His Recollections of Family History
"My knowledge and recollection of the history of the Brown family as far back as I have any information:
The Reverend Z Brown was a chaplain in General Wolfe's army (war of 1776) and was at the taking of Quebec. He was a minister of the Church of England. He served in the Army 7 years 6 months and 9 days.
After the war he left the army and settled in Massachusetts, where he died shortly after sending to England for his family. Said family consisted of a wife and four sons: Jude, Zach, Josiah and William. During he American Revolution the two oldest boys-Jude and Zack, who were educated for the army in England, held command in the British army and fought on that side. The two younger boys, Josiah and William, espoused the cause of the Colony and held command in the colonial army. After the end of the war the two oldest sons resigned from the British army and settled in Canada (Nova Scotia) where they held grants of land.
Josiah (my grandfather) married and settled in Madison Co. N .Y. The issue of his first marriage was eight children, four sons and four daughters as follows: Josiah, Charles, Meigs. George, Oliver, Catherine, Clarrissa, and Marinda.
Shortly after the death of his first wife, he married a school girl who had lately come to America by the name of Mary J. Hazelton. By this marriage were three sons and one daughter: Jesse Converse, Marshall Wate, Lusetta H. and John L. This wife Mary J. became demented and after a time was missing, supposed to have been drowned or to have returned to Scotland. They searched the woods and dragged the river and lake, but never found her body, or in any way heard from her.
Of the last four children Marshall Wate Brown married Minerva Dudley. Their issue was five children: Nathaniel J, Jesse Lester, Mary N. Matilda and Millard. Minerva Dudly Brown died in Jefferson OH about 1869. Marshall Wate was killed by a bull Aug. 3, 1873, aged 67 years.
Nathaniel J. Brown married Martha Tyler. Their issue was five children: Emma, Charlie, Leon, Carrie and Ira.
Emma Brown married James Wickham. Their issue was two daughters. One [unnamed] daughter is married at this date.
Charlie Brown married Fanny Lobes . Their issue was two sons and one daughter. Fanny died April 1901. Charlie again married in June 1903.
Leon married Emma _____ in Jun. 1888. No children at this date (1903).
Carrie married in Sept. 1893 to Lee Rhodes. Their issue two sons, and one daughter. Second son now dead.
Ira Brown at this date unmarried .
Matilda J. died Sept. 1896.
Jesse Lester Brown married Mary Smith on July 13, 1861. Their issue was one daughter, Altha Louisa (b.Jun.3,1864), who married Robert Morton Thomas Apr. 25 1888. Mary Smith Brown died in Jefferson Ohio March 3, 1899.
Mary N. Brown married Addison Strong. Their issue was two children: Charlie M. Strong and Minnie P. Strong. Charlie died in childhood and Minnie married married Walter Record. Mary N. died in 1890.
Matilda Brown married Frank Hunt. Their issue was two daughters and one son: Eda, Mary and Wilber. Frank Hunt died 1873. Matilda Brown Hunt died 1874. Eda Hunt died 1874.
Mary Hunt married Harry L. McKay. Their issue was two daughters Ada M. McKay and Minerva McKay.
Wilber H. Hunt married Alena C Haskill Nov. 1899. There issue on daughter born June. 5. 1901 named Josephine Hunt.
Millard F. Brown married Emma Reed. Millard F. Brown died Sept. 1895. Their children were two daughters: Jennie and Lois.
Jennie Brown died May 1888.
Lois Brown married ___Starkey 1899. .
John L. Brown died Uttica NY aged about 20 years and single.
Lucetta H. Brown married William Everson. Their children three sons and one daughter: Charles, William Palmer, Henry and Julia. Lucetta H. Everson wandered away and died and was not found for some months after at Marquett, Michigan. Of her four children I only remember that William Palmer married Mary N. d____Their children were William and Libbie. Have lost all trace of the other children of William and Lucetta Everson. Last heard of them near Marquett, Michigan.
This is as much as I can remember of the last four
children and their issue of Josiah and of the Rev. Z. Brown."
The above was dictated of Lester Brown to his daughter
Altha Thomas, Jannuary 1893-1903 and later transcribed by his cousin, Edwin
T. Brown. None of it has been verified.
Obituary
On Monday at 10 AM, J.L. Brown of Jefferson, passed away peacefully from heart trouble and paralysis. He had been in ill health for several months, but until the last few weeks has not been confined to his bed, and then but part of the time. His last visit to the business portion of town was two weeks ago Saturday.
Mr. Brown was born at Fabius, N.Y. July 1, 1834. He came to Jefferson with his parents 63 years ago and has since been a resident of this village. On July 13, 1861, he married Miss Mary Smith. The ceremony was celebrated by the Rev. Olds at the home now occupied by Solon Williams. Mrs. Brown died in 1899. The deceased is survived by one daughter, Mrs. R.M. Thomas, who, with her husband, has given the father a good home and loving care.
The funeral will be at the late home Wednesday 10 AM, in charge of the Ensign Lodge, I.O.O.F. of which he has been a member for 35 years.
Mr. Brown was a carpenter by trade, and sustained the reputation of being a most expert workman at his trade.
Years ago when wild pigeons were plenty in the country, he trapped thousands of them, which took him into nearly every state and territory, and of late years the writer has often enjoyed hearing him tell of the flights and big catches he had seen and made.
A Carpenter Who Built His Own Coffin
There died the other day at Jeffeson, Ohio, a man who enjoyed(?) the unique distinction of having made his own coffin. The man was a carpenter and when he quit active work at his trade, he occupied himself for some months in making a coffin. When it was finished he had it taken to the local undertaking establishment to be lined, riding through town seated upon the sombre box in the back of the wagon. And now, at length, he sleeps within it, his last long sleep.
(clipping from unknown newspaper, date unknown, found in the same notebook with the obituary)
Historical Note
General Wolfe fought in the "French and Indian" or "Seven Years War" in the 1850's, not in 1776. The Battle of Quebec took place in 1859, and assured British Victory.General Wolfe died as a result of wounds received there.
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