Category: Massachesetts

Theophilus Richardson

Theophilus Richardson was born on December 22, 1633, and died on December 28, 1674. He was born in Woburn, Mass and also died there.

In 1890 a man by the name of Edward Francis Johnson published a  book called “Births, Deaths, and Marriages of Woburn, Mass from 1640 to 1873.” It’s this book that we are able to document so many in our family tree from that time period.

It’s thanks to this document we know that Theophilus and his wife had 8 children with his wife.

  • Ezekiel (Oct 28, 1655)
  • Mary (Jan 15, 1658)
  • Sarah (April 23, 1660)
  • Abigail (Oct 21, 1662)
  • Hannah (Apr 6, 1665)
  • John (Jan 16, 1668)
  • Hesther (Jun 25, 1670)
  • Ruth (Aug 31, 1673)
Woburn, Mass records of births, deaths, and marriages
Woburn, Mass records of births, deaths, and marriages

Some say that Bridget Richardson born March 17, 1674, is also Theophilus’s daughter, but she wasn’t listed in the Woburn book.

However, I found a document called “Massachusetts Town Birth Records – Vital Records of Chelmsford” which states that she was born on March 17, 1674, in Chelmsford and that he father is James, not Theophilus.

Theophilus Richardson is the son of my 11th great-uncle, Ezekiel Richardson. Theophilus’s grandfather is Thomas Richardson of Standon, my 12th great-grandfather. So while he’s not in my direct line, he’s still a blood relative that lived in the same small town that my other family members did. For reference … here’s my direct family line.

Thomas Richardson of Standon had 7 children, one of which was Ezekiel (Theophilus’s father) and the other being Samuel, which is my family line. These 7 children would be the last generation born in England. From there the kids would all move to America and have children of their own, who will become the first generation of American born Richardson’s.

Stephen Richardson (Senior)

Stephen Richardson was born on February 7, 1674 in Woburn, Middlesex, Massachusetts. He died on February 4, 1752.

The first bit of verifiable information comes from the book – A genealogical dict. of the first settlers of New England, showing three generations of those who came before May, 1692. By James Savage. Boston. 1861. (4v.)v.3:536 — volume 146 page 1.

Next, we have The Richardson Memorial, Part 1 of 2, John Adams Vinton, Brown Thurston & Co.  Portland, ME, 1876, pg 186-187. It tells us —

1555.

JOSEPH RICHARDSON,2  brother of the preceding, and second son of Samuel Richardson,1 was born in Woburn, July 27, 1643; married, Nov. 5, 1666, HANNAH GREEN,2 born about 1647, daughter of Thomas1 and Elizabeth Green, of Malden.

Thomas Green, her father, was born in England, probably about 1606.  He came to this country probably before 1640; lived in the north part of Malden, now the town of Melrose; was a selectman in 1658, and died Dec. 19, 1667.  For a further history of him and his numerous descendants, see the Green Family, in the VINTON MEMORIAL, by the compiler of this volume.

Joseph Richardson dwelt in Woburn; was admitted freeman of the colony, May 15, 1672, and was, therefore, a member of the church.  He was one of Major Samuel Appleton’s soldiers, and was engaged in the fierce assault on the Narraganset fort, Dec. 19, 1675,  In that severe encounter six brave captains fell, and eighty privates were killed.  He was a selectman of Woburn, 1693, 1694, and 1702.

He died in Woburn, March 5, 1717-18.  His will is dated June 24, 1717; proved April 22, 1718; recorded Midd. Prob. Rec., xv. 143.  He provides very carefully and liberally for his “well-beloved wife Hannah,” and, among other things, that his son “Joseph shall find her a horse, and keep the same for her use, and a man or himself to ride before her on Sabbath days, or where she shall have occasions to go, all during her natural life, if she remains my widow.”  He also mentions his five children, as in the sequel.  His widow Hannah died May 20, 1721.

