Michael Righter, third son of Peter Righter the emigrant, is the only one of the early Righters in Roxborough whose date of birth has been determined. Horatio Gates Jones, in his Historic Notes of Olden Times in Roxborough and Manayunk, first printed in a local mewspaper in 1859, stated that he had access to the graveyard book of the old Roxborough Burial Ground, of whose trustees the author's father, the Rev. H.G. Jones, was secretary, and that, although burials were made there before that date, the first entry was in 1786: "Michael Righter,Sen. aged 77 years and 5 months." Michael's gravestone has survived in fairly good condition. It gives the date of his death as July 1, 1786. He was therefore born about 1 February 1709. He was unable to write his name, making his mark on deeds and will.

He married Anna Catharina Geiger, daughter of John George Geiger of Roxborough Township, who may have been the John George "Gager," who, 23 April 1736, bought the 3 acre tract Michael's brother Bartholomew had acquired from his father. George Geiger by will, written 3 November 1747, left all his estate to "my well-beloved son-in-law Michael Righter." The will was probated 15 November 1747.[Will#212, 1747]Catharina seems to have raised some objections, and then thought better of it, for a note on the will addressed to Mr. Plumstead, reads, "I hereby make known to you that I have no further objection to make agst. my late father's George Thuggers will receiv'd Probate but am willing it may reeive its probate and pass the seal of your office forthwith." Her name or what seems to be an abbreviation of it, was signed in German script to this note.

On, 4 August 1741, the same day Peter Righter made his purchase of land, Michael purchased, also from Thomas Bishop Vickris, for 89 pounds, 8 shillings, 9 pence, 71 1/2 acres, adjoining Peter;s tract in lower Roxborough Township.[Deed Bood FTW-103, 365] This tract extending along the Wissahickon Creek for 206 Perches around the bend where the creek turns sharply southwest to flow towards the Schuylkill. Today Lincoln Drive follows the course of the creek as far as this great bend. From the Creek his land extended to the old route of the gigh road through Roxborough, where Righter Street now is. He had only 29 perches on the high road.

On 27 October 1741, Michael bought from his father Peter Righter, for 60 pounds 77 acres of land on which his father had lived since 1725.[Deed Book H-9, 367] This tract extended from the Wissahickon Creek to the Schuylkill River and adjoined what he had just purchased in the Vickris of Vicaris tract. The "high road" cut across it the present Hermit Lane.. He owned a plateau with an abrupt cliff on the river side and steep hill on the creek side. His land included the area where the German Pietistic Community, to which his father is said to have belonged, had its huts, including the cave made by Kelpius for his own use. In 1746 he built on the "high road" a stone house, which stood until a few years ago, in the traingle where Righter Street meets Ridge Road. Michael held all but about 4 acres of this land till his death. The 4 acres he sold 19 March 1744, to John George Bergman of Roxborough Township, tailor, for 21 pounds.Bergman secured the use of a 10 foot cartway on the north side of Michael's land for access to his 4 acres on the Wissahickon Creek from the Plymouth or Ridge Road.[Deed Book H-18, 423] Michael farmed the residue of the 148 acres as his means of livelihood for the rest of his life, and raised his large family there. When in 1771 William Levering granted land for the Roxborough School, Michael Righter was one of the 7 trustees named.[Deed Book D-49, 476] In 1777-1778, he, or his son Michael, was the assessor to determine the amount of damage done by the British in Roxborough Township during the British occupation of Philadelphia. On the assessor's list Michael claimed 39 pounds, 10 shillings damages, and his son Daniel 3 pounds.[PMHB Vol 25 (1901), 555]