Biography of Samuel B. Richardson (1791-1859), SC>Wakulla Co., FL File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Ann R. Davis, anndavis@gate.net USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. This file may not be removed from this server or altered in any way for placement on another server without the consent of the State and USGenWeb Project coordinators and the contributor. *********************************************************************** Samuel B. Richardson b. July 9, 1791 in Barnwell Dist., S.C., d. Sept. 15, 1859 in Wakulla Co., Fl., Shell Point Dist (Obituary in Tallahassee newspaper says nothing about his family or antecedents, just that he was a great man, etc. and was born in S.C. a tribute by the Royal Arch Masons also says nothing of genealogical value! Both refer to him as "Col.".) Probable son of Isaac Richardson, Sr. of Barnwell, Colleton & Beaufort Dist.,S.C. Married Susan/Susanna (possibly nee Carter?) (born Nov. 27, 1791 in S.C.) probably in Barnwell but no record stating marriage found yet. (d. July 8, 1856 at age 67 yrs 7 mo., 19 days) Both Samuel and Susan bur. Richardson cemetery, on NE corner US 98 and Spring Creek Hwy, behind Kim's Restaurant - footstones on each - SBR and SR. Children: 1. John W. Born ca 1810 in S.C., married Catherine___, died by 1840, Catherine died by 1850? their children seem to be in HH of S.B. in 1850. Children: 1.l. James W., born 1832, Fl., (Madison Co. marriage records show a James Richardson married Martha Lamb 3-16-1852) 1.2. Indiana,(dau.) born 1834, Fl, and 1.3. Perry 1.2.(son) born 1838, Fl. 2. Susannah/Susan: born 1816 in S.C., (there is a Madison Co., Fla. marriage registered for Susan Richardson to James Holland in 1832, but this must not be Samuel's Susan, because she is shown in his HH in 1850, unmarried - Note Holland connection which recurs in Richardson line) (Note in 1870 Census Chatham Co., Ga. #598-624: Susan Holland 58 FW (should be 54 if this same Susan?) Born S.C., Albert 19 MW, born Florida, works RR Machine Shop, boarding in HH of Charles Jones 33, Born Va. and Julia, 27, Born Ga.) 3. Elizabeth Ann, b. ca 1819, died December 1852, age 33 yrs, buried Richardson cemetery, married Perry L. Barrington, 5-5-1834 (Madison Co. marriages: Eliza Ann Richardson married Perry L. Barrington 5-5-1834. In Richardson cemetery, Wakulla Co.: Mrs. Elizabeth Barrington, d. Dec. ___ 1852 (? looks like) age 33 (? looks like - stone is worn) yrs. and Carlotta Barrington, died July 1831 aged 63? yrs., Josephine Barrington "our 3rd daughter, aged 10 yrs") 4. Thomas J. M.: Born 1826 in Georgia, married Ann R. Chester 12-22-1847, born 1829 in Tenn. Page 27, Marriage Records, Madison Co., Fl. Ann is buried in Richardson cemetery where Samuel B. & Susan are. "A husband's tribute of affection, Ann R. Richardson, native of Jonesboro, E. Tennessee, who died in Wakulla, Fla. 21st day of Jan 1853, aged 31 yrs. Also our daughter, Mary Chester aged 2 yrs and 4 unnamed babes." 5.. Decatur: Born 1828 or 29 in Fl. or SC, marr. Emily ____, b. 1838. children of Decatur & Emily (known) Josephine H. b. ca 1856, James D., b. ca 1859 6. Josephine L. : (census indicates she was born 1833 in Fl., but in Richardson cemetery - Josephine L. Walker, wife of Wm. H. Walker, b. August 1841, married Aug 20, 1862, died 8-29-1912 . Married to (buried next to her) William Henry Walker, Co. 1, South Fla Inf. CSA (2nd lieut.) 