Ancestral Surname Files &
Documents Index
Brown, William (bc. 1717 - 1772)
William and Margret Brown, Their Children, and His Parents - Birth Order and Marriages
1768 Rowan County, NC, Tax
List of John Ford
Annotated 1772 Rowan
County, NC, Will of William BROWN
Abstract of 1819
Randolph County, NC, Estate Papers of Thomas STILLWELL
1880 Federal Census,
Johnston County, NC, Declaration of Williams Brown
Moroni Brown 1891
Record Book
Brown, James (1757 - 1823)
James Brown
and Mary Williams, Their Children - Birth Order and Marriages
James Brown (1757-1823) Lands
Williams Brown (1796-1884) 1849 Letter
to His Brothers and Sisters - which
shows the great
spirit of love
and religious tolerance of this Brown family.
Brown, [Captain] James (1801 - 1863)
Brown, Daniel (1804 - 1875)
Brown, James Stephens (1828 - 1902)
Brown, Orson Pratt (1863 - 1946)
BROWN, William (c.1717 -
Feb/Aug 1772)
William and Margret Brown,
Their Children, and His Parents - Birth
Order and Marriages
William
and Margret Brown, Their Children, and His Parents
Estimated Birth Years, Birth Order, and Some Marriage Years
©
by
O. James Brown Klein
November 18, 2008
All rights
reserved
Contents
·
William Brown's birth place
·
William Brown's
1772 Will and Other Documents
·
Estimated
– Birth order of William and Margret Brown's children
·
Estimated
– William and Margret Brown’s Birth and Marriage Years
·
Estimated – William Brown’s Parents’ Birth and Marriage Years
William Brown's Birth Place
See
Mrs. Brown (c.1695) was an Abenaki Native American with Portuguese
Ancestry.
William Brown's 1772 Will and Other Documents:
William
Brown’s Will of 19 February 1772 in Rowan County, North Carolina lists his wife,
Margret as Executrix, and his nine children in the following order:
Charity Robson; Hannah Elliott; William Brown; John Brown; James Brown; Constant
Wynn; Susannah Brown with her child, Margret Brown; Elizabeth Brown; and Margret
Brown. See the
Annotated 1772 Rowan County, NC, Will of William BROWN.
It appears that William Brown names his first three
children in their birth order (Charity Robson; Hannah Elliot; and William
Brown); then he names his three sons as a group (William Brown; John Brown; and
James Brown); and then he names his last four daughters as a group (Constant
Wynn; Susannah Brown; Elizabeth Brown; and Margret Brown). Additional documents and analysis, however, indicate the actual birth order
was more likely: Charity Robson; Hannah Elliott; William Brown; Constant
Wynn; John Brown; Susannah Brown with her child, Margret Brown; Margret Brown;
James Brown; and Elizabeth Brown.
First, the anchor point in our analysis is that
William’s son, James Brown (1757-1823).
He was born in 1757 in Pennsylvania according to his oldest son, William Brown
(1796-1884), who declared it in the 1880
Federal Census, Boon Hill Township, Johnston County, North Carolina, page 492,
line 46.
References to his 1757 birth year and Rowan County, North Carolina, and a single
reference to Maryland, come
from family history sources. His grandson, James Stephens Brown (1828-1902),
recorded them from his father Daniel Brown (1804-1875) in an interview on March 8,
1849, p. 2, in his Journal, and later in his autobiography “Giant of the
Lord-Life of a Pioneer,” p.18: “My father’s [Daniel Brown (1804-1875)]
father was James Brown, a native of Rowan County, North Carolina, 1757 being
the year of his birth.”
We place greatest credence in
James' oldest son's statement that James was born in Pennsylvania.
James
Brown’s death is also recorded as “known” to have happened “when he was
sixty-six years old, in 1824 [1823 in a public record]” in “141 Years of
Mormon Heritage-Rawsons, Browns, Angells-Pioneers” by his great grandson,
Moroni Brown. 1823 less 66 years is 1757. A Temple Index Bureau
typed card for James Brown’s daughter, Mary or Polly Brown (1790-1876),
which shows James Brown’s birth typed as “(1746)” appears to be either a
typographical error, which should be “1756,” or a faulty memory. Therefore, we
accept that James Brown’s birth was in 1757
(possibly 1756, but not 1746) in Pennsylvania.
Second,
with the birth of James Brown in 1757 in
Pennsylvania, and additional public documents, and genealogy standard
birth-to-marriage assumptions (of 25 years for men, and 21 years for women), the
birth order and birth year of the rest of children of William and Margret Brown
may be better estimated. The standard two-year assumption between unknown birth
years also is used because we do not know if William and Margret had other
children who were born and died before or after these nine named in his Will.
Estimated
–
Birth order of William and Margret Brown's children:
-
Charity Brown Robson – born about
1743, makes her 29 in 1772.
She may have been born in Pennsylvania or the Vermont area - see
Their Lives. William’s 1772 Will gives her one
shilling sterling. She married a Mr. _______ ROBSON or ROBESON or
ROBISON. The standard female 21 year birth-to-marriage assumption puts
her marriage year about 1764. Neither Charity BROWN or a ROBSON or
ROBESON or ROBISON appear in
Moroni Brown's 1891 Record Book.
There are, however, a number of known BROWN relatives who also do not appear
in this record book. We do not know any thing more about Charity or
her husband at this time.
-
Hannah Brown Elliot – born about
1745,
makes
her 27 in 1772.
She may have been born in Pennsylvania or the Vermont area - see
Their Lives. William’s 1772 Will gives her one
shilling sterling. She married Joseph ELLIOTT as indicated by their
marriage bond dated 4 June 1767 in Rowan County, which is close to the
standard female 21 year birth-to-marriage assumption of 1766/1767. Both
Hannah BROWN and Joseph ELLIOTT appear in
Moroni Brown's 1891 Record Book. Joseph ELLIOTT also appears to as owning land
along Flat Swamp Creek, Rowan and now Davidson County, next to James BROWN
and William BROWN, Hannah's brothers, with land entries showing up
1778-1779. See
Maps. We do not know any thing more about Hannah and Joseph at this time.
-
William Brown – born about
1747,
makes him 25 in 1772.
He may have been born in Pennsylvania or the Vermont area - see
Their Lives above.
William’s 1772 Will gives him one
cow. He married Dianna DAVIS as indicated by their marriage bond
dated 6 May 1772 in Rowan County (three months after the 1772 Will was
signed, but before August 1772 when it is probated). He may have
married before his father died. His 1772 marriage
coincides with the standard male 25 year birth-to-marriage assumption of
1772. William appears to own land in the Flat Swamp Creek area in the late
1700s and early 1800s, near his brother James BROWN. See
Maps. William BROWN appears in
Moroni Brown's 1891 Record Book,
but Dianna DAVIS does not. We do not know any thing more about
William and Dianna at this time.
-
Constant Brown Wynn – born about
1749, makes her 23 in 1772. She may have been born in Pennsylvania or the
Vermont area - see Their Lives
above. William’s 1772 Will gives her one
cow. She married John WYNN or WINN. The standard female 21 year
birth-to-marriage assumption puts her marriage year about 1770. Both
Constant BROWN and John WINN appear in
Moroni Brown's 1891 Record Book.
Constant died before 1819 as indicated in the
Abstract
of 1819 Randolph County, NC, Estate Papers of Thomas STILLWELL.
We do not know any thing more about Constant and John at this time.
-
John
Brown – born about 1751,
makes him 21 in 1772.
He may have been born in Pennsylvania or the Vermont area - see
Their Lives above. William’s 1772 Will gives him one
sorrel horse. We do not know if John Brown married. John BROWN appears in
Moroni Brown's 1891 Record Book. We do not know any thing more about
him at this time.
-
Susannah Brown – born about
1753,
makes her 19 in 1772. She may have been born in Pennsylvania
or the Vermont area - see Their Lives
above. William’s 1772 Will gives her one
cow. Susannah’s daughter, Margret Brown, is also named in William’s
Will, and he gives a heifer calf to this granddaughter. Note that he does
not name in his Will any of his other grand children, nor give them any
gifts. These facts may suggest that Susannah was younger than 21and may not
have been married when she had her daughter Margret. Neither Susannah BROWN
or her daughter, Margret BROWN, appear in
Moroni Brown's 1891 Record Book.
We do not know any thing more about them at this time.
-
Margret or Peggy Brown Stillwell Roberts – born about
1755, makes her 17 in 1772. She may have been born in Pennsylvania
or the Vermont area - see Their Lives
above. William’s
1772 Will gives
her one cow and one young lamb. She is the only child to get two gifts. The
young lamb may be for her illegitimate child, Thomas Stillwell, since his
estimated birth is about 1772/1773. The father of Margret’s son, Thomas
Stillwell, is apparently the Thomas Stillwell
(bc. 1755), who is the son of Thomas Stillwell (d.1773/1774) named in his 1773 Will, all living in
this area of Rowan County during this time. A careful analysis of the
Abstract
of 1819 Randolph County, NC, Estate Papers of Thomas STILLWELL, and of the Moroni Brown's 1891 Record Book, show that this Margret or Peggy Brown is the
mother of the Thomas Stillwell who is the subject of the disputed
Estate. Both Margret or Peggy BROWN
and her son, Thomas Stillwell, appear in
Moroni Brown's 1891 Record Book.
Margret and her son, Thomas, moved to
Johnston County, North Carolina, “during the Revolutionary War, & several years
before its termination” when her son
Thomas was a “small boy from between three and five
years of age.” The Revolutionary War was from April 1775 through November 1783,
so the midpoint of the War was about 1778/1779, when this move may have
occurred. Assuming son
Thomas was five or a little older when they moved,
he would have been born about 1772/1773.
In Johnston County, NC, Margret later "married a man
by the name of _______ ROBERTS". Margret may also have used the nickname
"Peggy". We do not know any thing more about Margret or her son,
Thomas, at this time.
-
James
Brown – born
1757 in Pennsylvania, makes him 15 in 1772. See James Brown
and Mary Williams, Their Children - Birth Order, Marriages, Land. William’s
1772 Will gives him one horse colt. He married his wife,
Mary or Polly
WILLIAMS EMMERSON, about 1787, before 1788 the birth year of their first
child, Jane BROWN. Mary or Polly WILLIAMS' parents were
John Williams
(bc.1724, d.17??) and Jane
____ Williams (bc.1728,
d.17??). They moved to Rowan County, North Carolina, from New
Hampshire and/or Maryland.
