Wealthy Dewey Richards was born 6 September 1786 in Pittsfield, Berkshire County, Massachusetts to Samuel Dewey (1762-1829) and Mille McKee (1764-1842) and died 18 October 1853 Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah of unspecified causes. She married Phinehas Richards (1788-1874) 24 February 1818 in Richmond, Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
Biography
Wealthy Dewey, the daughter of Samuel Dewey III and Milley McKee, was born in 1786. She was a devoted member of the Congregational Church. Phineas met and courted her in Richmond, MA. They were married in 1818. Wealthy was a young woman of culture and refinement, and was skilled in sewing, cooking, and other arts which enabled her to be a capable homemaker. She was called a “walking dictionary, ” and her love of learning was transmitted to her family. Her understanding and wisdom enabled her to assist her husband in the rearing of an outstanding family.
Phineas and Wealthy made their home in Richmond, MA. For nineteen years. They were blessed with nine children, three of which died in infancy. In order to help support the family, the older boys worked outside the home for relatives and friends. For several years after her husband, Phineas, joined the LDS church Wealthy was dubious about joining. She was finally baptized in 1843, 6 years after her husband.

Gravestone of Wealthy Dewey Richards at SLC Cemetery. Plot GRV226.
They lived in their wagons and tents during the first winter in Salt Lake. The winter of 1848-49 was extremely cold, and the pioneers suffered much sickness and hardship. Heavy snow in the canyons made it difficult to obtain firewood. The procurement of food was also a problem; they supplemented their meager food supply with sego lily roots. Crossing the plains was very hard on Wealthy, so when Phineas was called to go to Sanpete, she stayed in Salt Lake. She died in 1853, but her husband lived until 1874.
Marriage & Family
She was the first wife of Phinehas Richards (1788-1874), together they had several children, but the first three died in infancy in Berkshire Co, MA.
- Abraham Richards (1818-1818) - died young
- Moses Richards (1819-1819) - died young
- Betsey Richards (1820-1820) - died young
- Franklin Dewey Richards (1821-1899) - popular mormon missionary
- George Spencer Richards (1823-1838) - died in the Haun's Mill Massacre at age 15
- Samuel Whitney Richards (1824-1909)
- Wealthy Mariah Richards (1827-1909)
- Joseph William Richards (1829-1846)
- Henry Phinehas Richards (1831-1912)
Children
Siblings