7. Mary Jane: Born 1833 in Fl., married Stewart. (A Mary J. Byrd is buried in Richardson Cemetery, died 1-19-1831 in the 20th year of her life - can't be this Mary Jane who was on 1850 census with S.B.). (other possible daughter - Hannah, who married Robert Heir, 12-13-1838, and Fanny Richardson who married Othos Davis 8-25-1866) Note: Document from Wakulla Pub. library "Register of Deceased veterans - Fla. (no. 65) 1940-41) shows Samuel B. Richardson, war of 1812, rank: Col., USA, b. 1791, d. 1849, 62 yrs. Gr. (don't know what that means) 3. Also, Samuel's tombstone says "Col.", and his wife's says, wife of "Col." Samuel B. Richardson. We have never found Samuel serving in war of 1812, but will recheck. Might have served in Mexican war. Served in Indian wars, but not with rank of Colonel. 1813, March: (twenty-one yr old) Samuel brings into Savannah from the Richard Stiles plantation in Chatham Co., documents pertaining to plantation, (and a receipt of Wm. Richardson), mentions "Dunham & Shearer agreement" - Mathew Shearer mortgaged to Wm. A. Dunham of McIntosh Co., wit: Raymond P. Demere, date 1815, Deed bk 2F, p. 82. Elsewhere in these papers: March 1810- W.A. Dunham to Mathew Shearer, receipt, accepted by Shearer in Darien. papers show Shearer had lands in Liberty- McIntosh Co. and lived in Darien. 1813, April: Samuel witnesses a will of William Roden (Roten) with Isaac, Isaac, Jr., in Barnwell Co., S.C. 1818: Samuel paid cash into David Lightsey estate 1818: Buys a slave from Edmond Sexton estate, Barnwell. (Archibald and Sarah Richardson also bought goods. Note: Samuel goes by first name only until about 1822, when he uses middle initial B, also. 1820: Census, S. C., Barnwell, P. 20, same page as Jesse (the elder) and John's empty HH. l male 10-16, (John W?) l male 16-26 (age off a few yrs unless this is a son and they didn't count S.B., who must have been in Ga.), 2 females under 10 (Susannah and ?) l female 26-45 (Susannah, who is 28). It is possible there is another Samuel, but probably not. 1820 Census, Chatham Co., Ga.: Samuel Richardson, no one living in HH, except slaves. neighbors: Delia Wall, Alexander Beatty, Joseph Roi?, Adam Cooke, Philip Moore, Isaac, and Abram Shelftall, Sr. & Jr., Joseph Stiles, Peter McIntosh. Also, other legible names on his page Benjamin & Elizabeth Goldsmith, John Curran, Susan Duger, Asa Clarke, John Carnochan, John Mitchel, "Mr Hobbs at Judge McA", (could this be McAllister?), Hannah Hogg, Patrick Christy, Thomas Flannagan,Rebecca Elliot, Hagar Wright, Martin Harrison, Dolly Bryan, Catherine Fry, Robert Curry, M.A. Chapman, Lucretia Gordon, Mathew Simpson, Thos. Young, Wm. Gates. Silas Ross, John Farr, Wm. Chitty. This same census shows Wm., Sr., Wm. Jr., in same area, also a L? Richardson in town (also all zeroes). (may be Isaac, Jr.) CONCLUSION: S. B. and John G. were at this time, dividing their time between S.C. and Chatham Co., Ga., where they apparently were overseers of plantations, S.B. evidently overseer of Richard Stiles plantation. 1821, 22, 23: Savannah, Ga. Newspaper: "letters waiting at P.O. for Samuel B., John G. and Wm Richardson, Sr. 1821: Dec. 4: News: Samuel B. land lottery winner, 16th day, Houston Co., Rowells 59 lot, 11 Section. (therefore, S.B. was able to establish the 3 yr residency required, even though he had a wife and children living in S.C. in 1820. He seems to have been working on someone else's plantation from 1813-1826 (maybe until 1828 when everyone went to Fla.) (Note that in Gadsden Co. minute book #1, 1823-1826, there is a D.J. Richardson. No land patents exist in this name, however) 1825, Feb 1: S.B. buys female slave and children from David Taylor, Jr., Wit: H. W. Jordan, Wm. L. Clarke (Ogeechee River planter), also buys 3 slaves from Isaac D. Lyon, Sheriff, Chatham Co., same day also bought a slave named Mary from John G. Wit: John & Isham Hatcher.. David Taylor was living in Savannah 1817, acc. to deeds. 