Hurricane Dolly

All is well here. The storm didn't get close enough to affect us except for some rain showers which we really needed.

Everyone here is well. Hope all of you are the same.

Love to All,
Lois

Thomas Tommie Brown-1773

Thomas “Tommie” Brown-b.1773
m-Nancy Jane Litton

October-2001, Ref.-Planters and Pioneers- Life in Colonial Virginia, By Parke Rouse, Jr.
Name Scots-Irish, Subject: Around 1730 the migration of Scots-Irish from Pennsylvania to Virginia began in earnest. These settlers had entered America in Philadelphia, and then moved South to take up land in the valley of Virginia. They centered in the counties of Augusta, Rockbridge, Bath, Highland, Allegany, Botetourt, and the lands of the Southwest. the towns of Winchester, Stauton, Lexington, Fincastle, and Abingdon were largely Scots-Irish. The great Migration continued until the Revolution. These settlers, most all of them were Presbyterians, moved frequently. Many were so poor they had indentured themselves to obtain passage to America. Scots-Irish families included Breckinridge, BROWN, Graham, Alexander, Lewis, White, Reid, Houston, Paxton, McClure, McCrum, Preston, Blair, Campbell, Pickens, Stuart, McDowell, Johnston, and Rutledge.

Thomas Brown was beleived to have been indentured when he married Nancy Litton, he was born in Fincastle, Botetourt County Virginia, his family name is mentioned among those families that emigrated. Therefore his Ancestors probably landed in Philadelphia. More research is needed in this area.



The Brown Family
By: Jimmie Brown Askew

Thomas Brown was born about 1773 in Fincastle, Virginia. He was married to Nancy Litton in 1795. They came to Jackson County about 1800. Jackson County was formed in 1801 and engulfed the area of what is now Clay County. Thomas bought 8,000 acres of land on the Dry Fork of Flynn's Creek where he lived. At this time Thomas and Nancy had four children who had been born in Fincastle, Virginia: Ferby, John "Jackie", Lockney, and Dudley. Henderson, Lucinda, and Jimmerson were born in Jackson County Tennessee on Dry Fork of the Flynn's Creek. Nancy died sometime after 1806. Thomas later married Elizabeth ? , who died after 1860. (Editor's note: It is believed Elizabeth was a Billingsley. See later notes.)
Thomas divided his land among his children as they married. I am descended from one of his sons, Dudley Brown (1799-1891), whose log cabin still stands on a high hill on Dry Fork. It was built on a level piece of land on the crest of the hill. The narrow winding road leading to it snakes almost straight up to this flat land, and after walking only a few feet from the edge, nothing can be seen except the cabin, the sky, and the land surrounding it. One gets the feeling of being on top of the world. The cabin's in accessability kept it isolated for the last 160 years, which accounted in part for its amazing state of preservation. The original floor, mantel, and doors were still in good condition, but the top story (of the cabin) had been blown off, and a kitchen that had once been attached to one end of the cabin near the chimney, had been torn away. The logs of the house were secured with wooden pegs. There is a family cemetary, grown up with weeds in the back of the house with eight or ten graves marked with crude linestone rocks. It has been said that Dudley said he owned all the land he could see from the edge of this high point.
(Excerpted from the above document by Joe Lynn, 1996)

THOMAS BROWN'S farm was entered in state records in 5-may-1801(Tennessee State Land Archives)
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From: Jackson County Tomb Stone Records-Copied by Maude McGlasson, 1936
Information given by W.M. (MARSH) BROWN, of the Nameless Community, he is 84 years old, and a Great Grandson of TOMMY BROWN and wife, and Grandson of JACKIE BROWN.

