Matthew Samuel Phelps Fifield

Matthew Samuel Phelps Fifield was born June 18, 1830 in New Haven, Vermont to Levi Joseph and Amy Tracy Fifield. Matthew is a Pioneer of Richmond. Matthew was a veteran of the Utah War and Indian Wars.

Early Life

The Fifield family lived in Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York for some time. At the age of 11, the Fifield family was converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and moved to Nauvoo, Illinois in 1841 to live among the Saints.1 While in Navuoo, the family opened a Gun Smith shop.2

While in Nauvoo, the Fifield became well acquainted with Church President Joseph Smith to the point where Smith ate at the Fifield home and vice versa. On one occasion, Smith hid himself in the Fifield garden from some officers.2 The Fifields were present at the point when Joseph went to Carthage Jail and returned dead.1

In 1845, Matthew's mother died in Nauvoo.

Trek West

Before the Fifield family moved west, Matthew's father joined the Mormon Battalion and left Matthew and his younger brother in Nauvoo in 1846. They lived in Nauvoo until they joined the Brigham Young Company of 1848 and left on June 5. While on the trek west, Matthew's father was returning east and they reunited on the Great Plans. They arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on Sep 24.1

Life in the Salt Lake Valley & Richmond

The Fifield family first settled in Mill Creek, Utah before moving to Ogden, Utah. Matthew married Almira Jane Gibson on April 5, 1852 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Soon after, the Fifield family fled to southern Utah in 1857 to flee from Johnston's army in the Utah War. Matthew "was kept on what's known as the Detail and in the standing army I went to the relief of the Salmon River People." After the conflict,  the Fifield family moved back to Ogden where Almira died in 1860.1

The Fifield family moved to Richmond soon after where his brother-in-law Henry E. Gibson had settled. Matthew married Rebecca Ann Hoopes who had become a widow the same year. They lived in Richmond until 1863 when they were called by the Church to help settle Bear Lake County, Idaho.1

Indian Wars Service

After the construction of the Richmond Fort in 1860 and other forts in Cache Valley, the Territory of Utah created the Cache Military District on Oct 15, 1861 with Church Apostle Ezra T. Benson as Colonel. Richmond was organized as the 5th Battalion Infantry, with Thomas L. Whittle as Major, David P. Rainy as Adjutant, and Robert M. Kerr and Dana Walton as Captains. Matthew was appointed as a Private.

On June 16, 1863, Richmond was organized into two companies of Infantry and two squads of Cavalry. Matthew was appointed a Sargent.

On Sep 14, 1864, the Richmond Home Guard was created with Henry Standage as Captain. At any cost, the city Guard was to protect. Most of the Guard, including Matthew, consisted of Minute-Men. They had regular drills every night.3 The Home Guard was released from active duty on Oct 25, 1864.4 

Epilogue