Richardson, Joseph

Richardson, Joseph, a Representative from Massachusetts; born in Billerica, Mass., February 1, 1778; attended public and private schools; was graduated from Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H., in 1802; teacher in Charlestown 1804-1806; studied theology: was ordained a minister and assigned to the first parish of the Unitarian Church in Hingham July 2, 1806; delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1820; member of the State house of representatives in 1821 and 1822; served in the State senate in 1823, 1824, and 1826; elected to the Twentieth and Twenty-first Congresses (March 4, 1827-March 3, 1831); declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1830; retired from public life and resumed his ministerial duties; died in Hingham, Plymouth County, Mass, September 25, 1871; interment in Old Ship Cemetery.