1826: S.B.'s son, Thomas J. M. Born in Ga. 1827, 10-18: Chatham Co., Ga. deed recorded in Houston Co., Ga. Bks A,B &C, P. 385: Grantor: Samuel B. Richardson of Chatham Co., Ga. to Ezekiel Wimberly of Twiggs Co., Ga., lot #59 in the 11th Dist. of Houston Co., Ga. drawn by Samuel B. in LL of 1821, Wit: James B. Richardson, Jno. G. Butler 1828, August: Voting done at S.B's home in Madison Co., Fl., other Richardsons: John W. and James B. John G. didn't vote, probably on way down with S.C. 1830 Census, Madison Co., Fl: p. 177: Samuel B. has 2 males under 5 (T.J. M. and Decatur), l male 20-30 (John W.), and himself - 30-40. 2 females 10-15 (Susanna and ?), 2 females 15-20 (one is probably Catherine, wife of John W), and wife 30-40, 15 slaves. next to Thomas & Wm. Livingston, John Bellamy Lewis, Norton and Elizabeth Carter on same p.: 1 male under 5, 2 males 10-15, 1 female 10-15, 1 female 30-40. next to Wm Cammel, John Rhymes, Willis Dowling & John Richardson. 1831: S.B. and John voted in Dennis Hankins precinct, S.B. one of election managers. 1831 or abouts: Isaac Richardson arrives in Fla., votes in election of 1832. died by 1838 and is buried on what may have been Samuel B.'s land. INDIAN WARS, in Fla. sometime in his early Fl residency, S.B. probably served as soldier in Fl. wars: Bradley's Co. Reg 1 Brigade, and Turner's Co. 12 Reg, 1 Brigade, Pvt. We don't think this can be Samuel C. because he went back to S.C. by 1830, and we don't know of another Samuel at this time. John W. served sgt-pvt, 13 Re. 1 Brigade, Fla mounted militia 1830-1851: S.B. sells and buys land to/from various people, including Absalom Youmans from S.C., and Isaac Bunting, (probably man same name who was grandson of Amos Richardson of Edgefield Dist., S.C.) John M. McIntosh witnesses 1 or more. 1833, Aug. 26: Madison Co.: witnessed will of Elizabeth Carter (children: Elizabeth, Aaron and James) Note: Elizabeth was a widow in whose home the earliest County court was held, apparently came down with the others from S.C. 1834, May 5: Eliza Ann Richardson married Perry L. Barrington 1835: S.B. and James Carter witnessed Aaron Carter deed, also Aaron and James Carter witnessed deed of S.B. Feb 7: S.B. deeds lots in town of San Pedro. 1832 and 1837: S.B. patents land Madison Co., Fl. near John G. and James C., "Richardsonville", San Pedro site. 1830 Voters list, Madison Co.: Dr. McMillan, Richard Wiggins, San Pedro: Stephen Williams, T.N. Williams, J.M. McIntosh, S. B. Richardson At Taylors: John and Joel McClendon 1839 Oct. 14: Voters list of Madison Co. does not show Samuel B., nor does the one of February, 1840. However, he is back on the Oct. 1840 list. 1840 Census, Madison Co., Fl., p. 8: 2 males 10-15, 1 male 15-20, l male 20- 30, himself; 40-50, l female 5-10, 1 female 20-30, 1 female 40-50, 41 slaves, 17 in agriculture. Next to S.B. is Catherine Richardson, 1 male under 5 (Perry), 1 male 5-10 (James), 1 female 5-10 (Indiana), 1 female 20-30 (Catherine), 6 slaves. neighbors: James D. Read, Thos. Edwards, Capt. Albriton, John C. White, on same P.: Rene Kirkland, on P. 9: John Holland census completed 1-20-1841. Note that on P. 3 is Isaac Bunting: 1 male 20-30, 1 male 40-50, 0 females, and Wm. Bridges (see Wm. L) and Exerance Carter (probably Elizabeth? 