James and Mary or Polly Brown lived in the same Rowan County area as
did both of their parents. They joined the Jersey Baptist Church
in 1797, and subsequently the Tom's Creek Baptist Church about 1807. Mary
was married and had two children prior to marrying James. James
died March 23, 1823 in Davidson County, NC. James BROWN and Mary or Polly
Williams both appear in the
Moroni Brown's 1891 Record Book.
See
Photo Gallery and
Maps for pictures of where they lived and the estimated location of
James' property.
See James Brown
and Mary Williams, Their Children - Birth Order, Marriages, Land for
important information on this family.
-
Elizabeth or Betty Brown Hendrix – born about
1759, makes her 13 in 1772.
She may have been born in Pennsylvania or the Vermont area - see
Their Lives above. William’s 1772 Will gives her one
cow. She marries a Mr. _______ Hendrix or Hendricks. The standard
female 21 year birth-to-marriage assumption puts her marriage year about
1780. We learn about her husband,
Mr. _______
Hendrix or Hendricks, in the
Abstract
of 1819 Randolph County, NC, Estate Papers of Thomas STILLWELL.
Brown and
Hendrix or
Hendricks are English (Great Britain) surnames. She spoke English and very
likely married into the English (Great Britain) speaking
Hendrix or
Hendricks family in this area,
and not the German speaking Hedricks family in this area.
Neither Elizabeth or Betty BROWN or a Mr. _______ Hendrix
or Hendricks appear in
Moroni Brown's 1891 Record Book.
We do not know any thing more about them at this time.
Estimated
– William and Margret Brown’s Birth and Marriage Years:
Once the
birth order and years are estimated for their children, the marriage and birth dates
of William and Margret may be better estimated. Thus, William and Margret may
have been married in about 1742, one year before the estimated birth, 1743, of
their first named child, Charity Robson. William also may have been born about
1717 by subtracting the standard 25 year birth-to-marriage assumption from his
estimated marriage year 1742. Margret may have been born about 1722 by
subtracting the standard 21 year birth-to-marriage assumption from the 1742
marriage year.
Estimated - William Brown’s Parents’ Birth and Marriage Years:
William’s
parents’ birth and marriage years are estimated using the standard genealogy
birth-to-marriage assumptions of 25 years for men and 21 years for women. Thus,
assuming William was their first child, his father, Mr. Brown, and mother, Mrs.
Brown, may have married, at the latest, in about 1716, one year before his
estimated birth year 1717 (and earlier if William had older siblings). Also,
William’s father, Mr. Brown, may have been born about 1691 by subtracting the
standard 25 year birth-to-marriage assumption from his father’s estimated
marriage year 1716. William’s mother, Mrs. Brown, may have been born about 1695
by subtracting the standard 21 year birth-to-marriage assumption from his
mother’s estimated marriage year 1716.
Thus, we have Mr. Brown (c.1691) and
Mrs. Brown (c.1695) marrying in about 1716 in the Vermont area.
See
Mrs. Brown (c.1695) was an Abenaki Native American with Portuguese
Ancestry.
___________________________________________
Document Data
Sources: O. James
Brown Klein.
Copyright: Used with permission.
Level: B (document
verified and proofed by a person other than transcriber or typist).
Certificate: Document Donor: Jim Klein, November 18, 2008. Verified/Proofed: Jim Klein,
November 18, 2008. See Donors.
Return to Top of Document
Return to Index
_____________________________________________________________________________________
1768 Rowan County, NC, Tax
List of John Ford
Page 76
1768 Rowan County Tax List of John Ford
[CRX 244, Rowan County Tax Lists
North Carolina State Archives]
This list is legible and undamaged
(Area of Rowan County that became Davidson County)
352 taxables
William Hudgens
1
Willis
Ellis
2
James Macoy
3
John
Parker
2
Michel
Myers
1
Nicholas Sidrick
1
Henry Dowland Junr
1
Joshuah Whitker
2
Pittir Whitker
1
Eldad
Reed
1
Edward Williams
1
Henry Heagey
1
Christifer Siger
1
George Heagey
1
John
Oliver
1
Joseph Millsaps
1
Barney
Michel
1
Pittir
Michel
1
Phillip
Sowers
1
John Robarts
2
John Dancey
2
John
Lop
2
Adam Conroad
1
Michel Yonger
1
Ralfe Pickit
1
John Pinkstone
1
Zeerey
Adams
2
William Butrom
1
William
Giles
1
Joseph Gause
4
Thomas
Ogle
3
Pall
Fisher
1
Francis Taler Senar
1
Moses
Parish
2
John Chirch
1
Robert
Parker
1
John
Toler
1
Joseph Taler
1
Benjman
Toler
1
William
Lewes
2
Efrehain Gause
1
63
Phillip
Gardner
1
|
James Forsther
1
Jacob Poack
[Beck]
1
Phillip Poack
[Beck]
1
John Evary
1
Jacob Yoegley
1
John
Long
1
Mathew Seliton
1
Linard Carons
[Kern] 1
Robart Simason
1
Jacob
Ricker 3
Pittir Figley
2
Henry
Sloan
4
Phillip
Club
1
Stephen
Lick
1
Adam Groats [Crots] 1
Valentine
Day
1
Pittir Bedeker
1
William Frank 1
Fredrick
Smith
1
Henry
Gardner
1
Tebold Peach
[Beck] 2
John Safetull 1
Nicholas White
1
James William Sen.
2
Hugh McCrerey 3
Charles Willson
2
Joseph McGlester
1
James
Smith 1
Fridrick Fridets
1
Henry Shofe 1
John Luckebe
1
Jacob Byrer
3
Marttin Byrer
1
Marttin
Goldman
1
Palltis Capis 1
Nicholas
Procter
1
Johnithan
Cud
1
Fredrick Sumee
3
Conroad
Grave 1
Pittir Viant 1
59
Fredrick Gause
2
(cont.)
|
Page 77
1768 Rowan County Tax List of John Ford (cont.)
John Blankitpickler [Pickler]
1
Phillip
Hopkins 1
William
Beatty
1
Thomas McCartney
3
John Shiar
1
Jacob
Lop 1
Daniel
Hunt 1
Joseph Lawing 1
Stifel L[oe?]man 1
Thomas
Willis
1
Hannah
Tucker 2
Joseph Bockkast
1
Gosham
Hunt
1
Joseph Eriven
[Erwin] 2
James Erivan
[Erwin] 1
Samuel Nicholoson
1
John
Woods
1
John Forgison
1
Martin Wallin
1
Joseph Cuningham
1
Pattrick
Coyle
1
Robert
Moor
1
Barney
Weaver
1
Michel Miller Jr
[?]
1
Samuel Williams
3
Richard Beary
1
James Simeson
1
Jacob
Cross
1
George Crosley
1
John
Simons
1
Richard
Barons
3
Edward Parnel
1
Richard
Smith
1
Edward
Turner
1
Phillip Williams 1
Thomas Donahoe
1
John Hunt
Prater
1
Edward
Hughes
1
Hance Lycans
1
Michel
Miller
3
Barnhard
Miller
1
53
|
Linard
Miller
1
William
Sparks
2
Josiah
Paine
1
Joseph Ellit
1
Thomas Brisko
3
William Warner
1
Zeceriah
Cross
1
John Kint
1
Isaac
Carr
1
Fances Mabrery
2
David
Smith
2
Benjiman Merriel [Merrill] 4
John
Simons
1
Aquala Felps
1
John Felps
1
Thomas
Turner
1
Samuel
Lewes
2
Phillip Bause
1
Myrick Davies
2
Samul Nothron
1
Jacob Dansbe
3
Pittir Hedrick
2
George
Miller
3
Samuel
Freeman
1
John Davis Constable
3
John
Knight
[no number]
Daniel Hufmann
1
John Willson
1
Robert Shipten
1
Mark Whitker
2
John Ellis juner
2
Fredrick
Michel
1
Joseph Bowan
1
James Morefeld
1
Hugh Davis
1
William
Brown
1
James Robison
1
John
Green
1
William Sillver
1
James Dimit
2
Zeeal [Aseal]
Cross
1
Mathias Carons
1
Thomas Forsther [Foste 3
Frances Taler
[Taylor] 1
John Arowod
1
Edward Robarts
2
Vencant William
1
70 |
Page 78
1768 Rowan County Tax List of John Ford (cont.)
Samuel
Garland 1
George
Smith 2
John
Conger
2
Edward
Nathan
1
Thomas Murrey
2
Thomas Felps
6
Richard
Smith
1
Aventon Felps
5
George
Reed
1
Joseph Barrons
3
John
Reed
1
William
Yong
2
Thomas
Fox
2
Jeremiah
Sullivan
1
Conroad Connarly
2
Josuah Whithead
1
Redam Busle
2
John
Moor
[no number]
Edward Williams
[no number]
Benjamin Rounsavell 1
James Howel
1
Jacob
Wiseman
1
Pattrick Sillver
2
William Moor
1
William
Lynn
1
Henry Dowland 1
Richard
Green
2
Edward
McGuire
2
John
Turner
1
Adam Butner
1
Danil Claresy
2
Moses
Cox
2
John Davis, waver
1
Isreal
Cox
1
Anderson
Smith
1
Thomas Standfel
1
Jacob
Fisher
2
Moses
Parks
3
George
Parks
1
John
Slone
1
Edward
James
1
John Ellis Senur
6
James McMachan
1
76
|
James
McDaniel
[torn]
William
Hannah
1
William Robarts
2
Charles
Barger
1
Thomas Yealty
2
Jonathan
Conger
1
John Gune [see footnote 1] 1
Robert
Barley
1
Isaac
Green
1
John
Hollis
1
John
Ford
13
63
59
53
70
76
15
336
More Taxes
Enack
Tucker
1
James Ottery
3
Allexander Ottery
1
Abslam Camrion
1
John
Freeman
1
Gasper
Smith
1
Andrew
Smith
2
Cornelius
Smith
1
William Nassery
3
William Frohock
&
2
Negro Ben [see footnote 2]
|
______________________________________
1 John Coons [Koontz] entered 140 A on Weavers Creek
adjoining his own land and that of Benjamin Hearn, Anthony Pealor, John
Carson, and old Mark Whitaker on 5 Aug. 1778 [See Deed Book 9:220, Richard A.
Enochs. Rowan County Vacant Land Entries, 1778-1789, p. 92, entry
#1278].
2 The Frohocks can be identified in Bucks County, PA, prior
to 1725 their arrival in Rowan County. William Frohock was Deputy Sheriff of
Rowan and his brother John Forhock was Clerk of Court in Rowan during the
Regulator Movement. John Frohock was surveyor for Henry Eustace McCulloh, and
was probably the wealthiest and most influential person in Rowan County prior
to his death in 1772.
