Franklin D. Richards
1821–1899 (78 years)
Hometown: Richmond, Massachusetts
Biography
Franklin D. Richards was an apostle from 1849 until his death in 1899, serving 50 years. He practiced polygamy extensively with 11 wives.
Richards served multiple missions to England and was instrumental in organizing the emigration of British converts to Utah. He presided over the European mission and helped thousands gather to Zion.
He served as Church Historian and was involved in significant temple work. His half-century of apostolic service made him one of the longest-serving apostles of the 19th century.
Served Under
Church presidents during this leader's apostolic service:
Wives (13)
Franklin D. Richards was a polygamist with 13 wives. Note these are simultaneous marriages — married to multiple living spouses at the same time. 1 of these wives were a teenager (18 or less) at the time of marriage.
13 wives · Lifespan: 1821–1899
28 children from 8 wives · Lifespan: 1821–1899
13 wives · Ages at marriage
| # | Name | Born | Died | Married | Her Age | His Age | Age Diff | Children |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan 31, 1823 | Nov 17, 1912 | Dec 18, 1842 | 19 | 21 | 2 | 6 | |
| 2 | Oct 28, 1829 | Mar 29, 1847 | Jan 31, 1846 | 16 | 24 | 8 | 0 | |
| 3 | Mar 8, 1826 | Nov 28, 1918 | Oct 13, 1849 | 23 | 28 | 5 | 6 | |
| 4 | Apr 11, 1813 | Oct 4, 1894 | Oct 13, 1849 | 36 | 28 | 8 | 1 | |
| 5 | Dec 13, 1831 | Mar 2, 1878 | Jun 26, 1853 | 21 | 32 | 11 | 3 | |
| 6 | Feb 14, 1836 | Mar 11, 1878 | Mar 29, 1854 | 18 | 32 | 14 | 1 | |
| 7 | Feb 2, 1813 | Feb 23, 1878 | Mar 6, 1857 | 44 | 35 | 9 | 0 | |
| 8 | Apr 15, 1828 | Jan 7, 1911 | Mar 6, 1857 | 28 | 35 | 7 | 3 | |
| 9 | Apr 19, 1830 | Nov 19, 1881 | Mar 6, 1857 | 26 | 35 | 9 | 4 | |
| 10 | May 31, 1812 | Apr 17, 1891 | Mar 6, 1857 | 44 | 35 | 9 | 0 | |
| 11 | Oct 21, 1827 | Sep 10, 1905 | Mar 6, 1857 | 29 | 35 | 6 | 4 | |
| 12 | Mar 31, 1791 | Mar 21, 1875 | Mar 19, 1857 | 65 | 35 | 30 | 0 | |
| 13 | Jan 1, 1832 | ● | c. Jan 1, 1859 | c. 27 | 37 | 10 | 0 |
Children (28)
With
Jane Snyder
(6 children)
- Wealthy Louisa Richards (b. Jan 1, 1843)
- Isaac Phinehas Richards (b. Jan 1, 1846)
- Franklin Snyder Richards (b. Jan 1, 1849)
- Josephine Richards (b. Jan 1, 1853)
- Lorenzo Maeser Richards (b. Jan 1, 1857)
- Charles Comstock Richards (b. Jan 1, 1859)
With
Charlotte Fox
(6 children)
- Mary Ellen Richards (b. Jan 1, 1850)
- Erastus Snow Richards (b. Jan 1, 1853)
- George Albert Richards (b. Jan 1, 1858)
- Ezra Taft Richards (b. Jan 1, 1860)
- Milley Fox Richards (b. Jan 1, 1862)
- Harvey Sellman Richards (b. Jan 1, 1866)
With
Sarah Comstock Snyder
(1 child)
- Lucy Richards (b. Jan 1, 1854)
With
Susan Sanford Pierson
(3 children)
- Nancy Eliza Richards (b. Jan 1, 1857)
- Albert Damon Richards (b. Jan 1, 1860)
- William Pierson Richards (b. Jan 1, 1864)
With Laura Altha Snyder (1 child)
- Samuel Jesse Snyder Richard (b. Jan 1, 1860)
With
Nanny Lynn Longstroth
(3 children)
- Minerva Edmeresa Richards (b. Jan 1, 1858)
- George Franklin Richards (b. Jan 1, 1861)
- Fredrick William Richards (b. Jan 1, 1866)
With
Rhoda Harriet Foss
(4 children)
- Hyrum Franklin Richards (b. Jan 1, 1857)
- Ira Carter Richards (b. Jan 1, 1860)
- Ezra Foss Richards (b. Jan 1, 1860)
- Sarah Elizabeth Richards (b. Jan 1, 1862)
With
Mary Thompson
(4 children)
- Myron John Richards (b. Jan 1, 1858)
- Wealthy Richards (b. Jan 1, 1861)
- Mary Alice Richards (b. Jan 1, 1863)
- Wilford Woodruff Richards (b. Jan 1, 1866)