Caroline Richan 1843-1907
History of Caroline Richan Fenton
By Arlene Fenton
Caroline Richan was born February 16, 1843, in Sunderland, Durham, England, the third child of John Richan and Margaret Rayne Wardell. Caroline had one sister and three brothers. Canute, the oldest brother was born December 2, 1838 while the family resided on Lawrence Street in Bishopwearmouth Parish, Sunderland, Durham, England. Caroline's father John's occupation at-this time was a tinner and brazier.
Bordicia, the first daughter was born July 2, 1840. The third child Caroline was born February 16, 184.3, after the family had moved to Nedworth Street in Bishopwearmouth Parish, Sunderland, Durham, England Caroline's birth was registered civilly February 28, 1843.
Caroline's father John moved his family to London. The purpose for this is uncertain, but was probably related to the industrial revolution occurring in England about this time and the increased opportunities to be found' in the larger city. They resided at 14 Dean Street, St. Andrews Parish, Holborn, Middlesex, London, England.
Two more brothers of Caroline were born into the family while they resided on Dean Street. William was born November 6, 1846, and Frederick was born February 18, 1848, William and Frederick were both christened the same day, July 8, 1850, at St. Andrews Parish, Holborn, London, England. A great tragedy happened within the family about a month prior to the birth of Frederick. On January 10, 1848, Bordicia died at the age of about 7 ½ years.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints had missionaries assigned to England at this time and while still residing on Dean Street Caroline's father John Richan met the Elders and was convinced of the truthfulness of the Gospel these "Mormons" espoused. John Richan was baptized a member of the church in the Theobald Road Branch London Conference of the British Mission of the Church on July 8, 1851, by an Elder Hyde. Margaret, Caroline's mother, was baptized three weeks later on July 29, 1851. Canute was baptized a member approximately one week before he turned 13 years old. He was baptized November 25, 1851, while the family was still listed in the Theobald Road Branch.
Caroline was baptized on June 26, 1853 at the age of 10 by Elder Marvin. She was confirmed by Elder Grimbell.
Caroline's family then moved from the Finsbury Branch to the Holborn Branch. The records of the Holborn Branch show William, Margaret, Canute, and Caroline being received from the Finsbury Branch. The family was now living at 22 Cock Lane in Holborn, London, England. While living in the Holborn Branch the family was active in the church.
In 1857 the family was all rebaptized (sic). Caroline was now listed as age 14, rebaptized (sic) March 13, 1857 by James Hawkins and confirmed by Elder George C. Ferguson.
Caroline's family was saddened again by the death of her brother Canute on December 4, 1859.
On April 7, 1861 the family was removed from the Holborn Branch and received in the Goswell Road Branch. The family residence remained the same, 22 Cock Lane, so the branches were probably just reorganized as the church grew in membership.
Because of the faith of the family in the new gospel, they decided in the early 1860's to migrate to Zion in the United States of America It was decided that Caroline, the oldest child, would go first and earn money to help the rest of the family. William would then go next in order to establish himself and to earn money to help the rest of the family.
On June 4, 1863 at the age of 20 Caroline boarded the ship Amazon at Liverpool, England, sailing for New York, U.S.A. On board this ship were 679 adults, 160 children, and 43 infants for a total of 882 passengers. The Amazon arrived in New York City on July 18, 1863. The arriving passenger list contains the name of Caroline Richards, spinster, age 20, which was not on the departing passenger list, but fail to show Caroline Richan, spinster, age 20, which was included on the departing passenger list. She is most certainly the person being referred to. This type of error is easily understood because the two names sound a lot alike and Richards was by far the more common name.
Caroline then proceeded on to Utah, but just when and how has not been determined as no records have been located that would clarify this Caroline married Edward Cox in the Salt Lake Temple on April 22, 1865. Caroline was the second of three wives of Edward Cox, (1) Lucinda Wills (2) Caroline Richan (3) Eliza Louisa Franklin.
One can only assume that Caroline was not in favor of Edward having more than one wife because they were divorced almost immediately. Caroline's request for cancellation of sealing to Edward Cox was finally granted by the First Presidency of the L.D.S. Church on July 26, 1867.
Caroline then met Francis Eugene Fenton, a man who was about 5 ft. 9in. tall, gray eyes, fair complexion and who played the banjo like no one in the area. She fell in love and married him on July 13, 1865. This date has come down through the family by tradition only and is very questionable.
Caroline and Francis started their married life in Pleasant Grove where seven children where born; William Eugene 23 May 1868, Mary Margaret 21 Feb 1870, Frank Frederick 4 October 1871, Charles Henry 23/24 June 1873, Parmer Robert 10 August 1875, Sarah Amelia 10/22 April 1877, Louise 17 July 1879.
Caroline's life was one of many hardships. Francis Eugene had a hard time providing for the family so Caroline had to work hard to help raise her family.
Tragedy again hit Caroline's family. This time her son Frank age 3 months 6 days died on 10 January 1872. He is buried in Pleasant Grove however all records were destroyed by fire.
