Background

Richardson, William Merchant was born on January 4, 1774 in Pelham, Hillsboro County, New Hampshire, United States. Son of Captain Daniel and Sarah (Merchant) Richardson.

Education

Graduated from Harvard, 1797. Doctor of Laws, Dartmouth.

Career

Principal, Groton (Massachusetts) Academy, circa 1799. Admitted to bar, began practice law, Groton, circa 1802. Member United States House of Representatives from Massachusetts, 11th-12th congresses, November 14-1811-April 18, 1814.

United State Attorneys for New Hampshire (U.S.), 1814-1816.

Chief justice New Hampshire (U.S.) Superior Court, 1816-1838, responsible for establishing New Hampshire (U.S.) laws of practice, wrote opinion in case Trustees of Dartmouth College versus William H. Woodward that charter of college was not a contract and legislature might add new members without consulting old corporation, decision reversed in Supreme Court of the United States Court by Chief Justice John Marshall. In Britton versus Turner (1834) held that an employee under a definite term of service might recover earned wages even though he left employment without just cause.

Chairman commission to revise statutes of New Hampshire (U.S.), 1826. Author: (legal works) The New Hampshire Justice of the Peace, 1824, The New Hampshire Town Officer, 1829, co-editor: New Hampshire Superior Court Cases, 11 volumes, 1819-1844.

Achievements

• William Merchant Richardson has been listed as a reputable congressman, jurist by Marquis Who's Who.

Works

• Other Work

  • Author: (legal works) The New Hampshire Justice of the Peace, 1824, The New Hampshire Town Officer, 1829, co-editor: New Hampshire Superior Court Cases, 11 vols., 1819-1844.

Membership

Member United States House of Representatives from Massachusetts, 11th-12th congresses, November 14-1811-April 18, 1814.

Connections

Married Betsy Smith, October 7, 1799, 7 children including Anne.

Father:

Captain Daniel Richardson

Mother:

Sarah (Merchant) Richardson

Spouse:

Betsy Smith