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Joseph, child of Caleb Richardson & Mary Richardson, was born on 15 January 1830 in Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland, Durham. He was welcomed to the community of Friends and his birth was registered, at the Newcastle Monthly Meeting.[1]
In the 1851 census 21-year-old Joseph is single and living at the family home of West Lodge in Bishopwearmouth. He is recorded as working as an Agent for an Ironworks. (By the time of his death in 1902 he is described as an "iron master" and part owner of the Malleable Iron and Steel Works, Portrack, Stockton.) [2]
Name | Relation | Status | Sex | Age | Occupation | Birth Place |
Caleb Richardson | Head | Married | M | 54 | Corn Miller (7 Men) Tanner (9 Men) Iron Master & Farmer (2 Men) | Bp Wearth, Durham |
Mary Richardson | Wife | Married | F | 50 | Leeds, Yorkshire | |
Joseph Richardson | Son | Unmarried | M | 21 | Agent Ironworks | Bp Wearth, Durham |
Sophia Richardson | Daughter | Unmarried | F | 19 | Bp Wearth, Durham | |
Edwin Richardson | Son | Unmarried | M | 16 | Corn Miller | Bp Wearth, Durham |
Hannah Wilson Richardson | Daughter | F | 11 | Scholar | Bp Wearth, Durham | |
Stansfield Richardson | Son | M | 10 | Scholar | Bp Wearth, Durham | |
Emily Richardson | Daughter | F | 5 | Scholar | Bp Wearth, Durham | |
Jane Kennedy | Servant | Unmarried | F | 33 | House Servant | Stanfordam, Northumberland |
Isabella Harst | Servant | Unmarried | F | 27 | House Servant | Gateshead, Durham |
Elizabeth Thompson | Servant | Unmarried | F | 23 | House Servant | Bp Wearth, Durham |
Sometime between 1853-54 Joseph started a partnership with Mr George Nixon Duck - creating Richardson, Duck and Company - which purchased the South Stockton Shipbuilding Company. Mr Duck was a naval architect and was already the manager there and had designed the new iron ships for the company. It is not known who the original owners of the company were. or why they sold it.
Joseph later recalled that he first went to the shipyard on 28 March 1854.
South Stockton Shipbuilding Company In 1854 they employed between 100-200 men and produced 700 tons of ship including the first two iron ships made on the Tees, the Advance and the second the Broussa. They built fifty iron steamers, a paddle steamer, ten sailing ships and 29 barges in their first ten years.[3][4]
It was a small site on the Yorkshire side of the Tees, of only 3.5-4 acres, opposite Messrs Pearce's yard. Joseph spoke about how when they launched ships from the yard they ships would often damage the pilings on the opposite yard and they would have to go and repair them. They were later able to expand the site into the adjoining field and launch down into the river more successfully.
The first ship launched under the Richardson, Duck name was the Robert Stephenson
Around this time he started the new business, Joseph moved to Stockton.
Joseph married Ann Eliza Backhouse on 18 December 1856 in Stockton.[5][6]
They had seven children:[7][8]
In 1859 the business took over Rake Kimber's shipyard in Middlesborough, but sold it to Backhouse and Dixon in 1862.[3]
In 1867 H.G. Spence joined Richardson, Duck & Co. as a partner.[3]
In the 1861 census, Ann (age 25), Ship builders wife, was the married head of household on Norton Road, Norton, Stockton, Durham, England.[9]
Name | Relation | Status | Sex | Age | Occupation | Birth Place |
Ann Eliza Richardson | Head | Married | F | 25 | Ship builders wife | |
Frances Mary Richardson | Daughter | F | 1 | |||
Mary Wilson | Servant | Married | F | 25 | House servant | |
Anne Backhouse | Daughter | F | 5 months | |||
Mary Dale | Servant | Unmarried | F | 30 | House servant | Stanley, Yorkshire, England |
Esther Simpson | Servant | Unmarried | F | 27 | House servant |
In the 1871 census Joseph (age 41), Mayor & Magistrate, was the married head of household in a house called Woodlands on Yarm Lane, Stockton. He is recorded as Mayor of Stockton, Magistrate for County of Durham & W Riding of Yorkshire, and ship builder employing 650 hands.[10]
Name | Relation | Status | Sex | Age | Occupation | Birth Place |
Joseph Richardson | Head | Married | M | 41 | Mayor & Magistrate | Bishop Wearmouth, Durham |
Ann E Richardson | Wife | Married | F | 35 | Stockton, Durham | |
Frances M Richardson | Daughter | F | 12 | Norton, Durham | ||
Annie B Richardson | Daughter | F | 10 | Norton, Durham | ||
Amy L Richardson | Daughter | F | 9 | Scholar | Norton, Durham | |
Marien J Richardson | Daughter | F | 4 | Scholar | Stockton, Durham | |
Edwin B Richardson | Son | M | 1 | Scholar | Stockton, Durham | |
Anne E Wayhan | Governess | F | 20 | Governess | Rorbister, Kent | |
Esther Simpson | Nurse | F | 35 | Nurse | Stockton, Durham | |
Mary A Janson | Housemaid | F | 26 | Housemaid | Whitby, Yorkshire | |
Hannah Porrett | Cook | F | 29 | Cook | Easby, Yorkshire |
Woodlands is an imposing two-storey, whitewashed, double-fronted building with a slate roof. The building is still in place and is now Woodlands Family Medical Centre. There is a photo of it from 1988 on Picture Stockton Archive.
