Lucinda Amanda Owens

Lucina Amanda Owens was born Jan 10, 1819 in Lafayette, New York to Abel and Elisabeth Betsy Owens. Lucina is a Founder of Richmond in 1859.

Early Life

Lucinda married Lumus Tyler in 1837. On March 29, 1839, Lumus was assigned to the U.S. Army. In his army records, it read that Lumus went "deserted" on June 22, 1839 presumed dead, leaving Lucinda with two children to care for on her own.2 As a profession, Lucinda was a school teacher.

It is unknown when Lucinda converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but members of her family had converted as early as 1843. Lucina and her children moved to Kirtland, Ohio in 1843. While living in Kirtland, Ohio, Lucinda was approached by John Bair and proposed to her. She accepted and moved with John to Garden Grove, Iowa. While together, John ran a ferry across the Missouri River.1 Lucinda recalled that John would bring home a half-bushel basket of money that John would make in one day.

A few days after John and Lucinda's marriage, John proposed to Lucinda's sister, Belinda. Belinda died while trying to give birth.  

"Lucinda followed her husband in his desires to believe in the doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She supported him in every way. She was willing to remain in Garden Grove when he was called to stay there to direct the affairs of Saints who were stopping there. John Bair was a lawyer and was needed in the affairs of settling legally all land acquisitions and dispersals besides other personal help he could offer."1

Journey West, Life in Utah and Journey to Richmond

Lucinda was in the David Evens Company on June 15, 1850. While on the trail, she continued to teach children to read and write, using only the sand and dirt on the ground to teach. The Bair family entered the Salt Lake Valley on Sep 17.

Lucinda had a hard time moving to Richmond due to having difficulty walking. While on her way from Kaysville to Richmond, she had a wagon accident. While driving the wagon, it tipped over a barrel of sorghum and rolled and crushed her leg.  Due to this incident, her leg was stunted and became shorter than the other.1

During the winter of 1859, Lucinda had a child that was sick and cold. She kept a small fire burning all night long to protect and heal her small loved one.

Epilogue