Amanda K. Creamer

     Amanda K. Creamer, daughter of Elias Creamer and Mary "Polly" (?), was born in November 1839 in Georgia.³

Amanda K. Creamer appeared on a census, enumerated 16 November 1850, in the household of Elias Creamer in Gordon County, Georgia. The household appeared as: Elias Creamer, a 35-year-old farmer born in South Carolina, and his wife, Mary, also 35-years-old and born in Georgia. Their children were Eliza A., 12; Amanda K., 9; and Mary J., 6. The children were all born in Georgia.

Amanda married James Madison BROWN, son of John Humphreys BROWN and Jane Ann Allen, circa 1860 in Lampasas County, Texas. The wedding probably took place at the home of Amanda's father, Elias Creamer.¹ She and James appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 16 July 1860 in San Saba County, Texas. J. M. Brown gave his age as 22 and his occupation as "Stock Raiser". He had no real estate but personal estate valued at $543. His wife Amanda C., 21 years of age, is a native of Georgia. Living next to them was James' sister, Serena Jane, and her husband, J. B. Carroll.⁴

Amanda K. Creamer and James Madison BROWN appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 21 September 1870 in Evergreen, Washington County, Texas. Jim is shown to be 32 years old, a farmer with real estate valued at $2500 and personal property valued at $1500. His wife, Amanda Brown, was a 31-year-old Georgia native. The children in the household were John, age 8; Ava, age 4; and Luna (Lucy?), age 2. All of the children were born in Texas.⁵

Amanda K. Creamer and James Madison BROWN appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 4 June 1880 in Giddings, Lee County, Texas. The household was listed as James M. Brown, age 42, Sheriff of Lee County, born Alabama, parents born Alabama; A. C. Brown (wife), age 41, born South Carolina; Gaylord Brown (son), age 18; Lucey (daughter), age 11; Eddie (son), age 9; Anney (daughter), age 8; and William (son), age 2. All of the children were born in Texas.

Jim chose not to run for re-election in November 1884 and devoted his full time to the track. He developed his racing stables and raced on tracks outside of Texas, including St. Louis, Nashville and Chicago. By 1886 he had established his home in Fort Worth. In the 1886-1887 City Directory he is listed as a "Horseman" and resided at 445 Evans Street. His business partner was Luke Short, the famous saloon-keeper, gambler and gunfighter.¹

Occasionally Amanda was drawn into her husband's violent world. From the 26 Nov 1884 Galveston Daily News: "Sheriff Brown Gobbles a Thief-- [On November 24th] Captain James Brown, sheriff of Lee county, who is here [San Antonio] to attend the races was awakened in his tent at the racegrounds by feeling someone running his hand under his pillow, where his watch and $800 in money were stowed away. Grabbing the thief by the hand, he was dragged out of his tent by the fellow. His wife hearing the scuffle came to his rescue and shot at the thief, coming within an ace of killing her husband. The thief was finally overpowered and turned over to the authorities."

Amanda K. BROWN appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 2 June 1900 in Ward 2, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. The household was listed as Amanda C. Brown, a 61-year-old widow, born in Georgia. She was the mother of 8, with 5 living. Both of her parents were born in Georgia. Living with her were her daughters, 27-year-old Luna R. Rainey [Lucy], and 24-year-old Anna L. Staniffer [Annie]. Luna had been married one year and had one child. Anna was a widow with one child, Gaylon E. Staniffer, age 7, who was living with her. He was born Feb 1893. Amanda owned her house free and clear, without mortgage. The house was located at 104 Livingston Street, near the corner of Weatherford Street. It was a mdidle class neighborhood.⁶

Amanda K. Creamer and Luna R. BROWN were listed in the 1901 city directory for Fort Worth, Texas. Amanda C. Brown (widow of J. M.),resident 104 Lexington and Luna Rainey (Mrs. W. H.), resident 104 Lexington. There are two William H. Raineys listed, neither at this address. In the 1899 directory there was a William H. Rainey, traveling salesman for Fort Worth Wind Mill & Supply Co., boards 104 Lexington.⁷

Amanda K. Creamer and William BROWN were listed in the 1905 city directory for Fort Worth, Texas. Amanda C. Brown, (Widow of James), residence 104 Lexington. William Brown, waiter, was also listed at that address. There was a Miss Annie Brown, waitress at the Patterson House, who alos resided at same. She may have been the daughter.⁸

Amanda K. BROWN appeared on a census, enumerated 18 April 1910, in the household of her son William BROWN in Ward 2, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. Amanda Brown was listed as a 70-year-old widow, born in Georgia. She was the mother of 8 children, 3 of them living in 1910. They were living in her home at 104 Livingston Street.⁹

Amanda K. Creamer died in 1911 in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas.¹⁰ She was buried in Oakwood Cemetery.¹¹