American colonists continued to use British monetary units, namely the pound, shilling and pence for which £1 (orli) equalled 20s and 1s equalled 12d. In 1792 the dollar was established as the basic unit of currency.
Captain John Richards was born on May 1, 1677 in Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts. His parents were John Richards and Mary Brewer.
He married Mary Allen. They were married on October 25, 1705 in Salem by the Reverend Nicholas Noyes.
John and Mary's children included:
Mary Richards Norwood (1706),
Richard Richards (1715, married Abigail Breed), and
Sarah Richards (1717).
Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts was first settled by English Puritans in 1629 and was first incorporated in 1631 as Saugus.
Genealogical Register of the Descendants of Several Ancient Puritans by Abner Morse
John [Richards], m. Mary; and 2d, Jan. 25, 1732-3, Lydia Phillips, who survived to a very great age; r. Lynn and Boston.
Had,
i. Mary, b. Nov. 17, 1706.
ii. William, who m. Tabitha Williams.
iii. John, who m. 175- Elizabeth Alley.
iv. Richard, aged in 1754 above 14 years, m. Abigail Breed.
v. Sarah, b. July 16, 1717, (by 1st wife,) d. prior to 1754, s. p.
vi. Walter, (by 2d wife,) aged under 14 in 1754; m. Cox.
vii. Joseph, aged under 14 years in 1754; m. Martha Burrill.
viii. Lydia
ix. Hannah
English colonists from Salem were the first settlers in Lynn.