Descendants of Elias Brown

Generation No. 1

1. ELIAS² BROWN (?¹) was born in Maryland, and died 1827 in Jackson County, Ohio (Pigeon Roost). He married HONOR MUNDEL 1800 in Maryland, daughter of ROBERT MUNDEL and JUDY ?. She was born in Maryland, and died Abt. 1843 in Pickaway County, Ohio (Circleville).

Notes for ELIAS BROWN:

Elias reportedly (by Christopher Brown) left Maryland in 1813.

Notes for HONOR MUNDEL:

Reported by Christopher Brown to have been born "not far from Cumberland, Maryland".

Was freed at age 13 by James Dawson according to Christopher Brown.

See Life among the Lowly for story regarding her son Elias.

Children of ELIAS BROWN and HONOR MUNDEL are:

i. JAMES³ BROWN, b. 1801, Maryland.

ii. JOHN BROWN, b. 1803, Maryland.

iii. ENOCH BROWN, b. 1805, Maryland.

2. iv. CHRISTOPHER BROWN, b. Abt. 1810, Maryland.

v. DAVID BROWN, b. 1813, Maryland.

3. vi. ELIAS BROWN, b. Abt. 1815, Pennsylvania.

vii. ELIZABETH BROWN, b. 1817, Pennsylvania.

4. viii. CHARLES BROWN, b. Abt. 1819, Pennsylvania.

ix. MADISON BROWN, b. 1821.

 

Generation No. 2

2. CHRISTOPHER³ BROWN (ELIAS², ?¹) was born Abt. 1810 in Maryland. He married NANCY JANE LUCAS May 27, 1838 in Pike County, Ohio. She was born in Pennsylvania.

Notes for CHRISTOPHER BROWN:

Believe this to be the brother of Elias Brown and possibly Charles Brown.

The 1850 census of Pike County, Ohio has Christopher living with Nancy J., James W., Rebecca A., Elias, Sarah J., Charles H (?), Hannah F. and a child named Jesse Lucas age 9 months. That same year Charles Brown also has two Lucas children living with him. Needs further investigation.

Received information from Beverly J. Gray, Chillicothe, Ohio. She reports that Christopher was very active as a conductor in the Underground Railroad. She states this is from a newspaper article in the Pike County Republican. They did a series call Life Among the Lowly. In it he told his own story of his involvement in the UGRR. I will attempt to get this article.

She further reports that Christopher's home is still standing (or so she has been told). She plans to photograph it. I will attempt to ascertain it's location and visit also.

"Life Among the Lowly"

from the Pike County Republican, November 20, 1873

Number II

Some months ago we gave a sketch of the life of Madison Hemming, who claimed to be a natural son of Thomas Jefferson. We intended, then, to have continued sketches of different colored citizens of our county and vicinity under the above heading.

We are Just now prepared to give the second one, and that will be an account of the life of

CHRISTOPHER BROWN,

A resident of Jackson township, in Pike county.

Mr. Brown's father's name was Elias. He (Christopher Brown) knows but very little of his father's ancestors beyond the fact that his grandfather was a colored man, who was born somewhere in the vicinity of our National Capital and his grandmother was a white woman. Hence, his father, Elias was born free, for the enactments of Maryland, as well as all the slave States, followed the Mosiac law, that is, the child followed the mother. If she was free, her child was free; if she was a slave, her child was a slave, no matter who was its father. But our informant knows something of his ancestry on his mother's side. His mother's name was Honor Mundel. She was born in Maryland, not far from Cumberland. Her father's name was Robert Mundel; her mother's Judy. There were slaves of James Dawson, whose wife's name was Betty. They had no children of their own, and made pets of their slaves, who, consequently, led a very easy, happy life. James Dawson had two brothers and they had an abundance of children, and as their uncle, James Dawson, was waxing in age, these nephews and nieces began to set apart, in their own imaginations, which of their uncles' slaves would fall to their portion. This fact coming to honest James Dawson's knowledge, he declared that none of his servants should come under the absolute control of his greedy nephews and nieces. So he made them all free, which happened when his mother (Honor) was thirteen years of age. Of course, as Christopher's grandparents were slaves, not much of interest in known, except that they were slaves and probably, not more than a generation or two back, natives of Africa and possibly July was a native of that country. But his grandfather, Robert Mundel was born in Maryland near Anteiteum, a place since made famous in the late internecine war, which eventuated in giving freedom to all slaves born under our nation's flag. Robert Mundel, after he was set free by his master, Jas. Dawson, chose to add Mundel to his name, which was the surname of a former master. Elias Brown married Honor Mundel in 1800. James Dawson and wife would have them joined in holy wedlock the same as white folks, which was performed on their own premises. In 1801, James was born to them, who was succeeded by John in 1803, Enoch, in 1805, Christopher, in 1810, David, in 1813, Elias, in 1810, Elizabeth in 1817, Charles in 1819 and Madison, in 1821.

In 1813, Elias Brown, Senior, left Maryland with his wife and five children, David then being a babe, with the intention of coming to the Scioto bottoms, where the Fosters, Lucases, Bowmans, Vanmeters, Dawsons, Moores, and other Maryland and Virginia families, their friends and acquaintances, had come on before. But when he arrived at Redstone Old Fort, (now known as Brownsville, in Fayette county, Pennsylvania) winter was coming on and he found himself not in a condition to proceed. So he crossed the Monongahela river, into Washington county, where he continued to reside eight years, and where Elizabeth, Elias and Charles were born. He (Elias, Senior) was an expert fiddler, and found ready employment and good pay at that art. When fiddling was not in demand he worked for the farmers. He was as good a harvester as he was a fiddler. At the end of eight years (February 1820) he left Washington county, and came to Pigeon Roost, in Jackson county, Ohio, accompanied by his son Christopher.

