Born in South Carolina, William Richardson moved to Pickens County, Alabama, in 1830, where he married Mary "Polly" Kilpatrick on Feb. 13, 1834, and they had fourteen children: John K., James J., Sara F., Margaret C., Martha E., William A., Peter M., Andrew J., Franklin P., Ann, Allen, Texana, Mary M., and Judeth. In 1855, Richardson moved his family, slaves, and the families of his brothers Steven, Madison, and Matthias to Texas by wagon train, arriving at this location on Dec. 12, 1855. He built a home 1 mi NE, became a successful planter, recorded his "Three Circles" cattle brand in 1855, was appointed to lay out one of the first roads between Athens and Kaufman, and the route of Highway 175 follows much of his original road. He and his brothers helped found the First Baptist Church in Athens. The slaves he brought to Texas were Dinah, Charles, Gin, Rachel, Washington, Henry, Tom, Harrison, Kate, Easter, Til, Carolina, Jane, Sam, Congo, Marion, Mimm, and Jube; all took the Richardson name, and most stayed with the family after being freed. Later they and their descendants established the Sand Flat community 1 mi. NNE. William Richardson is buried in the family cemetery 1 mi. NE with his wife, two sons, and two grandchildren, and some of the slaves are buried there also.