:
Benjamin "Franklin" Brown was born in Greene
County, NC. He married Emily C. Ray in 1846 (born in NC also)
in Madison County, TN and their first child Elizabeth H. was
born 1847 in Madison County, TN. Benjamin and Emily moved to
Shelby County, TX by 1850 and are shown on the 1850 census for
that county. The rest of their children were born in Shelby
County, Texas. About 1860, Benjamin and his family moved to
Ellis County, Texas. After Ben's death, Emily moved to
Callahan County, TX (Admiral).
This information was compiled by Josephine Ross, 905 E.
38th, Austin, TX 78705
This is information received from Dorothy Morris.
It was during a trip to Tennessee in September of 1990 that
I learned the name of my Great, Great, Great Grandfather,
William Browne. The information was obtained from Mrs. Dorothy
MOrris and Dr. Jack E. Forrest, who are both distant cousins.
The information had been copied from the Brown Bible. After I
returned home I learned that Mrs. Frances Forrest, Route 3,
Box 546, 3191 Rice Road, Barownsville, TN 38012 has the bible
in her possession. (Note: Frances dies 5 or 6 years ago).
Although I did not see the Bible, I was told that it was
printed in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1752 and it is tattered and
torn. Dr. Forrest said that you can tell that some of it was
written with soot from lamp chimneys. I look forward to seeing
this Bible. (This information was verified by Dorothy Morris
and I have a copy of of a page of the bible.)
The following information was copied from this Bible:
"William Browne departed this life the 30th day of
July, 1776, at the age of 71 years. He was born in the year
1705." ( Wiliam was my great, great, great, great
grandfather).
The names of his thirteen children are listed in the Bible:
Henry Browne, born 31 January, 1732
William Browne, born 21 October, 1734
Benjamin Browne, born 26 February, 1737
Lucy Browne, born 22 February, 1741
Mary Browne, boarn 18 November, 1742
John Browne, born 1 March, 1744
Rebeckah Browne, born 25 February, 1746
Sarah Browne, born 1 October, 1748
Samuel Browne I, born 31 March, 1749 ( Samuel is my great,
great, great grandfather)
(Note: Dorothy Morrison's GGG Grandfather)
Elizabeth Browne, born 16 April, 1752
Selah Browne, born 25 December, 1753
Ann Browne, born 28 March, 1755
Silviah Browne, born 12 December, 1758
Page 2
Samuel Brown I will)
William Browne's ninth child, Samuel I, was my GGG
Grandfather. It is interesting to note that this generation
dropped the "e" from Browne. Most of the information
that we have about him comes from his will. It was almost by
accident that his will was preserved. The will was found among
some old papers in the County Court Clerk's office in
Brownsville, Haywood County, TN in 1937 by Annie Sue Holland
who was working on the copying of historical records project.
The original longhand copy is filed in the Haywood County
Office, Will Book E, Pages 9, 10, 11.
At the time the will was written on 6 November, 1817, he
was living in Greene County, North Carolina. They lived on a
plantation on Nantrenta and Appletree Swamp. He also owned 140
acres on the South side of Nantrenta Swamp and 370 acres in
PItt County, which he had purchased on 4 February, 1817 for
$1200.00. In addition, he owned one tract of land on "the
long branch" and fourteen slaves. The three sons named in
his will were Abel (Benjamin F. Brown's father), Samuel and
John H. (Note: Abel is Benjamin's line according to Dorothy
Morrison). The three daughters were Peggy, Clary, and a
married daughter, Charlotte Forrest. His wife's name was
Elizabeth. I have not yet learned her maiden name. It is from
the Brown Bible that we learn the birth dates of the children:
Abel Brown, born 29 May, 1787
Peggy Brown, born 2 January 1788
John H. Brown, born 6 November, 1790
Charlotte Brown, born 13 July, 1793
Samuel Brown II, born 21 August, 1797 (Note: Dorothy
Morrison's GG Grandfather)
Clary (Clara Brown, born 19 November, 1803
It appears from a statement made in the will that John, who
would have been twenty-seven years of age at that time, was
living on the land in Pitt County.
Page 3
Samuel I, died in 1817 and his will was proven on 12 May,
1818 in Greene County, North Carolina. Abel Brown was made
executor.
The Brown Bible provides the information that the Brown
family, including the mother, Elizabeth, left North Carolina
on Thursday March 16, 1826. Their journey ended "in the
Forkodeer Hinterland the 11 May which was 8 weeks on the
road." The family traveled with a number of families in
covered wagons to their new home in the adjourning Tennessee
counties of Madison and Haywood. Included in the group were
the Dickinsons, Forrests, and Musgraves.
