Miss Sarah Shrom Beatty married Beverly Roberts Waugh on August 25, 1853. Her father George Beatty established a watch and clock business in the city of Harrisburg in 1808 and served as a burgess for the borough for three terms and as a member of the town council for several years. Her mother was Catherine Shrom, daughter of Casper and Catherine Van Gundy Shrom of York County.
Mrs. Waugh’s sister Eliza White Beatty married noted Harrisburg historian Dr. William Henry Egle, and the relationship between the Waugh and Egle families was close in many ways. Both families were expecting children in 1861, but Beverly R. Waugh died in March of that year, before either child was born. The Egles named their son, who was born on May 2, Beverly Waugh Egle – after their beloved brother-in-law. Mrs. Waugh named her son, who was born on October 5, Beverly Roberts Waugh – after her departed husband. Both boys were baptized December 1, 1861, in the Methodist Church by presiding elder Francis Hodgson.
William Henry Egle was also the executor of Mr. Waugh’s estate and helped his sister-in-law sell their house, the former John Harris Mansion at 219 South Front Street, to Simon Cameron in 1863 for $8,000. The building is now part of the Dauphin County Historical Society complex and houses several items and photographs relating to the Waugh family.
Little Beverly Roberts Waugh died before his second birthday – on March 9, 1863. The Waughs only surviving child was their daughter Eliza Beverlina Waugh. She was born November 21, 1855, and baptized the next month by her grandfather Bishop Beverly Waugh on December 18. She married Charles Augustus Kunkel and had two children – one of which was a son named Beverly Waugh Kunkel, after her father.
This section concludes with the Harrisburg obituary for Mrs. Waugh, who died on January 20, 1908.
Well Known Woman Dies at the Age of Seventy-Seven
Mrs. Sarah S. Waugh, widow of the late Rev. Beverly Roberts Waugh, died this morning at her late residence on North Front Street. Mrs. Waugh was born in Harrisburg on the second of October 1831, and was consequently in the seventy-seventh year of her age. On August 25th, 1853 she was married to the Rev. Beverly Roberts Waugh, who was then President of the Pennsylvania Female College located in the Harris Mansion, South Front Street. Mrs. Waugh was the last surviving member of the original board of managers of the Home for the Friendless in which she always manifested a profound interest up to the time of her death. In the earlier years of her life she connected herself with what was then known as the Locust Street Methodist Church, located where the post office now stands. She soon became actively involved in the spiritual work of the church, being for many years superintendent of the Infant Department of the Sunday School and in every way spending and being spent in the service of God. Her life was given to promote the comfort and good of men and to advance her Redeemer’s kingdom. As she grew older her infirmities kept her often from the services of the church, which was always a grief and deprivation to her. She is survived by an only daughter Mrs. Charles Kunkel, and two grandchildren Mrs. John E. Fox and Beverly Waugh Kunkel. Also surviving are her sisters Mrs. Egle and Miss Mary Beatty, and two brothers G. Irwin Beatty and Henry Beatty. The services will be held on Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock from 221 North Front Street.
