1851 - 1871 -Agnes Crosbie's Children

[*Marjorie]

ROBERT PHILIPS CROSBIE – Born 3 January 1849 (His family called him Curley Bob)



Robert Philips Crosbie, last name spelling also known as “Crosby”, his family and friends called him “Curley Bob.” He was required to have an education in the small town of Hazelbank, Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, so he could read, write and actually use his education in the future.
He was raised by his grandparents as they attended “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints” in Motherwell. At the age of 20 he worked as a coalminer and found as a Lodger in the household of Ann Brown at the town of Townfoot, Auchenheath, Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire, Scotland which is about 2.7 miles southwest of his place of birth in Hazelbank, working as a coal miner in 1871.
He met his future wife, Helen Spowart, daughter of Thomas Spowart, at “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Church Branch Conference in Glasgow,” where they were both members. She was from Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland area which was a small fishing village north of Edinburgh where her grandfather owned a large coal mine.
Dunfermline is 50 miles northeast of Hazelbank about a 13 ½ hour walk and maybe 3 hours by train from Auchenheath to Dunfermline and about 34 minutes by car, or a 6 ½ minute walk to Edinburgh. Helen’s father Thomas would have church meetings in their home. Her parents and relatives Charles and Catherine Beverage left from Liverpool on September 3, 1874, on the Ship Wyoming, with other Latter-Day Saints and they arrived in New York on September 19, 1874. It was a 16 day voyage. Copies of the records and diaries of some members about the journey are found on internet websites: saintsbysea.lib.byu.edu/mii/passenger/52971

For Thomas Spowart

saintsbysea.lib.byu.edu/mii/passenger/52972
For Catherine Spowart (also on both records the couple are together showing Thos first then Catherine Spowart.

It is at this point, the members of the L D S church are saving money to immigrate to the United States and this is when Josiah and his wife Mary (Waldie) Crosbie, Robert Philips and Helen, and his younger brother Gavin (Guy) Crosbie, also his last name is known as Crosby, start planning to come to the United States and joining other church members in Utah and Wyoming. It was an opportunity to worship their religion freely, as well as an opportunity to build a new life and progress in a life they believed in. Letters from her parents showed it to be promising.
Robert and Helen were married by Rev. Andrew Brydie at Free St. Andrew’s Church in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland on 22nd of August 1873, just before her parents left for the United States. A copy of the marriage can be found on 3 LDS FHL Film Nos.: on the first film 0300266, located on Page 62, No. 124; and 2nd on film 18730922 and last film 6035516. Location is Burgh of Dunfermline, County of Fife. Robert was age 22 living in Townhill as a Coalminer. He listed his grandparents as his parents, Robert Crosbie a Damask Weaver and Helen Francis. Helen Spowart was 20 living at Chapel Street listing her parents as Thomas Spowart a Coalminer and Catherine Spowart. Minister was Rev. Andrew Brydie, their witnesses John Burt and Mary Sharp. Robert and maybe Gavin may have gone to Dunfermline to work in the coalmines. Their marriage list shown next along with 2 pictures of the church they where there were married.




Free St. Andrew Church



Robert’s Uncle Josiah ‘s family are still living close to parents and brother’s families in Hazelbank. We next find Robert and Helen living in Rigside, Douglas, Scotland close to Robert’s stepfather John Nelson and Robert’s mother Agnes Nelson and their family. It is here that his wife Helen gives birth to their first child Catherine Crosbie, known as Kate, who was born on 31st of January 1874 there in Rigside. The record of birth can be found on LDS FHL Film No.0329052, Page 6, No. 18, Parish of Douglas in the County of Douglas.

Robert’s mother Agnes was living in Gateside, Douglas, Scotland in 1871 but they moved north to Rigside, Douglas, Scotland and her youngest child George dies on October 2, 1873 in Rigside. Step-father John Nelson was working at the “Wilson Coalmine Company,” as well as, their eldest son James, age 13, a coalminer and 11 year old daughter Ellen as a Coal Drawer. Robert and Helen after her parents move they decided to go closer to his mother Agnes. Hazelbank is 9.2 miles south of Rigside a good 3 hour walk to Rigside.

George’s death certificate shows John and Agnes Neilson living in Rigside, Douglas, Scotland on 2 October 1873.

