In a recent issue of Rootsweb Review, Susan Goerke Ball reported on the 1880 Census entry for a George Sutherland of Saco, York County, Maine. George’s occupation was listed as “Too lazy to do anything.” This set me to wondering how many others were similarly listed.
Benjamin Trulon of Bordentown, Burlington County, New Jersey was also ‘Too Lazy To Do Anything’. Then there were those who were simply ‘To Lazy To Work’ such as Jens K. Stockland of La Grange, Walworth County, Wisconsin, John Schwambach of Sayville, Suffolk County, New York and Gilbert B Smith, Mazeppa, Wabasha County, Minnesota. Peter Nihart of Middlebury, Elkhart County, Indiana was described as a ‘Laborer When Not Too Lazy’. There was even a ’Lazy Farmer’, John Stalker of Greig, Lewis County, New York.
My personal nomination for the laziest American family in 1880 has to be the Richeson houshold of Lincoln, Tyler County, West Virginia. Why? See for yourself.
| Name | Relationship | Occupation |
| Joshua Richeson | Head | Lazy Laborer |
| Mary Brothers | Sister | Keeps House |
| John C. Brothers | Nephew | Lazy Laborer |
| Charles J. Brothers | Nephew | Lazy Laborer |
| Jane Brothers | Niece | |
| Ruey B. Brothers | Grandniece | |
| Priscilla Woods | Bastard Daughter | Prostitute |
