The New Year of 1860 had been ushered in but a week when on January 8, in Salt Lake City, Utah, a baby girl was born to Charles Wager Richins and his wife, Louisa Shill. She was the second daughter and fourth child of a family of ten.
The baby was named Prudence Priscilla, the given names of both her grandmothers. She was loved very dearly, being the only living daughter as her sister had died. Her round happy face and baby smile seemed to radiate sunshine.
In 1861 Prudence, a toddling child of one year, with her parents and older brother, Wellington, moved to Heneferville, Summit County, Utah. (A brother, Charles Robert, had also passed away.) Her father, Charles Wager Richins, had been called by President Brigham Young, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to go and help settle this village. He was made Presiding Elder of the Church Branch. Later, in the year of 1877 he was ordained bishop.
Prudence, the eldest daughter, proved very helpful to her parents. On one occasion, when she was only eight years of age, she was left with the responsibility of caring for the family and the small baby. Her brother, Wellington, was to take care of the chores. Her parents drove to Salt Lake City by ox team and wagon to deliver their butter, milk, and eggs and do some shopping while there. This trip took from early morning until late at night. They traveled by way of Weber Canyon, having to cross the Weber River several times.
Her mother purchased a small china jewel box made in the shape of a dresser with shining celluloid mirror. This was a surprise gift presented to Prudence for taking care of the children. Prudence loved this gift, keeping it all through the years. She gave it to her eldest daughter, Louisa Pearl, who also treasured it until her death May 6, 1958 when Prudence’s youngest daughter, Naoma, became the proud possessor of the gift. To her it is not only a valued heirloom, but also signifies love, helpfulness, and trustworthiness—exemplifying the life of her mother, Prudence.
Prudence was jovial, happy and kind. She made many friends. By her early teens she had developed into a lovely young lady with blue eyes and flaxen blonde hair. She possessed a lovely personality and had a smile for everyone.
Like most girls, Prudence loved to dance. The boys showed an interest in her as she began attending social gatherings and dancing parties. It was through these entertainments that Joseph William Bond became interested in her. As Joseph helped provide the music for the dances, he would often dance with Prudence while playing his concertina. He courted his lovely girl, Prudence, for some time before asking her to be his wife.
Bishop Charles Wager Richins and wife, Louisa, knew Joseph to be an ambitious and kind young man and consented to their marriage. They were married in the “for time only” in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, August 7, 1877 by President John Taylor of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They would later be sealed for “eternity”. Joseph a young man of twenty-four and Prudence just seventeen, their hearts filled with devotion and contentment started on life’s long journey together.
In the fall of 1877 the young couple, with Wellington Richins, his young bride, Alice Bond, Louisa Shill Richins and her two young children, Rebecca and Marland, made plans to leave for Arizona. They had heard of this wonderful country and President Brigham Young had encouraged them to help settle this new land.
They gathered their earthly belongings, loading them into two covered wagons; Joseph driving three yoke of oxen and Welling two. With the creaking of wagon wheels and the bellowing of oxen and cattle which they were taking, they started for Arizona. From Henefer they traveled to Heber City, down Provo Canyon to Provo. Here enough food and supplies were purchased to make the journey.
In Richfield, Utah, they overtook and joined the Redden Allred family with their two yoke of oxen and wagon. They, too, were headed for Arizona. On they traveled, overtaking a larger company of covered wagons: the Pomeroy’s, the Sirrine’s, Crismon’s and Jones’. These two companies traveled for months trailing and then passing each other many, many times as they traveled through the rugged Buckskin mountain area in southern Utah. Beyond the mountain they traveled on into the desert arriving at the Colorado River where they crossed at Lee’s Ferry; the family crossing first, then the cattle.
To Prudence the way was long, rough, and tiresome. They camped at Navajo Springs, Arizona, where she gave birth to a son. She became very ill forcing them to drive by night to Willow Springs. The baby died. The tiny body was placed in a crude coffin made of rough lumber and lined with cotton cloth. Wellington Richins and Francis M. Pomeroy carried it on horseback fifteen miles to Moenkopi, a Mormon settlement. There a graveside prayer and dedication was held and the body of Orson Obed Bond was buried.
The company stayed until Prudence was able to travel. When they resumed their travels, the weather was bitter cold. They landed in Thompson Valley on January 8, 1878, Prudence’s birthday. Here in a roughly built log cabin they lived for six months. Joseph obtained work by hauling wood, logs and other items to Prescott which was about fifty miles away. With trials, heartaches and sorrows, they became dissatisfied. Trading their oxen for horses and wagon, Joseph, Prudence, Louisa Shill Richins and two children, Rebecca and Marland, returned to their home in Utah. The Wellington Richins and Redden Allred Families remained in Thompson Valley for some time. Later they journeyed on to Lehi and then to Mesa, Arizona.
