James Brown, Sr (6th Great Grandfather)

James Brown, Sr.

"James Brown Sr. is represented as having been a very tall, dark-complexioned man
of wonderful anatomical and muscular proportions, and of whom, 
Alexander Brown, pictured above, his grandson, (and son of the late Captain Brown), is a true type."

Born: 1758 in Maryland, of Rowan County (became Davidson County in 1822), North Carolina
Died: March 27, 1832 in Yadkin River, Davidson County, North Carolina

Compiled by his great, great, granddaughter, Lucy Brown Archer

James Brown, Sr. was born in 1758 [or June 15, 1863], in Maryland. He and his family moved to Rowan County (was Anson County until 1753) North Carolina prior to the Revolutionary War [1775-1783], and died 66 years later on March 27, 1832, in Davidson County, North Carolina, which was created from Rowan County in 1822.  James Brown’s parents are William Brown II and Margret Brown. James Brown’s ancestors were Scotch Irish, and it is reported that his grandfather “was a Scotchman by the name of Brown, and who was allied in marriage with a woman who was a native of Portugal [or of "Portigee" descent].' But it is unknown who they are, where they lived in the old countries, when they came to the American colonies, or when they came to the Piedmont area. It is not known when James Brown, father of Captain Brown, removed to North Carolina; but the report that he was associated with Andrew Jackson at the time of the Revolution, favors the belief that it was before the war commenced. Jackson having taken a prominent part, when quite a boy, in fighting against the British in North Carolina, was no doubt engaged in battles in which young Brown fought. It is known, however, that after the war was over, he continued to reside in the above named State until his death, which occurred when he was sixty-six years old, in 1824. His occupation had been that of a farmer, and he is represented as having been a very tall, dark-complexioned man of wonderful anatomical and muscular proportions, and of whom, Alexander Brown of Lynne, Weber County, his grandson, (and son of the late Captain Brown), is a true type; and when he was summoned by the hand of death it was said of, "If ever good men lived and died upon the earth, grandfather Brown was one of them." Preserved early 1800's home in Rowan County, North Carolina William Brown, b. 1713, d. 1772, signed his Will on 19 February 1772 in Rowan County, North Carolina, naming his wife, Margaret, and his 9 children, and 1 granddaughter ("Margaret Brown, daughter of Susannah").  The Will was filed for probate August 5, 1772, so William died between February 19, and August 5, 1772.  His children named in his Will are as follows: William Brown and Margaret Brown had 9 children: 1- William Brown b. 1753; md. Diana Davis on 6 May 1772 in Rowan County 2- John Brown b. 1755, 3- James Brown, Sr. b. 1757; md. Mary or Polly Williams Emberson or Emmerson; d. 1823 4- Charity Brown Robson/Robeson/Robison b. 1749, 5- Hannah Brown Elliott b. 1751; md. Joseph Elliott or Ellit, 4 June 1767 in Rowan County 6- Constant Brown Wynn/Winn b. 1758 ; md.John Wynn or Winn 7- Susannah Brown Brown b. 1760; md. Brown, daughter named Margaret Brown 8- Elizabeth Brown Hendrix/Hendricks b. 1762, 9- Margaret Brown Stillwell Roberts b. c.1763; md. Thomas Stillwell in Rowan County c.1778, had a son named Thomas Stillwell.  In the late 1770s or early 1780s, they moved to Johnston County, North Carolina, where Margaret later married a Mr. Roberts c.1780. William Brown III (1753-), son of William Brown II (1713-1772) receiving Badge of Military Merit from George Washington Submitted by Gaylen Brown James Brown Sr. likely received the pioneer education of his day. He reportedly served in the American Revolutionary War, probably in the North Carolina Militia, in association with Andrew Jackson. It is a family tradition to believe that James Brown fought in North Carolina under General Francis Marion (1732-1795), who was known as "the Swamp Fox", if he did so, James may have been a mercenary or independent soldier.1 General Francis Marion 1732-1795  Song of Marion's Men  Written by William Cullen Bryant (1794-1878)   OUR band is few but true and tried,     Our leader frank and bold;   The British soldier trembles     When Marion's name is told.   Our fortress is the good greenwood,          5   Our tent the cypress-tree;   We know the forest round us,     As seamen know the sea.   We know its walls of thorny vines,     Its glades of reedy grass,   10 Its safe and silent islands     Within the dark morass.      Woe to the English soldiery     That little dread us near!   On them shall light at midnight   15   A strange and sudden fear:   When, waking to their tents on fire,     They grasp their arms in vain,   And they who stand to face us     Are beat to earth again;   20 And they who fly in terror deem     A mighty host behind,   And hear the tramp of thousands     Upon the hollow wind.      Then sweet the hour that brings release   25   From danger and from toil;   We talk the battle over,     And share the battle's spoil.   