Family: Deveraux

On June 9, 1856, they left Iowa City, Iowa, with the first handcart company of which Edmund Ellsworth was captain. Thomas Richins was 30 years old, his wife, Harriet, was 22, their little son, Albert Franklin, was 16 months, and Harriet’s father, John Deveraux, was 57.

Provisions became scarce so they were put on rations, one pint of flour per day per person. This they cooked as best they could. They told of one day that they mixed too much water with the flour and all they could do was drink it. One time Thomas was so hungry he cut pieces of rawhide from the cart to eat.

Harriet told how a band of Indians came into their camp. One of the Indian squaws who had a papoose saw a poor hungry pioneer woman trying to nurse a little undernourished baby. The Indian mother felt so sorry for them she took the poor baby in her arms and nursed it. However, it made the baby sick because it was not used to such rich milk.

The travelers did have some meat. At one time a deer or elk was served out. Once Brother Ellsworth killed a cow. On August 6, they saw thousands of buffalo. Four were shot. The next day their hungry appetites were satisfied with buffalo meat but they had to dig for water and it was very thick. A few days later, all or most of them had bad diarrhea or purging—they didn’t know whether it was the buffalo or the muddy river water.

They traveled through dust storms, electrical storms, and bright sun that sunburned and baked them. To keep their sprits up as they traveled they would sing. A few lines of one of the songs they sang are:

“Oh some must push and some must pull
As we go marching up the hill
Then merrily on our way we go
Until we reach the valley-O!”

They camped about 19 miles from Fort Laramie. Here they had plenty of wood to burn and they said it was quite a treat after burning so many buffalo chips. After nearly four months of weary traveling, having been delayed by sickness and deaths, and the breaking down of handcarts which were made of unseasoned lumber, they reached Salt Lake City September 26, 1856. The company was met by Brigham Young and a large number of saints in emigration Canyon and given a hearty welcome. Harriet used to tell of them bringing watermelons to them on their arrival.

Church Emigration publications give this report of their arrival:

“In the evening of September 25th it was reported that Captain Edmund Ellsworth’s company was encamped at the Willow Springs for the night. Consequently, on the 26th, President Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and Daniel H. Wells and many other citizens in carriages and several Gentlemen and Ladies on horseback, with a part of Captain H. B. Clawsen’s company of lancers, and the brass bands under Captain William Pitt left the President’s Office at 9 a.m. with the view of meeting them back of the Little Mountain.

“President Young ordered the party to halt until the handcarts should arrive, and with President Kimball drove to meet them. Soon the anxiously expected train came in sight led by Captain Ellsworth on foot, and with two aged veterans pulling the front cart, followed by a long line of carts attended by the old, middle-aged, and young of both sexes.

“When [they were] opposite the escorting party, a halt was called and their captain introduced the newcomers to President Young and Kimball. This was followed by the joyous greeting of relatives and friends, and an unexpected treat of melons.

“While thus regaling, Captain Daniel D. McArthur came up with his handcart company, they having traveled that day from the east of Big Mountain. From the place of halting to the public square in the Sixteenth Ward [later the University site] the following order of march was observed, under the supervision of Captain Clawson:

• Lancers
• Ladies on horseback
• President Young’s, Kimball’s, and Wells’ carriages
• The bands
• Captain Ellsworth’s and McArthur’s companies
• Citizens in carriages and on horseback

“The line of march was scarcely taken up before it began to be met by men, women, and children on foot, on horses, and wagons, thronging out to see and welcome the first handcart companies, and the numbers rapidly increased until the living tide lined and thronged South Temple Street.

“The procession reached the Sixteenth Ward Square about sunset, when the lancers, bands, and carriages formed in a line facing the line of handcarts; and after a few remarks by President Young, accompanied by his blessing, the spectators and escort retired, and the companies pitched their tents at the end of a walk and pull of about 1300 miles.”

