RICHARDSON 
Soldiers in the
American Revolution
RICHARDSON 
Welcome to the Richardson Family History section devoted to all Richardson men who served in one of the State's Militias or the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War for Independence (1775-1783).
If you have records or information on a Richardson who served in the Militia of one of the Colonies or Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War for Independence, please send us copies of this to preserve in the Family Library and to post on the family website.
This site is sponsored by the Richardson Family Association, a national family club dedicated to gathering and preserving family history of all Richardson families.
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Richardsons in the American Revolutionary War STANTON RICHARDSON
Connecticut Militia and Vermont Militia. He was b 10 Jan 1755 and mar Abigail ??? 24 Feb 1780. He died 2 Aug 1822. A dau, Anna Richardson Sheldon (b 5 Jan 1795) of Northfield, Vt. made affidavit 30 Jul 1844 stating his wife Ann Doubleday was b 29 May 1760. Their ch: Nathaniel Richardson (9 May 1781), Sarah Richardson (25 Dec 1783-- d 27 Mar 1785), Samuel Richardson (26 Apr 1786), Ezra Tyler Richardson (24 Apr 1789), John Richardson (24 Jul 1791), twins Anna Richardson and Sally Richardson (5 Jun 1795), Sylvanus Richardson (Aug 1797), Horace Richardson (2 May 1800 -- d 21 May 1801), Prudence Richardson (b & d Sep 1801) and Nancey Richardson (10 Oct 1802). Rhoda Richardson (b 27 Jun 180?), dau of Nathaniel and Polly Dearborn, was given to Stanton and his wife on 10 Oct 1809. (Pension R8764)
STEPHEN RICHARDSON
Connecticut Militia. Stephen was b 24 Sep 1759 at Abington, Ct. He served as a Private and later as Sergeant in the Connecticut Militia; from Conventry, Tolland Co. He was one of several members of the family from Coventry to serve in the War. After the War, he moved to Bennington, Vt. and in 1792, moved to Middletown, Rutland Co., Vt. Stephen mar Hahhan Rudd 21 Dec 1786 at Lisbon, New London Co., Ct. He applied in Rutland Co. for a pension 24 Jul 1832. He received the pension 15 Apr 1833 while living in Rutland, Vt. with an annual allowance of $33.33 and received $83.32. Stephen died 3 Jan 1834 and his widow applied for a pension 6 Dec 1842 at age 75. A dau, Clarissa Richardson Burnam of Middletown Ct. made affidavit in 1842, stating her mother lived with her. A son Harvey Richardson of Middletown made affidavit in 1843.
STEPHEN RICHARDSON Jr.
Massachusetts Militia. Stephen was b 4 Sep 1744 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Ma., a son of Stephen Richardson Sr. and Mary Sawyer. He served as a Lieutenant in the Ma. Militia. Stephen Jr. mar Martha Wyman 9 Jul 1770. He died in 18 Jul 1783, aged 39 and was buried in the First Burial Grounds at Woburn, Middlesex, Ma.
STEPHEN RICHARDSON
Massachusetts Militia. Stephen served in the Ma. Militia. He died in 1787 and was buried in the First Burial Grounds at Woburn, Middlesex, Ma. (one of two Stephens buried here)
STEPHEN RICHARDSON
New Hampshire Militia. He applied for a pension 17 Apr 1818 when living at Northwood, Rockingham Co., NH. He died there 15 Jul 1820, aged abt 64, according to affidavit of Jeremiah Johnson filed 18 Jul 1820. (Pension S45104)
THOMAS RICHARDSON
Virginia Militia. Born 1762 in Loudoun Co., Va. He lived in Bedford Co. when he enlisted in the Militia. After the war, he moved to Wilkes Co. and then Elbert Co., Ga. He then moved to Laurens Co., SC, then to Mecklenburg Co., NC; Washington Co., Tn.; Lincoln Co., Ky.; and in 1812 moved to Perry Co., In. Later moved to Warrick Co., In. He mar 1781 Elizabeth ???. Their ch: Jacob Richardson. He died 15 Jan 1850 in Warrick Co. (Pension #R8767)
THOMAS RICHARDSON
Virginia Militia. Lived in Halifax Co., Va. when he enlisted. Later lived in Pittsylvania Co. and then Patrick Co., Va. in 1838.
THOMAS RICHARDSON
Maryland Navy. Served in naval service of Maryland. Lived in Talbot Co., Md. He mar Margaret Sands 25 Jan 1796 in Talbot Co. He died there 9 Mar 1823. His widow applied for a pension 2 Jan 1852 when living at Baltimore, aged 74; she was born in Talbot Co. She applied for a BLW 22 Mar 1855 at Baltimore. (Pension W2698) (BLW 1972-160-55)
THOMAS P. RICHARDSON
Massachusetts Militia. B Dec 1760 at Sutton, Ma. where he lived when he enlisted in the Militia. After the War, he moved to Marlow, Cheshire Co., NH where he applied for a pension 3 Oct 1832. His brother William Richardson of Alstead, NH, aged 73, made affidavit 3 Oct 1832, stating he had served with Thomas in the Militia.