The woodland rings with laugh and shout,     As if a hunt were up,   30 And woodland flowers are gathered     To crown the soldier's cup.   With merry songs we mock the wind     That in the pine-top grieves,   And slumber long and sweetly   35   On beds of oaken leaves.   Well knows the fair and friendly moon     The band that Marion leads—   The glitter of their rifles,     The scampering of their steeds.   40 'T is life to guide the fiery barb     Across the moonlit plain;   'T is life to feel the night-wind     That lifts his tossing mane.   A moment in the British camp—   45   A moment—and away   Back to the pathless forest,     Before the peep of day.   Grave men there are by broad Santee,     Grave men with hoary hairs;   50 Their hearts are all with Marion,     For Marion are their prayers.   And lovely ladies greet our band     With kindliest welcoming,   With smiles like those of summer,   55   And tears like those of spring.   For them we wear these trusty arms,     And lay them down no more   Till we have driven the Briton,     Forever, from our shore.   60 James married Mary (Polly) Williams around 1886, a widow of a John Emerson [Emberson or Emmerson]. John Emerson had fought in the Revolutionary War then deserted and returned to his father's farm. He concealed himself in his father's milk house but one day he came out into the woods to assist his father to haul wood. Apparently some soldiers were keeping watch and upon his venturing out John was apprehended and began his walk toward the army headquarters. The four soldiers becoming overwrought, killed John with their swords and left his mangled body near the side of the road where he was discovered by his family. Mary or Polly Williams was born in 1760 to John Williams (b. 1726 in Maryland) and Jane Williams(b.1728) of Rowan County, North Carolina. She had two children, [Margaret Emberson or Emerson b. 1770, and John Comstock Emberson or Emerson b. 1773] at the time of her marriage to James Brown, Sr. James Brown Sr, and Mary Polly Williams Emerson Brown had 9 children : 1- Jane Brown Hughes b. 1787; md Michael Hughes c. 1814; d. between 1850-1858, Indiana. 2- Mary Polly Brown Brown b.1789, 3- Nancy Brown Mills Newbury Critchlow b.1792; sealed to William Critchlow; d. 1890 4- Susan Brown Jackson b.1793; md Sion Jackson Feb 26, 1803; 5- Martha Patsy Brown Boss b. 1794; md. David Boss 6- Obedience "Aunt Biddie" Brown Boss b.1799; md. Philip Boss II in 1818 7- William Brown b.1796 or 7; md. Frances Warren; d. 1884 8- Captain James Brown Jr. b. Sept 30, 1801; md. Martha Stephens and twelve other wives; d. Sept. 30, 1863, 9- Daniel Brown b.1804; md. Elizabeth Stephens; 8 Oct 1823; d. 1875. All their children were born in Rowan County, North Carolina after the Revolutionary War 1775-1783. James Brown was a farmer owning at least 500 acres in the upper Piedmont area of North Carolina, along the Flat Swamp Creek and Lick Creek area of Rowan County. James was born in 1757, probably in Rowan County, NC, and died 66 years later, in 1823, in Davidson County, NC, which was created from Rowan County in 1822. Rowan County was formed from Anson County in 1753. James and Mary were Baptists, and members of the Jersey Baptist Church in their area. They lived at least the last 45 years of James’s life, 1788 to 1823, along Flat Swamp Creek and Lick Creek, east of the Yadkin River, in what today is Davidson County. They were farmers there, and their 9 children were born there. This area is located between the towns of Lexington and Denton in Davidson County. Their children also intermarried with the Critchlow and Hicks families in the Flat Swamp and Lick creeks area. We know that the Boss family intermarried with the Hicks, Goss, Hedrick, and Gallamore families in that area, and that the Stephens family intermarried with the Briggs, Williams, Garner, Riley, Peacock, and Northern families there. A William Brown, who is believed to be James’s father, has been found in 1779 with land very close to James Sr. on Flat Swamp Creek. A Daniel Brown, who is believed to be James’s brother, has also been found in 1792 on the Uwharrie River, near this area. James Brown was a farmer owning at least 500 acres in the upper Piedmont area of North Carolina, along the Flat Swamp Creek and Lick Creek area of Rowan County. James Brown “is represented as having been a very tall, dark-complexioned man of wonderful anatomical and muscular proportions,…; and when he was summoned by the hand of death it was said of [him], ‘If ever good men lived and died upon the earth, grandfather Brown was one of them.’” CJB2, page 88. [The following was written by James S.