Leah Marilda Eckersley

Leah Marilda Eckersley was born Sep 27, 1865 in Richmond to Samuel and Leah Hardman Eckersley. Leah is a Pioneer of Richmond.

Life in Richmond

"I remember first my parents as being very kind and willing to help us in any way. At home we were taught of many religious happenings, all intended to strengthen our testimonies throughout our lives. Our playmates were treated well at our home and we had many good times together. There weren't many places of amusement for the children in those days, so it was up to our parents to help us in many different plays and games. 

"We were taught to read and write on our slates as we had no paper except in our writing copy books. We were taught to spell from our spelling books. Our parents had to pay three dollars every three months for our schooling. All of us went to Sunday School and our teacher read to us out of the New Testament, which seemed to interest us greatly. 

"I shall never forget the day I was baptized. I had been looking forward to it for such a long time. I was ten years old, and that Thursday morning at eight o'clock we all went down to the river and were baptized in the mill. The water was up to our waists and not very warm. There were twelve of us at the time and after baptism, we went three miles to fast meeting, which was then held Thursday mornings at ten o'clock. 

"When I was twelve years old, I had to help raise and make sugar cane molasses during the day. At night, about twice a week, I was allowed to invite my friends to a molasses candy pull. We had great sport and my friends enjoyed coming to my home. It was at these candy pulls that I became aquatinted with Julius R. Shepard and several years later he was my best friend. 

"At the age of sixteen, I was allowed to go to my first public dance.

"Julius Shepard and I had many happy days together and I was married to him on June 19, 1884 by Bishop N. R. Lewis. On March 13, 1889, we were sealed in the Logan Temple by M. W. Merrill."

Epilogue