End
_____________________________________________________
Document Data
Notes: 1.
Brackets are Jo White Linn’s annotations. 2. Italicized names may be
related to William BROWN.
3. William BROWN’s name is bolded.
Sources: Linn, Jo White, Rowan County, North
Carolina Tax Lists 1757 – 1800, Annotated
Transcriptions, pages 76 – 78, 1995.
Copyright: Used with permission.
Accuracy: A (document
verified and proofed by a person other than transcriber or typist).
Certificate: Document Donor: Jim Klein, June 5, 2000. Transcribed:
Maria Klein, June 2,
2000. Verified/Proofed: Jim Klein, June 5, 2000. See Donors.
Return to Top of Document
Return to Index
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Annotated 1772 Rowan
County, NC, Will of William BROWN
Annotated
19 February 1772 Rowan County, NC,
Will of William BROWN
by O. James Brown Klein
June 17, 2000
librarian.brownhistory@gmail.com
© 2000 by O. James Brown Klein. All Rights
Reserved.
Revised: December 13, 2010
Some Facts about the 1772 William BROWN Will
Will: It is unknown if the original
Will still exists. There are at least 3 "official" old copies of the
Will in the North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh, NC. I believe,
however, that
the original Will may be
the first one I identify below, as the Large Parchment Complete Will,
because 1) the signatures of the three witnesses on this document appear to be
different than the rest of the writing on that Will, and 2) there are two
words [that I can not understand] appearing next to the first and third
witnesses that do not appear on the other two Wills. The 3 "official" old
copies of the Will are:
-
Large Parchment Complete Will: Rowan County Wills, 1743 –
1900, CR.085.801.4, William BROWN, 1772.
-
Will Book D Complete Will: Rowan County Record of Wills, 1762
– 1805, C.085.80001, Volume D, pages 118 – 119: Will of Willm.
BROWN, 1772.
-
Will Book A Incomplete Will: Rowan County Record of Wills, 1762
– 1805, C.085.80001, Volume A, pages 19 – 20: Will of William BROWN,
1772.
Both Wills #1 and #2 above are almost exactly the same, with only one
variation of substance. See Signed below.
Will Photo: See here the actual
# 1. Large Parchment Complete Will: Rowan County Wills, 1743 –
1900, CR.085.801.4, William BROWN, 1772 -
click photo
thumbnail to see actual picture:

1772 Will of William Brown
Signed: 19 February 1772
Probated: 5 August through 3 November 1772
courtesy: James Brown Klein
Signed: 19 February 1772 by William BROWN with "his
mark", an "X". The Will Book D Complete Will gives
the date as the 9th, not 19th, but this is probably
incorrect because the Will Book A Incomplete Will shows that it is the
"nineteenth".
Executors: William Brown appointed his "well beloved friend
Henry Strange ... with my well beloved wife Margret Brown
as Executor and Executrix" of his Will.
Witnesses: John Bentley, Abner Cotten, John Northen.
Death: William BROWN died some time between February 19, 1772, the
day he signed his Will, and August 5, 1772, when his Will was filed for
probate at Lexington, Rowan County, NC.
Probate: Started August 5, 1772, in Lexington, Rowan County,
NC. Ended there November 3, 1772.
Estate: At the time he signed his Will, William owned
"improvements" on a "plantation" with "plantation
working tools", at least 2 sterling shillings, and at least the following
animals: 1 sorrel horse, 1 horse colt, work horses, 9 cattle, 5 cows, 1 heifer
calf, sheep, 1 lamb, and hogs.
Family: At his death, William was survived by his wife, Margret,
and 9 children, 3 sons and 6 daughters, and at least one granddaughter, all
named in his Will. His children in the order listed in his Will are: 1)
daughter - Charity BROWN ROBSON (or ROBESON or ROBISON); 2) daughter -
Hannah BROWN ELLIOT (or ELLIOTT or ELLIT); 3) son - William BROWN; 4)
son – John BROWN; 5) son – James BROWN; 6) daughter – Constant BROWN WYNN
(or WINN); 7) daughter – Susannah BROWN; 8) Elizabeth BROWN (who
subsequently married a ________ HENDRIX or HENDRICKS); 9) daughter –
Margret BROWN (who subsequently married a Thomas STILLWELL, then a ________
ROBERTS). The name of his granddaughter is also Margret BROWN.
Children - Order of Birth:
In his
Will, it appears that William names his first three children in their
birth order (Charity Robson; Hannah Elliot; and William Brown); then he
names his three sons as a group (William Brown; John Brown; and James
Brown); and then he names his last four daughters as a group (Constant Wynn;
Susannah Brown; Elizabeth Brown; and Margret Brown. Additional documents
and analysis, however, indicate that there was likely a different actual
birth order ("Birth Order"). See William and Margret Brown, Their Children, and His Parents - Birth Order and Marriages. This
more
probable
Birth Order is: Charity Robson; Hannah Elliott; William
Brown; Constant Wynn; John Brown; Susannah Brown with her child, Margret
Brown; James Brown; and Elizabeth Brown.
Footnotes: Annotated footnotes are designated with numerals, which
appear in [brackets] in the copy on the Internet Library, for example, [fn.
2].
The 1772 Will of William BROWN – (from the Large Parchment Complete Will)
Notes About the Will: Spellings and capitalization's were kept as they
appear in the original document, as best determined. [Bracketed] words
are added for clarification and to reference footnotes. There were no spaces
between lines or indentations in the original. There are broken dashes
in the first part of the Will, after the word following, and after the
word distributed. There is a solid line from the last word to the
right edge of the paper, at the end of each sentence that begins I give and
bequeath.
* *
* * *
The Will:
In the Name of god Amen I
William Brown
of the County of Roann
in the province of North
Carolina being of a perfect and sound memory tho of a Weak and frail body and
Calling to mind
that it is appointed for all men once to Die do Constitute and appoint this my
last Will and testament
Revoking and disannulling
all other heartofore made by me: Imprimis
I give my Body to the
ground from Whence it was first taken and Recommend my Soul into the hands of
almighty
god Beseeching his most gracious acceptance of it: as to my Burial I desire it
m[a]y be neat and
Decent without pomp or pride according to the Discretion of my Executors hear
after named
and as to this Worldly Estate it hath Being [been] the almightys pleasure
to bestow upon me I Will and Devise
in manner following - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - -
I will that all my Just
Debts be Justly payd before my Estate be Distributed - - - - - - - - -
- - - -
I give and bequeath to
my well beloved wife margret
Brown my Improvement
where I now
Live and all my houshold furniture and my sheep and my work horses and nine head
of
Cattle and my hogs and my plantation
working tools during her natural Life ------------------------
I give and bequeath to
my daughter Charity Robson
one Shilling Sterling and that is all I will give her -----------------------
I give and bequeath to
my daughter hannah
Elliot
one Shilling Sterling and that is all I shall give her -----------------------
I give and bequeath to
my son William Brown
one Cow and that is all I shall give him ------------
I give and bequeath to
my son John Brown
one sorrill hors and that is all I shall give him ---------
I give and bequeath to
my son James Brown
one horse Colt and that is all I shall give him --------
I give and bequeath to
my daughter Constant wynn
one Cow and that is all I shall give her -------
I give and bequeath to
my daughter Susannah Brown
one Cow and that is all I shall give her -----
I give and bequeath to
my daughter Elizabeth Brown
one Cow and that is all I shall give her ------
I give and bequeath to
my daughter Margret
Brown one Cow and one young lamb and that is all I shall give her
-------------
I give and bequeath to
my grandaughter Margret
Brown the daughter of Susannah Brown one heifer Calf and that is all I
shall give her
-------------------------------------------------------------------
and the Remainder of my
Estate If there be any Left I leave unto the disposial of
my wife margret Brown
-----------------------
I do hearby through the Love
and goodwill I Bear to my well beloved friend Henry Strange appoint him with
my well beloved wife margret Brown
as Executor and Executrix of this
my Last will and testament Depending on their faithfull Discharge
In witness where of I have
here unto set my hand and Seal this nineteenth
day of february
In the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy two
Sind Seald and acknoledged
in the
presence of
us
his
John Bentley Inrat
[?]
William X Brown
Seal
Abner Cotten
mark
John Northen Inrat
[?]
______________________________________________________
Document Data
Notes: As stated above, and
[bracketed comments].
Sources: North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh,
NC. There are 3 separate Wills identified as follows: 1) Large
Parchment Complete Will: Rowan County Wills, 1743 – 1900,
CR.085.801.4, William BROWN, 1772. 2) Will
Book D
Complete Will: Rowan
County Record of Wills, 1762 – 1805, C.085.80001, Volume D, pages 118 –
119: Will of Willm. BROWN, 1772. 3) Will Book A Incomplete Will: Rowan
County Record of Wills, 1762 –
1805, C.085.80001, Volume A, pages 19 – 20:
Will of William BROWN, 1772.
Copyright: Public documents.
Accuracy: B (document
verified and proofed by the transcriber or typist).
Certificate: Document Donor: Jim Klein, June 17, 2000, and
updated December 8, 2008. Transcribed:
Jim Klein, June 17, 2000.
Verified/Proofed: Jim Klein, June 17,
2001, and May 18, 2001. See Donors.
Return to Top of Document
Return to Index
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Abstract of 1819
Randolph County, NC, Estate Papers of Thomas STILLWELL
Abstract of 1819 Randolph
County, NC,
Estate Papers of Thomas STILLWELL
Page 15
STILLWELL, Thomas - 1819
Editor's note: This was a large file. There were
several copies of the same documents. This Thomas STILLWELL did not die in
Randolph County. The file appears to have been compiled in the county because
of the participation of Seth WADE in the court case. There is a great deal of
genealogical material contained in the documents, so it is printed here. As
with most court cases, the testimony is not always in agreement. You, dear
reader, may judge. (FHS)
Subpoena for Philip RAIFORD & Ellender STILLWELL,
Adm., 24 Nov. 1821.
Bill of Complaint (3 copies) [filed by plaintiffs]
Jacob GOSS & Phebe his wife, David STILLWELL, James BROWN and Robert
JACKSON, Adm. of Jemima JACKSON vs. Philip RAEFORD & Elender W. STILLWELL,
Adm. Thomas STILLWELL. States that Thomas STILLWELL late of the County of
Johnston, departed this life intestate and without issue in the year 1819,
letters of administration were granted by Johnston County Court to Philip
RAIFORD and Ellender W. STILLWELL, Widow & Relict. Also that a large
amount of money and many slaves were a part of the estate.
