The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
Zebadiah Richardson was born on 6 March 1743 in Dracut, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, the son of Ebenezer and Ruth Richardson. Zebadiah lived in Plymouth, New Hampshire, for several years but eventually settled in Fryeburg, Maine, where he was a Baptist pastor from 1787 to 1805. After that church dissolved, he was pastor at Cornish, Maine, but still resided in Fryeburg.
On 22 April 1763, in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, he married Rebecca Snow. Their known children were:
David was born on 5 August 1763 and married Mary Dearborn [he served in the Revolution].
Daniel was born on5 August 1763.
Nathan was born on 20 September 1765
Zebadiah was born on 26 January 1769 and married Phebe Charles.
Caleb was born on 4 July 1782 and married Mehitable Osgood.
Joshua was born on 4 April 1784 and married Mary McIntyre.
Vinton lists these additional children, which the author cannot prove through available records:
Bridget was born in 1773 and married Benjamin Walker.
Sarah “Sally” was born about 1780 and married Henry McKeen.
Luther was born on 26 July 1787 and married Hannah Chandler.
Hannah was born about 1789 and married Robert McKeen.
A Pay Roll record of Captain James Osgood’s Company of Rangers commanded by Colonel Timothy Bedel of New Hampshire. This Regiment was part of the Northern Continental Army and listed Zebediah as a Private. He joined the Company on 10 July 1775 and was discharged on 2 December 1775, serving four months and 23 days.
There is a roll from 1775, with an enlistment for Zebadiah Richardson on 10 July 1775. This is titled Enlisted by Captain Matthew Thornton. This is likely the same service as shown above, with Thornton being the captain who mustered the Company and Osgood the man who commanded the Company in the field.
In another roll dated July 1777, we find Private Richardson in the 11th Regiments of the New Hampshire State Militia commanded by Colonel David Hobart. In 1782, he was listed as a Selectman.
The Patriot died before 2 June 1820 in Sanford, York County, Maine [Maine became a state in March 1820].
Sources:
Viton, John Adams, The Richardson memorial, comprising a full history and genealogy of the posterity of the three brothers, Ezekiel, Samuel, and Thomas Richardson, who came from England, and united with others in the foundation of Woburn, Massachusetts, in the year 1641…, Maine. Portland: Brown Thurston & Co., 1876.
Hammond, Isaac W., The State of New Hampshire, Rolls of the Soldiers of the Revolutionary War, 1775 to May 1777, New Hampshire. Concord: Parson B. Cogswell State Printer, 1885,
Vol. 14, pages 166-167, 170.
Vol. 15, page 160.
Vol. 17, page 14.
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