John Humphreys BROWN1,2
M, b. 19 January 1818, d. 27 November 1896
- Relationship
- 1st cousin 3 times removed of John Kennedy BROWN Jr.
John Humphreys BROWN was born on 19 January 1818 in Tennessee, son of Asa Anderson BROWN and Jerusha HUMPHREYS.3,4,5 John Humphreys BROWN was also known as John Henry and by the nickname, " Shorty."6,4
John Humphreys BROWN was named an heir in the will of his grandfather, John HUMPHREYS III, dated on 16 September 1826 in Dickson County, Tennessee.7,8,9
He was probably one of the two males age 10 to15 listed in the household of his father, Asa Anderson BROWN, in the 1830 Federal Census of Bibb County, Alabama.10
John married first Jane Ann Allen circa 1838 in Arkansas. She was the mother of 17 of his 21 children.11
John Humphreys BROWN appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1840 in Randolph County, Arkansas. The household was listed as John H. Brown, 1 male 20-30 [John], 1 female 10-15 [Jane], 1 male 5-10 [?], and 1 male under 5 [James M.].12
John Humphreys BROWN was granted land 1 November 1848 in Union County, Arkansas. He purchased three lots, the first being the west half of the northeast quarter of section 8, township 18 S, range 15 W. He also purchased the east half of the northwest quarter of the same section, township and range. The third parcel contained the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 5, township 18 S, range 15W.13
John Humphreys BROWN was granted land 10 July 1849 in Jackson County, Arkansas. He purchased 40 acres being the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 24, township 11 N, range 2 W.14
John Humphreys BROWN and Jane Ann Allen appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 10 September 1850 in the Milam and Washington District, Williamson County, Texas. John H. Brown was listed as a farmer, 33 years old with real estate valued at $200. He was born in Tennessee. The only notation for his 29 year old wife, Jane A., was that she had been born in Tennessee and could neither read nor write. They had five children, James M., age 11; Asa R., age 9; Sarina J., age 8; Amanda C., age 5; and William A., age 2. All the chidren were born in Arkansas, except for the oldest, James, who had been born in Alabama. The family would remain but a few years in Williamson County before moving 100 miles northwest to present day San Saba County. They were there as early as 1854 and help establish the town of San Saba.15
According to a history of San Saba County, J. H. "Shorty" and "Matt" Brown, brothers with their families and their mother came to San Saba County in the early 1850s. It goes on to say, "J. H. Brown was born in Tennessee in 1817. He was married four times and had 21 children. Some of his children were: Asa married Mary Kirkpatrick, Jane married Bun Carroll, Amanda married Robert Binion, William married Eliza Low, Josh married Lou Williams, Susan married R. McAnelly, Rebecca married Andrew Smart, John and Jim. Ida (Johnson), Humphrey and Nell (m1) Dumas (m2) Karnes were of second marriage. Nancy of third marriage married Thomas Moore"
San Saba county was created from Bexar county 1 Feb 1856 in answer to an 1855 petition signed by 80 male residents over 21 who requested that Sam Linn, J. H. Brown, J. Williams, J. W. Ware, and C. B. Campbell be appointed commissioners to organize the county. In the first county election held 3 May 1856 John Humphrey Brown was elected one of four county commissioners.
A 17 Jul 1958 column in The San Saba News talked about the "Shorty Brown House" which was being restored by new owners. It said that the house had only had three owners in 100+ years. It said the house was bullt by J. H. "Shorty" Brown who came to San Saba in 1855, this "plucky little manipulator of many civic affairs" homesteaded on land from the court house east to Simpson Creek. "He never did things by halves. When he built his home he built a showplace of that age. He died in 1896. In 1901 O. D. Kirkpatrick bought the house from the Brown estate and lived there 10 years. In 1911 E. G. Rislen became the owner." The new owners in 1958 were Wilton and Annie Alice Gage who were restoring it. The column said that materials for the home were brought in by Brown from Austin in ox-wagons.16
John Humphreys BROWN was the first captain of the home guard in 1856 in San Saba County, Texas, when a hostile Indian uprising was disturbing the settlers. That same year he helped organize the First Baptist Church, the first building consisting of a log hut. The first candidate for baptism in the new church was Brown's daughter, Jane Carroll Brown. He was elected one of the first county commissioners and donated land for the first courthouse. He was also active in the Masonic Lodge No. 225 which was established in 1860.5,17
John Humphreys BROWN appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1860 in San Saba County, Texas. The household was listed as John Brown, 44, Tennessee; Jane, 42, Tennessee; Asa R., 20, Arkansas; Amanda C., 14, Arkansas; Wm. A., 11, Texas; Josephine, 10, Texas; Joab, 7, Texas; Susan E., 5, Texas; and John M., 1, Texas. John Henry is listed as a stock raiser, with a net value in cash of $4,485 and real estate valued $8,850.18
Between about 1863 and 1865 John H. Brown was a captain of a San Saba company of Texas State Troops, 2nd Frontier District. This was what would become known as the Texas Rangers. Organized by the Texas Legislature during the Civil War to provide frontier defense, these men were not part of the Confederate States Army but served under the command of officers in the employ of the State of Texas.19
In July, 1869 "Shorty" Brown was head of one of three cattle herds that went across the plains of Texas ito the Gila River in Arizona. The first night was spent in Harkeyville, then on to Brady heading towards the Pecos RIver. Despite stampedes, heavy rains, and other mishaps, they made it back to San Saba in September.