The two bay windows either side of what could once have been the front door are large and 3/4 and indicate that the rooms inside are well-proportioned with high ceilings. Looking at the 1890 OS Map and the current buildings it looks as if the original building consisted of the main double-fronted building plus a two-storey wing on the east side. The smaller single storey extension on the west side and single-storey veranda seem to be a later addition. It is possible the the entrance was always on the side and the veranda was just added around the door, or the door was moved from its central location when the extension work was done. There is another older two-storey building to the rear of the plot on Leybourne Terrace which can be seen on the 1890 map and today. The current building looks contemporaneous with the main house. It has the same pillars down the corners and either side of the doorway and the same decorative scrollwork along the eaves. It is possible that the portico on this building's door might be a match for what would have been on the main house. It is not clear what this building was for but could be offices. |
Some time after 1871 Joseph bought Potto Hall from Edward Copley (Wholley).
Potto Hall is about 13 miles south of Stockton, near the village of Potto. It is now a steakhouse, bar and hotel. |
In 1877 he was nominated as a member of the Thornaby School Board, being named as Richardson, Joseph, Potto Hall, iron shipbuilder. [11]
In the 1881 census, 51 year old Joseph is recorded as an Ironship Builder, a Farmer Of 31 Acres and County Magistrate. He was living at Potto Hall with his wife, two daughters and his nephew Charles Littleboy, who was working at the shipyard.[12]
Name | Relation | Status | Sex | Age | Occupation | Birth Place |
Joseph Richardson | Head | Married | M | 51 | Ironship Builder Farmer Of 31 Acres And County Magstrait | Sunderland, Durham |
Ann E Richardson | Wife | Married | F | 45 | Stockton, Durham | |
Annie B Richardson | Daughter | Unmarried | F | 20 | Norton, Durham | |
Amy L Richardson | Daughter | Unmarried | F | 19 | Norton, Durham | |
Charles Littleboy | Nephew | Unmarried | M | 24 | Iron Ship Builder | Beason, Oxfordshire |
Easter Simpson | Servant | Unmarried | F | 45 | Serving Maid | Stockton, Durham |
Easter Nicholson | Servant | Unmarried | F | 30 | Waiting Maid | Easingwood, Yorkshire |
Margret E Porritt | Servant | Unmarried | F | 19 | House Maid | Danby, Yorkshire |
Elneaur Craig | Servant | Unmarried | F | 21 | Kitching Maid | Stockton, Durham |
They had a more modest 5 domestic servants compared to the previous occupants who had 7 servants, however it should be noted that the preceding and subsequent households are headed by a gardener, coachman, groom, and gamekeeper which probably all were employed by the Richardson's to maintain the estate.
In 1884, there was a strike at the Shipyard.
THE SHIPYARD DISPUTE AT STOCKTON. On Monday afternoon the smiths belonging to the South Stockton shipyard (Messrs Richardson, Duck, and Co.) had an interview with their employers, but no agreement was come to, and the men still remain out on strike. They have now issued an appeal to blacksmiths to keep away from Messrs Richardson, Duck, and Co.'s shipyard while the dispute continues. We understand that the smiths would probably have settled with their employers on the same terms as those at North Stockton — i.e. on the terms of 5 per cent, reduction on piece work — but Messrs Richardson, Duck, and Co. have one or two sailing vessels building, for the work upon which the men look for better wages than for steamers. [13]
In 1888 there was a further strike. The newspaper stated
SHIPYARD STRIKE AT STOCKTON. The rivetters, heaters, and platers' helpers at the two South Stockton shipyards (Messrs Richardson, Spence, and Co.'s, and Messrs Craig and Taylor's) have struck for an advance in their wages. 3S per week more is asked the heaters, and 1s by the helpers.