What a joyous day that must have been for Thomas and Harriet to finally reach their destination after traveling such a long and hard journey from their home in England!

Thomas and Harriet lived in Salt Lake for four or five years where two children were born, Alice Marinda (January 22, 1857) and Esther Ann (April 6 1860). Esther Ann died when she was two months old and was buried in Salt Lake City. On August 8, 1860 they went to the Endowment House and received their endowments and were sealed to each other for time and eternity.

They were called to go south and help settle what is now known as Goshen, Utah County, Utah. Thomas and his brother John and their families left Salt Lake in 1860, traveling south crossing the Jordan River south of the Point of the Mountain and traveling along the west side of Utah Lake. 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 Uncle John. A just 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.

Arriving at Goshen, Thomas engaged in farming and working at his trade of blacksmithing. While living there, three sons were born to them: Abner (August 31, 1861), Arthur E. (October 5, 1863), and Thomas A. (May 15, 1866).

They next moved to Pleasant Grove, Utah County, Utah, then known as Battle Creek, because a battle with the Indians had been fought there. They lived on what was then called Farnsworth’s Hill on the road to Battle Creek Canyon. Here Harriet Priscilla was born (December 22, 1868). They then built a log house north of the flour mill. The logs for this house were split on the old pit near Battle Creek Canyon.

Thomas’ brothers, Charles and Edward, who had settled at Henefer, Summit County, Utah, wanted him to come to Henefer and work at blacksmithing, so in 1869 they moved there. The railroad was being built down Weber Canyon at this time, so there was much work there. On November 9, 1870, my father, Oscar John Deveraux Richins was born.

Thomas had occasion to go to Echo Canyon and as he was driving along, a band of Indians on horses stopped him. They took their bows and arrows and circled around the wagon. He thought his time to die had come, but at some words from their chief, they all rode away.

When they had lived in Henefer a little over a year, the blacksmith shop burned down, so they moved back to their home in Pleasant Grove. On their journey back from Henefer, Albert, then about 15 years old, and Alice, about 12, walked and drove their stock from Salt Lake to Pleasant Grove. Albert walked barefoot. They tried to take a short cut over the hills and became lost. They did not arrive home until a long time after dark.

The mill ditch had been dug right next to their home while they had been gone, so they had to move farther east on their property to avoid being so close to the water. The United Order was in effect when they returned so Thomas took his blacksmithing tools and worked in the Order Shop, which was located just east of the old mercantile store.

Harriet’s brother, Joseph Deveraux, with his wife and six children came from England so she and Thomas took them into their small log house to live with them until her brother could find a home for his family. Later Thomas built a larger soft-rock home which is still standing, although it has been remodeled and has been built onto.

Thomas and Harriet’s son, Marcus E., was born January 1, 1873 and their last child, Nettie E. was born February 7, 1875.

Harriet did much toward helping with the finances. Besides caring for her large family, she dried fruit and took in sewing. Her special line of sewing was making men’s and boys’ suits and overcoats. She also made fancy gloves made from buckskin which she obtained from the Indians, stitching them with bright colored silk. While living in England she worked making kid gloves.

She was called on to help care for the sick, sometimes being both doctor and nurse. She took care of her aged father who was blind and bedridden for the last six years of his life. She did everything she could to make him comfortable until his death.

The children helped too. They gleaned wheat from the fields after it had been harvested and gathered ground cherries which were scalded to remove a gummy substance, and then dried or made into preserves to sell. They had one pair of shoes each fall and went barefoot the rest of the time.

Thomas and Harriet were the parents of ten children—six boys and four girls. Four of these children pioneered Ashley Valley (or Vernal, Uintah County, Utah):

• Albert F., who married Helena Nielson
• Abner E., who married Frances Fage
• Arthur, who married Emily Dee
• Priscilla, who married Henson Eaton
• Two died: Esther in infancy and Marcus when a young man.

