• 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

• Flynt & Fales:, . ⁴ 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.

• Apprenticed about 1765 to Joseph Richardson in Philadelphia PA ¹
  

• He was a partner in 1777-1790 with Nathaniel Richardson 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.

• Teaspoon, c 1777
  Private Collection
  l: 5 1/2"
  
  

• Coffeepot by Joseph and Nathaniel Richardson, c 1780
  Private Collection
  h: 13 1/2"
  wt 37 oz, 15 dwt
  

• Tankard by Joseph and Nathaniel Richardson, c 1785
  Private Collection
  h: 5 1/4"
  wt: 18 oz
  Engraved G B on lid

• Cup by Joseph and Nathaniel Richardson, 1790
  Winterthur Library ⁷
  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.

• Candlesticks by Joseph and Nathaniel Richardson, c 1790
  Museum of Fine Arts, Boston ¹⁰
  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.

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

• Coffeepot, c 1790
  Private Collection
  h: 15 1/4"
  wt: 50 oz, 4 dwt
  Engraved R M F

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

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

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

• He was a partner in 1795-1802 with James Howell in Philadelphia PA as RICHARDSON & Co.

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

• Master to Edward Randolph 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.)