Stephen Richardson (Senior)

Stephen Richardson was born on February 7, 1674, in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, during the early colonial period of New England. He was the fifth child of Joseph Richardson and Hannah Green, a family deeply rooted in the community and history of Woburn. Stephen’s life spanned nearly eight decades, and he played an integral part in the growth of this early New England settlement.

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.

Stephen was the grandson of Samuel Richardson, one of the three Richardson brothers (alongside Ezekiel and Thomas) who emigrated to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630 as part of the Great Migration. The Richardsons were devout Puritans, and their faith and values influenced their leadership and roles in the developing colony.

Stephen’s father, Joseph Richardson (1643–1718), was born in Woburn and married Hannah Green, the daughter of Thomas Green and Elizabeth Green of Malden. Joseph Richardson was a freeman of the colony, a member of the church, and an active participant in civic life, serving as a selectman in Woburn and fighting as one of Major Samuel Appleton’s soldiers during King Philip’s War (1675–1678). This legacy of civic engagement and military service was passed down to Stephen and his siblings.

Stephen was one of six children born into a family that emphasized religious devotion, community involvement, and family unity. His siblings included Hannah, Mary, Elizabeth, Joseph, and another brother, all of whom contributed to the growth of Woburn and the Richardson family’s enduring legacy.

Marriage and Family

Stephen married Bridget Richardson, a distant relative, continuing the practice of intermarriage within prominent families in colonial New England. This was not uncommon and helped maintain property and alliances within the community. Together, Stephen and Bridget had six children:

1. Stephen Richardson (1696–1703): The couple’s first son, who died young.
2. Phebe Richardson Snow (1704–1785): Their daughter, named after Phebe Richardson, the daughter of Ezekiel and Susanna Richardson, who was a key figure in the family lineage. Phebe married and lived a long life, contributing to the family’s story.
3. Ichabod Richardson (1706–1768): Ichabod became a prominent member of the Richardson family, representing the family’s continued influence in the Woburn area.
4. Stephen Richardson (1707–1787): Named after his deceased elder brother, a common practice in colonial families.
5. Adam Richardson (1709–1758): Another son who carried on the family name.
6. Asa Richardson (1713–1752): Asa’s life ended the same year as Stephen’s, marking a significant loss for the family.

The naming of children after deceased siblings or other relatives reflects the Puritan tradition of honoring family members and preserving their memory. The unusual spelling of Phebe’s name likely stems from earlier generations, specifically Phebe Richardson, daughter of Ezekiel and Susanna Richardson.

Life in Woburn, Massachusetts

Woburn, founded in 1642, was an early Puritan settlement. By the time Stephen was born, it was a thriving but still frontier-like community, heavily influenced by the strict religious practices and communal values of Puritan society. The town revolved around the church, which served as both a spiritual and civic center.

Stephen, like his father and grandfather, would have grown up farming, helping to clear and maintain land, and contributing to the survival of his family and community. Woburn’s economy was primarily agrarian, supplemented by small-scale trades and goods exchanged within the community or with neighboring towns like Boston.

The Puritan emphasis on literacy likely meant that Stephen had some level of education, as the ability to read the Bible was considered essential. His family, being relatively prominent in Woburn, would have ensured their children were well-prepared for leadership roles in the church and community.

Legacy and Death

Stephen Richardson passed away on February 4, 1752, just three days shy of his 78th birthday. He was buried in Woburn, where his family’s legacy was firmly established. His death marked the end of a life deeply intertwined with the development of one of New England’s earliest settlements.

Through his children, Stephen’s legacy continued, with the Richardson family remaining influential in Woburn and beyond. His descendants carried forward the values of faith, hard work, and community service that characterized the early Puritan settlers.

Historical Context

Stephen Richardson’s life was shaped by the broader events of colonial New England:

1. King Philip’s War (1675–1678): His father, Joseph, fought in this brutal conflict, which defined his childhood and the Richardson family’s commitment to defending the colony.
2. Puritan Society: The strict religious and moral codes of the Puritan faith governed every aspect of life in Woburn. This disciplined, community-focused lifestyle ensured the survival of settlements like Woburn in a challenging environment.
3. Intergenerational Continuity: As the grandson of Samuel Richardson, Stephen was part of a lineage that contributed to the success of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, ensuring that their legacy endured for generations.

Stephen Richardson’s life exemplifies the experiences of a second-generation Puritan settler in New England. Born into a family of pioneers, Stephen upheld the values of faith, family, and community. His contributions, both as a father and a resident of Woburn, helped shape the colony’s enduring foundation. Today, his descendants and the records preserved about his life provide a window into the struggles and triumphs of early colonial America.