It was September when the Bond party arrived back in Henefer. They lived in the Richins home known as the “big house” for one year and Joseph worked for his father-in-law, Bishop Charles Wager Richins. It was in this lovely home that Prudence became the mother of another son, Charles Marlow, on August 27, 1879.
In Joseph’s spare time he hauled logs from the nearby canyons. With the help of his brother, John, he split and hewed enough logs to build a one-room cabin. It was here he moved Prudence and their small son. Happiness was theirs in this log cabin.
Joseph left his family to go to Green River, Wyoming. The trip was made by team and wagon. Green River was a railroad town and Joseph with his team worked on a grader helping to build the railroad to Ogden, Utah.
Two years later, in the little log cabin, a baby daughter, Louisa Pearl, was born to this couple. Joseph was working in Wyoming when, by mail, he received the news of their new baby. Joseph left his team on the job and went home to his wife and family. He stayed several days and then returned by train and continued working until November. He then quit his job in Wyoming.
Shortly after arriving home he got work at the Devil’s Slide rock quarry down the canyon from Henefer. It was here he saw a friend, Joe Edgeworth, seriously injured when struck with a falling rock. After seeing this, Joseph decided that this work was too dangerous. He resigned and walked back to Henefer, a distance of about five miles.
Several letters had been received from loved ones in Arizona telling of the progress they were making and of the many opportunities which were there. They asked Joseph and Prudence to come and join them. In 1882, Joseph and Prudence and two small children, along with Grandmother Louisa Shill Richins and two children, Rebecca and Marland, left Henefer. They purchased tickets at the U.P. Railroad at Echo, Utah for their trip to Arizona. Wellington Richins had been notified of their coming and met them at Maricopa, Arizona, which was the railroad terminal. It was a full day’s trip to Mesa by team and wagon, a distance of thirty miles.
In Mesa, Joseph and Prudence purchased eighty acres of land and a two-room adobe house with a dirt roof. It was located one-half mile northwest of town, now boarded by North Country Club Drive one the east and 4th Street on the north, Clark Street on the south and North Extension on the west. For the property and house, Joseph paid one thousand dollars. Joseph gave $600 cash and signed a note for the remaining $400. Grandmother Louisa and her two children lived there with them.
The land was covered with sage brush, chaparral, mesquite, and cacti. Only five acres was cleared and ready to farm. It took months of hard work digging, dragging, cutting, and burning to get the land prepared to plant crops. Yes indeed, it was hard work with no equipment and no money to buy the needed tools. The money had been expounded in making the payment on the acreage. Joseph borrowed a team, wagon and necessary equipment from Wellington Richins to cultivate and till the soil. Grain, alfalfa, fruit trees, and grape vines were included in the first planting.
Water was scarce and had to be taken from the canal that ended at the northeast corner of the farm. Prudence had to carry the water for drinking and household purposes. The water was poured in ollas (earthen jugs) and hung under a tree to settle and cool for drinking.
Money was needed badly. Joseph set out for the mines farther east where he obtained work. He left Prudence, Grandmother Louisa and small children behind to care for their newly purchased acreage. The eldest son, Marlow, helped his mother greatly by doing the light chores and running errands. If the irrigation came at night, as it often did, (and the nights seemed extremely dark) he would shovel the openings in the ditch and assist by carrying the coal oil lantern which lighted their way.
In 1887-1888 Prudence had purchased a white treadle sewing machine with money she had made from the washings and ironings she did for other families. She was indeed grateful for this machine since most of the clothing had to be made. Only a few items of wearing apparel were available for purchase. At night, after the children had been tucked in bed, Prudence would sew for the family by the light of a candle or coal oil lamp. Marlow would stay awake with his mother and study his school lessons. Lying on the floor by the old fire place he learned his multiplication tables while his mother sewed.
A kind neighbor and friend, Mrs. Mary Leebrick, who was a talented seamstress and excellent cook, gave Prudence many pointers on sewing and cooking.
The Indians, carrying their bow and arrows and clad in g-strings with feathers in their hair, would often hunt rabbit through the chaparral bushes on horseback. The adobe rooms in the Bond home had open doors and windows. Blankets or sheets were hung to close them off when needed. Often the rabbits would run into the house for protection with the Indians running in after them. This would frighten Prudence and the children, but never did the Indians hurt or molest them in any way.
Through the years the Bond family became great friends with many of the Indians. Having to walk past the Bond home on their way to town they would leave their belongings by a tree in the yard while they went on into town to shop. They knew Prudence would never allow her children, or any other person, to touch their treasured things which were usually tied in a cloth into a small bundle and carried on their heads.
Joseph worked at the mines for three years. He came home frequently to make sure his family was alright and not in need. These visits took time from his work because of the great distance to travel by team and wagon. Consequently, he found work at the Pinal mines which brought him closer home.