Pigeon Roost, in Jackson township, Jackson county, our informant says, took its name from the fact that immense numbers of pigeons used to flock there to roost. They came in such masses as to darken the sun, and broke large limbs off the trees on alighting. The people used to take pine knots, set them on fire, and use them to light the way to Pigeon Roost, where they would knock the pigeons off of the frees, catch, kill and fill bags and baskets with them, on which to feast to satiety.

Elias and our informant crossed the Ohio river, driving two cows and a heifer before them, because the people where they had resided would not give what the owner thought an__cient for them. Soon after entering Ohio, Elias purchased a bushel of bran for the cows and gave it to them dry, and after they had eaten all they wanted induced them to cram themselves with more by putting salt in it. After eating all they would, they drank water heartily, which swelled the bran and the consequence was the cows died, while the heifer survived and proved to be a valuable cow. She met her death, however, from drinking water impregnated with salt petre. One Jacob Halterman mad gun-powder near Pigeon Roost, and as there was immense quantities of salt petre in the caves or the rocks, the dirt was put into leeches, drained as we leech ashes and the salt-petre was then used in the manufacture of powder. Halterman was a hunter, made his own powder and some to sell. If he had confined his business to the manufacture of powder, our informant thinks he might have grown rich, but he did not. But we have digressed, somewhat. The cows came to the troughs into which the salt-petre was drained, which had filled with rain water, and drank so much that it killed them.

Arrived at Pigeon Roost, in March, 1820, Christopher was left with his grandfather Mundel, who had settled on Big run, in Jackson township, Pike county, while Elias returned to Pennsylvania for the other members of the family, who arrived the following June. They settled on Congress land, near Pigeon Roost. The male members obtained food for the family by hunting, as game was plenty then.

In 1821, a crop was put in and gathered. From this time, the family scattered. Christopher continued to live with his father till 1827, when the old man died, from consumption. About one year after his father's death, Christopher left home to seek employment. His grandfather Mundel had come out to Ohio before Elias Brown left Cumberland and worked for Joseph Foster.

And now, a few words about these Fosters. There were five brothers-Thomas, John, Joseph, Richard and Benjamin. The latter removed to Illinois. The others settled on the rich bottoms of the Scioto river in Ross and Pike counties. They were from Swan Pond bottom on the South branch of the Potomac river in Virginia. John Foster was an exceptionally fine man, while all of them were of the first respectability. They lived many years where they first settled in these counties and died respected by their fellow citizens, leaving many children alike respectable and respected. They were true friends to the colored people.

In 1828, Mr. Mundel got a situation for Christopher with Joseph Foster aforesaid, then an old man, where he remained several months at $6 per month feeding cattle and $7.50 during the crop raising season. After the corn crop was laid by Christopher was not particularly wanted any longer, so Mr. Foster paid him his wages and he returned to his mother's. Up to this time he had only been to school three weeks, so when about 21 years of age, he went to school in that township in which he now lives to John Switzer about six weeks. His school-fellows were the Houks, Rhodeses, Lucases, Leeks, and other. It was a subscription school, and any one who paid his tuition fee was allowed to attend, whether white or black. The white people, in those simple times had not learned, as some of them have since, the deep disgrace they brought upon themselves by going to school with a "nigger"! In 1832 he went to school to Rev. Joseph Panly, who lived near where Samuel Brown now lived, on the Joseph Foster place, about one and a half miles from Sharonville. And this constituted the sum and substance of his schooling, with the exception, that when about ten years of age he was instructed on Sundays only by a woman with whom he was put to do chores. She was the wife of John C. Calhoun. They lived in Washington county, ten miles from Elias Brown's. He was a cousin to John C. Calhoun of South Carolina and a very clever, kind-hearted man, a merchant while, in some respects, his wife was a very virago. They were ex-slaveholders. She would whip Christopher half a dozen times a day, some days during the week, while on Sunday she was all kindness and instructed her young protégé out of the spelling and Sunday School books of her own children.

From 1828 to 1838 Christopher Brown followed farming and the rivers - principally the latter. He found boating a degrading business and desired to get away from it. Having laid by some money, in 1837, he purchased 40 acres on the Scioto river, it being Congress land, for which he paid the government $50. This land lies in Jackson township. The late John Pancake owned a fraction of about 25 acres adjoining, which he (Christopher) leased and cleared. This gave him about 35 acres of bottom land. He erected on his own land a cabin, took him to wife Nancy Jane Lucas, early in the year 1838 and settled down for life. He furnished us much matter of the highest interest pertaining to himself and neighbors. But we are compelled to forego the pleasure of writing it out in detail and printing. He lived on that little farm 17 years, when he sold it to John Pancake and purchased on Straight creek 113 acres, to which he has since made additions by purchase.

Christopher and Nancy Jane Brown had born to them James Wesly, 1834; Rebecca Ann, 1840; Elias, 1841; Sarah Jane, 1844; Enoch and Charles Henry, twins, 1846; Hannah Frances, 1850' Christopher, 1852; John C., 1855; Phillip, 1857; and infant son died without having been named, 1859; Ezra, 1862. Of the 13 children, four are dead, three married and six are living under the parental roof.

In February, 1840, Christopher Brown experienced religion and joined the African Methodist Episcopal church under Rev. Thos. Woodson. Since that time he has endeavored to and we believe has succeeded as nearly as falls to the lot of poor, weak mortals, in following his Saviour, and set an example to those around him worthy to be followed.

In 1840 he was appointed a leader in the church, in 1841 licensed as an exhorter, and in 1843 licensed as a local preacher, and has adorned the profession ever since.

As it is our purpose, in these sketches, to bring out the novel and startling, if you please, bits of history pertaining to these lowly people, we will narrate an event of thrilling interest to the family of whom we have given this sketch.

