HENRY BROWN OF VIRGINIA
Patriot Ancestor
Henry Brown was born 25 October 1759 in Prince George County, Virginia, as recorded in a family Bible inherited by his brother Edmond Brown.
From June to September 1779, he served as a draftee in the Bedford County Militia under Captain James Adams, Lieutenant McGee, and Ensign Henry Eidson. They marched from Bedford to the lead mines in Montgomery County. One of his comrades during this tour of duty was Joseph Layne.
In August 1780, Henry volunteered to serve as an orderly sergeant in a company that was formed to march to Illinois. Instead, they were called to serve under Captain Robert Adams, Lieutenant, Charles Lynch, Jr., and Ensign Matthew Archer. They joined Colonel Charles Lynch's Regiment at Molly's Creek Church in Bedford, then marched thru Charlotte, Prince Edward, Amelia, and Dinwiddie Counties to Petersburg. They remained in that city until 15 December 1780, when they were discharged by General Lawson. Two of his comrades were William Rosser and Seborn Williams.
In January 1781, Henry agreed to serve as a substitute for Lawrence McGeorge in a militia company commanded by Captain Thomas McReynolds, Lieutenant Alexander Steele, and Ensign John Clayton. They marched to Edmon's Hill near the Long Bridge in Southampton County, where they were attached to Colonel Meriwether's regiment of Colonel Parker's Continentals. From that point, Henry and his comrades drove wagon loads of ammunition into North Carolina and across the Dismal Swamp to relieve the Siege of Ninety-Six in South Carolina. They returned to Virginia at Burnt Mills near Suffolk, then proceeded to Petersburg to be discharged.
Finally, in June 1781, Henry volunteered to serve in a company organized by Captain Alexander Cummins, supplying his own horse and accoutrements. They joined Colonel Charles Lynch's Regiment in riding from Bedford to the New River in Montgomery County. Their mission was to pursue Tories as far as Holstein.
After the war, Henry remained in that portion of Bedford County that later became Campbell. He was a Methodist minister, and helped to found the village of Wesleybury. When Bishop Francis Asbury passed thru the area, he stayed at the Brown Household.
On 8 July 1833, Henry applied for and received a federal pension for his Revolutionary War service.
Henry died in Campbell County, Virginia, 26 December 1849. He was married firstly to Elizabeth Gaines, who died a fairly young woman. He married secondly 29 August 1827 to Elizabeth L. Jones of Buckingham County, Virginia. His second wife survived him to apply for a widow's pension 29 December 1855.
I descend from Henry's first marriage as follows:
Henry Brown > Richard Gaines Brown > Martha Virginia Brown > William Swinney Morgan > WSM Jr. > WSM III > WSM IV > WSM V.
References:
Elizabeth Brown, Revolutionary War widow's pension file #BLWT36610-160-55.
Henry Brown, Revolutionary War pension file #W9365.
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