The weekly examiner., 1901-06-01
JOHN BROWN, THE MARTYR.

A short time ago an article appeared
 in the Herald about the birth place of John Brown, the martyr. In the Hum
 phrey Genealogy is a full account of his life and death. A short sketch of
 him will no doubt, interest many read
 CTS of this paper.
 John Brown. the martyr (for that he
 really was) was a lineal descendant, on
 the paternal side, from Peter Brown,
 who landedl from the Mayfower with her little band at Plymouth, Mass, in l162O. Through his son, Peter, Ed, John
 1st, 2d and Sd; his son Owen Brown, who was the father of John 4th, the
 martyr. Owen Brown was a tanner
 and shoemaker. He first settled in
 Norfolk, then in Torrington, and finally
 removed to Hudson, Ohio, where he
 was one of the principal settlers. He is described as possessing great reli-
 gious character and kindness of heart. He was a trustee of Oberlin college for
 nine years.
 On the maternal side John Brown
 was descended from the emigrant Mi chael Humphrey, who came over in the
 ship Mary and John,' in 1880, and
 who married Priscilla, daughter of
 Matthew Grant of Windsor. Through ] ms son, Lieut. 0dmuS1, JOudIAdu, HULL Oliver, whose daughter, Ruth, married Lieut. Gideon Mills, jr., who was an off, cer in the Revolutionary army, and was entrusted with a large portion of the prisoners comprising BurgOyne's army
 his daughter Ruth wed Owen Brown. l John Browns great-grandafther was the Rev Gideon Mills, ST., an installed
 pastor for thirteen years of what was then called West Simsbury, in 1759.
 His wife was Elizabeth Highley, cou sin of Governor Jonathan Trumbul1, and was a member Of his family for several years.
 Thus it appears that John Brown de- scended from long line of honorable ancestors, from whom he probably in
 herited that love of truth, right and
 justice which characterized all the events of his life. He married first Dianthe Lusk, by whom he had seven
 children; married second Mary Ann Day, who was the mother of thirteen children, several of whom died while young Four died within three weeks, three being carried out of the house at one funeral and burial in the same grave. Three sons were killed in the different skirmishes he was engaged in. All this, with other troubles, did not daunt this brave, unselffish man, who gave his life in attempting to lib- crate the poor, down-trodden slaves at the South. He was hung on Friday, i December 2 1859. A few days previ- ous to his execution he wrote some tvery memorable letters to his two kins- men, the Rev. Luther Humphrey and Rev. Heman Humphrey, D. D., presi- dent of Amherst college, whose replies were full of sympathy and sorrow for him. The following extracts are from his last letter written to his family:
 Charleston Prison, Jefferson Co.,, Va. | Nov. 30, 1859.
 My Dearly Beloved Wife, Sons and Daughters, everyone:
 | I am waiting the hour of my public murder with great compOsure of mind and cheerfulness, feeling the strong as- surance that in no other possible way could be used to so much possfb1e au-S vantage to the cause of good and hu- manity and that nothing that either or my family have sacrificed or suf- fered will be lost. So, my dear shat tered and broken family, be of cheer and believe and trust in God with all your heart, for He doeth all things we'll Do not feel ashamed on my account, nor one moment despair of the cause, nor be weary of we'll doing. I bless God never felt stronger confidence in the certain and near approach of bright morning that I now feel. beseech you every one to make the Bible your daily and nightly study with a child-like, honest, earnest spirit of love and re- spect for your husband and father. You cannot imagine how much you may soon need the consolation of the Christian religion. My dear younger children, will you listen to this last poor admonition of one who can only love you. Oh, be determined at once to give your whole heart to God, and let nothing alter nor shake that resOlu- tion. Do not be vain nor thoughtless, but sober-minded. l beseech you all to live in habitual contentment with moderate circumstances and gains of worldly store, and earnestly to teach this to your children after you, by ex- ample as we'll as precept. Be deter mined to know by experience, as soon as may be, whether Bible instruction is of divine origin or not Be sure to owe no man anything, but to love one another. John Rogers writes to his children to abhor, with undying hatred, that sum of all villainies, slavery. Remember, he that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that ruleth his spirit is greater than he that taketh a city. Remember also that they being wise shall shine and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.
 And now, dearly beloved family, to God and the work of His grace, I com mend you all,
 Your affectionate husband and father, 3@.t JOHN BROWN.
 After speaking an encouraging word to several of his men in prison, he rode to his place of execution and ascended the scaffold with a firm tread, meeting death with Christian composure. In the war with the South, which soon followed, the name of John Brown. woven into song, became a source of inspiration to our brave soldiers, urg- ing them on to many deeds of valor.
 SAYINGS OF WITS AND SAGES