This biography is taken directly from Biographical Sketches of Christian Co., KY, edited by Perrin in 1884.

“James Richardson was born March 4, 1816 in Caswell Co., NC.  His father, was born in Halifax Co., VA and there reared and well educated.  He was a farmer and merchant.  He died in June of 1826, and at that time was owner of 1,200 acres of land.  His wife and subject’s mother was Anne Payne Ware,” (daughter of William and Susannah Payne Ware) ” a native of Pittsylvania Co., VA.  She died on a train while en-route to visit her children in 1881.  After the death of Mr. Richardson, Sr., she married Stephen Sargeant.  She was the mother of nine children; by her first marriage the following: WW Richardson, Susan P., a widow of John Gunn, who resides in Alabama; James, our subject; Col.Edmond, the largest cotton planter in the United States, who resides in New Orleans; Robert P., a farmer , merchant and tobacco manufacturer near Reedsville, NC; Mary A., widow of Louis Withers, residing in New Orleans, Elizabeth widow of Joshua Glass, residing in Caswell Co., NC; and by her last marriage: Margaret D.,widow of James Lea, residing in Salem, NC; and Agnes, wife of Dr. Stanfield, of Caswell Co., NC.

James Richardson, our subject spent his early life in Virginia and there received a limited common school education.  When he was sixteen years of age he left home and embarked on his career in life as a clerk in a store at Danville, VA, and continued in the same position for five years, and then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, following farming on his own account near Danville until 1844, when he moved to Kentucky and settled on the West Fork, in Todd Co., and where he bought his first land and remained there until 1849, when he moved to his present residence, one-half mile from Pembroke.  His farm contains 400 acres.

Since 1855, in connection with his farm he has been engaged in the tobacco and commission business, and is now connected with the firm of Richardson and Jameson, who do a large business.

In 1837 Mr. Richardson was married in Pittsylvania Co., to Miss Sarah Estes, a native of that county.  She died in Christian Co., KY in 1855, leaving six children as the result of their union, viz: Margaret A., Susan P. (who died in December, 1878), William B., Robert P., Triplet E., and Caroline T.

In 1857, Christian Co., he married Martha U. Buckner,who bore him the following children:  Frank B., Anna, Mattie, Mary and Jennie.

Mr. and Mrs. Richardson are members of the Baptist Church; he is an active member of the order of A.F. & A.M. and an ardent Democrat.  He was Magistrate of the county for eight years, and is now Deputy County Clerk, having held the office for five years.”