Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-10-28
ELDER BROWN PASSES
EIGHTY NINTH BIRTHDAY.
Has Been in Ministry SO Years and
Would Follow that Calling Again.


Rev. Joseph P. Brown. or Elder
Brown, as he delights to be called and
as his children" the people of New
London, delight to call him. was SO on
Wednesday. At his home. 1879 Hunt
ington street, in New London he qui-
city pasesd the day. Some of his
children" called on him: men and
women. whom he had married: others
whom he had baptized and others over
whose loved ones remains Elder
Brown had said the last few words of
comfort. Others came, for whom Ell
der Brown had enevr performed
similar service. but to whom he had
always been a friend and by his low
able nature, an inspiration.
In the evening Elder Brown, receiv-
ed his friends There was no formal
observance of the anniversary Elder
Brown is not formal and doesn't ad-
mire things that are Neither does he
like parade and so he preferred to quiz
city pass the day with his little birth
day party.
Elder Brown was educated in the
Waterford schools and later in the
New London Academy, which stood
where the Bethel now is at the corner
of Huntington and jay streets. Sub
sequently he attended a Methodist
school at East Greenwich and finally
the Baptist Theological school at New
Hampton. n. H.. from which he grad
uated. This school has since been
purchased by the Free Will Baptists
He first preached at Charlestown
r. J., in 1S46. going in 1S49 to the
Plainfeld Baptist church, Plainfield,
Conn. Here he remained % years
going to New London to the Second
Baptist church in 1871 In 1877 he
rAff II
sense that he no longer held a pastor
ate.
OF the 100 marriages Elder Brown
has performed. about $50 OF them
were performed in New London. Some
were from out of town, but many were
New London couples.
1.-THE smallest sum l ever received for
performing q maria ge.' said Rev. Mr.
Brown. was IS cents, but sometimes
didn't receive anything.
Il married this poor man who was
murdered down here in his barn, Dyer
Copeland was his name. 1 got a dol
lar for the fee, which made one less
dollar for the murderer, ] suppose. I'll
, never forget the marriage | performed
/ in Piainfeld. The bride and bride
! groom drove up to my house in the
| groom's express wagon, l married
| them and got $40 fee. The express
wagon was used to save the expense OF
| a carriage.
Il had the pleasure the other day
| of attending the fftieth anniversary of
| the wedding of Judge Waldo Tnlins-
! hast OF Planfield. for years judge Of
| probate. now retired through age. 1t
| was a big event. | thought it rather
| a remarkable occurrence that l. who
married Judge and Mrs. Tillinghast.
| should be present at their golden we'd
| ding.
In Brown university there is a pro
| fessor. whose father and mother !
married. and another whose grand =
| father and grandmother ] married"
There were amusing feature about
some" said Elder Brown. but love
seemed to $e the prompting force in
| most cases"
But marrying is not the only func-
| ton of the church which Elder Brown
has performed in his 63 year minis
| try lie has preached more than 5000
! times. ofticiated at ss7, funerals and
| al many baptisms.
| In the course Of a conversation
| the ministry as profession came in
/ for discussion. II were TO begin life
| again I'd be q minister You hear
| people say that the ministry is no
| profession and that they would never
think of entering it; that it requires
/ too much sacrifice and has no pros
| poets. but ] would begin life again as
| a ninister>if 7 had the chance"
Il