Thomas Richins
Thomas Richins, was the fifth child of parents Richard Richins and Charlotte Priscilla Wager. He was born June 6, 1826 and christened five months later on November 26, 1826 in Sheepscomb, Gloucestershire, England. He was given the name Thomas after his fathers grandfather, Thomas Richins. There is a family tradition that he had a twin sister named Charlotte Priscilla. There is no record in the Parish Register of her birth or death and it is thought she died at birth. (Richins, p 5)
Thomas had ten brothers and sisters, including his twin. Only five of the eleven children grew to adulthood and married. His oldest sister Hannah and his brother William both died from consumption. Hannah was 18 and William only 9 years when their lives were taken by this dreaded disease. His brothers John Edward and Edwin and, his sisters Mary Ann and Charlotte Priscilla, all passed away in infancy. His brother George emigrated to Canada while, Thomas and the rest of his brothers, John, Charles, and Edward joined the Church and emigrated to Utah.( Richins, pp 3-7)
Both of their parents died young. Priscilla was only 42 when she died of complications of childbirth on September 21, 1842…Richard died of intemperance at his mother’s home on December 8, 1848. (Richins, p 8)
In the 1841 census, Thomas was listed as 15 years old and living at home. He was still living at Sheepscombe when he was taught the gospel by Mormon Elders and baptized, at age 24, on January 1, 1850 by Elder William Davis. In the 1851 census he was listed as unmarried, age 24, an agricultural laborer, and visiting at his Uncle Williams home. Three years later, Thomas was in the city of Gloucester awaiting the reading of the banns so he could marry Harriet Deveraux, a daughter of John Deveraux and Ester Ann Cockshut. (Richins, p 5)
Harriet Deveraux
Harriet Deveraux was born December 29, 1833 in Dymock, Herefordshire, England to parents John Deveraux and Ester Ann Cockshut or Cockshed. She had five brothers and sisters. Only three grew to adulthood and married. Harriet and her brother Joseph both married, joined the Church and emigrated to Utah. Her sister Ester married and stayed in England. Ann grew to adulthood but passed away as a young woman, John died shortly after his first year, and Emanuel passed away in infancy. Harriet also had an older half brother named Paul. It is unknown when he died. (Ancestral File)
Harriet’s parents, John and Ester Deveraux were tenant farmers who were very religious-minded. They belonged to the Wesleyan Methodist Church until, becoming dissatisfied with it, they joined with a group called the The United Brethren. In 1840 they were among the 600 members of the United Brethren that were converted and baptized by Apostle Wilford Woodruff on the John Benbow farm in Herefordshire. (Kenison, pp 1-2; Richins, p 5; Fischio)
From the journal of Apostle Wilford Woodruff we read,
“The power of God rested upon us and upon the mission … The Lord had a people there prepared for the gospel. They were praying for light and truth, and the Lord sent me to them, and I declared the gospel of life and salvation unto them.” (Kenison, p2)
Harriet was 6 years old at the time. When she was 13, she was baptized on July 30, 1846 by Elder William Webb. (Fischio)
Some of the wealthier members of the United Brethren emigrated to Nauvoo soon after they joined the Church (Kenison, p 2), but the Deveraux family did not have the money and had to wait fifteen years until the Perpetual Immigration Fund was started to aide the poor who wanted to go to Zion. (Richins, p 5; Fischio)
Thomas and Harriet Richins
After the reading of the banns, Thomas Richins and Harriet Deveraux were married in the city of Gloucester, at the Saint James Church, by the Reverend James Hollis, on December 15, 1853. Jeremiah Wager and Harriet’s mother, Ester Deveraux, were witnesses to the marriage.