Their children, all born in Woburn were:

  • +1567  Hannah3, b. Oct. 22, 1667; m Daniel Baldwin.
  • +1568  Mary3, b. March 22, 1668-69; m. first James Fowle; second, Samuel Walker
  • +1569  Elizabeth3, b. June 28, 1670; m. first John Coggin; second, Jacob Wyman.
  • +1570  Joseph3, b. May 19, 1672; m. Mary Blodget.
  • +1571  Stephen3, b. Feb 7, 1673-74; m. Bridget Richardson.

Next, we have a record of those buried in Woburn. Notice you’ll see Stephen Richardson died on February 4, 1752.

Stephen Richardson married Bridget Richardson and together they had six children.

  • Stephen Richardson 1696–1703
  • Phebe Richardson Snow 1704–1785
  • Ichabod Richardson 1706–1768
  • Stephen Richardson 1707–1787
  • Adam Richardson 1709–1758
  • Asa Richardson 1713–1752

It’s not uncommon for people to name their children after family members. You’ll notice their daughter Phebe with its unusual spelling. She might have been named after Phebe, daughter of Ezekiel and Susanna Richardson.

 

Joseph Richardson

Joseph Richardson was born on July 27, 1643, in Woburn, Mass.

He married on November 5, 1666, to Hannah Green. He died on March 5, 1718, in Woburn, Middlesex, Mass.

We can verify this date of birth in the Woburn, Mass records of births, deaths, and marriages records. It shows us that he was born on July 27, 1643, and is the son of Samuel.

Woburn, Mass records of births, deaths, and marriages
Woburn, Mass records of births, deaths, and marriages

Joseph Richardson’s children include:

  • Hannah (October 22, 1667)
  • Mary (March 22, 1669)
  • Elizabeth (June 25, 1670)
  • Joseph (May 19, 1672)
  • Stephen (February 7, 1674)

We know about him from The Richardson Memorial, Part 1 of 2, John Adams Vinton, Brown Thurston & Co.  Portland, ME, 1876, pg 186-187. It tells us —

1555.

JOSEPH RICHARDSON,2  brother of the preceding, and second son of Samuel Richardson,1 was born in Woburn, July 27, 1643; married, Nov. 5, 1666, HANNAH GREEN,2 born about 1647, daughter of Thomas1 and Elizabeth Green, of Malden.

Thomas Green, her father, was born in England, probably about 1606.  He came to this country probably before 1640; lived in the north part of Malden, now the town of Melrose; was a selectman in 1658, and died Dec. 19, 1667.  For a further history of him and his numerous descendants, see the Green Family, in the VINTON MEMORIAL, by the compiler of this volume.

Joseph Richardson dwelt in Woburn; was admitted freeman of the colony, May 15, 1672, and was, therefore, a member of the church.  He was one of Major Samuel Appleton’s soldiers, and was engaged in the fierce assault on the Narraganset fort, Dec. 19, 1675,  In that severe encounter six brave captains fell, and eighty privates were killed.  He was a selectman of Woburn, 1693, 1694, and 1702.

He died in Woburn, March 5, 1717-18.  His will is dated June 24, 1717; proved April 22, 1718; recorded Midd. Prob. Rec., xv. 143.  He provides very carefully and liberally for his “well-beloved wife Hannah,” and, among other things, that his son “Joseph shall find her a horse, and keep the same for her use, and a man or himself to ride before her on Sabbath days, or where she shall have occasions to go, all during her natural life, if she remains my widow.”  He also mentions his five children, as in the sequel.  His widow Hannah died May 20, 1721.

Their children, all born in Woburn were:

  • +1567  Hannah3, b. Oct. 22, 1667; m Daniel Baldwin.
  • +1568  Mary3, b. March 22, 1668-69; m. first James Fowle; second, Samuel Walker
  • +1569  Elizabeth3, b. June 28, 1670; m. first John Coggin; second, Jacob Wyman.
  • +1570  Joseph3, b. May 19, 1672; m. Mary Blodget.
  • +1571  Stephen3, b. Feb 7, 1673-74; m. Bridget Richardson.

I found this document created by another person doing research. Please keep in mind, just because someone says something doesn’t make it true. However, I did want to include it for your reference. Just don’t consider it 100% factually true unless you personally verify the information.

Next, we have a record of those buried in Woburn. Notice you’ll see Stephen Richardson died on February 4, 1752.