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    Page 3 of 10

RICHARDSON HISTORY

Copyright © 2006 Bruce Richardson

  

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

1. Generation 4  (Continued)

     Samuel Richardson, b. 22 Dec 1603 Westmill, England 

 

2. Endnotes

 

 

1648 - Peace of Westphalia ends Thirty Years' War in Europe; George Fox founds the Society of Friends (Quakers).

1649 - Charles I beheaded; England declared a Commonwealth; Cromwell invades Ireland.

 

 

The typical town in New England, as it was laid out, had at its center a meetinghouse, the common pasture, and the village. In 1642 and 1647 laws requiring a common school were passed. The fields and farms radiated from the center of the town. The church was the geographical center, the spiritual center, and the social center.

 

In 17th Century Massachusetts to hold public office and to vote a man had to be declared "free." The confirmation of this title was done by the general court after the candidate provided evidence he was a landowner and respectable member of a Congregational Church. "Selectmen" were elected to oversee calling a minister, building the meetinghouse, attend to repairing the roads, and enforcing punishment for "blasphemy, heresy, vain swearing, and failure to keep the Sabbath."

 

An interesting instance of the Selectmen exercising their authority, in passing censure upon an individual who was "indolent and improvident in his habits," is recorded in the Woburn Town Records, Jan. 13, 1698-9:

 

 "John Carter, Jun., was sent for, and animadverted [censured] for mispending his time, and admonished to improve it better for the futur, or else he might expect some other cource would be taken."[10]

 

The Sabbath was a very serious matter with the Puritans. Laws were enacted to punish "provokers of the high displeasure of the almighty God."

The parents of children over seven years old for the first breach of the Sabbath were to be admonished and for subsequent breaches fined. . . . All youths and maids above fourteen and all elder persons who offended by "playing, uncivil walking, drinking, traveling from town to town" on the Sabbath were to be admonished or fined. If they could not pay the fine, they were to be whipped by the constable "not exceeding five stripes for ten shillings fine."[11]

The above quote reflects General Laws of the Massachusetts Colony, 1658. On the Sabbath there were morning and afternoon services--each with lengthy free prayers, sung psalms, and a very long sermon. While they enjoyed secular music in their homes, it was quite different with sacred music. They felt instruments had no part in church service. One of their prominent clergy, Cotton Mather, summed up the ascetic attitude: "You could search the New Testament from cover to cover, without finding any mention of musical instruments in the service of the early Christians. . . Had God wanted them in His worship He would have said so."[12]

 

The historian Sydney Ahlstrom notes that, "Puritanism provided the moral and religious background of fully 75 percent of the people who declared their independence in 1776."[13]

The early Richardson's were very much Puritans. Puritanism urged a new piety, i.e. a pious lifestyle. It was a vigorous effort to bring God's discipline to this world, its people, and to God's church to make it holy. Heavy on the law, it detested those who were "at ease in Zion." Ahlstrom writes: "The Puritan demanded of himself--and of others--a reformation of character, the rejection of idle recreations and vain display, and sober, obedient godliness."[14]

Vain display included rainment. The Puritans, believing that woman was one of Satan's chief instruments for gaining control over men's souls [Amen!], insisted that she hide as much of herself as possible.

In 1656 a law was passed forbidding "short sleeves, whereby the nakedness of the arm may be discovered." Some years later the ministers were deploring the "hainous breaches of the Seventh Commandment," which they attributed to the temptations of "immodest apparel," especially from "naked necks and arms," or, which was even more abominable, "naked breasts."[15]

As Puritanism developed in America, it became increasingly necessary to be able to point to a specific experience of regeneration as a sign of divine election. In New England this became a requirement for church membership--an inward experience as evidence that they had received God's call.

It was the leaving of the umbrella of the "National" Church of England and establishing individual congregations that formed "Congregational" churches. It was the assumption that each congregation in itself was a Church, receiving its authority, not from any national or international body, but direct from God. Following is a brief summary of Puritan doctrines and contributions:

 

I. Puritan Beliefs and Values

    A. Predestination--all events are foreknown and foreordained by God

    B. Election--God chooses who is saved and who is damned. Nagging Puritan

         question: "Am I saved?"

