Although parts of the life of Charles and each of his wives has been written separately in the past, this is the first time the life stories of all four individuals have been put together. This provides a clearer picture of the Charles Richins family and reveals to us the sacrifices they made. Each accepted the Gospel of Jesus Christ and came to Zion, a trek that was not easy. They were truly pioneers, not just in getting to Zion, but also in Henefer, Pleasant Grove, Mesa, and Colonial Diaz where they were early settlers. Agnes, in her short autobiography wrote, “I went through the Pioneer days in Mexico.”

Louisa was a pioneer in Henefer and then again in Mesa, Arizona. Esther was in Henefer almost as soon as Louisa, and then remained there to take care of the family’s possessions during their persecution for polygamy. This history illustrates the sacrifices the Charles Richins family made by the number of times each of the four people involved made trips back and forth from Utah, Arizona and Mexico. Travel in those days was most difficult. The descendants of Charles should not lose sight of the sorrow and heartaches that came to the families from the death of their children while still young. Louisa had five children who died young, Esther had four, and Agnes three.

How different things might have been had Charles not entered into plural marriage but remained in Henefer instead with Louisa and his first family. But he did enter into plural marriage, and it is the writer’s conviction that if Charles had kept a diary he would have recorded his call from President Brigham Young to take upon himself this great responsibility. No doubt he was aware of the sacrifices he would be called upon to make, but he was equal to the test. Even after persecution started Charles married his third wife. Credit should also be given to Louisa, Esther and Agnes who, from all indication, lived as harmoniously in plural marriage as three wives possibly could. They maintained their love and devotion to Charles, to each other, and to the families of each other even after most of their worldly possessions had been lost. In so doing they helped raise up a righteous posterity, which was the purpose for the practice of plural marriage. Truly, the blessings pronounced upon the head of Charles Richins by Patriarch John Smith were fulfilled.

Charles Richins Memorial

At the Richins Family Reunion held Saturday, August 7, 1976 in Henefer, a special tribute was paid to Charles and his three wives when a memorial marker was erected and dedicated by the descendants of Charles in the Henefer Cemetery. The inscription on the monument reads:

MEMORIAL
TO
CHARLES RICHINS
1828-1903

EARLY SETTLERS AND CHURCH LEADERS OF HENEFER

Born 17 August 1828, Sheepscombe, Gloucester, England, son of Richard Richins and Charlotte Priscilla Wager. Pioneer to Utah 1853 – Settled in Henneferville 1861. Served for 25 years (1865-1890) as Presiding Elder and Bishop. MARRIED: LOUISA SHILL, ESTHER STOWE OVARD AND AGNES MARY WILLMOTT. Father of 30 children. Died 27 August 1903 at Colonia Diaz, Mexico, where he is buried. Erected by his descendants.

Dedicated 7 August 1976.