Josiah Rodgers Crosbie, his wife Mary, Robert Phillip Crosbie, his wife Helen and Gavin (Guy) Crosbie started their planning and saving for the journey to the United States and then by train onto Utah and Wyoming. Their stories are told by Elva (Crosbie) Dean, the grand-daughter of Josiah and Mary (Waldie) Crosbie. She was able to bring it to life through letters her Grandmother Mary kept and hours of research.
The time had come when Josiah knew they should not wait any longer to go to America, if they were going. They had three small children and another on the way. He and family were sincere in their religion and felt there would be better opportunities for them with friends in Wyoming. Mary was willing to go even though she hadn’t wanted to join the L. D. S. church yet, possibly because of her family’s attitude concerning it. Still they loved her and wished them well.
The Auchenheath Station opened on December 1, 1866. It was served by local trains on the Coalburn Branch south of Glasgow.

Josiah, nephew Robert and his family stepped on the train in Auchenheath and rode to Glasgow. They left Glasgow three months before his wife, children and nephew Gavin; sailing on the S. S. Angelia from Glasgow and arrived in New York on August 25, 1874.
S.S. Anglia

S.S. Anglia Passenger List Showing Robert, Helen, and Kate (fourth from the bottom)

Elva states: He wanted to have a home ready for them and earn enough money for their passage. He went to work in the coal mines in Almy, Uinta, Wyoming. He brought with him a nephew, Robert (Curly Bob) Crosbie, who was raised in his home like a brother, Curly Bob’s wife, Helen, and baby Kate.
Memories of Agnes Crosbie Memomett daughter of Robert Philip Crosbie: When they stepped off the train in Almy, Helen sat of her suitcase, with baby Kate in her arms, looks around at the blowing wind and dust, stage-brush, and tumbleweeds flying and she started crying for her beloved home of Scotland. Josiah and Robert quickly found a place to live and then found jobs at “Wyoming Coal and Mining Company”. On the September 14, 1874, just a week or so after arriving Helen lost her mother.


In their letters, Mary (Waldie) Crosbie and her sister Nellie, describes their last time together.
Nellie says,

“Then I remember that last walk with you to Aughenheath (sic) Station, your little Betsy in your arms and the other two trotting along, 30 years ago this autumn. I was twelve then.”

Mary and children left their home in Hazelbank, Scotland, and all went well until they got to New York City. Little Tom Crosbie got lost. Gavin had forgotten, his responsibility for a moment but he was soon located and they proceeded with their journey. When passing through Chicago on the train, Mary was much impressed with the sight of the burned-out buildings of Chicago. The great fire had occurred only 3 years before. The entire downtown, which had been built of lumber, was completely destroyed. It was still in ruins.
Their saving were sent back home and Josiah’s wife, Mary (Waldie) Crosbie, brought their children, Mary, Thomas, Elizabeth (called Betsy), and another nephew, Gavin (called Guy), set sail November 5, 1874 on the S. S. La Victoria. The ships manifest list Gavin’s age as 21 but he was 3 months short.
S. S. La Victoria


On the passenger list of the S.S. La Victoria it shows at the top Mary No. 28, little Mary No. 29, Thos No. 30, & Elizabeth No. 1 and Gavin Crosbie No. 6 toward the bottom



In 1875 the Union Pacific Railroad Company came into possession of the property of the “Wyoming Coal and Mining Company”.
Curley Bob’s first son Robert was born in Almy on the 26th of Nov. 1875, John on 8 Oct 1877, and his third son, George was born in Almy on 2 Oct 1879.

The two brothers were not mentioned on the 1880 United States Federal Census of Almy, Wyoming, but Uncle Josiah and family were still in Almy. However, Curly Bob’s Father-in-law, Thomas Spowart, had re-married and moved to Ogden Utah:

Census Place: North Ogden, Weber, Utah
Source: FHL Film 1255339 National Archives Film T9-1339
Page 501C
Relation Sex Marr Race Age Birthplace
Thomas SPOWART Self M M W 61 SCOT
Occ: Farmer Fa: SCOT Mo: SCOT
Margarett SPOWART Wife F M W 51 ENG
Occ: Keeping House Fa: ENG Mo: ENG
John JOWETT SSon M S W 19 ENG
Occ: Farm Laborer Fa: ENG Mo: ENG
David JOWETT SSon M S W 17 ENG
Occ: Apprentice To Tin Smith Fa: ENG Mo: ENG
Abraham JOWETT SSon M S W 15 ENG
Occ: At Home Fa: ENG M

