Stearns (Richard H.) is born in Ashburnham.

Richard Stearns moves to Boston in approximately 1840 to start his own dry goods business, and, after taking partners, opens a new store in 1847.* He lives at 668 Tremont Street, serves in the Massachusetts legislature (1874-1875) and as president of the Boston City Missionary Society and the Congregational Club of Boston. Stearns dies on August 16, 1909.