Jesse Anderson BROWN

     Jesse Anderson BROWN, son of Edmund BROWN and Nancy ANDERSON, was born on 8 August 1769 in Bladen County, North Carolina.¹ He was a farmer.

Jesse Anderson BROWN and Edmund BROWN signed a 1787-88 petition to the South Carolina House of Representatives from the "Inhabitants of the Little Pee Dee" River claiming that the river navigation was obstructed between the mouth of Drowning Creek and the State Line. They requested that the legislature appropriate the money to have it cleared. Also among the 200 signers were Moses Parker, Orson [Austin?] Morris, Luke Robertson, Benjamin Morris, William Morris, Thomas Harllee, Thomas Ammons, William Ammons, Jonathon Cottingham, Jr., William Leggett, Sr. and William Leggett, Jr.²

Jesse Anderson BROWN bought land from Austin Morris on 3 June 1789 in Marlboro County, South Carolina. The sale involved 160 acres of land for five pounds sterling. The tract of land on Panther Creek was bounded by that of Edmund Brown, Sr. The transaction was witnessed by John Kelly, Edmond Brown, and Leonard Driver.³

Jesse married Obedience LEGGETT, daughter of William LEGGETT and Patience Sherrod, in 1790 in Marlboro District, South Carolina.

Jesse was appointed constable in the courtroom of Jesse Bethea, Jr. in June 1790 in Marlboro County, South Carolina.

Jesse Anderson BROWN and Obedience LEGGETT appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1790 in St. Thomas, Cheraw District, South Carolina. The household was listed as one male 16 years or older [Jesse], one male under age 16 [?? Asa was born 1791], and one female [Obedience]. This household was only four houses away from that of his father, Edmund Brown, and her father, William Leggett.⁴

Jesse Anderson BROWN witnessed the deed of land between Edmund BROWN and Thomas Crantor on 25 November 1795 in Marlboro County, South Carolina.⁵

Jesse Anderson BROWN sold a tract of land to Isaac Linazer on 13 June 1798 in Marlboro County, South Carolina, for $200. The 130 acres was located on northeast side of great Pee Dee River on Panther Creek. It was part of 200 acres granted to Austin Morris 27 October 1788.The land was bounded by the province line and by the land of Edmond Brown, Sr. and Luke Robertson. Witnesses were John Mindinghalf and Simon Bethea.⁶

Jesse Anderson BROWN appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1800 in Marlboro County, South Carolina. The household was listed as one male age 26-45 [Jesse, age 31], one male age 10-15 [Asa], two females age 16-25 [Obedience & unknown], three females under age 10 [Lucy, Charlotte, & Obedience]. They owned no slaves.⁷

Jesse Anderson BROWN moved from Marlboro County to Wells Creek, Stewart (now Houston) County, Tennessee, by 1806 when he appeared on a tax list in Capt. Graham's Company. Other names with possible connections were Fred Barfield, James Barfield, William Cottingham, John Cottingham, John Graham, Enoch and Benjamin James.⁸

Jesse Anderson BROWN was a witness to sale of 133 1/3 acres of land from Benjamin James of Stewart County to William Bethea for $400 dated 22 September 1807. This was part of a tract of 1000 acres granted to Duncan Stewart by the State of North Carolina and situated on the head waters of Wells Creek. The land was bordered by that of John Seal and Enoch James. Part of the boundary was a path leading from Benjamin James to Enoch James. Witnesses: Jesse Brown, James Greer. It was recorded May 1812 term of Stewart County Court and registered 28 July 1812 on 22 September 1807 in Wells Creek, Stewart (now Houston) County, Tennessee.⁹

Jesse appeared on a tax list in Stewart County in 1808. He was taxed for 200 acres on Wells Creek and for one white person. Again in 1809 he appeared on a tax list in Capt. Warden's Company and taxed for 200 acres on Wells Creek and one white person. Malachi Lewis was taxed for 50 acres on Wells Creek. Another tax list in 1811 taxed Jesse for 76 acres.

Jesse was a witness to a deed in Dickson County in which Nathaniel Johnson conveyed to Peter Renfro, both of Dickson County, land on Barton's Creek. The deed was created 26 Nov 1808 and recorded 22 Jan 1809. Witnesses were Jesse Brown and James Sims.¹⁰

Jesse saw military service in 1812 in Stewart County, Tennessee, he appeared on tax list of Captain John Darden's Stewart County Militia Company along with Mordecai Lewis, Malachi Lewis, John Graham, William James, William Cottingham, William Cottingham, Sr. and William Bethea. The company totaled 75 men. The history of Stewart County indicates that early county courts were governed by local Justice of Peace. The 1796 constitution of Tennessee provided for a Justice of Peace and militia captain to be appointed for each district. A militia was formed by these individuals to protect the people from Indian uprisings. The constitution stated that "All free men and indented servants from age of 18 to 45 shall compose the militia."¹¹

Jesse Anderson BROWN and James C. BROWN were among those summoned as circuit court jurors on 2 November 1813 in Stewart County, Tennessee.