Brigham Young’s Utah Central Railway started in Ogden and arrived in Salt
Lake City in 1870. Later, as The Utah Southern Railroad, it was extended 13 miles to Sandy, Utah by September of 1871. It was then extended to Lehi by the Fall of 1872, and reached York (27 miles south of Provo) in April 1875. The line was purchased by Union Pacific Railroad but kept the name. The railroad remained for several years. York, Utah was a prominent terminal and railroad center on the old Utah Southern Railroad approximately fifteen miles north of Nephi and four miles south of Santaquin. York lasted for several until the next terminal was established to the south Juab. York was then promptly abandoned. It took from 1875 to 1881 to build the railroad lines to Frisno, Utah.
The account by Parley Hinckley, in a newspaper mentions: “among the first to come to this part of the railroad were Bob and Guy Crosby, just over from Scotland.” The track crew on the next phase was directed by a fellow Scotsman, Alexander Graham and James Latimer.

Gavin & Robert Phillip Crosbie worked with James Latimer Jr. Mr. Latimer
was born September 4, 1850 in Glasgow, Scotland to James Bone Latimer and Margaret Reid Dougal. Some of his children were born in Beaver, Utah. Also, they worked with Alexander Graham who was also born in Scotland who possibly I wonder if he could be related through his Grandmother Helen Francis whose mother was Bridget Graham. Others they worked with were Abraham Kimball and Heber C. Kimball, Robert Watson his foremen and Bishop Callister. Bishop Callister was over the team of horses. His brother Gavin, who went by Guy, loved working with the team of horses. The rail-line entered Juab County by June 1879. Guy may have been there at that time, but Bob probably was not. Remember his third son, George was born in Almy on Wyoming on October 2, 1879.

In the summer of 1880 the railroad reached Frisco, Utah.

Robert and Guy were working on the railroad near Yellow Bank when Guy met Electa
Malinda Twitchell at the Lamoreaux Ranch 3 kilometers North of Milford,
where she was working as a servant cleaning rooms where the railroad crew was staying. Guy married Electa on February 22, 1881 in Beaver Utah.
Yellow Banks located north of Milford, Utah.


On March 3, 1881, his Uncle Josiah was killed in Almy, Wyoming from gases in the Central Pacific Mine number 3 which exploded, killing 38 miners. ... A terrific explosion occurred last night between 9 and 10 o'clock in the Central Pacific mine, killing 35 Chinamen and 3 white men. The mine was opened in 1869. This was a most dangerous mine where evolved fire-damp (methane gas) in large quantities. The gas is constantly oozing from the fissures in the coal and rock and the current of pure air required to dilute and carry it off is enormous. Remark was shared in a letter to Marjorie Crosby Sanchez from Barbara Stettler of the state of Washington.

Curley Bob and Helen named their next child after his Uncle Josiah who was born August 8, 1882 in the small town of Leamington, Millard, Utah. Bob and Guy envisioned a great
future for this little town of Leamington where the rail-lines from Delta and Nephi that looked promising to continue onto California.
During this time John Francis Crosbie arrived April 12, 1882 from Scotland to check on Josiah’s wife Mary as well as his nephews Robert Phillip and Gavin (Guy). John returned back to Scotland and his mother Helen (Francis) Crosbie died on July 4, 1882.

Bob & Guy also worked at the Round House in Milford and on the track repair crew. Heavy storms often caused considerable damage. The Frisco Silver mine North East of Milford kept the railroad profitable until 1882 or 1883 when the mine faltered, and the railroad with it. However, the farmers worked together with the newspaper to draw investors to continue the railroad. The church building burned there destroying records up to 1883.

On May 15, 1884, Guy appeared in Salt Lake City Court to become a United States Citizen, and it was witnessed by his brother Curly Bob and Robert Watson.
Agnes the daughter of Robert and Helen said the family lived in a train box car across the street from his brother Guy (Gavin) Andrew Crosbie's store in Leamington, Millard, Utah. The brothers both worked for the Utah Southern Railroad.

