James Brown | Pearce Family Connection, Confirmed

In a previous post, the potential connections between Josiah Pearce and Rachel Pearce, wife of James Brown were explored based on similar migration patterns and the presence of T. J. Brown in both households. Since the publication of that post, a deed has been located in Belmont Count Records (Book X, page 316–317) that confirmContinue reading “James Brown | Pearce Family Connection, Confirmed”

James Brown | πŸͺš Woodworking

Miller James Brown (ca. 1802-1867) is said to to have built the first saw-mill in Astoria, Fulton County, Illinois. The History of Fulton County details that β€œThe first saw and grist-mill was built by James Brown. Mr. Brown and others ran it for about twelve years, when it fell into the hands of H. L.Continue reading “James Brown | πŸͺš Woodworking”

Hamilton Brown | Murdered

Hamilton Brown was the oldest son of James Brown (ca. 1802-1867) and older brother of Elizabeth (Brown) Anderson. In the 1850 census, Hamilton is listed with his wife Rebecca Ramsey, in the household of James Brown. Hamilton and Rebecca were relative newlyweds, having married in 1849 and Hamilton and his half-brother, Thomas J, were workingContinue reading “Hamilton Brown | Murdered”

James Brown | Pearse Family Connections

Very little is known about the family of James Brown (ca. 1802-1867) outside of his children and his second wife, Rachel Pearse. (Note on spelling: earlier records typically used a Pearse/Pearce spelling; later records typically used a Pierce spelling) A rough outline of Brown’s life can be reconstructed through census records and his daughter’s obituary.Continue reading “James Brown | Pearse Family Connections”

James Brown | First Wife

Who was his wife prior to Rachel Pearse? James Brown died in 1867 while visiting his daughter, Elizabeth Anderson, in Greenwood County, KS. His probate records report that he died intestate with a widow and children living in Fulton County, Illinois. Elizabeth Anderson, his daughter, had married Devine Anderson in Fulton County in 1847 andContinue reading “James Brown | First Wife”