Charlotte Brown had married Thomas Joiner Forrest while
they still lived in North Carolina, He had remained in North
Carolina when his father had moved to Tennessee in 1812. Their
first four children were born in North Carolina.
Samuel Brown II married Nancy Musgrave on 17 October, 1821
and they brought their first two children as they traveled to
Tennessee.
Abel Brown purchased 292 acres of land in Madison County,
Tennessee on June 29, 1826. The 1830 census showed Abel's
family to consist of the following:
1 mail under 5
2 males between 5-10
1 male 10-15
1 male 20-30
1 male 40-50 (Note: Abel, 43)
2 females under 5
1 female 30-40 (Note: Abel's wife?)
I have located the names of six of his children:
John G. Brown
William T. Brown born March 2, 1827
Jessee A. Brown
Helena Brown (married Thom)
Benj. F. Brown
Samuel B. Brown
Page 4
I do not have the date of Abel's death. He was still living
when the 1840 census was taken but he died prior to his
mother's death. I did not find a will on file in Madison
County for Abel. Elizabeth, who was later blind, lived with
her daughter, Charlotte, and died in 1852.
Samuel and his wife settled in the eastern part of Haywood
County along a creek which still bears his name. We had the
opportunity to see the site where his home had stood and to
see the two acres next to his home that he set aside for a
church and a cemetery. His tombstone still stands in this
cemetery. (Note: Dorothy Morrison and sister still own this
land.)
Samuel II and Nancy had six children:
Carline Jane Brown Born 2 November 1822, married to Albert
Emerson
Elizabeth Ann Mehaley Brown, born 24 September 1824
married 1) James H. Musgrave
2) James Anderson Hudson
died 22 January 1908
Anna Arabella Brown born 8 february 1827, married J.J.
Dickinson,
Died 29, April 1859
(Note: Dorothy Morrison's great grandmother. Martha Jane
Dickinson is Dorothy's grandmother and she married Isaac
Washington Curlin, my grandfather. Anna Arabella Brown and
Benjamin F were 1st cousins.)
Polly Catherine Cannon Brown
Born 24 May 1829
Percy Margaret Clopatry Brown
John Thomas Brown
Charlotte and Thomas Forrest lived in eastern Haywood
County near the Woodland Community. They had eight children:
Page 5
Elizabeth Forrest
RUFUS WILEY DICKINSON married CHARLOTTE EDMUNDSON 20 Jan.
1845 in Haywood
Co., TN. His first wife was the daughter of JONATHAN
HOLLOWELL and CLARA
BROWN.
W. R. HAYNE S & wife SARAH R. HAYNES & others vs
FRANKLIN BROWN & others.
Petition to divide slaves. Be it remembered that on this
the 4th day of
December 1854 came on this cause to be heard and was heard
by the worshipful
County Court of Haywood County upon the bill and petition
of petitioners and
now _ as to defendants and it appearing to the satisfaction
of the court
that the notice required by the court that the notice
required by the court
had been duly made in the Brownsville Journal for four
successive weeks
directing and ordering the appearance of defendants under
the order
foresaid. And it appearing to the satisfaction of the court
that the
application of of petitioners is reasonable and ought to be
granted. it is
therefore ordered adjudged and bound by the court that _
CURRY , HUGH M.
CLARK , ALEXANDER GRAY , ANTHONY and JOHN B. CAMPBELL or
any three of them
be appointed commissioners who shall divide and set apart
to each of the
towit: W. R. HAYNES & wife who represent PEGGY TYSON
who was PEGGY BROWN ,
ABEL BROWN representatives, CHARLOTTE FORREST , SAMUEL
BROWN
representatives, J. HOLLOWAY (HOLLOWELL ) & CLARA &
representatives, JOHN
BROWN represented by F. W. TYUS and others, the slaves to
divide into six
parts as follows: Nann, Cinthia, Jonas, Bettus, Carry,
Jack, Elly, Malinda,
Rosel, Caroline, Willis, Bettus, John Jun, Louisa,
Margaret, Harriet and the
_ for the last eighteen months be by said commissioners
also taken under
their notice and divide into six equal parts with said
slaves so as to make
share and share alike and report to the next term of this
court all other
matters and things being secured until the coming in of
said report.
(Haywood Co., TN, Minute Book F, p. 107).
1854 State of Arkansas } In Dallas Probate Court
County of Dallas } In Vacation December 23rd 1854
WILLIAM H. DICKINSON , Minor. Application for Guardian. Be
it Remembered
that on this the 23rd day of December A.D. 1854 came
WILLIAM H. DICKINSON a
minor under the age of twenty one years and over the age of
fourteen years
and filed herein his petition for a Guardian and it
appearing from said
petition that said WILLIAM H. DICKINSON has an Estate in
the State of
Tennessee valued at about five hundred dollars and it also
appearing from
said petition that he has chosen his father RUFUS W.