Tommie Brown and wife (whose name is unknown to the Brown Family of today) came from "Ole Virginnie" in the early Pioneer days and settled on and around in the country from Dry Fork Creek of Flynn's Creek and south of the Bell Hill, later called Nameless Community, on a farm of some 6000-8000 acres. Mrs. BROWN (NANCY) died a few years after coming to this section, what is now Jackson County. They had four sons namely-DUDLEY BROWN, HENDERSON BROWN, JACKIE BROWN, and JIMMIE BROWN. The people realizing the need for a Church in the community, they decided to build a house and called it a free church for all Churches to use for worship. This house was located on the grounds where TOMMY BROWN lived for many years. And at that time his son lived there too. DUDLEY BROWN the eldest son, and brother, HENDERSON says, I will put up one side of the house, which he did of nice big logs, cut and hewn by himself. The community assisted with the completion of the house named for Uncle JIMMIE (JIMMERSON) BROWN and his sons, "BROWN'S CHAPEL".
As the custom was in those days, there must be room near the church house to bury the dead. DUDLEY BROWN deeded the land for this purpose, known as "BROWN'S CHAPEL GRAVEYARD". The graveyard located on the east side of Dry Fork Creek of Flynn's Creek, and the church on the west side, and the same with the road. Now a gravel road.
There are many graves here. Many soldiers of both Revolutionary and Civil War are buried here, grave on top of grave, as the early ones were un-marked. This BROWN's Chapel graveyard, located in the 11th Civil District of Jackson County, Tenn., on Dry Fork of Flynn's Creek. Out from Gainesboro 8 miles, west on Highway 53, to Fork of Creek School house, turn to the left, thence up Dry Fork Creek of Flynn's Creek, 4 miles. This farm is now owned by Sid Ragland, who lives some 200 yards South, on the right of the creek and road from the graveyard.

1995- New evidence has been received confirming that THOMAS BROWN's second wife was Elizabeth Billingsley. (See Billingsleys Family in America) a book in the Jackson County Public Library. Also see notes of Elizabeth Billingsley. This evidence was from the personal papers of Minnie Payne Crawford, who died in Cookeville, Tn. December 01, 1958. Her papers went to her brother Hubert Crawford, who died, and passed papers to his son William Glen Crawford, who made me copys and gave them to me in 1995. He too has passed away.
JBL

Thomas Brown Military Record - War of 1812
Mustered in 13-Nov-1814 to 15-May-1815 under Major General William Carroll,
Served Under Colonel James Roulston, as a Private, in Captain Matthew Cowen's Company of Militia
Infantry, 3rd Regt. West Tennessee Militia Infantry, at The Battle of New Orleans. Thomas initial may have been either "S" or "G".
This from Ancestry.com, War of 1812 Muster rolls.

1. Extracts from Military File #1094, War of 1812: Harvey Spurlock:
Capt. Mathew Cowen's Co. of Mil. Inf., 3 Reg, West TN Militia: Mustered in 13 Nov
1814 to 15 May 1815, died 26 Jan 1815, a Private - paid $19.35 for 2 months and
13 days.
...THOMAS BROWN appeared before me John Graham...and made oath that he
served a tour of duty in the service of the United States in...New Orleans in
Captain Matthew Cowens company under the command of Major General William
Carroll with the above mentioned Harvy Spurlock and that said Spurlock died
while in the service of aforesaid at New Orleans on the 28th (sic) day of January 1815
Signed....THOMAS BROWN, 9-Sep-1819.


I certify that THOMAS BROWN a private in Capt. Cowans company in my Division of
Tennessee Militia, has performed a tour of duty of six months, 0 days in the service
of the United States-that his good conduct,suberdination and valor, under the most
trying hardships, entitle him to the gratitude of his country; and he is hereby HONORABLY
discharged.
SIGNED: Wm. Carroll, Major General 2d Division Tennessee Militia.

Affadavit: DATED 1815: (We have copy from the Military Archives)
Know all men by these present that I Thomas Brown of the County of Jackson and
State of Tennessee for value received, have made, ordain, authorize,nominate and
appoint Joseph Woods my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name and for
his own use to ask and demand, sue for and and receive of any of they paymasters
that may be appointed to make payment to the troops that have served in the United
States all the pay that is due me as a private soldier in Capt. Mathew Cowens company
under the command Major General William Carrol in 2 district of W.T.M and the said (illegable)
is hereby authorized to receipt for the same which shall be binding on me as if I myself
ware present. Given under my hand and seal this August 11, 1815. Thomas Brown (Seal)

Recived at the Lynn/Brown reunion 7-2-2005 from Joe Howard Brown-Springfield, Tn.

What's known about Old Asa Lynn

ASA LYNN
B. 1783, D.7-APR-1868

By:JOE B.LYNN-1994

A lot is still unknown about the life of ASA LYNN. What
follows is what we know to this date. There is some
confusion as to his date of birth. Some say Ca.1777.
The best proof is from a claim filed by his 2nd wife,
MARY LYNN. In 1883 she filed a CLAIM OF WIDOW FOR
SERVICE PENSION for service in the WAR OF 1812, WITH
W.M. GALBREATH, in Gainesboro, Jackson County
Tennessee. She describes him as being six feet tall,
175 lbs., has black hair, fair skin. We can't make out
the color of his eyes, and that he was born in South
Carolina. She further states that before marriage her
name was MARY REAGAN, and that she had not been married
before. They were married by Justice of the Peace,
Marron Dixon, in Sept. 1845. Asa's first wife ELIZABETH
HAWKINS having died in March 1844. ELIZABETH was the
daughter of JOSEPH HAWKINS a Veteran of the
Revolutionary War, who had a farm adjoining ASA LYNN on
SPRING CREEK, a tributary of ROARING RIVER.

