Thomas Richins was born 6 June 1826 at Sheepscombe, Gloucestershire, England, a son of Richard Richins and Charlotte Priscilla Wager. He had seven brothers and three sisters, one of which was his twin. Her name was Charlotte Priscilla, after her mother, but she must have died before she was christened, as there is no record of that event.

His sister, Hannah, died at age 19 in 1838. His brother, John Edward, died when about a month and a half old. Mary Ann died at a little over one year of age. Edwin lived about ten months, and William died at the age of nine years. George Thomas married Ann Pullum and stayed in England. The other four boys—Charles, John, Edward, and Thomas immigrated to Utah. Their mother died when they were young and so they had to leave home and go to work.

On January 1, 1850, Thomas was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Elder Charles Shill at Sheepscomb, and confirmed on 3 January 1850 by Elder William Davis. He was 24 years of age at this time. He worked at farming, blacksmithing, and as a Wagoner.

On December 15, 1853, Thomas married Harriet Deveraux, daughter of John Deveraux and Esther Cockshed. She was born December 29, 1833, at Eastnor, Herefordshire, England. She was the fourth of five children, having two sisters, Anne and Esther, and two brothers, Joseph and John. Her brother John, just older than her, died at age 14 months, the same year that Harriet was born.

Esther’s parents, John and Esther Deveraux, became dissatisfied with the Wesleyan Methodist Church to which they belonged and joined a group who called themselves the United Brethren. They were among the 600 members of this group who were baptized by Wilford Woodruff when he was sent by revelation to the Benbow Farm in 1840. Harriet was six years old at this time. She was baptized July 30, 1846, by William Webb and confirmed the same day by Thomas Price at Berrow when she was 13.

On January 30, 1855, a son was born to Thomas and Harriet. He was named Albert Franklin.

On 22 March 1856 they, with Harriet’s father and mother (John and Esther Deveraux) and many more saints embarked on the sailing ship Enoch Train at Liverpool, bound from Boston. The ship carried the first emigrants to come by the Perpetual Emigrating Fund. Those who had money put it into this fund to help those who had none. They were booked from the office of the headquarters of the Church in Liverpool. Henry P. Rich was captain of the ship. Elder James Ferguson was president of the company of saints, with Edmund Ellsworth and Daniel D. McArthur as counselors.

The company was organized into wards numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. 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. The ship’s company also included a band from Birmingham.

Harriet’s mother was in poor health when they left and had been advised not to start on such a long journey, but she said she would rather die on the way than not make the attempt. When the ship was about ten days out, she died and was buried in the ocean.

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 Esther Deveruth [Deveraux] from Herefordshire Conference, aged 60 years. A rough day. Ships rolled and boxes rattled. Bottles upset. Bedsteads broke down and cooking did not please all for the saucepans upset in the jelly. Some scolded 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 do their best for all and all good Saints feel well.

“April 2nd: The dead sister’s 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 a.m. 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 at sea.

Archer Walters’ journal entry for 25 April (1856) says:

“A very cold morning. A child died at 4 o’clock. A son of Sister…from…Conference. 12 o’clock the ship still. Quite a calm. The little boy committed to the deep. Brother Ferguson spoke before the plank was drawn. Quite a solemn time to the children and the parents as well; indeed all sailors looked straight down their noses.”

There was a great deal of seasickness on the ship and many grumbled about the food. Archer Walters says: “… if they grumble now what will they do before they get to the valley?” It must have been a hard voyage but they also 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 o’clock and then we are out of a day’s 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. A committee was appointed called the “louse committee” at one meeting.

The Walter’s journal entry for 6 April reads:

“A beautiful morning. No cooking, only tea kettles boiled. Most all up 7 o’clock 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 out to the different wards. Two more fine whales were 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 opened by prayer. Band played “God Save the King.” Then Brother McArthur spoke on the Kingdom of God and being one law in all ages and His people one in all things and a song by the congregation then Brother Ellsworth spoke upon cleanliness. Song. Prayer. The children blessed that had been born on board. The first name David; the second named Enoch Train; the other a girl, Rebecca Enoch.

“Conference adjourned until the 6th of…next in Utah. A beautiful day. All retired to rest cheerful and happy. Trumpet sounded for prayers.”

After five weeks and five days on the ocean, they landed at Boston Constitution Wharf, on May 1, 1856. They went to New York by boat and rail, and by train to Rock Island, Illinois. They crossed the Mississippi River by boat and then went on to Iowa by railroad car. They arrived at 12 midnight and walked four miles to the campgrounds. They stayed there making handcarts and preparing for their trek across the plains, for something over five weeks.

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:

1. Lancers
2. Ladies on horseback
3. President Young’s, Kimball’s, and Wells’ carriages
4. The bands
5. Captain Ellsworth’s and McArthur’s 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 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

Thomas and Harriet’s soft rock home in Pleasant Grove, Utah with Thomas and some of his children in the foreground.

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!