Worth COUNTY GA Biographies - Joseph E. & Leola Watson Brown ******************************************************************************************* USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for FREE access. ******************************************************************************************* File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Lanette Brown Hill Dec 2002 Joseph (Joe) E. Brown and Leola (Watson) Brown Of Worth County, Georgia Researched and written by Lanette Hill (my great-grandparents) December 2002 JOSEPH (JOE) E.1 BROWN was born December 17, 1869, and died June 28, 1912 Buried in Red Oak Cemetery, Doles, Georgia 12 miles out of Sylvester, Ga.. He married LEOLA WATSON March 25, 1890 in Worth Co. Ga Record err shows Louisa not Leola., daughter of JAMES WATSON and MARGARETT KELLY. She was born 1873 , and died 1931 Buried in Red Oak Cemetery, Doles, Georgia 12 miles out of Sylvester, Ga.. MARRIAGE RECORD FOUND IN WORTH COUNTY. shows: Joe Brown marrying Louisa Watson, March 25, 1890. They lived in Doles, Georgia. "In 1934, Doles, Ga. was a little city twelve miles North of Sylvester, Ga. It had a Sawmill, a Grinery, A Church, Public School, 500 inhabitants." State of Georgia, Archives Library 1854-1934, L. Grubles, republished Bernard Trail Chapter of NSDAR, Sylvester, Ga. 31791. Joe and David's son; Spencer owned a store in Doles, Ga. Nancy Brown gave her part of 16th District, Lots # 101 and Lots # 124 to her son; Joseph E. Brown and later Joseph E. Brown sold the land deed to his motherin-law; M. E. Watson in Worth County, Ga. December 6th, 1897. But, the deed didn't get recorded until July 21st, 1899. M. E. stood for Margaret Elizabeth Watson "Leola's mother's name". I believe Nancy was unable to work the farm anymore, and gave her property to her son, Joseph E. Brown. Joseph (Joe) needed money and didn't want to see the property leave the family; so he sold it to his wife's mother to keep it in the family. M. E. Watson, held onto the Land Deed until the time she signed it over and sold it to her daughter, Leola Watson Brown. I believe Nancy, her son and his wife, Leola still lived on the property and worked the farm to live. The land deed was in safe hands of the Leola's mother. Later, Lot# 101 and Lot # 124- 16th District of Worth County, Georgia; was once again sold. M. E. Watson sold it to Leola Brown (her daughter) on October 7, 1898. Leola's mother must have loved her and Joe E. Brown so very much. What a great sacrifice for her daughter, Leola. Leola's mother obviously loved her so very much. This Land Deed also verified Leola's parents names and serves as Proof. LAND DEED - WORTH COUNTY, GEORGIA - 16th DISTRICT - Lots #101 and # 124. This Indenture made this 6th day of December, 1897, between M. E. Watson of Worth County and State of Georgia of the first part, and Leola Brown of Worth County, State of Georgia of the second part for and in consideration of Eight Hundred Dollars in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged have granted, sold, conveyed and confirmed and by these presents does grant, sell, convey and confirm unto the said party of the second part her heirs and assigns forever in fee simple the following land; to wit; Seventy-five Acres more or less, of South East side Lot No. #124 in the 16th District of Worth Georgia, one black horse mule 3 head of cattle marked as follows swallom fork and underbit in one ear, crop split and under bit in the other, 12 head of hogs same marked as cattle, together with all and singular the appurtenances and here-ditaments thereunto belonging and the reversion and remainders rents, issues and profits and all the Estate Title, interest and demand of the party of the first in law and Equity of in and to said premises and appurtenances to Have and To Hold for above described premises and appurtenances to said party of the second part her heirs and assigns forever; and the said party of the first part by these presents for her Heirs, Executors and Administrators, I will forever warrant and ferred said premises and every part thereof to said party of the second part, their heirs and assigns against all persons lawfully claiming or to claim the same. Witness, by hand and seal the day and year above written. M. E. Watson signed her signature. In Presence of Mark Tison and R. L. Deariso, Justice of Peace. The END. LAND DEED - WORTH COUNTY, GEORGIA - 16th District - Lots # 101 and #124. [Note: this land deed was written, signed and agreed by both parties several years before the actual court recording and filing in Clerk's office.] M. E. Watson had apparently, just held onto the paperwork and not filed it until she filed the above land deed at the same time.] Warranty Deed - This Indenture made this 6th Day of December, 1897, Between Joseph E. Brown of Worth County. the State of Georgia of the first part and, M. E. Watson of Worth County, State of Georgia of the second part. Witnesseeth, that the party of the first part for an in consideration of Seven Hundred Dollars in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have granted, sold, conveyed and confirmed and by these presents does grant sell convey and confirm unto the said party of the second part her heirs and assigns forever in fee simple the following land, to wit: Seventy Acres more or less of South East Side Lot No. 124 in the 16th District of Worth Co., Georgia and one Black Mule and 3 head of cattle marked as follows: swallom fork and under bit in one ear crop split and underbit in the other, 12 head of hogs; same marked as cattle, together