Levi Willard Richards (1845 - 1914) Profile

Individual

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Levi Willard Richards

birth-date-qualifier-birth

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, Vol. 2, Page 10, Line 390.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959, Vol. 1, Page 10, Line 390.

Missionary Department missionary registers, 1860-1959.

Camp of Israel schedules and reports, 1845-1849

Camp of Israel schedules and reports, 1845-1849. 1849 September 24. Page 1.

Camp of Israel schedules and reports, 1845-1849.

Historical Department journal history of the Church

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008. Supplement after 31 December 1848: Page 19.

Historical Department journal history of the Church.

"Levi Willard Richards, Pioneer of 1848," Deseret Evening News

"Levi Willard Richards, Pioneer of 1848," Deseret Evening News, March 31, 1914.

"Levi Willard Richards, Pioneer of 1848," Deseret Evening News.

Phinehas Richards, Diary

Phinehas Richards, Diary, April 1837.

Friday June 23d, 1848. I went over the River to look [for] a House for Margaret. as she was to wait another year. I found one and bought it



Saturday 24. Had a real blow up with the wife and learned of her, that she had suported me for 10 or 12 years. so I keep learning and for the future I will support myself as usual.



Sabbath 25th. labored all day for the first time, preparing to go to the Mountains.



Monday 26. went over the River on buisness. A.M. and P.M. carried shakes and punchean to the Ferry. for the House I bought East side.



Tuesday 27. I was busey most of the day. made a ladder for waggon, Brother Moss came over with his Family ready for a start. This day F[ranklin]. D. Richards was appointed Capt. of 50 for the journey.



Monday July 3d. left Winter Quarters and campted 3 miles out, for the night.



Tuesday 4. The President, Willard Richards, seeing the City cleand came up to the camp and took his place in the Corill. here near Night[,] William Adams a child had a ball shot through one [k]nee and lodged in the other. I took him across the carill [corral] to the waggon of Br. W[illar]d. who orderd the ball extracted. Dr. Johnson took my lancet, made the attempt but failed. Dr. Lemeroux [Lamoreaux] next tried. but gave it up. I took the lancet[.] laid the boy in his Fathers lap, and took the ball out in less than a minute. The wound healed in a short time, to the joy of his parents and friends.



Monday 10. Levi Willard a Child fell from the Waggon and broke his arm. I was sent for to see to. I fixed it as I thought best and left him comfortable, and quiet. I saw him next day quite comfortable. in a day he was out at play with other children.



Sabbath 23. two Buffaloes were brought into Camp. and a number of Antelopes.



Monday 24. staid in camp. to discuss the case of rebelion, which showed itself out verry plainly, which was ascertaind and the meetin desolved.



August 6th had the Tine set on one wheel of my Waggon.



Monday 7, Came to a Tribe of Sous [Sioux] Indians and had a Conference with them and also traded with em for Robes and Mackersons [Moccasins], lef[t] them quiet and peaceable.



Wednesday 9, good weather, and a good travel[.] here we were soluted with the fumes of a Pole-Cat, for the third time on the journey.



Thursday 10, some Indians came to the Camp before starting this morning[.] all quiet.



Friday 11 Bro. [John Solomon] Ful[l]mers child kicked and the arm broken, a shower of Rain 5 P.M. passed the first Bleffs [Bluffs] ruins, and Camped where the first Company left their fires.



Saturday 12, had a long travel this day. Archabal [Archibald] B. Moss fell from his Waggon[.] the wheels run over the boys brother[.] he turned black, arose and then fell[.] we administered to him and he recovered.



Sabbath 13, left Camp early to find water and Camped 1 mile west of the first Camp[.] spent the day and, had gentle showers 5 P.M. damp and chilly Night and Morning.



Monday 14. had a great travel. (Pole-Cat.) Camped at Scot[t]s Bluffs [Bluff] North side of River



Tuesday 15. Last Night left a Cow and at Evening, Franklin D. Richards went back after her, and found her partly eaten by the Wolves. comfortable weather



Wednesday 16. came to the River, when the Company went over that was ahead, 15 miles from Larama [Laramie], a long drive this day.



