RICHARD SEDGWICK

Richard Sedgwick was born May 12, 1849, at Barnsley, Yorkshire County, England. In August 1862, he went to work for Mr. Thomas Carter, a picture-frame maker, and afterwards was bound apprentice to him.

He was converted to restored Gospel of Jesus Christ when fifteen years old, but because of his age he could not be baptized without his parents' consent. When he decided to emigrate to America, he was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the 5^th of April, 1866, in the river Tees, near Middlesbrough, Yorkshire, England, by Elder John Scott.

In the Spring of 1866, he, with his close friend Robert Aveson, decided to leave home and emigrate to America. He had saved enough money to take him to New York were he expected to stay a while then go to Salt Lake. They made arrangements to sail on the American Congress, sending their money to secure a berth. They were notified that the American Congress would sail from London on the 23^rd of May 1866. This gave them ten days notice. A group of Saints were sailing from Sunderland by steamer to London on the morning of May 19^th. They decided to go with them as it was cheaper than by rail. The evening of Friday, May 18^th, after telling his parents and employer that he wanted to go to Hartlepool, he took a box which contained a bed quilt, some books and other things, crossed the river Tees, where he met Robert, and took the train from Port Clarence to Sunderland, arriving there about 7:30 p.m. They secured lodging for the night which cost them four pence (eight cents) a piece. The next morning they boarded the steamer, General Havelock, and sailed about 8 o'clock for London. He (Richard) became acquainted with many of the Saints on the boat, and had a very pleasant trip, arriving in London the following day (20^th) about 2:30 p.m. The following morning they were told that the Saints may not be permitted to sail until the next boat. This caused Richard and Robert to worry because they did not have the means to stay two or three weeks until the boat started, and because they were afraid they might be sent for and taken back to their homes. However, President Linford went to Liverpool to see Brother Brigham Young Jr., and returned the following day (22^nd) with word that it would be alright for the Saints to sail on this boat.

That evening the ship was towed down the river to Shadwell Basin from where it was to sail the next morning. About 7 o’clock a meeting of the Saints was held on deck. Quite a crowd of spectators were watching from the shore. Among them was a man who stared intently at Richard and Robert. Early next morning (23^rd) Robert went ashore for a supply of water. He returned and was on deck with Richard when Mr. Carter and another man, a detective who had seen them the night before at the meeting, appeared with a summons for them for absconding their apprenticeships. So after bidding a sad goodbye to the Saints, and getting their tickets they were hurried with their box to the Thames Police Office. They were given breakfast and after dinner were taken to Islington to Brigham Young Jr.'s office where the detective and Mr. Carter tried to cash their tickets. But they were told that Brigham Young had gone to Liverpool, but if the two boys would send their tickets to George J. Lingford at Sunderland, their money would be refunded. They returned to the Police Office where they were given supper and locked in the cell for the night. The next morning they were handcuffed and sent back to Middlesbrough with an officer from home. That night Richard's father brought him some supper to the cell where they were locked for the night. He did not stay long, but his love for his son was truly manifest. Richard could not eat that night. The next morning at their trial the judge sentenced them to go back and work for their employers and the expenses were to be taken out of their wages.

On Sunday, June 17, 1866, the boys made another attempt to run away. Having received word from Sunderland that their tickets had been received, they planned to take the steamer Shields, and from there probably to some part of Scotland. Richard had about $5.50, and Robert had borrowed about $1.25. Their steamer was to leave at 5:00 o'clock. They were about to go on board when they saw a man whom they knew (a printer), boarding a steamer for Stockton. They dared not go aboard until the Stockton steamer had left for fear of being seen and reported. After the steamer left, they were about to go on board when Robert's mother appeared and they were forced to return home again. The next day, Richard helped Robert to get away on the train for Newcastle. He loaned him 12 shillings (which is $3.00). Richard went back to work and not until a year later did he try to leave again. The story is told in his own words:

Richard met Robert Aveson years later after he had landed in Utah. He worked in Brooklyn as a painter and paper-hanger. He lived about 15 years in Brooklyn before moving to Utah. He was married on the 2^nd of July, 1868 to Mary Emma Hall. He came to Utah on the train, arriving on the 10^th of November, 1882 and has since lived in Bountiful. He worked as painter and paper-hanger. He had 8 children.

He filled a mission to England from November, 1890 to February, 1893. While there he visited his hometown and saw his father once more.

Richard's wife Mary Emma died on July 2, 1916 at Bountiful. He later married Ada Hendrickson.

Richard remained in Bountiful until 1935. He became ill and went to Layton to stay with his son, Richard H. Sedgwick. He died there on June 9, 1935.