Brown was a horse lover and when he came to Texas he brought a fine stallion with him and promoted horse breeding which later ended up in horseracing as an occupation for some of his family.
John built a fine home for the time, just east of San Saba. The material was hauled by ox wagon from Austin. When the late E. E. Risen came from England, he and the bride were married at this house. Though it has changed hands and been remodeled several times, the house is still standing.
He built the first mill in Mill Creek in 1867. This building, still standing, has been remodeled by a club and has a historical medallion.20,21
John Humphreys BROWN and Jane Ann Allen appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 2 July 1870 in San Saba, San Saba County, Texas. John Brown, 52, whose occupation was raising cattle and his wife, Jane A., age 49. Both were born in Tennessee. John had real estate valued at $7000 and $21,050 in personal property. They had five children: William A., age 22; Joab, age 16; Susan E., age 14; John Mc., age 11; and Rebecca J. Brown, age 8. All of the children were listed as "living at home", except for the eldest, William, who was "attending to cattle" and had personal property valued at $250. In the same household were laborers John Barton, Andy Ivy, C. Montgomery, a cook, his children Nathan and Emily Montgomery, and John King who "works with cattle."22
John married second Melinda Martin circa 1875 in Texas. She was the daughter of Benjamin F. Martin and Sarah E. Lanier.5
John Humphreys BROWN and Melinda Martin appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 5 June 1880 in San Saba County, Texas. The household was listed as John H. Brown, 63; his wife Malinda Brown, 25, born Alabama; daughters, Idah, 5, and Nellie, 3 months old; and Clara Nichols, 16, a boarder.23
John married third Nancy Martin on 19 October 1886 in San Saba County, Texas. She was the widow of David A. Sperry.5,24
He appeared in a newspaper article 19 August 1887 in the The San Saba News and Star, published in San Saba, Texas. Mr. J. H. Brown and wife are rejoicing over the arrival at their house recently of an appreciated new addition to the family. This we are informed is Mr, Brown's 18th child which has been born under the roof where he now lives. Congratulations are yet n order.
John Humphreys BROWN and Nancy Martin appeared in a newspaper article 26 August 1887 in the The San Saba News and Star, published in San Saba, Texas. Mrs. Brown, wife of John H. Brown, one of the pioneer citizens of San Saba, died last Friday morning at 6 o'clock, and was buried at the family cemetery the evening of the same day. She left an infant only a few weeks old. Mr. Brown has the sympathy of a circle of relatives and friends in this his severe affliction.
John Humphreys BROWN died on 27 November 1896 in Abilene, Tarrant County, Texas, at age 78.5,25,26 He was buried in the "Shorty" Brown Cemetery, San Saba, Texas. The cemetery is located about a quarter mile east of San Saba on U. S. 190.
