Joseph Richardson JP
Privacy Level: Open (White)

Joseph Richardson JP (abt. 1830 - 1902)

Joseph Richardson JP
Born about in Bishopwearmouth, County Durham, England, United Kingdommap
Ancestors ancestors
Son of and [mother unknown]
Husband of — married 18 Dec 1856 in Darlington, County Durham, England, United Kingdommap
Died at about age 72 in Stockton upon Tees, Durham, England, United Kingdommap
Problems/Questions
Profile last modified | Created 14 Oct 2023
This page has been accessed 67 times.

Contents

Biography

Joseph was a Friend (Quaker)

Early years

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]

Iron works

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

Shipbuilder

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.

Robert Stephenson

The first ship launched under the Richardson, Duck name was the Robert Stephenson

Move to Stockton

Around this time he started the new business, Joseph moved to Stockton.

Marriage

Joseph married Ann Eliza Backhouse on 18 December 1856 in Stockton.[5][6]

They had seven children:[7][8]

  • Frederic 1857-59
  • Frances Mary 1859 -
  • Annie Backhouse 1860 -
  • Amy Louisa 1862 -
  • Edith 1864
  • Marion Josephine 1866 -
  • Edwin Backhouse 1870


A Second Shipyard

In 1859 the business took over Rake Kimber's shipyard in Middlesborough, but sold it to Backhouse and Dixon in 1862.[3]

New business partner

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.


Potto Hall

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

Illness and Death

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.

Obituary

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]

Research Notes

South Stockton Shipyard & The Advance

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.

  • In 30 June 1853 the "iron shipbuilding company, South Stockton, laid the keel of their first vessel." George is described as the manager but also as a naval architect and the ship was built to his design.[18]
  • On 26 Jan 1854 the ship the Advance - the first iron ship built on the Tees - was launched. By this time they had laid a keel for a second ship and had an order for a third.[19]
  • The survey paperwork for the Advance says it was built by the Iron Ship Building Company. The survey was completed 10 May 1854.
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]
  • At his daughter's wedding Joseph says he was not at the shipyard until March 1854, after the launch of the Advance. He says that he first went to the shipyard on 28 March 1854, which would not preclude prior financial involvement but he also says: "The two vessels turned out in the year 1854, when he joined the firm, were the old Advance and … the Broussa." [21]
  • Wikipedia states that G. M. Duck was the builder of the Advance. The Bristol Mercury describes him as the one who constructed it - but while he was the architect I am not convinced this means he was the owner of the company. I am hoping to find the relevant article in the Sunderland Herald referenced by the Bristol Mercury, which might give more information about the company.

Potto Hall

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]

To chase

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.


