Joseph Lane Richardson (1776-1855) was raised in the Quaker home of his uncle, near Philadelphia, with his cousin David Thomas (b. 1776). About 1795, Joseph and David rode on horseback to the Cayuga Lake region of New York. Joseph purchased a farm about two miles north of Aurora, and grew wheat. He studied law with Judge Wood and was admitted to the bar in 1802. In 1806, he moved to Auburn, establishing the family home, "The Locusts." He became partner of lawyer Enos T. Throop, who later became Governor of New York. In 1827, after holding several offices, Joseph Richardson was appointed First Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Cayuga County, a position he held for nineteen years by reappointments. His wife was Catherine Dole Richardson.