Thursday 17, Crossed the River and went 1 mile up to Ash Grove, found wood and water, staid and washed, burnt Coal and repaired.



Friday 18 traveled late A.M. and went on to Fort Larama [Laramie] and Campt that night[.] all went well in spirits.



Saturday 19 Morning stopt at the Fort about one hour. then moved on to the Hot Springs.



Tuesday 22 we traveled 3 day and found no good feed which made it hard for Teems.



Mond[a]y 28 went to place where we stopt[.] about 12 M. staid that Night and the day following.



Br. Cuningham and his Company left and went on.



Wednesday 30, still in Camp, Br A[masa] Lyman Company passed through and Camped 1½ mile above us.



Thursday 31, Br. John Mercer had an ox die. killed 2 Buffaloes while here, shod Oxen and repaired Waggons. when through we went on our Journey, and continued our Journey day by day until the nineteenth of



September 19. when we saw snow on the mountins, probably 50 miles ahead. it look Cold. the weather however was mild and fair. the Camp generally well, and made progress in our journey



Saturday 23, came to the South Pass of the Rockey [Rocky] Mountains, near Night, a gentle rain with a mixture of snow, Camped 3 miles West of the Pass.



Sabbath 24. Traveled on till near Night. experienced a hard blow, with Hale, and rain followed near an hour, Camped at Little Sandy.



Monday 25, we went on our way, and prospered in our Journey.



Thursday Oct 19. we arived in the Valley[.] about 12 M. Corilled [Corralled] about ½ mile North of the Fort. and staid there untill [text missing]



Monday 23, when we dispersed to our Lots[.] turned our teams out to herd[.] I bought an old hors of an Indian, turned him out in the herd. kept him till Spring, and with him paid $25.00 of a house I bought of Br. Dimic Huntington.

Transcript for Phinehas Richards, Diary, 1837 April-1871 March, Phinehas Richards papers, 1837-1874 in Richards family collection, 1837-1961

Phinehas Richards, Diary.

Richards, Levi Willard, [Autobiographical sketch], in Andrew Jenson, comp., Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia,[1971], 3:703-4

Richards, Levi Willard, [Autobiographical sketch], in Andrew Jenson, comp., Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia,[1971], 3:703-4.

Richards, Rhoda, to Nancy Richards Peirson, 1848, in Helen Richards Gardner, ed., Journal and Letters of Rhoda Richards, 1784-1879 [1981], 50-51

Richards, Rhoda, to Nancy Richards Peirson, 1848, in Helen Richards Gardner, ed., Journal and Letters of Rhoda Richards, 1784-1879 [1981], 50-51.

Via Kanesvill[e]
 1848
Sister Nancy:
Methinks I hear you say Rhoda has been silent a long time. Why is it, not because that you and the rest of my friends are less dear to my heart. No, you all share largely in my thoughts and prayers too. I have had a desire to go West for a long time. My Heavenly Father has granted me the desire of my heart for which I desire to thank and praise his great and holy name. I am now in the West beyond the rocky mountains where I hope to remain untill I see you and Susan face to face and all of my friends that desire to come to this place. The path we have trod, I think was marked out by God. You will think so too if ever you the journey pursue. 
I can tell you but little about our journey. We left Winter Quarters the 3 July. About the 15th Levi Willard ran up the steps to the wagon when he reached the top his foot slipped he fell against a box. Br. Wd. was near by, he caught him up. I ran down took him. He says arm, arm. Brother Willard said the bone was broke above the elbow. He could hear it grate. No Dr. in camp. We sent for Br. Phinehas. He did it up then we took Br. Wd. carriage three nights and two days then returned to my wagon. He was very careful. Appeared to have the wisdom of years. He is a quick motioned child. My greatest anxiety was that he might fall and break it over again. Br. Wd. was not able to attend to it. I think it is as well as the other. He has been backward in talking but not in thinking and acting. He is the picture of health. He always had a sickly, deathly countenance before he commenced the journey. Every one that sees him speaks of the change wrought in him. He thinks as much of Aunt Rhoda as ever little Ann did when she did not know better. I expect she will come some day to see us. 
We pursued our journey, Amelia and me, as well as we could helping each other. Our family was in number two drivers, three children. 
26. The camp stoped for the purpose of repairing wagons, washing, baking. 
27th and 28th. There were at eve heavy thunder showers the 28th. We had to go to bed wet without a warm supper as the fires were all out. 
29th. I rose after a weary night, helped all the morn, baked cookies, crackers, and buiscuit while Amelia was doing a little of everything to be ready. When the camp started, I went to bed sick enough, was never out of the wagon but three times. Once the axletree broke, once to repack the wagon, once I think to try my strength, got out and back almost alone. The result was another attack of dumb ague. I had two spells of being very sick, the last was mountain fever, dumb ague seasoned high with cramp. I was sick enough to die many a time but I could not. I was bound for the valley. We arrived here the 20 of October. Weeks, I rolled in my bed dressed only in my loos gown night and day. Levi was hardly known to cry, was always happy in reading and talking about Pa and Ma. He thinks everything of Amelia and I know not what I could have done without her and Br. Wd. It made it hard for them yet God in his mercy gave them strength to endure to the end. I can say to you Brother Willard is alive. I think he suffered much more than I did on the journey. When we came into the valley we camped from Thursday untill Monday, then each one to their lots.