DICKINSON his Guardian
and the said RUFUS W. DICKINSON tendered his bond as such
Guardian in the
sum of one thousand dollars conditioned according to law
with EDWARD M.
HARRIS and WILLIAM DANIEL as his securities which ___ is
received and
approved and RUFUS W. DICKINSON is hereby appointed
Guardian of WILLIAM H.
DICKINSON Minor as aforesaid and letter of Guardianship
Granted him. Subject
to the approval or rejection of said Court of Probate at
its January term
A.D. 1855. JO. GRAY , Clerk. Dallas Probate Court. (Probate
Court Record
Book A, p. 157, Dallas Co., AR).
Know all men by these presents that we RUFUS W. DICKINSON
as principal and
WILLIAM DANIEL & EDWARD M. HARRIS as securitys are held
and firmly bound
unto WILLIAM HENRY DICKINSON in the first and full sum of
one thousand
dollars for the payment whereof well and truly to be made,
we bind
ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators firmly
by these presents.
Signed with our hands and sealed with our seals and dated
at Dallas County
this 23rd December A.D. 1854. The condition of this
obligation is such, that
Whereas the said RUFUS W. DICKINSON was on the 23rd day of
December A.D.
1854 appointed by the Clerk of Probate of the County of
Dallas Guardian of
WILLIAM HENRY DICKINSON a minor under the age of twenty one
years. Now if
the said RUFUS W. DICKINSON shall duly return according to
law just and true
accounts of his Guardianship and if the said RUFUS W.
DICKINSON his heirs
executors and administrators upon the determination or
ceasing of such
Guardianship, Shall deliver and pay to the said WILLIAM
HENRY DICKINSON his
executors or administrators, or any Guardian that may be
appointed to the
said WILLIAM HENRY DICKINSON after the determination or
ceasing of the
Guardianship of said RUFUS W. DICKINSON all the Money,
property, and effects
belonging to him in the possession or under the control of
the said RUFUS W.
DICKINSON and if the said RUFUS W. DICKINSON shall in all
things faithfully
perform and fulfill his duty as Guardian as aforesaid then
this obligation
shall be void and of none effect, otherwise to be and
remain in full force
and ___. R. W. DICKINSON , E. M. HARRIS , WILLIAM DANIEL .
Witness: JO. GRAY
, Clerk. Dallas Set. The above and foregoing bond was filed
and approved in
Vacation December 23rd 1854, and approved in open Court
January 2nd 1855,
and is now duly Recorded this 11th day of January 1855.
(Dallas Co., AR,
Will Book B, p. 490).
1855 W. R. HAYNES & wife SARAH vs. FRANKLIN BROWN &
others. January Term
1855. Be it remembered that on this 2 day of January 1855
came on this cause
to be finally heard before the worshipful County Court of
Haywood County
upon the report of commissioners appointed at the December
term last past in
the estate of SAMUEL BROW N SEN. deceased which said report
is in the
following words and figures towit: By virtue of the annexed
court of the
worshipful county court of Haywood County December term
1854 the undersigned
partitioned the Negroes and heirs of said Negroes as
required by said decree
and present the following as the result of our labors. The
aggregate
valuation of the Negroes we make ten thousand nine hundred
and fifty dollars
one sixth of which is eighteen hundred and twenty five
dollars. The
aggregate of funds as furnished by the County Court of
Haywood County is
seventeen hundred and thirty seven dollars and 76 cents,
one sixth of which
is two hundred and eighty nine dollars and sixty two cents.
And the
aggregate of Negroes and funds in twelve thousand six
hundred and eighty
seven dollars and 72 cents, one sixth of which is twenty
one hundred and
fourteen dollars and 62 cents, the amount coming to each
legatee or
representative. The following is the allotment made to W.
R. HAYNES and wife
who represent PEGGY TYSON . No. 6, Carry & Harriet
$1825 of the valuation of
Negroes and $289.62 of the other property or funds on hand
$1825, 289.62 -
$2,114.62. To ABEL BROWN s representatives. No. 5, Jack and
Margaret $1750
of Negroes and $304.62 of the other property. $2,114.62. To
CHARLOTTE
FORREST . No. 1, Melinda, Harriet Jun., John & Bettus
Jun. $1825 of the
Negroes and $289.62 of the funds or property - $2114.62. To
SAMUEL BROWN s
representatives No. 3, Jim Sen., Louisa, and Cintha, $1875
of Negroes and
$239.62 of the funds - $2114.62. To J. HOLLOWAY (H OLLOWELL)
CLARA H.
