James Richardson

James Richardson Sr. (1771 – June 7, 1858) was a lawyer, a business and civic leader, and a member of the Massachusetts Senate from Dedham, Massachusetts. He is remembered for employing Louisa May Alcott for several weeks in 1851, an experience that Alcott later based one of her stories on.

Biography Richardson was born in 1771. A 1797 graduate of Harvard College, he was a resident of Dedham, Massachusetts.

Richarson was the law partner of Fisher Ames. He was also the president of the Dedham Mutual Fire Insurance Company and a founder of the Norfolk and Bristol Turnpike. He was a part owner of and agent for the Dedham Manufacturing Company.

Richardson served in the Massachusetts Senate, as a member of the Federalist Party, during the 1813–14 session. He once gave an address to a crowd that included President Andrew Jackson.

Richardson was an incorporater of St. Paul's Church and a member of a number of Dedham's civic and social organizations.

After a prayer service to celebrate Dedham's Bicentennial in 1836, 600 people processed to a pavilion erected to host a dinner on the land of John Bullard a few rods to the west. Richardson presided at this dinner, assisted by John Endicott, George Bird, Abner Ellis, Theron Metcalf, and Thomas Barrows as vice presidents. A blessing was asked by the Rev. John White of the West Parish and thanks returned by the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Homer of Newton. After the cloth was removed, Richardson gave a number of toasts, interspersed with music from the band.

Richardson died in Dedham on June 7, 1858, at the age of 86 or 87 (sources vary).