Thomas Richardson, of Woburn

Biography

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Richardson-1532

Thomas Richardson, son of Thomas Richardson and Katherine Duxford, baptized July 03, 1608.[1] Youngest of his 2 brothers Ezekiel Richardson and Samuel Richardson[2]

Thomas married Mary (maiden name unknown), possibly in England. According to one source, "Mary Richeson's" admission to the Charlestown church Feb 21, 1635/6 was the earliest record of Thomas' family in Massachusetts Bay.[1]. However, Anderson, author of Great Migration: Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, Volume VI, points out that the first known record of "Thomas Richardson in Massachusetts is 1637", and their first known child was born in 1638, shedding great doubt on the claim that the 1635/6 Mary Richardson of Charlestown was wife of Thomas.[3]

Thomas and his brother Samuel most likely migrated to the United States five years after their older brother Ezekiel who came over in the fleet with Winthrop in 1630.[2] Anderson reports Thomas came to New England in 1637.[4]

Samuel and Thomas joined the church in Charleston the 18th of the 12th month [February] in 1637/8.[1][2]The records of Charleston for both brothers shows in 1637, the town granted each one a plot of land; and on May 2, 1638 they were admitted freemen.[2]

According to the "A Chronological History of Woburn, Massachusetts" for the years 1640's; 1650's; and 1676; the Richardson brothers were active members of their community and played a role in the building of the town of Woburn, Massachusetts[5]

"On November 5, 1640; the Charleston Village committee; as it was called; appointed seven town men to determine the boundary lines of the new settlement. The seven men who received this grant to undertake the settlement were Captain Edward Johnson, Thomas Richardson, Samuel Richardson, Ezekiel Richardson, Thomas Graves, Edward Converse and John Mousall. These men were required to build houses for habitation within two years. They also were entrusted with the power to grant lands to other persons willing to build and live within the newly formed Village. The grant further stated that it was the duty of these men to select newcomers who would work as a unit to improve the land, lay out the streets and maintain a civil and religious society" [6]

The first organizational Town Meeting was held and the first town officers were chosen on April 13, 1644. Selectmen were: Edward Johnson, Edward Converse, John Mousall, William Learned, Ezekiel Richardson, Samuel Richardson and James Thompson. William Learned was also selected as Constable. And Ezekiel Richardson, one of the original founders died on October 21, 1647; and Three of the original founders died during the 1650's; Thomas Richardson died on August 28, 1651. Thomas Graves died in 1653. Samuel Richardson died on March 23, 1657; And in 1676; Samuel Richardson's wife and children were killed by Indians April 10, 1676.[7]
Thomas Richardson died intestate in Woburn, Massachusetts; Aug 28, 1651.[1] The widow Mary married Michael Bacon, Sr., Oct 26, 1655, and died May 19, 1670.[1][8]

Thomas died possessed of one house, a barn, and 100 acres of land in town of Woburn..[2] When he died, he "Hath left a wife. 3 sons, and 4 daughters. The eldest son is 8 years old' the 2nd 6 years; and the third [three quarters of a year]. The eldest daughter is 13 years old; the 2nd 11 years old; the third 4 years; the fourth 2 years".[2]

Children of Thomas Richardson and Mary Richardson

1. Mary bapt. 11-17-1638 Charlestown
2. Sarah bapt. 11-22-1640 Charlestown
3. Isaac b. 5-14-1643 in Woburn and died 4-2-1689
4. Thomas b. 10-4-1645 in Woburn, died in Billerica Feb 25, 1709/10
5. Ruth b. 4-14-1647 Woburn
6. Phebe b. 1-24-1648/9 Woburn
7. Nathaniel b. 01-02-1650/1 Woburn, died Dec 4, 1714

Sources

1. Pg 218 of Massachusetts and Maine families in the ancestry of Walter Goodwin Davis
2. Vinton, John Adams, The Richardson Memorial, Comprising a Full History and Genealogy of the Posterity of the Three Brothers, Ezekiel, Samuel, and Thomas Richardson... (Portland, Me., Printed for the subscribers by B. Thurston & Co., 1876), Vol. 2, p. 504 .
3. Robert Charles Anderson, "Mary Richardson," in Great Migration: Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, Volume VI, R-S, Boston, MA: NEHGS (2009), p 61-62
4. "Mary Richardson," in Great Migration: Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, Volume VI
5. A Chronological History of Woburn, Massachusetts; Retrieved online at the Woburn Public Library website http://www.WOBURNPUBLICLIBRARY.ORG
6. http://users.rcn.com/woblib/chrnlgy.htm#1630
7. A Chronological History of Woburn, Massachusetts; available online at Woburn Massachusetts Public Library's website; Retrieved from Woburn Ma., Public Library Web site: http://www.WOBURNPUBLICLIBRARY.ORG; at http://users.rcn.com/woblib/chrnlgy.htm#1630
8. New England Marriages prior to 1700; Name Mary Richardson (-1670), widow of Thomas Richardson (1608-1651), m/2 Michael BACON 1655; Charlestown/Woburn
9. Massachusetts and Maine families in the ancestry of Walter Goodwin Davis; Vol III. Neal-Wright [database online] ancestry.com (Membership required)
10. Robert Charles Anderson, "Mary Richardson," in Great Migration: Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, Volume VI, R-S, Boston, MA: NEHGS (2009), p 61-62
11. Clarence Almon Torrey, New England Marriages Prior to 1700 (Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2011) Vol. II, p. 1273. RICHARDSON, Thomas (1608-1651) & Mary _____(-1670), m/2 Michael BACON 1655; by 21 Feb 1635/6; Charlestown/Woburn {LBDF&P #278; Backus Anc. 148-9; Reg. 57:299; Snow-Estes 1:284; Bassett-Preston 233; Charlestown 812; Richardson Mem. 505-6; Richardson (#2) 6; Richardson (#4) 156; Coltman Anc. 12; Hildreth Anc. 27; Bacon 29-30}