Robert and Helen’s daughter Margaret Crosby was born December 26, 1884 in Springville, Utah County, Utah.
John Francis Crosbie visited for a while in 1885 and stayed with Robert and Guy. He worked awhile in the nearby coal mines. But he returned back home wher Robert Gray Crosbie passed away on August 3, 1885.
On September 1, 1886, Robert Crosby lead a group of citizens in organizing “The Leamington Irrigation Company Incorporation.”as recorded in Book F Pages 155-158 found in the County Clerk’s office in Filmore, Millard Utah, although it was recorded in the “Territory of Utah, County of Beaver.”
Robert and Helen’s daughter Agnes Helen Crosby was born September 6, 1887 in Leamington, Millard County, Utah.
Their son William Thomas Crosby was born December 1890 also in Leamington, Millard County, Utah.
Their last child Alexander Crosby was born 1895 in Mona, Juab, Utah but Mona was then known as Starr, Juab County, Utah.
His brother Guy also owned a grocery store and behind the store was a dirty dance floor surrounded by benches made from cut timber where the community would gather after working all week on Friday and Saturday to dance. Robert and Guy would sing and Guy would play the violin.
Leamington, Utah


On 24 Dec 1894, Robert Crosby and Ellen of Starrs P.O. Juab County purchased 14 acres in Leamington from James Latimore for $300. Then recorded in Book A of Mortgages Pages 545-546. The Mortgage was released May 15, 1895 -see pages 577-578.
Their son Alexander was born January 13, 1895 in Mona, but was known as Starr, Juab, Utah. It is about halfway between Santaquin and Nephi about 1.6 km (1 mi) west of Interstate 15. The town was originally settled as Clover Creek in 1852 then renamed to Willow Creek then Starr before receiving its present name Mona.
1899 The railroad was extended to Uvada [on the Utah Nevada border west of Cedar City].
Close to 1889 Robert and Helen moved to Ogden, Utah, while his Uncle, John Francis Crosbie, was coming again from Scotland to Ogden.
Robert and Helen moved their family to Sunnyside, Carbon, Utah, a mining town, south of Price, Utah, to work in the mines there. On January 8, 1904 a mining accident occurred to their child. They put a belt around the child’s wound and carried out and transported him to the hospital. He lived long enough to say good-bye to his mother.
Crosby, William
Report of the Coal Mine Inspector 1903-1904 page 130
Wm. Crosby, a tripper, was killed in the Sunnyside Mine, No. 2. Crosby fell in front of a trip, being crushed about the abdomen.
Cody of Coroner's Verdict: An inquest having been held at Sunnyside, in Sunnyside Precinct, Carbon County, State of Utah, on this second day of January, 1904, before William Hill, Justice of the Peace, in Sunnyside Precinct, in said County, upon the body of William Crosby, there lying dead, by the Jurors whose names are hereunto subscribed.
The said Jurors upon their oath do say, that William Crosby came to his death according to the evidence through accident, and though no fault of any party or parties, being away from his line of duty at the head of the trip.
Newspaper article
Sunnyside, Utah, January 2 - William Crosby, who was employed by the coal company a few weeks ago, was accidentally killed in Mine No. 2 today. Crosby was only 11 years of age and was run over by a trip of loaded coal cars. He received injuries from he died as soon as he reached the local hospital. He was employed since the strike went into effect.
William Crosby, son of Robert and Helen (Spowart) Crosby is buried at the Sunnyside Power Plant Cemetery in Sunnyside, Carbon, Utah.

By 1910 the Crosby Family has moved back to Ogden, Utah.

Standing: Agnes, Robert, Catherine, Sitting: George, Helen, James, and Alexander

Robert was employed as track foreman on the U.I.C. and Bamberger Lines for the past ten years in Ogden, Weber, Utah. Robert and Bamberger knew one another from when they were working together building the railroad from York, Utah to Sanpete County. Bamberger projected the Ogden-Salt Lake City line as a steam line as early as 1891; and in 1908 Ogden was connected to Salt Lake City on what was known as the Bamberger. The line was electrified on May 28, 1910 and renamed the Bamberger Electric Railway. ... A branch line of this road was extended to Plain City.
On July 1915 his wife Helen passed away. Then about 3 years later Robert passed away on May 5, 1918. Both are buried at the Ogden Cemetery, Ogden, Weber, Utah.
Put this last as a resource.
Book One: THE FAMILIES CROSBIE, WALDIE, FIELDING, WHITTLE by Elva Dean and PDF by Hugh Carswell Adamson. Book found on internet website:
hughadamson.com/Crosbie/FilesHistory/Crosbie%20Waldie%20Fielding%20Whittle%20Story.pdf