by D. J. Richards -- Intended to Have Been Read St. David's Day, March 1, 1925

The history of the Welsh colony of Knoxville and this vicinity must necessarily begin with the coming to this country, in the year 1842, of a young married couple, David Richards and wife, who was a Miss Ruth Williams.  The father-in-law had been in this country, and had gone back with a glowing description of the New World, where there were opportunities which, if one would grasp, must lead to success.  At the time of their marriage it was required, by the laws of England, that the banns should be announced several weeks before the marriage, which ceremony was required to be performed either by the Rector of the Church, or the Clerk of the Parish, who was also Clerk of Church.  The Rector, however, did not officiate at the marriage of what was termed the "common people," who, as a matter of course, could not afford to pay a liberal fee.  So this marriage ceremony was performed by the Clerk.

On the day of the marriage, the bride and groom presented themselves, after the banns had been published in accordance with the law; and when they appeared before the clerk the question was asked, in Welsh, "Are you both together over twenty-one?"  The groom promptly answered, "Yes, sir."  Both of them looked very young, and after the marriage was pronounced, and as the couple were going out of the church, down the aisle, the clerk asked the groom how old he was, and he promptly replied, "Just a little past twenty."  He then asked, "How old is the bride?" and the answer came just as prompt, "She is eighteen."  The clerk very indignantly said:  "Why, you little rascal, did you not just say you were 'both together over twenty-one' -- why did you do that?"  The answer was:  "I answered your question just as you put it, sir.  If 20 and 18 together does not make 21, then I have been taught wrong."  The clerk saw that he was in error, and nothing more was said as to the legality of the wedding.

David Richards was the oldest son of John and Ann Richards, and had been working in the mills in Wales, and was considered an experienced workman.  As this country was, at that time, opening up the iron mills, there was a demand for iron workers, and young Richards was induced by the father-in-law to come to the Land of Promise. When he and his little wife landed in New York, at Castle Garden, where emigrants were received and examined at that time, there was a man there looking for iron workers, and at once addressed young Richards, and finding him to be a puddler, said: "I have a job for you.  The company I represent will pay you five dollars per day from the time you started, the expense of yourself and wife from Wales to destination, and the pay will continue until the mill is ready to work, which will be in a few weeks."  The place mentioned was Danville, Montour county, Pennsylvania.

Just at this time another man stepped up and offered six dollars per day, with expenses paid, and the further statement was made: "The mill is now working and you can go to work the day after you reach your destination."  "Where do you want me to go?" was asked.  The man replied: "Memphis, Tenn.," and upon being told that he preferred going with the other man, the labor agent said: "Why, you little fool, I am, offering you one dollar a day more than the other man.  Why don't you want to go with me?" The reply was: "You have Slavery in Tennessee."  The man quickly replied: "True, but we only put black men in slavery."  And just as quick came the words: "If you can put black men in slavery, you can put white men in slavery, too.  I'll go with the other man."

Thus it was that the two went to Danville.  Little did he think that before he died that he would make his home in Knoxville, Tenn.  But it was a new Tennessee made out of the old Tennessee, where slavery-had been abolished.  Mrs. Richards lived but a short time after coming here and she was buried in the old cemetery at Danville.  A few years afterward the young emigrant was instrumental in having his old father, mother and two brothers, with three sisters, move over here, and for a time they all remained in Danville.