Transcript for Richards, Rhoda, to Nancy Richards Peirson, 1848, in Helen Richards Gardner, ed., Journal and Letters of Rhoda Richards, 1784-1879 [1981], 50-51

Robert L. Campbell, Journal extracts (30 June

Robert L. Campbell, Journal extracts (30 June, October 19, 1848.

Transcript for Robert L. Campbell, Journal extracts (30 June-19 October 1848) in Historical Department office journal, 1844-2012

Robert L. Campbell, Journal extracts (30 June.

Rollins, James H., Sketches from camp journal of Pres. Amasa Lyman's Company

Rollins, James H., Sketches from camp journal of Pres. Amasa Lyman's Company, July 24, 1848.

Sketches from Camp Journal of Pres A. Lymans Co 
 
July 24th 1848
Started from winter Quarters June 29-[18]48—6 P.M. went 3 miles when an Axtel tree [axletree] was Broken in Leathur Lormire wagon[.] left waggon and went on 3 mi. and Camped. then some went back for waggon
(30th) fine &amp; pleasant some cattle in the mire— camp called together and organized Capt. 100 Ja[me]s M. Flake Capt 50 B[arnabas]. L. Adams, Capt 10s 1st C[hapman]. Duncan 2nd Ja[me]s. H. Rollins, 3rd [Peter] Meseck [Mesick,] 4th Jno [John] Brown 5th Esra [Ezra] Clark 6th A[ndrew]. Cummingham not present---did not travel this day Capt. [James] F[lake]. returned to town Cattle very troublesome through the night
July 1st started on and crossed the Papia [Pappillion] noted our team. went on 2 miles came up heavy rain stopped 1 hour---went 1 mile and camped without wood or water
(2nd) Cool and Airy started early arrived at the Elk Horn at 9 OC [o'clock] turned out our teams and breakfasted near old rafting place—searched a ford and found one ¾ mile above water from 4 to 20 inches deep[,] fixed Banks[,] &amp; returned and camp moved up and commenced crossing and finished about sun down all safe and sound[.] after dark several trains came from winter qr [Quarters.] we assisted them in crossing
(3rd) Pres. L. [Lyman][.] Capt F. [Flake] went to Burying grounds—Indians dug into Sis Taylors Grave[.] Body not disturbed—fixed them[.] anxiously waiting for Dr. R.
4th went a fishing Burnt Coal—warm and pleasant
5th Clear &amp; warm Jno Scott and others saw about 20 indians
6th A[ndrew]. L[amoreaux] with several others started back on to meet Dr R. &amp; Co[.] after traveling 3 miles found Bro Barrow &amp; others say 40 waggons stringing along from ¼ to 1 mile apart went on found Dr R. with 28 waggons on the Papia[.] they soon started from here and arrived at the Horn about 2 oc and camped Bro Smithing done all ready to Roll in the morn
7th Capt L. called for volunteers to go into Dr. R. Co that their numbers might be increased and ours reduced[,] But none volunteered[.] Capt. L. then proposed that they should go in advance—they accordingly went 2 miles ahead[.] Camp traveled to Liberty Pole on Pate 11¼ miles and Camped—Dr. Co in sight[.] they camped 4½ ms in advance of us[.] A. L.[,]Capt. L. and others went to Dr. R. after dark agreed to travel on next day and rest on the Sabbath<s>[illegible] near [illegible]</s>
8th weather warm camp started at 8 oc Traveled 14½ ms and camped ½ mile above Dr. R
9th Both camps met together[.] meeting opened by F[rankling]. D[ewey]. Richards. Dr. R's Co organized Clerks Chosen for Ea Co, Rules adopted for benefit of Camp. Pres L. &amp; R. gave good instructions—Pres L. wanted to do all the Quarreling on the road.
