The Ellen G. White Letters and Manuscripts: Volume 1

RALPH, Richard (1812-1897) and (first wife) Minerva (c. 1815-1854) and (second wife) Sarah F. (1832-1920)

Active laypersons from Berlin, Connecticut. The mentions of Richard Ralph by James and Ellen White in the late 1840s and early 1850s suggest that he was a traveling preacher during that period. The U.S. censuses of the period 1850-1880 list his occupation as shoemaker, “roofing buildings,” and farmer. His first wife, Minerva, died in 1854, leaving six children. 1EGWLM 881.2

Ellen White recounted her interaction with Richard and Minerva Ralph on two or three occasions in 1849. Most notable was their involvement in the dramatic healing of “Sister Penfield” and Richard Ralph's speaking “in a new tongue,” interpreted to mean that Ralph and Hiram Edson should seek to reclaim Samuel W. Rhodes for public ministry. 1EGWLM 881.3

See: Obituary, “Richard Ralph,” Review, Oct. 5, 1897, p. 639; obituary, “The Companion of Bro. R. Ralph,” Review, Oct. 17, 1854, p. 79; obituary, “Sarah F. Ralph,” Review, Dec. 30, 1920, p. 14; Sherman W. Adams, The History of Ancient Wethersfield, Connecticut: Comprising the Present Towns of Wethersfield, Rocky Hill and Newington: and of Glastonbury Prior to Its Incorporation in 1693, From Date of Earliest Settlement Until the Present Time, With Extensive Genealogies and Genealogical Notes on Their Families (New York: Grafton Press, 1904), vol. 2, p. 538; 1850 U.S. Federal Census, “Richard Ralph,” Connecticut, Hartford County, Berlin, p. 256; 1860 U.S. Federal Census, “Richard Ralph,” Connecticut, Hartford County, Berlin, p. 31; 1870 U.S. Federal Census, “Richard Ralph,” Connecticut, Hartford County, Berlin, p. 31; “Receipts for Review and Herald,” Review, Jan. 10, 1878, p. 16 ; Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts [vol. 2], p. 116; “Beloved Brethren, Scattered Abroad,” Present Truth, December 1849, p. 35; Lt 8, 1849 (May 29). 1EGWLM 881.4