John Richardson, Sr.

Not the same as John "The Founder" Richardson

Biography

When John Richardson was born on March 19, 1720, in Anne Arundel, Maryland, his father, Joseph Richardson, was 42 and his mother, Sarah Thomas, was 30.

Sarah Snow was the first wife of John Richardson (Sr.) and the mother of his children. This is evidenced in a later document showing Dolly, or Dorothy Richardson, his second wife, giving consent to the marriage of Elizabeth Richardson, John's daughter, to a Thomas Rowzie/Rowsey, but not listed as the mother of the bride as was customary. Dolly, or Dorothy, is later shown in John's will administered in 1790.

He married Dorothy LNU in 1753. [They had nine children in 16 years.?] He died on October 2, 1788, in Campbell, Virginia, at the age of 68.

John Richardson Will (name) Extract - May 8, 1782

RICHARDSON, JOHN Campbell Co, Va. Will filed Oct. 2, 1788. wife Dorothy

• s. George Richardson
• s. John Richardson
• s. Morgan Richardson
• s. William Ricardson
• d. Sally Richardson
• d. Jane Richardson
• d. Mary Richardson
• d. Judy Richardson
• d. Elizabeth Richardson

_______________________

".It goes on to leave his possessions to his wife Dorothy, four sons, George, John, Morgan and William and to five daughters, Jane, Mary, Judy, Elizabeth, and Sally. As mentioned above, Sarah Snow was his first wife who died and Dorothy his second wife.

John Richardson, Sr., shows as born 19 March, 1720/21 to Joseph Richardson and Sarah Thomas, in Maryland. He shows up in the book "Side-Lights on Maryland History", Page 280, by Harriet Dorsey Richardson, as being in the Militia of Somerset Co., Maryland, in Capt. William McClamy's Company as of 24 March, 1749. Serving with him is Peter Claywell, later found with John in Virginia. This verifies that it was this John Richardson, son of Joseph Richardson, who came to Virginia from Maryland with Peter Claywell. He is also found in the Fairfax County, Virginia, records as a witness with a Thomas Snow in 1748. He is shown with Sarah Richardson (his mother) in 1750 in this same county, with a Daniel Jenkins in a release of a lease to Bradley Garner. He is also found with this Thomas Snow in Lunenburg Co., Va., in 1752. Additional records show him in the Virginia Militia of Bedford County in 1758 as a "Serjant", along with John Snow and Henry Snow. Other records show him unmarried, living in Virginia with his widowed mother, Sarah, in Fairfax Co., Va. The father, Joseph, showed as having died in Maryland in 1748. John was again shown with Sarah Richardson and a Daniel Jenkins in a Lease and Release of 100 acres in Fairfax County, Va.

One of the reasons that John Richardson must have left Maryland and gone to Virginia, was an act passed by the General Assembly of Virginia in 1738, designed to encourage the settlement of lands found in what was later to become Lunenberg County. The act provided that anyone who moved into that territory "shall be exempted from the payment of public, county, and parish levies, until the expiration of the said ten years." This was a great incentive at the time, and there were many who took advantage of it, including John Richardson who settled in the area. Records indicate that he acquired 745 acres on the branches of Seneca Creek and Troublesome Creek showing title granted on 1 August, 1772, and an additional 192 acres "on both sides of Ward's Road, including the head of Wainwrights's Grave Branch", on 20 July 1780. Peter Claywell, who was with him in the Maryland Militia, also shows as obtaining title to 182 acres "on the ridge between Flatcreek and Troublesome Creek." These properties were in the newly created Bedford County.

Sarah Snow was the first wife of John Richardson (Sr.) and the mother of his children. This is evidenced in a later document showing Dolly, or Dorothy Richardson, his second wife, giving consent to the marriage of Elizabeth Richardson, John's daughter, to a Thomas Rowzie/Rowsey, but not listed as the mother of the bride as was customary. Dolly, or Dorothy, is later shown in John's will administered in 1790.

It is of interest to note another article stating that "John Richardson, was of birth, a Quaker in good standing: but in the year 1773, he was baptized, 'dipped in the water', and dismissed. After repudiating his actions, he was reinstated in 1774, then upon learning of his participating in the Baptist Meetings, he was again dismissed in 1775. This was the John Richardson who wrote his will in such a manner and style to have given his testimony as being a Born Again Christian, which was Baptist Doctrine."

It appears that John Richardson spent the rest of his life on this large "plantation" as he later called his property in his will dated May 8, 1782. The wording of his will is such that one has to believe that he was a righteous, God fearing man. It reads in part "That is to say principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it and for my body I recommend it to the earth, to be buried in a Christian like and decent manner, at the discretion of my executors, nothing doubting, wherewith it has pleased God to bless me with, I give, devise, and dispose of the same ------ ".It goes on to leave his possessions to his wife Dorothy, four sons, George, John, Morgan and William and to five daughters, Jane, Mary, Judy, Elizabeth, and Sally. As mentioned above, Sarah Snow was his first wife who died and Dorothy his second wife.

• ** Connections still to be resolved -- and confirmation of this information below *** It is not clear if this profile should be merged with the current husband of Dorothy Snow...

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• See also: MH Family Tree record
• https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Richardson-9737