Elizabeth Russell was born
February 11, 1817 at Sholts, Linlithgowshire, Scotland. Her parents,
William and Margaret Marshall Russell, lived on a small farm owned by the
family. Work and responsibility came to Elizabeth early in her life.
In 1835, at the age of 17 years,
she married Thomas Archibald. She was a mother of ten children:
James, Margaret, William, Robert, John, Elizabeth, Christina, Alexander,
Andrew and Agnes.
Elizabeth's religious
nature responded naturally and ardently when she heard the words of truth
and light presented by LDS missionaries who had come to her native land.
She was baptized in 1848, along with her husband Thomas. She
was a devout member of the LDS church.
Just nine years later, in 1857,
her husband died leaving her a widow with ten children. Later, one
child died.
At that time, LDS converts were
being encouraged to gather to Zion, in the United States. It was
a tremendous undertaking for Elizabeth, to prepare to emigrate to America
and then cross the plains to Utah, with such a large family and no companion
to help her. By the time they were ready to go, three of her boys
were married, but through her faith, determination and good management,
she brought every member of her family to Utah.
Elizabeth
and her four youngest children came to America in 1862 on the ship Wm.
Tapscott (microfilm #0025691, page 155). Several of her adult
children followed the next year as they were able to get money.
During her life time she related often how
Apostle Franklin D. Richards had blessed her and promised her that she
and her children would reach Zion in safety. When they landed in
New York, at the customs house, it was found that all their belongings
had been stolen. Among the treasures was a gold wedding ring which
had been handed down for several generations. This grieved Elizabeth
a great deal, and in telling of her trip to Utah, her joys and sorrows,
she would always say, "I didn't grieve over anything like I did over the
loss of my grandmother's wedding ring."
With the loss of all their worldly
possessions, it was impossible to go on to the Utah valley that season.
The boys of the family had been coal miners in the old country; so that
being the only kind of work for which they had been trained, and as it
was necessary to gather some means before they could go on , they worked
in the coal mines of Pennsylvania for some time. Then with the aid
of kind friends who were raised up to them, they were able to start westward
the following year.
The Saints were very kind and
helped her all they could. They arrived safely in Wellsville, Utah
in the year of 1862. This settlement was largely made up of families
from Scotland, who had come to Utah for the Gospel's sake. Elizabeth
resided there until her death on April 25, 1908; living to be ninety-one
years of age. For six years prior to her death she lived with her
oldest daughter, Mrs. Margaret Hendry.
When Elizabeth was past fifty, she
had the misfortune to slip and break her leg. Because of the rude
surgery of those frontier days, anyone suffering a broken leg was almost
invariably doomed to be lame the rest of their days. And so with
her. The imperfectly set limb caused her much distress and she walked
with a limp. But in spite of this handicap, her days were filled
with industry and she enjoyed life and lived richly.
Her sons wives adored her. She
had the ability and tact to deal justly and diplomatically with the members
of her large family. At regular intervals she visited the families
of her sons and daughters to help with the mending, the knitting and to
darn the homemade stockings and socks. These were gala occasions
for her grandchildren, who looked forward to these visits with so much
anticipation. Her favorite chair would be arranged and the cushion
set just right in the place she loved best by the sunny, south windows.
The entire family held consultation to plan something to make her visit
pleasant and to have something extra nice for dinner when she came.
She had a lovely speaking voice with
a rich Scottish brogue.
She loved the theater and in her youth
had delighted in taking part in plays. She attended all the performances
presented in Wellsville in those early days, even after she was eighty
years old. She went in winter as well as summer. The manager
of the playhouse saw to it that there was always a seat of honor in the
middle aisle near the front for "Grandmother Archibald" whenever a play
was presented.
Her eye sight was good and she never
wore glasses in her long life.
Her embroidery work was exquisite.
As each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were born, she presented
them with a dress or slip made the old-fashioned length and elaborately
embroidered.
People loved to be in her company
and to do her honor. As she grew older, it seemed her pleasure in
the society of others deepened, and she drew people to her because of her
sweet understanding and broad sympathy. So many parties and anniversary
gatherings were held in her honor, in which the best talent of the town
contributed their part. When the program was finished she would say
"Now let's all sing some of the songs of Zion we sang long ago in Bonnie
Scotland." Her favorites were: "The Spirit of God Like a Fire
is Burning," and "Come, Come, Ye Saints." At her request all joined
in the singing.
From a newspaper dated 1903
we read where a birthday party was held at her daughter's home to celebrate
her 86th birthday. At this time only six of her ten children were
still living. John, the oldest one, was in Scotland on a mission;
Alexander was a member of the Wellsville city council; Robert was living
in Rexburg, Idaho; Elizabeth was in Teton, Idaho; Andrew was living in
Cardston, Alberta, Canada; and Margaret was in Wellsville. During
the birthday party worthy mentions were made and choice musical selections
given by Dr. George Phillips and Daniel L. Walters.
From another newspaper dated
February 11, 1908 (a few weeks prior to her death) we read the following:
"On February 11 a grand family gathering took place at the home of Mrs.
Margaret Hendry, the occasion being the 91st birthday of her mother, Mrs.
Archibald. About 100 of her offspring and a few invited guests assembled
to pay special honor and respect to the grand old lady. Many of them came
long distances. Once grandson came from Alberta, Canada. After
partaking of a splendid supper, prepared by the family for this wonderful
occasion, the evening was spent in music, short speeches, and singing.
Some of the good old hymns they used to sing sixty years ago, when Mother
Archibald and her husband were baptized, were sung at the request of Grandma.
They all sung her favorite hymns "The Spirit of God Like A Fire is Burning"
and "Come, Come Ye Saints."
Her picture showing five generations
was published in the Deseret News. At the time of her death in 1908
her posterity numbered 433. She had 10 children, 118 grandchildren,
277 great-grandchildren, and 22 great-great-grandchildren.
She remained true to the faith, a devout
member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day
Saints all her days. Her last words of counsel
to her family were to live the Gospel. With her death which occurred
peacefully in Wellsville, Utah, in February 1909, passed a lovely soul
who will be a shining jewel in our Father's crown.
This history was taken from two others,
one by Jesse Archibald Atkinson, a grand-daughter;
and one by Margaret Jane Stuart.