The Republican journal., 1884-12-25
Mrs. John Brown.

of Mrs. Mary A. Brown, and the notice was
Immediately wired all over the country. Only
this, and nothing more. to many people to
whom the item was merely an intimaton that
one more had been gathered home. To many
others, it recalled remembrances of the terrible
struggle through which our country had passed
in years gone by, when John Browns name
was the battle cry that led many of our brave
soldiers to victory. To the small proportion of
people who knew Mrs. Brown personally. the
message brought heartfelt gref-gref, how
ever, that was tempered with joy. that one who
had endured such severe trials had al last ELI
tered into rest.
In trying to give sketch of her life, could
wish that an ADLER pen than mine might be en-
ployed, for although bring to the task, IA feel
ing of gratitude that | was ever permitted to
know her, yet briefly | must write, the
sketch will necessarily be an imperfect one.
Mary A. Dey was born in Granville, n. Y.
Apr. 10. 1916. Her father was blacksmith by
trade, but when she was ten years of age, he
removed with bis family to farm, near Mead
vle Penn. All the school education She ever
received was previous to this tme for being an
elder daughter in a large family, her help was
needed at home. Early in life. she became a
member of the Congregational church, and con
tined in its communion until her death.
| When but sixteen years Of age, she became
the wife of John Brown, and assumed the care
of his five children, the eldest of whom was
near her own age She brought to the task
good health. a strong, well balanced mind, and
lt,t,,
scientou>ly, and most nobly did she succeed in
the undertaking.
She became the mother of thirteen children,
four of hom live to mourn her loss. Seven of
her children died in childhood, four of them in
one week. She once remarked to the writer,
That was the time in my life. when ali my re-
gion, all my philosophy, all my faith in Gods
goodness Were put to the test My husband
was away from home, prostrated on bed of
sickness. |, too, was lying helpless from severe
illness. In one week four of my little ones died
of dysentery, and this but three months before
the birth of another child Three years after this
sad time, another little one eighteen menths old
was accidentally burned to death. Yet even in
these trials God upheld me-
their lives at Harper's Ferry.
The work in which her husband was engaged
and TO which he had devoted his life necesei-
tated such frequent ard lengthy absences from
home, that the care of the family deyoyed upon
his wife. She knew too full well, the danger
/ to which he was constantly exposed. Often
| when She bade him good bye, it was with the
! feeling that she might never see him aoain
| During all these years she was eudea> orng to
/ prepare herself to sacrifice both husband and
sons if need be. Where weaker woman would
have taltered She stood firm, sustained by "a
faith in God that was truly sublime. While her
/ husband was in Kansas, she remained at North
| Elba, n. Y. with her three young daughters.
| Then when the struggle at Harper'> Ferry was
| terminated and she knew that his life work
was nearly ended, she visited him in his prison,
aud received his last messages and words of
instruction. After all was over, she returned
| with his remains to her lonely home. Here she
| remained until 1868, when with her family She
removed to Iowa, and in the following SPRING
| iii company with her son Salmon. she with her
daughter, made the journey across the plains to
| California. For slN Years they made their home
at Red Bluff Tehama Co., when they removed
TO the town Of RohnervilIe. Humboldt Co. Here
| she lived quietly and peacefully for ten wears
! 1t was at this time in her life that the writer of
| this sketch became acquainted with her. and a
| friendship was formed which grew stronger
and stronger, and wA- only terminated bv Mrs.
| Browns death. From Rohnervile, she with
two daughters went to live at Saratoga, Santa
| Cara Co., which was her home until her DEATH
| She had long felt Il desire to return TO the
! Eastern States, and visit scenes with which
| she had been familiar, greet friends from
| whom she had been long separated and once
more stand by the grave of her husband at
| North EIba. In 1sS2, the way was proyiUen-
| italy opened for the accomplishment of this
desire, and she accepted the opportunity at
! Iorded. During her absence from California,
| public receptions We're rendered her AZ Chicago
| Boston, Topeka, and other places and She re-
! celNed many kind attentions. 1t was during
this visit to the East that the body Of her son
| Watson. who persisted at Halper> Ferry, aud
/ for which his family had vanly sought for
| twenty Years, was restored to her. The cir
cumstances. related briefly, We're these At the
| time of Watson Browns death his remains
were given 10 medical college, at Winchester
| Va. Two wears later, when the Union forces
| occupied Winchester the college was disband
| ed. and every thing that the buildings contained
| was scattered. Among other relics, the body
Of Watson Brown came into the possession Of
| a physician. who afterwards settled in Indiana
! polls. During all these years, unknown to any
member of the Brown family, it had been in
his keeping. Learning that Mrs. Brown was
about to visit the East he sent her "a commune
| cation saving that he would restore the body to
her. 1t had been carefully preserved that
identification was easy and It's genuineness
was proved beyond doubt Mis-. Brown now
| had Ine mournfu privilege of seeing this son
| inferred beside the grave of his father, with
| appropriate memorial services. When Oliver,
Inc other son who also lost his life at lIarperS
| FERRY, died, 1t was known that his grave was
made at low water mark-and further than
| that no trace of his remains could ever be
| found. After Mrs Browns return TO Califor-
MIA. she made visit to Humboldt Co and
| spent some time with her son and daughter liv-
| ing there. 1t was at this time she was attacked
with the disease which finally terminated her
/ life. For i've months She suffered at times in
/ len>ely, the disease, though sometimes appar-
emily subdued all the time gaining tirmer hold
| upon the weary body During the last two
| months OF her life she was in San Francisco
| Tor medical treatment, carefully watched over
| by the daughter, to whom she had been sister,
as well as mother, SO strong had been the bond
OF sympathy between them. 1t was painful to
/ those who loved her. to the brain gradual
! ly yielding to the destroyer. and the effort her
strong will constantly made to gain the victory.
| but the severe strain she had endured. the
grief the heart-5reaking agony of the Years
that had gone, were all having their effect now,
and her naturally strong constitution was com
| pletely broken. The end came, quietly, peace
| fully When asked by friend il all We're
bright before her, her reply was. 81 trSt.'
| Thus she rested from labor, Feb. 30, 1884. be-
| ing >iXty-eight years of age. Her funeral was
attended from the Congregational church in
| Saratoga, her pastor, Rev. Mr.. Cross ofciat-
ing. A large number of persons assembled to
render her the last tribute of respect in their
power.
In many respects Mrs. Brown was a re-
markable woman. She represented class of
whom we see but few in the present day. Her
early educational advantages mad of necessity
been very limited, yet she was by no means
ignorant. She was keenly interested in all the
great questions of the day. She had read the
| Bible to good purpose, having its great truths
so impressed upon her mind as almost to
! form part of her being. She believed it
| to be the very word of God, without ques-
ton, and she governed all her actions by
its precepts Simple, in her habits, her own
wants were few, but generosity was one
n q t..it SI,., ih.r