Richard was born in 1847 to John Aspinwall, a blacksmith from Ormskirk (but formerly of Halsall) and Isabella Smith. Richard’s father, John died in 1853 when Richard was only 6 years old. His mother Isabella was married a second time to George Livesy, a farmer from Scarisbrick. 

Richard married Mary Sephton in 1868 at Ormskirk Church. By 1871, Richard and his family were farming at Green Kettle Farm, Plumpton Lane, Halsall. Richard seems to have been an active member of the local community. He was present at the first meeting of the parish council in 1894 and was elected as a councillor. One of his first duties was to collect rents and distribute dole on St. John’s Day in 1894. 

He was also a West Lancashire Rural District Councillor and Guardian for the Township. In addition, he was a member of the Ormskirk Branch of the Lancashire Farmers Association and a sidesman at Halsall Church. 

He died on 1st June 1903 at the age of 56, his funeral was held on 6th June at Halsall Church,  the service being taken by Canon Thomas Blundell.  In his obituary, Richard was described as ‘an intelligent and thoroughly practical farmer … highly respected among his friends and neighbours’.