(10th) Morning fine camp all well and all ready to start at ½ Past 7" But obliged to wait until 9" for Dr. R.s camp several of their cattle were astray—Traveled 10 miles to shell Creek &amp; Camped[,] very warm[,] 2 fine Hogs died with Heat—Capt L killed a fine deer
(11th) Clear &amp; warm[.] Camp started at ½ P. Eight[.] Camped on Fisher slough
(12th) Started at 8 OC. warmest day we have had[.] Capt. Adams Lost Two fine Pigs By heat[.] some oxen nearly overcome[.] Camped about 3 OC.
(13th) Morning very warm[.] Camp started at 8 OC. went to Looking glass 9½ ms. and watered[.] from thence to Beaver River 8¼ ms last Teams till dark getting in[.] some teams near give out—Exceding dry &amp; Dusty
(14th) morn cool started 9 OC. drove to Cedar River Passed the Pawnie [Pawnee] Station and village, found here a Band of Omahas 2 Elks &amp; their Braves, 1st 10 ahead crossed cedar then finding ford good on Loupe[,] returned and with the rest Camped on Ea side of River, after Port day very warm and dusty, Dr Camp ½ m. S.E.
(15th) A Lyman[,] J. M. Flake &amp; 12 or 15 others went to the Loupe to find a route across[,] which they did in a short time[,] the water not being more than 2 feet in deepest part[.] after staking the route and fixing banks returned, camp started at 10 OC. Precisely[.] teams commenced crossing at 11 OC. and continued until ½ Past 1 OC. when all the teams were without any accidents- 9 Lodges Omahas on this Bank of River—Camp rolled on 3 ms up Loup and camped in good season, The day has been cloudy and cool sprinkles a little J[oseph] L. Robinson had a birth in family 1 hour before starting
(16th) Capt J. M. F. Rec.d a line from Cap F. D. R. requesting the aid of teams in crossing Loup[.] Accordingly 12 teams of 4 to 6 yokes ea were sent and Dr R's Co are here safe—I since went to Milsion to get Plank &amp; coal—Cloudy and Warm
(17th) started at 9 OC Pioneer trail very dull, Pres L. &amp; Capt F. went ahead to upper ford also to search best route. after B L. Adams Piloted the camp, traveled 15 ms and camp on Loupe, Pres L. &amp; Capt. F. found a Letter from first camp at upper crossing giving general information concerning camp and all pertaining to it Both man &amp; Beast, several antelope were seen today
18th 3 first tens to go ahead started at ½ P. 7[,] traveled S.W. 4 ms. and struck and struck trace of spring Co followed the same to Prairie Creek and camped[,] it making for 34 ms this day[,] it has been Cool and fine for our teams, Rained 2 hours handsomely Part the Road and hills, all arrived and Campt at—7" OC
(19th) Morning fine But warm Left Prairie Creek at 9" OC went to wood river 11¼ ms Watered and thence 7 miles up G. Island[,] all teams did not get in till 9 OC. 1 of P. Lymans best oxen sick and left 2 ms. back of G. Island 
Capt. J[oh]n. Browns ten went 1½ ms beyond camp G. and returned a back[.] Pres. L.[,] Capt. F. and W[eeden]. V[ander]. Hakes left camp this morning to Hunt[.] after going 8 miles Bro H. killed an Antelope[,] got on Capt. F.s horse he became frightened and Both Horses broke from them and Ran Back one mile beyond P. Creek, there Bro Hake caught them, Pres G. &amp; H. started for train on foot and was near perishing for want of water and overcome by excessive hea[.] Pres L came near the foot of the train but came near Perishing before he could by signals make them see him when he did[.] Dr. Richards came to him with his carriage and took him in—But could take nothing him that would stay on his stomach—Capt. F. found Bro Hakes lieing in the Prairie helpless 4 miles from Train, found the spring camp Crossed wood River June 20 and camped There, found on a Buffalos head with Bro Bullocks &amp; Webbs Names on to it—and all well.
