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, Marriages, Land

Brown, [Captain] James (1801 - 1863)

Brown, Daniel (1804 - 1875)

Brown, James Stephens (1828 - 1902)

Brown, Orson Pratt (1863 - 1946)

BROWN, William (bc. 1717  - 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 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 1772 Will and Other Documents:

    William Brown’s Will of 19 February 1772 in Rowan County, North Carolina lists his wife, Margret, 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), was born in 1757, either in Pennsylvania, or in Rowan County, North Carolina.  The birth reference to Pennsylvania comes from his oldest son, Williams Brown (1786-1884), in the Boon Hill Township, Johnston County, North Carolina 1880 Federal Census, page 492, line 46.
The birth year and birth reference to Rowan County, North Carolina, come from multiple important 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.”

    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 either Pennsylvania, or Rowan County, North Carolina.

    Second, with the birth of James Brown in 1757 in Pennsylvania, or in Rowan County, North Carolina, 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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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. 

4. 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. 

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. James Brown – born 1757 in either Pennsylvania or Rowan County, NC, 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. 

9. 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 parents, ______ Brown (father) 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, ______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.

    Please note that we have assumed that William's parents, ______ Brown and Mrs. Brown, either arrived in the American colonial northeast “Vermont area” from their native countries, or that they were married in that area after arriving there.

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.

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  1768 Rowan County, NC, Tax List of John Ford

 Page 76

[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

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.

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    Annotated 1772 Rowan County, NC, Will of William BROWN

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:

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.

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:

Signed:  19 February 1772 by William BROWN with "his mark", an "X".  The Will Book D Complete Will gives the date as the 9^th, not 19^th, but this is probably incorrect because the Will Book A Incomplete Will shows that it is the "nineteenth".

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.

Footnotes:  Annotated footnotes are designated with numerals, which appear in [brackets] in the copy on the Internet Library, for example, [fn. 2].

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[1] of the County of Roann[2] 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[3]  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[4] 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[5] Brown my Improvement[6] 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[7] working tools during her natural Life ------------------------

I give and bequeath to my daughter Charity Robson[8] one Shilling Sterling and that is all I will give her -----------------------

I give and bequeath to my daughter hannah[9] Elliot[10] one Shilling Sterling and that is all I shall give her -----------------------

I give and bequeath to my son William Brown[11] one Cow and that is all I shall give him ------------

I give and bequeath to my son John Brown[12] one sorrill hors and that is all I shall give him ---------

I give and bequeath to my son James Brown[13] one horse Colt and that is all I shall give him --------

I give and bequeath to my daughter Constant wynn[14] one Cow and that is all I shall give her -------

I give and bequeath to my daughter Susannah Brown[15] one Cow and that is all I shall give her -----

I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Brown[16] one Cow and that is all I shall give her ------

I give and bequeath to my daughter Margret[17] Brown one Cow and one young lamb and that is all I shall give her -------------

I give and bequeath to my grandaughter Margret[18] 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[19] 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[20] [?]                                                         William    X      Brown              Seal

Abner Cotten[21]                                                                                      mark

John Northen   Inrat[22] [?]

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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.

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    Abstract of 1819 Randolph County, NC, Estate Papers of Thomas STILLWELL

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.

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.

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

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 . . . . "

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)

2^nd 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

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:

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.

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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 1^st 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.

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______________________________________________________________________________________

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 either:  1) Pennsylvania, or 2) Rowan County, North Carolina (now Davidson County).  The Pennsylvania birth reference comes from James Brown’s oldest son, Williams Brown (1796-1884), as stated in the1880 Federal Census, Boon Hill Township, Johnston County, North Carolina.

    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.”
  James' father, and possibly grandfather, 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).

    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.

    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 either Pennsylvania, or Rowan County, North Carolina.

Mary or Polly Williams (c.1760-1827):

    Her birth place is stated as being either 1) Maryland, or 2) New Hampshire.  The reference to Maryland comes from family group sheets.  The reference to New Hampshire is from her oldest son, Williams Brown (1796-1884, in the Boon Hill Township, Johnston County, North Carolina 1880 Federal Census, page 492, line 46.  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 was killed during the Revolutionary War in about 1781/1782 having deserted the army when re-captured while hiding at his father's farm and 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 New Hampshire area there 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 New Hampshire area during this period.

4.  She later married James Brown in about 1787, as estimated by the birth order of first 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:

1. 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).

2. 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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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 was born 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 29^th 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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 also Williams Brown in Wiscombe's Book.

7. 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.

8. [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.

9. 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.

___________________________________________

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.

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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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