Sources

  1. Birth: "England and Wales Non-Conformist Record Indexes (RG4-8), 1588-1977"
    citing p. 66, Newcastle upon Tyne, Durham, record group RG6, Public Record Office, London
    FamilySearch Record: VWZ8-6RQ (accessed 14 October 2023)
    Joseph Richardson born on 15 Jan 1830, child of Caleb Richardson & Mary Richardson, in Newcastle upon Tyne, Durham.
  2. 1851 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1851"
    citing , Durham, England, p. 32; citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey
    FamilySearch Record: SG14-Y36 (accessed 14 October 2023)
    FindMyPast Image
    Joseph Richardson (21), unmarried son, Agent Ironworks, in household of Caleb Richardson (54) in Durham, England in Sunderland registration district in Durham, England. Born in Bp Wearth, Durham.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Science Museum Group: "Richardson, Duck and Company"
    Science Museum Group (accessed 06/05/2024)
    "1853 - started by Joseph Richardson and George Nixon Duck at the South Stockton Iron Shipbuilding Company. 1859 - took over Rake Kimber's yard at Middlesbrough. 1862 - Rake Kimber's yard sold to Backhouse and Dixon. 1867 - H.G. Spence joined as a partner. 1912 - became a limited liability company."
  4. Grace's Guide: "Richardson, Duck and Co"
    Grace's Guide (accessed 06/05/2024)
    "1855 The yard was taken over by Joseph Richardson and George Nixon Duck. They built fifty iron steamers, a paddle steamer, ten sailing ships and 29 barges in their first ten years.
    They built six shallow draught steam vessels for the Indus Flotilla Co, established by the Scinde, Punjab and Delhi Railway. The engines were by Kitson and Hewitson.
    Two vessels (launched in 1860) were sub-contracted to the former Rake Kimber yard at Middlesbrough.
    1859 Took over Rake Kimber's yard at Middlesbrough. About 11 vessels were built at Middlesbrough.
    1862 Backhouse and Dixon bought the old Rake Kimber yard from Richardson, Duck and Co.
    1867 H.G. Spence joined as a partner
    1899 See 1899 Shipbuilding Statistics for detail of the tonnage produced.
    1900s The yard moved into steel and made a number of tramps, followed by a dozen ships and steamers.
    By the end of the 1900s the yard had built five hundred tramps, cargo-liners, tankers, self-trimming colliers, steel lighters and also became licensees for the Isherwood system of longitudinal framing."
  5. Marriage: "British Newspaper Archive, Family Notices"
    citing United Kingdom, 27 Dec 1856, The British Newspaper Archive, Ireland; FHL microfilm
    FamilySearch Record: QLSH-MM6W (accessed 14 October 2023)
    FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-CSWP-BQ27-J Image number 00556
    Joseph Richardson marriage to Ann Eliza Backhouse on 18 Dec 1856 in United Kingdom.
  6. Marriage Registration: "England & Wales Marriage Index"
    FreeBMD Entry Information (accessed 14 October 2023)
    Richardson, Joseph.
    GRO Reference: 1856 Oct-Nov-Dec in Darlington Volume 10a Page 53.
  7. Book: Boyce, Anne Ogden, Records of a Quaker Family: The Richardsons of Cleveland
    London, S. Harris & co; 1889
    Stockton Central Library (accessed 09/05/2024)
  8. Book: Boyce, Anne Ogden, Records of a Quaker family: the Richardsons of Cleveland
    London, S. Harris & co; 1889; page: (364 of 382)
    Internet Archive (accessed 9 May 2024)
  9. 1861 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1861"
    citing The National Archives of the UK Class: RG09; Piece/Folio: 3695 / 3; Page: 1; Line: 19
    FamilySearch Record: M7C4-ZLB (accessed 10 May 2024)
    FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-CSQZ-P3X3-2
    Ann Richardson (25), married, Ship Builders Wife, head of household in Norton, Durham, England, United Kingdom. Born in Durham Stockton.
  10. 1871 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1871"
    citing The National Archives of the UK
    FamilySearch Record: VBZF-P68 (accessed 14 October 2023)
    FindMyPast Image
    Joseph Richardson (41), married, Mayor & Magistrate, head of household in South Shields Holy Trinity, Durham, England, United Kingdom. Born in Bishop Wearmouth, Durham.
  11. Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough - Saturday 24 February 1877 Accessed from the British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000487/18770224/067/0006 Accessed by Trevor Pickup on 10th May 2024
  12. 1881 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1881"
    citing The National Archives of the UK Class: RG11; Piece/Folio: 4867/73; Page: 2; Line: 14
    FamilySearch Record: Q27B-GQS5 (accessed 9 May 2024)
    FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-CSQM-QWNT
    Joseph Richardson (51), married, Ironship Builder Farmer Of 31 Acres And County Magstrait, head of household in Potto, Yorkshire, Yorkshire North Riding, England. Born in Sunderland, Durham, England.
  13. Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough - Tuesday 11 March 1884 Accessed from the British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000159/18840311/019/0004 Accessed by Trevor Pickup on 10th May 2024
  14. Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail - Saturday 21 April 1888 Accessed from the British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000377/18880421/044/0004 Accessed by Trevor Pickup on 10th May 2024
  15. 1891 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1891"
    citing PRO RG 12, Durham county, subdistrict, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey
    FamilySearch Record: WN8W-F6Z (accessed 14 October 2023)
    FindMyPast Image
    Joseph Richardson (60), widowed visitor, I P Ship Builder, in household of Stansfield Richardson (50) in Bishopwearmouth in Chester Le Street registration district in Durham, England. Born in County Durham, England.
  16. 1901 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1901"
    citing subdistrict, PRO RG 13, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey
    FamilySearch Record: XSSZ-VJQ (accessed 14 October 2023)
    FindMyPast Image
    Joseph Richardson (71), married, Iron Ship Builder, head of household in Potto, North Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom. Born in Sunderland, Durham.
  17. Sunderland Daily Echo: "26 September 1902, p3 col 4 - DEATH OF ALD. JOS. RICAHRDSON"
    FindMyPast (accessed 04/05/2024)
  18. Gateshead Observer: 09 July 1853, p5 - Iron Shipbuilding on the Tees
    FindMyPast (accessed 08/05/2024)
  19. Newcastle Guardian, and Tyne Mercury: 04 February 1854, p5 - Iron Shipbuilding at Stockton
    FindMyPast (accessed 08/05/2024)
  20. Lloyd's Register Foundation: Iron Ships Report for Advance, 10th May 1854
    LR Foundation (accessed 08/05/2024)
    Advance; Unique reference code: LRF-PUN-IRON431-0166-R; Shipbuilder: Iron Ship Building Co; Year of build: 1854; Port belonging to: Middlesbrough
  21. Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough: 28 April 1884, p3, South Stockton Shipyard and its Employees
    FindMyPast (accessed 08/05/2024)
  22. 1871 Census: "1871 England, Wales & Scotland Census"
    Series: RG10; Piece number: 4861; Folio: 67; Page: 5; Schedule: 27
    FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription (accessed 9 May 2024)
    George E Copley (37), Magistrate & landowner ?, head of household in Potto Hall, Potto in Stokesley registration district in England. Born in Croft Yorkshire England.




Is Joseph your ancestor? Please don't go away!
 star icon Login to collaborate or comment, or
 star icon ask our community of genealogists a question.
Sponsored Search by Ancestry.com

DNA
No known carriers of Joseph's DNA have taken a DNA test. Have you taken a test? If so, login to add it. If not, see our friends at Ancestry DNA.


Comments

Leave a message for others who see this profile.
There are no comments yet.
Login to post a comment.

Featured Auto Racers: Joseph is 21 degrees from Jack Brabham, 25 degrees from Rudolf Caracciola, 21 degrees from Louis Chevrolet, 21 degrees from Dale Earnhardt, 37 degrees from Juan Manuel Fangio, 16 degrees from Betty Haig, 29 degrees from Arie Luyendyk, 18 degrees from Bruce McLaren, 24 degrees from Wendell Scott, 21 degrees from Kat Teasdale, 20 degrees from Dick Trickle and 28 degrees from Maurice Trintignant on our single family tree. Login to see how you relate to 33 million family members.