Richard Rushton

The restored gospel of Jesus Christ was first preached in England by missionaries in 1837. We do not know just when the Rushton family first heard the glad tidings of Mormonism. Perhaps reflections about the three children who had died in infancy and now the death of their daughter Pamela prepared them to listen when the gospel was first preached in Leek in May 1840. The promise of eternal family life undoubtedly was a powerful message. We can imagine the many discussions the Rushton family had after they first heard the gospel.

This was a close-knit family. As Richard and Lettice reflected on the death of four children, the marriage of two and the anticipation of marriage of the other children in the near future, they reacted favorably to the missionary messages. The fact that the entire family, including sons-in-law and daughters-in-law were baptized is remarkable and is further evidence of the love and solidarity that existed in this family. Edith Rushton Christensen describes the conversion as follows: “This was a united, happy family and much of their leisure time was spent singing together. One day this father said to his youngest son, Edwin, ‘A new religious sect is holding a meeting tonight. I wish you would go and hear what they have to say.’ Edwin answered, ‘Why don’t you go yourself?’ He replied, ‘Because, son, they are a very unpopular people and it might hurt my business.’ ‘Then why not send one of the older boys, ’ Edwin continued. His father came back with the answer, ‘I want you to go because I can depend on your judgment.’ Later during a report of this meeting, Edwin stated, ‘These men have the truth. ‘”

Approximately six months after Pamela’s death, the family was baptized.

A determined and reasonably exhaustive effort has been made to find records that would prove the dates when the Rushton family were baptized. The following dates represent my best effort along with source information.

Richard Rushton Sr. baptized 19 July 1840 by Geo. A. Smith. Proof–1. Diary of Richard Rushton Sr. states he “was baptized in the 60 year of his age being in the year of our Lord 1840 in July”. No day is given. 2. Diary of Geo. A. Smith in Church Historian’s Office states: “Sunday July 19th 1840, went to Leek and baptised six persons after meeting. They were Richard Rushton Sr. Frederik Rushton, William Allcock, Mary Stevenson, Sarah and Eliza Lewis.” Richard Rushton is recorded as being a silk manufacturer and living on Canal St. 3. History of the Church by Jos. Smith, volume IV, page 176, includes a letter from Wilford Woodruff to the Millennial Star that tells of the travels of Geo. A. Smith and Wilford Woodruff. It states: “We preached in Leek on Sunday, July 10th, and Elder Smith baptised six persons after meeting.” This date of Sunday July 10th is either a typographical error or was misread from the original document. July 10th 1840 was a Friday. Wilford Woodruff does not identify who was baptised but they are referring to the same event. The date of July 19th, 1840 is proven: Frederick Rushton baptized 19 July 1840 by Geo. A. Smith. Proof–1. Diary of Geo. A. Smith. See above reference.¹   Taken from Richard Rushton’s Journal–Journey from Liverpool, England, to Nauvoo, Illinois, 30 January to 13 April 1842. Flying fish. Porpoises. To New Orleans. Then up the Mississippi to Nauvoo. Richard identified as “Silk Manufacture.” Had joined Mormon Church in 1840.²

Richard arrived in Nauvoo with Thomas Bullock in charge of a company of Saints from England. Richard was a member of the Nauvoo 4th Ward.²

Sources

1 Family Documents of Richard Rushton Sr. https://www.familysearch.org/en/memories/memory/6551461

2 Black, Susan Easton, compiler. Membership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830–1848. 50 vols. Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University Religious Studies Center, 1989. Private Donor. https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/5333/records/78525?gsfn=richard&gsln=rushton&ml_rpos=1