Dr. Moody Stuart tells us in his interesting and graphic memoir of the last Duchess of Gordon[1], from which the following incidents are taken (by kind permission of both author and publishers), that Elizabeth Brodie was born in London on the 20th of June, 1794.  Her father was Alexander Brodie, a younger son of Brodie of that ilk.  Amongst her ancestors there were many remarkable men, some remembered for their faithful service of their heavenly as well as of their earthly King.  The memory of one has passed down to posterity in the phrase “the Good Lord Brodie.”  His diaries reveal a life lived in great humility and special nearness to his Lord.  Those around him found in him not only a benevolent neighbour but also a faithful instructor in the highest learning.  His delight was to visit the sick, and to declare the love of Christ whenever he had the opportunity.  He longed for his children to be great in grace, rather than in worldly distinction.  His wish for them is expressed in the words he left on record, that he would not be detained “one hour from glory, to see those come of him in chief honour and place in the world.”

[Footnote 1:  Life and Letters of Elizabeth, last Duchess of Gordon, by Rev. A. Moody Stuart, D.D.  Messrs. J. Nisbet & Co., London.]

The mother of Elizabeth Brodie was a member of the family of Wemyss, a granddaughter of the Earl of Wemyss.  Her father had acquired a large fortune in India, and returned home to the large estates in Kincardineshire which he had purchased.  The little girl had soon to experience the greatest loss that can befall a child.  When she was only six years old her mother died, leaving her alone with her father.  The next two years were spent with maiden aunts at Elgin, where she enjoyed a liberty which was bracing to both mind and body.  School life began early.  When she was only eight years old, she was sent to a boarding school in London, one special object being to eradicate the broad Scotch from her lip and thought.  At school she became a great favourite with both teacher and companions, already exercising that power of winning attachment which was a feature all through her life.  At the same time she is described as having “a very independent spirit.”  In matters indifferent she was ever yielding in her disposition; but it was impossible to move her from any principle she had deliberately adopted.  Courage was another characteristic that early manifested itself.  Her groom, who had served her forty years, delighted to recall instances of her fearlessness.  On one occasion, when her party were crossing the Spey in a pony-chaise in a boat, the bridge having been carried down by the floods, her companion asked, “Isn’t this dangerous, duchess?” “I never see danger,” was the quiet reply.