James Mallcott Richardson

Born:

Died:

Married: Mary Barker

Mother:

Father: James Richardson

Descendant: Pelham Richardson

Census

1841

1851

1861

1871

1881

1891

1901

1911

1921

James Mallcott Richardson was the father of Pelham Richardson, his father was also called James Richardson of James Street, Old Street, a coal merchant.

In 1851 he is 80 and living in Blackheath Park, Kent with his third wife Jane Richardson (nee Barker) who is 73 with his daughter Clara, grand daughter Sophia, and great niece Fanny.

Marriages

James was married three times.

First to Sophia Hart on the 24th April 1798:

• Jas Mallcott Richardson & Sophia Hart (a minor of Greenwich, Kent), 1798, St Swithin and St Mary Bothaw

However, after less than two years Sophia Richardson (a Gent's wife) was buried on the 16th February 1800 at St Alfege, Greenwich, Kent, England

Then in 1801 he married Mary Barker.

He was listed as a widower of the parish of St Mary Abchurch to Mary Barker on the 12th April 1801 at St Luke Chelsea.

In the presence of Jane Barker and Benjamin Bracknell (or Brecknell)

Mary died in 1817.

He then married Jane Barker on the 30th July 1819 (likely the witness at his second marriage, and probably his sister-in-law):

• Jas Mallcott Richardson of St Mich Cornhill Middx bookseller wid & Jane Barker of St Lawr Thanet sp, at St Lawr T. 30 Jul 1819.

Indenture

This Indenture Witnesseth, That James Mallcott Richardson the Son of James Richardson late of James Street Old Street Coal Merchant (deceased?) without any Sum of Money, or other thing, given or contracted for with the said James Mallcott Richardson to William Berresford Citizen and STATIONER of London, to learn his Art; and with him (after the manner of an Apprentice) to serve from the Day of the Date of these Presents, until the full End and Term of Seven Years, from thence next following, to be fully compleat and ended... ... In witness whereof, the Parties above-named to these Indentures interchangeably have put their Hands and Seals the Second Day of September in the Twenty Eighth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord King George the thirds of Great Britain, &c. and in the Year of our Lord 1788.

Children

James Mallcott Richardson was the father of:

• Lawford Richardson (b.23 Feb 1802 c.5 May 1802 St Michael Cornhill)
• Emily Jane Richardson (b. 23 Mar 1803 c 19 Apr 1803 St Michael Cornhill)
• Pelham Richardson (b.1804 c.17 Apr 1805)
• Helen Richardson (b.21 Dec 1808 c.8 Aug 1810 St Michael Cornhill)
• Magdeline De Visme Richardson (b.20 Apr 1810 c.8 Aug 1810 St Micheal Cornhill)
• Murray Richardson (b. 1 Aug 1811, c.17 Apr 1816 St Michael Cornhill)
• Clara Arundel Richardson (b. 14 Dec 1812, c.17 Apr 1816 St Michael Cornhill)
• Frances Mary Richardson (b. 1 Feb 1815, c.17 Apr 1816 St Michael Cornhill)
• Pennington James Richardson, (b. 18 Feb 1816, c.17 Apr 1816 St Michael Cornhill)
• Guildford Barker Richardson (12 Apr 1817-1895)

Baptism of Guildford

Baptism of Murray, Clara, Frances, and Pennington

His son Guileford Barker Richardson received the freedom of the city:

Chamber of London, 10th day of Jan 1843. Born within the Liberty of the City, to wit at Cornhill.
Guileford Barker Richardson
Son of James Mallcott Richardson
Citizen and stationer of London, came before the Chamberlain, the Day and Year aforesaid, and desired to be entered into the Freedom of this City by Patrimony, in the said Company of Stationary because he is legitimate, and was born after the admission of his Father into the said Freedom.
The admission of the Father is entered in the Book marked with the Letter B and bears Date the day of December in the 37th Year of the Reign of George the 3 and in the Year of our Lord 1797, Born 1817.