(Richins, p 5)
When Thomas was married he was listed as a waterman, which referred to one who traveled the waterways on a barge. When they returned to Harriet’s hometown of Eastnor in Herefordshire, he was an agricultural laborer again. They were living in Herefordshire when their first son, Albert Franklin, was born on January 30, 1855. (Richins, p 5)
Enoch Train
On March 23, 1856, Thomas and Harriet Richins, with their infant son Albert, and Harriet’s parents, John and Ester Deveraux, embarked on the sailing ship Enoch Train. They set sail at Liverpool, England, bound for Boston, Massachusetts. This was the first group of Saints that emigrated to Zion with the aide of the Perpetual Immigration Fund, and they were also the first experimental handcart company to cross the plains on foot. (Hilton; Fischio) By this means of travel, the emigrants could journey from Liverpool, England to Salt Lake for about forty-five dollars. (Berrett, p 280)
The captain of the ship was Henry P. Rich. The group of Saints were organized with Elder James Ferguson as President and Edmund Ellsworth and Daniel McArthur as counselors. The company was split into wards numbered one, two, three, four, and five. The ship carried 534 Saints including 415 people age eight years and up, 98 children ages one to eight, and 21 infants under a year. They represented the following countries; England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Denmark, America, Switzerland, Cape of Good Hope and East India. There were 12 Elders returning from missions and a band from Birmingham. (Fischio; Mormon Immigration Index)
Ester Deveraux, who was 60 years old and in poor health when they left England, had been advised not to start on such a long journey, but her faith was so strong that she said she would rather die on the way to Zion than not to make the attempt. When the ship was about ten days out, she passed away from consumption and was buried in the sea. (Fischio; Mormon Immigration Index)
From the journal of Archer Walters, a Saint who was on the same ship, we find these entries:
“April 1st: A sister died during the night named Ester Deveraux from Herefordshire Conference, age 60 years. A rough day. Ship rolled and boxes rattled, bottles upset. Bedsteads broke down and cooking did not please all for the saucepans upset in the jelly. Some scaled and some fell and hurt themselves. A thing to try the patience of some. Went to bed, ship rocked and rolled about: did not sleep well but all night the President and captains of the different Wards did their best for all and all good Saints feel well.
April 2nd: The dead sisters body committed to the deep. It was the first I ever saw buried in the sea and I never want to see another. A rough day all day.”
From the same journal we learned that trumpets blew at 6:00 AM for rising and again at night for prayers. Each man had to take his turn at standing watch. Rations of beef, pork, salt, sugar, vinegar, rice, potatoes, and peas were mentioned. The passengers did their own cooking. Babies were born and, at least, one more died and was buried in the sea.
Archie Walters’ journal entry for April 25, 1856 reads:
“April 25: A very cold morning. A child died at 4 :00 AM…12 Oclock the ship still. Quite calm. The little boy committed to the deep. Brother Ferguson spoke before the plank was drawn. Quite a solemn time for the children and the parents as well; indeed all sailors bowed their heads.
“There was a great deal of sea sickness on the ship and many grumbled about the food.” Archer Walters wrote, “…if they grumble now what will they do before they get to the valley?”
It must have been a hard voyage, but they all had some good times on the ship. Another entry from Walters’ journal says:
“A fine morning. Almost all on deck. Some few below sick…The band from Birmingham is playing merrily. The ship rocking now and then sends them sprawling and makes them laugh, if one fell on top of another or four or five together. 11:00 AM and then we are out of a days supply of water and no extra water for cooking at all, but all night we are happy….”
They held meetings on board and some of the subjects of the sermons were obedience, tobacco smoking, and cleanliness. At one meeting, a committee was appointed that was called the louse committee. The journal entry for April 6, 1856 reads:
“April 6: A beautiful morning. No cooking, only tea kettles boiled. Most all up 7:00 washing and preparing for a good time today. All my family are well and I thank my Heavenly Father for it. I do not know how to feel thankful enough. If I was a Methodist, as I once professed to be, I should shout glory and hallelujah.
