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.