John Brown and Mary Ann Queen
Husband John Brown 1 2
Born: 1789 - northern Ireland 1 Christened: Died: 31 Jul 1861 - Pleasantville, Oil Creek Twp, Venango Co, PA 3 Buried:Marriage: Abt 1820 - New York state
Wife Mary Ann Queen 2 3
Born: 1795 - northern Ireland 3 Christened: Died: 16 Oct 1875 - Pleasantville, Oil Creek Twp, Venango Co, PA 3 Buried:
Children
1 M John F. Brown 4
Born: 9 Jul 1824 - New York City, NY 3 Christened: Died: 5 Dec or 11 Dec 1909 5 Buried:Spouse: Did Not Marry
2 M William B. Brown 4
Born: 14 Apr 1829 5 Christened: Died: 7 May 1896 5 Buried:Spouse: Did Not Marry
3 M Samuel Queen Brown 6
Born: 19 Sep 1835 - Pleasantville, Oil Creek Twp, Venango Co, PA 7 Christened: Died: 5 Oct 1909 - New York City, NY 8 Buried:Spouse: Nancy Elizabeth Lamb (1842-1916) 9 10 Marr: 11 Jul 1865 8
4 F Elizabeth Brown 2 11 12
Born: - New York state Christened: Died: Abt 1905 Buried:Spouse: Dr. John Wilson (1820/1828-1893) 11 13 14 Marr: 1851 2 15 16
5 M Alexander W. Brown 17
Born: 4 Sep 1837 - Pleasantville, Oil Creek Twp, Venango Co, PA 18 Christened: Died: Aft 1919 Buried:Spouse: Minerva E. Mitchell ( -Aft 1919) 19 Marr: 11 Jul 1865 18
General Notes: Husband - John Brown
Born in the North of Ireland, he was of Scotch origin, his Covenanter ancestors leaving Scotland during the persecutions under King James II. Coming to America about 1817, he lived in New York City until 1833, and in 1827 was engaged in business there. Before leaving Ireland he had anticipated the satisfaction of being a land owner, and it was this that drew him to Pennsylvania. He was one of a little colony of settlers who came to this section at the same time, he and a number of others having commissioned an agent to go out and secure locations for them in northwestern Pennsylvania. But the agent, instead of choosing sites for his clients in one neighborhood, as they desired, had procured widely separated tracts, and that selected for Mr. Brown was in the wilderness several miles north of Titusville. He had come out alone early in 1833, making the journey by way of Harrisburg, and leaving Mrs. Brown to follow with the family and household goods, as well as the stock of merchandise with which to start a store, by the more leisurely way of the Erie canal, so that he could have time to prepare a home. He was so disappointed in his land that he proceeded on to Pleasantville, an attractive small village in Venango County, and secured a location there. When the family joined him the outlook was so discouraging that they decided to return to New York as soon as possible, and part of the household goods were not unpacked. But the stock of merchandise had to be disposed of before the return journey could be undertaken, and as it had to be sold on credit owing to the conditions then prevailing a stay of some months was necessary. By the end of that period they had become so attached to the place and to their new neighbors that they had no desire to leave. Mr. Brown was thus the first merchant at Pleasantville. His first residence here was a log house on State Street, at the crossing of the run, and his store was at the same location. As a business man he was remarkably successful, applying himself closely to the maintenance of his trade, his little store and stock forming the nucleus of the large business later done by his sons under the name of Brown Brothers, carried on as such until 1872. John Brown obtained considerable new land in and around Pleasantville, and in his life-time much of it was converted into valuable farming tracts. Meanwhile he enlarged his store as the increasing needs of his patronage demanded, and added to his stock, which became quite comprehensive, including dry goods, groceries, drugs, farm implements, and other goods carried by country merchants. He erected the first brick store in the village, and it was the only business house left standing after the great fire of 1871. Mr. Brown was a leading spirit in local affairs, and served as burgess of Pleasantville in 1857, though he did as much for the town in his capacity as a private citizen.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Brown were Covenanters, and she always retained a loyal affection for the church of her youth, although she united with the Presbyterian denomination when it absorbed the Covenanter Church at Pleasantville. Mr. Brown was always one of the foremost workers in that church, which he virtually founded and in whose interest he always labored zealously. There were kindred spirits of the same origin and faith among those who accompanied him to this region, James Geary, Andrew McCandless and Daniel Wilson securing homes near Pleasantville at and near Neilltown, at about the same time, and all became important citizens and members of the Covenanter Church. Mr. Brown secured contributions for the construction of a house of worship, which these early members sustained during their lives. As already indicated, it has since become the Presbyterian Church at Pleasantville. Mr. Brown was a practical Christian, not only generous to his church but also in helping those in need, though he was very modest regarding his charities, considering such opportunities more of a privilege than an obligation. He had strong family ties, took great interest in the education and progress of his children, and was much gratified at being able to leave a good property to them. [CAB, 477]
General Notes: Wife - Mary Ann Queen
She came to America in infancy, was a model wife and mother, truly noble and good, and lived to the ripe old age of eighty years. Her mother, who passed her last days with Mr. and Mrs. Brown, died at the age of ninety-one years.
1 Charles A. Babcock, Venango County, Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1919), Pg 477, 688.
2 George P. Donehoo, Pennsylvania - A History (NW) (New York, NY; Chicago, IL: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, Inc., 1926), Pg 124.
3 Charles A. Babcock, Venango County, Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1919), Pg 478, 689.
4 Charles A. Babcock, Venango County, Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1919), Pg 477, 689.
5 Charles A. Babcock, Venango County, Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1919), Pg 478, 690.
6 Charles A. Babcock, Venango County, Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1919), Pg 477, 545, 688.
7 Charles A. Babcock, Venango County, Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1919), Pg 690.
8 Charles A. Babcock, Venango County, Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1919), Pg 691.
9 —, History of Venango County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: Brown, Runk, & Co., Publishers, 1890), Pg 1078.
10 Charles A. Babcock, Venango County, Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1919), Pg 545, 691.
11 —, History of Venango County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: Brown, Runk, & Co., Publishers, 1890), Pg 1106.
12 Charles A. Babcock, Venango County, Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1919), Pg 478, 574.
13 Charles A. Babcock, Venango County, Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1919), Pg 478, 573, 689.
14 George P. Donehoo, Pennsylvania - A History (NW) (New York, NY; Chicago, IL: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, Inc., 1926), Pg 123.
15 —, History of Venango County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: Brown, Runk, & Co., Publishers, 1890), Pg 1107.
16 Charles A. Babcock, Venango County, Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1919), Pg 574.
17 Charles A. Babcock, Venango County, Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1919), Pg 440, 473, 477, 689.
18 Charles A. Babcock, Venango County, Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1919), Pg 479.
19
Charles A. Babcock, Venango County, Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1919), Pg 473.
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