The Henry Epps Brown Family

Henry Epps Brown was born on 28 May 1820 in Alabama. He was a son of John H. Brown and Sarah Rivers. Sometime around 1807, John H. Brown and Sarah Rivers his wife, migrated down through Georgia on to Alabama and finally settled for a while in Lauderdale County, Mississippi.  Then when John H. Brown died in 1855, Sarah went to Arkansas to live with her son Epps Rivers Brown.

Henry Epps Brown left Lauderdale County Mississippi sometime between 1850 and 1855. In 1850 he was still in Lauderdale County, Mississippi; but, by 1855 he had married Frances A. Shelton, daughter of Elijah Shelton. Frances A. Shelton was borne 22 Jan 1830 in Alabama.  

Henry Epps Brown was a lawyer and Judge in Union County, Arkansas.

Henry Epps and Fannie Shelton Brown had 4 children; Fannie brought 1 child into the marriage:
        i.    Cassy Ada Russell, born 3 Jan 1848, Alabama, United States; married Dr. William John Pinson, 2 May 1883, Union County, Arkansas; died 21 Dec 1938, Union County, Arkansas.
         ii.    Henry Clay "Hal" Brown, born 30 Aug 1856, Lauderdale County, Mississippi; married Mary Laconia Smith, 14 Jan 1878, El Dorado, Union, Arkansas; married 2nd, Ida Adeline Milliron, 30 Aug 1879, Collins, Texas; married 3rd Recenia Margaret Holland, 1878; died 15 Dec 1935, Terrell, Kaufman County, Texas.
         iii.    Amanda Rivers Brown, born 19 Feb 1857, Mississippi; married John J. Vogel, 25 Jul 1887, Miller, Arkansas; died 2 Sep 1934, ‎Miller County, Arkansas.
        iv.    Henrietta S. "Retta" Brown was born on 24 Jun 1861 in Mississippi. She died on 10 May 1933 at the age of 71 in El Dorado, Union, Arkansas and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, El Dorado, Union County, Arkansas.

On her FindAGrave Memorial we find the following comments about Retta Brown

Daughter of Judge Henry and Francis Shelton Brown.

An elementary school building in El Dorado was named in her honor, the Retta Brown Elementary School. In 2010 that facility is more formally known as Retta Brown Academy of Communication and Technology, located at 505 Dixie Drive, El Dorado AR 71730.

     v.    Virginia M. "Jennie" Brown, born Mar 1865, El Dorado, Union, Arkansas; married Lewis A. Petit, 1887; died bef 1920.

Henry Epps Brown died on 11 March 1889 in Howard County, Arkansas. Frances A. Shelton Brown passed away 27 August 1908.

The Legal Bar of Union County passed a resolution in honor and memory of Judge Henry Epps Brown. 

Local Bar Resolution}

Condolence at the}
Death of Hon. Henry}
Brown, Dec’d} ¹¹

Whereas it has pleased Almighty God to remove from the walks of man the Hon. Henry Brown formerly a member of this Bar of long and honorable standing and three times a Judge of the County and Probate Courts of this County, whose death occurred in Howard Co. Arks on the 4th day March 1889. Therefore be it resolve
That in the death of our brother and associate the state of Arkansas has lost a valuable & Estimable Citizen, the Bar an able & distinguished Jurist, Society an honorable member and family a loving husband and devoted father.
2. Resolved—That during the long residence of Judge Brown in our midst covering a period of about thirty years we always recognized in him a true friend & an honest conscientious gentleman devoted to duty in the various walks of life, and that we deplore his untimely death
Jesse B. Moore
T. J. Gaughan
Wm. D. Jameson
Committee

Henry Epps Brown is my 1st Cousin 5X Removed.

___________________________________________

1. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 31 July 2011); Memorial page for Henry Brown; (22 May 1820–11 March 1889); Find a Grave memorial # 30288691, Citing Center Point Cemetery; Center Point, Howard County, Arkansas, USA.

2. 1850, Lauderdale County, Mississippi, population schedule, Lauderdale County, Mississippi, enumeration district (ED) No ED, Page: 385B, Line 36, dwelling 844, family 857, Household of John H. Brown; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication Roll M432_375.

3. 1860 U. S. Census, Union County, Arkansas, population schedule, EL Dorado, Union County, Arkansas, Page 316, Line 30, Dwelling/Family 704/652, Household of Henry BROWN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 31 July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M653 Roll 51.

4. 1870 U. S. Census, Union County, Arkansas, population schedule, El Dorado, Union County, Arkansas, Page: 510A; Line 36, Dwelling 342, Family 342, Household of Henry BROWN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 31 July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M593 Roll 65.

