John Brown

Brief Life History of John

When John Brown was born on 26 November 1831, in Limpsfield, Surrey, England, his father, William Brown, was 23 and his mother, Elizabeth Illman, was 18. He married Sarah Haynes on 7 November 1852, in St Pancras, Camden, London, England, United Kingdom. They were the parents of at least 5 sons and 3 daughters. He lived in Limpsfield, Surrey, England, United Kingdom in 1841 and London, England in 1861. He died on 10 April 1925, in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States, at the age of 93, and was buried in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States.

Photos and Memories (49)

Do you know John? Do you have a story about him that you would like to share? Sign In or Create a FREE Account

Family Time Line

John Brown
1831–1925
Eleanor Caffall
1850–1907
Marriage: 18 May 1874
Walter Brown
1875–1883
William Brown
about 1876–about 1877
Brown
about 1880–about 1880
Brown
1887–1887
Brown
about 1890–about 1890
Samuel Vernon Brown
1878–1954
Mabel Brown
1882–1884
Edna May Brown
1884–1887
Irene Brown
1888–about 1890
Harold Brown
1893–1963

Sources (119)

  • John Brown, "United States Census, 1870"
  • John Brown, "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975"
  • John Brown, "Utah, County Marriages, 1887-1940"

Spouse and Children

World Events (8)

1832 · The Black Hawk War

Convinced that a group of Native American tribes were hostile, The United States formed a frontier militia to stop them in their tracks. Even though Black Hawk was hoping to avoid bloodshed while trying to resettle on tribal land, U.S. officials opened fire on the Native Americans. Black Hawk then responded to this confrontation by successfully attacking the militia at the Battle of Stillman's Run and then left northward. After a few months the militia caught up with Black Hawk and his men and defeated them at the Battle of Wisconsin Heights. While being weakened by hunger, injuries and desertion, Black Hawk and the rest of the many native survivors retreated towards the Mississippi. Unfortunately, Black Hawk and other leaders were later captured when they surrendered to the US forces and were then imprisoned for a year.

1843

Dickens A Christmas Carol was first published.

1863

Abraham Lincoln issues Emancipation Proclamation, declaring slaves in Confederate states to be free.

Name Meaning

English, Scottish, and Irish: generally a nickname referring to the color of the hair or complexion, Middle English br(o)un, from Old English brūn or Old French brun. This word is occasionally found in Old French, Middle English and Old Norse as a personal name or byname (Middle English personal name Brun, Broun, ancient Germanic Bruno, Old English Brūn, or possibly Old Norse Brúnn or Brúni). Brun- was also an ancient Germanic name-forming element. Some instances of Old English Brūn as a personal name may therefore be short forms of compound names such as Brūngar, Brūnwine, etc. As a Scottish and Irish name, it sometimes represents a translation of Gaelic Donn (see below). Brown (including in the senses below) is the fourth most frequent surname in the US. It is also very common among African Americans and Native Americans (see also 5 below).

Irish and Scottish: adopted for Ó Duinn (see Dunn ) or for any of the many Irish and Scottish Gaelic names containing the element donn ‘brown-haired’ (also meaning ‘chieftain’), for example Donahue .

Irish: phonetic Anglicization of Mac an Bhreitheamhnaigh; see Breheny .

Dictionary of American Family Names © Patrick Hanks 2003, 2006.

Possible Related Names

Story Highlight

a letter home

I am lying down on the deck writing this letter. Dear George and Mary It is with exceeding great pleasure that i take the earliest opportunity to let you know how …

Discover Even More

As a nonprofit, we offer free help to those looking to learn the details of their family story.

Create a FREE Account

Search for Another Deceased Ancestor

Share this with your family and friends.