1 female 15-20, 1 female 50-60) on P. 6 is Benj. Holland, several Sapps, Dukes, Jackson Blair, Abraham Bell and on P. 7 is John Clifton and John Wiggins, Joel McClendon, and Stephen and Alfred Williams. 1845 Statewide election, from Madison Co., S.B. Richardson, also, Representative to Senate to legislative council from Gadsden Co. - S.B. Richardson. Note: S.B. was a stockholder of Union Bank in Tallahassee. 1847 Madison Co. Tax list: John B. Cameron, Wm. I Cameron, James Carter, Wm. I Bivin, S.B. Richardson, Thomas M. Richardson, Jasper Rodgers, W.S. Rodgers, James & Jno Osteen. 1850 Census, Wakulla Co., Fl., Shell Point Dist., 21 Oct. 1850: 87-89: S.B. Richardson (should be S.B.) 59, farmer, $5,000, born S.C. Susan, 58, born S.C., Susan 34, born S.C., Decatur 22, born Fla.., Josephine 17, born Fla., also in HH: Mary Jane Stewart 17, born Fla., James W. Richardson 18, born Fla., Indiana Richardson (female) 16, born Fla., and Perry Richardson 12, born Fla. Next HH: 88-90: T.J. M. Richardson, 24 born Ga., (merchant) Ann R. 21, born Tenn. 1851: sells land in Madison Co., as resident of Wakulla Co. 1859: Sept. died at age 68 1860 Alachua Tax Book : J.M. (book says, but I think author misread and this is T..M.) 328 acres, 30 slaves. Only Richardson listed in Alachua Co. with 30 or more slaves. 1860 Census, Wakulla Co., Fl. - #48- Decatur Richardson 31, farmer, $2,000/10,000, born SC (odd - in 1850 they say he was born Fl.), Emily R. Richardson 22, b. Fl. Josephine H. Richardson, 4, b. Fl, James D. Richardson, 6 mos. b. Fl, and Archy Armstrong, 28, overseer, b. Ga. (1860 mortality schedule, besides showing Samuel B., also shows Thomas D. Richardson, died Wakulla Co., 1 yr. in October 1859, from teething) Notes from "Slaves and Plantation Growth in Antebellum Florida 1821-1860" by Julia Floyd Smith Note that William Richardson (Madison Co. cemeteries, p. 841) is buried at Oak Ridge cemetery (An honest man is the noblest work of God", died Oct 31, 1884 aged 80 years) Immigrants entered Florida by several ways. The Woodpecker Trail (formerly an Indian trail) which followed the direction of the Suwanee River from Georgia into Florida as far South as White Springs, was used to enter Hamilton & Madison Counties. The Alapaha River flowing South through Hamilton Co. was also a means of entry. Others chose a more circuitous route, traveling with their families and slaves by boat from the Atlantic Ports, entering from the Gulf of Mexico through St. Marks. Before 1835, cotton and other products were taken to St. Marks by wagon. Small boats carried the merchandise to and from the ships anchored out from shore. In 1824, construction began on first Federal Hwy in Florida between Pensacola and St. Augustine. After a military detachment built the road as far East from Pensacola as the Ochlockonee River, John Bellamy, Jefferson Co. planter, received contract from the territorial Government to complete it. Bellamy used slave labor to build the road completing it in 1826. 25 feet wide, hard surface of sand and clay. Bellamy received in compensation, a grant of 3,000 acres East of Monticello along the Aucilla. Bethel Primitive Baptist Church in Jennings, Hamilton Co., Fl. was founded 1846. Henry Edward Palmer "Physicians of Early Tallahassee & Vicinity" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mar 1998, Information provided by Ann R. Davis, anndavis@gate.net