5. 1880 U. S. Census, Union County, Arkansas, population schedule, El Dorado, Union County, Arkansas, enumeration district (ED) #278, Page 348A; Line 1, Dwelling 100, Family 101, Household of Henry BROWN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 31 July 2011); citing NARA publication Roll: T9-0058.

6. Probate Court, Arkansas, Probate Records, 1817-1979,: Volume M (El Dorado, Union County, Arkansas: Probate Court, Union County, Arkansas, 1883–1893), page 395-396.

7. 1850 U. S. Census, Lauderdale County, Mississippi, population schedule, Lauderdale County, Mississippi, Page 385B (stamped), Line 22, Dwelling 841, Family #854, Household of Francis A. RUSSELL; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 8 August 2011); citing NARA publication Roll: M432_375.

8. 1900 U. S. Census, Union County, Arkansas, population schedule, El Dorado Twp., Union County, Arkansas, enumeration district (ED) #123, Page: 47; Line 14,, Dwelling 88, Family 88, Household of W. J. PINSON; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 4 August 2011); citing NARA publication Roll: T623_0078.

9. 1920 U. S. Census, Union County, Arkansas, population schedule, El Dorado, Union County, Arkansas, enumeration district (ED) #160, Page: 80A; Line 7, Dwelling 2, Family 2, Household of W. J. PINSON; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 8 August 2011); citing NARA publication Roll: T625_0083.

10. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database, "Record, Henrietta S "Retta" Brown (24 June 1848–10 May 1933), Memorial # 13971717.

11. Probate Court, Arkansas, Probate Records, 1817-1979,: Volume M (El Dorado, Union County, Arkansas: Probate Court, Union County, Arkansas, 1883–1893), page 395-396.

Surname Saturday~Adair

Epps Rivers Brown, my 1st cousin 5 times removed, married Dorinda Adair  in Lauderdale County, Mississippi. Epps was the son of John H. Brown and Sarah Rivers Brown. He served as Justice of the Peace for Lauderdale County in 1841, the year prior to his marriage to Dorinda Adair.

For many years the parents of Dorinda Adair were not known; but, a land deed in Lauderdale County shows that she was the daughter of Zadock Adair.

Zadock Adair was born about 1766 in Laurens County, South Carolina. It’s accepted that he had multiple wives, all named Sarah, and that Sarah Kelly was his first wife. I’m not totally certain that anyone researching this family knows how many times Zadock was married, the dates of marriage or the names of all of his children.   

Regardless, Zadock and his family left South Carolina, moving to Kentucky about 1807. Records show that Zadock Adair and Sarah Wood were married in Kentucky on 13 December 1808.¹ The family then migrated from Caldwell County, Kentucky to Alabama, There Zadock signed a Petition in 1817. ²

Dorinda, his daughter, most likely by Sarah Wood married Epps Rivers Brown about 1842. Epps Rivers parents, John & Sarah had migrated from Chesterfield County, South Carolina arriving in Alabama about 1817/1818. It’s very probable that Epps and Dorinda grew up knowing each other from her birth till they were married in 1842. Epps was age 31 in 1841 and Dorinda was age 21.  

Parentage Proof ³
Transcription of Lauderdale County, Mississippi Deed Book “D” pages 17 & 18, Deed of Gift – Zadock Adair to his Daughter Dorinda Brown, LDS FHL Film # 899134.
This indenture made the second day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty four between Zadock Adair of the county of Kemper and state of Mississippi the one part and Dorinda Brown of the County of Lauderdale and State aforesaid of the other part- have for and in consideration of the natural love and affection for which I have and bear unto my Daughter Dorinda aforesaid Brown wife of E. R. Brown of the second part and also for and in consideration of the sum of one Dollar to me in hand paid by my said Daughter Dorinda Brown as aforesaid [illegible] and before the Sealing and delivery hereof the Receipt whereof is hereto acknowledge have given Granted Alined enfer offer bequeathed and Confirmed unto the Said Dorinda Brown a certain Negro Woman [illegible] A Slave for life aged about Twenty three also her two children Mariah aged about three years and Dempsey about Sixteen months to have and to hold as her own right and Property during her natural life and at her death to be equally divided amongst the heirs of her Body Begotten or may hereafter be begotten by her Said Husband E. R. Brown and in case then be name such heirs at the death of My Daughter Dorinda Brown then and in that case the aforesaid Negroes Shall vest and ensure to the aforesaid E. R. Brown his heirs and assigns in Witness whereof I hereunto Set my hand and seal do Sign Seal and deliver the above deed of gift as my valid act and deed.
Entered [illegible] in the place before
Signed Witness James Ray}                                                Zadock Adair {seal}
The State Of Mississippi}
Lauderdale County} Personally appeared before me James Ray Clerk of the Probate Court of said County the within named Zaddock Adair who acknowledged that he Signed Signed <sic> Sealed and delivered the foregoing Deed on the day and year therein mentioned as his act and Deed---given under my hand and seal of the Probate Court at office on the 2nd day of March AD 1844
                                                                                              James Ray Clerk
Filed 2 March}
1844 James Ray Clerk}