Elias Brown, now a resident in Jackson township, Pike county was the sixth son of Elias Brown, Senior. In 1829, when Elias was about 14 years of age, (his father being dead) a man giving his name as Ballard care to his mother's house and represented himself as a contractor on the Ohio and Erie canal, which was then being built. He stated that he has a young wife, and was compelled to be away from home, greatly to the distress of his lonesome bride. So he wanted to hire Elias to go with him, live with his wife, and do chores for which he offered liberal wages for a boy of his age at that time. He was allowed to accompany the man. Ballard, who took him down the Ohio river to Vicksburg. The boy was quite ignorant of geography and topography, and Ballard quieted him with the kindest attentions and indulgence in candies and other delicacies, which are always winning to young stomachs, till he found himself sold to and in the possession of a planter back of Vicksburg. Soon after Ballard's departure the gentleman began to inquire of his purchase how he liked his new master. It then flashed upon Elias' mind that he had been sold into slavery and he began to cry. He gave the gentleman a history of his young life, who saw at once that both had been wickedly imposed upon, and they immediately started off in pursuit of Ballard, who was overtaken on the boat in which he was returning to Ohio. He was arrested, placed in jail in Louisville to wait his trial for kidnapping and word was sent on to Judge Hampton as to the whereabouts of Elias, who was eventually returned to his mother. But alas not till her mind had been so wrecked by intense anxiety concerning the fate of her darling son that reason had become unbalanced. She became incurably insane and died at the resident of her daughter, Elizabeth in Circleville in or about 1843. The rascal, Ballard obtained his liberty and escaped a just punishment for his crime, by bribing his jailor.

We will relate another incident of interest which occurred in 1841. Seven slaves came to Jackson township on their way from Virginia to a land of freedom beyond the tyranny of a government whose people boasted that it was "the land of the free and home of the brave." They were hidden in the forests on the hills and in the caves of Jackson and Pike counties several days. But two of the slave masters were soon on their track accompanied by a pack of two-legged Ohio hounds who gloried in the appellation of "nigger hunters." They scoured the vallies and hills, determined to secure their trembling prey. As they cam through Jackson county, they caught and whipped Rev. John Woodson, to compel him to tell where the fugitives were secreted. But he did not know, nor would he have told had he known. When the fugitives reached this county, Christopher Brown was informed of the fact. He was closely watched some of the hunters standing guard over his canoe all one night, so that he might not help any one or more of the fugitives across the Scioto river. But nonetheless, he did pilot one across the river that night, and passed him along the underground railroad toward Canada, to which happy land he escaped. Four of the seven were caught supposed to have been betrayed by a man of their own color. The other two also escaped. This was only one of a great many similar scenes enacted on the soil of Ohio before and since that day.

Christopher says of his mother, that she was early taught to read, probably when in slavery, and was a great searcher of the scriptures. She could readily refer to almost any text in the bible. She was a most industrious woman, and possessed the happy faculty of making friends. She was thus enabled to keep her children while young mostly around her. She was a good calculator, economical in her expenditures and never afraid to put her hands to any job of work that offered. Consequently she was enabled to bring up her children tolerably well, for which she had the gratitude of her children, all of whom venerated her memory while they lived as the three survivors _ Christopher, Elias, and Elizabeth- do.

Children of CHRISTOPHER BROWN and NANCY LUCAS are:

i. JAMES WESLY⁴ BROWN, b. Abt. 1834.

ii. REBECCA ANN BROWN, b. Abt. 1840.

5. iii. ELIAS BROWN, b. December 1841, Pike County, Ohio.

iv. SARAH JANE BROWN, b. Abt. 1844.

v. CHARLES HENRY BROWN, b. Abt. 1846.

vi. ENOCH BROWN, b. 1846.

vii. HANNAH FRANCES BROWN, b. Abt. 1850.

6. viii. CHRISTOPHER BROWN, JR., b. November 1852, Ohio; d. September 19, 1920, Pike County, Ohio.

7. ix. JOHN C. BROWN, b. June 25, 1855, Pike County, Ohio; d. August 25, 1927, Pike County, Ohio.

x. PHILIP BROWN, b. Abt. 1857.

xi. JESSE BROWN, b. Abt. 1859.

xii. INFANT SON BROWN, b. 1859; d. 1859.

xiii. EZRA BROWN, b. 1862.

3. ELIAS³ BROWN (ELIAS², ?¹) was born Abt. 1815 in Pennsylvania. He married MARY ELLEN WILSON October 11, 1855 in Pike County, Ohio, daughter of WILLIS WILSON and RHODA ?. She was born Bet. 1835 - 1838 in Virginia or West Virginia.

Notes for ELIAS BROWN:

1850 census is first evidence so far for Elias Brown in Pike County, Ohio. There he is living with Rachel and John P. Jones. He is 32 and lists his place of birth as Pennsylvania.

1860 census shows Elias living with Mary (wife) and shows children: Lucretia, Martha, Lucy and Jane. All list place of birth as Virginia.

1870 census show place of birth as Pennsylvania.

More About ELIAS BROWN:

Census: 1850, First found in Pike Co. Living with Rachel and John P. Jones. He is 32, laborer. (Source: 1850 Census Pike County Ohio.)

Notes for MARY ELLEN WILSON:

1870 census shows place of birth as West Virginia.

Children of ELIAS BROWN and MARY WILSON are:

i. LUCRETIA⁴ BROWN, b. Bet. 1855 - 1857, Virginia.

8. ii. MARTHA BROWN, b. Abt. 1856, Virginia.

iii. LUCY BROWN, b. Abt. 1857, Virginia.

iv. JANE BROWN, b. Abt. 1859, Virginia.

v. CAROLINE BROWN, b. Abt. 1860.

vi. JAMES ALEX BROWN, b. Abt. 1862.

vii. CHRISTOPHER C. BROWN, b. Abt. 1863.

viii. CLARA ANN BROWN, b. Abt. 1865; d. March 15, 1882, Pike County, Ohio.