ASA had a farm consisting of 304 acres on SPRING CREEK in
Jackson County, Tennessee. It was near the Community of
Marengo, in Jackson County. It is located where Spring Creek
flows into Roaring River, near Overton Cemetary.We visited the
farm in the Fall of 1993, courtesy of Harold Hawkins, of Cookeville,
Tennessee. In the early days the MORGANS, LOFTIS,HAWKINS,
JOHNSONS, LEES, AND LYNNS dominated the SPRING
CREEK area.

ASA was drafted in Gainesboro, Tennessee 26-Jan-1814. He
served as a Private in Captain Bennett's Company, 4th
Regiment of the Tennessee Militia. He was granted a pension in 1834 for
life at $33.33 per annum. The spelling of his name in a
Land Deed to ARCHIBALD LOFTIS on 15-Jul-1854, was LYNN
and later in the deed as LINN. We can assume the first to
be correct, because all his Tennessee descendants have
all used that form to this date.

His lineage was Scot/Irish.

The following is a copy of a General Affidavit given by
POLLY TERRY, AGED 60, and MARGARET JOHNSON, AGED 76 TO
W.M. GALBREATH on behalf of MARY LYNN to help her secure
a Widows Pension on 18-Jun-1883: QUOTE "Affiants was well
acquainted with ASA LYNN and his first wife ELIZABETH
LYNN. ASA LYNN died the 7th day of April 1868, his first
wife ELIZABETH died March 1844. Affiants knew ASA LYNN
and his wife ELIZABETH LYNN from their first
Recollections to the time of their deaths, having lived
in the same neighborhood of the desc'd all their lives.
Affiant POLLY TERRY states her daughter was born the 6th
day of January 1845, who's age is recorded in her Bible
and knows that ELIZABETH LYNN died in March before and
knows that MARY LYNN, widow has never remarried to any
one else and is still the widow of ASA LYNN. Affiant
MARGARET JOHNSON states _____ her son was born Sept. 8th
1843 and her Bible record showed that on March the
following that ELIZABETH LYNN first wife of ASA LYNN did
die and from recollection thinks it was from__________.
ASA LYNN family Bible shows that he died 7th of April
1868 which is as affiant now recollects it. Affiant also
states that MARY LYNN has never remarried to any one
else." Both POLLY and MARGARET signed with their marks.
MARY LYNN was granted a pension commencing on 9-March-
1878, of $8.00 per month, certificate was sent to the
pension agent 6-Jul-1883. Did she receive back pay?
The Tennessee Census has (ASA,Jr.?) listed in Jackson County in
1830, in Humphrey County in 1840, and back in Jackson
County in 1850.

Early Land records, Jackson County, Tennessee
Book 30, Page 487, #17856
Asa Lynn, 16 acres, North side Roaring River, adjacent to tracts said LYNN
NOW LIVES ON. 13-NOVEMBER-1816
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LAND GRANT FOR 200 ACRES
Land grant was probably for service in the War of 1812 against England

STATE OF TENNESSEE No.2942

(State Seal)

To all whom these presents shall come, Greetings. Entry No.2084 made in the office of the
Entry Taker of Jackson County and entered on the 16day of November 1833 pursuant to the
provisions of an act of the General Assembly of said State (_) day of January 1830, there is
granted by the said State of Tennessee unto Asa Lynn a certain tract or parcel of land
containing two Hundred acres by survey bearing date of the 23rd day of November, 1833,
lying in said County on the South side of the Cumberland River; beginning at a Beech the
Northwest corner of the said Lynn's fifty acre tract near said Lynn's House, where he lives,
thence south two-hundred and thirteen poles to a Beech on the east side of a branch, called
Areys branch, thence west one hundred and fifty poles to a popular and a white oak; thence south
two hundred thirteen poles to a white oak on the North side of a steep hollow; thence east
one hundred and fifty poles to the beginning. Including a peach orchard and the house where
Joel Curtis now lives.

With the herediaments and appurtenances to have and to hold the said tract or parcel of land
with its Appurtenances to the said ASA LYNN and his hiers forever.