“Two porpoises were seen but they were thought to be whales. Soon a whale made its appearance and threw the water into the air at a great height, all eyes looking at it and my children all astonished and asking a thousand and one questions which I could not answer.
“The sea is very calm and the ship almost standing still and the sun shines with a beautiful clear sky. Water served to the different Wards.
“Two more fine whales seen rolling about on the top of the water. Meeting called to order by President Ferguson and he said we might as well hold it as a conference as it is the 6th of April, as it is held this day in Zion. The Authorities were then presented and carried by their uplifted hands and we all said Aye at the same time. Brother McAllison open by prayer.
“The Band played God save the King, and then Brother McArthur spoke on the Kingdom of God and being one law in all ages and His people one in all things. There was then a song by the congregation and Brother Ellsworth spoke upon cleanliness. Song, Prayer. The children were blessed that had been born on board. The first was a boy named David, the second, also a boy, named Enoch Train, the other a girl, Rebecca Enoch.
“Conference adjourned until the 6th of April next in Utah. A beautiful day. All retired to rest cheerful and happy. Trumpet sounded for prayers.” (Fischio)
After five weeks and five days on the ocean, the ship landed at Boston’s Constitution Wharf on May 1, 1856. (Fischio; Mormon Immigration Index) The story of Thomas and Harriet’s experiences while crossing the American Plains are chronicled in the paper titled, “They Crossed the Plains with a Handcart,” by Laural Bushman, 2002.
Salt Lake Valley
Upon their arrival in the Salt Lake Valley, the Richins family found a little one room dugout in the foothills on the East Bench to live in. Their friends, John Warburton and his son Edward (Teddy), who had crossed the plains with them, stayed long enough to help build on an extra room and a lean-to. Thomas brother, John Richins and his wife and baby were following in the Willie Handcart Company and would need a place to live when they arrived. That company had the misfortune of starting too late in the season and were caught in mountain blizzards in Wyoming. The John Richins family were among the survivors and when they arrived in Salt Lake were in need of much help. Thomas found work as a blacksmith and the following spring planted some crops. (Proctor)
Thomas and Harriet’s second baby and first daughter was born in Salt Lake on January 22, 1858. When spring came and they could travel, they took her to the Latter-day Saint meeting place in the Bowery in Salt Lake settlement to give her a name and a blessing. The name they chose for her was Alice Mirentha Richins. Albert Franklin, who was 3 years old by that time, was also given a special blessing because, he had not been well since they had entered the valley. On April 6, 1860, another daughter was born and they named her Ester Ann. She passed away at 2 months of age and was buried in Salt Lake. On August 8, 1860, Thomas and Harriet went to the Endowment House in Salt Lake where they received their endowments, and were sealed to each other for eternity. It was a wonderful and special day for them. (Proctor)
In the spring of 1861, some Indians came into the settlement begging for food. Harriet had just taken some loaves of bread from the hearth and was about to cover them with a cloth when, a shadow fell across the threshold. She looked up to see a big Indian and before she could cover the bread and take Alice in her arms, he was across the room, demanding her to give him the bread or he would take her papoose. Harriet had no choice but to give him all the bread their weeks supply of flour would make. (Proctor)
Thomas had been away to a meeting with President Young and his councilmen who were choosing families to move to different areas. The Richins brothers, Thomas and John, were called to take their families and settle in Goshen, Utah County and, they were to leave before their crops were harvested. (Proctor)