Notes for CLARA ANN BROWN:

Clara Ann is noted on her head stone as Claryann.

ix. ALEXANDER BROWN, b. Abt. 1869.

x. MARY FRANCIS BROWN, b. Abt. 1871.

Notes for MARY FRANCIS BROWN:

Birth date taken from Pike Speaks (April 1993).

xi. SARAH E. BROWN, b. Abt. 1873.

4. CHARLES³ BROWN (ELIAS², ?¹) was born Abt. 1819 in Pennsylvania. He married HANNAH LUCAS May 07, 1848 in Pike County, Ohio.

Child of CHARLES BROWN and HANNAH LUCAS is:

i. JOHN W.⁴ BROWN, b. Abt. 1850.

 

Generation No. 3

5. ELIAS⁴ BROWN (CHRISTOPHER³, ELIAS², ?¹) was born December 1841 in Pike County, Ohio (Source: Soldier Discharge Records, Vol. 1 Pike County Ohio.). He married SARAH E. LUCAS April 04, 1867 in Pike County, Ohio. She was born November 1847 in Ohio, and died December 21, 1921 in South Bloomingburg, Ohio.

Notes for ELIAS BROWN:

Elias Brown, Pvt. of Capt. James S. Thropp's Co. E. 27th Reg USCTV enrolled 24 February 1864 to serve 3 years of during the war. Discharged 21 September 1865 at Smithville, North Carolina by reason of S.O. #179, 1865. C.S. Hdq. Dept. of N.C. Born in Pike Co., Ohio, 22 years of age, 5"9" high, mulatto complexion, black eyes, black hair, occupation when enrolled-laborer. (Taken from Soldier Discharge Records, Vol. 1, Pike County, Ohio.)

The 1900 census of Pike County, Ohio lists Elias as a farmer. He reports owning a house with a mortgage. In this census Elias and Sarah report being married 33 years.

1910 census shows Elias and Sarah living in Pike County on Carr's Run. They are living alone. Elias lists his place of birth as Ohio and his parents as both from Maryland (?). Sarah lists her birthplace as Ohio and her parents as Maryland and Virginia. Elias is listed as a farmer.

Pension records mention injury "ruptured by coach upsetting".

More About ELIAS BROWN:

Military service: Bet. February 24, 1864 - September 21, 1865, Pvt. of Capt. James S. Thropp's Co. E. 27th Reg. USCTV (Source: Soldier Discharge Records, Vol. 1 Pike County Ohio.)

Notes for SARAH E. LUCAS:

Buried at Straight Creek Cemetery, Pike County, Ohio per the obituary.

Children of ELIAS BROWN and SARAH LUCAS are:

i. ?⁵ BROWN.

ii. FRANK BROWN.

More About FRANK BROWN:

Census: 1890, No longer listed

iii. CHARLES W. BROWN, b. Abt. 1868.

9. iv. WILLIAM M. BROWN, b. Abt. 1870.

10. v. ELIAS BROWN, b. September 22, 1872, Pike County, Ohio; d. April 28, 1939, Pike County, Ohio.

11. vi. LAURA ALICE BROWN, b. Abt. 1875.

12. vii. IONA FRANCES BROWN, b. July 17, 1878, Pike County, Ohio; d. January 02, 1937, Pike County, Ohio.

viii. DOLLY BROWN, b. March 1880; m. ? CALLOWAY.

Notes for DOLLY BROWN:

According to Sam Simmons who still lives on Carr's Run in Pike County, Dolly and Mr. Calloway lived in Portsmouth, Ohio. They had 4-5 children, one of whom became a big "numbers" man in the Bluefield, West Virginia area. His home was located on Rt. 52 south of Bluefield.

ix. GEORGE F. BROWN, b. August 1880.

Notes for GEORGE F. BROWN:

In the 1900 census of Pike County, Ohio young George, age 9 is listed as a farm laborer. His sisters who are still living at home are all listed as being in school.

x. DAISY JERUSHA BROWN, b. August 10, 1883, Pike County, Ohio; d. November 23, 1970, Piketon, Ohio; m. (1) REV. ? BURR; m. (2) WILLIAM SHERMAN HARRIS, January 17, 1917, Pike County, Ohio; b. July 10, 1872, Pike County, Ohio; d. January 26, 1935, Pike County, Ohio; m. (3) AUGUST LOUIS ZIMMERMAN, February 05, 1939, Pike County, Ohio; b. April 11, 1867, Pike County, Ohio; d. September 30, 1947, Pike County, Ohio.

Notes for DAISY JERUSHA BROWN:

Daisy was a member of the Liberty Valley AME Church being baptized June 18, 1896. (From A Genealogy of the Broady, Harris, Napper, Thacker and Trent Families by Madelene Jones Norris)

Buried at Carr's Run Cemetery, Pike County, Ohio.

Notes for REV. ? BURR:

According to Sam Simmons, Rev. Burr was the minister at Shiloh Baptist Church, Columbus, Ohio.

Notes for WILLIAM SHERMAN HARRIS:

Buried in Carr's Run Cemetery, Pike County, Ohio.

William Sherman, a farmer, lived on Carr's Run Rd., Pike County, Ohio. Sherman and Daisy reared his grandson Sherman Estel Jackson. (From A Genealogy of the Broady, Harris, Napper, Thacker and Trent Families by Madelene Jones Norris)

Notes for AUGUST LOUIS ZIMMERMAN:

Buried at Carr's Run Cemetery, Pike County, Ohio.

Augustus "Gus" was a farmer and member of the Philadelphia Baptist Church on Carr's Run Rd. He and Daisy had a foster son, Willis Smith, the son of Iona Brown Smith.

xi. FLORA BROWN, b. September 1890.

xii. QUINN BROWN, d. June 16, 1891.