[Stephens] Brown [1828-1902], nephew of James Brown (1758-1832) James S. Brown Journals - His Parents’ Declarations of Their Genealogies "March 1849 James S. Brown, Page 2 Calhoun Harison County Iowa March 8th 1849 "This day I, James S. Brown 3rd, Trace back the geneolegy of my Ancesters By information of my Father Daniel Brown [1804-1875]. An I Shal comence back as fare as my father can giv me an a count of his Fathers and then on down to my an generation with a design to continy the histry and hav it continud from generation to generation. That my postarity may know from whence they Sprang. An who their ancesters was and so forth. Thus I comence the inquiry of My Father in his own hous. James Brown was Born in the year 1757 in the State of North Carlina Roann County. And was maried in the same state and county to the widow of John Emberson Who was killed in the Revelution War, the Widow had 2 children a son and Dauter Marget and John She bore to James Brown 9 children 3 sones and 6 dauters whos Names was as folows Jane; Poly; Nancy; Susan; Patsy Willian; Obiedianc; the Next was a Name sake James and Then Daniel my Father who transmits the abov information to me The Widow Embersons Madon Name was Mary Williams. James Brown was of Portigee and English Decent And his wife was of English Irish, Decent; Neither of them had any Education a tall; And theire progeneters kept, So we canot go any further Back than them, James, Brown, volenterd in the serves of the United States of America when he was 20 years old and served as a private Solder, but it is not known how long he served. He was a farmer ful of life and as Ambitious as a Tiger was a Smart But Rood man. And continud So; far about 30 years at which time he atatched him self with his wife to the Unided Baptis church After which he became Very pious and morel and live So to the day of his deth which curd in the fore said, March, 1849 James S. Brown, Page 3 County and State; on the 27 day of March 1823, Daniel Brown was Born June 30th 1806 in the county of Roann State of North Calina, North America Being the youngest; of the famly remaind At home till his father dide and on the 18 of October 1823 he maried Elizabeth Stephens Who was Born in the same county and State; on the 10 of Febuary; 1809. He (Daniel Brown) Remaind on his Fathers Farm and caried it on, till Oct. 6th, 1831 during which time he had the bad luck to have 2 houses burnd down with all the contents their of, one was Burnd down in 1824 the other one in 1831. At which time he resolved to try his luck in some other country So on the 6 of October 1831 he led out of that State bound for the State of Illinois; he was the first one of his famly or the Stephens famly, Bringing with him besides his one wife and 6 children Alexander and John Stephens, Bothers of his wife; but Single men and Poly and Nancy brown two of his one Sisters that Old Maids, and a Nephiew By the Name of Homer Jackson a Sisters Sone; He had a wagen and 2 horses for his team; thus he camenced a camp life with Travling through the States of Verginey and Tenice [Tennessee] and Cantucky from thence through Ohio Indiania; into Illinois Morgin county a bout 25 miles S.E. of the Illinois, R—here he obetaind a log School Hous on the 18 of December; Being a Farmer he Chopt and Split rails through the winter thus he suported his famly untill the 10 of march then left his famly and crost over the R. in to Schyler County which was at that time a wild an desalate Save a very fiew inhabitenc; It was full of wild Beast Such as the Panther and Black and Gray wolf and Dear in great a bundenc Wild cats Rockoans and Posson their was a great many Turkeys, At this time their was plenty of wild Beestes this being the condtion of the country and a very grait a mount of fertile lands that lay vakent; He being naturley March, 1849 James S. Brown, Page 4 inclind to a hunters life he resolved to Select him a home in this wildrenes country and a cordingly found a location in one mile and a half of the Illinois and Went to work and put up a cabing; then returnd to morgen, county, and moved the famley a crost on, the 15 day of Aprile to his log cabing their he remaind; and Opend a farm of a bout; 80 Achors, and planted out a Small Aucherd, Bult Additions to his hous and a larg Barn and Stables with other aut hauses, Suported his famly in very adverse Scircomstances; Being So Fare from wher their was any Schools he was un able to Educat; his Children as was his urnest desire he remaind in this plase in quiteness and with his famly indurd a graideel of hard Sickness fever and Auge and So faurth; And paid out a great a mount of money---for Medical Aid; Him nor; his wife Never had a tatched them Selfs to any Religious denomination untill 1840 his wife atatchd her Self to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Sants undr the hands of Jacob Fauts and in 1842 he atatched his Self to the Same church inder the hand of Eden Smith Elders of Said Church; he remaind on his farm wher he firs Setled untill May 1st, 1846 At which time the church of which they was members; was driven from Nauvoo Hancock, County, State of Illinois; in to the west part of Iowa He reolved to follow them and a cordingly Broke up his home, Sacry fised his property and on the 1st day of may 1846 Set out for to hunt a, Niew home in the willdreness leaving his famly as before Set out and maid them a home in the wilds of Iowa on the head waters of Greand R here he winterd till the 25 of