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HYPERLINK "http://richroots.com/RichHistPage2.htm" Next RICHARDSON HISTORY

(English Roots thru American immigration) It is a noble faculty of our nature which enables us to connect our thoughts, our sympathies, and our happiness, with what is distant in place or time; and looking before and after, to hold communion at once with our ancestors and our posterity. There is also a moral and philosophical respect for our ancestors, which elevates the character and improves the heart. --- Daniel Webster We are truly a product of our past. Our heredity and identity--genetic and acquired--is a sum and substance consequence of our posterity. It is a noble pursuit, indeed, to peer into our past to hold communion with those who have gone before us. And the Richardson ancestry is an extremely rich heritage. From a small parish village in 16th century England, through the 17th century turmoil of Puritan persecutions that compelled them to flee with John Winthrop's fleet to the New World, our Richardsons became some of the first colonists of the history of this nation. What follows is a genealogical account of our remarkable posterity in the context of that history. THE ORIGIN OF THE NAME "RICHARDSON" A major genealogical resource--the magnum opus--on the Richardsons is a large volume (944 pages) written in 1876 by John Adams Vinton, himself related to the Richardsons by marriage, entitled The Richardson Memorial. He provides some background on the genesis of the "Richardson" surname: Richard was a favorite name among the Normans, and the surname Richardson

unquestionably originated with them. We find it among no other people. They made themselves masters of a large part of France in the ninth century, which they called Normandy; and were governed by a succession of dukes, who bore the name Richard. After the conquest of England by that remarkable people, several kings of that country bore that name. The transition from Richard to Richardson was a matter of course. HYPERLINK "" \l "_edn1" \o "" [1] INCLUDEPICTURE \d "http://richroots.com/RichHistPage1_files/doodad.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Generation 1 Thomas Richardson, b. 1523 Westmill, Hertfordshire, England 2. Generation 2 Thomas Richardson, b. ~1543 Standon, Hertsfordshire, England 3. Generation 3 Thomas Richardson, b. ~ 1570 Standon, Hertfordshire, England 4. Endnotes HYPERLINK "" \l "_top" INCLUDEPICTURE \d "http://richroots.com/RichHistPage1_files/uparrow.png" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE \d "http://richroots.com/RichHistPage1_files/doodad.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET 1509 - Henry VIII becomes king of England 1517 - Protestant Reformation begins (Martin Luther nails 95 theses on door of Wittenberg church. INCLUDEPICTURE \d "http://richroots.com/RichHistPage1_files/doodad.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET 1st Generation {THOMAS RICHARDSON1} b. 1523 Westmill, Hertfordshire, England m. Mary 1529 - King Henry, angered by refusal of the pope to grant him a divorce, breaks England's ties with the Catholic church and makes himself head of the church in England. 1533 - Henry VIII marries Anne Boleyn and is excommunicated by Pope. 1536 - Anne Boleyn is beheaded; Henry VIII marries Jane Seymour; dissolution of