6. CHRISTOPHER⁴ BROWN, JR. (CHRISTOPHER³, ELIAS², ?¹) was born November 1852 in Ohio, and died September 19, 1920 in Pike County, Ohio. He married (1) MAHALA. She was born November 1855 in Ohio. He married (2) MAHALA NAPPER December 15, 1879 in Pike County, Ohio (Waverly) (Source: IGI.), daughter of WETHERFOOT NAPPER and MILDRED THACKER. She was born Abt. 1858 in Pike County, Ohio, and died June 21, 1937 in Pike County, Ohio.

Notes for CHRISTOPHER BROWN, JR.:

The 1900 census of Pike County shows Christopher, Mahala, Savilla, James and May are living in this household. In addition is Grant Harris, widower, born March 1870, age 30. He is listed as a laborer. Christopher and Mahala report they have been married 20 years. Christopher also lists his occupation as a farm laborer. He reports he rents a house. Savilla, James and May are in school.

Notes for MAHALA NAPPER:

There is a discrepancy in the last name and birth date of Mahala also known as "Diner." In the 1860 census, she is listed as age 2 years, in the 1870 census age 12, on her death certificate she is recorded as Mahala Napper Brown, age 79 yrs, 7 mos, 1 d birthplace Meigs County, Ohio. Her mother, Mildred Jane Thacker Napper, married John Smith in 1863. Relative say Mahala was a half sister to Mary Ann Napper Harris. She is listed as Mahala Smith on the birth record of her son Sylvester. On birth records of her other children, she is Mahala Napper. From "A Genealogy of the Broady, Harris, Napper, Thacker and Trent Families" by Madelene Jones Norris.

At times Mahala's name is also listed as Knapper.

Children of CHRISTOPHER BROWN and MAHALA are:

i. SAVILLA⁵ BROWN, b. September 1882.

ii. JAMES BROWN, b. July 1885.

iii. SYLVESTER BROWN, b. October 1888.

iv. MAY BROWN, b. March 1898.

7. JOHN C.⁴ BROWN (CHRISTOPHER³, ELIAS², ?¹) was born June 25, 1855 in Pike County, Ohio, and died August 25, 1927 in Pike County, Ohio. He married (1) MARTHA F. LUCAS. He married (2) JEMINA SMITH December 29, 1880 in Waverly, Ohio, daughter of ABRAHAM SMITH and SAVILLA NAPPER. She was born March 10, 1861 in Pike County, Ohio, and died February 20, 1882 in Pike County, Ohio. He married (3) NANCY ANN SMITH February 05, 1883 in Pike County, Ohio, daughter of ABRAHAM SMITH and SAVILLA NAPPER. She was born March 19, 1863 in Pike County, Ohio, and died April 23, 1884 in Pike County, Ohio.

Notes for JOHN C. BROWN:

Birth and death dates and burial information from "A Genealogy of the Broady, Harris, Napper, Thacker and Trent Families" by Madalene Jones Norris. Buried at Straight Creek Cemetery, Pike County, Ohio. From the same book John C. is noted as a farmer and member of the Straight Creek AME Church. John C. erected twin white gravestones in the Straight Creek Cemetery for Jemina and Nancy Ann.

Notes for NANCY ANN SMITH:

Nancy died from consumption. She is buried at Straight Creek Cemetery, Pike County, Ohio. Taken from "A Genealogy of the Broad, Harris, Napper, Thacker and Trent Families" by Madalene Jones Norris.

Child of JOHN BROWN and JEMINA SMITH is:

i. JEMINA MABEL⁵ BROWN, b. January 26, 1882, Pike County, Ohio; m. ANDREW JACKSON HARRIS.

8. MARTHA⁴ BROWN (ELIAS³, ELIAS², ?¹) was born Abt. 1856 in Virginia. She married SHELDON SMITH.

Child of MARTHA BROWN and SHELDON SMITH is:

i. RODA⁵ SMITH, b. September 24, 1871.

 

Generation No. 4

9. WILLIAM M.⁵ BROWN (ELIAS⁴, CHRISTOPHER³, ELIAS², ?¹) was born Abt. 1870.

Children of WILLIAM M. BROWN are:

i. HARRY⁶ BROWN.

ii. RALPH BROWN.

iii. EMMETT BROWN.

iv. ANNA BROWN.

10. ELIAS⁵ BROWN (ELIAS⁴, CHRISTOPHER³, ELIAS², ?¹) was born September 22, 1872 in Pike County, Ohio, and died April 28, 1939 in Pike County, Ohio. He married EDNA HARRIS December 24, 1920. She was born November 09, 1903 in Pike County, Ohio.

Notes for ELIAS BROWN:

According to Sam Simmons, Elias was also known as Jude.

Elias was a farmer.

Children of ELIAS BROWN and EDNA HARRIS are:

i. LAVONA KORRINE⁶ BROWN, b. January 10, 1924, Pike County, Ohio; d. January 28, 1924, Pike County, Ohio.

ii. MALE INFANT BROWN, b. November 17, 1925, Pike County, Ohio; d. November 17, 1925, Pike County, Ohio.

13. iii. EDGAR EUGENE BROWN, b. March 14, 1928, Pike County, Ohio.

14. iv. RAYMOND ELLSWORTH BROWN, b. September 14, 1930, Pike County, Ohio.

v. HOMER E. BROWN, b. May 30, 1934, Pike County, Ohio; d. September 03, 1943, Portsmouth, Ohio.

Notes for HOMER E. BROWN:

Buried at Carr's Run Cemetery.