"Your Orators show that they are the next of kin of said
Thomas, and entitled with the Widow Ellender W. aforesaid to all the personal
estate remaining in the Hands of said administrators for Distribution - that
your Orators James BROWN, Robert JACKSON, Jacob GOSS & Phebe his wife,
reside in the county of Randolph, and your Orator David STILLWELL in the state
of Indiana.
"That the said Thomas STILLWELL left your Orator David
STILWELL, his Paternal Uncle; and he left a Paternal Aunt named Jemima
STILWELL, who intermarried with Robert JACKSON, your Orator, and she hath
lately died, and the administration of her estate hath been granted to your
said Orator Robert JACKSON. His other Paternal Aunt was named Elizabeth
STILWELL, who intermarried with Richard GILES, by which she had issue your
Orator Phebe intermarried with your Orator Jacob GOSS; And the said Elizabeth
& Richard both died in the lifetime of the said Thomas STILLWELL –
"And the said Thomas STILWELL left a Maternal Uncle, your
Orator James BROWN [this is James BROWN (2) or Captain James BROWN], he being
the Brother of Margaret STILWELL, Mother of the said Thomas STILWELL –
"And your Orator David STILWELL, and the aforesaid Jemima
STILWELL and Elizabeth STILLWELL are brother and Sisters of Thomas STILWELL,
Father of the said Thomas Deceased - . . . . . . . "
Answer to the Bill of Complaint, 2 April 1822, filed
by B. LANG for the defendants [Philip RAIFORD & Ellender STILLWELL].
States that the administrators reside in Johnson County, but contrary to the
complainants' claim, that they did not reside in Randolph County when the suit
was filed. That Jacob GOSS & wife Phebe and James BROWN reside in Rowan
County and David STILWELL and Robert JACKSON live in Indiana.
Page 16
Also with the answer to the complaint and the request that the
suit be dismissed are affidavits signed by Ellender W. (her
Mark) STILLWELL and Whi[?] ARNOLD stating that the complaintants resided in
Rowan County, NC and in Indiana.
Bill of Complaint (3 copies) Seth WADE vs Philip
RAEFQRD & Ellender W. STILLWELL, Adm., October 1823. States the
genealogical data as in the former complaint, but adds that the plaintiffs,
"reach for a valuable consideration to him paid by your Orator hath
bargained and sold, transferred and assigned to your Orator by Deed, duly
executed, all the right, title, interest estate claim and Demand which each of
them had of in and to the Estate of the said Thomas STILLWELL, Deceased, and
by virtue of such Conveyance your Orator has become entitled to ask and
receive two third parts of the estate . . . . . . "He wants an accounting
of the estate and the names of the slaves.
"And whereas divers witnesses to prove the facts herein
before charged and more particularly to prove that the persons under whom your
Orator claims were the next of kin to the aforesaid Thomas STILLWELL the
younger are very aged and some of them very infirm, without an order for
taking their testimony immediately it is probable the benefit of their
testimony may be lost to your Orator."
He wants subpoenas issued for the defendants to appear
"Direct upon due notice being given to the said Phillip and Ellender W.
he be permitted to take the Depositions forthwith of Nathan ELLIOTT of
Randolph County & Brittain ROBERTS, and Ailse his wife; Benjamin STEVENS
and Aley his wife - Joseph INGRAM and Nancy his wife of Johnston County, and
of James BROWN, David COX, Thomas SERRATT, William GRIST, John REED, &
David REED, of Davidson County, to be read in evidence, upon the trial . . . .
. "
A notice to Henry BOYT & Polly BOYT to
appear at the home of Stephen HOLLOWELL in Wayne County, 6 Dec. 1823, to
present evidence on behalf of the defendants.
A notice to Abner PEOPLES, Simon PEARCE, Jr.,
& John GEORALD to appear at the house of Philip PEARCE in Johnston County,
l3 Dec. l823, to present evidence in the trial on behalf of the defendants.
The answer to the complaint of Seth WADE
by the defendants. They affirm that Thomas STILLWELL died with no children and
that they were appointed administrators. They list the following slaves: Leah,
Jack, Britain, David, Abel, Little Jack, Daniel, Hilary, Cely, Sarah, Cherry,
Maria, Dilly, & Betty, & two more that have been born since the death
of Thomas STILLWELL, Jacob & Polly. The defendants report the sum of
$924.59 received and after the payment of debts have a balance of $659.12.
They say that they have no knowledge of the purchase by the
complaint of David STILLWELL, James BROWN, Robert JACKSON and his wife Jemima,
& Jacob GOSS & Phebe his wife of their interest, and they do not
admit, nor do they believe, that he had made a purchase at all.
Page 17
The Defendants say they do not admit or believe, that the said
David STILLWELL, BROWN, Phebe & Jemima, were the next of kin of to the
said Thomas STILLWELL deceased, or that they are related to him at all; or
that if they be at all related; that they have any right or title of any
portion of the Estate of the said Decd. ". . . . The said Eleanor showeth
that according to the best information she has been able to obtain, the said
Thomas STILLWELL & his mother came to the County of Johnson during the
Revolutionary War, & several years before its termination, the said Thomas
at the time being a small boy from three to five years of age: The said Thomas
was always reported & believed to be an illegitimate Child; and after his
mother settled in Johnson and married a man by the name of ROBERTS, it was
after stated by her and always so understood, that the said Thomas was
illegitimate.
"The defendants further saith, that since the Bill in
this case has been filed they have endeavored to ascertain whether the mother
of the said Thomas STILLWELL deceased, was related to the said James BROWN, of
whom it is alleged the Complaint purchased, & whose sister she was; and the
result of the inquiry has been, that the mother of their intestate could not
have been, or as they are persuaded, his sister; for they show, that upon
inquiry of old and respected persons, now living in Davidson County, it
appears that William BROWN, / father of James, / and the wife of William were
colored people, that they had the following children Wm. BROWN, James BROWN,
Charity BROWN, Betty [Elizabeth] BROWN, Hannah BROWN, Pepper(?) [Peggie or Margaret] BROWN,
Susanna BROWN, & Constant BROWN; the latter of whom is said to dead, but
which of the others are dead it is not known, but all of them, or most of them
are believed still to be living, or to have had children who are living, but
who live as they are informed in distant parts of the United States, but where
is unknown to any persons from whom information has been obtained; but all of
whom are colored persons, & from their appearance & complexion,
afforded evidence to every body, that they were of mixed blood; and that
Pepper(?) [Peggie or Margaret] ROBERTS, the mother of their intestate, was known to be a woman of
fair complexion & never suspected by her neighbors in Johnson County to be
mixed blood.
"The defendants further say, that having inquiry after
the family of STILLWELLs who resided formerly in Rowan County, they understood
that old STILLWELL the father of David STILLWELL under whom Complaint claims,
had the following children, all or some of whom, or their children are still
living, but removed to distant parts; to wit - John STILLWELL, Elizabeth
STILLWELL, / charged to be the mother of Phebe GOSS / , Polly STILLWELL,
Jemima STILLWELL / charged to be the wife of Robert JACKSON / David STILLWELL,
Phebe STILLWELL & Tho. STILLWELL; and so they saith that they are advised,
that if their intestate was related to the said David STILLWELL as charged in
the Bill, that his other
Page 18
brothers & sisters are equally entitled to a (smudge)
share of his estate, which however they do not admit." 1 Oct 1823.
A letter from Seth WADE of Randolph County, NC,
dated 15 Oct. 1823, Which begins:
"Dear Sir until the day before yesterday I thought that
their existed a contract between David STILLWELL of Gibson County, State of
Indiana and myself respecting the Estate of Thomas STILLWELL of Johnston
County North Carolina which was in the Following words except the date to wit
. . . . . "
The articles of agreement are stated which include . . . .
"David STILLWELL has by these presents Sold transferred and set over unto
the said Seth WADE all his right, title claim interest and demand to the
Estate of Thomas STILLWELL late of Johnston County . . . . ."
By this contract Seth WADE was to commence suit against the
administrators, and if he made a recovery he was to pay over to the said
STILLWELL one hundred and fifty dollars at the "expiration of said
Suit."
Seth WADE says that such an instrument in writing was assigned
by him and he exacted a proper deed of conveyance of David STILLWELL to enable
him to prosecute the suit, and a blank was sent back to him signed by David
STILLWELL and witnessed by Arthur RASS and Andrew PEW. A.
Seth WADE continues his letter: "I did expect that you
had the articles of agreement as wrote on the other side until I saw Mr. John
DAVIS who informed me that you Wrote him to apply to me to know if I would
Purchase. I can inform you that if I had had anything to do in the business
that I never would have any anything to do in it. I have expended of about
$700 besides all my trouble and I do not seem any nearer bringing the business
to a close than I did when I first began - the suit has been once dismissed at
my cost and will be again . . . . . if you have no articles of agreement
between me and David STILLWELL..." He thinks the deed sent him by BASS
must have been a forgery, that BASS was supposed to have been living in
Washington County Indiana, but he knows not where he is now, nor does he know
PEW. He goes on to quote the testimony of the administrators denying the facts
in the complaint, and the amount he thinks the estate would bring. He
continues:
" . . . . I have been shamefully imposed on in purchasing
James BROWN informed that he was all the heir on the BROWN side and I never
heard that John STILLWELL had any heir until our last Court and it was
represented to me that the families of ISAACS and SLUDER was extinct but it is
now stated that Mary ISAACS Phebe SLUDER and John STILLWELL all have heirs and
that there was a William BROWN, Hannah BROWN, Susanna BROWN and two other
whose names I don't recollect that is said to have heir but where those people
are I don't know . . . . "
Page 19
There are two more pages of the letter with more reference to
the Contract "between me and your Father" and the continuing of the
suit. He ends by saying, "One reason why I feel reluctant in commencing
Suit is that my health is such and has been for near two years past that I am
unable to do anything unless it is to ride about and that I have to do
moderately. please on the receipt of this letter to make search if no such
paper as the articles on the first page is amongst your fathers papers I am
with due esteem your very respectfully
[Signed by] Seth Wade
A paper with the following notes: (No date)
Questions to put to John DAVIS Stepson of David STILLWELL.
lst Have you had a letter from William STILLWELL son of
David STILLWELL since Seth WADE was hear (if he answers yes then put the
following)
2nd Does he write you that he has found amongst
his Fathers papers Articles of Agreement between Seth WADE and his Father
respecting Thomas STILLWELLs Estate of Johnston County (Then if he answers
yes or no)
present to him the Deed made by David STILLWELL and ask him
if he believes the Signature to be David STILLWELLs
if he answers yes
Ask him if he would be willing to swear that he Believes it
to be the hand Writing of David STILLWELL
____________________________________________________________________________________________
The names of the STILLWELL Family
Names of old William BROWNs Children
John
STILLWELL
Constant
Thomas
Hannah
David
Margaret
Mary
Susannah
Phebe
Elizabeth HENDRIX
Elizabeth
William And
Jeminah
James
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Supplemental Bill & Bill of Review ----
Jesse HARPER vs Philip RAEFORD, Admr. & Ellender W. STILLWELL, Admr. of
Thomas STILLWELL Decd. The early part of the bill repeats that filed by Seth
WADE in 1823, after which is:
"And your Orator shows that before the case was set for
hearing, to wit, in the summer of 1824, the said Seth WADE died intestate and
insolvent in the County of Randolph aforesaid, where he
Page 20
had resided .............. That previous to his death, to wit,
on or about the third day of June A.D. 1824, he being indebted to your Orator
Jesse HARPER, in the sum of one thousand Dollars, for the purpose of securing
the payment thereof, conveyed to Alexander GRAY a tract of land lying in the
Western District of Tennessee, and also all his right…….. to the Estate of
Thomas STILLWELL………." and that if the debt was not paid "on or
before the first day of January 1825 the said Alexander GRAY should at your
orator's request expose to public sale in the Town of Ashebrough in Randolph
County...... the Tract of Land aforesaid, and the right.......of the said Seth
WADE,...... to the estate of Said Thomas STILLWELL, Decd…….."