Road construction was begun in November 1814 from the Humphreys County line at James Neill's to the east fork of Wells Creek with Andrew Hendrix as overseer. The road hands were John Cottingham, Jesse Brown, Gladdon Goren, Mordecai Lewis, Allen Williams, James Neill, John McGill, Wm. McClure, James Green, Geo. Green, John Bone, John Lewis and Wm. Pearce.¹²

On 7 Feb 1815 Jesse Brown was reported "not to be found" on a delinquent tax list for Stewart County. At that time the Stewart County sheriff was exonerated by the court from paying the state and county taxes on lands of those who have "removed." Jesse's tax was recorded as one white poll and two black polls.¹³

Jesse Anderson BROWN witnessed the land patent of James C. BROWN on 21 July 1815 in Stewart County, Tennessee. A land survey was made for James C. Brown, assignee of Edward Johnson, containing 28 acres on Wells Creek including improvements by Jesse Brown. Witnesses were Jesse Brown and Morgan Brown.¹⁴

Jesse Anderson BROWN among those summoned as jurors on 9 August 1815 in Stewart County, Tennessee.¹⁵

Jesse Anderson BROWN bought land from Edward Johnson on 20 November 1815 in Wells Creek, Stewart (now Houston) County, Tennessee. The deed, State of Tennessee No. 8217, from Edward Johnson to Jesse Brown, involves the sale of 55 acres of land lying in Stewart County on the middle fork of Wells Creek. The land was surveyed 24 September 1814 and contained a part of a land patent granted by the Commissioner of West Tennessee to Edward Johnson 15 August 1809. The deed is signed by Governor Joseph McMinn.^16,17

Jesse Anderson BROWN witnessed the sale of land from Wyatt H. ARNOLD to Aaron ARNOLD on 2 February 1818 in Humphreys County, Tennessee. The deed abstract was Wyatt Arnold of Humphreys County to his brother, Aaron Arnold, of Dickson County, 45 acres lying on the head of Deer Creek, the waters of Richland Creek, for $300. Witnesses were Jesse A. Brown and William Patton.¹⁸

Jesse won a lawsuit against Younger Herndon. The details of the suit are not known, but the jury found in his favor for the sum of $14.00 and court costs. The jury included Nathaniel Abney.¹⁹

Jesse Anderson BROWN was named an heir in the will of Edmund BROWN dated 13 February 1821 in Marlboro County, South Carolina.²⁰

Jesse Anderson BROWN was listed as one of the heirs to the estate of Nancy ANDERSON 7 April 1826 in Marlboro County, South Carolina. Final Settlement of Estate by John Graham, administrator: Paid Elias Pate towards his share of the clear estate $2.00. Balance due him now $4.46. Paid Edmund Brown his share of $6.46. In my hands for Jesse Brown his share of $6.46. Ditto for John Parker and wife. Ditto for the heirs of Celia James. Paid William Easterling ordinary fees of $6.00. My account for nursing and funeral charges in my hands $40.00. My share of the clear estate $6.44. Received of John Hynes on note $9.15. Received of Thomas Usher on note $4.00. Received of George Usher on note $1.17. A note I hold on John Graham, Sen. $4.62. Ditto note on Edmund Brown, $13.57.²¹

Jesse Anderson BROWN received a land grant 1827 in Humphreys County, Tennessee. Tennessee land grant #341 for 640 acres.²²

Jesse Anderson BROWN sold a tract of land to Horatio Humphreys before 20 May 1828 in Wells Creek, Stewart (now Houston) County, Tennessee, On that date Horatio Humphreys of Humphreys County sold a tract of land to John Howard Humphreys of same county. This tract of land contained 55 acres on the middle fork of Wells Creek in Stewart County. It was said to have been Jesse A. Brown's occupant claim, which was deeded from him to Horatio Humphreys.²³

Jesse Anderson BROWN moved from Humphreys County, Tennessee to Bibb County, Alabama, before 1830 He settled in the community of Six Mile, where he and his family attended the Enon Baptist Church. A mineral springs known as Brown Springs (later Gary Springs) was discovered on his land in 1844. The waters of the spring were thought to be healthful. Dr. Thomas Gary of Selma later developed the springs as a resort with the only swimming pool in Bibb county. The Brown family homestead and family cemetery are located across from Enon Baptist Church on Hwy. 25, just above the banks of Brown Creek.²⁴

Jesse Anderson BROWN appeared on the 1830 Federal Census of Bibb County, Alabama, one male age 60-69 [Jesse]; one male age 15-19 [Jesse, Jr.]; one female age 60-69 [Obedience]; and one female age 10-14 [Martha]. They owned no slaves.²⁵

On 3 May 1833 Jesse Anderson BROWN died in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama, at age 63 leaving Obedience a widow. He was buried in Brown Family Cemetery, Bibb County, Alabama.

His estate was probated in April 1834 in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama. David L. Brown, the administrator of the estate presented his account of the proceeds of the estate sale totaling $112.87. The money was divided as follows: To Charles Elliot for medical services $4.75, to David R. Boyd for medical services $11.62, to Elisha Wilson for medical services $28.25, to the officers of the county for their services $15.56, to Lewis Kennedy as counsel for administrator $10 and said administrator be allowed to retain for his services $16, leaving in the hands of said administrator $26.69 to be distributed among sundry creditors in proportion of their claims. The administrator was ordered to pay the following claims: to Jesse Brown, Jr. $15.04, to David L. Brown .80 cents, to David Ward .83 cents, to George Leith .32 cents, to B. Griffin $1.33, to C. C. Bailey $6.78, to Mathis C. White .28 cents, to Absolum Pratt $1.18, and to Evan Foshee .30 cents.²⁶