[14]
In the 1891 census Joseph (age 60), I P Ship Builder, was the widowed visitor of Stansfield Richardson in Bishopwearmouth, Durham, England.[15]
Name | Relation | Status | Sex | Age | Occupation | Birth Place |
Stansfield Richardson | Head | Married | M | 50 | Justice Of The Peace & Miller | County Durham, England |
Mary A Richardson | Wife | Married | F | 27 | Ireland | |
Stanfield D Richardson | Son | Single | M | 2 | County Durham, England | |
Ivan Richardson | Son | Single | M | 0 | County Durham, England | |
Isabella Welch | Servant | Single | F | 29 | Domestic | Northumberland, England |
Ann Peverill | Servant | Single | F | 30 | Domestic | County Durham, England |
R Maundy | Servant | Single | F | 22 | Domestic | Glamorganshire, England |
Eliza Pye | Servant | Single | F | 16 | Domestic | County Durham, England |
Jane Briggs | Servant | Single | F | 30 | Domestic | Northumberland, England |
Joseph Richardson | Visitor | Widowed | M | 60 | I P Ship Builder | County Durham, England |
In the 1901 census Joseph (age 71), Iron Ship Builder, was the married head of household in Potto, North Yorkshire, England.[16]
Name | Relation | Status | Sex | Age | Occupation | Birth Place |
Joseph Richardson | Head | Married | M | 71 | Iron Ship Builder | Sunderland, Durham |
Ida Richardson | Wife | Married | F | 45 | London | |
Alan I M Richardson | Son | Single | M | 6 | Potto Hull Northallerton, Yorkshire | |
Flora M Richardson | Daughter | Single | F | 3 | Potto Hull Northallerton, Yorkshire | |
Amy L Hope | Daur visitor | Married | F | 39 | Norton Stockton, Durham | |
James K Hope | Grandson | Single | M | 4 | Leeds, Yorkshire | |
Marjory C Hope | Granddaughter | Single | F | 3 | Leeds, Yorkshire | |
George Owen | Servant | Married | M | 45 | Chief Butler | Radnorshire |
June Robson | Visitor serv | Single | F | 27 | Visitors Nurse | Darlington, Durham |
Ada Tinkler | House maid | Single | F | 25 | House Maid | Darlington, Durham |
Bertha M Edward | House maid | Single | F | 19 | House Maid | Blagdon, Somersetshire |
Sarah Mersloh | Cook maid | Single | F | 32 | Cook Domestic | Durham |
Hannah Dowson | Servant | Single | F | 22 | House Maid | Rosedale Abbey, Yorkshire |
Annie Longstaff | Servant | Single | F | 32 | Nurse | Middeton On Tees |
Marion Studman | Servant | Single | F | 22 | Kitchenmaid | Condover, Salop |
Joseph became ill in July 1901 'taking to his bed' for over a year. After a brief rallying period in August 1902 he died at his home, Potto Hall, on 25 September 1902 at the age of 74.
His death was reported in the Sunderland Echo the day after his death, the same day as his brother Edwin's funeral. A transcript of the obituary can be read here: Obituary of Joseph Richardson[17]
Burnand-54 20:56, 8 May 2024 (UTC)
It is not clear when Joseph and George Duck became partners or when they bought the South Stockton Shipyard.
It looks like the company was a new company as the advance was their first vessel but that it was started by someone other than Richardson and Duck, although Duck was likely employed from the start.
This vessel is a smart clipper built vessel. She has a high quarter deck. She has five watertight compartments and three masts. The work throughout is of a superior description and she is now in good condition in hull and stores and in a fit state to carry dry and perishable cargoes all over the world and I recommend her to be Classed A1.[20]
This article says that Joseph bought Potto Hall between 1855 and 1860 from Edward Copely. But we can see that Edward's relative George E Copley is living there in 1871 so this is clearly not the correct date.[22]
May 1889 stockton Cleveland Mercury "Shipbuilding at Stockton "
Mr Pile Jr and Sr were managers for South Stockton SB Co. 1839 laid out and started what would become RD yard. First ship as master builder was the Vivid 1840. Then returned to Sunderland.
Says work started on advance in 1852
1st year built two tug boats for Aire & Calder navigation Co, Leeds and in Aug lunched Robert Stevenson.
Ward directory. 1861-2 Richardson, Duck & Co. Ironshipbuilders, South Stockton, and at Middlesbrough.
Richardson John [Saunders & B; r 119 High Street.
Richardson Joseph [R Ruck & Co] ; r Norton
- Ralph Ale and porter merchan High St ; r Norton Grange - William surgeon, 65 High St
Thornaby
Richardson, Duck & Co Shipbuilders , Trafalgar St.
1877 06 02 South Durham & Cleveland Mercury Ship launch City of Amsterdam Sister to City of Rotterdam Engines by THOMAS RICHARDSON & son hartlepool.
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