Riohardson Henley, b. 1725, d. 1781 [tombstone], or Robert Richardson, b. 5 May 1720 [WBH], inherited "the ancestral domain of 'Merry Oaks' and lived there until his death." [Mss DAR]. A copy of his tombstone is in NSDAR library files, reading:

“Major Richardson Henley, born 1725, died 1781, and his wife, Eliza Richardson"

NOTE (8 May 2012): The foregoing is taken from an article named “Henley” written by Mrs. Godfrey in 1969.2167 I believe it is a typographical error and was supposed to be:

“Major Richardson Henley, born 1725, died 1781, and his wife, Eliza Henley"

He succeeded his father as vestryman in Blisland Parish; as "Captain Richardson Henley" he was chosen church warden to October 1768, Bruton Church; as clerk of the Lower Church, Blisland Parish 23 October 1769 until 31 December 1776. As "Captain Richardson Henley" he left the parish by 30 October 1775 when a new vestryman was appointed in his place. [Blisland Parish, p. 203, etc.] As "Captain Richardson Henley" he was appointed 25 Nov. 1774 as a Member of the Committee of Safety for James City County." The foregoing would suggest that he held the rank of captatn in the Colonial Militia prior to the Revolution. For service during the Revolution, see 9V78, Virginia Militia in the ReVolution (1777), "Captain Richardson Henley for pay and rations for his company, James City Militia, to the 8th inst., 112.10.1.” Aud. Accts. XVIlI, 460, Militia, 1780-1781, Eckenrode, "Warr. to Richardson Henley ... 3 10 8.” Historical Register of Virginians in Revolution, 370, Gwathmey; Public Service Claims, James City County, #46 or #51, “Colonel Richardson Henley, claim for beef furnished the American army, claim 20 February 1781 (signed Wm. Hankin, D, Comm.); 8th Annual Report, Virginia State Library, page 213, He married Elizabeth Brown (Browne), daughter of William Brown and his wife Alice Eaton, ca 1746.

Richardson Henley named nine children in his will [Mss DAR].