The others remained in Pleasant Grove, lived and died there and are buried in the Pleasant Grove City Cemetery:

• Alice, the wife of Edward Warburton
• Thomas, who married Ellen Jay
• Oscar, who married Hulda Anderson
• Nettie, wife of William Green

Both Thomas and Harriet were affected with deafness and it was a great handicap to them. Although in later years they were denied the privilege of hearing the gospel preached, they enjoyed reading the scriptures.

Harriet died May 14, 1896, age 63 years. Thomas passed away December 28, 1896, after suffering a stroke on Christmas day. Both are buried in the Pleasant Grove City Cemetery.

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 worshipping in the Lord’s appointed way and building up the Kingdom of God. What a dept of gratitude we owe these stalwart pioneer ancestors of ours!

“A Short History of Thomas Richins and Harriet Deveraux,” by Afton Gene Richins Fischio (granddaughter), August 1982; Published by the Richins Surname Association, August 1983.

Preface

During the summer of 1855, Elder Edmund Ellsworth, who was serving a mission in England, received a letter from President Brigham Young asking if he would lead a company of Saints to cross the plains on foot. (Walker, p44)

On 29 October 1855 the First Presidency issued the Thirteenth General Epistle, regarding immigration to Zion: “The [Perpetual Emigrating] Fund is designed to deliver the honest poor, the pauper, if you please, from the thraldom of ages…Let all the Saints who can, gather up for Zion…Let them come on foot, with handcarts …[Thereby] the main expense of the immigration will be avoided, consequently thousands more than heretofore can receive assistance.” (Walker, p45) By this means of travel, the emigrants could journey from Liverpool, England to Salt Lake City for about forty-five dollars. (Berrett, p280)

Latter-Day-Saint Elders in England, instead of returning directly home, were informed that they were to aid those who planned to emigrate during the coming season. In March of 1856, Elder Ellsworth was with 529 Saints that embarked on the sailing ship Enoch Train. They set sail at Liverpool bound for Boston. This was the first group that would travel with the aide of the Perpetual Immigration Fund and cross the plains with handcarts. (Walker, p45)

The Enoch Train

Deveraux and Richins Families

Also on the Enoch Train were five of my ancestors, John and Ester Deveraux, their daughter Harriet, her husband Thomas Richins and their 1-year-old son, Albert Franklin. Fifteen years previously, the Deveraux family had been baptized by Apostle Wilford Woodruff in a small pond on the John Benbow farm in Herefordshire. They had been among the 600 members of the United Brethren converted by Apostle Woodruff. When Harriet was 13, she was baptized on 30 July 1846 by Elder William Webb. (Fischio) Thomas Richins was baptized, at age 24, on 1 Jan 1850 at Sheepscomb, Gloucestershire. (Richins, p5)

Ester Deveraux was 60 years old and in poor health when she left England and 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, Ester passed away from consumption and was buried in the sea. (Fischio; Mormon Immigration Index)

Warburton Family

In January 1856, two months before the ship Enoch Train set sail, John and Betty Warburton, with their six-year-old son Edward (Teddy), had left Yorkshire and sailed on a cargo ship through the canals of Lancashire and into the Irish Sea. Their plans were to sail to Liverpool where they would join with a group of Saints that would then sail to America. Betty was expecting a baby and on the 2nd day of their journey, as they were going through The Channel, she became ill. Unable to obtain medical help, she died from complications of her pregnancy. Because the ship was then far out at sea, she was wrapped in canvas and lowered into the waters. John and Teddy were devastated as they watched their beloved wife and mother buried in the Irish Sea. Before her death, Betty made John promise that he would continue on to Zion. (Proctor)

Two days later, when John and his son reached Liverpool, they learned the ship they were supposed to have sailed on had left the day before. John was in despair until he ran into some old missionary friends and they arranged for him and his son to sail on the ship Independence with church leaders and missionaries that were returning home. (Proctor)

Note: This is the reason John and Edward Warburton are not found in the Mormon Immigration Index.

