Short history of Elizabeth Russell Archibald, Pioneer of 1862 to Utah
Third great grandmother of Dixie Lee Steed Wilson
The district of Linlithgoshire in Scotland has the scene to many conversions to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, and, among the most appreciated and loyal members of the Church was my great grandmother, Elizabeth Russell Archibald. Her religious nature responded naturally and ardently to the words of truth as presented by the elders when they came to her native land, where she was baptized in 1848. Of her conversion and the years immediately following, we have no record. Her husband, Thomas, was also baptized at that time.
The Elizabeth Russell Archibald was born 11 February 1818, at Sholts, Linlithgowshire, Scotland, the daughter of William and Margaret Marshall Russell. Her girlhood was spent on a small farm owned by the family. Work and responsibility came to her early in life. She was married in 1835 at the age of 17 to Thomas Archibald. She was the mother of 10 children. They are James, Margaret, William, Robert Russell, John, Elizabeth, Christina, Alexander, Andrew, an Agnes. Her children loved her with the deepest devotion all the days of her life, and her sainted memory is enshrined in their hearts, though she has passed beyond. Nine years after she joined Church, Thomas died. She was left with 10 young children. Soon after his death, one of the children died.
At this time it seemed the spirit of gathering took possession of her and all her thoughts and ambitions were to take her family to Zion. It was a tremendous undertaking to prepare to immigrate to America and 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 boys were mar ied. But through her faith, determination, and good management she brought every member of her family to Utah.
She often related how this Apostle Franklin D. Richards, that great man who successfully piloted so many companies of British converts to America in early days, blessed her and promised that she and her children would reach Zion in safety. A promise which was fulfilled.
When they landed at the custom house in New York, it was found that everything they had was stolen. Their trunks of clothing and all their possessions were gone. Among the treasures that were taken was a gold wedding ring which had been handed down in the family for several generations. The lot of this grieved her greatly. In telling of her trip to Utah, her joys and sorrows she would always say, "I didn't grieve over anything so much as the loss of my grandmother's wedding ring."
With the loss of all their worldly possessions it was impossible to go into Valley that season. The boys of the family had been coal miners in the old country. So wives being the only kind of work for which they had been trained, and as it was necessary to gather some mean before they could go on, they worked in 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 West the following year. They reached Utah in 1862.
The family settled in Wellsville, Cache County, Utah. This settlement was largely made up of the familys from Scotland, who had come to Utah for the gospel's sake. In this community she lived for the remainder of her days and they were many because she lived to be more than 91 years old.
When she was past 50 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 grandmother, 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 diplomaticly with the members of her large family. At regular intervals she visited the family of her son and daughters to help with the mending, the knitting, and to darn the homemade stockings and sox. These were gala occasions for her grandchildren, who look forward to these visits with so much anticipation. Grandmothers favorite share and her cushion were arranged just right in the place she loved best by the sunny South window. The entire family held a consultation as to something to make grandmothers visit pleasant and to have something extra nice for dinner when she came.
