Born in Hambledon to Henry and Sarah Silvester.
The 1841 census lists him with his parents in Hambledon and three younger siblings. His father was a farmer.
By the 1861 census the family was living at Little Park Farm, Titchfield. His father is a farmer of 360 acres, employing a labourer and his eldest three sons, including Richard.
He married Charlotte Ilett in the Droxford district in 1863.
They are recorded on the 1871 census living at Old Pound, Soberton with Charlotte and 4 children. He was working as a farmer of 140 acres, employing 2 labourers and 2 boys. By 1881 they had 8 children and were still living in Soberton. Richard had 300 acres and was employing his eldest two sons. By 1891 they were living at Middlington Farm House, where he was working as a farmer.
The 1900 County Directory lists him as a farmer at St Clair's, where he is also listed on the 1901 census with his wife and 3 children, both boys are working on the farm. By 1911 Richard and Charlotte are still at St Clair's, he is working as a farmer. They have been married 47 years and have 10 children.

Children: Sarah Eleanor (1865), Henry W (1867), Mary (1869), Emily (1871), Alice (1872), Richard (1874), James (1876), Thomas (1879), Grace (1883), John (1884)