11. LAURA ALICE⁵ BROWN (ELIAS⁴, CHRISTOPHER³, ELIAS², ?¹) was born Abt. 1875. She married WILLIAM HENRY ARTIS March 27, 1894 in Madison County, Ohio, son of JAMES ARTIS and CASSIE VANCE. He was born March 18, 1865 in Ohio, and died March 15, 1939 in Woodstock, Ohio.

Notes for WILLIAM HENRY ARTIS:

1870 census shows Wm. Henry Artis living with Adam and Angeline Artis in Pike Co., Ohio. Also in this household is Nancy Artis. Next door is Cassie Artis who is living with James W. who is age 7.

1900 census shows W.H. Artis is shown living in Pike Co., Jackson Township with Silas Wright. W.H. lists March 1865 as birth date. W.H. is listed as laborer. He reports being a widower.

1920 census shows William living in Madison Co., Ohio (he's listed as age 60?). Living with him is Alvin Artis, son (he's listed as age 22?).

According to Herman Artis, William was blind.

From the obituary stated that William died at the home of Nelson Artis, who lived on the Clay-Tooker Farm approximately 1 1/2 miles north of Woodstock, Ohio. He was reportedly blind for 11 years. His funeral was held at the Carr's Run Methodist Church. Burial was to be at Carr's Run.

Children of LAURA BROWN and WILLIAM ARTIS are:

i. MARY⁶ ARTIS, b. May 1891.

Notes for MARY ARTIS:

Mary is listed in the 1900 census of Pike County, Ohio as Mary Brown, living in the household of Elias and Sarah Brown along with Nelson, Alvin and Ora Artis. She is noted as the granddaughter of Elias. Could it be that she was born to Laura Alice (Brown) Artis before she married William Henry?

15. ii. NELSON ELIAS ARTIS, b. November 17, 1894, Pike County, Ohio; d. November 15, 1984, Madison County, Ohio (London).

iii. ALVIN ARTIS, b. August 1896, Pike County, Ohio.

Notes for ALVIN ARTIS:

1900 census show Alvin living in Pike Co., Oh with Elias Brown. Shows Alvin's age as 3 and Alvin as Elias's grandson.

iv. ORA ARTIS, b. December 1898.

Notes for ORA ARTIS:

1900 census shows Ora living with Elias Brown. Ora is listed as age 2 and listed as Elias's grandson.

Nelson reportedly said that one of his brothers went south. He seems to think that this brother went to North Carolina. This was related by Herman Artis.

12. IONA FRANCES⁵ BROWN (ELIAS⁴, CHRISTOPHER³, ELIAS², ?¹) was born July 17, 1878 in Pike County, Ohio, and died January 02, 1937 in Pike County, Ohio. She married (1) WILLIS SMITH, SR.. She married (2) ELIHUGH SMITH March 28, 1908 in Pike County, Ohio, son of ABRAHAM SMITH and SARAH SMITH. He was born November 06, 1883 in Pike County, Ohio, and died May 05, 1926 in Pike County, Ohio.

Notes for IONA FRANCES BROWN:

Buried with Elias Brown and Sarah E. Lucas Brown.

Notes for ELIHUGH SMITH:

Elihugh was a farmer.

Died of pneumonia. Buried at Straight Creek Cemetery, Pike County, Ohio.

Children of IONA BROWN and WILLIS SMITH are:

i. WILLIS⁶ SMITH, JR., b. April 14, 1895, Ohio; d. September 27, 1969, Piketon, Ohio.

Notes for WILLIS SMITH, JR.:

Buried at Carr's Run Cemetery, Pike County, Ohio.

ii. MYRTLE MAY SMITH, b. April 27, 1901, Ohio.

iii. GLADYS SMITH, b. 1905.

Children of IONA BROWN and ELIHUGH SMITH are:

iv. GOLDIE MARIE⁶ SMITH, b. January 04, 1909, Pike County, Ohio; m. JOHN L. SCALES, August 14, 1928, Pike County, Ohio; b. December 05, 1893, Ridgeway, North Carolina.

More About JOHN SCALES and GOLDIE SMITH:

Marriage: August 14, 1928, Pike County, Ohio

v. LESTER E. SMITH, b. March 09, 1914, Pike County, Ohio; d. June 08, 1914, Pike County, Ohio.

Notes for LESTER E. SMITH:

Buried at Straight Creek Cemetery, Pike County, Ohio.

vi. JENNIE ELIZABETH SMITH, b. June 03, 1915, Pike County, Ohio; d. June 06, 1915, Pike County, Ohio.

Notes for JENNIE ELIZABETH SMITH:

Buried at Straight Creek Cemetery, Pike County, Ohio.

vii. HUGHIE SMITH, b. August 10, 1917.

viii. WILLIAM HENRY SMITH, b. July 22, 1919, Pike County, Ohio; d. October 30, 1920, Pike County, Ohio.

Notes for WILLIAM HENRY SMITH:

Buried at Straight Creek Cemetery, Pike County, Ohio.

ix. PEARL ESTELLA SMITH, b. March 25, 1921.

 

Generation No. 5

13. EDGAR EUGENE⁶ BROWN (ELIAS⁵, ELIAS⁴, CHRISTOPHER³, ELIAS², ?¹) was born March 14, 1928 in Pike County, Ohio. He married BETTY FRY.

Children of EDGAR BROWN and BETTY FRY are:

16. i. LARRY⁷ BROWN.

ii. DWIGHT BROWN.

14. RAYMOND ELLSWORTH⁶ BROWN (ELIAS⁵, ELIAS⁴, CHRISTOPHER³, ELIAS², ?¹) was born September 14, 1930 in Pike County, Ohio. He married (1) LOIS BAILEY. He married (2) ALICE HAWKINS.

Child of RAYMOND BROWN and ALICE HAWKINS is:

i. ROY⁷ BROWN, Adopted child.

