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.

Theophilus Richardson’s life (1633–1674) spanned a formative period in early American colonial history. Born and raised in Woburn, Massachusetts, Theophilus lived during the first century of English colonization in New England. Below is an overview of what life would have been like during that time and in that area:

Woburn was officially settled in 1640 and incorporated in 1642, just a few years after Theophilus’s birth. It was part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, established by Puritans seeking religious freedom from the Church of England.

The town was laid out in a classic New England pattern, with a central meetinghouse (used for both church services and town meetings) surrounded by homes and farmland.

Geography and Environment:

• Woburn was located about 10 miles north of Boston and was heavily forested with rivers and streams. Settlers cleared the land for farming, but the process was arduous and required cooperation among families.
• Winters were long and harsh, while summers were relatively short but could be hot and humid. Survival depended on efficient farming, hunting, and gathering.

The community was tightly knit and organized around Puritan religious practices. Church attendance was mandatory, and religion shaped every aspect of daily life, from governance to education.

Families were typically large, as children were seen as both a blessing and a necessity for labor. Theophilus likely grew up working on the family farm and helping with domestic chores.

• Woburn’s economy was largely agrarian. Most families engaged in subsistence farming, growing crops such as corn, beans, squash, and rye. They also raised livestock, including cows, pigs, and sheep.
• Bartering was common, as there was little coin currency available. Any surplus goods were traded with neighbors or sent to larger markets in Boston.
• Puritans placed a strong emphasis on literacy, as reading the Bible was central to their faith. Boys like Theophilus would have been taught to read and write at home or in small community schools.
• Harvard College, founded in 1636, reflected the colony’s focus on education, although only a small number of young men pursued advanced learning.

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 that we know that Theophilus and his wife had eight 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)

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 her 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 who lived in the same small town that my other family members did. For reference … here’s my direct family line.

• Thomas Richardson of Standon (1565-1633) My 12th great-grandfather
• Samuel Richardson (1602-1658) My 11th great-grandfather
• Joseph Richardson (1643-1718) My 10th great-grandfather
• Stephen Richardson (1674-1752) My 9th great-grandfather
• Stephen  Richardson (1696-1723) My 8th great-grandfather
• John David Richardson (1720-1777) My 7th great-grandfather
• David Richardson (1760-1842) My 6th great-grandfather
• Jonathan David Richardson (1795-1870) My 5th great-grandfather

Thomas Richardson of Standon had seven children, one of which was Ezekiel (Theophilus’s father) and the other being Samuel, which is my family line. These seven 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 would become the first generation of American-born Richardson’s.

Major Historical Events During Theophilus’s Lifetime

1. King Philip’s War (1675–1678):
   • Though Theophilus died just as this conflict began, tensions with Native American tribes were a recurring issue during his life. King Philip’s War, which started the year of his death, was a violent and devastating conflict between English settlers and Native Americans. The war reshaped the New England frontier.
   • Earlier, there had been uneasy relations with local tribes, and occasional conflicts as settlers expanded onto native lands.
2. The Great Migration:
   • Theophilus was born near the end of the Great Migration (1620–1640), during which thousands of Puritans left England for New England. His family likely arrived as part of this wave, seeking religious freedom and economic opportunity.
3. Religious Life:
   • The Puritan way of life was strict and emphasized piety, hard work, and discipline. Ministers were community leaders, and infractions against religious laws (such as missing church services or public drunkenness) were harshly punished.
4. The English Civil War and Restoration:
   • Although Theophilus was living in the New World, events in England (such as the English Civil War, 1642–1651) still influenced the colonies. The Puritans initially supported Oliver Cromwell’s Commonwealth, and after the monarchy was restored in 1660, there was a growing unease about English interference in colonial affairs.

Challenges of Life in 17th-Century Woburn

1. Frontier Hardships:
   • Settlers faced constant challenges, including harsh winters, food shortages, and diseases such as smallpox and dysentery.
   • Relationships with Native Americans were fragile, and settlers were always wary of potential conflict.
2. Role of Women:
   • Women in Theophilus’s time were responsible for running households, raising children, cooking, and spinning wool or flax for clothing. Their lives were labor-intensive, and they held no formal political power, though they were active participants in the church.
3. Mortality and Health:
   • Life expectancy was relatively low. While Theophilus lived to age 41 (which was typical for men in his time), many children did not survive infancy, and diseases could quickly decimate entire families.

Theophilus Richardson’s life spanned a crucial period of colonial development in Massachusetts. He grew up during the early days of Woburn’s settlement, helping to establish a community that would endure for centuries. Like many New Englanders of his time, he likely worked tirelessly to ensure the survival and prosperity of his family and town. His life, deeply shaped by the Puritan ethic, was one of hard work, faith, and resilience.

Would you like to expand on any specific aspect, such as Puritan religious practices, education, or the Native American relations of the time?