The bill goes on to state that Seth WADE failed to pay the
debt by January first 1825 and that when the land and interest in the
STILLWELL estate was put up for sale on the 12th day of March A.D. l825….."
your Orator became the highest Bidder and purchaser, of the Lands aforesaid at
the price of three hundred and twenty Dollars and of the estate of said
STILLWELL, Decd. at the price of six hundred and eighty Six Dollars…….."
He pleas the court for summons to the STILLWELL administrators
to appear in Randolph County to answer this supplemental Bill. September Term
1825.
Subpoena to Philip RAEFORD and Eleander STILLWELL of
Johnston County to appear to answer the supplement bill of Jesse HARPER.
Two subpoena blanks, no names, 2 Sept. 1825.
Bill for court costs, Spring 1826.
(There was no judgment for the case in the folder. FHS)
______________________________________________________________________________
There is also this entry on page 15 for David STILLWELL:
STILLWELL, David - 1824
Administrator's Bond for Seth WADE, 4 Aug. 1824. This document
is in very poor condition. (laminated)
___________________________________________
Document Data
Notes: Some format
changes, including adding bolded and underlined words, [bracketed
comments],
nominal spelling changes, and deleting "(continued)" on each page.
Sources: The Genealogical Journal by the
Randolph County Genealogical Society of the Randolph County
Historical Society, North Carolina, Vol. 13, No. 3, Summer, 1989, Randolph
County Estates S’s
Steele – Stout, STILLWILLL, Thomas – 1819, pages 15 - 20.
Copyright: Public document.
Level: A (document verified
and proofed by a person other than transcriber or typist).
Certificate: Document Donor: Jim Klein, June 15, 2000. Transcribed:
Maria Klein, June 12,
2000. Verified/Proofed: Jim Klein, June 15, 2000. See Donors.
Return to Top of Document
Return to Index
______________________________________________________________________________
1880 Federal Census,
Johnston County, NC, Declaration of Williams Brown
See here the declaration of Williams Brown (1796-1884),
shown with his wife, Fanny, and son, Jerome, in the
1880 Federal Census that his father, James Brown (1757-1823), was born in
Pennsylvania, and that his mother, Mary or Polly Williams [Emmerson
Comstock] was born in New Hampshire -
click photo
thumbnail to see actual picture:

1880 Federal Census, Boon Hill Township,
Johnston
County, North Carolina,
page 492, line 46
courtesy: James Brown Klein
See also
Wiscombe's Book.
Return to Index
______________________________________________________________________________
Moroni
Brown's 1891 Record Book
CHERRY S. BROWN
[June
1891] BROWN & STEPHENS
Records Kept by MORONI BROWN —
[youngest son of Capt. James Brown by his 1st wife]
GENEOLOGY [sic] OF
THE
STEPHENS FAMILY
Film and return to James
Black ASAP.
[Source: LDS FILM #928,328, Item 2, 1976, 1 Reel 35 mm]
[Original spellings and
positions in notebooks maintained. Copied in its entirety by Clark Stephens January
6, 2000.
Verified by Erold C. Wiscombe with bracketed notations.]
[In ink and long hand—in small ruled
notebooks.]
p. 1 Our great
grandfather Stephens name was
Richard and his wife’s Maden name was
Martha Robbins both died in Roan Co. NC.
Their childrens names are as follows
James Stephens died in Indiana.
William, John and Richard all died in Tennessee.
Alexander Stephens
was born about the year 1779, died Feb 1824 in
Johnston Co. NC.
[note at top of page
says June 1891]
pg. 2 Mary Daily wife
of Alexander Stephens was
born about 1779 and died in Schyler Co. Ill.
1844 as near as we can tell.
The names of their children
William born Nov. 11, 1801 in Roan Co., NC Died in
Schyler Co. Ill.
Sally Garner born Nov. 10, 1801, wife of William Stephens, died in Schyler
Co. Ill.
Hannah Stephens born Nov. 13, 1803
Martha Stephens born Oct. 12, 1806
p. 3 Elizabeth
Stephens born Feb. 10, 1809
John Stephens born
March 13, 1811
Alexander Stephens born April 13, 1813
Mary Stephens born April 13, 1815
David Stepens born April 4, 1817
died in 1891
Roanna Stephens born Oct. 30, 1821
died in Schyler Illinois.
Simeon Stephens born Dec. 31, 1823
died in Missouri.
p. 4 Margaret Northern
died in NC Aug 1832.
To be baptized for and sealed to Alexander Stephens.
[Another small
notebook]
p. 1 James Brown
married Polly Williams
(widow of (Emberson) John Both died in Roan Co. NC.
William Brown son of James and Polly Williams
Brown born in Roan Co., NC
married fanny Warren had 2
children Alexander and Jerome
Jane Brown wife of Mike Hues had 3 children
Rarbery Hues
Polly Hues
Silas Hues
p. 2 Susan Brown
daughter of James and Polly Williams Brown
born in Davison Co. NC
married Sion Jackson
had 9 children
Eliza Jackson
p. 3 cont'd
Homer “ [Jackson]
James “
Davison “ [Dridon]
Susan “
Noah “
Sion “
Hebern “
[no p. 4]
p. 5 Granmother
William’s Family
Father & Mother
John and Jane Williams
Children
Betsy Williams wife Henry Poe
They have one child Nancy
[crossed off]
Nancy Williams
Clarissa “
Jessey “
Elijah “
Polly wife of James Brown
Jane Williams wife Mike Oxyer
Millie Williams wife of Tho. Williams had
One child named Nancy.
p. 6 James Brown
son of James & Polly Williams
born Sep 30 1801 Davison Co NC died Sep 30, 1863
in Ogden City Utah
Martha Stephens Brown
Wife of James Brown
Born in Roan Co. NC Oct 12, 1806
Died Sep 28, 1840 in Adams Co. Ill.
John M. Brown son of
James and Martha Stephens
[cont’d next page]
p. 7 Brown born
in Davison
Co. NC June 29, 1824
Died at West Weber, Utah 1888
Daniel brown born in
Davison Co. NC Dec 9 (or 4) 1832
Died in California about the year 1864 or 65.
Benjamin Franklin Brown
born in Adams Co. Ill May 9, 1938
Died Dec 23, 1863 in Ogden City, Utah.
p. 8 Alma Brown son of
James & Susan Foutz Brown
born in Navoo, Hancock Co. Ill July 28, 1842 died
Aug 18, 1842
Margaret Emberson
Daughter of John and Polly Emberson
John Comstock an
illegitimate son of Polly Williams
widow of John Emberson and afterwards
wife of
James Brown.
[Written across to of
pages 9 & 10] “Baptized for by
Alexander Brown”
[names checked and sometimes
crossed off ]
p.
9 p. 10
1. James Brown
Sr. June 23, 1891 Gr. Son
2. Daniel Brown “ “
“ Brother
3. Benjamin Franklin Brown “ “ “
do
4. Alexander Brown “ “ “
Father
5. William Brown “ “
“ Gr. Nephew
6. John Brown “
“ “ do
Baptized
for by Jesse S. Brown
7. Simion
Stephens June 23, 1891 Nephew
8. John Williams “
“ “ Gr. Gd son
9. Jesse Williams “
“ “ Gd. Nephew
10. Elijah Williams June 23,
1891 do
11. William Brown “ “
“ Nephew
12. Richard Stephens “ “
“ G Gd son
Baptized for by
James Morehead Brown
p.
11 p. 12
13. Henry Poe
June 23, 1891
Gt Gd Nephew in law
14. Minel Oxyer “
“ “ Gr. Nephew
15. Thomas Williams “ “ “
do
16. Thomas Stillwell Williams “ “ “
do
[Williams crossed out Stillwell written in]
17. Joseph Elliet “
“ “ do
18. John Winn “ “ “
do
19. John Comstock “ “ “
do
[By Moroni Brown]
James Stephens
William Stephens
John Stephens
Alexander Stephens
William Stephens
David Stephens
Baptized for by
In
Logan Temple
Mary Eliza Brown Keye [?]
p.
13 p. 14
Jane
Williams June 23 1891 G
G Gd daughter
Betsy or Elizabeth Williams “ “ “
G Gd daughter
Jane “ “ “
“ G Gd Niece
Millia “ “ “ “
“
Clarisa “ “ “ “
“
Nancy “ “ “
“ “
Margaret Brown “ “
“ “
Hannah “ “ “
“ “
Constant [?] “ “ “
“ “
Jane “ “ “
“ Gd Niece
Susan “ “ “
“ “
Martha Robbins “ “
“ Gt Gt Gd daughter
Mary Daily “ “
“ Gt Gd “
Continued
p.
15 p. 16
Hannah
Stephens June 23, 1891 Gd
Niece
Martha Steph Brown June 23, 1891 Gd
Daughter
Rannia [?] Stephens “ “
“ Gd Niece
Margaret Emberson “ “
“ Gt Gd Niece
(end page)
Endowed
p.