monasteries in England begins under the direction of Thomas Cromwell, and is completed in 1539. 1540 - Henry VIII marries Anne of Cleves following negotiations by Thomas Cromwell; Henry divorces Anne of Cleves and marries Catherine Howard; Thomas Cromwell executed on charge of treason. 1542 - Catherine Howard is executed 1543. Henry marries Catherine Parr. INCLUDEPICTURE \d "http://richroots.com/RichHistPage1_files/doodad.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET 2nd Generation {THOMAS RICHARDSON2} (Thomas1) b. ~1543, Standon, Hertsfordshire, England m. 15 Jun 1567 Abbey Church, St. Albans, Hertsfordshire Margaret Silverside b. ~1545 The place of their marriage, St. Albans Abbey Church, is a beautiful, yet ancient edifice that stands today. Per its official web site: The cathedral is built on what is believed to be the site of the martyrdom of St Alban. The hill upon which it stands overlooks the valley of the river Ver, beyond which lie the buried ruins of the Roman city of Verulamium. The shrine of St Alban is documented from early times, and it is recorded that St Germanus of Auxerre visited the site in 429. Early in the 8th century, Bede wrote of the 'beautiful Church worthy of all Alban's martyrdom where miracles of healing took place.' The monastic structure of this church was re-ordered by King Offa of Mercia in 793 and a new order and discipline introduced by St Oswald in the 960s. The availability of huge amounts of building material from the ruins of nearby Roman Verulamium was put to good use in the Norman era, from which time many of the features of the building date. HYPERLINK "" \l "_edn2" \o "" [2] INCLUDEPICTURE \d "http://richroots.com/RichHistPage1_files/image001.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET St. Albans Abbey Church 1553 - Mary I becomes Queen of England after the Lady Jane Grey is deposed. 1558 - Elizabeth I becomes Queen of England. 1563 - General outbreak of plague in Europe. HYPERLINK "" \l "_top" INCLUDEPICTURE \d "http://richroots.com/RichHistPage1_files/uparrow.png" \* MERGEFORMATINET These were times of turmoil in England under Henry VIII. After Henry died, his daughter Mary ascended the throne and she restored England's allegiance to Rome. The Protestants nicknamed her "Bloody Mary" as they suffered open persecution under her reign--almost 300

were burned at the stake, with countless others imprisoned. In 1558, Mary's half-sister, Elizabeth became England's queen. She severed the connection with the Catholic Church. The Church of England under Elizabeth I was in turmoil. It was too Protestant to suit those with Roman Catholic sympathies and was too "Popish" to those who bitterly opposed the ways and influence of Rome. Here were the seeds of Puritanism, those who insisted on purifying the church by a return to Biblical practice. We need to understand the Puritans if we are to understand the early Richardsons in America for they were very much Puritans. The majority of Puritans were content to remain in the Anglican Church, but wanted reform. A minority, the Separatists, were determined to worship as they pleased in their own independent congregations, which was forbidden by law. INCLUDEPICTURE \d "http://richroots.com/RichHistPage1_files/doodad.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET Thomas Richardson was born in the little parish town of Standon and his wife Margaret was born in the nearby tiny parish town known as Westmill in Hertfordshire County, England. They settled in Westmill. Little is known of Westmill in those days, but it likely consisted of a collection of houses clustered about the parish church making up the rudiments of a town. The manorial system, with a protected landed estate run by a Lord and leased to peasants for cultivation, was declining at this time in the face of the emergence of towns. Following is a description of the parish villages of Westmill and Standon from an 1842 Topographical Dictionary of England: HYPERLINK "" \l "_edn3" \o "" [3] WESTMILL (St. Mary), a parish, in the union of Buntingford, hundred of Braughin, county of Hertford, 1 miles (S. by E.) from Buntingford; containing 425 inhabitants [1842]. The parish comprises by measurement 2000 acres, the principal portion of which is arable; the soil a chalky clay, and the surface generally flat. The living is a rectory, valued in the King's books at 20 pounds; Patron, Earl of Hardwicke: the tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of 540 pounds; and the glebe [plot of land belonging to the parish church] comprises 39 acres, valued at 45 pounds per annum. The church is an ancient structure, in the later English style. A National school is partly supported by an endowment of 20 pounds per annum by Lord Hardwicke. STANDON (St. Mary), a parish (formerly a market-town), in the union of Ware, hundred of Braughin, county of Hertford, 8 miles (N.E.) from Hertford; containing 2,299 inhabitants. The parish comprises by measurement 7500 acres; the village is neatly built; the manufacture of paper is carried on, for which there is a mill affording employment to about 14 persons, and a few children. The market granted by Charles II Has been discontinued, but a fair, chiefly for pleasure, is held on the 25th of April. The living is a discharged vicarage, valued in the king's books at 14.13.4.; patron and impropriator [sic], R. P. Ward, Esq.: the great tithes have been commuted for a rentcharge of 1310; and the vicarial for 520; and the glebe comprises six acres, valued at 6 per annum. The church is a large ancient building, with a tower on the north side, and contains a handsome monument to Sir Ralph Sadlier, who was interred here. There are places of