The wagons were repaired and their meager belongings packed. They were to meet with the council for instructions on the 4th of July 1861. The Salt Lake settlement held a celebration in the Bowery that day for those families that were moving to other valleys. Prayers were offered in their behalf and the wagons were all inspected. The Richins went to bed early in their wagons so they could get on their way before the sun came up in the morning. Harriet was expecting her fourth baby in August so they crossed the Jordon River south of the Point of the Mountain and traveled along the side of Utah Lake, rather than going around the mountain because it was smoother traveling. (Proctor; Fischio)
As they neared the river, the oxen Thomas was driving, being thirsty, made a rush for the water and went down a steep bank into the deep water. The wagon box tipped off and floated down the stream. Thomas managed to catch hold of the cattle and they swam to the bank. The women and children were in the other wagon with John. A small keg Thomas had in his wagon went bobbing down the stream and in the excitement, Harriet, thinking it was he, cried in alarm, “Save Tom! Save Tom!” Then she saw him safe on the other bank. After the danger and fright were over, they had many a laugh at this incident. The wagon box and some of the things were recovered a few miles down the river. (Proctor; Fischio)
The first evening they camped just northwest of the town of Lehi, on the banks of the Jordon River. The next day they stopped off in The Forks (American Fork) and visited with friends and relatives. They then went on to Battle Creek (Pleasant Grove) where they stayed overnight with friends. The next day they picked up a few more cattle and some fresh oxen and supplies and reached Goshen (south of Utah Lake) the next evening. (Proctor)
While living in Goshen, Thomas again engaged in blacksmithing and farming. Three more sons were born to them there: Abner Evangelic, August 31, 1861, Arthur Edward, October 5, 1863, and Thomas Alexander, May 15, 1866. Alice Mirentha, the only daughter, was a great help to her mother. There seemed to be nothing that she could not do and she was always mature beyond her years. (Proctor)
After living in Goshen for six years, in 1867 President Young called Thomas and John Richins to move their families again. This time they were to go to Battle Creek (Pleasant Grove) where a soft rock deposit had been found. The Richins brothers had come from southern England where they had learned the trade of excavating and preparing soft rock into building blocks. When they moved, Alice, Albert, and Abner walked and drove the stock. It was cold, chilly weather, and it took them three days to make the trip. (Proctor)
Note: The soft rock quarry was located on land owned by John Warburton who had crossed the plains in the same handcart company as Thomas and Harriet. Many houses in Utah Valley were later built from this rock and many are still being lived in today (2002). Soft rock makes extremely comfortable homes because of its insulating qualities.
In Battle Creek, Thomas built a new log house north of the flour mill on the road to the canyon. The logs for this house were split on the old pit saw in Battle Creek Canyon. Here, another daughter was born to them on December 22, 1868 and given the name Harriet Priscilla. (Proctor)
Note: In a short history on the life of Alice Mirentha Richins Warburton written by her oldest granddaughter, Eva Mirentha Warburton Proctor, is found an interesting story that conflicts somewhat with the story in Hilton and Fischio’s biographies of the lives of Thomas and Harriet. I don’t know which records are correct so, I will include both. Eva’s story seems more logical to me because President Brigham Young had asked Thomas to go to Battle Creek to work in the soft rock business and Thomas Richins was not the kind of man that would have left an assignment given to him by the Prophet. Also, in Edward Warburton’s life story it states that the Richins brothers were engaged in a soft rock business on his land. It is probable that during the eleven months they were visiting in Henefer that Thomas did work as a blacksmith, because he would not have been idle all that time. The Echo Canyon story could also have happened at that time. Both stories were written many years after they occurred, by persons who were not alive at the time, thus providing room for possible error.
