Person:Richard Sedgwick (1)

BEP Richard Sedgewick was born May 12, 1848 at Barnsley, England. He was converted to the Church when he was fifteen years old. But because of his age could not be baptized without his parents consent. He went to work for a Mr. Thomas Carter as a picture frame maker and afterward was bound apprentice to him.

In the spring of 1866 Richard, with a close friend decided to leave home and migrate to America. He had saved enough money to take him to New York where he would stay and work for awhile and then go to Salt Lake. They bought berths on the American Congress. They were told the ship would sail on May 23rd from London. He told his parents and his employer that he wanted to go to Hartlepool, he took a box with a bed quilt, some books and other things. He left with his friend to board the ship.

But that evening as the Saints held a meeting there was quite a crowd that had gathered to watch them. In the crowd was a man that stared quite intently at Richard and Robert. Early next morning this man returned with Mr. Carter and they were served a summons for absconding their apprenticeships. So after bidding a sad farewell 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 they were taken to Islington to Brigham Young Jrs. office where the detectives and Mr. Carter tried to cash their tickets, but they were told that Brigham Young Jr. had gone to Liverpool and if the boys would send their tickets to George J. Linford at Sunderland their money would be refunded. They returned to the police officer where they were given supper and locked in a cell for the night. The next morning they were handcuffed and sent back to Middlesbrough with an officer from home. That night Richards father brought him some supper to the cll where he had been locked for the night. He did not stay long but his love for his son was truly manifest. The next morning at the trial the judge sentenced them to go back and work for their employer and the expenses were taken out of their wages.

On Friday June 1, the following clipping appeared in the Middlesbough news: Saturday before U. Follows, esq off to mormondom--at this court, two youths, named Richard Sedgwick and Robert Averson, the former an apprentice with Mr. Carter of Gosford Street, and the latter Mr. Gould of South Street, printer, were charged with absconding on the 18th ult. The lads in company with a young man who had joined the Mormons and succeeded in converting the lads to his views, went from Sunderland and from thence to London by steamer in route for Utah. A warrant was sent after them, and they were apprehended in London and brought back to Middlesbrough, ordered to their work, and the expenses to be deducted from their wages.

In June, the boys again made an attempt to run away. Having received word from Sunderland that their tickets had been received. Their steamer was about to leave when they saw a man they knew (a printer) boarding a steamer to Stockton. They dared not to be seen by him. After his steamer left, they went to board the ship. But Roberts mother appeared and they were forced to return home again.

Next Richard did help Robert to get away on the train for Newcastle. He loaned him twelve schillings ($3.00)

Richard went back to work and about a year later he tried again to leave. This is his story in his own words. I started from home on the first of July 1867. It was a Monday morning and on Mondays we used to commence work at 8:00 while other mornings we commenced at 6:00. I took the train for Stockton (four miles away) and arriving there called at the home of Brother Thomas Watson, clerk of the Middlesbrough and Stockton branch. The box, which we had with us when we had left our homes the year previous were at Brother Watsons house. I told him I wanted it, and it was my intention to go to Liverpool, and from there to New York. Brother Watson was not in favor of my going away, and advised me to go home, but my mind was bent on going to new New York and then get to Utah as soon as possible. he kept talking to me until I missed the train for Liverpool This was unpleasant, as I was afraid Mr. Carter would send an officer after me.

Determined not to be baffled, I took my box, and went to the station and waited for the next train, perhaps two hours and arrived at Liverpool about two o�clock in the afternoon. It so happened that a steamer had to leave for New York early next morning. I went to Islington and got my passage money which I had paid to sail on American Congress the year previous.

Next morning I was up bright and early and went aboard the steamer. The vessel sailed about half past nine o�clock, and it was well she started at that hour, for I learned afterwards, by letter from my father that as soon as Carter missed me, he lost no time in trying to have me brought back again. The detective was put on my track who, fortunately for me, arrived at Liverpool docks just a few hours too late.

Richard lived about fifteen years in Brooklyn before moving to Utah. He came to Utah on the train, arriving on the 10th of November 1882 and has since lived in Bountiful, Ut.

External Links

Sedgwick Research Index Page

Richards History and Links

1. ↑ Utah State Archives[1].