Epps Rivers Brown and Dorinda Adair had 9 children; 3 sons and 6 daughters. Sometime between Feb 1845 and April 1847, Epps R. and Dorinda moved to Union County, Arkansas.

There Epps Rivers Brown died in 1882 and Dorinda passed away sometime after 1880 Census were enumerated. Her exact death date has not yet been been discovered in the research process.

















__________________
[1] Ancestry.com - http://goo.gl/EmaUdk
[2] http://www.trackingyourroots.com/data/alpet.htm
[3] Lauderdale County, Mississippi, Deed Book "D": pages 17 & 18, Deed of Gift – Zadock Adair to his Daughter Dorinda Brown; 2 March 1844, Chancery Court, Meridian, Lauderdale County, Mississippi. LDS FHL Film # 899134.

Census Sunday~John H Brown, 1850 Lauderdale County, MS

In the early 1800’s sometime around 1802 John H. Brown married Sarah Rivers, the daughter of Frederick Rivers. John and Sarah's firstborn, a son they named Frederick Epps was born 9 months later. Shortly thereafter John, Sarah and Frederick left Chesterfield County, South Carolina migrating southward into Georgia.

There their next three children were born; William Lafayette, ca 1807,  Epps Rivers, ca 1810 and John R., ca 1815. There may have been other children borne to this couple but record have not been found to substantiate this fact. 

It seem about 1815 timeframe John and Sarah decided to moved West and the next three children were born in Alabama; Martha, ca 1818, Henry Epps 22 May 1820 and Stephen, ca 1823 in Monroe County, Alabama.

Then we have Nancy born 1831 in Mississippi and James D. “Jim” born 1838 in Mississippi. 
Very few documents have been found between 1805 and 1839 on this couple thus making the documentation of their adventures very sparse.  In 1840, they are enumerated in the Population Census for Lauderdale County, Mississippi. [1]

The family composition was:
2 Males < 5 years
1 Male 5-9 years
3 Males 15-19 years
1 male 20-29 years
1 Male 60-69 years [John H. Brown]
1 Female 5-9 years
1 Female 40-49 years

That’s 8 males and 2 females.

Then in 1850 Lauderdale Mississippi we have this listing for the Family.[2]



By 1850, only two of the boys are still home and enumerated with their parents.



1850 CENSUS: Lauderdale County, Mississippi; Roll  M432_375; Page: 385B; Image: 326, Line 36, Dwelling 844, Family 857;
John H. BROWN, Farmer, age 63, born in SC;
Sarah BROWN, female, age 66, born SC;
James BROWN, male [Son], age 12, born in MS
Henry BROWN, male [Son], age 29, Atty. at law, born in AL.

By 1850, all the known Children are married and only Henry Epps and James Brown remains in the household. Their son, Frederick is living in Choctaw County, Mississippi; Son, John R. has married Elizabeth Pigford and moved off to Anderson County, Texas and son, Epps Rivers has married Dorinda Adair and they are living in Union County, Arkansas in 1850.[3] [4]

Then on 4 Sep 1855, John H. Brown died in Meridian, Lauderdale County, Mississippi.[5]



After John was buried, Sarah moved to Arkansas to live with her son, Epps Rivers Brown where she is enumerated in both 1860 and 1870. [6] [7]

Also, about this time, tragedy has struck their son John R, and daughter-in-law Elizabeth and the two of them have either died or been killed. The six children of John & Elizabeth can be found in their Grandparents Pigford home in Mississippi and with Epps Rivers and their paternal grandmother in the 1860 census for Arkansas.

By this time, Stephen, James D. and Henry Epps have moved from Mississippi to Arkansas joining their brother Epps Rivers.



Sarah Rivers Brown died in Berryville,Union County, Arkansas. Her reported death occurred in July 1871 according to several secondary sources; but, I haven’t been able to confirm this date. If you have any information on the death of Sarah Rivers Brown I would love to hear from you.














