Richard Christophers

Biography

Richard Christophers was born in New London, a port on Connecticut’s southeastern coast, on July 29, 1712 and baptized five days later. The son of Richard Christophers and Elizabeth Saltonstall, he was the third successive Richard in this line, but his own adult life was brief. He worked as a mariner and served as sheriff of New London, resigning that office in 1735.

He married Mary Pickett in December 1733, after their intentions had been published in November. Their daughter Mary was born in May 1734 and Elizabeth in December 1735. These two children were still very young when the family suffered two deaths in a single year.

Richard’s father died in January 1736. Richard himself died on September 28, aged twenty-four, and was buried two days later in the Saltonstall tomb in New London’s Old Burying Ground. His mother had remarried only the previous month.

He had already married, become a father twice, worked at sea and held a public office before his death. His death left Mary responsible for a household with two very young daughters.