    C. Value of education

        1. Publicly supported schools needed to oppose Satan ("Old Deluder" laws)

       2. Harvard founded in 1636 to train ministers

       3. Probably 70% of New England literate in 1770

    D. Intolerance--error must be opposed and driven out

        1. Persecution and expulsion of Anne Hutchinson (1638)

            a) Criticized ministers for not preaching covenant of grace

            b) Held religious meetings in her home

            c) Challenged the political and religious leadership of Massachusetts Bay.

        2. Roger Williams expelled for "new and dangerous opinions" ((1638)

            a) Preached complete separation of church and state--the state should

                 have no influence over a person's conscience

            b) Religious groups should be supported by voluntary tithes, not taxes

            c) Indians should be paid for lands.

        3. Puritans persecuted and killed [a very few] Quakers (such as Mary Dyer)

            for preaching "inner light" doctrines.

II. Puritan Political Life

     A. Voting restricted to church members

     B. Blurring of political and religious authority--theocracy, not democracy

     C. Halfway Covenant developed to allow unbaptized members (children of

          Puritans) to vote and thus preserve influence of Puritan authorities.

III. Salem Witchcraft Crisis (1692)

      A. Group of girls accused fellow villagers of witchcraft

      B. Trials (featuring "spectral evidence" and body searches for birthmarks)

           resulted in convictions of many and executions of 20 people and 2 dogs.

      C. Reaction resulted in anti-Puritan sentiment, weakening of Puritan

         authority, and apologies from some religious leaders

IV. Puritan Contributions

      A. Self-government and community responsibility

           1) Democracy in church rule led to democracy in town meeting

          2) All community members responsible for conduct of citizens

      B. Education critical for individual and community success

      C. Hard work and thrift demanded of all

      D. High standards of moral excellence and conscience[16]

 

Puritanism held that not only church law, but civil law must be based on the Bible. This was impossible in England, but proved attainable in the New World.

Because the Puritans formed their society on the precept that they had a calling to lead the world by religious principle and example, they strove to incorporate their pious lifestyle into their families. A primary means they used to integrate religious morals and doctrines into their children was through The New England Primer, which included a Puritan based Catechism.

 The New England Primer (pronounced prim'er, short "i") was by far the most commonly used textbook in the United States for over 100 years to teach children to read. The first edition was printed in 1690 and it was still in use in 1900.  

The Primer’s predominant religious content stands in ironic and stark contrast to today when Christianity has been forcibly legislated out of the schools. Here is the cover and following are two pages from a 1777 edition.

 

 

 

 

 

THE NEW ENGLAND PRIMER

For the more easy attaining of the true

            reading of English.”
            To Which Is Added

The Assembly of Divines, and

     Mr. Cotton’s Catechism

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“A Lesson for Children” and the Catechism portion gives eminent, timeless instruction based on the absolute truths of God's moral law.

 

We turn now to the 4th generation of Richardsons and focus on Samuel, one of the three brothers who were first to grace the shores of the New Continent.

4th Generation

{SAMUEL RICHARDSON}⁴ (Thomas³, Thomas², Thomas¹)

b. 22 Dec 1603 Westmill, Hertfordshire, England

d. 23 Mar 1658 Woburn, Middlesex, MA age 54

m. 18 Oct 1632 Great (Much) Mead, Hertfordshire, England

Joanna Thake

b. 02 Feb 1606 Westmill, Hertfordshire, England

d. 20 Jun 1666 Woburn, Middlesex, MA age 60

Samuel, was a man of note. Not only was he often selected for the most important positions in the new community he helped found, but he was also, relatively, a man of means, paying the highest tax of anyone. The Richardson Memorial records the following:

The first notice we find of Samuel is dated July 1, 1636, when he and his brother, Thomas Richardson, with others, were on a committee to lay out lots of land for hay. In 1637, the names of Samuel and Thomas Richardson first appear in a list of inhabitants of Charlestown. The same year the town of Charlestown granted to each of them a "house-plot" clearly indicating that they had recently became residents of the place.