His obituary appeared 4 December 1896 in the Houston Daily Post, published in Houston, Texas. BROWN - San Saba, Texas, November 28 - Captain J. H. Brown, famially known as "Shorty", died on the 19th instant. He was among the first settlers in the county and had always been a prominent figure and owned fine property.26
John Humphreys BROWN was named an heir in the will of his grandfather, John HUMPHREYS III, dated on 16 September 1826 in Dickson County, Tennessee.7,8,9
He was probably one of the two males age 10 to15 listed in the household of his father, Asa Anderson BROWN, in the 1830 Federal Census of Bibb County, Alabama.10
John married first Jane Ann Allen circa 1838 in Arkansas. She was the mother of 17 of his 21 children.11
John Humphreys BROWN appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1840 in Randolph County, Arkansas. The household was listed as John H. Brown, 1 male 20-30 [John], 1 female 10-15 [Jane], 1 male 5-10 [?], and 1 male under 5 [James M.].12
John Humphreys BROWN was granted land 1 November 1848 in Union County, Arkansas. He purchased three lots, the first being the west half of the northeast quarter of section 8, township 18 S, range 15 W. He also purchased the east half of the northwest quarter of the same section, township and range. The third parcel contained the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 5, township 18 S, range 15W.13
John Humphreys BROWN was granted land 10 July 1849 in Jackson County, Arkansas. He purchased 40 acres being the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 24, township 11 N, range 2 W.14
John Humphreys BROWN and Jane Ann Allen appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 10 September 1850 in the Milam and Washington District, Williamson County, Texas. John H. Brown was listed as a farmer, 33 years old with real estate valued at $200. He was born in Tennessee. The only notation for his 29 year old wife, Jane A., was that she had been born in Tennessee and could neither read nor write. They had five children, James M., age 11; Asa R., age 9; Sarina J., age 8; Amanda C., age 5; and William A., age 2. All the chidren were born in Arkansas, except for the oldest, James, who had been born in Alabama. The family would remain but a few years in Williamson County before moving 100 miles northwest to present day San Saba County. They were there as early as 1854 and help establish the town of San Saba.15
According to a history of San Saba County, J. H. "Shorty" and "Matt" Brown, brothers with their families and their mother came to San Saba County in the early 1850s. It goes on to say, "J. H. Brown was born in Tennessee in 1817. He was married four times and had 21 children. Some of his children were: Asa married Mary Kirkpatrick, Jane married Bun Carroll, Amanda married Robert Binion, William married Eliza Low, Josh married Lou Williams, Susan married R. McAnelly, Rebecca married Andrew Smart, John and Jim. Ida (Johnson), Humphrey and Nell (m1) Dumas (m2) Karnes were of second marriage. Nancy of third marriage married Thomas Moore"
San Saba county was created from Bexar county 1 Feb 1856 in answer to an 1855 petition signed by 80 male residents over 21 who requested that Sam Linn, J. H. Brown, J. Williams, J. W. Ware, and C. B. Campbell be appointed commissioners to organize the county. In the first county election held 3 May 1856 John Humphrey Brown was elected one of four county commissioners.
A 17 Jul 1958 column in The San Saba News talked about the "Shorty Brown House" which was being restored by new owners. It said that the house had only had three owners in 100+ years. It said the house was bullt by J. H. "Shorty" Brown who came to San Saba in 1855, this "plucky little manipulator of many civic affairs" homesteaded on land from the court house east to Simpson Creek. "He never did things by halves. When he built his home he built a showplace of that age. He died in 1896. In 1901 O. D. Kirkpatrick bought the house from the Brown estate and lived there 10 years. In 1911 E. G. Rislen became the owner." The new owners in 1958 were Wilton and Annie Alice Gage who were restoring it. The column said that materials for the home were brought in by Brown from Austin in ox-wagons.16
John Humphreys BROWN was the first captain of the home guard in 1856 in San Saba County, Texas, when a hostile Indian uprising was disturbing the settlers. That same year he helped organize the First Baptist Church, the first building consisting of a log hut. The first candidate for baptism in the new church was Brown's daughter, Jane Carroll Brown. He was elected one of the first county commissioners and donated land for the first courthouse. He was also active in the Masonic Lodge No. 225 which was established in 1860.5,17
John Humphreys BROWN appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1860 in San Saba County, Texas. The household was listed as John Brown, 44, Tennessee; Jane, 42, Tennessee; Asa R., 20, Arkansas; Amanda C., 14, Arkansas; Wm. A., 11, Texas; Josephine, 10, Texas; Joab, 7, Texas; Susan E., 5, Texas; and John M., 1, Texas. John Henry is listed as a stock raiser, with a net value in cash of $4,485 and real estate valued $8,850.18
Between about 1863 and 1865 John H. Brown was a captain of a San Saba company of Texas State Troops, 2nd Frontier District. This was what would become known as the Texas Rangers. Organized by the Texas Legislature during the Civil War to provide frontier defense, these men were not part of the Confederate States Army but served under the command of officers in the employ of the State of Texas.19
In July, 1869 "Shorty" Brown was head of one of three cattle herds that went across the plains of Texas ito the Gila River in Arizona. The first night was spent in Harkeyville, then on to Brady heading towards the Pecos RIver. Despite stampedes, heavy rains, and other mishaps, they made it back to San Saba in September.