______________
[1] 1840, Lauderdale County, Mississippi, population schedule, Lauderdale County, Mississippi, Page: 47; Line 13, None, Household off John H. BROWN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com:viewed 18 June 2012); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication Roll M704_216.
[2] 1850, Lauderdale County, Mississippi, population schedule, Lauderdale County, Mississippi, enumeration district (ED) No ED, Page: 385B, Line 36, dwelling 844, family 857, Household of John H. Brown; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com:viewed July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication Roll M432_375.
[3] 1850 U. S. Census, Union County, Arkansas, population schedule, El Dorado, Union County, Arkansas, Page 226A, Line 31, Dwelling/Family 21/21, Household of Epps R. BROWN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com:viewed 24 July 2011); citing NARA publication Roll: M432_30.
[4] 1850 U. S. Census, Anderson County, Texas, population schedule, Anderson County, Texas, Page 15B, Line 12,, Dwelling 101, Family 101, Household of John R. BROWN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com:accessed ); citing National Archives Microfilm M432_908.
[5] Lauderdale County, Mississippi, Probate Court Estates, Filebox 31: No 253, John H. Brown.
[6] 1860 U. S. Census, Union County, Arkansas, population schedule, Dorado, Union County, Arkansas, Page 316B, Line 17, Family/Dwelling 703/651, Household of Epps R. BROWN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com:viewed 24 July 2011); citing NARA publication Roll: M653_51.
[7] 1870 U. S. Census, Union County, Arkansas, population schedule, Franklin, Union County, Arkansas, Page: 523B; Line 26, Dwelling/Family 107/108, Household of Epps R. Brown; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com:viewed 24 July 2011); citing NARA publication Roll: M593_65.

Tombstone Tuesday~John H. Brown Lost Tomb

I’m looking for some help from any and all readers available, living in, near or around Lauderdale County, Mississippi.

John H. Brown died 14 September 1855 in Lauderdale County, Mississippi and was buried there in the County.

His Estate was probated (Filebox 31,  No 253) and within the estate folder there are several mentions of his tomb. I have provided a copy of one of those  documents.



It reads:
Oct. 12, 1858                   Estate of John H. Brown Deased to
                                                                        Henry Brown, Jr.
to Erecting & Building over Decesd
grave a Brick Tomb                                   $35.00

This is  very clear – the intent here was to put a Brick Covering over the grave of John H. Brown so that it would last in perpetuity.

If these actions were carried out; the tomb should be in existence today.  So the question is: Where is John H. Brown Tomb?

If you have any suggestions or ideas please contact me at this e-mail (click).








____________________
[1] Lauderdale County, Mississippi, Probate Court Estates, Filebox 31: No 253, John H. Brown.

Amanuensis Monday~Burwell J. Hamrick vs John H. Brown

Capt.. John C. Hamrick and John H. Brown were related through their children. Capt. Hamrick’s daughter Martha Hamrick married John Brown’s son William Lafayette Brown.

On 19 August 1853, William Lafayette died leaving 9 children all between the ages of infant to 21. They are all named within the probate records of Lauderdale County, Mississippi. [1]

Over the course of the next few years John H. Brown dies on 14 Sept. 1855 and Capt. Hamrick died on 1 Sept. 1856.

Thus we have this petition from Burwell J. Hamrick requesting the Court to intervene due to a conflict of interest.[2]

Petition B. J. Hamrick vs John H. Brown Guardian
The State of Mississippi}
Lauderdale County} to the Hon. D. J. Daniel Judge of Probate of said County
The petition of Burwell J Hamrick one of the Executors of the last will and testament of John Hamrick deceased respectfully represent that a term of the said court held on the 18 your petitioner testors <sic> the said John Hamrick deceased became one of the securities of John H Brown on his bond as guardian of Wm. L. Brown a minor heir of William Brown deceased – that your petitioner now conceives the Estate of the said testor <sic> John Hamrick in danger of suffering by reason of his being Said Security.
Wherefore your petitioner prays your Honor to cause the said John H Brown Guardian as aforesaid to be summons to be and appear before said court at the November term next thereof and to order him to give good counter security or to Execute a new bond with good security in the form and penalty of stature in his behalf.
And your petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray.

B. J.  Hamrick

Exc.

Sworn to and Subscribed Sept. 24, 1856.

J. B. Hamrick {seal}

Justice of the peace

The State of Mississippi}
Lauderdale County} Schedule of the money on hold by the Estate of John Hamrick deceased
                                                          Cash............................................................... $60.00

B. J. Hamrick

Exc.

