Robert Cunningham was born in Stevenston on 12 Dec 1827. He was the son of Peter and Sarah Burns Cunningham. His father died of cholera when Robert was a small boy. He said he remembered his father coming home from work at the coal mines and after eating supper he took very sick and died before midnight and his body was taken from the house without sevices of any kind being held. Robert said: I remember standing in the yard and watching them bring my father's body out and putting it into a vehicle and driving away in the dark.

Robert attended school until he was about nine years old when it became necessary for him to work in the coal mines. There was a family of small children , his mother a widow without support, so it became his lot to help earn the living.

When about 14 years old, Robert went to hear some Mormon Elders preach. He became very interested in their message and told his mother about them. He returned several times without his mother's approval. One evening, when he returned home, his mother had a small bundle of his clothes tied up laying in the table and when Robert entered the house his mother said to him: Robert, you can have you choice to either remain away from those Mormons, or take your clothes and leave the house. Robert said in relating the incident: I paused for a moment, then took my clothes and left the house, going out into the backyard. I went back of a large currant bush that grew there and knelt down and prayed to my heavenly Father. I poured out my very soul for I knew those Mormon Elders had the truth and I wanted the help of my Father in heaven to give me strength and his guiding influence to help me. I arose from my knees and made my way to Glasgow where I soon found work.

He was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints by Elder William Gibson on 10 December 1841 and ordained a priest in 1843 and in connection with Elders William Stewart and Peter McFarland and others, established a branch of the church in Kelvin Dock which was later transferred to Knight's Wood. He was ordained an Elder in 1844 and appointed to preside over the branch when only 17 years of age. While holding this position he made many converts to the church.

He married Ellen Gibbons, daughter of Louis Gibbons and Janet Wilson. His wife, Ellen, was born at Maryhill, Lenarkshire, Scotland on 1 May 1824.

They made their home at Maryhill, where their two oldest children were born, Janet and Peter. They then moved to Netherton, Dunbarton, where eight other children were born, five boys and three girls, namely, Robert, Thomas, Ellen, Robert Cartmill, Sarah, Lewis Cartmill, and Henry Chestney. Robert and Sarah died while they were small children.

Robert worked at the coal mines where he became superintendent of the mines. His sons, Peter and Thomas also worked at the mines and his family were comfortable and happy.

Although Robert's mother had driven him from home because of his faith in his newfound church, she later made her home with him and he made her comfortable and she shared with he and his family until her death in 1857.

Robert and his wife and family were desirous of gathering with the body of the church, that they might enjoy their religious freedom of worshiping to their own convictions for they were not received kindly by those around them that were not members of the Mormon religion, so in May 1863, they bid their relatives and friends and dear old Scotland goodbye and set sail on the ship"Cynosure" arriving in America after a long voyage.

They took the train for the west. They could only travel by train, however, a short distance as the western part of the country had not yet been built up with railroads, so they had to travel mostly on foot. They crossed the plains with the Ricks company by ox teams. The wagons being heavily loaded with provisions, the older members of the company of necessity walked most of the way. They arrived in Utah, locating in Heber City in the fall of 1863. There, their youngest child, a little girl named Agnes was born 5 Feb 1865, while they were there in very distressed circumstances.

The country was new, money was scarce, and Robert found it very hard to earn a living for his family and when ever he related the incident of the birth of his little daughter Agnes, the tears would course down his cheeks for he would say: All I had to offer poor Ellen after giving birth to our baby was a baked potato. He worked two and a half days for a half bushel of potatoes.

In the spring of 1867 they moved to Ogden going on a farm in West Weber, but remained there only a short time, not knowing much about farming. They moved back into town where they bought a place large enough to raise a garden and some fruit, on the corner of 25th street and Monroe Avenue where Ogden High School now stands, They remained there until 1881 when they moved to Salt Lake City where he lived until his death on 22 Dec 1901. He was set apart by Apostle Franklin D. Richards to fill a mission to Scotland. After arriving in Scotland, his health failed him and he had to return home without having had the privilege of visiting his brothers, sisters, and relatives in his native land who were still living. This was a very sad regret to him for he had a very great love for his relatives and kin.

Robert was never idle. He accepted whatever work was offered him that he could procure and was able to do, and through his conservation was able to secure a comfortable home and enough money to keep him through his old age. He was always mindful of his children and was able to give some assistance to each of them.

He was very humorous and loved to tell a good joke. He also loved music and was happy when he could gather his family around him for an evening of entertainment, of song and music. Thomas played the banjo and sang comic songs they all could sing and often, even in his old age, Robert's voice would ring out with "When you and I were young Maggie" or "Gathering Shells from the Seashore." How well I remember those happy times. The husbands and wives of his children were always treated the same as his own children. He never took sides against the in- laws of his family. He was very fond of children and never passed a little child in the street without saying something humorous or drawing them to him in some way. They all loved him and knew him long after he had been called home. The children in the neighborhood told of the little kindnesses he did for them.

He had many, many friends and there were many who came to him for council and advice and he always held their confidence most sacred.

His hobby was raising flowers and he raised many beautiful varieties in his yard. It was truly a place of beauty and he grieved if anyone destroyed his flowers. He loved to present his friends with a boquet from his garden. A place for everything and everything in it's place was his motto.

His wife died in 16 Oct 1890. He married Margaret Rankin Sands, a widow with three children, a son John Sands, and two daughters, Jennie and Jessie.

While on his sick bed, he bore a strong, but humble testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was always full of charity for the failings of his fellow men and ready to help those in distress and share with those in need.

He has a large family of grandchildren and great grandchildren who now rise up and call him blessed.

Written by: Florence Wilson Cunningham: A daughter in Law of Robert Cunningham.