Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1917-01-16
OBITUARY.


Rev. Joseph p Brown New LON
den's beloved pastor emeritus, died
peacefully at the home of his daught-
er. MRS. Joseph r. Saunders. 1919
day morning at 5 O'Clock. He was in
MS ninety-seventh year. For several
days he had been gradually sinking
and no hope was held out for his re-
'covery. Despite his advanced age his
mind was clear to the end. He suffer-
ed no pain. apparently and his depar-
ture seemed like falling softly into
dreamless sleep. His death removes a
remarkable figure from the residents of
New London.
Elder Brown was born in Water
ford, Oct. 81. 1920. His father and
mother were ard-working people of
faithful members of the First Baptist
church of Waterford Their son
was of ambitions character and at
seven years of age was helping on
during the summer months until he
was Is years old. During the winter
months he applied himself diligently
to his studies in the district school
of this city he spent several seasons
at sea as a fisherman. after which he
worked Tor number of years at the
Milestone quarries, where he learned
numerous friends among his associ-
ates and>exsrted a strong influence
for good among them.
/ He was converted in 1887 during
revival services in the Waterford
church. 1t is said that because of
questions which he wished to settle
for himself he did not join the church
until 1871. being baptized by Rev.
Francis barrow on June II of that
year. He early conceived an idea to
preach the gospel and at once made
preparations to secure the necessary
training. He was educated at the
New Hampton AcademicaI and Theo-
logical institute He then returned to
Waterford and taught school in the
Gilead district made famous by DR..
II. Clay Trunbull's book, The Model
superintendent.
One of the convicts of Elder
Browns gospel preachings was Rev
Charles H. Spalding, d. D., of Mos
ton. secretary Of the American Bap-
fist Publication society of New Eng
land. In 1852 the State Baptist con-
vention elected Elder Brown presi-
ident at the Stamford convention and
Tor many years he was a member
of the board. In 1865 the town of
P1ainf1eld chose Pastor Brown as one
Of it's representatives in the legisla-
ture, where he served ably.
In July, 1846, he supplied the pull
pit at the Charlestown, r. l., Baptist
church and was called to the pastor
dained Jan. %. 1S47. In 1S48 he
married Miss, Artemesia Saunders
Thurston of Charlestown. One child
Mrs J. r. Saunders of Huntington
street, with whom Elder Brown made
his home, was born of the union.
In March, 1s49, the unanimous call
Of the Plainfield church of Moosup
was accepted and here the greater
work of Elder Brown and his conse-
Grated wife was accomplished. For
nearly ten weeks the pastor preached
every evening and a great revival was
the result. There were more than 100
conversions and 60 members were
added to the church by baptism. Elder
Brown was pastor there % years and
ended his labors only because he felt
another might do greater good.
During his pastorate at Moosup, Ell
der Brown was called to the High
Street church at Pawtucket, r. l., but
the Moosup Baptists objected so
strongly that Elder Brown withdrew
his resignation. In 1871, his pastoral
relations were severed.
While pastor at MooSup Elder
Brown off1ciated at Sol funerals bap-
tIzed 21S converts and preached more
than 1000 sermons, besides making
many other addresses. He was a mem
Der of the board Of education and did
much to uplift the moral tone of the
From Moosup Elder Brown returned
to New London. where he supplied at
the Second Baptist church for six
years. Since then he has been regard
ed as pastor-at-large. 1t is doubt
full if any clergyman ever surpassed
his record. People actually would not
let him dest. Besides being in constant
demand to ofhciate at funerals, his
services were always eagerly sought
in tying the nuptial knot. He has
more than 1000 couples, at
tended more than 1000 funerals and-l
delivered more than 5000 sermons.
The people of New London loved FL
der Brown ans when they looked into
his kindly face and listened to his
earnest voice they felt that he was
lndeed their friend in the fullest sig
peoples parson and they loved him
for his comforting, direct and simple
application of the gospel Of Jesus
Christ.
Simon katz.
The death of Simon Katz occurred
Sunday afternoon about 1 o'clock in |
New London. Mr.. Katz was 70 years
Of age and passed away at the home |
Of his son in John street. He had
been confined to his bed for about |
two weeks and has suffered from a |
weak heart for the past few years
Mr.. Katz came from Russia about /
l5 years ago. Besides his son, Isaac, |
1e is survived by two daughters, Mrs.
Ben Kaufman of New London, and |
-wo other sons, Barnett of Norwich |
md Abraham of Waterbury.
Lawrence Usher.
Lawrence Usher of New London
lied at the Norwich state hospital on
sunday afternoon at the age of 76
ears. He entered the hospital sew
raj months ago. He was formerly a
,ainter and served his country in the
United States navy during the Civil
var. He was a widower and IS sur
lived by an adopted son.
Mrs. Sarah J. Ravens.
Mrs. Sarah j. Ravens died at her
ome at 121 Bayonet street, New Lon
on, Sunday morning. Mrs. Ravens |
uttered a fall and internal shock Sat
rday morning when her sons found
er unconscious on the COR at her
ONE. Mrs. Havens was a lifelong
esident of New London and was the
Tidow Of Edward Ravens. Surviving
er are three sons, George D. Ravens, |
onward w. Ravens. chief engineer of
he Shore Line Electric Co., Charles
|: Ravens. and a daughter. Mrs. Es- j.,
Ella Murray.
Samuel N. Hyde. /!
Samuel N. Hyde, one of the oldest