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!