Leonard Richins was born January 29, 1829 in the little town of Sheepscombe/Painswick, Gloucestershire, England. Leonard was the second son of William and Charlotte Ann Guy Richins. He had four brothers and two sisters who were also born in Painswick.

Children of William & Charlotte Richins
Children Birth date
Joseph August 16, 1826
Leonard January 29, 1829
Absalom February 12, 1832
Enoch May 15, 1835 
Miriam Ann December 24, 1837
Peter June 9, 1840
Emma April 30, 1845

Susan Jaynes was the young lady he decided to have as his life’s companion. She was born March 28, 1828. Her parents were Thomas Jaynes and Mary Tyler. Leonard and Susan were married October 10, 1852. God blessed this union with two sons and two daughters:

  • Heber George, born 12 October 1854 in Caisend, Berrow, Warwickshire, England;
  • Charlotte Ann, born 2 December 1856 in Sheepscombe/Painswick, Gloucestershire, England;
  • Mary Jane, born 10 July 1859 in Green Lane/Redmarley, Gloucestershire, England; and
  • Leonard Thomas, born 6 May 1863 in Green Lane/Redmarley, Gloucestershire, England.

Charlotte Ann died as a child, January 13, 1854, at the age of 8 while living in England. The remaining three children grew to [adulthood].

When the William and Charlotte Ann Richins family heard the first gospel sermon preached in 1850 by the Latter-day Saint missionaries in their vicinity, it came to them as a light from heaven. It aroused their feelings. It caused them to realize that the same gospel principles Christ taught when on the earth were again restored. They heard and were assured of its truth. They consequently accepted it and were baptized. Leonard was baptized July 7, 1850, by Charles Richins in Sheepscombe. He was confirmed a member of the Church on July 13, 1850, by Charles Blackwell. Leonard was 21 at that time.

After his mother and father left England and arrived safely in Utah, Leonard decided he would also like to take his family there; so at the age of forty-three, he left Liverpool, England, on the steamship Idaho.The steam ship left the port on October 22, 1873, with 522 saints under the charge of John I. Hart. The company arrived at New York November 4, and crossed the continent by train arriving in Salt Lake City, November 14, 1873.

After his arrival in Utah, Leonard was re-baptized September 19, 1875 by William Cluff and reconfirmed by A. Winters.