15. NELSON ELIAS⁶ ARTIS (LAURA ALICE⁵ BROWN, ELIAS⁴, CHRISTOPHER³, ELIAS², ?¹) was born November 17, 1894 in Pike County, Ohio, and died November 15, 1984 in Madison County, Ohio (London). He married (1) INA MAE JACKSON, daughter of GEORGE JACKSON and ELIZABETH REYNOLDS. She was born March 18, 1895 in Pike County, Ohio, and died April 1980. He married (2) OSSIE MAE HERMAN, daughter of CHARLES HERMAN and NORA BYRD. She was born September 17, 1908 in Pike County, Ohio, and died February 22, 1984 in London, Ohio.

Notes for NELSON ELIAS ARTIS:

1900 census shows Nelson living in Pike Co., Ohio with Elias Brown. Nelson is listed as age 5 and is Elias's grandson.

1920 census shows Nelson living in Franklin Co., Ohio with Ina, George, Edith and Verns (sic).

Nelson is buried at Deercreek Township Cemetery (1 mile west of West Jefferson on Rte. 40) in section nearest West Jefferson near back of cemetery.

Notes for OSSIE MAE HERMAN:

Osie Mae was an employee of Wright Patterson Air Force Base, the Red Brick Tavern in Lafayette, Ohio and the Madison County Children's Home for 23 years. When she began work as a laundress at the Children's Home in 1950, there were 35-45 children. The laundry room consisted of 2 wringer washers, 4 outdoor clothes lines. During the winter months, the laundry was dried on the second floor. She would iron 50-60 shirts at one time. Osie never took a vacation or a sick day. She was classifies as "part time" because she worked 4 days a week. (From A Genealogy of the Broady, Harris, Napper, Thacker and Trent Families by Madelene Jones Norris)

Osie may be a step daughter to Charles Herman. That is how she is listed in the 1910 census.

Children of NELSON ARTIS and INA JACKSON are:

17. i. GEORGE⁷ ARTIS.

18. ii. EDITH ARTIS, b. September 03, 1917; d. December 1986, Clark County, Ohio (Springfield).

19. iii. VERNON NELSON ARTIS, b. August 22, 1919, Columbus, Ohio; d. May 31, 1998, Springfield, Ohio.

20. iv. HERMAN FRANKLIN ARTIS, 

Children of NELSON ARTIS and OSSIE HERMAN are:

v. EARL A.⁷ ARTIS.

vi. RICHARD L. ARTIS, d. April 25, 1999.

vii. WILFORD ARTIS.

21. viii. EUNICE IRENE ARTIS, b. December 16, 1941; d. January 27, 1997, Madison County, Ohio (London).

 

Generation No. 6

16. LARRY⁷ BROWN (EDGAR EUGENE⁶, ELIAS⁵, ELIAS⁴, CHRISTOPHER³, ELIAS², ?¹)

Child of LARRY BROWN is:

i. BOBBY⁸ BROWN.

17. GEORGE⁷ ARTIS (NELSON ELIAS⁶, LAURA ALICE⁵ BROWN, ELIAS⁴, CHRISTOPHER³, ELIAS², ?¹) He married (1) HILDA ?. He married (2) FLORENCE CLINE LUCILLE JACKSON, daughter of IRA JACKSON and GEORGIA HARRIS. She was born November 01, 1920, and died in Urbana, Ohio.

Notes for FLORENCE CLINE LUCILLE JACKSON:

Florence was reared by Sherman and Emma Zimmerman Hall. (From A Genealogy of the Broady, Harris, Napper, Thacker and Trent Families by Madalene Jones Norris)

Children of GEORGE ARTIS and FLORENCE JACKSON are:

22. i. GEORGE STEPHEN⁸ ARTIS.

23. ii. DELORES ARTIS.

24. iii. LORA ARTIS.

18. EDITH⁷ ARTIS (NELSON ELIAS⁶, LAURA ALICE⁵ BROWN, ELIAS⁴, CHRISTOPHER³, ELIAS², ?¹) was born September 03, 1917, and died December 1986 in Clark County, Ohio (Springfield). She married (2) DONALD ELLICOTT.

Child of EDITH ARTIS is:

25. i. JOAN ELIZABETH⁸ ARTIS.

19. VERNON NELSON⁷ ARTIS (NELSON ELIAS⁶, LAURA ALICE⁵ BROWN, ELIAS⁴, CHRISTOPHER³, ELIAS², ?¹) was born August 22, 1919 in Columbus, Ohio, and died May 31, 1998 in Springfield, Ohio. He married (1) FLORENCE ?. He married (2) LEE AUDREY THOMAS December 01, 1942, daughter of FRED THOMAS and LAVINNIA ?.

Notes for VERNON NELSON ARTIS:

Vernon Artis retired from Wright Patterson Air Force Base. He had served in the Army during WWII.

Obituary:

Vernon N. Artis, Sr., 78, was born August 22, 1919 in Columbus, Ohio, the son of Nelson and Ina Mae (Jackson) Artis (Armstrong). He went home to be with our Lord on Sunday, May 31, 1998 at 11:30 AM, in Community Hospital.

Brother Artis was a faithful member of the St. John Missionary Baptist Church and the Senior Usher Board. He was retired from Wright Patterson AFB. He was also a member of the Armed Forces.

Mr. Artis is survived by his loving family, including his two daughters, Joyce (Guy III) Emmons and Tosca Moss, both of Springfield. Two sons, Vernon (Shirley E.) Artis, Jr., of Springfield and Daryl (Theresa) Artis of Louisville, Kentucky. One sister, Cora Lee Russell of London, Ohio; six brothers: George Artis of Urbana, Herman Artis of Springfield, Melvin Armstrong of Indianapolis, Wilfred Artis, Earl Artis and Richard Artis all of London, Ohio. Brother Artis was blessed with 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Lee Audrey Artis, 2 brothers and 3 sisters.

