Born on the 28th October 1806 at Fatfield in Washington, County Durham Thomas was baptised on 10th April 1808. His baptism record says: 3rd son of John Richardson, native of Whickham, by his wife Margaret Wilson, native of Washington On the 16th August 1829, at Jarrow Parish Church, Thomas married Mary Robinson who was originally from Richmond in Yorkshire. Thomas was 22 and Mary was 21. Their witnesses were Thomas Sheldon and Jane Dodds. Though Mary signed the register, Thomas was unable to write and the entry says 'his mark' The baptism record of their first child John says they were living at Biddick Burn, near Washington and Thomas' occupation was listed as Husbandman. Two years later, in 1833, their second child Margaret was born at the same place, but by then Thomas had changed occupation to Brick Maker. In 1835 a second daughter, Isabella, was born. The family had moved back to South Shields and Isabella was given the middle name of Robinson which was her mother's maiden name. Thomas was still earning his living making bricks. By 1837, they had moved again, their daughter Mary Ann was born in Monkwearmouth and her baptism record shows the family were living at Hylton Dean. Sadness for the family when their daughter Margaret died in 1838 aged 5, her burial was at South Shields. They were still living in South Shields in 1840 when the next child, Thomas, was baptised. The 1841 census records Thomas and Mary living in Union Alley, Westoe, South Shields. Thomas was recorded as being 30 (though that would be a 'rounded' age) and his occupation was Brickmaker. The four surviving children John (10), Isabella (6), Mary Ann (3) and Thomas (15 months) were all recorded in the house. They were still in South Shields till at least the end of June 1844 as the next two children were both born there, Margaret (named for her older sister who had died) was born about 1841/42 and Eleanor was born in 1844. In 1846 Thomas was making bricks at Barnard Castle Moor, which is where his son Robert was born . Robert was to be the Great Grandfather of Bill Richardson. In 1849 Thomas's last child Annie was born, the family had moved yet again and were living in Usworth. The 1851 census recorded Thomas and his family in Usworth Colliery Village. Thomas was 44 and his occupation was Brick Maker. All of the children apart from Isabella were in the family home. Isabella was working as a domestic servant in Jarrow. Thomas's eldest son John had joined his Dad and was also working as a brick maker. In 1861, the census recorded the family as living at Inkerman Terrace in Usworth. Thomas was 53, still a brickmaker, Mary was 52. The children still at home were Thomas (21) and Robert (14), both working as coal miners, Mary(23), Annie (11) and there was also a Grandson called George in the house who was 11 months old. This little boy was the child of Thomas' daughter Mary Ann. In 1867, on the night of 5th December, Thomas was killed in a train accident whilst crossing a railway line near Usworth. He was 61 years old and was buried at Holy Trinity, Usworth on 9th December 1867.