April 1847 he left that plasis with the Same Obeject in view which promped him to leav his home in Illinois thus he continu his Journey to what was caled Winter quaters; onth West Side of the Masouria R, in the Indien Teritory Now called Nebrasca Teritory Where he rived on the 4 of May; her he raised a crop and Staid over the winter And in the Spring of 1848 On acount of Sickness of the famley and los of property and Many other misfortuns Rended hin unable to a complish March, 1849 James S. Brown, Page 5 the Journey that Being a very un helthy country and infested with hostile Indien Tribes he resolvd to return to the East Side of the Rand a game Set out in the Month of Febuary to Seek a home and resting place forehis famly Being all most entirely destitut of the Nesesary comfurts of life He a gain Braved the Storms of Febuary A mid the howling Wolfs and wild Best of the Foriest to—provide rest and sustainenc for his famly on the 10 of Febuary he found a location that Suited him 10 miles from any Whit inhabitanc and went to improving by Building a log cabing Then returnd to his famley moved them to the location wher he a rived on the 3 of April And After moving his famly he Started on the 6 to the State of Mosouria to precore frovisions for the famly as they had but very litle to SubeSist an he left them having 100 hundred miles to Travel; and then work by dayes works to obetain what he got whilst he was gon the Omahaw Indiens came in and Robed the Famley of all that they See fit to take which was a bout all that the famly had So when he came home he found his famley in the worst condition that they ever had bin in be fore; All though he Braut home with him a good Suply of Flower, Meal, and Bacon, Which Gladend the heart of his Sufring famly. Then with unweried patianc and perciverents he opend a farm of 100 Achors Turning over the Sod Subedud it wild Natur and By the Blesings of an All wise an mercifell creater; Caused it to bring fourth in great a bundanc to feed and purchus clothing for his famly and a comidated the, hunter the wered travler with Shelter and refreshments; And in July 6th 1853 he had 65 acors of his land laid of in to Town Lots and became the prinsable proprieter Built him a larg Tavern hous and Stabling Crrils an an Smoke hous and has a very good Stalk of horses and Cattle hogs and so fourth. At this time they hav a good School and a bout 50 or 60 houses, Built on the plot 17th. Ward. Salt, Lake. City. October, 12 1869 October, 1869 James S. Brown, Page 6 I James, S, Brown, Set my Self in my own House With My Mother, By my side and trase Back the geneology of her Father and Mother. Alexander Stephens Was Maried in Roan County State of North Carlina; North, America, To Poly or (Mary) Daly Who was Born in the a fore Said county and, State, They atatched themselves to the Baptes Church and lived and dide members of the Same They Raised a Famley of 11 childrn Named as folows, William, then, Hanner, and Marthey, then Elizabeth who was my Mother, then John the Alexander, then Mary or (Poly) then Davied, then Daniel, Ruhsimah, Susan, The Brothers of my Grand Father Alaxander Stephens was John, William; James, and Richard his Sisters was Named Mary or (Poly) Sarah then Janey;] Mary Maried Isaack, Coton, they had a Son that was Sires and a dauter that was caled Elizabeth. Sarah, Maried a man By the Name of Port Nusom, rather a hard man, We hav not any more a Bout that Branch of the P Famley; Side of the Mother is comenced William Daly was Born in Irland, came to North America when; a bout 13 years olde, and Maried Mary Palmer in North Calina His famley was Named as folows Edmon; who Maried Anna Rusel, (then Charles, who Maried for his second wife Rebecah Cank,) William, and John, and James; then Davied; and Hanah; Who maried Myre Pain rather a hard man Then Sariah Who dide when a bout 12 years old; all the Born in Bav North Carolina; The Brothers of Mary Palmer; Was James and the Siste Was Rohaamha She maried Abrahan Pipenger; then Hanah who maried James Briges) Sarah Who maried Alaxander Smith; a hard man; they had a son by the Name of Edmond and one John; and Thomas; then Hanah then Jeney who mareid a man by the name of Thomas Warner This is all that I can learn about my ancesters and theirs." Sources: PAF - Archer files = James Brown Sr. + Mary Polly Williams Emmerson > Captain James Brown Jr. + Phoebe Abigail Abbott > Orson Pratt Brown. 1. List of the men who served under Francis Marion 1732-1795. Does not include the name of James Brown. Could be explained if he was a local or an independent soldier. http://www.geocities.com/bourbonstreet/1786/swampfox.html?20078#marionsmen Erold C. Wiscombe Gaylen Brown - William Brown decorated by George Washington with Medal of Merit picture and paragraph. Dal Wiscombe, 611 North 500 West, Brigham City, Utah. Richard L. & Susan Diane Wiscombe Moroni F. Brown's History of Captain James Brown, page 88 James S. Brown Journals - His Parents’ Declarations of Their Genealogies, Calhoun Harrison County Iowa, March 8th 1849 Copyright 1999 www.orsonprattbrown.com