worship for Baptists and Wesleyans; and a free school was endowed with 35 per annum, by Thomas Fisher, in 1612, which with subsequent benefactions, now produces 65. About five miles from Ware, on the Cambridge road, in the parish, is St. Edmund's College, established on the expulsion of the English Roman Catholics from their college at Douay, at the commencement of the French revolution in 1789, for the education of the sons of the English nobility and gentry of the roman Catholic religion; the edifice was erected in 1795, and consists of a range of building four stores high, and, with its two wings, 300 feet long. The ancient Ermin-street runs through the parish. HYPERLINK "" \l "_top" INCLUDEPICTURE \d "http://richroots.com/RichHistPage1_files/uparrow.png" \* MERGEFORMATINET Westmill & Standon in relation to Greater London INCLUDEPICTURE \d "http://richroots.com/RichHistPage1_files/image002.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET HYPERLINK "" \l "_top" INCLUDEPICTURE \d "http://richroots.com/RichHistPage1_files/uparrow.png" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE \d "http://richroots.com/RichHistPage1_files/image003.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET St. Mary's Church Standon INCLUDEPICTURE \d "http://richroots.com/RichHistPage1_files/image004.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE \d "http://richroots.com/RichHistPage1_files/image005.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET The parish register of St. Mary's Church of Westmill begins with baptisms in 1550, marriages in 1562, and burials in 1565. Prior to this, records were sketchy. Children of Thomas & Margaret: {THOMAS RICHARDSON} b. ~ 1570 Standon, Hertfordshire, England, d. 08 Jan 1634 Westmill, Hertfordshire, England m. 25 Aug 1590 Katherine Duxford b. 1570 Westmill, Hertfordshire, d. 10 March 1631 Westmill, Hertfordshire HYPERLINK "" \l "_top" INCLUDEPICTURE \d "http://richroots.com/RichHistPage1_files/uparrow.png" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE \d "http://richroots.com/RichHistPage1_files/doodad.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET 3rd Generation {THOMAS RICHARDSON}3 (Thomas2, Thomas1) b. ~ 1570, Standon, Hertfordshire, England

d. 08 Jan 1634 Westmill age 64 m. 25 Aug 1590 St. Mary Virgin, Westmill, Herts Katherine Duxford b. 1570 Westmill, Hertfordshire, England d. 10 Mar 1631 Westmill, Hertfordshire, England age 61 INCLUDEPICTURE \d "http://richroots.com/RichHistPage1_files/doodad.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET From the New England Historical Genealogical Register, a many volumed respected compendium of early records, is found a copy of Thomas' will, replete with the amusing spelling travesties of Old English: The original will of Thomas Richardson of West Mill, Herts, found at Hitchin, [Hitchin Registry kept records for 77 parishes, including Westmill] reads: March the 4th Ano domini 1630. In the name of God Amen I Thomas Richardson of Westmill in the County of Herts, husbandman, being sick in bodye but of good and perfect memory thanks be to God doe make and ordeyne this my laste will in manner and forme following, firste. I bequeath my soull unto the hands of God my maker and Redeemer by whose merits I only truste to be saved. and my body to be buryed in the place of Christian buryall and Touchinge my temporall goods I doe dispose of them as followeth. First. I gyve unto Katherine my wife duringe the tearme of her naturall life my littell close of pasture called little hunnymeade cont' half an acre and after her decease I give the same to my sonn Samuell and his heyers for ever. Item. I give to my sonn John forty shillings to be payed to him within the space of three yeares next ensueing the decease of me and Katherine my now wife by my executor. Item. I give to my sonn James twelve pence. Item. I give to my sonn Thomas three pounds to be payed to him within the space of fyve yeares next ensueing the decease of me and Kathyrine my now wife. Item. I gyve unto Katherine my wife all my movable goods to use for and during the terme of her life and after her decease I gyve the same unto my sonn Samuel whom I doe ordeyne and make my sole executor. In Witness whereof I have sett my hand and Seal the daye and yeare above sayd. Sealed and declared in the presence of us Richard Baker. Philip Baker. SignedTHOMAS [mark] RICHARDSON Proved 31 July 1634 at Hitchin presented by son Samuel Richardson. Elizabeth ye daughter to Thomas Richardson baptized 13 Jan. 1593. John son to Thomas Richardson baptized 7 Nov. 1596. James, ye sonne of Thomas Richardson baptized 6 Apr. 1600. Samuel ye sonne of Thomas Richardson baptized 22 Dec. 1602 [or 1604]. Margaret ye daughter of Thomas Richardson baptized 19 April 1607. Thomas ye sonne of Thomas Richardson baptized 3 July 1608. HYPERLINK "" \l "_edn4" \o "" [4] HYPERLINK "" \l "_top" INCLUDEPICTURE \d