Sworn to and Subscribed
Nov. 8, 1856
J. B. Hamrick
Justice of the peace


___________________
testor = testator, testators
[1] Lauderdale County, Mississippi, Lauderdale County Estate Papers, William BROWN; "Lauderdale County Estate Papers," digital images, LDS Church, Family Search (https://www.familysearch.org/: viewed, downloaded 17 March 2013); Frame 351,Book E, Page 28, William Brown died 19 August 1853.
[2] Lauderdale County, Mississippi, Lauderdale County Estate Papers, John Hamrick; "Lauderdale County Estate Papers," digital images, LDS Church, Family Search (https://www.familysearch.org/: viewed, downloaded 17 March 2013); Frame 225, Book F&G, Page 431.

Brown - Bays Union -1866 - Mississippi

Simon Epps Brown was born on 14 Feb 1838 in AL.^{1 2 3} He appeared in the census from 1870 to 1920 in Choctaw and Webster Counties, Mississippi.^{4 5 6 7 8} Simon died on 6 Jul 1928 at the age of 90 in Bellefontaine, Webster, Mississippi and was buried in South Union Cemetery. ^{9 10}

Simon Epps was the son of Frederick Epps Brown and Judith Clarke and the grandson of John H. Brown and Sarah Rivers.  

Simon Epps Brown and Mary Jane Bays were married in 1866 in Webster County, Mississippi. Mary Jane Bays, daughter of Henry Bays and Frances M. Greenlee, was born on 14 Dec 1851 in Webster County, Mississippi.^{11 12 13 14 15 16} She died on 5 Mar 1938 at the age of 86 in Bellefontaine, Webster County, Mississippi and was buried in the South Union Cemetery. ^{17 18}

Simon Epps Brown and Mary Jane Bays had the following children:

                      i.   Laura Brown was born about 1871 in Sumner Co., MS. ¹⁹

                     ii.   Thomas Elisha Brown was born on 21 Oct 1873 in Sumner Co., MS.^{20 21} He died on 14 Aug 1930 at the age of 56.²²

                   iii.   Daisy Emily Brown was born about 1876 in Sumner Co., MS. ^{23 24}

                   iv.   Martha Agnes Brown, born 22 Jun 1878, Webster County, Mississippi; married John Leslie Watson, 8 Dec 1897, MS; died 20 Sep 1965, Bellefontaine, Webster Co., MS.

                     v.   Edward Ranson Brown was born on 18 Apr 1881 in Webster County, Mississippi. ²⁵ He died on 10 Oct 1968 at the age of 87 in Bellefontaine, MS.

                   vi.   William Alonzo Brown, born 26 Aug 1884, Webster County, Mississippi; married Margaret Caledonia Shaw, 23 Dec 1906, MS; died 20 Jul 1943, Leflore Co., MS.

                  vii.   Andrew B. Brown was born in Feb 1886 in Webster County, Mississippi. ²⁶

                 viii.   Frances Vernon Brown was born on 29 Dec 1889 in Webster County, Mississippi.^{27 28 29} She died on 13 Jul 1983 at the age of 93 in Bellefontaine, MS.

                   ix.   Charles Epps Brown, born May 1893, Webster County, Mississippi; married Irene E Holmes, 1919, MS; died 25 Feb 1964, Bolivar Co., MS.

______________________________

        1. www.ancestry.com, www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/, CEMETERIES WEBSTER CO MS (http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mswebst1/southunion.html : Downloaded 6 August 2011), S. E. Brown Tombstone, BIRTH, 14 February 1838.

        2. 1850 Census, Lauderdale County, Mississippi, population schedule, Subdivision 23, Choctaw County, Mississippi, Page: 91A, Line 14, Dwelling/Family 97/97, Household of Fredrick Brown; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 31 July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, Roll 375.

        3. 1860 U. S. Census, Township 20, Choctaw County, Mississippi, population schedule, Township 20, Choctaw County, Mississippi, Page 465, Line 9, Dwelling/Family 1979/1884, Household of Fredrick BROWN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.Ancestry.com : viewed 31 July 2011); citing NARA publication M653, Roll: 579.

        4. 1870 U. S. Census, Township 20, Range 9, Choctaw County, Mississippi, population schedule, Township 20 Range 9, Choctaw County, Mississippi, Page: 390B; Line 35, Dwelling 44, Family 44, Household of Simeon E. BROWN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.Ancestry.com : viewed 6 August 2011); citing NARA publication M593, Roll: 725.

        5. 1880 U. S. Census, Sumner County, Mississippi, population schedule, Sumner County, Mississippi, enumeration district (ED) #177, Page: 383A; Line 13, Dwelling 3, Family 3, Household of Epps BROWN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 6 August 2011); citing NARA publication T9, Roll: 664.

