Susannah Read, in the language of that time, "wore the skin off her knees," praying night and day that God would bring her husband back into the fold, but her prayers never were answered.

Every Sunday regularly he accompanied her to church, and faithfully contributed to the support of the preacher, but he died, at the ripe old age of eighty-four, firm in his Universalist faith.
Susannah was the care-taker of the family and looked after the farm, inheriting the Richardson energy and thrift.

Daniel was genial, good-natured and very intelligent, but his health being impaired from army service, he was willing she should take the lead in business matters.

The farm was one of only a hundred acres, but was carefully and economically managed and, at their death, the Reads left about $10,000, which was then considered a snug little fortune.

Lucy, one of seven children, was born into a home of peace and comfort and had a happy and uneventful childhood.