TIMOTHY RICHARDSON
New Hampshire Militia. Timothy was born ca 1758 in Raymond, NH, a son of Christopher Richardson and Anna Riggs. He served in the Militia during the War. He mar 1st Anna Morgan of Raymond, NH and after her death, mar 2nd Mrs. Sarah Bachelder Philbrick. He settled at Meredith, NH. Timothy applied for a pension 10 Apr 1818 when living in Hancock Co., Ma. (now Maine). In 1820, he was aged 68 and said he had no children living at home. He mar Sarah Philbrook 21 Jun 1792 at Meredith, Stafford Co., NH. He died 9 Dec 1830 at Knox, Me. His widow applied for pension 4 Jan 1839 in Washington Co., Me., aged 80. On 31 Dec 1838, Moses and Polly French of Knox Co. made affidavit stating Timothy had lived with them from Mar 1826 until his death and that the widow was then living with Zadock Richardson at Montpelier, Vt.
WILLIAM RICHARDSON Jr.
Maryland Militia. William Richardson Jr. was b 1735, son of William Richardson and Ann Webb, Quakers of Talbot Co. served as Colonel commanding the 5th Regiment of Maryland Militia in 1776, which entered the Continental service. In 1777, he served as Colonel of the 7th Regiment.
William Jr. moved in early manhood moved to Dorchester, where he owned large tracts of land. It was while he was a member of the General Assembly from that county in 1773 that he presented a bill which provided for forming Caroline from Dorchester and Queen Anne's counties. The bill was passed and in March 1774 Caroline County was organized with Richardson as one of its original Commissioners.
He became a member of the Maryland Convention of Delegates from Caroline at the January session of 1776, which position he resigned in August of the same year upon being commissioned Colonel of the Eastern Shore Battalion of the "Maryland Flying Camp". In this position he became a man of Continental importance, serving his country for over three years. His regiment first saw active service at Harlem Heights and so well that General Washington commended their bravery.
When the men of the "Flying Camp" were discharged (Dec. 1776) Richardson continued as colonel in a battalion of re-enlisted men known as the "Fifth Regiment of the Maryland Line." From that time until the close of the war, much of his activity seems to have been confined to the lower section of the Eastern Shore and Delaware. One example of this service is given here. During Feb 1777, Colonel Richardson was sent with the militia and his own regulars to suppress the tories in Somerset and Worcester counties. His success was commended by the Council of Safety in the following letter:
Annapolis, Feb. 19, 1777
Sir,
We have the honor of transmitting to you thanks of the General Assembly of this state for your spirited conduct in marching your Battalion of Militia in order to assist General Hooper in quelling the insurrection in Somerset and Worcester Counties. With the greatest respect and regards,
The Council of Safety.
The same year he was appointed Clerk of the County Court but soon found his other duties so pressing that he deputized John Baker to act for him. When the British attacked Philadelphia in Dec 1777, Colonel Richardson was commissioned to remove the Continental Treasury to Baltimore. This consisted of notes and specie the Continental Congress had on hand for supplying needs of the provinces.
In 1787, he was a member of the Convention to ratify the Constitution of the United States. From 1789-1793 he was Presidential elector that elected Washington as President. In later life, he served as treasurer-ship of the Eastern Shore, an office which he held at his death in July 1825.
Although not a man of great wealth, he lived in such luxury as was the custom in his generation. Upon his plantation, known as Gilpin Point, on the Choptank River, stood his family mansion, store house, granary, blacksmith and carpenter shops and other outbuildings. Like all such estates at that time, Gilpin Point resembled a little village in itself. In times of peace crowds gathered there, for he was famous for his hospitality; in times of war, supplies were sent there from Annapolis and Baltimore to be distributed among various companies of the Colonel's regiment.
While a young man, William mar Elizabeth Green. They had six ch: William Richardson, Thomas Richardson, Daniel Peter Richardson, Joseph Richardson, Mary Richardson and Ann Webb Richardson. His wife, Thomas and Mary (who married James Price of Easton), died before the Colonel. The other daughter, Ann Webb, became wife of William Potter of Potter's Landing.
