Elizabeth Beveridge

23 September 1815 – 8 April 1884

        The Beveridge family had been prominent in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland for generations. Dunfermline was the seat of the Kingdom of Scotland, having been established as such by Malcom III in the mid-11^th century. It served as such until 1603 when James VI King of Scots relocated the Scottish court to London.

        Elizabeth Beveridge was born on September 23, 1815 in Halbeath, Fife, Scotland, just three miles from Dunfermline. She was the daughter of David Beveridge and Janet Muir. Her lineage can be traced back five generations to David Beveridge of Ceres, Fife Scotland around 1665.

        At the age of 22 Elizabeth married Robert Brown on November 4, 1837 at Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland. Robert was born on September 15, 1816 in Boreland, Fife County, Scotland. He was the son of George Woodward Brown and Marian Adamson. At first Elizabeth and Robert made their home in Rawyards, Lanark County, Scotland. Their first children, twins Janet and David, were born in about December 1838 but died as infants. Their next child, George, who was born in 1839 also died as small child. After having and loosing three children, Janet was born on October 27, 1841. Then on On July 2, 1844 Christina and her twin sister, Marion, were born in Halbeath, Fife. Scotland.

        Robert loved the sea. At one time he moved the family to a large seaport where they lived in a third floor flat. The town was protected by a 30 foot high rock seawall to keep back the tide and storm surges. This wall was 14 feet thick at the base and 3 feet at the top and had gates every so far apart so people could go down to the shore. He had sailed to South America with a load of coal and while he was gone there was a terrific storm. The sea lashed the seawall and almost came over the top. The pressure of such a high tide broke open one of the large gates and flooded the town. Everyone that lived in the lower flats had to dash up the stairs.

        Robert had been gone for 14 months and everyone thought that the ship had foundered and was lost. To their great surprise, one day it sailed into port. Having nearly lost his life in a storm, he gave up the sea for a family life with Elizabeth. He then went to work in the coal mines.

        While living in Hallbeath, Elizabeth and Robert were taught the gospel by Elder Peacock from Mann, Utah and were baptized into the Mormon Church: Robert on August 29, 1846 and Elizabeth more than a year later on September 13. 1847. Of Elizabeth's family, only her younger sister, Margaret, and her husband, Thomas Sneddon also joined the church in 1848.

        The family moved often as Robert was constantly changing jobs. When he found a better job he would start immediately and quit his old job without leaving notice. He would tell Elizabeth to have things packed and he would send for her and the children to join him. As they moved around, wherever his jobs took him. They lived in Bridgeness, Kircaldy, and then Cowdenbaith, During this time, four more children were born; Elizabeth who was born and died in 1846, David on April 8, 1847, Robert Jr. on October 20, 1850, and Elizabeth on November 17, 1854.

        Their older children grew up and began getting married. Marion married Archibald Dunsire on January 4, 1861. Janet married Thomas Adamson later that same year on May 19, 1861. In 1863 Janet and her husband and Christina emigrated to America and crossed the plains to Utah. Elizabeth and Robert missed them so much and longed to join them. They both worked hard to save enough money to go to America. Finally, nearly ten years after first joining the church, they were able to come to America.

        Leaving Marion and her family behind, the Browns traveled to London. On May 23, 1866 Robert (49), Elizabeth (50), David (19), Robert, Jr. (15), and Elizabeth (11) boarded the sailing ship “American Congress” bound for New York.

        The ship with 350 saints on board, cleared from the London Docks, on the 23rd of May. Early on the morning of the 24th, the vessel put to sea. The ship encountered some rough weather, and had a lot of contrary wind to contend with. There was but very little sickness, and no deaths occurred on the voyage, which was quite remarkable with so many aboard. After a long and tiresome voyage, they arrived in New York Harbor on the morning of July 4^th. As that was a holiday, they had to remain on board until the next day. They had a splendid view of the fireworks that night from the ship as it lay in the harbor.