An American Family History

Joseph Richards was born on January 10, 1685 in Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts. His parents were John Richards and Mary Brewer.

Joseph was a Quaker and signed a letter in 1703 to Massachusetts Governor Joseph Dudley from the Quakers of Lynn who had been asked to identify themselves.

He received 20 schillings from his father’s will. 

He died on April 18, 1745.

First printed in Boston 1745

from History of Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts: Including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscot, and Nahanty byAlonzo Lewis, James Robinson Newhall, published by J.L. Shorey, 1865

The following is a copy of a letter sent to Governor Dudley, by the Quakers of Lynn. Lynn, 22th 4th 1703.

Whereas, we, the people called Quakers, of the town of Lynn, having been requested by the governor to give in a list of our names - in answer thereunto each person hath respectively signed by - himselfe."

The signatures are
Richard Estes,
Samuel Collins,
William Bassett,
Walter Phillips,
Richard Oake,
Joseph Richards,
John Hood,
Samuel Breed,
Hugh Alley,
William Bassett, Jr.,
John Bassett,
John Collins,
Jabez Jenkins,
Walter Phillips,. Jr.,
Isaac Clark,
Samuel Collins, Jr.,
John Estes.