Brother Artis was a devoted husband, loving father and a craftsman of wood.

Interment: Ferncliff Cemetery

Arrangements: Porter-Qualls Funeral Home

Notes for LEE AUDREY THOMAS:

Member of Trinity A.M.E. Church, Springfield, Ohio. Funeral held April 11, 1995. Dennis L. Porter Funeral Home was mortuary. Buried Ferncliff Cemetery Springfield, Ohio.

Children of VERNON ARTIS and LEE THOMAS are:

26. i. VERNON NELSON⁸ ARTIS, JR..

27. ii. JOYCE M. ARTIS, b. Springfield, Ohio.

iii. DARYL E. ARTIS, m. THERESA ?.

iv. TOSCA L. ARTIS, m. CLAUDE MOSS.

20. HERMAN FRANKLIN⁷ ARTIS (NELSON ELIAS⁶, LAURA ALICE⁵ BROWN, ELIAS⁴, CHRISTOPHER³, ELIAS², ?¹) . He married JUANITA MARIE DOLBY June 05, 1948, daughter of HEZEKIAH KING and CARRIE DOLBY. 

Children of HERMAN ARTIS and JUANITA DOLBY are:

28. i. LINDA MARIE⁸ ARTIS

ii. STEPHANIE RENEE ARTIS, b. July 01, 1953, Clark County, Ohio (Springfield); d. January 07, 1967, Columbus, Ohio.

More About STEPHANIE RENEE ARTIS:

Burial: Ferncliff Cemetery, Springfield, Ohio

Cause of Death: Systemic Lupus Erythematosis

21. EUNICE IRENE⁷ ARTIS (NELSON ELIAS⁶, LAURA ALICE⁵ BROWN, ELIAS⁴, CHRISTOPHER³, ELIAS², ?¹) was born December 16, 1941, and died January 27, 1997 in Madison County, Ohio (London).

Notes for EUNICE IRENE ARTIS:

Eunice is buried at Deercreek Township Cemetery 1 mile west of West Jefferson on Rte. 40 (see Nelson Artis).

Child of EUNICE IRENE ARTIS is:

i. NANCY⁸ ARTIS.

 

Generation No. 7

22. GEORGE STEPHEN⁸ ARTIS (GEORGE⁷, NELSON ELIAS⁶, LAURA ALICE⁵ BROWN, ELIAS⁴, CHRISTOPHER³, ELIAS², ?¹) He married GAYLE THOMAS.

Children of GEORGE ARTIS and GAYLE THOMAS are:

i. ANTHONY⁹ ARTIS.

ii. LESLIE ARTIS,

iii. FAITH ARTIS.

iv. MATTHEW ARTIS.

v. RACHEL ARTIS.

23. DELORES⁸ ARTIS (GEORGE⁷, NELSON ELIAS⁶, LAURA ALICE⁵ BROWN, ELIAS⁴, CHRISTOPHER³, ELIAS², ?¹) She married (2) ROBERT HAROLD JONES. She married (3) NEAL BUCKNEY.

Child of DELORES ARTIS is:

i. KENT⁹ ARTIS.

Child of DELORES ARTIS and ROBERT JONES is:

ii. ROBERT⁹ JONES.

Children of DELORES ARTIS and NEAL BUCKNEY are:

iii. JANE ANN⁹ BUCKNEY.

iv. CAREY NEAL BUCKNEY.

v. TODD WILLIAM BUCKNEY.

24. LORA⁸ ARTIS (GEORGE⁷, NELSON ELIAS⁶, LAURA ALICE⁵ BROWN, ELIAS⁴, CHRISTOPHER³, ELIAS², ?¹) She married EDWARD JOHNSON.

Children of LORA ARTIS and EDWARD JOHNSON are:

i. KENNETH⁹ JOHNSON.

ii. TERRANCE JOHNSON.

25. JOAN ELIZABETH⁸ ARTIS (EDITH⁷, NELSON ELIAS⁶, LAURA ALICE⁵ BROWN, ELIAS⁴, CHRISTOPHER³, ELIAS², ?¹) She married DAVID MITCHELL.

Children of JOAN ARTIS and DAVID MITCHELL are:

i. TYRONE⁹ ARTIS.

ii. LAMAR ARTIS.

26. VERNON NELSON⁸ ARTIS, JR. (VERNON NELSON⁷, NELSON ELIAS⁶, LAURA ALICE⁵ BROWN, ELIAS⁴, CHRISTOPHER³, ELIAS², ?¹) He married SHIRLEY E. MARTIN in Springfield, Ohio.

Children of VERNON ARTIS and SHIRLEY MARTIN are:

i. NISHA⁹ ARTIS.

ii. BRYAN ARTIS.

iii. KYLE ARTIS.

27. JOYCE M.⁸ ARTIS (VERNON NELSON⁷, NELSON ELIAS⁶, LAURA ALICE⁵ BROWN, ELIAS⁴, CHRISTOPHER³, ELIAS², ?¹) was born in Springfield, Ohio. She married (1) JOHN THOMAS in Springfield, Ohio. She married (2) GUY EMMONS, JR., son of GUY EMMONS, SR..

Children of JOYCE ARTIS and JOHN THOMAS are:

i. JOHN⁹ THOMAS, JR..

ii. HEATHER THOMAS.

28. LINDA MARIE⁸ ARTIS (HERMAN FRANKLIN⁷, NELSON ELIAS⁶, LAURA ALICE⁵ BROWN, ELIAS⁴, CHRISTOPHER³, ELIAS², ?¹) . She married (1) ROBERT CHARLES SMITH in Richmond, Indiana. She married (2) EARNEST LEON JACKSON ,  son of ORVILLE JACKSON and REBA OWENS. 

Child of LINDA ARTIS and ROBERT SMITH is:

i. JOANNA LYNN⁹ SMITH,