It was the end of February 1856 when they landed in New York. John and Teddy stayed close to the church where John was able to find work and earn enough to care for their needs. A few months later, with another group of Saints, they boarded the Rock Island Railroad in New York and took the North Western route through Chicago to Iowa City. There were coach cars on the train but the Mormon immigrants rode in the boxcars. (Proctor)

The Enoch Train

After five weeks and five days on the ocean, the ship Enoch Train landed at Boston Constitution Wharf on 1 May 1856. The immigrants then went to New York by boat and rail, and by train to Rock Island, Illinois. Crossing the Mississippi River on a boat, they then boarded a train of boxcars. The cars had no seats; the travelers had to sit on their trunks and baggage and had no room to lie down at night. They reached Iowa City late at night on May 12 and had to walk four miles to the camp. The next five weeks were spent making handcarts and preparing for their journey across the plains. (Fischio; Walker, p45)

Iowa City

When John and his son reached Iowa City they found old friends from Yorkshire and new friends from other parts of England. They joined with the Edmund Ellsworth group where they met Thomas and Harriet Richins and John Deveraux. John Deveraux was 56 years old, Thomas was 30, Harriet was 22 and their little son, Albert, was 16 months. John Warburton was 33 and Teddy had just turned 7. (Proctor)

The handcarts were made of hickory and oak with axles of strong hickory or iron. The shafts were six feet long with three or four cross bars from the back part to the front. There was a space of four feet for the lead person to pull the cart. Canvas was stretched over the crossbars or boards, which was topped by a box frame three or four feet long and eight inches high. This cart held all the family’s belongings. (Fischio)

John Warburton was a great help in building the handcarts and getting them into shape. He had experience as a wheelwright and was a healthy, strong man. Though not large in statue, he had a great will to work. He also helped to repair the handcarts during the journey. Every tiny bit of oil and grease was important to keep them from drying out and falling apart, especially the wheels. They were built of wood to keep the carts as light as possible for the people to pull them. Thomas Richins, who was a blacksmith by trade, also contributed much to the success of the trek. (Proctor)

According to the Walker article, the members of the company were given one tent and four handcarts to twenty persons. However, in John Warburton’s life sketch it says that John and his son were issued a handcart of their own but they shared it with the Richins family. Harriet Richins wanted badly to take along her rocking chair. Her sewing machine was allowed in the supply wagon because sewing machines were in short supply in the valley. (Proctor)

To each company of twenty handcarts, there would be two or three covered wagons drawn by a span of oxen, a few milk cows and some beef cattle. The herd boys, who included Teddy Warburton, cared for the animals. The boys’ shoes wore out rapidly and after a few patchings they took burlap to wrap their feet in when the going was rough. They seldom complained. (Fischio; Proctor)

Mary Ann Jones, another member of the Ellsworth Company, wrote: “We left Iowa City 9 June 1856 and traveled to Florence, leaving there 16 July. The handcarts were flimsy and were continually breaking down…Our company [Edmund Ellsworth, captain] consisted of 274 members, the other passengers of the ship were in the second company [Daniel McArthur, captain]. We traveled from ten to twenty eight miles each day.” (Walker, p45)

The ox teams started with them in the morning but would be from one to three hours behind getting into camp at night. The Ellsworth Company was a happy group and had little misfortune. There were four babies born, two died and one mother. All was good with them if the babies came in the night while they were in camp. But if they came in the daytime, the carts and wagons would just keep rolling along. Sometimes the supply wagons would have two mothers to care for at one time. (Fischio)

When the Saints would die along the way, they would dress and prepare the bodies, wrap them in blankets or canvas and dig a shallow grave in the evening. The next morning a short service would be held and the company would go on. Two or three men would stay behind to finish the burial and often John Warburton would be called upon to perform this service. They would say an extra prayer that the Indians or wild animals would not molest the grave and also leave a message for those coming on behind. (Proctor)

