Early Memories of Saugatuck, Michigan : 1830-1930
Author: Heath, May Francis
Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Grand Rapids, Mich: 1930

RICHARD B. NEWNHAM

Richard B. Newnham, many years a resident of Saugatuck, has a most unusual and interesting history. He was the son of John and Lucy Newnham, natives of Hampshire, England, where he was born May 24, 1819 in the city of London, his birth taking place almost the same hour as that of Queen Victoria and only half a mile distant from the place where she was born.

His father dying when Richard was only ten years of age he lived with his grandparents. He learned the shoemaker's trade, but not enjoying it, he entered the police force of London, serving twenty years.

In 1839 he was married to Hannah Harrison of Stratfordshire, England, and to this union came thirteen children, John, Lucy, Hannah and Mary who always resided in England; Richard L. (an attorney in Grand Rapids), Lizzie (Mrs. J. G. Annesley, deceased), Stephen of Saugatuck and Marie of Hammond, Ind. Five children died in infancy.

He came to America in 1862 locating in Cleveland where Mr. Newnham worked at his trade, for a time, though soon joining the army and at first was employed in the Quartermaster's Dept. of the 23rd Corps which was then attached to the Army of the Ohio. He went through the famous Atlanta campaign, and was there in the gunboat service till the close of the war, and in many hard encounters, he served his adopted country faithfully and well. Mr. Newnham and his family were most excellent citizens and he was active in a social and civic way in the making of Saugatuck history; served as Justice of the Peace many years, village clerk and school director for seven years; belonged to the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities and was post Commander of Peter Van Arsdale Post No. 148 G. A. R.

The family are all loyal members of the Episcopal church. Mrs. Newnhani died in 1908, followed by her faithful, devoted husband in 1909.