Frank and Caroline left Pleasant Grove because of bills owed and got as far as Georgetown, Idaho where Clara May was born, a little red headed girl.
The family then moved many times from Pocatello to Ririe to Bates, Idaho, where they had a farm. Here Caroline and her little family work hard to keep food in their mouths. Frank was away from home a great deal of the time which made it hard on Caroline and the family.
In her later life she used to wear an apron because she had a hernia and when she would sit down she would put her hand under the apron and hold her clothing away from it so it would not hurt.
Caroline's daughters use to call her " Little Mummy." Caroline died 27 December 1907 in Bates, Teton County, Idaho.
Caroline must have been a strong woman of great love for her family. The things she taught her family have came down through the generations from her children to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. The family all has a love for families, a love of country, a love of music, loyalty and above all a love of God.
Written July 28, 1980
Patriarchal Blessing
Given To
Caroline Richan Fenton
Bates, Idaho
August 25, 1907
A blessing given by Patriarch John Letham on the head of Caroline Fenton, daughter of John and Margaret Richan, born at London, England, February 15th, 1847.
Sister Fenton, in authority of the Holy Priesthood and in the name of Jesus Christ, I bless you with a fathers blessing, that your mind may reflect back to the trials and afflictions that your people have passed thru and that your mind may be carried forward to the redemption of your progenitors (sic), that you may search the records for their genealogy and do a work for them in the house of the Lord, that in your declining years you may perform a great and marvelous work, that the impress of your labors may reach back to many generations, that you may meet your kindred in the spirit world with great joy and because you shall have been the instrument in the hands of God in making them free that they may be judged according to God in the Spirit and judged according to men in the flesh.
I am inspired to give you a comforting blessing and to say unto you that your sins are forgiven and that your skirts are clean from the blood of this generation and that many people shall call you blessed and wherein you have lacked the Lord has made it up to you by his grace and your works have been accepted before the Lord and your Savior has plead your cause in the courts above and you will be made clean every whit. Now dear sister you are an Ephraimi, a daughter of Ephriam, and have been baptized with fire and the Holy Ghost when you knew it not. Peace be unto you while you dwell upon the earth for the Lord will bring you forth in the first resurrection and crown you with the gifts and power of eternal life and I seal these blessings upon your head by the authority of the Holy Priesthood and in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
SPECIAL NOTE: This blessing is on file at the L.D.S. Historical Department, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Leona Wood Larson, Spanish Fork, Utah, also has the original. The original copy differs a little from the one on file. The spelling has been changed on the one on file in S.L.C., UT. Also note that it indicates she was born in London. This is in error as she was born in Sunderland, Durham, England and her family moved to London when she was very young.
Bordicia, the first daughter was born July 2, 1840. The third child Caroline was born February 16, 184.3, after the family had moved to Nedworth Street in Bishopwearmouth Parish, Sunderland, Durham, England Caroline's birth was registered civilly February 28, 1843.
Caroline's father John moved his family to London. The purpose for this is uncertain, but was probably related to the industrial revolution occurring in England about this time and the increased opportunities to be found' in the larger city. They resided at 14 Dean Street, St. Andrews Parish, Holborn, Middlesex, London, England.
Two more brothers of Caroline were born into the family while they resided on Dean Street. William was born November 6, 1846, and Frederick was born February 18, 1848, William and Frederick were both christened the same day, July 8, 1850, at St. Andrews Parish, Holborn, London, England. A great tragedy happened within the family about a month prior to the birth of Frederick. On January 10, 1848, Bordicia died at the age of about 7 ½ years.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints had missionaries assigned to England at this time and while still residing on Dean Street Caroline's father John Richan met the Elders and was convinced of the truthfulness of the Gospel these "Mormons" espoused. John Richan was baptized a member of the church in the Theobald Road Branch London Conference of the British Mission of the Church on July 8, 1851, by an Elder Hyde. Margaret, Caroline's mother, was baptized three weeks later on July 29, 1851. Canute was baptized a member approximately one week before he turned 13 years old. He was baptized November 25, 1851, while the family was still listed in the Theobald Road Branch.
Caroline was baptized on June 26, 1853 at the age of 10 by Elder Marvin. She was confirmed by Elder Grimbell.
Caroline's family then moved from the Finsbury Branch to the Holborn Branch. The records of the Holborn Branch show William, Margaret, Canute, and Caroline being received from the Finsbury Branch. The family was now living at 22 Cock Lane in Holborn, London, England. While living in the Holborn Branch the family was active in the church.
In 1857 the family was all rebaptized (sic). Caroline was now listed as age 14, rebaptized (sic) March 13, 1857 by James Hawkins and confirmed by Elder George C. Ferguson.
Caroline's family was saddened again by the death of her brother Canute on December 4, 1859.
On April 7, 1861 the family was removed from the Holborn Branch and received in the Goswell Road Branch. The family residence remained the same, 22 Cock Lane, so the branches were probably just reorganized as the church grew in membership.