Brown was a horse lover and when he came to Texas he brought a fine stallion with him and promoted horse breeding which later ended up in horseracing as an occupation for some of his family.
John built a fine home for the time, just east of San Saba. The material was hauled by ox wagon from Austin. When the late E. E. Risen came from England, he and the bride were married at this house. Though it has changed hands and been remodeled several times, the house is still standing.
He built the first mill in Mill Creek in 1867. This building, still standing, has been remodeled by a club and has a historical medallion.20,21
John Humphreys BROWN and Jane Ann Allen appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 2 July 1870 in San Saba, San Saba County, Texas. John Brown, 52, whose occupation was raising cattle and his wife, Jane A., age 49. Both were born in Tennessee. John had real estate valued at $7000 and $21,050 in personal property. They had five children: William A., age 22; Joab, age 16; Susan E., age 14; John Mc., age 11; and Rebecca J. Brown, age 8. All of the children were listed as "living at home", except for the eldest, William, who was "attending to cattle" and had personal property valued at $250. In the same household were laborers John Barton, Andy Ivy, C. Montgomery, a cook, his children Nathan and Emily Montgomery, and John King who "works with cattle."22
John married second Melinda Martin circa 1875 in Texas. She was the daughter of Benjamin F. Martin and Sarah E. Lanier.5
John Humphreys BROWN and Melinda Martin appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 5 June 1880 in San Saba County, Texas. The household was listed as John H. Brown, 63; his wife Malinda Brown, 25, born Alabama; daughters, Idah, 5, and Nellie, 3 months old; and Clara Nichols, 16, a boarder.23
John married third Nancy Martin on 19 October 1886 in San Saba County, Texas. She was the widow of David A. Sperry.5,24
He appeared in a newspaper article 19 August 1887 in the The San Saba News and Star, published in San Saba, Texas. Mr. J. H. Brown and wife are rejoicing over the arrival at their house recently of an appreciated new addition to the family. This we are informed is Mr, Brown's 18th child which has been born under the roof where he now lives. Congratulations are yet n order.
John Humphreys BROWN and Nancy Martin appeared in a newspaper article 26 August 1887 in the The San Saba News and Star, published in San Saba, Texas. Mrs. Brown, wife of John H. Brown, one of the pioneer citizens of San Saba, died last Friday morning at 6 o'clock, and was buried at the family cemetery the evening of the same day. She left an infant only a few weeks old. Mr. Brown has the sympathy of a circle of relatives and friends in this his severe affliction.
John Humphreys BROWN died on 27 November 1896 in Abilene, Tarrant County, Texas, at age 78.5,25,26 He was buried in the "Shorty" Brown Cemetery, San Saba, Texas. The cemetery is located about a quarter mile east of San Saba on U. S. 190.
His obituary appeared 4 December 1896 in the Houston Daily Post, published in Houston, Texas. BROWN - San Saba, Texas, November 28 - Captain J. H. Brown, famially known as "Shorty", died on the 19th instant. He was among the first settlers in the county and had always been a prominent figure and owned fine property.26
Last Edited=5 Nov 2023
Children of John Humphreys BROWN and Jane Ann Allen
- James Madison BROWN+27 b. 1839, d. 6 Sep 1892
- Asa Robertson BROWN+28 b. 16 Sep 1840, d. 15 Feb 1889
- Sarena Jane BROWN29 b. 18 Dec 1842, d. 26 Jul 1942
- Amanda C. BROWN+27 b. 1846, d. 1920
- William A. BROWN b. 1848, d. 21 May 1878
- Josephine BROWN18 b. 1850, d. b 1870
- Joseph Abner BROWN18 b. 22 Dec 1853, d. 7 Mar 1926
- Susan E. BROWN18 b. 23 Jul 1856, d. 4 Sep 1927
- Jane Carroll BROWN30 b. c 1857, d. b 1860
- John Mack BROWN18 b. 23 Mar 1859, d. 7 Mar 1936
- Rebecca Jane BROWN22 b. 1862, d. 4 Feb 1895
Children of John Humphreys BROWN and Melinda Martin
- Ida May BROWN b. 24 Oct 1877, d. 7 Sep 1933
- Nellie Day BROWN b. 16 Feb 1879, d. 4 Feb 1967
- Benjamin Humphreys BROWN+31 b. 18 Apr 1886, d. 6 Feb 1971
Child of John Humphreys BROWN and Nancy Martin
- Nancy America BROWN b. 29 Jul 1887, d. 9 Mar 1966
Citations
- [S420] The Handbook of Texas Online, "James Madison Brown."
