The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-08
NANNY BROWN.
An Old Virginia War Time Figure who Has
Survived Until the Present.
Philadelphia Times.l


One Of the most familiar and beloved faces
in the Virginia hospitals during the war was
that of an old colored woman. BY the side Of
the sick and dying she was always to be found,
whether they wore blue or gray. The face Of
old Nanny Mary Brown was the face OF an
angel Of mercy TO many during this time.
She belonged TO the old Nell estate. Her
mother who died within the last three years
lived to lineage Of 1l2. and was, up TO few
weeks Of her death n brisk, bright-eyed old
lady She was visited by many of the quality
folks" as she remembered the Revolutionary
war, being child of some five years old at
that time. Mary, at the age OF ~, was bought
bv Mr. TOwsen afterwards Major TOwsen),
who was then Just married. Nine children
was born into the family, the mother dying
when the last child was an infant in arms So
20 Mary fell the care of the children, and
they could not have fallen into better
hands. Her life was given up TO them.
She never married, afording almost the only
case on record where the colored damsel has
failed TO take unto herself better half.
Some years before the war Mr. Towsen moved
to Philadelphia. taking Mary with him. Or
course she was free upon crossing the line.
but her deep devotion TO the family kept her
with them. and she returned with them 20 the
South. She had cause 10 be proud of her lit
tie brood. seven Of which were boys for they
civil war came il was with an aching heart
that nanny" saw her beloved boys don
their soldier clothes 10 leave her.
But she had no time for repining. Those
four years were full of unselfsh deeds for her.
She was always nursing the sick. taking the
covering from her own bed that they might
not 90 cold. buying them dainties from her
own scant stock of money.
Sleepless nights she watched by the side Of
some poor, dying fellow. whose last faint
words were those of thanks and blessings for
his nurse. She made from two to three hun
bred suits of soldier clothes. sewing them for
the most part during her night watches by
the sick.
At one time when the troops were stationed
at Manassas, before the first battle there she
made
BARREL OF BLACKBERRY CORDIAL,
for the most part picking the berries with her
own hands. How those thirsty. wornout
boys did cheer when that barrel arrived The
story of an old colored woman having made il
for them was told. BOYS" said one poor
fellow, lets give her three cheers" And
cheer her they did.
Nanny was twice cheered by the soldiers
at Manassas-the second time at the reception
of some much-needed clothes she made
All this time her heart was bleeding for her
own especial seven. Before the close of the
third year there was not one of them left. 1T
90 seem, SHc Sall on one OCCASION 10 Nrener-
al Mosby. dat de good Lord hab set His
mark OBJ death upon them" They all died in
her arms
All the boys made her the confdant Of their
JOYS and woes alike, ever finding her most
sympathetic listener On one occasion man,
my lost all of her few remaining possessions
while travelling from one town TO another
"Dey's wrapped in an old blue counterpane,"
she told one of the soldiers and dar is a
bottle Of juach brandy in de bundle IF yer
finds der counterpart yer can hab de bottle"
Ii is needless 10 say that with such reward
offered, most diligent search was made. but
without avail The old blue cOnnterpane has
never come to light The soldier. who has
now changed into portly Judge, who counts
his dollars 10y the ten thousands, never meets
nanny without saying. with twinkle in his
blue eyes, Il am still looking out for that
blue cOunteTpane, nanny, and remember the
bottles mine when find It,"
After the war nanny went 10 live with
Major Towsens daughter, where she has been
ever since. She finds much comfort in new
set of boys, though they can never take the
place of her dear dead soldiers. The twin
boys are her particular delight. and the pic
ture is an exact likeness Of her. as she holds
them.
Nanny Is over ninety now, but still brisk,
and looks quite equal TO several generations.
Her life has indeed been full of good works.
ever marked by loving, unselfsh spirit.