Death

James Mallcott Richardson died on the 3rd March 1854 (Lewisham 1854 Jan-Feb-Mar Vol. 1d Page. 443)

His obituary from the Sydney Morning Herald, Thursday 28 September 1854:

OBITUARY

James Malcott Richardson, Esq. - March 3 - At his residence in Blackheath Park, aged 84, James Malcott Richardson, Esq, of Cornhill, bookseller and East India agent.

Mr. William Richardson was for many years a bookseller under the Royal Exchange, and had also a shop opposite, in Cornhill. On his death in 1811, he was succeeded by two nephews, Mr. John Richardson, who continued the business under the Royal Exchange, and died August, 1840; and the late Mr. James Malcott Richardson, who remained in the shop opposite the Royal Exchange. The business, under Mr. James Richardson's intelligent direction and unwearied habits of application, rose to considerable importance, and gave birth to an East India connection to which the retail book shop formed a mere anteroom.

Mr. Richardson married early in life, and became the parent of a numerous family. Many years ago he fixed his residence at Greenwich, where his liberality and amiability were proverbial. His habits were peculiarly simple. He rose with the early dawn, took exercise in his garden, and was off to business before many of the household were moving. He arrived in town at eight, took his breakfast , and at nine was at his desk ; opened all his letters, and gave the necessary directions to his clerks. Few changes were perceptible in his establishment. His servants continued in their situations, and his affection for them was only second to that which he entertained towards his own family. On his return to Greenwich, after the ordinary duties of the day, and dismissing his family with prayer, his travelling desk was opened, and he frequently sat till after midnight writing to numerous correspondents. His advice was constantly asked by men of the highest standing in India : and the children consigned from the East to his care for education exceeded his own very numerous family.

At his hospitable board he was never known to touch wine or malt liquor ; but he always kept at his elbow a decanter of clear toast and water to perform the cordial old customer of drinking with his guests. His charity was profusely generous ; and his penetration of character singularly accurate. Of this the following was a very remarkable instance. Being desirous to establish some ladies in a preparatory school, as a means for their support, he did not rest until they became so prosperous as to require a Latin usher. This want he supplied in the person of a raw but intelligent youth from the Bluecoat school. The boy, not liking his new duties, suddenly left without warning. Mr. Richardson on receiving this information immediately went in pursuit, inquiring in every quarter where there was a chance of his hearing of the fugitive. Amongst the number was a wealthy relative of the youth, who, on learning the object of Mr. Richardson's visit, abruptly censured him for being at any trouble about so "worthless a boy." His reply was characteristic : "I see something about that boy which, by God's providence, I wish to bring out. He is no common boy, and find him I will." After many inquiries he did find him, took him to his house, and, after a severe lecture, encouraged him to return and become reconciled to his duties, with a promise that if he did so he would make a man of him. This promise he faithfully performed. The young man wa enabled to go to the university of Cambridge, and keep his terms, without relinquishing his situation : and that runaway boy is now a bright star of our Church, and the Rector of one of the largest metropolitan parishes.

On another occasion, when Mr Richardsobn was solicited to relieve a distressed and aged person, who in early days he had slightly known, but who from attending to politics rather than his business, was reduced with his wife to destitution, a relative interfered with the suggestion that so improvident a person was unworthy of assistance. "Hush, hush !" was his reply, " this is a case of real distress : let us first relieve it, and then we will discuss its merits.: Many other such good deeds might be cited : and many more there were which were known only to " Him that seeth in secret."

Though a member of the Court of Assistants of the Stationer's Company, Mr. Richardson declined serving the office of Master, judging that it was incompatible with the regular occupation of his time, which we have already described.

At his decease, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, numbered from seventy to eighty : most of whom attended at his grave in Old Charlton Church to pay a last sad duty to one who through life loved his Maker and his neighbours.

Other Records

Death register: 1895 Jul-Aug-Sep Guildford Barker Richardson, aged 78, Greenwich 1d 677 Baptism register: 27 Apr 1824 Father's Name: James Mallcott Richardson Mother's name: Mary Richardson, St Michael Cornhill