"http://richroots.com/RichHistPage1_files/uparrow.png" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE \d "http://richroots.com/RichHistPage1_files/doodad.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET 1587 - Mary, Queen of Scots, executed for treason against Queen Elizabeth I. 1588 - In Europe, the defeat of the Spanish Armada by the English results in Great Britain replacing Spain as the dominant world power and leads to the widening of English imperial interests. 1592 - Plague in London. 1593 - Henry IV becomes a Roman Catholic. INCLUDEPICTURE \d "http://richroots.com/RichHistPage1_files/doodad.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET Children of Thomas & Katherine: SUSANNA RICHARDSON b. ~1591 ELIZABETH JANE RICHARDSON b. 13 Jan 1593, d. 22 Jun 1630 age 37 m. 01 May 1617 Francis Wyman b. 1592, Westmill, d. 19 Sep 1658, Westmill age 66 JOHN RICHARDSON b. 07 Nov 1596, Westmill JAMES RICHARDSON b. 06 Apr 1600, Westmill EZEKIEL RICHARDSON b. 24 Sep 1602, Westmill, d. 21 Oct 1647, Woburn, MA, America, age 45, (likely 1st Richardson in America) {SAMUEL RICHARDSON} b. 22 Dec 1604, Westmill, d. 23 Mar 1657, Woburn, MA, America age 52 m. 18 Oct 1632 Joanna Thake, b. 02 Feb 1606, Westmill, d. 20 Jun 1666, Woburn, MA age 60 EDWARD RICHARDSON b. 1605, Westmill MARGARET RICHARDSON b. 19 Apr 1607, Westmill, d. 28 Aug 1651 age 44 THOMAS RICHARDSON b. 03 Jul 1608 Westmill, d. 28 Aug 1651, Woburn, MA, age 43 m. 04 Mar 1643 Mary INCLUDEPICTURE \d "http://richroots.com/RichHistPage1_files/doodad.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET Copyright 2006 Bruce H. Richardson. This data file may not be copied except for small quotations used with citation of source. HYPERLINK "" \l "_top" INCLUDEPICTURE \d "http://richroots.com/RichHistPage1_files/uparrow.png" \* MERGEFORMATINET

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END NOTES

HYPERLINK "" \l "_ednref1" \o "" [1] John Adams Vinton, The Richardson Memorial comprising a Full History and Genealogy of the posterity of the three brothers, EZEKIEL, SAMUEL, AND THOMAS RICHARDSON, (Portland, ME: Brown Thurston & Co., 1876), p. 2. Hereafter simply referred to as The Richardson Memorial. HYPERLINK "" \l "_ednref2" \o "" [2] http://www.stalbanscathedral.org.uk/ HYPERLINK "" \l "_ednref3" \o "" [3] Samuel Lewis, Topographical Dictionary of England with Historical and Statistical Descriptions, vol. 4, (London: S. Lewis & Co., 1842), p. 170 & 489. HYPERLINK "" \l "_ednref4" \o "" [4] New England Historical Genealogical Register, vol. 57.
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