• Born: 4 Apr 1752, Philadelphia PA
• Marriage (1): Ruth Hoskins on 15 Jun 1780 in Burlington NJ
• Died: 11 Mar 1831, Philadelphia PA

  General notes:

Silversmith

  Events in his life were:

• Alternate Mark.

• Alternate Mark.

• Alternate Mark.

• Flynt & Fales. Made chatelaine dated 1780 for wife Ruth; teapot and waste bowl in 1796 for which George Washington paid $44.55; eighty-one piece tea service in 1798 for Joseph Ball; grater in 1800 for Ruth Rutter. Account books, 1796-1801, and ledger, 1796-1831. ⁴

• Apprenticed: Joseph Richardson, about 1765, in Philadelphia PA. ¹

• Partnership: Nathaniel Richardson, in 1777-1790, in Philadelphia PA. As I. & N. RICHARDSON, continuing their father's business on Front Street. ⁴

• Alternate Mark. For J & N RICHARDSON.

• Alternate Mark. For J & N RICHARDSON.

• Alternate Mark. Supposedly for J & N RICHARDSON, but almost certainly a forgery.

• Example: Teaspoon, circa 1777, in Private Collection. L: 5 1/2"
  
  

• Example: Coffeepot by Joseph and Nathaniel Richardson, circa 1780, in Private Collection. H: 13 1/2"
  wt 37 oz, 15 dwt
  

• Example: Tankard by Joseph and Nathaniel Richardson, circa 1785, in Private Collection. H: 5 1/4"
  wt: 18 oz
  Engraved G B on lid

• Example: Cup by Joseph and Nathaniel Richardson, in 1790, in Winterthur Library. H: 2 3/4"
  d: 3 5/8"
  wt: 5 oz, 15dwt
  Engraved on back Magdalena Swift died 27^th March 1790 = aged 67 for Magdalena Kollock who married John Swift, collector of the Port of Philadelphia, in 1749. The engraving may have been done by James Smithers, who figures prominently in the Richardson's account books. ⁷

• Example: Candlesticks by Joseph and Nathaniel Richardson, circa 1790, in Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. H: 5 3/8"
  w: 2 7/8" (of base)
  wt: 8 oz, 14 1/2 dwt; 9 oz, 9 dwt
  This is a unique form in American silver. ¹⁰

• He worked in 1790-1795 as a silversmith in Philadelphia PA

• Example: Coffeepot, circa 1790, in Private Collection. H: 15 1/4"
  wt: 50 oz, 4 dwt
  Engraved R M F

• Example: Waste bowl, in 1795-1800, in Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. H: 5"
  d: 6 5/8" (of lip)
  wt: 17 oz, 17 dwt
  ¹⁰

• Example: Spouted cup, circa 1795, in Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. H; 2 5/8"
  d: 2 15/16" (of base)
  wt: 4 oz, 7 1/2 dwt
  ¹⁰

• Appointed: Assayer of U.S. Mint, in 1795, in Philadelphia PA. By George Washington and continued in office until his death. ⁴

• Partnership: James Howell, in 1795-1802, in Philadelphia PA. As RICHARDSON & Co.

• General: Page of day book, in 1798, in Historical Society Pennsylvania. Itemizing a nearly complete dinner and tea service for Rachel Richards. ³²

• Master: Edward Randolph, in 1801, in Philadelphia PA. ¹

• He worked in 1802-1810 as a silversmith in Philadelphia PA then sold the business to his old partner, James Howell.

Joseph married Ruth Hoskins on 15 Jun 1780 in Burlington NJ. (Ruth Hoskins was born on 25 May 1756 in Burlington NJ and died on 14 Jan 1829 in Philadelphia PA.)