These two brothers were admitted members of the church there Feb. 18, 1637-8, in consequence of which they were made freemen of the colony, May 2, 1638. Samuel was chosen surveyor of the highways, March 17, 1636-7. They were both instrumental in the formation of the new town of Woburn.

 

On the 5th of November, 1640, the three brothers and four others, Edward Convers, Edward Johnson, John Mousall, and Thomas Graves, were chosen by the church of Charlestown as commissioners or agents for the settlement of a church and town, within what were then the limits of Charlestown, but soon after erected into a separate town and called Woburn. That whole territory was then a wide, uncultivated waste. In the February following, the commissioners built a bridge over the Aberjona river, as the Mystic River is called, north of Mystic Pond.

When the church was constituted in Woburn, Aug. 14, 1642, O.S., Samuel Richardson and his two brothers, with John Mousall, Edward Johnson, Edward Convers, and William Learned, solemnly stood forth, as the nucleus around which the church was to be gathered.

 

The three brothers lived near to each other on the same street--ever since called 'Richardson Row'" It was by the town laid out as a street in 1647, and the three Richardsons are in the town book represented as then living upon it. It runs almost due north and south, in the north-western part of the present town of Winchester, but a short distance east of the Boston and Lowell Railroad, and now constitutes a part of Washington Street, in the town last named. The three brothers lived near the present line of Woburn. Cellar holes are still pointed out to designate the sites of their houses [1876]. Samuel lived near the present abode of his descendant, Luther Richardson, now living, but a short distance from the present village of Winchester.

 

                                                               Early Woburn

 

That Ezekiel, Samuel, and Thomas Richardson were brothers appears from the will of Ezekiel Richardson, in which he "discharges all demands between his brother Samuel Richardson and himself, and gives to Thomas Richardson, son of his brother Thomas, ten shillings." It also appears from a quitclaim deed of forty acres of land, from Samuel Richardson, dated March 27, 1657, to "my sister Susanna Richardson, now Brooks, during her life-time, and then to my cousin [i.e., nephew], Theophilus Richardson" [Midd. Deeds, ii. 72], and moreover from the boundaries of said forty acres, which are "south by Samuel Richardson, north by Thomas Richardson, our brother," etc. [Midd. Deeds, ii. 154]. This deed further determines the relative position of the houses and farms of the three brothers, that Samuel lived nearest to the present village of Winchester, Thomas on the north, near Woburn line, and Ezekiel midway between of them.

 

Samuel Richardson was selectman of Woburn in 1644, 1645, 1646, 1649, 1650, and 1651. In 1645, he paid the highest tax of any man in Woburn; Capt. Edward Johnson the next.

His wife was Joanna ___. It should have been mentioned that she united with the church in Charlestown, on the 9th of the 7th month, or Sept. 9, 1639.

He died, intestate [having no legal will], March 23, 1658. The inventory is dated March 29, 1658. His widow Joanna and eldest son, John, were appointed administrators. [Midd. Prob. Rec., i. 142] Lieut. John Wyman of Woburn was appointed guardian of his sons, John and Joseph, June 25, 1658.

The will of Joanna Richardson, widow of Samuel, is dated June 20, 1666. She probably died soon after, though the will was not proved till 1677. It is recorded Midd. Prob. Rec. iv. 122. She gives her real estate to her eldest son, John, and sons Joseph, Samuel, and Stephen, and her clothing to her daughter Elizabeth. She mentions Mary Mousall as her daughter.[17]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

       Charlestown in relation to Boston

The town of Woburn, Massachusetts was formed as a distinct and separate town out of land granted by the town of Charlestown in 1640. The history of the town of Woburn, which Samuel was one of the seven founders, is well recorded by Rev. Samuel Sewall, a Congregational pastor, who made it his life work .[18] There is much mention of Richardsons in the book, for as another historian, James Hunnewell, states in 1880, "The Richardsons have always been the most numerous family in Woburn."[19]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         

 

                      Woburn Mass. in relation to Boston

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edward Convers was one of the seven, which included the three Richardson brothers, to found Woburn in 1640.  Above is a sketch of his soap box style house of that year.