Hilton and Fischio records: Thomas’ brothers, Charles and Edward, who had settled at Henefer, Summit County, wanted him to come there and work as a blacksmith. So in 1869 they moved to Henefer. The railroad was being built down Weber Canyon at that time, so there was much work there. On November 9, 1870 another son, Oscar John Deveraux Richins, was born in Henefer. (Hilton; Fischio)
While living in Henefer Thomas had occasion to go through Echo Canyon. As he was driving along, a band of Indians on horseback stopped him, took out their bows and arrows and circled around the wagon. Thomas thought his time had come, but after some words from their chief they rode away. (Hilton; Fischio)
When they had lived in Henefer a little over a year, the blacksmith shop burned down, so they moved back to their home in Battle Creek. On their journey back from Henefer Albert, then 16 years old, and Alice 14, walked and drove their stock. Albert walked barefoot all the way. The mill ditch had been dug right next to their home while they had been away, so they had to move farther east on their property to avoid being so close to the water. (Hilton; Fischio)
At that time, the United Order was in affect in Battle Creek so, Thomas took his blacksmith tools and worked in the Order shop which was located east of the old mercantile store. Their last two children were born in Battle Creek after they came back from Henefer; Marcus E., January 1, 1873 and Nettie E., February 7, 1875. (Hilton; Fischio)
Henefer, Utah
Proctors record: In April 1870, Thomas decided to take a long delayed visit to Henefer where two of his brothers had settled. He and Harriet put a few belongings in their covered wagon and with Arthur 6, Thomas 4, and Priscilla 2, they set off for the ninety mile trip to Henefer. In a covered wagon that was a long trip to take. Albert, Alice, and Abner waved goodbye with the promise that if they were good they could go next time. Albert was 15, Alice 13,and Abner going on 9. They felt they were able to care for things at home as Thomas only intended to stay for a few weeks. But the business took longer than he expected it to and then one by one the children came down with the measles. By the time they were well, Harriet was too close to the birth of her eighth child to travel and was advised to wait over until after the baby was born before making the long trip home. Baby Oscar John Deveraux Richins was born the 9th of November 1870 and by that time winter had set in. (Proctor)
Thomas and Harriet’s worries about the children they had left at home in Battle Creek were relieved somewhat when some relatives who, had passed through there had visited the children and Alice sent them a letter. She assured Father and Mother they were all well and although they missed their family, they would carry on and be all right. The wisest thing to do was to stay until the weather broke and they could travel safely. (Proctor)
The weather was bad until the second week of March when a report came that the road through the canyons was passable. They packed their wagon with quilts and blankets and put a new canvas on it. They put warm bricks in among the bedding and everyone in Henefer contributed something for their journey. It took them five days to reach Salt Lake where they stayed overnight and warmed up the bricks. The roads were better from there on and they could make better time. Home had never looked so good. A trip that had intended to be only a few weeks had lasted eleven months and baby Oscar was nearly 4 months old when he met his two older brothers and his sister Alice. (Proctor)
They were overjoyed to all be home safe and sound. However, Alice had been having quite a time with Abner. He looked like a little Hindu with a towel wrapped around his head to hold a bread and milk poultice in place over his aching ears. A few days later he broke out with a high fever and it settled in his eyes and ears. All his hair fell out and he was a very sick boy. Albert had stepped on a nail and was hobbling around on one foot. It was a blessed day when at last the family was all together again and Thomas vowed he would never leave like that again. (Proctor)
On New Years Day, January 1, 1873, in Battle Creek, another son was born into the Richins family and given the name of Marcus Emanuel. Their last child, a daughter named Nettie Emmaline was born February 7, 1875, also in Battle Creek.
Thomas and John’s soft rock business kept them very busy and Harriet and Alice never seemed to have an idle moment with caring for the little ones, baking, and sewing. In those days every stitch of clothing had to be made by hand and those that were fortunate enough to own a sewing machine were in constant demand. Harriet had brought her sewing machine all the way from England. (Proctor)
Besides caring for her large family, Harriet did much toward their support by taking in sewing. Her special line was making mens suits and overcoats. She also made fancy gloves from leather, which was obtained from the Indians, and stitched them with bright colored silk thread. She had learned the trade of making kid gloves when she lived in England. (Fischio)
The children helped too, by gleaning wheat after the fields had been harvested and by gathering ground cherries which were made into preserves or dried to sell. They had one pair of shoes each fall and went barefoot much of the time to make them last longer. (Fischio)
Harriet was often called on to help with the sick, sometimes being both nurse and doctor. Her aged father, John Deveraux, who had become blind, came to live with her and she cared for him six years before he passed away. Most of the time he was bed-ridden. She did everything she could to make him comfortable. He was always very appreciative of everything anyone did for him and prayed his Heavenly Father’s blessings on those who were caring for him. He used the expression, “God bless and save you.” (Hilton; Fischio)
When her brother, Joseph Deveraux, came from England with his wife and six children, she and Thomas took them into their small log house to live with them until her brother could make a home for his family. Later, Thomas built a larger soft rock home, which is still standing, although it has been remodeled and built-on to. (Fischio)
The Richins home was a busy and happy one and visitors were always made welcome. Edward (Ted) Warburton, who had crossed the plains with them, spent much of his time in their home. He was close friends with their oldest son, Albert, and later fell in love with, and married their daughter, Alice Mirentha.
