Elisha Richardson
MSA SC 3520-17573
Biography:
Elisha Richardson enlisted as a private in the Seventh Company of the First Maryland Regiment, led by John Day Scott, on April 14, 1776. [1]
The Seventh Company began its military career by training in Annapolis for six months. During this time, Richardson became ill. When the regiment moved north to Philadelphia in July, he stayed behind in Annapolis. Richardson rejoined his regiment at some point during the campaign, although it is unclear when. [2]
The Maryland soldiers arrived in New York in mid-August and a few weeks later, on August 27, the Battle of Brooklyn (sometimes called the Battle of Long Island) broke out between the American and British troops. American troops were severely outnumbered and surrounded when they were ordered to retreat. While the Seventh Company was withdrawing, they were again ambushed by British troops. About half of the First Maryland Regiment stayed behind to fight off the British long enough for the rest of the Americans to safely escape. Casualties were extreme, but so was the heroism that earned them the honorable name of the “Maryland 400.” Fortunately, the Seventh Company escaped without immense casualties, losing fewer than ten out of approximately 75 troops. Maryland losses totalled 256 men killed or captured, but without the Maryland 400, even more would have been lost. Despite their courageous actions, the battle was a defeat for the Americans. [3]
The Maryland Regiment helped secure America’s first victory at the Battle of Harlem Heights in September 1776 where they were praised for their “gallant behavior” and “splendid spirit and animation.” They fought again at the Battle of White Plains in October where, despite the Maryland troops’ immense improvement, there was no clear victory. Unfortunately, the First Maryland Regiment suffered greatly, including the loss of John Day Scott, the captain of the Seventh Company, and Second Lieutenant Thomas Goldsmith who was fatally shot while attempting to save a soldier's life. [4]
The Marylanders remained in New York until being forced out by the British and retreating through New Jersey. It is possible that Richardson participated in the revitalizing victories at Trenton and Princeton during the winter of 1776-1777. When his nine-month enlistment ended, Richardson took a few months off before reenlisting on April 23, 1777 as a private in the First Maryland Regiment. That year, the Marylanders fought at the Battle of Staten Island, and the bloody Battles of Brandywine and Germantown, part of the Philadelphia campaign, which was an unsuccessful attempt to defend the American capital at Philadelphia. All were British victories, but John Adams considered the Battle of Germantown to be the “most decisive proof that America would finally succeed.” The Marylanders then fought in the Battle of Monmouth in June 1778. [5]
Elisha Richardson was discharged on December 27, 1779 when his enlistment ended. He returned home to Prince George’s County, Maryland, and married Sarah Worrald on December 3, 1782. He worked as a farmer and owned between one and three enslaved people over the next several years. In 1802, he purchased 53 acres of land in southern Prince George’s County. He and Sarah likely lived a comfortable life with enough food and clothing, but did not own anything luxurious. Their status was approximately comparable to lower-middle class. [6]
Richardson died in or shortly before 1811. His total estate, which at that time included one enslaved woman and several household goods, was valued at $349. Unfortunately, no further information is known about his wife. [7]
-Natalie Miller, Maryland Society Sons of the American Revolution Research Fellow, 2017
Notes:
[1] Muster Rolls and Other Records of Service of Maryland Troops in the American Revolution, Archives of Maryland Online, vol. 18, p. 16.
[2] Archives of Maryland Online, vol. 18, p. 16; Journal and Correspondence of the Maryland Council of Safety, Archives of Maryland Online, vol 16, p. 271.
[3] Mark Andrew Tacyn, "To the End: The First Maryland Regiment and the American Revolution," (PhD diss., University of Maryland College Park, 1999), 48-73; Extract of a letter from New-York: Account of the battle on Long-Island, 1 September 1776, American Archives Online, series 5, vol. 2, p. 107.
[4] Henry P. Johnston, The Campaign of 1776 Around New York and Brooklyn, New York: Da Capo Press, 1971, 256.
[5] Archives of Maryland Online, vol. 18, p. 155.
[6] Marriage of Elisha Richardson to Sarah Worrald, 1782, Prince George’s County Court, Marriage Records, p. 24, MdHR 6191-1 [MSA C1260-1, 01/21/09/005]; U.S. Federal Census, 1790, Prince George’s County, Maryland; Steven Sarson, “Yeoman Farmers in a Planters’ Republic: Socioeconomic Conditions and Relations in Early National Prince George’s County, Maryland,” Journal of the Early Republic 29:1, (Spr. 2009), 572; Deed from Samuel J. Wilson to Elisha Richardson, 1802, Prince George’s County Court, Land Records, Liber JRM 9, p. 326, [MSA CE65-38]; Payment to Elisha Richardson for Services Rendered the Maryland Troops, 1780, Maryland State Papers, Revolutionary Papers, Box 3, Folder 7, Item 21, MdHR 19970-03-07/21 [MSA S997-3-94, 01/07/03/009].
[7] Inventory of Elisha Richardson, 1811, Prince George’s County Register of Wills, Inventories, Liber TT 1, p. 396, 404, MdHR 18844 [MSA C1228-15, 01/25/09/006].
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