20th started from Camp at 9" O.C. Traveled say 9. miles. Bro L quite sick not-able to be up, Quite warm and sultry[,] several waggons came near being Burned by fire in the Prairie, after stopping[,] men went to putting up forge for B. Smithing and setting Fire—
(21st) This morn there was 14 or 18 w. fire to set-consumed the fore noon[.] Entire Camp Commenced starting at ½ P. 12. Traveled 12 ms. up Platt[e,] Camped at 8, O,C Clear &amp; warm until night—then cloudy some Thunder, found on a Bulls Head[.] Camp had passed June 22 all well[,] signed Hosea Stout
July 22) Camp Commenced starting at 8 OC, last ten 9" went say 11 ms and watered[.] Before we got to the Platt our teams were nigh done over, no wood if had wind Blowing to hard grass dry &amp; long 22 ms. this day, Pres L Better also Bro H. Passed several dog Towns this day, several teams in Dr Rs Co did not get in till next morn also herd of Cattle &amp; sheep Capt. F. &amp; B[arnabas] L A[dams]. found a dragoon Horse all equiped, Buffalo came near Dr. R.s waggons in the night
23" strong wind from South (Cool) dangerous having fire, This morning 3 waggons from valey &amp; first Camp Met us, D. S. Thomas[,] H. Peck &amp; others staid through the day with us, 4 Buffalo[,] 7 Antelope were killed By our Camp this day[,] meat Plenty[,] it Being the firs Buffalo Taken, Pres L. Better[,] not able to speak Loud, 4 OC fires burning[,] women cooking (wind gone down
24th Morning Cool and Pleasant[.] Officers called Together to adopt measures for dividing Camp for convenience of Traveling[,] came to no Conclusion in fore Part of the day[,] meting called again at 2 OC and desided Both Companys should travel together until we passed through the Buffalo Country as Dr. R. &amp; others considered there was danger from them
Annexed to this is a Brief and correct List of all the souls Man and Beast in our Camp at this time Vi No of men women &amp; children (white) in the fifty is two hundred &amp; fifty two (252) Cattle[,] Five hund and fifty one (551) No of Blacks Twenty One (21) Horses Twenty Eight (28) Mules Fifteen (15) Sheep one hundred and ten (110) Pigs thirty Nine (39) chickens fifty seven (57) Dogs Sixteen (16) cats eight (8) Ducks (5) doves (21) Capt A Cunninghams 6th Ten in company has souls (66) Cattle (135) Horses (5) Sheep (35) Pigs (13) Chickens (27) Dogs (10)
Bro George A Smith the camp is Generally well[,] has been no deaths in camp[,] all in good spirits and going ahead—Dan[ie]l P had a Letter from T. Callister and all was well—My respects to yourself and Bro Benson and Family.
I Remain as Ever Yours Amasa Lyman
Jas. H. Rollins Clerk for fifty
P. S. we have in Company One hundred and eight Waggons in Tollerable good Order

Transcript for Rollins, James H., Sketches from camp journal of Pres. Amasa Lyman's Company [24 July 1848 report], in George Albert Smith, Papers, 1834-1882, box 4, fd. 11

Levi Willard Richards

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