In witness where of William Carroll, governor of the State of Tennessee has here unto set his hand
and caused the Great Seal of the state to be affixed at Nashville, on the 13 day of August, 1835 and
60th year of our Independence.

N, Cannon (signed)
By The Governor

Daniel Grahan
Secretary, P.J.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
On the reverse side: Recorded my office, Book F page 27, No.3942, 200 Acres.
R. Nelson, Register of the Mountain District, Jackson County, Tennessee

Transcribed by Joe Lynn-7-2003

Capt. Uriah Thomas Brown-CSA

A history lesson on one of your more noteable ancestors. Uriah was Zanda Lynn's grandfather who fought on the confederate side in the civil war. He was never a slave owner. This article is a copy and paste, so forgive the formatting.

CAPT. URIAH THOMAS BROWN-CSA

Uriah was a Doctor in private life. With the coming of the
Civil War, he helped organize, Company "E", 28th Tennessee
Volunteer Infantry Regiment, at Flynn’s Lick, August 11, 1861.
It was composed of men from Jackson and Putnam Counties.
He was made Capt. and later, on re-organization he was made
Colonel, May 8, 1862.
He participated in the Battle of Fishing Creek, Ky., Jan. 19, 1862
and lost 12 men killed, wounded, or missing. At the Battle of
Shiloh April 6-7, 1862, estimated loss was 100 men. On July
20, 1862 he was listed as Colonel in Breckinridge’s Division
at Vicksburg. They moved to Baton Rouge, La. and fought there
Aug., 5, 1862. Then they were moved back to Tennessee, and
on November 27, 1862, he resigned his commission , because of ill
health. To take effect December 10, 1862.

Following story told to me by my grandmother, Zanda Georgian
Lynn (Mrs. David Campbell Lynn), Uriah was her Grandfather.
I have a Tin-Type of him that she gave me when I was a teenager.

All during the war, Uriah rode a little mare that he brought from home.
He determined to go home on leave to see his folks, even though
he knew the Yankees were in Control of the whole country side. He
was almost home, and approaching Ft. Blount, when he was intercepted
by a federal patrol. He turned North along the Cumberland River and
headed for what they called the low gap, with the Yanks in pursuit.
Without hesitation he spurred the little mare off the river bluff, landing
in the Cumberland river. He and the mare swam to safety. The Yanks
wouldn't risk the jump into the river. He made it safely home, and told
his parents this story. He had no trouble slipping back through the Federal
lines on his return to his regiment.

After the War.............
He again became a country Doctor, and made his rounds on horseBack.
On his way home one day, he stopped at a spring near Flynn’s Lick to get a
drink of water and water his horse As he bent over the spring to drink,
someone shot him through the back of the head. No one was ever apprehended.
There was a lot of bitterness after the war and it was surmised that either
someone settled and old grudge or it was just plain robbery.
He died 28-Mar-1870, five years after the war was over.----------------Joe B. Lynn.

Dr. Uriah Thomas Brown, enlisted at Camp Zollicoffer, Livingston, Tn. 11-Aug-1861
as a Capt. 28th Regt., Tennessee Volunteers. Appointed Lt. Colonel of the Regt.
18-Mar-1862, and promoted to Colonel, date not shown. Other records show that
he was appointed Assit. Surgeon in the Medical Department, C.S.A., , 17-Feb-1861,
and was to take rank on 24-Dec-1861. He was assigned to duty as Surgeon on 15-Sep-1862.
He entered contract with Colonel P. D. Cunningham of the CSA. He resigned his
commission 27-Nov-1862, because of ill health, to take effect 10-Dec-1862.
This from a letter written by, Major General E. S. Adams, Adjutant General, to Mary
B. Barbour dated 25-Jun-1938.------------------JBL 1998.

Note: John H.L. Brown, mentioned in his Pension Application that Captain Uriah T. Brown
was promoted to Lt. Colonel, after the battle of Shiloh in West Tennessee.

Samuel Asa Lynn

Bonnie Jean Brown Lynn

Rich in History

Thanks, Joe, for explaining the extensive connections between our families. It's both exciting and a little intimidating. I bet there's a library of stories about our ancestors out there waiting to be discovered.

Thanks for getting us started with the touching memoir you wrote in 1994 and 2000. The details are so rich and vivid it's like reliving your life—particularly your lifelong struggle with osteomyelitis. Your openness and honesty puts this blog in a class by itself!

I love your stories about the farm as well. They remind me of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer and illustrate how surprisingly simple it is to bring the past to life. Great start!