17
Mary
Daily June 24, 1891
Mary E. Keyer
Polly Williams “ “ “
Martha Stephens Brown “ “ “
Hanna Stephens “ “ “
Roanna Stephens “ “ “
Jane Williams June 25, 1891
Martha Robbins June 26, 1891
Betsy or Elizabeth Williams Oct. 28, 1891 by
Rachel Ann Murray
Jane Williams daughter of John and Jane Williams Allici Porter
[Blank
line]
“ Young
Clarisa
June 28, 1891 Mary Eliz. Brown Critchlow
Alice Barnes Oct. 28,
1891 Frances M. Porter Brown
Nancy Wiliams Oct. 28, 1891 Frances M. Gd. Niece in Law
Margaret Brown Oct. 29, 1891
Mary E. Brown Critchlow
Hannah Oct. 30, 1891
“ “ “ Gd NP
Names of Males Endowed
Who are Dead by Alexander Brown
p.
19 p. 20
Alexander
Brown June 24, 1891 Father
Richard Stephens June 25, 1891 Gr Gr Son
Williams
Stephens June 26, 1891 Neph
By Jesse Brown
James Brown Sr.
June 24, 1891 Gd Son
John Williams June 25,
1891 Gt Gd Son
David Stephens June 26, 1891
Nephew
By James M. Brown
William
Brown June 24, 1891 Gt. Neph
Benj Franklin Brown June 25, 1891
Bro
John Brown June 26,
1891 Gd Neph
Endowed for by Moroni Brown
p.
21 p. 22
1. Daniel
Brown June 24, 1891 Bro.
2. Alexander Stephens June 25, 1891 Gd. Son
3. William Brown
June 26, 1891 Neph
4. James Stephens Oct. 28, 1891 Gd Neph
5. William Stephens Oct. 29, 1891
Gd Neph in law
[Ordained by M. W. Merrill Inst. Wm
F. Critchlow]
6. John Stephens Oct. 29, 1891
“ “ “
7. Jesse Williams Oct. 30, 1891
Gd Neph
[inst. of M.B.]
p. 23
June 24 in the Logan
Temple [blank page on right]
Hannah Stephens to Ronnea Stephens were sealed to
James Brown who is dead.
Alexander Brown & Mary
Eliza, Keyes acting as proxies.
p. 24 June 25, 1891
Those sealed
John & Jane Williams
James & Polly Williams Brown
Alexander & Mary Daily Stephens
June 26
Richard & Martha Robbins Stephens
James Brown & Martha Stephens
The above persons were sealed
over the alter Alexander Brown
and Mary Eliza Brown Keyes
acting as proxies
p. 25 June 26 The
following names
were adopted & Heber C. Kimble [sic]
Capt. James Brown and
his wife Martha Stephens
James Brown Sr. and his wife Polly Williams
Alexander Stephens and his wife Polly Daily
Solomon Kimble and Christeen Golden Kimble
In behalf of Heber C. Kimble and Alexander
Jesse Brown and Mary Margaret Pearce Young
and in behalf of James and martha Stephens Brown also
p. 26 Solomon F.
Kimble and Christeen Golden Kimble
in and for Heber C. Kimble and James M. Brown
and Margaret Pearce Young for James Brown Sen.
and Polly Williams Brown
also for
Alexander and mary Daily Stephens who are dead.
p. 27 Alice Barnes
Baptized Oct. 27, 1891 Frances M. Porter Brown [friend]
[by Erasmus Larsen] confirmed by NC Edlifsen
Endowed by PM Brown Sealed to Moroni Brown,
NC Edlifsen] James Quagle & Jacob Miller in Logan Temple
October 28, 1891
End of Item 2, Film #928,328.
______________________________________________
Document Data
Notes:
1. Original spellings and position on the notebook pages maintained.
2. Brackets [] are notes by Erold
C. Wiscombe.
Sources:
LDS FILM #928,328, Item 2, 1976, 1 Reel 35 mm (Copied in its entirety by
Clark Stephens January 6,
2000; Verified by Erold C. Wiscombe).
Copyright:
Used by permission.
Accuracy: A (document
verified and proofed by a person other than transcriber or typist).
Certificate: Donor:
Jim Klein, June 1, 2000.
Transcribed: Maria Klein, June 5, 2000. Verified/Proofed:
Erold
C. Wiscombe, June 23, 2000. See Donors.
Return to Top of Document
Return to Index
______________________________________________________________________________________
BROWN, James (1757 - 1823)
James Brown and Mary Williams, Their Children - Birth Order and Marriages
James Brown and Mary or Polly
Williams, and Their Children
Birth Years,
Places, Order, and Some Marriages
©
by
O. James Brown Klein
November 18, 2008
All rights reserved
Contents
·
James Brown (1757-1823)
·
Mary or Polly Williams
(c.1760-1827)
·
Birth Order of Their Children
·
Mary Williams' two Children
·
James Brown's and Mary
Williams' nine Children
· James Brown (1757-1823) Lands
James Brown
(1757-1823):
He was born in 1757 in Pennsylvania according to his
oldest son, William Brown (1796-1884), who declared
James' birthplace was
Pennsylvania in the 1880
Federal Census, Boon Hill Township, Johnston County, North Carolina, page 492,
line 46.
References to his 1757 birth year in Rowan County, North Carolina, and a single
reference to Maryland, come
from secondary family history sources such as family group sheets, pedigree
charts, and typed histories. His grandson, James Stephens Brown (1828-1902),
recorded an interview with his father Daniel Brown (1804-1875) on March 8,
1849, p. 2, in his Journal, and later in his autobiography “Giant of the
Lord-Life of a Pioneer,” p.18: “My father’s [Daniel Brown (1804-1875)]
father was James Brown, a native of Rowan County, North Carolina, 1757 being
the year of his birth.”
He says that James Brown was a
native, but does not say that he was born there, and maybe he did mean he was
born. We just do not know from these sources. Therefore, we place greatest credence in
James' oldest son's public document statement that James was born in Pennsylvania.
A single LDS Church Temple
Index Bureau (TIB) typed card - for James Brown’s daughter, Mary or
Polly Brown (1790-1876), shows James Brown’s birth typed as
“(1746)”. This secondary document appears to be either a typographical error,
which should be “1756,” or a faulty memory. It does not identify who typed it,
and it is likely the source from which very few Brown family group sheets may
have copied the year 1746 for the birth of James Brown. It is important to
know, however, that all but this TIB typed card and a very few Brown family
group sheets that I have collected over the past 40 years, including all of
our family group sheets and pedigree charts sent to the LDS Church Family
History Library, show that James Brown was born in 1757. Therefore, we
place greatest credence on this evidence that James Brown was born in 1757
(possibly 1756, but not 1746) in Pennsylvania, and not in Rowan County, North
Carolina.
James'
father, William Brown (c.1717-1772), was born in the Vermont area. His grandfather,
Mr. Brown (c.1791) came "over from Edinburgh, Scotland. . . . . They
first settled in
the state of Vermont." See the
Autobiography of Orson Pratt Brown
(1863-1946), pages 11-12). See also
Mrs. Brown (c.1695) was an Abenaki Native American with Portuguese
Ancestry.
James
Brown died March 27, 1823 [reported in Wiscombe's Daniel Brown book, p.4] in Davidson County,
North Carolina. On March 21, 1823, he deeded Lick Creek land to his daughter,
Nancy Brown (1792-1870), and on October 28, 1823, the court granted an
administrative bond for his estate to his son [Captain] James Brown. It is also
“known” that he died “when he was sixty-six years old, in 1824 [1823].” Reported
in “141 Years of Mormon Heritage-Rawsons, Browns, Angells-Pioneers” by
his great grandson, Moroni Brown. 1823 less 66 years is 1757.
Mary or
Polly Williams (c.1760-1827):
She was born New
Hampshire according to her oldest son, Williams Brown (1796-1884), who declared
her birthplace was New Hampshire in the 1880
Federal Census, Boon Hill Township, Johnston County, North Carolina, page 492,
line 46.
The reference to Maryland comes
from family group sheets. We place greatest credence in her oldest son's
statement that she was born in New Hampshire.
Her birth is estimated to be
about 1760, her marriage to James Brown about 1787, and her death about 1827,
for several reasons:
1. Her last child, Daniel Brown
(1804-1775), was born June 30, 1804. 1804 less 44 years for child bearing is
1760.
2.
She
married John Emerson or Emberson. See James Stephens Brown 1848, Journal, and
Moroni Brown's 1891 Record Book. The standard female 21 year birth-to-marriage
assumption from 1760 puts her marriage year about 1781. They may have been
married in New Hampshire, or Maryland. She then had their child, Margaret
Emerson or Emberson, about 1782.
Her husband, John Emerson, was killed during the Revolutionary War in about 1781/1782
as a deserter of the Revolutionary army when he was re-captured while hiding at his father's farm.
He may have been an English Loyalist or Tory. He was
killed by those who were returning him to army headquarters. This may have
happened while he/they were living in New Hampshire, or Maryland, or North
Carolina. Important to note is that there are many Emerson’s living in the New
Hampshire area during this period.
If he died in North Carolina, his desertion and death are estimated to have
occurred some time during 1780-1782 when the English forces under General
Cornwallis were fighting the American colonialists in South Carolina and the
North Carolina Piedmont area where Williams and Brown’s lived. There were
strong groups of both American Patriots and English Loyalists or Tories in these
areas.
3. She later had an illegitimate son, John Comstock, by
a Mr. _______ Comstock, estimated in some family sources about 1785. See
Moroni Brown's 1891 Record Book. This birth may have been in New Hampshire, Maryland,
or North Carolina. There are a number of Comstock’s living in the New Hampshire
area during this period.
4. She later married James Brown in
about 1787, as estimated by the birth order of their first child Jane Brown
(1788-1850/1858), and their next child, Mary or Polly Brown (August 7,
1790-December 25, 1876). Jane (Brown) Hughes and her husband, Michael Hughes
are both listed as being 66 years old in the 1850 Federal Census of Owen
Township, Jackson County, Illinois, page 199. 1850 less 66 years is 1784. None
of our known family records show Jane as being born in the 1780s. So it
believed that the census taker may have simply recorded the same age for both
Michael and Jane if she were modest and did not want to tell him her true age.
Therefore, the 1788 estimate of her birth, which follows the standard genealogy
two-year birth assumption, seems more plausible.
5. In about 1787, “about 30
years” after James Brown’s birth in 1757, he “attached himself with his wife
to the United Baptist church.” See James Stephens Journal, March 8, 1849, page
2. This may well have been when and where they were married. Both of them,
however, are shown being received ten years later in 1797 into the Jersey
Baptist Church: James in February and Mary in May 1797. See “Jersey Baptist
Meetinghouse Record Book 1784-1852,” transcript page 7.