Along with considerable evidence as to Col. Richardson's to his interest in ocean shipping and trading, the following story taken from the life of Commodore Joshua Barney may be of interest: Capt. Barney noted for his privateering during the Revolutionary War had been captured, taken to England and lodged in Mill Prison at Plymouth in the year 1781. Upon escaping, he managed to get to the home of a friend, a minister, in the town and there met two farmer friends, Col. Wm. Richardson and Dr. Hindman of the Eastern Shore of Maryland. These men had gone over on a merchant vessel and upon its being captured, were waiting for an opportunity to return to America. Richardson and Hindman engaged in fishing smack and Barney agreed to carry them to France where they could easily find a way home. Changing his uniform for a fisherman's suit, Barney placed his two friends in the cabin of the boat and set sail across the English Channel. After being out a few hours, the boat was overhauled by an English guard and taken back to Plymouth over a boisterous sea which for several hours had kept our Col. Richardson a prisoner in the hull of the boat and suffering from seasickness. Upon reaching Plymouth however, Richardson and Hindman, who had committed no wrong, were released while Barney was again put in prison.
WILLIAM RICHARDSON
North Carolina Militia and South Carolina Militia. Born ca 1746. Served one year in the North Carolina Militia and two years as a Captain of SC Militia Company in the army of Gen. Francis Marion. buried in Richardson Cemetery, Britton's Neck, Marion Co., SC.
WILLIAM RICHARDSON
??? Militia. Died 1840 in Sevier Co., Tn.; buried in Richardson Cove.
WILLIAM RICHARDSON
Connecticut Militia. Served as Private in a Company of Militia from Coventry, Tolland Co., Ct. who volunteered for Continental service during the War. He was one of several members of the family from Coventry who served during the War.
WILLIAM RICHARDSON Sr.
Massachusetts Militia. Served as a Lieutenant in a Company of Ma. Militia, along with two of his brothers, Enoch Richardson and Joshua Richardson. After the War, all three moved to Canaan, Grafton Co., NH.
WILLIAM RICHARDSON
Massachusetts Militia. B. 9 Oct 1758 at Sutton, Worcester Co., ma. and enlisted there in the Militia. After the war, he moved to Marlow, NH, then to Alstead, Cheshire Co., NH. He mar Levina Tefft 8 Apr 1784 at Marlow (b 27 Apr 1763). He applied for a pension at Alstead 3 Oct 1832. He died 23 Mar 1833. His widow applied for pension 18 Sep 1838 at Gilsum, Cheshire Co. Their ch: Calvin Richardson (16 Apr 1785), Betsy Richardson (8 Nov 1789), Luther Richardson (28 Jan 1792), Anna Richardson (9 Mar 1794), William Richardson (28 Feb 1796), Sally Richardson (20 Mar 1799), Philena Richardson (9 May 1801), Louis Richardson (7 Apr 1803) and Lemuel Richardson (25 Jul 1807). William's brother Thomas Preston Richardson of Alstead, was a member of the New Hampshire Legislature. His brother Nathaniel Richardson lived at Marlow, NH. On records of Sep 1838, the widow's maiden name was listed as Tift and Teft. (W16695)
WILLIAM RICHARDSON
Massachusetts Militia. He lived with his father at Leicester, Ma. when he enlisted in the Militia. He mar Mary Smith of Oxford, Ma. 1 Mar 1792. He moved to Brookfield, Worcester Co., Ma. for 18 yrs, then moved to Enfield, Ct. for 4 yrs, then to Springfield, Ma.; then to Ludlow, Ma.; then to Milbury, Ma. and returned to Brookfield. He died there 19 Apr 1840. His widow applied for a pension there 24 May 1843, aged 73 and applied there for a BLW 19 ay 1855. (W26379) (BLW 19719-160-55)
WILLIAM RICHARDSON
Massachusetts Militia. B. 23 Nov 1759 at Dracut, Middlesex Co., Ma. and lived there when he enlisted in the Militia. He later enlisted at Andover, Ma. He applied for a pension 25 Sep 1832.
WILLIAM RICHARDSON
New Hampshire Militia, Vermont Militia and Continental service. He enlisted at Cornish, NH. He mar there Bethiah Stevens 6 Sep 1781. He applied for a pension 18 Apr 1818 at Derby, Orleans Co., Vt., aged 62. He died there 8 Mar 1831. His widow applied there 10 Jan 1837 at age 79.
WILLIAM RICHARDSON
Pennsylvania Militia and Continental service; also served in the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794. B. Lancaster Co., Pa. and lived at Piqua when he enlisted in the Militia. He stated that "about 1784 or about 1792", he moved to Chambersburg, Franklin Co., Pa. He mar Mar Snyder there, in fall 1793, (dau of Nicholas Snyder). William stated he was already "gray headed". About 1800 he and his wife moved to near Reisterstown, Md. where he died Feb 1818. His widow applied for a pension 14 May 1858 at Baltimore, Md., aged about 80, when living with a dau (not named). Their oldest ch was b in 1794. The widow's sister Mrs. Elizabeth Gilchrist, aged 75, made affidavit in Westmoreland Co. Pa. 8 Nov 1858.
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