Charles Stephen Rich

Charles Stephen Rich was born in Boylston, MA on June 21, 1839 to James and Sarah W. “Sally” (Bruce) Rich.

On November 4, 1860 Charles was married to Mary M. Fry by A. F. Bailey, a Methodist Episcopal Pastor from Marlborough, MA. It was the first marriage for both.

During the US Civil War Charles served as a Private in the 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, Company D. Private Rich was drafted in August 1864 and mustered out in July 1865. According to the 1890 Veteran Schedule he was suffering from kidney disease and rheumatism.

As a young man he worked worked as a shoemaker. Later he would be a general laborer, a carpenter, and a wheelwright. He retired between 1910-1920.

Charles and Mary had at least three children: Mary, Charles A. and Sadie B. There were likely others who were born and died between the Censuses—the surviving children were born 13 years apart.

Mary died of tuberculosis in 1898. Eleven years later Charles married widow Kate Valcour (nee Smith). They lived together in Hudson, MA.

Charles died on March 3, 1931 in Hudson. I wasn’t able to find his death record, but the date is listed on the application for his headstone. He is buried in South Berlin Cemetery in Berlin, MA.