He moved Prudence and children to Superior to live with him. Their stay there was short because Prudence and the children were afraid of the Apache Indians, a more vicious tribe of Indians than those at Mesa. Prudence and the children returned to Mesa to live. Joseph quit his job in the mines about one year later and came home to relieve his wife and family of the responsibility of caring for the farm. He sold forty acres of the farm land for $400 cash. The note for the farm was paid off and the remaining forty acres of land was theirs to call home.
There was much work to be done on this farm. Each year fields of grain were planted. At harvest time the wheat was taken to the mill and ground into flour which was stored in the mill to be used when needed. There were many chores to be done with the cows, calves, pigs, and chickens. Prudence always raised many beautiful white ducks which swam in the nearby canal. Prudence would pluck the ducks and the down from these ducks was made into pillows.
In the summer, fruit was picked and canned. A wooden barrel was always filled with clusters of spiced, pickled grapes and placed on the north side of the house to keep fresh and cool. When the children came to visit, bunches of spiced grapes, which they dearly loved, were given them to eat.
Prudence suffered several serious illnesses during her life. In 1889 before the birth of her daughter, Eliza, she contracted whooping cough. The baby was born and immediately developed symptoms of the disease. For seven weeks Joseph and Grandma Louisa took turns sitting up nights with Prudence and the baby. The disease left Prudence in a weakened condition.
Several years later she became ill with yellow jaundice and was bedfast for weeks. High fever and sweats left the bed sheets and her clothing stained yellow. About 1913 Prudence suffered a stroke causing her to be totally blind for three months. Normal sight returned to her left eye, but double vision to the right. This handicapped her in her work. Then a year later another stroke partially paralyzed her left side and caused a complete loss of vision in her right eye.
In 1900 the adobe home was torn down and a two-room lumber house was purchased to replace it. This was located south and it joined a lumber room which was already being used by the family. Two rooms were added making it a five-room house. This was the family’s to enjoy. To them it seemed a mansion.
Prudence was a good housekeeper, a trait she taught her daughters. For this new home she made throw rugs out of rag strips torn from the children’s old clothes. With the help of her daughters, curtains were made for the windows. Beautifully patterned pieced quilts were made for the beds. This was their home where many friends, neighbors and children were always welcome.
She was an excellent cook. The family dinner of the year was on Thanksgiving Day in honor of her husband, Joseph, whose birthday was November 25th. The English plum pudding was made in October. Prudence would mix the ingredients; pout it into clean white towels and tie them very tight. These were dropped in boiling water, which was heated in a galvanized tub over a grate and fire in the back yard. The water was kept boiling for eight hours. It was the children’s job to keep the fire burning under the tub. They carried buckets of chips and wood. To them, eight hours seemed an eternity. When the puddings were cooked they were hung up to age until Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. To prepare for serving, it was re-warmed and served with a dip or hard sauce.
English Plumb Pudding:
- 2 pounds currants
- 2 pounds stoned-chopped raisins
- 1 pound chopped suet1 pound brown sugar
- 1 pound sifted flour
- half-pound chopped citron
- half pound fine bread crumbs
- 1 large cupful molasses
- 1 tablespoonful salt
- 1 teaspoonful cinnamon
- half-teaspoonful cloves
- 3 grated nutmeg
- 2 tablespoonfuls baking powder
- 8 eggs
- juice of 3 lemons
- 1 cupful of brandy
- 1 wine glass of rosewater (may be used in place of the brandy or it may be entirely omitted)
Directions:
Mix the flour, sugar and spices and molasses, then add the well-beaten eggs, next the suet and lemon juice, then the fruit; mix well; next add the 2 tablespoonfuls of baking powder and the brandy, the mixture to be quite stiff.
If there is not sufficient moisture, use a little rich, sweet milk to thin it. Then put in a well-greased mould or a large tin pail, keep covered tightly, steam 8 to 10 hours; as the water evaporates add more; it is very excellent, having been used in one family more than 50 years.
Brandy Sauce
One quart of boiling milk and water, 1-½ tablespoonfuls of cornstarch, wet with cold water; stir it in the milk and water, boil 5 minutes, add 1 cup of granulated sugar, a little salt, a tablespoonful of butter, juice of lemon, wineglass of brandy.
Pickled Grapes
Four quarts of water, 2 quarts of vinegar, 1 quart of sugar, 2 tablespoonfuls of (stick) cinnamon, 2 tablespoonfuls of (whole) cloves. Put cinnamon and cloves in a clot bag, drop into solution of water, sugar and vinegar. Boil ½ hour. Wash grapes, cut in clusters, place into jars, pour boiling syrup over grapes filling jar, drop in small piece of (stick) cinnamon and (whole) clove for added looks in the jar. Seal while hot.
The English Plumb Pudding and Brandy Sauce recipes were taken from a family cookbook, printed in the year 1899 by G. W. Berton.
