The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-04-09

GD ra1zI i anPI
II Is not to 10 wondered that the name
OF Richardson should have always been
held IN such high esteem. It's lineal
tracing, as well as historic connection
both here and the "old country" leaves
nothing to doubt as to their worthy claim
among Englands noblest men OF arms
or5letters, and which slnce have been per-
petuated In this country.
81 The name is very extensive reaching
Into most every cline, and yet they are
not all ofs the same stock, but branching
off Into various lines losing in some In
stances almost their total originality and
forming new and distinct families.
Originally the name came from simply
"Richard, y which was known in the
Normal ducal geneaioEy, long before WIZ
liam came over the water. Still 1t was
reserved for the Angeoinc monarch, az
n e lad made st the terror OF the Paynim,
SO as to make It the pride OF the English
heart From the name proper We get
S.'Richards,"s which was added to. to des-a
signates his son. 40 J Ohm. Richards son,
which in time became Richardson and
then Il q. close search We're made, var ous2
sexhumed, such as richardson Rycier-
son, Richardson, Rixon and Ritson,
which have been t tlruHt upon us; yet.
the simple Richard son" still stands out
as clearly as from the time OF Richard
j. 80 handing down tc us those titanic
minds In kliterntureR and art, which VIII
ever live5fo give joy and enlightcn; the
world \: such men as Jonathan Richard
SON ono OF Europe's most brilliant paint
B ers.y who died in 1857 He Illustrated
some Of the first copies OF A1ilton's Para
disc Lost, an old copy Of which Is be-
fore US. One OF the greatest lawyers OF
England was Joseph Richardson, born
s1774; died 1903 who also wrote many
works Then We have DR.. Samuel Rich
iardson, the most brilliant writer Of his
day. whom the world can never forget
William Richardson, too, was 4 no less
eminent as poet and writer Of stories
Bishop John Richardson, Of ireland, was
aelearned prelate Of his time, while Sir
Thomas Richardson was at the same tma
y Chancellor to Queen Elizabeth, Speaker
OF the House of Commons and Lord Chief.
Justice. His tomb Is most prominent In
Westminster Abbey. His wife was the
Baroness OF Crsmond, Scotland. Such
were the brilliant array of the English,
members Of this illustrious family.
4 But let us turn 10 the early colonies in
America. "Eleanor Livingston in the
Los Angeles Times, March 5. 1905. gives
the following concerning the emigration
of the family: iB
I'm the year 1880 came the first settler
Of this numerous family to this country,
being Ezekial Richardson, who was fol-
lowed by two brothers, Samuel md
Thomas, settling first at Woburn. Mass.
They came over in the fleet with Gov
ernor winthrop Amos Richardson. per-
Ellaps a son Of one of the brothers, acted
as agent for New Fin gland, 1911, and some
times wrote his namc Richerson, or
E.Richenson. Another OF the name OF
George Richardson came over In $3.50. John
and Simon Richardson (supposed children
OF above) settled In Virginia. III 81
So far is the record of the New England
settlers. Let us turn to Virginia and find
aetrace OF them. s53ss "a 4 81 ss 81
The first name Of richardson. which we.
find recorded in Virginia is also an
.,I1zeklal Richardson" who is glvensi y
spotsylvania records, as a drum maJot,'
First Virginia Regiment, raised for imlnc-
diate defense Of the colony 17bS; he also
served as drum major insreglment under
Colonel Adenl Stephen. in the year 176O.
Though tho great difference IN dates
would make it seem Impossible that this
was tho same as the New England faml-
Ely, vet the similarity IN the Christian
name leads to the suppos'tlon that ms
Ezekial Richardson was n grandson OF the
Massachusetts family, whose descendants
had migrated to the South That they
early enlisted In the Virginia continental
line Is found In the name OF Colonel
Hatch Cor Holt Richardson, who was q
.pensioner. Among the old deeds of Spot
sylyania we find the names OF James
richardson ms witness to 4 Will July,
g. 1767. William Richardson, who died
December IA, 17O1, his will prohatcd 1862,
made his wife, Sarah cxecutrx; his
grandsons, James Hutcherson and Rich
nrdson IIensly, and daughter, Sarah Hens
W. legatees,
This William Richardson. was q largo
planter, a deed being recorded 70 MIN Tor
400 acres land from Larkin chero n w.
being located In st, George's parish, atl-
Joining Francis Smith and William Bart
lett: this was n part of the original patent
Of Chero, who seems to have been one
OF the largest land owners in Spotsylvay
MIA county. In 1856 William Richardson,
OF st, Georges parish, sold some of this
same land,
Tl,e name OF 'Rlchason, Richerson and
Richards often appenl@in these old coun-
sty records, but are conslueted slmplj
corruptons OF the original Richardso
ish records "that tho vestry agreed to
build q churcl, OH q most convenient
spot spot Of ground near We Spring on Rich
ardsons Road. on the south side OF
Isacon's Branch, on the land Of. the Hon.
durable YIN. Byrd, Esar'"' This road.
It Is said, was named IN honor OF col-
one William Richardson, OF me ReVo-
[lutlon, and was SO called f0r many
Years afterwards, IN st, Joints parish
records arc to be found many descend
ants Of this same family, among whom
Tho city OF Richmond can claim some
Of ,ts most distinguished citizens.
5lt, would fail us to give the many
Snro,,,nent political members, North and
South, Of the Richardson's John p. Rich
Iardsor. Governor Of South Carolina. 1870
s'la; John s,nythe Richardson. born l777.
in sumter, q. o.. father Of above, born,
In, Sumter county, $. 9. ll17i%dled 1850;
was one of the most brilliant lawyers Of
Il sacoN1 aIu4.f a.