The Ballarat Courier, Friday, 22 Dec 1876 p2 col 3
We learn that Mr James Richards, a miner, met with a sad accident yesterday afternoon, in the works of the Black Horse Company, Egerton. The particulars of the accident have not reached us, but the occurrence seems to have been of a serious nature, since our correspondent adds that Dr Griffiths holds out little hope that Richards will recover. [Since the above was put in type, we learn that the unfortunate man died shortly after the accident. The disaster occurred through a blow from the rope which struck the unfortunate man while working on the surface, close to the shaft. Deceased leaves a widow and five children. The coronial enquiry will be held this day, at two o'clock.]

The Ballarat Courier, Saturday, 23 Dec 1876 p2 col 3
With reference to the death of Mr James Richards, on Thursday, while working at the Black Horse mine, Egerton, it seems the accident occurred while the rope was being changed from one drum to the other. The deceased and another man tied the rope at the surface, the end of which was at the 600 feet level. Seeing, as they thought, everything safe, they commenced drawing the slack out of the engine-house, the deceased standing with his back to the shaft. Suddenly the bight slipped, and down went the rope with terrific speed. Richards was caught by it, thrown up into the air, and alighted with great force on the balance-box of the pump-bob, and received severe injuries on the left leg, the head, and chest, which proved, as we stated yesterday, fatal. The unfortunate man only survived the accident about three-quarters of an hour.

Funeral Notice.- The friends of the late Mr James Richards are respectfully invited to follow his remains to the place of interment the Ballarat New Cemetery. The funeral procession will move from his late residence, Princes Street, opposite the Synagog, This Day (Saturday, 23rd instant), at Four o'clock precisely. Charles A Morris, Undertaker, Grenville Street, near Alfred Hall, Ballarat. [Ballarat Courier Sat 23 Dec 1876 p 3 Col 5]

In the 1873-74 Ballarat East Rate Book, the only RICHARDS living in Princes Street were Mary and Eliza in separate dwellings.

James RICHARDS, Killed in a Claim, Mt Egerton, 21 Dec 1876 [Inquest 1876 Ref 1115]
21 Dec 1876, James RICHARDS, 45 yr old, Married with 5 children, Mine accident, Fall from Engine frame, £19.20s compensation paid, Ballarat, Egerton, Black Horse Mine, Inquest No. 1115 - Egerton Book - Cornish Ballarat - Chief Inspectors Reports accident No 268. [Dave Evans, Victorian Mining Accident Index]

Margaret RICHARDS (b abt 1839) d 1902 aged 63 yrs, Ballarat East, Father "Richards Leonard", Mother unknown [Vic 433] (no death or funeral notice found in the Courier, Ballarat)
Margaret RICHARDS age 63, King Street, Ballarat bur 18 Mar 1902 Ballarat New Cemetery [Wes D 4.28 Remarks Ref Reg] Also in this grave are grandchildren Doris 9m and Ivor Thomas 6w - chn of son John RICHARDS and Mary Honor ms McIVER.

Margaret RICHARDS d 16 Mar 1902, Widow, Ballarat. Probate granted 5 May 1902 [File 82/930, Probate Index Victoria VPRS 3340/P2]
82/930 June 20, 1901. This is the last Will and Testament made by me Margaret Richards of King Street Ballarat East this twentyeth day of June nineteen hundred and one. To my son Thomas Richards I give my property situated in King Street Ballarat East for a home for the said Thomas Richards also for my sons William Richards and George Richards while they need it. When the said Thomas Richards desires to sell or sells the property the proceeds from the sale is to be equally divided between the said Thomas, William, George and John Richards. I appoint my son Thomas sole executor to my Will. Thomas is to pay all expenses and debts owing/owed by me. Signed (herXmark) Margaret Richards. Witnesses William Palmer, Lilly Palmer. [VPRS 525, Reel 36, Register of Wills]

Ballarat East Rate Books
1879-80 Margaret RICHARDS, Washerwoman, King Street, Owner and Occupier, dwelling NAV £10 [VPRS 7258/P1, Unit 8/p32/R/N 1435]
1881-82 Margaret RICHARDS, Charwoman, King Street, Owner and Occupier, dwelling NAV £9 [VPRS 7258/P1, Unit 10/p33/R/N 1477]

1896-97 Ballarat Directory, Sands & McDougall's p67
RICHARDS Mrs Margaret, 45 King Street, Ballarat East.

The marriage record of this couple has not been found but Margaret certainly became known as Mrs RICHARDS sometime after 1875, most likely at the time of her husband's death in 1876. The births of six sons (1865-1875) were registered without naming their father who is thought to be James RICHARDS as the firstborn was named James and the second was John Richard.

Margaret LEONARD age 30 (b abt 1843), Residence: Eureka Street, Ballarat East, Single, Religion RC, Admitted 17 Nov 1873, Discharged 16 Dec 1873, Relieved, Birthplace: County Roscommon (Ireland), 12 yrs in Vic (arr abt 1861), Recommender B E C (Ballarat East Council) [Ballarat Base Hospital Admissions Index Sep 1856-1913] This hospitalisation was most likely related to the birth in early October of Margaret's fifth son Bernard who was bur 21 Nov 1873 BNC aged 7 wks.

Possible shipping for Margaret LEONARD age 20 (b abt 1842) and Johannah LEONARD age 26, as Intermediate Passengers, both Servants, both English on the Sirocco dep London 29 Oct 1861, arr 17 Feb 1862 Melbourne. At 1249 tons with only 50 statute adults this was not a large ship. Passengers were listed as Chief Cabin, 2nd Cabin, Intermediate and Steerage, Master Thomas E Clegg. [Unassisted Immigration to Victoria f199 p001] This does seem to be Margaret as the year of arrival tallies with the BBH admission but she should have been listed as Irish. Perhaps all passengers were listed as English because the ship departed from London.

Children of James RICHARDS and Margaret LEONARD