Provisions became scarce so they were put on rations, one pint of flour per person per day. This they cooked as best they could. One day Harriet mixed too much water with the flour and all they could do was drink it. One time Thomas was so hungry he cut pieces of rawhide from the cart to eat. (Hilton)

Harriet told how a band of Indians came into their camp. One of the Indian squaws who had a papoose saw a hungry pioneer woman trying to nurse a little undernourished baby. The Indian mother felt so sorry for them she took the baby in her arms and nursed it. However, it made the baby sick because it was not used to such rich milk. (Fischio)

The travelers did have some meat. Occasionally a deer or elk was served out and once Brother Ellsworth killed a cow. On the sixth of August they saw thousands of buffalo. Four were shot. The next day their hungry appetites were satisfied with buffalo meat, but they had to dig for water and it was very thick. A few days later, all or most of them had bad diarrhea or purging. They didn’t know whether it was the buffalo meat or the muddy river water that caused it. (Fischio)

Mary Ann Jones, wrote:”Some stomachs may reject a supper cooked with water taken from a buffalo wallow and on a fire of buffalo chips, but to us the food was good…A very remarkable thing happened while we were at the Platte River. One of the oxen used to pull the wagons, died. Brother Ellsworth asked the brethren what could be done. Should we place a cow in the team? One brother said; Look, Brother Ellsworth, at that steer on the hill…The animal worked as well as the others. When we were within two days of Salt Lake City we met some wagons sent with provisions to help us the remainder of the way. The next morning, when gathering animals, that steer was gone. After hunting for him for several hours Brother Ellsworth said, the Lord loaned him to us for as long as we needed him.” (Walker, p47)

“The Handcart Song”

They traveled through dust storms, electrical storms, and bright sun that sunburned and baked them. To keep their spirits up as they traveled they would sing:

"The Handcart Song"
Ye Saints that dwell on Europe’s shores,
Prepare yourselves with many more
To leave behind your native land
For sure God’s Judgments are at hand.
Prepare to cross the stormy main
Before you do the valley gain
And with the faithful make a start
To cross the plains with your handcart.

Chorus:
Some must push and some must pull
As we go marching up the hill,
As merrily on the way we go
Until we reach the valley, ho. (Walker, p49)

They camped about nineteen miles from Fort Laramie and there they had plenty of wood to burn. It was quite a treat after burning nothing but buffalo chips for so long. (Fischio)

On 18 September 1856, while the handcarts of the Ellsworth Company were traveling up the hill west of Green River, they were surprised to suddenly come upon seventeen missionaries bound for Great Britain and other locations. Thomas Bullock, one of the missionaries, wrote,

When reaching Fort Bridger and the mountains, the way became harder and they could not make as good a time. However, knowing that they must go through the mountains before reaching the promised valley, they pressed on. (Proctor)

After almost four months of weary traveling, having been delayed by sickness and deaths and the breaking down of handcarts, which were made of unseasoned lumber, the Edmund Ellsworth Company reached Salt Lake on the 26^th of September 1856. The company was met in Emigration Canyon by Brigham Young, the Nauvoo Band, and a large number of Saints. They were given a hearty welcome. Harriet used to tell of them bringing watermelons to them on their arrival. (Fischio; Walker, p49) What a joyous day that would have been for Thomas and Harriet Richins to finally reach their destination after traveling such a long and difficult journey from their home in England. But, for the two Johns who had both buried their wives in the sea, it must have been bittersweet.

Church Emigration publications give the following report of their arrival in the Salt Lake Valley:

“In the evening of September 25^th, 1856, it was reported that Captain Edmund Ellsworth’s company was encamped at Willow Springs for the night. Consequently, on the 26^th, Presidents Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and Daniel H. Wells and many other citizens in carriages and several ladies and gentlemen on horseback, with a part of Captain H. B. Clawsen’s company of lancers, and the brass bands under Captain William Pitt left the President’s office at 9:00 AM with the view of meeting them back of the Little Mountain.

