Navigation
• Home
• E-mail Us
• Submit Info
• Perpetual Calendar
Other Links
• Beware Genealogy Scams• Meet My Best Friend
Last Updated
From History of Whitingham : from its organization to the present time
by Leonard Brown, F.E. Housh, Brattleboro VT, 1886
Page 157
Jonas Brown, familiarly known as "Deacon Jonas," married Lois Russell, came to Whitingham in 1797, settled on the farm (then an entire wilderness) lately owned by S.D. Faulkner. He had a family of twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, one of which died in infancy, the rest all lived to maturity, and most of them to a good old age. Three, as we suppose, still survive. We shall not attempt in this sketch to give a detailed account of the members of this numerous and interesting family, it would take too much space in the town's history. A genealogical history of the Brown family in Whitingham, is being compiled, in which a more extended account will be given. We may be pardoned, however, in giving a brief outline of some of the more important members. "Deacon Jonas" was a man of sterling integrity, a pious and devoted Christian, modest and unassuming in his manners and habits, independent in his course of thought and action, ready at all times to assign a cause for his acts, and confirm his precepts by example. No man in Whitingham had less enemies than he, familiar and sociable with all, with malice or envy for nine, he was known but to be respected.
His children were trained with scrupulous care, in the principles of truth and justice, and were not without an exemplary guide in the lesson of Christian virtue, and moral honesty. If any of them have ever departed from the path of rectitude, it can by no means be for want of paternal training. They were all schooled to habits of industry and economy; the older ones, of necessity, subjected to the privations incident to a new and sparsely settled country. Without the means of an early education, and with very limited opportunities of association with the few children in that section of the town, it would be unreasonable to suppose they were the best scholars. They, however, made the best use of their limited means for schooling, and by persevering effort acquired a commendable education for young people at that time. Books and newspapers were then ranked amongst the luxuries of life, and were accessible to but a comparatively few. But with all these disadvantages, some of this family, by unwearied pains and persevering energy, made themselves very good scholars.
Harvey, although not amongst the oldest of the children, made himself one of the most noted school teachers Whitingham ever produced; he taught school with marked efficiency for about twenty consecutive winters, and had gained a reputation for that business rarely equalled. Besides that, he was a noted citizen of hte town, a leader in the neighborhood where he lived, was frequently elected one of the selectmen andother town officers, and twice represented the town inthe General Assembly.
Jeremiah, the oldest son, left this town and went to Stamford, in the county of Bennington, when quite a young man, and died there March 4, 1849, at the age of 53. Russel, one of the younger brothers, of whom mention is made under the heading of the Baptist church, was a scholar. he died in Williams College in 1835 at the age of 23. Martin, whose career as a business man was most fully developed in establishing and building up the business interests of Jacksonville, died in the prime of life at the age of 51. All the rest of this family were industrious and worthy citizens, of more than ordinary intelligence. Most of them had large families, and many of their numerous descendants have left Whitingham for a broader field, where they could give full scope to their expanding professional and business abilities. Some of the descendants of this family have already worked themselves up to an eminence in their chosen professions, and business occupations, that bids fair to be an honor to the world at large, as well as to their progenitors.
This site is in the process of being rebuilt. If you find any broken links on this page, kindly let us know..
We lost our internal database due to a computer crash. We will not be able to add any new family members until we rebuild the 20,000 family member database.