        6. 1900 U. S. Census, Beat 3, Webster County, Mississippi, population schedule, Beat 2, Webster County, Mississippi, enumeration district (ED) #99, Page: 196B; Line 87, Dwelling 31, Family 31, Household of Eppes S. BROWN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 6 August 2011); citing NARA publication T623_833.

        7. 1910 U. S. Census, Beat 3, Webster County, Mississippi, population schedule, Beat 2, Webster County, Mississippi, enumeration district (ED) #0108, Page: 188B & 189A; Line 98, Dwelling 129, Family 130, Household of Epps BROWN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 6 August 2011); citing NARA publication T624_756.

        8. 1920 U. S. Census, Mount Vernon, Webster County, Mississippi, population schedule, Beat 2, Webster County, Mississippi, enumeration district (ED) #112, Page: 222B; Line 69, Dwelling 104, Family 106, Household of Simon E. BROWN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 6 August 2011); citing NARA publication T625_899.

        9. CEMETERIES WEBSTER CO MS, S. E. Brown Tombstone, DEATH, 6 July 1930.

        10. Jim Tipton, Find A Grave, digital image, http://www.findagrave.com; Headstone for S. E. Brown; (14 February 1838–6 July 1928); Memorial # 89390058; Record of the South Union Cemetery; Eupora, Webster County, Mississippi, USA; Accessed on 12 December 2012.

        11. CEMETERIES WEBSTER CO MS, Mary J. Brown Tombstone {Wife of S. E. Brown}, BIRTH, 14 December 1851.

        12. 1870 U. S. Census, Township 20, Range 9, Choctaw County, Mississippi, population schedule, Township 20 Range 9, Choctaw County, Mississippi, Page: 390B; Line 35, Dwelling 44, Family 44, Household of Simeon E. BROWN.

        13. 1880 U. S. Census, Sumner County, Mississippi, population schedule, Sumner County, Mississippi, ED #177, Page: 383A; Line 13, Dwelling 3, Family 3, Household of Epps BROWN.

        14. 1900 U. S. Census, Beat 3, Webster County, Mississippi, population schedule, Beat 2, Webster County, Mississippi, ED #99, Page: 196B; Line 87, Dwelling 31, Family 31, Household of Eppes S. BROWN.

        15. 1910 U. S. Census, Beat 3, Webster County, Mississippi, population schedule, Beat 2, Webster County, Mississippi, ED #0108, Page: 188B & 189A; Line 98, Dwelling 129, Family 130, Household of Epps BROWN.

        16. 1920 U. S. Census, Mount Vernon, Webster County, Mississippi, population schedule, Beat 2, Webster County, Mississippi, ED #112, Page: 222B; Line 69, Dwelling 104, Family 106, Household of Simon E. BROWN.

        17. CEMETERIES WEBSTER CO MS, Mary J. Brown Tombstone {Wife of  S. E. Brown}, DEATH, 5 March 1938.

        18. Find A Grave, http://www.findagrave.com, Accessed on 12 December 2012; Headstone for Mary J. Brown; Memorial # 89389993.

        19. 1880 U. S. Census, Sumner County, Mississippi, population schedule, Sumner County, Mississippi, ED #177, Page: 383A; Line 13, Dwelling 3, Family 3, Household of Epps BROWN.

        20. CEMETERIES WEBSTER CO MS, T. E.  Brown Tombstone, BIRTH, 21 October 1873.

        21. 1880 U. S. Census, Sumner County, Mississippi, population schedule, Sumner County, Mississippi, ED #177, Page: 383A; Line 13, Dwelling 3, Family 3, Household of Epps BROWN.

        22. CEMETERIES WEBSTER CO MS, T. E.  Brown Tombstone, DEATH, 14 August 1930.

        23. 1880 U. S. Census, Sumner County, Mississippi, population schedule, Sumner County, Mississippi, ED #177, Page: 383A; Line 13, Dwelling 3, Family 3, Household of Epps BROWN.

        24. 1900 U. S. Census, Beat 3, Webster County, Mississippi, population schedule, Beat 2, Webster County, Mississippi, ED #99, Page: 196B; Line 87, Dwelling 31, Family 31, Household of Eppes S. BROWN.

        25. Ibid.

        26. Ibid.

        27. Ibid.

        28. 1910 U. S. Census, Beat 3, Webster County, Mississippi, population schedule, Beat 2, Webster County, Mississippi, ED #0108, Page: 188B & 189A; Line 98, Dwelling 129, Family 130, Household of Epps BROWN.

        29. 1920 U. S. Census, Mount Vernon, Webster County, Mississippi, population schedule, Beat 2, Webster County, Mississippi, ED #112, Page: 222B; Line 69, Dwelling 104, Family 106, Household of Simon E. BROWN.