(HOLLOWELL) representatives No. 2, Ella, Willis & Jim
Jun., $1900 of Negroes
and $213.62 of the funds - $2114.62. To J. BROWN
represented by F. W. TYUS &
others No. 4, Bettus Sen., and Caroline, $1775 of the
Negroes and $339.62 of
the other property - $2114.62. We now duly sworn before
acting in this case.
HUGH M. CLARK , J. B. CAMPBELL , A. GRAY , and to which
there is no
exception whereupon the same is in all things confirmed. It
is therefore
bound adjudged and ordered that ABEL BROWN , CHARLOTTE
FORREST , SAMUEL
BROWN s representatives, J. HOLLOWAY (HOLLOWELL) and CLARA
his wife
representative and JOHN BROWN who is represented by F. W.
TYUS have in and
to Negro slave Lot No. 6, Cary and Harriet valued $1825 and
of funds
$289.62 - $2114.62, be divested out of them and vested in
the said WILLIAM
R. HAYNES and wife PEGGY their heirs and assigns forever.
That all the right
title claim and interest that W. R. HAYNES and PEGGY his
wife, CHARLOTTE
FORREST , SAMUEL BROWN s representative, J. HOLLOWELL and
CLARA his wife
representatives, J. BROWN who is represented by F. W. TYUS
have in and to
Negroe slaves Jack & Margaret valued at $1750 and other
property $364.62 be
divested out of them and their heirs and vested in said
ABEL BROWN s
representative their heirs and assigns forever. - $2114.62.
That all the
right title claim and interest that W. R. HAYNES and PEGGY
his wife, ABEL
BROWN s representatives, SAMUEL BROWN s representatives, J.
HOLLOWELL and
CLARA his wife representatives, J. BROWN who is represented
by F. W. TYUS
have in and to Negro slaves Malinda, Harriet, & Batus
Jun., $1825 and other
property of $289.62 be divested out of them and their heirs
and vested in
said CHARLOTTE FORREST her heirs and assigns forever. That
all the right
title claim and interest that W. R. HAYNES and wife PEGGY ,
CHARLOTTE
FORREST , J. HOLLOWELL CLARA his wife representatives, ABEL
BROWN , J. BROWN
who is represented by F. W. TYUS have in and to Negroe
slaves Jim Sen,
Louisa and Centhia valued at $1875 and other property
valued at $239.62. -
$2114.62, be divested out of them and their heirs and
vested in said SAMUEL
BROWN representative their heirs and assigns forever. That
all the rights title claim and interest that W. R. HAYNES and
PEGGY his wife, CHARLOTTE FORREST , SAMUEL BROWN's
representatives ABEL BROWN, J.BROWN who is represented by F.
W. TYUS have in and to Negroe slaves Ella, Willis and Jim Jun
valued at $1900 and other funds amounting to $214.62 be
divested out of them and their heirs and vested in J.
HOLLOWELL and CLARA his wife representatives their heirs and
assigns forever. That all the right title claim and interest
that W. R. HAYNES and PEGGY his wife, CHARLOTTE FORREST, ABEL
BROWN , SAMUEL BROWN JUN. representatives, J. HOLLOWELL and
wife CLARA, representatives have in and to Negroe slaves
Bettus Sen, Caroline to the amount of $1775 and other funds to
amount of $339.62 to be divested out of them and vested in
said JOHN BROWN who is represented by F. W. TYUS his heirs and
assigns forever and that the administration pay the costs of
this suit for which let execution issue and that said
administration charge the same to the various representatives.
(Haywood Co., TN, Minute Book F, pp.123-125)R. W. DICKINSON
Guardian - In account. 1856, Feb. 12. To Cash Recd. of Estate
of SAML. BROWN , decd. his Grand father in Haywood County
Tennessee being a legacy to said ward - $404.28. Interest on
same at 6 prct. from Feb. 12/56 - 10.72. Whole amt. of
Debits - $415.00. 1856 Feby. 12th. By Necessary Expenses in
traveling from Dallas County, Ark, to Haywood Co. Tenn. to
collect said Legacy and Returning the trip being made on his
account - 42.00. July 21/56. To Balance of Wards Estate in
Guardians hands - $373.00. State of Arkansas, County of
Dallas. I JOSEPH GRAY Clerk of the Circuit Court &
Exofficio Clerk of the Court of Probate in and for the County
of Dallas aforesaid do hereby certify that the above and
foregoing account current &c Recorded on this page is duly
Recorded & truly copied from the original now on file in
my office. I also certify that said account &c was
examined audited and confirmed by our said Court of Probate at
October Term 1856 as now fully appears by the decree in that
Behalf Book B page 65. Given under my hand as clerk &c at
office. December 19th 1856.
(Dallas Co., AR, Will Book C, p. 396).
More About B