Richardson, Joe (Postilion)
Biography
Joe [Richardson] was enslaved, and was part of Martha Washington’s dower share of enslaved workers from the Custis estate. He worked as a postilion. Joe was married to Sall [Brass Richardson] owned by George Washington, who lived at River Farm. They had five children: Henry, Elijah, Dennis, Gutridge, and Polly.
Places
- Mansion House Farm (Other)
Topics
Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:
Letter, to William Pearce, 1795 October 19
Postilion Joe--Washington does not expect to reach Philadelphia before Tuesday afternoon--wheat would be a heavy loss should the weavil get into it--let no time be lost in getting it out of the straw and ground up as fast as the mill is able to do it--take the corn out of the field as soon as it can be safely done--gathering white thorn berries--the sooner the potatoes are up and secured the better--trimming the Lombardy Poplar and the Yellow Willow.
Letter, to William Pearce, 1795 June 7
Details on the shingles--additional directions for the barn--removal of all the cabins at River and Union farms--wants to punish the thief who robbed the meat house at Mt. Vernon--Nathan suspected of this sort formerly--Postilion Joe has been caught in similar practices--Sam would not be restrained if he saw an opening to do the like.
