Willard Richards
1804–1854 (49 years)
Hometown: Hopkinton, Massachusetts
Biography
Willard Richards was an apostle from 1840 until his death in 1854 and served as Second Counselor in the First Presidency under Brigham Young. He was present at Carthage Jail when Joseph and Hyrum Smith were killed and miraculously escaped unharmed.
Richards practiced polygamy extensively with 14 wives. He served as Church Historian and was instrumental in preserving early church records and history.
His survival at Carthage, where he escaped without a scratch while Joseph and Hyrum were killed and John Taylor was wounded, was seen as miraculous and featured in a revelation by Joseph Smith.
Served Under
Church presidents during this leader's apostolic service:
Wives (11)
Willard Richards was a polygamist with 11 marriages. 1 of these wives were teenagers at the time of marriage.
Marriage Age Comparison
11 wives · Ages at marriage
| # | Name | Marriage Date | Her Age | His Age | Age Diff | Children |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jennetta Richards | Sep 24, 1838 | 20 | 34 | 14 | 3 |
| 2 | Nanny Longstroth ⚠ | Jan 18, 1843 | 16 | 38 | 22 | 3 |
| 3 | Rhoda Richards | Jan 18, 1843 | 58 | 38 | 20 | 0 |
| 4 | Sarah Longstroth | Jan 25, 1843 | 29 | 38 | 9 | 0 |
| 5 | Amelia McMillen Elkinton | Dec 22, 1845 | 29 | 41 | 12 | 0 |
| 6 | Mary Thompson | Jan 27, 1846 | 27 | 41 | 14 | 3 |
| 7 | Alice Longstroth Parker | Jan 29, 1846 | 20 | 41 | 21 | 2 |
| 8 | Elizabeth Worthen | Jan 29, 1846 | 29 | 41 | 12 | 0 |
| 9 | Sarah Ann Stanton | Jan 29, 1846 | 39 | 41 | 2 | 0 |
| 10 | Susannah Lee Liptrot | Jan 29, 1846 | 27 | 41 | 14 | 2 |
| 11 | Phebe Foss | Mar 29, 1846 | 25 | 41 | 16 | 2 |
Children (15)
With Jennetta Richards (3 children)
- Heber John Richards (b. Jul 17, 1839)
- Heber John Richards (b. Jan 1, 1840)
- Rhoda Ann Jennetta Richards (b. Jan 1, 1843)
With Nanny Longstroth (3 children)
- Alice Ann Richards (b. Mar 24, 1849)
- Mary Asenath Richards (b. Jan 1, 1850)
- Stephen Longstroth Richards (b. Jul 29, 1853)
With Mary Thompson (3 children)
- Phoebe Amelia Richards (b. Jan 1, 1851)
- Jenetta Richards (b. Jan 1, 1852)
- Levi Willard Richards (b. Jan 1, 1853)
With Alice Longstroth Parker (2 children)
- Alice Ann Richards (b. Jan 1, 1849)
- Mary Asenath Richards (b. Jan 1, 1850)
With Susannah Lee Liptrot (2 children)
- Mary Ann Richards (b. Jan 1, 1851)
- Sarah Jane Richards (b. Jan 1, 1853)
With Phebe Foss (2 children)
- Calvin Willard Richards (b. Oct 7, 1852)
- Franklin Willard Richards (b. Jan 1, 1854)
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