The Richardsons of Highville

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Highville was the name used for that portion of the Guelph Line running north, after climbing the hill behind the Lowville store and mill. The land rises up again past Derry Road turning at St. Georges Anglican Church and cemetery where the Richardsons attended and many are interred.

The former Richardson farm and home now known as Stonehaven Farms is on the west side of the Guelph Line. For many years Leaver Mushrooms property has been across the road. Orchards which until recently filled the land from the house to the Guelph Line have been removed. This stone home was built by my great grandfather John Richardson. The farm property produced the materials for the entire house and many of its furnishings, John having by then his own saw mill.

John married Hannah Kenney in 1848 who was born in 1824 either just before or after her parents settled at Mount Nemo, the 2nd family to do so.

John and Hannah’s family of six had been born in an earlier house on this property, however four following generations grew up in this lovely old stone home. We date the photograph of the family at about 1897 (110 years ago), using the known ages of the children in it. The parents (my grandparents) were Christopher and Annie Richardson. Chris was John and Hannah’s youngest child. Two older boys are not in the picture for some reason and two little girls were yet to be born, my mother Frances, the last in 1903.

John Richardson had arrived to this area from Westmorland England, with his parents in 1835. He was 11 years old and the second born of the 8 children who traveled across the ocean. Three more children were born at “Highville”, the youngest William Richardson was one of Nelson twp. and Burlington’s early medical doctors.

John Richardson Sr. acquired three 100 acre farms, two on the Guelph Line and one on Walkers Line.

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Contributing Author: Les Armstrong with research by Peggy Armstrong