- [S514] Charlene H. Herreid, "Humphreys Genealogy," e-mail to John K. Brown, 16 January 2004. She says that the 1823 will of Jerusha's father, John Humphreys, mentions his grandson as John Humphreys Brown. The will was recorded in Dickson County, TN.
- [S346] Letter, Judy Vietri to John K. Brown, 7 Nov 1999, 1850 Census of Williamson Co., Texas, pg. 341.
- [S347] Alma Ward Hamrick, Call of San Saba.
- [S381] Darrell Brown, "John Henry Brown", 4 generations of descendants with notes:.
- [S346] Letter, Judy Vietri to John K. Brown, 7 Nov 1999.
- [S514] Charlene H. Herreid, "Humphreys Genealogy," e-mail to John K. Brown, 10 Dec 2003.
- [S598] Jill Knight Garrett, Dickson County Handbook, Will Book A, pg. 69-73.
- [S281] John Humphriess, will 16 SEP 1820, probated 16 SEP 1826, Dickson, Tennessee, USA, source: Tennessee, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1779-2008, digital image at Ancestry.Com. http://www.Ancestry.Com
- [S229] 1830 U. S. Census, Bibb County, Alabama, Asa A. Brown household, pg. 155.
- [S350] 1850 U. S. Census, Williamson County, Texas, John H. Brown household 171, pg. 341.
- [S351] 1840 U. S. Census, Randolph County, Arkansas, John H. Brown household, pg. 145.
- [S232] Bureau of Land Management, online http://www.glorecords.blm.gov, John H. Brown (AR2080_.205).
- [S232] Bureau of Land Management, online http://www.glorecords.blm.gov, John H. Brown (AR0520_.158).
- [S350] 1850 U. S. Census, Williamson County, Texas, John H. Brown household No. 160-171, pg. 341.
- [S349] 1860 U. S. Census, San Saba County, Texas.
- [S643] Alice Gray Upchurch, "Sketch of San Saba."
- [S349] 1860 U. S. Census, San Saba County, Texas, John Brown household, pg. 71.
- [S492] Texas Ranger Research Center, online http://www.texasranger.org, "Texas Ranger Captains", downloaded 15 Jan 2003.
- [S381] Darrell Brown, "John Henry Brown", 4 generations of descendants with notes:, source: article in The San Saba County History, published 1983.
- [S1191] I. Wayne Cox, "San Saba Mill Pond Survey."
- [S494] Chuck Parsons, James Madison Brown, pg. 7 & 71, John H. Brown household 16, pg. 7.
- [S494] Chuck Parsons, James Madison Brown, pg. 33+ , refers to 1880 census, ED 112, pg. 393.
- [S687] Diana Ingram, "Brown Family in San Saba," listserve message 11 Mar 2008, Source: "San Saba Co., TX Marriage Records, 1856-1910", pg. 15.
- [S696] Find A Grave (website), online http://www.findagrave.com, John Humphrey "Shorty" Brown, memorial 68129036.
- [S421] Darrell Brown, "John Humphreys Brown of Texas," e-mail to John K. Brown, 17 Mar 2017. Source: Library of Congress newspapers online.
- [S350] 1850 U. S. Census, Williamson County, Texas, John H. Brown household, pg. 341.
- [S350] 1850 U. S. Census, Williamson County, Texas, John H. Brown household, pg. 341.
- [S350] 1850 U. S. Census, Williamson County, Texas, John H. Brown, pg. 341.
- [S494] Chuck Parsons, James Madison Brown, pg. 3- She is mentioned as first baptism at San Saba church.
- [S628] Ancestors of Benjamine Humphreys Brown, 5 May 2007, Darrell is a descendant of B. H. Brown.
Information on this site has been gathered over many years from many sources. Although great care has been taken, inaccuracies may exist. Please contact [email protected] with corrections or questions..