Both Thomas and Harriet were affected with deafness in their later life, and this was a great handicap to them. But although they were denied the privilege of hearing the gospel preached, they always enjoyed reading their scriptures. (Fischio)
Thomas and Harriet Richins were the parents of ten children, six boys and four girls. Two children passed away: Ester in infancy and Marcus as a young man. Four pioneered in Ashley Valley (or Vernal, Uintah County): Albert, who married Helena Nielson, Abner E., who married Frances Fage, Arthur, who married Emily Dee, and Priscilla, the wife of Henson Eaton. The other four remained in Pleasant Grove where they married, lived, and died: Alice, wife of Edward Warburton, Thomas, who married Ellen Jay, Oscar, who married Hulda Anderson and Nettie, wife of William Green. (Fischio) Thomas and Harriet loved and enjoyed their numerous grandchildren.
Harriet passed away May 14, 1896 at age 63. Two of her sons rode from Vernal, Uintah County on horseback to be present at her funeral. (obituary) She was buried May 18, 1896 in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery. Six months later, on Christmas Eve 1896, Thomas suffered a stroke and died three days later on December 28, 1896 at 70 years of age. He was buried in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery on December 30, 1896. (Fischio)
Our wonderful grandparents stood steadfastly by the Church in the early days, even at the cost of life itself, and left home, country, and comfort to conquer the Great American Desert for the privilege of worshiping in the Lord’s appointed way and building up the Kingdom of Heaven. What a debt of gratitude we owe these stalwart pioneer ancestors of ours! (Fischio)
In the eyes of the world, Thomas and Harriet would not be considered great people, but in the eyes of the Lord, they will be numbered among the greatest. The sacrifices they made for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the legacy they left for their descendants will insure them of an Inheritance in the Kingdom of God for Eternity. We can be proud to carry their name.
Bibliography
Berrett, William Edwin. The Restored Church. Thirteenth edition, Deseret Book Company, 1965. Salt Lake City, Utah.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. Ancestral File. Copyright 1987, August 1993.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. Mormon Immigration Index. CD-Rom published by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Copyright 2000.
Fischio, Afton Gene Richins. “A Short History of Thomas Richins and his wife Harriet Deveraux.” Unpublished, 1982.
Hilton, Gladys Richins. “Biography of Harriet Deveraux,” written for Daughters of Utah Pioneers. Unpublished, no date.
Hilton, Gladys Richins. “Biography of Thomas Richins,” written for Daughters of Utah Pioneers. Unpublished, no date.
Kenison, David and LDS-Gems (website), “Wilford Woodruff’s Preaching in England,” Copyright 1998.
Proctor, Eva Mirentha Warburton. “Life story of Alice Mirentha Richins Warburton.” Unpublished, no date.
Richins, Hazel. “Richard Richins and Charlotte Priscilla Wager.” 2000 edition, Richins Surname Association. Family Heritage Series website: www.familyheritageseries.org.
Walker, Newell R. “They Walked 1,300 Miles,” Ensign, July 2000, pp 44-49. Salt Lake Distribution Center. Salt Lake City, Utah.
