Source: The Tuam Herald, 12^th September 1857

We had an opportunity on Thursday last accompanied by some friends, of  inspecting the improvements being carried out at Tiaquin, by Thomas Richardson Esq. It will be remembered that Tiaquin was purchased by Mr. Richardson in the Incumbered Estates Court about six years ago. It consists of about 4,000 acres including bog, and with the exception of a few acres of the demesne, it was at the time of sale a bleak morass covered with heath and aquatic herbage. By dint of perseverance and well-directed skill aided by a sufficient outlay of capital, the estate now presents a very different aspect.

It is twelve months since we had previously visited it, and during that period much has been done. Mr. Brown, the excellent steward, is intimately acquainted with the best and quickest modes of reclamation, and his success in the present instance does him great credit.

There are at present on the farm about 450 acres in course of tillage preparatory to being laid down in permanent pasture. We found 60 acres of oats, 33 acres of wheat, 2 acres of rye, 5 acres of barley, 15 acres of potatoes, 35 acres of turnips, 7 acres of beans, 10 acres of mangel-wurzel, 1 do. of carrots, 1 do. of parsnips, and 50 do. of hay. The green crops in Tiaquin have been cultivated according to the rules of improved husbandry, and they reflect much credit on all concerned in their management. Some idea may be formed of the extent of the improvements at Tiaquin from the fact that the estate, which was purchased for £8,500, would now bring £27,000 in the market.

 Mr. Richardson, who seems to have really orthodox views of tenant-right, acted with great humanity towards the unfortunate tenants he found on the property. Not a single tenant did he evict, but offered employment to all, allowing them to keep their small holdings, some of which were actually vacant – the occupiers having gone either to the grave or the workhouse during the famine of 1846. Mr. Richardson has set a fine example to the purchasers of property in the West, by his kindness to the poor, his anxiety to improve, and the employment he affords.—Ballinasloe Star.