President Young ordered the party to halt until the handcarts should arrive, and with President Kimball drove to meet them. Soon the anxiously expected train came into sight led by Captain Ellsworth on foot, and with two aged veterans pulling the front cart, followed by a long line of carts attended by the old, middle-aged, and young of both sexes.

When they were opposite the escorting party, a halt was called and their captain introduced the newcomers to Presidents Young and Kimball. This followed by joyous greetings of relatives and friends, and an unexpected treat of watermelons. While thus regaling, Captain Daniel D. McArthur came up with his handcart company, they having traveled that day from the east of Big Mountain.

From the place of halting to the public square in the Sixteenth Ward the following order of march was observed, under the supervision of Captain Clawson: 1. lancers, 2. ladies on horseback, 3. Presidents Young, Kimball, and Wells carriages, 4. the bands, 5. Captains Ellsworth and McArthur companies, 6. citizens in carriages and on horseback.

The line of march was scarcely taken up before it began to be met by men, women, and children on foot, on horses, and in wagons, thronging out to see and welcome the first handcart companies and the numbers rapidly increased until the living tide lined and thronged South Temple Street.

The procession reached the Sixteenth Ward Square about sunset, when the lancers, bands, and carriages formed in a line facing the line of handcarts; and after a few remarks by President Young, accompanied by his blessings, the spectators and escort retired, and the companies pitched their tents at the end of a 1,300 mile walk.” (Fischio)

Mary Ann Jones described their arrival: “It was a day never to be forgotten. We had reached our goal, traveling on foot all of the way….We had left comfortable homes, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and friends, all for our testimony of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and for the privilege of hearing a prophet’s voice and to live with the Saints of God.” (Walker, p48)

Of the 274 people who embarked upon the journey of the Ellsworth Company, 13 persons died from consumption, diarrhea, and whooping cough, except for the death of Henry Walker who was killed by lightening. (Walker, p48)

Thomas and Harriet found a little one room dugout in the foothills, on the East Bench of Salt Lake Valley to live in and John and his son stayed with them just long enough to help build on an extra room and a lean-to. Thomas’ brother, John Richins, his wife, and their baby, were following in the Willie Handcart Company and would need a place to live when they arrived. That company, unfortunately, started too late in the season and got caught in mountain blizzards in Wyoming. When they arrived in Salt Lake they were in need of much help. (Proctor)

The Richins family stayed in Salt Lake for five years until they were called by President Brigham Young to move south and help settle Goshen, Utah County. Thomas engaged in farming and worked at his trade as a blacksmith. (Proctor)

John and Teddy Warburton stayed in Salt Lake until the following March when President Young issued John a quarter section of land in the northeast part of Battle Creek, Utah County, now known as Pleasant Grove. They moved to Battle Creek where John built a small adobe house in the fort. (Proctor)

On 10 Jun 1857, John Deveraux married a widow named Mrs. Ann Perkins Price. (Ancestral File) In the 1870 Federal Census Records, John is listed as age 65, living in a community called Newton in Utah County, with a wife named Anne who was 60. He was a farmer, owned personal estate worth $200 and property valued at $275. He could read and write and his birthplace was England. It may be that President Young also issued John Deveraux a piece of land.

Twenty years later in 1876, Edward (Ted) Warburton married Alice Mirentha Richins, a daughter of Thomas and Harriet Richins that had not yet been born when they crossed the plains together. Ted and Alice were my great grandparents.

Note: There is a discrepancy between English records and American records regarding John Deveraux’s birth date. English records have him born in 1800 while American records list his birth as 1805.

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 Thomas Richins,” written for Daughters of Utah Pioneers. Unpublished, no date.

Proctor, Eva Mirentha Warburton. “The Life Sketch of John Warburton and Betty Sunderland and son, Edward 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.

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 1^st: 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 2^nd: 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 6^th 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 6^th 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 4^th 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 9^th 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.