6. Her death in about 1827 in
Davidson County, North Carolina is the year found in all family records that
show her death.
See
also
Mary or Polly Williams in
Wiscombe's Book.
Birth Order of the Children of James Brown and Mary or Polly Williams:
Their birth order is: Jane;
[Mary or] Polly; Nancy; Susan; [Martha or] Patsy; William [Williams]; Obedience;
James; and Daniel. It appears that the first child, Jane, was named for
Mary Williams’ mother, Jane Williams, and the second child, Mary or Polly, was
named for Mary or Polly Williams herself. This birth order is given by Daniel
Brown (1804-1875) to his son, James Stephens Brown (1828-1902) in an interview
on March 8, 1849, p. 2, in his Journal, and later in his autobiography “Giant
of the Lord-Life of a Pioneer,” Bookcraft, 1960, p.18.
Mary or
Polly Williams’ (1760-1827) two Children before marrying James Brown are:
-
Margaret Emerson or Emberson (1782-18??): She is the daughter of Mary or Polly
Williams (1760-1827), and John Emerson or Emberson (bc.1755-bc.1781).
See James Stephens Brown (1828-1902) Journal, March 8, 1849, p. 2. See
Moroni Brown's 1891 Record Book. She was also known as Margaret Brown
after her mother married James Brown (1757-1823). Her birth year is
estimated to be about 1782. She may have been born in New Hampshire or
Maryland. See notes for her mother, Mary or Polly Williams (1760-1827).
-
John
Comstock (1785-18??): He is the illegitimate son of Mary or
Polly Williams (1760-1827), and a Mr. _____ Comstock (c.1758-??).
See Moroni Brown's 1891 Record Book. His estimated birth in some
family sources about 1785. He was also known as John Emerson or Emberson
for his mother’s first husband. He was also known as John Brown after his
mother married James Brown (1757-1823). He may have been born in New
Hampshire, or Maryland, or North Carolina. See notes for his mother,
Mary or Polly Williams (1760-1827).
James
Brown’s (1757-1823) and Mary or Polly Williams’ (1760-1827) nine Children are:
-
Jane
Brown (1788-1850/1858): She was the first child of James
Brown and Mary or Polly Williams, and appears to be named for her mother’s
mother, Jane Williams. She was born about 1788, at Flat Swamp Creek, Rowan
County, North Carolina. She married Michael Hughes about 1816 in
Rowan County, North Carolina. They had three children: Barbery
(bc.1818-?); Polly (bc.1820-?); and Silas (bc.1826-?). See
Moroni Brown's 1891 Record Book. She died some time between 1850 and 1858 in
Jackson County, Illinois.
Jane (Brown) Hughes and her husband, Michael Hughes
are both listed as being 66 years old in the 1850 Federal Census of Owen
Township, Jackson County, Illinois, p. 199. 1850 less 66 years is 1784.
None of our known family records show Jane as being born in the 1780s. So
it believed that the census taker may have simply recorded the same age for
both Michael and Jane if she were modest and did not want to tell him
her true age. Therefore, the 1788 estimate of her birth, which follows the
standard genealogy two-year birth assumption, seems more plausible.
See also Jane Brown in
Wiscombe's Book.
-
Mary
or Polly Brown (1790-1876): She was the second child of James
Brown and Mary or Polly Williams, and appears to be named for her mother,
Mary or Polly Williams. She was born August 7, 1790, at Flat Swamp Creek,
Rowan County, North Carolina. She married and was sealed to James
Stephens BROWN on August 31, 1855, in Salt Lake City, Utah. She had not
children. She died December 25, 1876, in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County,
Utah, and was buried there.
See also Mary or Polly
Brown in Wiscombe's Book.
-
Nancy
Brown (1792-1870): She was born May 29, 1792, at
Flat Swamp Creek, Rowan County, North Carolina. She died at 78 years of age
on December 24, 1870, in Ogden, Weber County, Utah. A Temple Index Bureau
typed card for her says that she was born May 29, 1790 at Lick
Creek, Rowan County, North Carolina. Nancy’s Ogden City Cemetery record,
however, says she died December 24, 1870 at “age 78.” 1870 less
78 years is 1792. The fact that her next older sister, Mary or Polly
Brown, was born August 7, 1790, also evidences that she was not born May 29th
of that same year.
Nancy
Brown, who was single, received by deed from her father, James Brown, 153
acres of Lick Creek land in 1823, the year he died. The fact her TIB typed
card shows she was born on Lick Creek may well be because her father, James
Brown, sold that land to her in 1823, and not necessarily because that she
was born there.
Marriages:
Nancy was first married to
James Newberry on October 3, 1843 in
Nauvoo, Illinois. She apparently either divorced him or left him. She was
later sealed to William Critchlow on November 6, 1852 in Salt Lake
City, Utah. She had no children.
Burial: She died December 24, 1870 in Ogden,
Utah and was buried in the Ogden City Cemetery. On May 7, 1889, 19 years
after her death and burial, Nancy’s body was removed to William Critchlow’s
lot, 31-4-E, in the Ogden City Cemetery. William Critchlow was also married
to Mary E. Brown, a daughter of (Captain) James Brown.
See also Nancy Brown in Wiscombe's Book.
-
Susan
Brown (1793-before 1850): She was born about 1793, at Flat
Swamp Creek, Rowan County, North Carolina. She married Sion or Siren
JACKSON (bc.1794/1795-d.after1850) about 1818 in Rowan County, North Carolina. They had nine
children: Eliza (bc.1819-?); Homer (bc.1821-?); James (1823-1893); Davison
or Dridon (bc.1825-?); Susan (bc.1827-?); female Jackson (bc.1829-?); Noah (bc.1831-?); Newton
(bc.1833-?); Sion (bc.1835-?); female Jackson (bc.1837-?);and Hebern (bc.1841-?). See
Moroni Brown's 1891 Record Book,
and Sion Jackson in the 1840 Federal Census for Davidson County,
North Carolina. She appears to have died before 1850 in
Davidson County, North Carolina because her husband, Sion Jackson, is listed
alone in the 1850 Federal Census.
See also Susan Brown in Wiscombe's Book.
-
Martha or Patsy Brown (1794-1869): She was born September 24, 1794, at
Flat Swamp Creek, Rowan County, North Carolina. She married David BOSS
on November 25, 1821 in Rowan County, North Carolina. They had four sons: Alexander
(1822-1904); Alfred (1826-1871); Calvin (1826-1866); and David, Jr.
(1828-1864). She died in 1869 in Contra Costa County, California.
See also Martha or Patsy Brown in
Wiscombe's Book.
-
Williams Brown (1796-1894): He was named Williams and not
William. See Union Church Primitive Baptists Record Book of Johnston
County, North Carolina, pp. 67-108; and Abstracts of Deeds, Johnston County
1836, #391. He was the first son of James Brown and Mary or Polly Williams,
and appears to be named Williams for his mother’s maiden name, Williams.
Williams is also almost identical to his grandfather’s given name, William
Brown. He was born November 8, 1796, at Flat Swamp Creek, Rowan County, North
Carolina. He married Francis or Fanny Warren June 10, 1820, in
Johnston County, North Carolina. They had three sons: Alexander
(1821-1895); Jerome (1827-1901); and London (1828-1863). He was a farmer
there, became a member, deacon, elder, moderator and minister of the Union
Church Primitive Baptists there. Williams died and was buried July 11,
1894, in Johnston County, North Carolina. See also 1880
Federal Census, Boon Hill Township, Johnston County, North Carolina.
See Williams Brown's
1849 Letter to His Brothers and Sisters which
shows the great spirit
of love and religious tolerance of this Brown family.
See also Williams Brown in
Wiscombe's Book.
-
Obedience Brown (1799-1850): She was born February 28, 1799, at
Flat Swamp Creek, Rowan County, North Carolina. She married Philip BOSS
about 1818 in Rowan County, North Carolina. They had eleven children:
Miss Boss (1819-?); William (1820-1898); Andrew (1822-?); Philip III (1824-bef.1900); Sally
(1825-?); Willis (1827-?); Nancy (1829-1888); Mary or Polly (1831-1920);
Henry (1832-1920); Solomon Boss (1833-?); and John (1835-1920). She died on October 9, 1850, in
Ogden, Weber County, Utah.
See also Obedience Brown in
Wiscombe's Book.
-
[Captain] James Brown (1801-1863): He was the second son of James Brown
and Mary or Polly Williams, and appears to be named for his father, James
Brown. He was born September 30, 1801, at Flat Swamp Creek, Rowan County,
North Carolina. He married Martha Stephens on March 2, 1823 at Flat
Swamp Creek in Davidson County, North Carolina. They had nine children:
John Martin (1824-1888); Alexander (1826-1910); Jesse Stowell (1829-1905);
Nancy (1830-1792); Daniel (1832-abt1864); James Moorhead (1834-1924);
William (1836-1904); Benjamin Franklin (1838-1863); and Moroni (1840-1916).
He had twelve other wives and 19 other children. He died on September 30,
1863, in Ogden, Weber County, Utah.
See the
[Captain] James Brown (1801-1863) Ancestral Surname File.
See also [Captain] James
Brown's 13 Wives and 28 Children.
See
also James Brown in Wiscombe's Book.
-
Daniel Brown (1804-1875): He was born June 30, 1804, at Flat
Swamp Creek, Rowan County, North Carolina. He married Elizabeth Stephens
on October 8, 1823 at Flat Swamp Creek in Davidson County, North
Carolina. They had 13 children: William (1824-1854); Mary (1826-1848);
James Stephens (1828-1902); Wilson (1830-1906); Margaret (1832-1913); Willis
(1835-1886); Nancy (1837-1907); Daniel (1840-1841); Elizabeth (1840-1888);
Lucy (1842-1934); Sarah (1846-1923); Jerome (1848-1939); and Jane
(1853-1878). He died on February 2, 1875, in Calhoun, Harrison County,
Iowa.
See also Daniel Brown in Wiscombe's
Book.
James Brown (1757-1823) Lands
See Maps which show
the estimated location of
James' property.
The nine children born to James Brown (1757-1823) and Mary or Polly Williams
(1860-1827) between 1788 and 1804 were very likely all born on James Brown’s 300
acres on the Rocky Meadow Branch of Flat Swamp Creek in Rowan County, North
Carolina (now Davidson County created 1822), and not Lick Creek,
based on a careful analysis of known public and family records.
