BROWN faces

Recently, one Brown line of ISAAC HAIRIE BROWN (1806-1892) of Warren Co., TN and Texas Co., Mo. discovered a connection to Halopgroup J-M172.  A female descendent of this same Brown line had earlier reported a halopgroup of U5a1a1.  What is needed is for more known descendents of this family to have their DNA tested in order to establish relationships and origins.  Until then, however, the family face may have to step in and provide possible visual traits and common features.

Isaac Hairie Brown (1806-1892)

His son, Ptolemy Philadelphius Brown, aka P.P. Brown

Isaac's son, Archimedes Brown, died in the Civil War

Marcellius Brown, son of Isaac

Son of Isaac, Marcus Sabines Brown

Grandson of Isaac, Samuel M. Brown

Grandson of Isaac, Burgess Franklin Brown

BURGESS FRANKLIN BROWN

"My grandfather was born in Tennessee," recalled Velma Dora Cochren Terry, "was part Cherokee Indian. When he came to Kansas, he came in a covered wagon, Indians were living all through the prairie states, buffalo roamed everywhere at this time. He settled in Sylvia, Ks and lived in or around there until he died. He was crippled since he was in his late teens, kicked by a horse, walked with a cane for years. He could drink coffee as hot as anyone could make it. He was an impatient and gruff person, all us grandchildren were a littleafaid of him. " Her sister, Elva Cochren Merry, remembered, "He loved soda crackers, he would fill a plate and have a cup of coffee or hot tea. That was a snack for him. He was pretty grumpy, maybe from pain in his leg from an early injury, but once some of the children and grandchildren were playing and running around through the house. He told them to stop their noise and foolry. They did not listen and the next circuit they made through the house and his chair, he just set his cane out and tripped the first ones. They listened after that!"

Ruhama Isadora Fenton (1858-1929)

Her granddaughter, Velma Dora Cochren Priest Terry, recalled: Ruhama Isadora Fenton Brown - "She was my grandmother, on Mother’s side. A very tiny little lady, the first real Christian I came in contact with. She belonged to the Church of Christ, was a firm believer in God and left her Christian testimony whatever she went. The first church, I ever attended was with her. We stayed with her every summer for a week. She made the best tomato soup I ever tasted (note: see recipe on this blog). I never saw her mad; the most patient of people. She died when I was 14."

Ruhama went by the diminutive, Dora and Velma was named for her. "Ruhama" is a name derived from the book of Hosea in the Bible and it means "mercy."

Hutchinson , or Sylvia, KS newspaper ca April 20, 1929 (exact date of clipping unknown):
"MRS. B. F. BROWN OBITUARY

Ruhama Issadora Fenton was born September 11, 1858, and departed this life April 20th, 1929, age 70 years, 7 months and 9 days.

She was married to B.F. Brown, Nov. 10, 1880. To this union were born six children two of whom died in infancy, and one son, Frank , departed this life December 17, 1917. Those left to mourn her loss are her husband, B.F. Brown, Sylvia, Kans; one son, J.D. Brown, Ottawa, Kans.; two daughters, Mrs. Annie Cochren of Plevna, Kans.; and Mrs. Ethel Buggeln of Sylvia, Kans; also fourteen grandchildren and six brothers and one sister. Mrs. Elsie Brown, a sister, of Mountain Home, Idaho; R.W. Fenton and P.M. Fenton of Dodge City, Kans.; F.E. Fenton of Sublette, Kans.; E.E. Fenton of Hutchinson, Kans.; W.M. Fenton of Ottawa, Kans.; and L.E. Fenton of Lebo, Kans.

Sister Brown was baptized about 1884. She has been a member of the Church of Christ of Sylvia for the past eight years. She lived a faithful, consistent Christian life. Faithful to her God and a loving wife and mother. Her influence was ever for the right.

The funeral services were held from the Church of Christ Monday afternoon and were conducted by Rev. Thornhill of Hutchinson. Interment was made in the I.O.O.F Cemetery."


Velma also recalled how the funeral brought in wooden folding chairs, distributed hand fans, and a wonderful accapella mens quartest sang. The air was filled with aroma of floral tributes.

WHO BELONGS TO WHO?

Anyone who has done family history knows how hard it can be to iron out parentage. With P.P. Brown (aka Ptolemy, Ptolema, Delphus, and P.P. Brown) had three wives and for many years it was unclear who was the parent of which children. Different lines had different theories. Once it was learned he had served in the Civil War a copy of a pension record was requested from the National Archives. A satisfyingly thick set of papers resulted. Inside was a listing of just who the mother of his children had been. There birth, death, and marriage dates. There was also a list of children's names verifying the accuracy of numerous family trees. He filed the papers in March 1898.

ANNIE B BROWN WITH BURGESS F. BROWN

Annie is shown here with her father, Burgess Franklin Brown. He was a crusty old man, so family lore tells us, who used a cane to walk and loved to snack on saltine crackers and hot tea. This was taken in Reno Co., Kansas.

One story tells how the children and cousins were all visiting - may even this event - and they were running through the house like urchins. He warned them to stop their noise and when they did not listen and were roaring through the house again, he put out his cane, tripping them, and sent them tumbling. Then, apparently, they listened and set about conducting themselves more sedately around him.