I think I may have finally cracked this one if you are still looking:
Richard SQUANCE b. 1854 Sheepwash does not appear on any census prior to 1881. I have had Sheepwash parish registers searched - there is no baptism. There was a birth regn for a Richard SQUANCE in June qtr 1853, Torrington district, but he was the son of George & Jane SQUANCE and married and stayed in the Roborough area of Devon. A John Squance OSBORN's birth regn. is shown in June qtr 1851 and then a Richard Squance OSBORNE's birth regn is shown in December qtr 1852 and his family is shown in the 1861 census, living at Shebbear (3.6 miles from Sheepwash) with Grandfather Richard & father William, a farmer's son. Richard 1852 was born at Bradford according to the census. This 'may' be your family. Mother's name was Ruth OSBORN(E)and I know your Richard had a daughter Ruth born in 1895. In addition, Richard had a sister Bessey - again your Richard named a daughter Bessie in 1882.
Ruth OSBERN married William QUANCE Dec qtr 1854 Holsworthy district.
1861 census:
Piece: RG9/1500 Place: Shebbear -Devon Enumeration District: 5
Civil Parish: Shebbear Ecclesiastical Parish: Shebbear
Folio: 66 Page: 14 Schedule: 73
Address: Squares Moortown
QUANCE Richard Head M M 70 Farmer 80ac Emp1lab1serv1son Devon - Newton St Petrock
QUANCE William Son M M 33 Farmers Son Devon - Milton Damerel
QUANCE Ruth Daulaw M F 38 House Keeper Devon - Bradford
QUANCE John Grnson - M 10 Scholar Devon - Bradford (birth registered as John Quance OSBORN)
QUANCE Richard Grnson - M 8 Scholar Devon - Bradford (birth regd as Richard Squance OSBORNE)
QUANCE Dorothy Grndau - F 6 Scholar Devon - Bradford (birth regd as Dorothy SQUANCE)
QUANCE Bessey Grndau - F 4 Scholar Devon - Shebbear
QUANCE William Grnson - M 1 Devon - Shebbear
OSBORN Ann Servnt S F 32 House Serv Devon - Bradford
HOPEWILL Walter Servnt S M 18 Carter Devon - Shebbear
In 1871 the family was shown without their son Richard:
QUANCE, Wm Head M 43 1828 Farm labourer Devon
QUANCE, Ruth Wife F 42 1829 Devon
QUANCE, John Son M 19 1852 Devon
QUANCE, E Ann Daughter F 14 1857 Devon
QUANCE, M G Daughter F 9 1862 Devon
QUANCE, Margrett Daughter F 7 1864 Devon (birth regd as Margaret QUANCE)
QUANCE, Norah Daughter F 6 1865 Devon (birth regd as Nora QUANCE)
Piece: 2211 Folio: 40 Page: 14 Registration District: Holsworthy
Address: Cottage, Bradford, Devonshire
By 1881:
QUANCE, William Head Widower M 53 1828 Agricultural Labourer Milton Dameral, Devon
QUANCE, Margaret Daughter Single F 18 1863 House Keeper Shebbear, Devon
QUANCE, Nora Daughter Single F 15 1866 House Maid Shebbear, Devon
QUANCE, Ellen G Grand Daughter Single F 5 1876 Scholar Black Torrington, Devon
BLATCHFORD, Mary Boarder Widow F 50 1831 Annuitant Inwardleigh, Devon
Piece: 2223 Folio: 98 Page: 3 Registration District: Okehampton
Address: Horralake Cottage, Inwardleigh
I have many instances of QUANCEs becoming SQUANCE for no obvious reason apart from illiteracy, particularly in the Shebbear area.