Because of the faith of the family in the new gospel, they decided in the early 1860's to migrate to Zion in the United States of America It was decided that Caroline, the oldest child, would go first and earn money to help the rest of the family. William would then go next in order to establish himself and to earn money to help the rest of the family.
On June 4, 1863 at the age of 20 Caroline boarded the ship Amazon at Liverpool, England, sailing for New York, U.S.A. On board this ship were 679 adults, 160 children, and 43 infants for a total of 882 passengers. The Amazon arrived in New York City on July 18, 1863. The arriving passenger list contains the name of Caroline Richards, spinster, age 20, which was not on the departing passenger list, but fail to show Caroline Richan, spinster, age 20, which was included on the departing passenger list. She is most certainly the person being referred to. This type of error is easily understood because the two names sound a lot alike and Richards was by far the more common name.
Caroline then proceeded on to Utah, but just when and how has not been determined as no records have been located that would clarify this Caroline married Edward Cox in the Salt Lake Temple on April 22, 1865. Caroline was the second of three wives of Edward Cox, (1) Lucinda Wills (2) Caroline Richan (3) Eliza Louisa Franklin.
One can only assume that Caroline was not in favor of Edward having more than one wife because they were divorced almost immediately. Caroline's request for cancellation of sealing to Edward Cox was finally granted by the First Presidency of the L.D.S. Church on July 26, 1867.
Caroline then met Francis Eugene Fenton, a man who was about 5 ft. 9in. tall, gray eyes, fair complexion and who played the banjo like no one in the area. She fell in love and married him on July 13, 1865. This date has come down through the family by tradition only and is very questionable.
Caroline and Francis started their married life in Pleasant Grove where seven children where born; William Eugene 23 May 1868, Mary Margaret 21 Feb 1870, Frank Frederick 4 October 1871, Charles Henry 23/24 June 1873, Parmer Robert 10 August 1875, Sarah Amelia 10/22 April 1877, Louise 17 July 1879.
Caroline's life was one of many hardships. Francis Eugene had a hard time providing for the family so Caroline had to work hard to help raise her family.
Tragedy again hit Caroline's family. This time her son Frank age 3 months 6 days died on 10 January 1872. He is buried in Pleasant Grove however all records were destroyed by fire.
Frank and Caroline left Pleasant Grove because of bills owed and got as far as Georgetown, Idaho where Clara May was born, a little red headed girl.
The family then moved many times from Pocatello to Ririe to Bates, Idaho, where they had a farm. Here Caroline and her little family work hard to keep food in their mouths. Frank was away from home a great deal of the time which made it hard on Caroline and the family.
In her later life she used to wear an apron because she had a hernia and when she would sit down she would put her hand under the apron and hold her clothing away from it so it would not hurt.
Caroline's daughters use to call her " Little Mummy." Caroline died 27 December 1907 in Bates, Teton County, Idaho.
Caroline must have been a strong woman of great love for her family. The things she taught her family have came down through the generations from her children to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. The family all has a love for families, a love of country, a love of music, loyalty and above all a love of God.
Written July 28, 1980
Patriarchal Blessing
Given To
Caroline Richan Fenton
Bates, Idaho
August 25, 1907
A blessing given by Patriarch John Letham on the head of Caroline Fenton, daughter of John and Margaret Richan, born at London, England, February 15th, 1847.
Sister Fenton, in authority of the Holy Priesthood and in the name of Jesus Christ, I bless you with a fathers blessing, that your mind may reflect back to the trials and afflictions that your people have passed thru and that your mind may be carried forward to the redemption of your progenitors (sic), that you may search the records for their genealogy and do a work for them in the house of the Lord, that in your declining years you may perform a great and marvelous work, that the impress of your labors may reach back to many generations, that you may meet your kindred in the spirit world with great joy and because you shall have been the instrument in the hands of God in making them free that they may be judged according to God in the Spirit and judged according to men in the flesh.
I am inspired to give you a comforting blessing and to say unto you that your sins are forgiven and that your skirts are clean from the blood of this generation and that many people shall call you blessed and wherein you have lacked the Lord has made it up to you by his grace and your works have been accepted before the Lord and your Savior has plead your cause in the courts above and you will be made clean every whit. Now dear sister you are an Ephraimi, a daughter of Ephriam, and have been baptized with fire and the Holy Ghost when you knew it not. Peace be unto you while you dwell upon the earth for the Lord will bring you forth in the first resurrection and crown you with the gifts and power of eternal life and I seal these blessings upon your head by the authority of the Holy Priesthood and in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
SPECIAL NOTE: This blessing is on file at the L.D.S. Historical Department, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Leona Wood Larson, Spanish Fork, Utah, also has the original. The original copy differs a little from the one on file. The spelling has been changed on the one on file in S.L.C., UT. Also note that it indicates she was born in London. This is in error as she was born in Sunderland, Durham, England and her family moved to London when she was very young.
