John Richardson (Quaker) facts for kids

John Richardson (born 1667, died 1753) was an English Quaker minister. He also wrote a book about his own life. Quakers are part of a Christian group called the Religious Society of Friends.

Early Life and Faith

John Richardson was born in 1667 in a village called North Cave in England. His father, William Richardson, was a shepherd. He became a Quaker around 1652, after meeting another Quaker named William Dewsbury.

When John was twelve, his father passed away. This meant his mother had to manage their farm and five children. John had an older sister and three younger brothers.

At first, John did not like the Quakers. He thought their way of living, dressing, and speaking was too strict. But when he was 16, he decided to become a Quaker himself. This meant he had to leave his old friends and habits behind.

Becoming a Preacher

John's mother later remarried a Presbyterian man. This man did not want John to attend Quaker meetings. He even made John leave their home. John then became a weaver's helper. Later, he learned to fix clocks and watches.

Even though John had a stammer, he started preaching regularly. He traveled around England, sharing his Quaker beliefs. During one trip, he met William Dewsbury, the same person who had inspired his father.

Travels and Family

Between 1687 and 1695, John went on four more preaching trips across England and Wales. Around 1695, he moved to Hutton-le-Hole. He married Priscilla Canaby, who was a baker's daughter. Priscilla also began preaching as a Quaker.

John and Priscilla had three children. Sadly, Priscilla passed away around 1700. John was left to care for their three young children, all under the age of five. The youngest child also died less than a year later.

Journey to America

In 1701, John decided to travel to America to share his faith. He left his two surviving children with other families to care for them. His journey across the ocean took 16 weeks before he arrived in Maryland.

John spent more than two years in America. He traveled constantly, meeting with both Quakers and non-Quakers. On one occasion, he even joined William Penn to meet with some Native Americans. John was very impressed by them. He also visited the islands of Bermuda and Barbados.

Later Years and Legacy

John Richardson returned home on April 18, 1703. He was happy to find his children well. That same year, he married Anne Robinson. Anne also became involved in the Quaker ministry. Sadly, she passed away in 1711 at the age of 33. John wrote a touching tribute to her, describing her as a wonderful wife and Quaker.

John continued to feel a strong desire to travel and preach for the rest of his life. In 1717, he visited Ireland. He noticed that some Quakers there had become less strict in their faith. He believed this was because they had gotten used to certain habits.

He made a second visit to America in 1731.

John Richardson passed away in Hutton-le-Hole in 1753, at 87 years old. He was buried at the Quaker burial ground in Kirkbymoorside. The house where he lived in Hutton-le-Hole is now a historic building.

John Richardson's book about his life was published in 1757. It became very popular and was printed many times over the next hundred years.