,

Sunday’s Obituary–Uncle “Nap” is Dead, Aged 80

Famous Union County Man, Harassed by the Luck of Oil, Finds His Perfect Peace
Uncle Nap Brown will find his elusive peace today. 

In a quiet little cemetery eloquent with the calm he had sought so unerringly since the 'monotonous' exhaust of gas engines on pumping oil wells drove him from his Arcadia one mile south of the city, to another farm that resembled the green fields of his youth, the body of Napoleon B. Brown, 80, enriched with the flow of crude that smeared itself over the fields his father cleared, will be laid to rest.

In a modest room of the home he built to escape the discordant yelpings of the masses who trooped from their home in El Dorado to their work in the oil fields south of the city, last night lay the body of the pioneer, the "fugitive from wealth," and yet the overtaken.

The little home was built in the EI Dorado East Field several years ago, it was built in the heart of a little glen that spoke of peace-the peace that Uncle Nap loved more dearly than dollars poured into his lap from the cornucopia of King Petroleum. He lay in a room of that little home last night-and outside dozens of gas engines barked discordantly, pulling from the heart of the soil he loved so well the black fluid that drove him from his home, the "home of his father," to newer fields.

Uncle Nap, as he is known to newspaper readers of every state in the Union, loved the soil. He was a part of the soil. When EI Dorado first began to appear, a log cabin or two beside trails beaten by homing cows and errant pigs, Uncle Nap was the farmer-born.

It was in 1840 that Napoleon B. Brown and his brothers and sisters came with their father, F. B. Brown, to the Arcadia. A small tract of land that promised food to the family was hidden under green foliage, swaying trees.

That was the Bryant place, the place where Uncle Nap remained until his father and mother were dead, until he had married and his sons and daughters, Miss Susie, M. E., Albert, Grady, and William had reached an age where they were thrilled by the prospect of oil being discovered on the farm that was not so rich as it once was.

Not so many years ago, two or three, the oil was discovered. Arcadia became a Babylon. Rig builders appeared, stayed a few hours and departed, leaving derricks that pierced the sky Uncle Nap had watched for years across the tassels of growing corn. The drillers came, they sweated for a few days, swore orders at their rough-necks, and departed-leaving oil that flowed into steel tanks. Then there were the barking engines, the "sentinels of the night" that kept him from enjoying the hours of sleep to which he had become accustomed through the active years of close association with the open, with the soil, with life.

The engines spoke of wealth; royalty checks began to appear among the mails he took from his newly rented post-office box in the "footloose" city that for years had been a quiet place where he might go for a few hours on Saturday afternoon and gossip with his neighbors-who thrilled at the touch of the soil. Uncle Nap found himself rich-he never awoke from the shock-wealth brought controversy, distrust. It killed old association-but worst of all it brought noise.

Uncle Nap moved to a quiet spot to build another Arcadia. He accepted the demands urged upon him by his new business, that of looking after his oil interests, buying new automobiles, signing papers that might mean a gift of thousands to charity, or the receipt of many more thousands to his own bank account. It was a quiet little farm east of EI Dorado, the mad oil town.

Last night his body lay in a room of the home he built on that quiet little farm. Outside the gas engines barked on oil wells that constantly added to the fortune from the first well drilled on his "Arcadia."

At 4 o'clock this afternoon he will be buried with Rumph-McWilliams undertakers in charge at Lambert Cemetery, six miles from the city.

The above article appeared on the front page of the EI Dorado Daily News on Tuesday, August 11, 1925, in EI Dorado, Arkansas. 


Napoleon Bonaparte "Nap" Brown was born on 14 Feb 1845 in Lauderdale County, Mississippi.¹  He appeared in the 1850, 1860, 1880, 1900 and 1910 census for Union County, Arkansas. ^{2 3 4 5 6} He was a son of Epps Rivers Brown and Dorinda Adair and grandson of John H. Brown and Sarah Rivers. He served in the military Civil War in 1861–1865 from Union County, Arkansas. He died on 10 Aug 1925 at the age of 80 in Union County, Arkansas.⁷ He was buried on 11 Aug 1925 at Old Shady Grove Cemetery in Union County, Arkansas.^{8 9 10}
 
Napoleon Bonaparte "Nap" Brown and Martha Ann "Missie" Moody were married on 11 Dec 1884 in El Dorado,Union County, Arkansas.¹¹ Martha Ann "Missie" Moody, daughter of Tom Moody and Martha Lambeth, was born on 17 Aug 1866 in Calhoun County, Arkansas.^{12 13 14 15} She died on 1 Aug 1949 at the age of 82 in Union County, Arkansas.¹⁶ She was buried in the Old Shady Grove Cemetery in Union County, Arkansas.^{17 18}
 
