H. BEECHER BROWN

BIOGRAPHY

AS RECORDED IN:

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF TOLLAND AND WINDHAM COUNTIES CONNECTICUT.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PROMINENT AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS AND OF MANY OF THE EARLY SETTLED FAMILIES.

PUBLISHER: J.H.BEERS & CO., CHICAGO; 1903 P. 369

H. BEECHER BROWN, selectman, and successful farmer of Plainfield, Windham county, descends from Rev. Chad Brown, who was prominent in the early settlement of the Providence Plantation. He traces his line through Jeremiah, Samuel, Jephaniah, Christopher, James, and George W.

Rev. Chad Brown, with his wife, Elizabeth, and son, John, came from England on the good ship “Martin,” landing at Boston harbor, Massachusetts, in 1638. He located in Salem, but, owing to his religious and political sympathy with Roger Williams, soon afterward removed to Providence, R.I., where he became very prominent in the affairs of the town. To an unusual extent he enjoyed the confidence of the settlers, and because of his all around ability was chosen to fill many important offices of responsibility. In fact, he held about all the offices within the gift of his fellow townsmen, acquitting himself always with credit and even distinction. He was ordained in 1642, and was called to the pastorate of the First Baptist Church of Providence, of which he was the first settled pastor. To himself and wife were born the following named children: Phoebe, John, James, Jeremiah, Chad and Daniel.

Jeremiah Brown, son of Chad, died in 1690. To him and his wife Mary were born several children, among them being Daniel (of Westerly, R.I.) and Samuel.

Samuel Brown, son of Jeremiah, was born in March, 1680, married his wife Mary Oct. 23, 1702, and died in July, 1762.

Jephaniah Brown, son of Samuel, born Dec. 23, 1721, died May 4, 1805. In April, 1755, he married Alice Wilson, who was born July 10, 1733, and died Nov. 2, 1811.

Christopher Brown, son of Jephaniah, born Feb. 16, 1756, died Jan. 19, 1844. In January, 1788, he married Anna Braman, who was born March 2, 1760, and died March 12, 1861, at the age of one hundred and one years and ten days. Christopher Brown was a private in the Rhode Island militia, and served at South Ferry against the British during their attack on Newport. His sons were Christopher, John, James and Charles.

James Wilson, son of Christopher, born Jan. 7, 1789, died Nov. 1, 1871. On Sept. 12, 1819, he married Abby Ann Wilcox, born in 1797, who died April 12, 1851. Mr. Brown was a farmer and carpenter, and lived at Hopkinton, R.I. To himself and wife were born six children, viz.: Thomas, who located in Wisconsin; Mary W., who became the wife of Levi Frink, of Willimantic; George W., the father of H.Beecher; Elizabeth; John R., who lived in Hopkinton; and Phoebe, who first married a Mr. Mathewson, and afterward a Mr. Johnson. Of these children, George W., Thomas and Phoebe have children living.

George William Brown, father of H. Beecher, was born in Hopkinton, R.I., May 30, 1830, and died in Plainfield, Conn., Aug. 22, 1876. He was reared in his native town, where he learned the trade of ship carpentering, which he followed for about ten or twelve years, later plying his trade at Mystic, Conn. For ten years he was engaged in farming in Hope Valley and Hopkinton, where he owned two farms, in connection with the management of which he conducted an extensive business in ship timber. In 1873 he removed to Plainfield, Conn., and purchased a fine farm on Black Hill, at present the property of his son, and where his death occurred in 1876. He was a well informed man, with a large fund of practical common sense, and his general ability resulted in his being called upon to fill numerous trusts. He had a good knowledge of legal matters, settled many estates, and adjusted many complications. A Republican in politics, he adhered to his party only when he considered it in the right, and was never an office seeker.

On Sept. 7, 1856, he married Lucy Ann Enos, who died Dec. 26, 1858, the mother of one child, George E. E., who was born June 16, 1857, and died June 5, 1858. On Sept. 19, 1858, he married for his second wife Martha Jane Bromley, who was born Jan. 1, 1830, daughter of Theophilus Ricks and Mary (Spaulding) Bromley. She died March 16, 1898. To them came children as follows: Everett Enos, born March 10, 1861, married Nov. 24, 1887, Cornelia Smith, and lives in Pomfret, Conn. Henry Beecher is mentioned below. Lucy Jane, born June 2, 1865, died May 17, 1871. Wendell Phillips, born March 27, 1866, is a civil engineer in the employ of the King Bridge Company, of Cleveland, Ohio; he married, Nov. 14, 1893, Hattie, daughter of the late Hon. Marvin Sanger, of Canterbury, Conn., and has two children ­ Marjory Antoinette, born Nov. 22, 1894, and Marvin Sanger, born Feb. 13, 1900. Horace Greeley, born July 17, 1869, is a normal teacher at Worcester, Mass., and married, July 18, 1900, Emma Pike, of South Framingham, Mass. Mary Antoinette, born Jan. 9, 1872, died Dec. 1, 1890. Fannie Elizabeth, born Feb. 17, 1875, is a teacher in the city schools of Plainfield.

H. Beecher Brown was born in Hopkinton, R.I., Oct. 8, 1863, and at the age of ten years removed to Plainfield, which has since been his home. He received a practical education in the public schools, and in time bought out the other heirs to the homestead, now owning one of the finest farms in the town of Plainfield, or, indeed, in Windham county. This property is best known to the older generation as the Kinney place, and consists of 127 acres of finely improved land on Black Hill, on which is conducted general farming and dairying. To the latter occupation especially Mr. Brown devotes considerable time and attention, keeping from forty to forty-five head of stock the year round. His farm conveys an impression of neatness and thrift, of modern enterprise and untiring industry. Politically a Republican, Mr. Brown has served his locality in various capacities, has been a member of the board of selectmen for four years, and is also a member of the school committee. Fraternally he is a member of Moosup Lodge, NO. 113, F.&A.M., and he was a charter member of the Canterbury Grange, but has since united with the organization at Plainfield. He is popular and well known, and has many friends in the neighborhood where he has so long made his home.

In Canterbury, Conn., Jan. 1, 1895, Mr. Brown married Myrtie Agnes Button, daughter of Lyman and Susan Helen (Smith) Button, and granddaughter of Richard and Hannah (Penry) Button, of Canterbury. Lyman Button was born in Canterbury Feb. 2, 1833, and is at present successfully engaged in farming. His wife was born in Canterbury Feb. 18, 1839, daughter of Capt. Walter and Susan (Lyons) Smith, of an old family of that town. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been born two children: Ralph Weston, March 17, 1896; and Roger Chipman, Jan. 24, 1901.

Reproduced by:

Linda D. Pingel great-great granddaughter of Cyrus White of Rockville, Ct.