 

Among other offices Samuel Richardson was appointed to at various times was that of "Tithingman," an interesting office of the times, which reflects the early Puritan concern for piety. The Tithingman had the sanction of the law "to prevent or break up all those irregular and vicious habits, which usually terminate in pauperism, or lead to confirmed depravity and spiritual ruin."[20] Each "Tithingman" had a tithing, or a company of ten families, to look after "to advance the divine honor and the spiritual benefit of the people, by encouraging family worship and government, by checking or preventing disorderly conduct in private families and public houses; by suppressing or checking profanity, Sabbath breaking, idleness, intemperance, and sundry other immoralities."[21]

From the early town records:

"Febrewary ye, 1st, 1691-2 ye Selectmen of Wobourne met & chose tithingmen (for said Towne) for ye year ensuing, who by law are to haue the oversight of their naighbours, and see that they keepe good orders in their howses: and their names are as follows: [11 names listed]

For ye East End, Samuel Richardson.

For Totman's End, Joseph Richardson[22]

In speaking of the early Woburn Town Records, Sewall in his History of Woburn notes, "The records furnish repeated testimonials to the zeal and faithfulness of the early civil fathers of the town to carry the laws against intemperance, and practices which lead to it into execution."[23] An interesting example he records reflects the use of stocks (pillories) as a means of public punishment: "At a meeting of the Selectmen 3: 8 mo. 1682, William Deane was fined the thurd time for being druncke, tenne shillings, or to sitt in the stocks."[24]

 

             

                   Butler’s satirical Sir Hudibras and Ralpho in the Stocks

 

Samuel was once summoned to appear in court concerning an infraction of his servant John Glasier. The dashed lines indicate indecipherable text:

COURT CASE OF JOHN GLASIER

MIDDLESEX COUNTY COURT

1656 Vol. l, page 119

TITLE: Case of John Glasier servant to Samuel Richardson.

The examination of Glasier concerning his misdemeanor of running away, and also the demand of John Glasier and Samuel Richardson to appear in Court.

John Glasier, aged about 19 years, being examined before me this 10th day of 9 month 1656 confessed that the seventh day of this instant in the evening had _____ in the house of his master, Samuel Richardson, of Woburne and Ruth Richardson a maid aged about tenn years of age being with him and none else at yet _____ in the house; the woman of the house Aunt _____ to the said maid being in _____ not far off; He the said examinet beeing strongly tempted by the desire and his owne lustfull hart did speaking unto the said Ruth to accompany him into a private room in the said housse to that end to commit _____her but she refused and said she would crie out to her aunt.

 

Had also confessed had tooke her by the hand or arme to lead her aside but then she cried out to her aunt who came in and so futher proceding was prevented. His dame then dealteth with him for it but his hurt was soon hardned and that night convaid some of his apparel into an out house and secretly convayed himself away but _____ _____ found at the house of Theosphilus Richardson next day and more he _____ his greed evil in this attempt and is sorry for it; had saith his hart _____ him as soon as she was gone and yet he intended to return againe next day.

His signature. John Glasher

Taken before mee the day

and yeare above written:

Daniel Gookin

John Glasier acknowledged himself bound to the treasurer of the County of Middlesex in the _____ of _____ promised to appear at the next court Holden at Charlestowne the 16th December next there to answer what shall be _____ against for his misdemeanor, dated 10th 9 mo 1656

Signature. John Glasher

Samuell Richardson likewise bound himself in _____ to the said treasurer afforsaid for the formall approval of the said John Glasier at ye court aforesaid dated 10th 9 mo 1656

In the name of Daniel Gookin

Signature. Samuell S. Richardson (Mark)

 

Copyright © 2006 Bruce H. Richardson. This data file may not be copied except for small quotations used with citation of source.

 

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