On August 31, 1778, when he was 21 years
old, James Brown
registered a deed for 300
acres of land located on Rocky Meadow Branch of Flat Swamp Creek, adjacent to
his brother-in-law, Joseph Elliott, in Rowan County, North Carolina (now
Davidson County). This land may have belonged to his father, William Brown.
Land offices were first established in the North Carolina counties in
1778 to register state land grants
because of the Granville-McCulloh land problems.
Fifteen years later, on January 19, 1793, James Brown had a survey completed for
200 acres on Lick Creek in reference to a State land warrant issued to Robert
Carlele, which was assigned to James Brown, which land was granted to him
December 31, 1793. These two creeks run parallel to each other, some two to
three miles apart, and empty into the east side of the Yakin River.
James Brown sold part of his land on Lick Creek in 1807 and 1818 to Henry Boss,
and on March 21, 1823, the month he died, he sold 153 acres of it to his
daughter Nancy Brown (1792-1870), who was single. James Brown apparently died
on his land on Flat Swamp Creek since no public record has been found that he
sold that land during his life time, while he did sell his Lick Creek land.
James Brown’s eighth child [Captain] James Brown (1801-1863) was both born and
married on Flat Swamp Creek, and his first five children were born there before
he moved his family to Illinois. See this information from “Capt. Brown’s
Journal, written by himself, now in possession of Mrs. Delpha Brown Culley, 2777
E. 4800 S., Roy, Utah” recorded on his Family Group Sheet by his great
granddaughter Delpha Brown Culley.
The fact that Nancy Brown’s Temple Index Bureau typed card shows she was born on
Lick Creek may well be because her father, James Brown, sold that land to her in
1823, and not necessarily because that she was born there.
Therefore, we have concluded to that it is more likely and accurate to show
James Brown’s and Polly Williams Brown’s children as being born at Flat Swamp
Creek.
___________________________________________
Document Data
Sources: O. James
Brown Klein.
Copyright: Used with permission.
Level: B (document
verified and proofed by a person other than transcriber or typist).
Certificate: Document Donor: Jim Klein, November 18, 2008. Verified/Proofed:
Jim Klein, November 18, 2008.
Return to Top of Document
Return to Index
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Williams Brown’s January 26, 1849
Letter
to His Brothers And Sisters,
Addressed to His Brother, Captain James Brown
Letter courtesy of Erold C. Wiscombe
Transcribed Maria Klein and Edited by O. James Brown Klein
The following 1849 letter shows the great spirit of love and religious
tolerance of the Brown family of James Brown (1757-1823) and Mary or Polly
Williams (c.1760-1827). It was written by Williams Brown (1796-1884) the
Baptist Minister of the Union
Church of
Primitive Baptists
in Johnston County, North Carolina,
to his brother, Captain James Brown (1801-1863) of the Mormon Battalion. It is directed
to all of his brothers and sisters who were Baptists and had joined the Mormon
Church in Illinois 1839-1840, and left for Utah in 1846-1847 when the Mormons
were expelled from Nauvoo, Illinois.
Williams Brown was the oldest son of James Brown
(1757-1823) and Mary or Polly Williams (c.1760-1827), and was a farmer and
Baptist Minister of the Union
Church of
Primitive Baptists in Johnston County. He lived there
with his wife, Faney, their two sons, Jerome and Landon, and his “Black family”
of slaves. At this time his son, Alexander, was in the United States Army in
the West.
The letter is dated January 26, 1849, and was mailed
from Smithfield, North Carolina, on February 8, 1849. The envelope is addressed
to Williams’ brother, "Captain James Brown, Browns Fort, Great Salt Lake, [Utah],
By way of Council Bluffs, Iowa."
[Note: To clarify reading and meaning, punctuation and
paragraphs are added, spelling is corrected in brackets, and a few words for
clarification are also added in brackets. The use of a capital “S” and “E” is
not changed. Williams some times puts a small “x” over words he has misspelled,
such as “no” when he means “know”.]
"State of North Carolina, JohnSton County, January the
26th, 1849.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Thru [Through] the mercy of
God I am bleest withe [blessed with] the opportunity of writeing [writing] you a
few lines to let you know that I and [my] family are all well at this time;
thank God for it. Hoping that these few lines may find you all injoying
[enjoying] the Same blessing. I received your letter yesterday to my grate
[great] Satisfaction and Surprise. I had often thought of you and had despaired
of Ever hering [ever hearing] from any of you agane [again].
I learnt [learned] from my nus [news] papers that the
Mormons was [were] driven from ther [their] homes and Some kild [killed], and
never hearing from you, I thaught [thought] that you was [were] killed, or had
taken the pilgrim route threw [through] the wilderness to Callafonna
[California]. I learnt [learned] that many had Started and Sufferd [suffered]
on ther [their] way by fammon [famine].
I saw all So [also] in Some of my papers the name of
Capt. Brown in Callafonna [California], and the writer made mention that the
Mormons was good Soalders [were good soldiers], ‘Let folks Say what they mite
[might] about them’. He Said that Capt. Brown Sent to him if he lacked any assistiane [assistance], to let him no [know], and he wod [would] come to his
assisance [assistance], for his Company was redy [ready] at any Call. This was
in the time of the Mexico wore [Mexican War]. I took it for granted and Sead
[said] that you was [were] the Capt. Brown that the officer had bin Speking
[been speaking] about. I don’t now recall the officer[’s] name. It was Some
of the head officers in Callafonna [California]. About that time I took a grate
[great] deal of my time in reading the nuse [news]. I felt deep intrust
[interest] in porruse [perusing] all my papers.
I all So har from the por [also hear of the poor]
afflicted Mormons in all most Ever [almost every] paper her of thear
[here of their] afflictions and distress, noing [knowing] that amost [almost] all of my
family connection was Shearing [sharing] in that great Callamity [calamity] and
distress and not them alone. I think I felt for those home I [whom I had] never
heard the names of, with Sorrow to my heart.
I cold hea [could hear] from our pore Soalders [poor
soldiers] in Mexico, and the many battles faugh thar [fought there], [in] which
I took deep intrust [interest] why my countreymen was thar [countrymen were
there]. My country [county] men was thar [were there]. My Son was thar
[there].
I will in form [inform] you that my Son, Alexandra
[Alexander] Brown was in the Mexico wore [Mexican War]. He rote [wrote] to me
after peas [peace] was made that he had bin [been] in all the Battles, from
Verry Cruse [Vera Cruz] to the Citty [City] of Mexico. We neve hear [never
heard] from him from the time he left, tel the wor [until the war] ended. Some 2
[two] years afte peas [after peace] was made, the Company come in 300 mils [came
within 300 miles] of home, then [he] wrote to us and Sent Some mony [money] for
me to tak car of tel [take care of until] he got discharg [discharged]. The
last letter [said] he was about 1,000 mils of [miles off], on his way to
Callafonna [California]. I sopose [suppose] that he in listed [enlisted] for 5
[five] years. His time [is] more than half out. We don’t Expete [expect] to
see him, if we all live, tel [until] he Serves his time.
Jerome has got his health. He is nea [nearly] as Stout
as my Self [myself]. Look reed and harty as I Eve did [He looks red hardy as I
ever did] with his red whiskers, like a 4 [four] year old goate [goat]. London
is harty [hearty], and is the most Enteligent [intelligent] boy of his age I
most Ever saw, and is Said to be So of all that no [know] hiim.
We all have Injoy [enjoyed] as good health as we Cold
[could] Expect, Ever Since you left us. I am makeing [making] out verry [very]
well as yet, tho [though] my Black family are increesing verry [increasing very]
fast, which gives me all I can well do to soport [support] them well, as tha ar
[they are] all Small and not able to do any thing yet; but if I live and kep
[keep] my health, I hope that we will not Suffer. I wold say somthing [would
say something] about the trobles [troubles] and trials that I have undegone
[undergone], but I concider sence [consider since] I Saw your letter, that
my trials is lite [are light] when compard [compared] with yourn [yours]. This
is the Seckant [second] letter I receive[d] from you since you left.
O dear Brother, don’t neglect to write as of [often] as
you well Can, and I will try to do the Same. I hardly can bar [bare] the
thoughts at Closing this letter when I think of the witherd breas whar [withered
breasts where] we all drawd [drew] our furst sustainanc [first sustenance] from,
now Sepperated So [separated so] far from each other, never to See each other
agane [again] in time, nor to hear each othe vois [other’s voices] in tim now
lefte to vew [time now left to view] the Cold earth whar whar thos withed
fafes ar lad [where those withered faces are laid], that gave us birth and him
that begat us, but tre dus [their dust] is watched and will rise agane [again].
O how happy for us if we with them can never to parte [part] no more.
Williams Brown
Dear Brother, I now must Come to a close for this time,
hoping that these lines may reach you. I want to be remember[ed] to all of my
family Connection. My mind is full, but I can’t express. I can grasp you all
in my affetions [affections]. Brothers and Sister[s], pray for us, and I will
try to pray for you all to [too], that we all may meet whar [where] parting is
no more.
Fineley [Finally] Farewell to Capt. Jams [James] Brown.
Wms [Williams] BROWN and wife Faney"
___________________________________________
Document Data
Notes: To clarify reading and meaning, punctuation and paragraphs are
added, spelling is corrected in brackets,
and a few words for clarification are also added in brackets. The use of a
capital “S” and “E” is not
changed. Williams some times puts a small “x” over words he has misspelled,
such as “no” when he
means “know”. O. James Brown Klein.
Sources: Copy of letter from Erold C. Wiscombe.
Copyright: Used by permission.
Level: B
Certificate: Document Donor: Erold C. Wiscombe, May, 2000.
Transcribed: Maria Klein, June 20, 2000.
Verified/Proofed/Edited: Jim Klein, July 15, 2000; December 16, 2010.
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BROWN, [Captain] James Brown (1801 - 1863)
See the [Captain] James Brown (1801-1863) Ancestral Surname File.
See [Captain] James
Brown's 13 Wives and 28 Children.
See also
Wiscombe's Book
and Photo Gallery.
BROWN, Daniel (1804 - 1875)
The Brown Family, Descendants of Daniel Brown
(1804-1875) and Elizabeth Stephens 1809-1890), Wiscombe, Erold Clark,
editor, First edition1986; Revised Second edition 2006. Published:
Salt Lake City, Utah. This partial book is also known in this Library as
Wiscombe's Book.
See also Photo Gallery.
BROWN, James Stephens (1828 - 1902)
See the James Stephens Brown (1828-1902)
Ancestral Surname File.
See also Wiscombe's Book and
Photo Gallery.
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