Richard Hazelwood was born 1830-1831 in Lunenberg County, Virginia, a probable son of Joseph and Cynthia Hazelwood. He was enslaved by Daniel and Susannah Hazelwood from birth until Emancipation in 1865. As a toddler, Richard and his family, as part of 30 enslaved, migrated with the Hazelwoods from Virginia to Henderson County, Kentucky. Richard cultivated the tobacco crop on the Hazelwood property during enslavement and on rented property after Emancipation. He married three times and fathered five children. Richard was known as Dick during enslavement. He died sometime between 1900-1911 in Kentucky.