Napoleon Bonaparte Brown and Martha Ann Moody had the following children:

i. Epps Matthew Brown, born 8 Oct 1885, El Dorado, Union County, Arkansas.
ii. Albert Lee Brown was born on 25 Dec 1886 in Union County, Arkansas.
iii. Jewel Brown was born on 20 Aug 1889 in El Dorado, Union County, Arkansas.
iv. Lula May Brown was born on 1 May 1890 in Union County, Arkansas.
v. Susie Brown was born on 28 Jul 1893 in Union County, Arkansas.
vi. Thomas Grady Brown, born 30 Aug 1897, Union County, Arkansas.
vii. Sam Cougar Brown was born in Dec 1899 in Union County, Arkansas.
viii. Virgil Brown was born on 28 Dec 1900 in Union County, Arkansas.
ix. William "Bill" Brown, born abt 1904, Union County, Arkansas.
___________________________
1. Jim Tipton, Find A Grave, digital image, http://www.findagrave.com; Headstone for N B Brown; (14 February 1845–10 August 1925); Memorial # 74040595; Record of the Shady Grove Cemetery; Union County, Arkansas, USA; Accessed on 14 August 2011.
2. 1850 U. S. Census, Union County, Arkansas, population schedule, El Dorado, Union County, Arkansas, Page 226A, Line 31, Dwelling/Family 21/21, Household of Epps R. BROWN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 24 July 2011); citing NARA publication Roll: M432_30.
3. 1860 U. S. Census, Union County, Arkansas, population schedule, Dorado, Union County, Arkansas, Page 316B, Line 17, Family/Dwelling 703/651, Household of Epps R. BROWN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 24 July 2011); citing NARA publication Roll: M653_51.
4. 1880 U. S. Census, Union County, Arkansas, population schedule, Franklin, Union County, Arkansas, Page 225A; Line 21, Dwelling 64, Family 68; L.[afayette] BROWN, Household of L.[afayette] BROWN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 24 July 2011); citing NARA publication Roll: T9-0058.
5. 1900 U. S. Census, Union County, Arkansas, population schedule, Franklin, Union County, Arkansas, enumeration district (ED) #124, Page 90B; Line 79, Dwelling 76, Family 76, Household of N. B. BROWN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 14 August 2011); citing NARA publication Roll: T623_0078.
6. 1900 U. S. Census, Union County, Arkansas, population schedule, El Dorado, Union County, Arkansas, enumeration district (ED) #0128, Page 41, Line 27, Dwelling 305, Family 316, Household of Napoleon BROWN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 14 August 2011); citing NARA publication Roll: T624_0066.
7. Find A Grave, http://www.findagrave.com, Accessed on 14 August 2011; Headstone for N B Brown; Memorial # 74040595.
8. Ibid.
9. Ibid.
10. Napoleon Bonaparte "Nap" Brown obituary, El Dorado Daily News, El Dorado, Union County, Arkansas, 11 August 1925, Front Page. (Copied from microfilm and provided to Charles Purvis by Vickie Rushton Bickle on 18 October 2011.)
11. State of Arkansas, marriage no. Certificate # not available (11 December 1884), Name: N. B. Brown and Spouse: Mattie A. Moody; database on-line; www.Ancestry.com, Union County, Arkansas.
12. Find A Grave, http://www.findagrave.com, Accessed on 14 August 2011; Headstone for Martha Ann "Missie" Brown; Memorial # 74040708.
13. 1900 U. S. Census, Union County, Arkansas, population schedule, Franklin, Union County, Arkansas, ED #124, Page 90B; Line 79, Dwelling 76, Family 76, Household of N. B. BROWN.
14. 1900 U. S. Census, Union County, Arkansas, population schedule, El Dorado, Union County, Arkansas, ED #0128, Page 41, Line 27, Dwelling 305, Family 316, Household of Napoleon BROWN.
15. 1930 U. S. Census, Union County, Arkansas, population schedule, Franklin, Union County, Arkansas, enumeration district (ED) #70-16, Page: 15B (3401 penciled in); Line 69, Dwelling 343, Family 345, Household of Epps M. BROWN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 14 August 2011); citing NARA publication Roll: T626_0096.
16. Find A Grave, http://www.findagrave.com, Accessed on 14 August 2011; Headstone for Martha Ann "Missie" Brown; Memorial # 74040708.
17. Ibid.
18. Ibid.