Richards had been periodically ill and “unable to labor” since mid-April 1845. On 1 May 1845 he recorded that he was “recovering slowly.” (Richards, Journal, 17–20, 24, and 30 Apr. 1845; 1 May 1845.)
Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.