Francis Beverly (1801 – 1882)

Francis Beverly was born in Aberdeen Scotland on March 8, 1801. After working as a bank clerk in Scotland, he immigrated to the Miramichi, where he was teaching school at the time of the Great Fire of 1825. As his daughter Miss Jane later recalled: “vivid recollections of that fire were often related by him, who modestly forbore to parade the beautiful gold watch which was presented to him for heroic work during that trying time. ” All his long life he cherished that gold watch. 

By 1827 Francis had made his way to Fredericton, where he opened a “Book and Fancy Stationary” store on the lower end of Queen (near St John Street). He later expanded his operations to include a book lending library, as well as binding and printing services. It was Francis Beverly who first printed the famous lithograph entitled “New Brunswick Fashionables!!!.” This illustration, attributed to the artist John Campbell (son of Sir Archibald Campbell, Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswickat the time), gaily depicts downtown Fredericton in January 1834, with the “Tank House” situated where present-day City Hall can now be found. 

Before his marriage, Francis Beverly boarded with a Miss McGregor. Others who boarded there were Robert Fulton, Robert Gowan, John Gregory, and Thomas R. Robertson (all of whom became members of the Society). Francis, along with Robert Gowan and James Willox, were the stewards who planned the 1828 Feast of Saint Andrew dinner. This took place at the Golden Ball Inn on Waterloo Row, with a menu that featured an extensive choice of course options—along with several servings of haggis! The 1828 Feast was particularly historic, because it was on that night—while walking home after the dinner—that the five friends conceived the plan of building a Presbyterian church in Fredericton. Rather than going straight home, they all stopped in at Francis Beverly’s book shop and commenced drafted a plan to build St Paul’s Church. 

Collection of the Fredericton Region Museum,  
1969.346.1

Francis Beverly became a prosperous bookbinder and stationer in Fredericton. He named his store on Queen Street “The Olive Branch,” while his home on Brunswick Street he called “Grape Cottage.” Francis married Margaret Lombard in 1833. The purse (1969.346.1) that Margaret carried that day of her wedding is now in the collection of the Fredericton Region Museum. As Louise Hill describes their courtship: 

… A Miss Lombard of Gorham, Maine, came to Fredericton to visit. In those days it was customary for young gentlemen to call and pay their respects to the visitor, and among those who called was Francis Beverly, in velvet knee breeches and buckled shoes. Miss Lombard was evidently much impressed with the young Scotchman. Two years later “the pretty Miss Lombard”, as she was often called, came again to Fredericton, and met Mr Beverly. After a short courtship they were married [in St Paul’s Church], the Rev John Birkmyre officiating. Ruth Reid, a noted coloured woman who catered for all the Government dinners etc., made the wonderful wedding cake, which was sent to friends all over the country. It took three bushel baskets to hold it after the cake had ben cut and tied for distribution and addressed by the groom... The next Sunday after the wedding day the bride and groom appeared out in the kirk [St Paul's Church], as was customary. The bride wore a sky blue silk gown, bonnet and tippet, all alike.

New Brunswick Fashionables!!! Jan.y 1834

Margaret and Francis Beverly produced a very large family, many of whom are buried in the family plot in the Old Burial Ground. Their two youngest daughters, Jane and Jeannette, never married, and lived in the family home until their deaths in their 90s. The “Misses Beverly” (as they were known) were very fond of animals and birds. For many years Frederictonians would turn to them for advice regarding their pets or work animals. Jeanette Beverly was the driving force behind founding the Fredericton Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in 1914 (although Mayor W.S. Hooper has been given that credit). The Misses Beverly loved animals so much that it is said, when the two passed (within days of each other) their wills stipulated that the Grape Cottage pidgeon cot was to receive perpetual care. 

Also preserved in the Fredericton Region Museum is an ornately decorated jewellery box (1969.233.1) that belong to Francis’ mother, Sarah (Smith) Beverly of Aberdeen; as well as a school textbook (1985.241.1) bearing the bookseller’s stamp: 

F. Beverly & Son
Booksellers, Stationers
Bookbinders & News Agents

Fredericton, NB

In St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on Charlotte Street, can be found a magnificent stained-glass window that was commissioned by the children, grand-children, and great grand-children of Francis and Margaret Beverly. The window depicts St Andrew and St Columba, both of whom settled on the Island of Iona on the western shore of Scotland in the 6th century and brought the Christian Gospel to the Picts of the North. 

During the window dedication service, which took place in 1929, minister Rev Mr. Berry noted the historic significance of Francis Beverly's actions and the founding of a Presbyterian church in Fredericton:  

… this morning our thoughts turn back to that little company of men who were moved to have the vision of the church of their fathers in their midst… We gratefully remember these pioneers. The memory of one especially is perpetuated among us this day by a memorial window erected by his descendants…

Francis Beverly’s stone in the Old Burial Ground simply reads: 

Francis

Beverly,

a native

of Aberdeen,

Scotland, 

entered into rest

Match 4, 1882 AD

81 years.