William Merchant RICHARDSON, Congress, MA (1774-1838)

RICHARDSON William Merchant , a Representative from Massachusetts; born in Pelham, Hillsborough County, N.H., January 4, 1774; was graduated from Harvard University in 1797; studied law; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Groton, Mass., in 1804; elected as a Republican to the Twelfth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Joseph B. Varnum; reelected to the Thirteenth Congress and served from November 4, 1811, to April 18, 1814, when he resigned; moved to Portsmouth, Rockingham County, N.H., in 1814; United States attorney in 1814; appointed chief justice of New Hampshire in 1816 and served until his death; died in Chester, Rockingham County, N.H., March 15, 1838; interment in the Old Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present