Picturing history: Walkerfold

In the River Ribble Valley, northeast of Preston, Lancashire, is the home that belonged to the Rev. John Richards. This home, known as the Manse, still stands next to the schoolhouse/chapel used by Richards in his capacities as schoolteacher and minister. In these images, the home is the darker stone structure; the chapel is the smaller, light yellow building.

The reverend's daughter, Jennetta, was one of the first people baptized and the first to be confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when missionary work was initiated by Elder Heber C. Kimball and his associates in July 1837.

Elder Kimball first arrived at Walkerfold on Aug. 12, 1837. He preached in the chapel several times. As a result, numerous persons in the congregation were baptized by the Mormon missionaries. During this period, Elder Kimball wrote to his colleague, Willard Richards, who was single at the time, "I baptized your wife today."

Willard and Jennetta eventually married, but Jennetta passed away in Nauvoo before the family began their journey across the Plains to the Salt Lake Valley.