandrina Hare, 

 daughter of the 2nd Earl of Listowel, the families were con- 

 nected on both sides. 



My brother Maunsell, there can be little doubt, not only 

 inherited one of his Christian names — the one by which he was 

 usually called — from his delightful Irish grandfather, but also 

 the peculiar brightness of intellect, and fascination of manner, 

 possessed by our Hibernian neighbours in so remarkable a 

 degree, which characterized him all through life, making him 

 a favourite wherever he went. 



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