Robert Brown was born on September 15, 1816 in Boreland, Fife County, Scotland. He was the son of George Woodward Brown and Marian Adamson. At the age of 21 he married Elizabeth Beveridge on November 4, 1837 at Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland. Elizabeth was born on September 23, 1815 in Halbeth, Fife, Scotland. She was the daughter of David Beveridge and Janet Muir. At first Robert and Elizabetth 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 July 2, 1844 Christina and her twin sister, Marion, were born in Halbeath, Fife. Scotland.

        Robert loved the sea. He had sailed to South America with a load of coal. He 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. They had a big celebration to welcome them home. Robert had nearly lost his life in the storm. The sea was so rough, it jerked the helm from his grasp and dashed him against the railing and knocked him unconscious and broke his nose. He was found lying in a pool of blood and unconscious so they had to get another man to take his place. By the time the storm was over, it had swept the deck clean of masts, rigging, and everything above deck. They made it into a port where the ship was repaired before sailing for home. After that, he gave up the sea for a family life with Elizabeth. He then went to work in the coal mines.

        While living in Hallbeath, Robert and Elizabeth 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.

        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 his wife, Elizabeth, to have things packed and he would send for her and the children to join him. At one point, he was injured in an accident and was unable to work for a while. 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. Robert and Elizabeth 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. Late in the afternoon the vessel moved from her berth into the Shadwell Basin. A meeting was held on board and the usual organization was put in place. Elder John Nicholson was appointed president, Elders Joshua K. Whitney and John Rider, were his counselors. Early on the morning of the 24th, the vessel was taken in tow by a steam-tug, and moved down the river to Gravesend and put out to sea.