Samuel Richards (ironmaster)

Samuel Richards (March 8, 1769 – January 4, 1842) was an American businessman and ironmaster. He was heavily involved in the New Jersey iron industry during the early 19th century, starting with his family's iron business in Batsto Village, New Jersey, where he apprenticed under his father, William Richards. Richards would eventually come into ownership of Weymouth Furnace and Martha Furnace in 1808, in addition to the Atsion Iron Works in 1822. His half brother, Benjamin Wood Richards, became mayor of Philadelphia.

Early life
Samuel Richards was born in the Richards family home in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Samuel was the third child of eleven born to William and Mary Richards of Batsto, New Jersey. Richards would begin his career in the New Jersey iron industry when his father obtained management of the Batsto Iron Works in 1784. By 1789, Samuel was managing the Richards family store in Philadelphia.

Richards would marry his first wife, Mary Smith Morgan, on November 18, 1797, in Philadelphia. The ceremony was officiated by Reverend Ashbel Green, a chaplain of the United States Congress.

Mary Richards passed away in 1820 after giving birth to eight children, three living to adulthood. Richards would remarry in 1822 to Anna Maria Witherspoon of New York, who would have three children with Richards, two living to adulthood.

In 1827, Thomas Sully would be commissioned for a portrait of Samuel Richards.

Weymouth Iron Works
In 1808, Richards, along with his business partner Joseph Ball, each purchased a 3/8th share of Weymouth Iron Works in Atlantic County, New Jersey. By April 1808, Ball & Richards owned a 3/4 share of the Weymouth property, being valued at $34,500.

Atsion Iron Works
In 1822, Samuel Richards acquired the Atsion Iron Works in Shamong Township, New Jersey. By the time Richards took over ownership, Atsion had been seen as a ghost town for close to a decade. By 1824, Richards had rebuilt the old iron furnace on the site, bringing employment back to the dilapidated town. In 1826, Richards built his summer estate in the village, a mansion built in Greek Revival architecture. The Richards family would spend their summers at this home, which overlooked the village and Atsion Lake.

Mays Landing
In addition to the iron furnace properties, Richards also held property in Mays Landing, New Jersey. In 1837, Richards would construct a three-story hotel known as the Samuel Richards Hotel, later known as the American Hotel.

Politics
Richards was the half brother of Benjamin Wood Richards, the 59th mayor of Philadelphia. Benjamin Richards was a strong supporter of President Andrew Jackson, and was a member of the Democratic Party. Samuel, on the other hand, was a supporter of Henry Clay and a member of the Whig Party. Richards was unanimously elected the vice president of the Friends of Henry Clay meeting in Philadelphia in 1831.

Later years and Death
By the late 1830s, Richards began passing more of his business assets over to his son-in-law, Stephen Colwell. Richards was confined to his Philadelphia home on Arch Street due to declining health by 1841. Richards died at his Philadelphia home on January 4, 1842, from "inflammation of the bowels." Richards was buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery.