Asa Anderson BROWN

     Asa Anderson BROWN , son of Jesse Anderson BROWN and Obedience LEGGETT, was born on 5 October 1791 in Marlboro County, South Carolina.¹

Asa Anderson BROWN appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1800, in the household of Jesse Anderson BROWN in Marlboro County, South Carolina.²

Asa married first Mary Halliburton, daughter of David Halliburton Jr. and Lucy Reynolds, circa 1812 in Tennessee. Mary (aka Polly) was a cousin of Charles Haiburton, the first husband of Jerusha Humphreys.³

In 1812 Asa and his future brother-in-law, Wyatt H. ARNOLD, lived in Humphreys County, Tennessee, where they appeared on "A List of Free Taxable Inhabitants." They were included in Capt. Simpson's Militia Company along with Enoch James and Joshua Parker. In Capt. Lankford's Company were Daniel, Frederick, James and James H. Barfield, Dardin Brown, William Cottenham, John and William Parker, Absalom and William Leggett. These last two were brothers of Obedience Leggett Brown].^4,5

He was included on a tax list in 1812 in Capt. Simpson's District, Humphreys County, Tennessee. It iincluded Joshua Parker, Asa Brown, John H. Burton, Samuel H. Burton and David H. Burton [Halliburton]. John and Samuel were sons of David Halliburton.

Asa married second Jerusha HUMPHREYS, daughter of John HUMPHREYS III and Susannah Reynolds, circa 1815 in Dickson County, Tennessee.^6,7

A Dickson County grand jury on 4 July 1816 presented an indictment in regards to an affray between Randolph Harris and Asa Brown. In October Asa Brown, laborer," late of Humphries Co.", plead quilty and was fined 6 1/4 cents.⁸

Asa Anderson BROWN purchased a government land patent 10 April 1820 in Humphreys County, Tennessee. Asa, asignee of Johnson McLemore, paid the register of West Tennesse ford 16 acres on Deer Creek, including the improvements where John Thomason now lives, being the place where said Brown formerly lived.⁹

Asa Anderson BROWN appeared on the 1820 Federal Census of Dickson County, Tennessee, one male 26-45 [Asa], one female 16-25 [Jerusha], one male under 10 [John] and one female under 10.¹⁰

The will of Jerusha's father paints a rather unflattering portrait of his son-in-law. He was named an heir in the will of his father-in-law, John HUMPHREYS III, dated on 16 September 1826 in Dickson County, Tennessee. The deceased decreed that his ... daughter Jenisha [Jerusha] Brown to get $1.25... grandson John Humphrey Brown and Asa Madison Brown and their father Asa A. Brown, give them the negro that their father, Asa A. Brown did "feloniously steal, take, and carry her away from me."^6,11,12

Asa was a witness to a deed 23 Oct 1827 between John H. Burton [Halliburton?] of Humphreys County to Thomas Simpson and Robert Jarmon, Sr., trustees for Martha Cobb (formerly Martha Burton), daughter of aforesaid John H. Burton, all of Humphreys County. The deed of gift for 149 1/2 acres lying on the head waters of Deer Creek adjoining a tract of 100 acres owned by Sylvester Adams; four slaves named John (about 12 years of age), Sam (about 10 years of age), Sal (about 11 years of age) and Lucy (about 6 years of age); 2 beds and furniture, 2 cows and calves. It was registered 21 Apr 1830 with Asa A. Brown as the only witness.¹³

Asa Anderson BROWN appeared on the 1830 Federal Census of Bibb County, Alabama, one male age 30-40[Asa]; one male age 15-20; two males age 10-15 [John, Asa M.]; and one female age 30-40 [Jerusha]. They owned no slaves.¹⁴

Asa purchased a government land patent 24 February 1834 in Bibb County, Alabama. His land was located in section 8, township 23, range 10 east near the site of Enon Baptist Church, northeast of Centreville. He purchased 39.61 acres of the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of that section..^15,16

Asa Anderson BROWN purchased a government land patent 17 September 1835 in Bibb County, Alabama. He bought 79.81 acres of the west half of the southwest quarter of section 9, township 23-N, range 10-E..¹⁷

On 26 October 1835 Asa was sued by Crawford and Hinds over a promissory note for $180.07 in Bibb County, Alabama. When Asa failed to appear the judge ruled for the plaintiff to recover $172.11 and costs.¹⁸

Asa filed a lawsuit 26 October 1835 against his brother, David Leggett BROWN, claiming that he had not performed his duties as administrator of the estate of their father, Jesse A. Brown, deceased. Asa claimed that David had not given proper account of estate transactions to the Orphans Court. Both agreed that the suit be dismissed and each pay his own costs.¹⁹

Asa and Jerusha were members of the Enon Baptist Church in Bibb County. They were received into the church by their experience on the Saturday before the second Sunday in March 1838 along with J. C. D. Trott and his wife, Celia (Parker), Stephen Johnson, Emmaline Johnson, Betsey Johnson, Anna Rice, Nancy Brown, and Warren Parker. Received by letter at the same meeting were Sarah Parker, Martha Brown, and Asa Madison Brown. Asa and Jerusha presented a letter of dismisal in December 1838, apparently just before they left for Arkansas.²⁰

Asa Anderson BROWN sold a tract of land to Abisha CAMP on 21 December 1838 in Bibb County, Alabama. The deed reads that "Asa A. Brown and Jerusha Brown his wife" sold Abisha Camp 80 acres of land being the west half of the southwest quarter of section 9, township 23, range 10 east for $260. This was in the area of Enon Baptist Church. The deed was signed by Asa and Jerusha Brown, she by means of her mark. The witness was David Leggett BROWN.²¹

Asa Anderson BROWN died circa 1840 in Alabama.