with all and singular the appurtenances and heredilaments, thereunto belonging and the reversion and remainder, rents, ussing and profits, and all the Estate, title interest and demand of the party of the first part in law and Equity of, in and to said premises and appurtenances to have and to hold the above described premises and appurtenances forever, and the said party of the first part, by these presents for his heirs, excutors, and administrators will forever warrant and deferred said premisses and every part thereof to said party of the second part, their heirs, assigns, against all persons lawfully claiming or to claim the same. Witness my hand and seal the day and year above written. In Witness in Presence of Mark Tison and R. L. Deariso, J.P. J. E. Brown signed the document and recorded it July 21, 1899 with J. N. Warren, Clerk's Office. The End. In the Year, 1905, Mrs. Leola Brown wrote a land deed to Matthew Gay on June 31st, Book L, page 362. Worth Co., Ga. The BROWN Family began having to sell land to survive. There are numerous land deeds for loans and sales recorded in the Deed Book of Worth Co., Ga. on the Lots # 101 and Lot #124. J. E. Brown land deed to Ashburn Bank on December 8, 1905; and another on Jan. 17, 1906. Nancy's brother Spencer Brown is seen also experiencing financial difficulties and selling parcels of his land also. S. B. Brown sold some of his property to Matthew Gay, pg. 461, L. Book on December 28, 1906. Leola Brown is seen selling some of the land to Jeter's WH & Mrs. Book L, page 571. and also another Land Deed for a Loan to Royal Supply Co., July 3, 1908, P Book, pg. 127. The land was their asset, equity for the BROWN family and they borrowed against it in times of need until the family is found owning only a small parcel of the land. The BROWN family was struggling financially to get by. This was a very difficult time for the family. The 1920's Depression hurt a lot of families especially in Worth County, Georgia. FOUND A MICROFILM Real Estate Property HOMESTEAD filing for June 20th, 1907, at the State of Georgia, Archives Library ; and it reads: Joe E. Brown and Leola Brown owned; 50 acres of land, to wit: in the southern portion of Lot of Land Number, 202 in the 16th District (Irwin) now Worth County; and five additional acres for each child, to wit 15 acres of lot of land no. 203, N.E. Corner of Lot No. 203. Joe E. Brown didn't sign the form, because he didn't have to. The property was owned by his wife, Leola Brown at the time. However, he was Head of the Household. Now the question of Why Joe didn't sign the form is answered. Their possessions listed were: Second: One Sorrel farm mule, named KITT, 8 years old. Third: One Speckled Cow and Calf. Fourth: Ten head of hogs and fifty dollars worth of provisions, to wit: Fifth: Bedding and Beds, sufficient for family. Sixth: Ordinary cooking utencils and Table Crockery. Seventh: Wearing apparel for self and family. Eighth: Family Bible & School Books. Ninth: Family Portraits Tenth: 1; Family Sewing Machine. It lists the age of the children born at that time as: Addie Brown - age 15 years Willie Brown - age 14 years Thad Brown - age 11 years Hardy Brown - age 9 years Spencer Brown - age 5 years and Claud Brown - age 3 years and Ann Brown - age 1 year old. This typist made an error as there was no Ann Brown (this individual was Claude born 1906) Other children born were Doll Brown (unknown dates); Nettie Britt Brown (unknown dates); Nick Brown (unknown dates); Eula Mae Brown (died 8/7/95 - lived outside of Thomasville in later years), James Frederick (Fed) Brown (born 6-3-1892 and died 11-1-1979) and Pauline Brown King born January 9, 1912 and she lives in Albany, Georgia. Her son, Carson King lives across the street from her. 1910 CENSUS of Worth CO., Georgia lists: Joe E. Brown - Head - B. Oct. 1867 - 42- M - Farmer Leola - wife - July 1873 - 38 - F - Adie A. - son - Jan. 1891 - 18 single Nettie A.E. Daughter - b. Nov. 1893 - 16 single Frederick Watson James - son - b. June 1895 - 14 single Hardy J. - son - b. March 1897 - 12 single Nellie L. - daughter - Jan. 1899 - 10 single Spencer - son - 8 single Claud - son - 4 single Nick - son - 2 single May - daugther 3/12 single Spencer Brown - Head - age 50 - M - Farmer Liza - wife - 39 F married 6 yrs Farmer Ella - daughter - 17 single David - son - 14 single Goodnab Rose (stepson) 16 single COX, Tom - Head - 30 - M - Farmer Loucindy - (Wife) 38 F 7 children, 6 living Ola - daughter - 20 single Andrew - son 10 single Idel - son 7 single Pollus - son - 3 single Brown, Nancy (MOTHER-IN-LAW 75 yrs. White) Watson, Borm (Hired Hand, 22 single) Note: We find Nancy Brown, now living in the home of her daughter, Loucindy and her husband, Thomas Cox. Joe E. Brown and his oldest children and wife; worked the farm the best they could. My grandfather, Fed Brown, told us that it was a tremendous hardship time for the BROWN family to live. Joe E. Brown died 6 months after his youngest daughter Pauline was born. He died of a heart stroke of the brain. Very quickly. June 28, 1912. After he died, the oldest children were left to work the farm and take of the younger children. Joe; just as his mother Nancy, died because of heart problems. Leola Brown then found herself raising her children by herself and with the help of the older siblings of the family. Joe's mother, Nancy, went to live with her daughter, Loucindy and son-in-law Tom Cox in Warwick, Ga. 1920 CENSUS WORTH COUNTY: Brown, Leola - Head - age 47 yrs. White - Farmer Owned Farm - her spouse Joe M. Brown had died between the last census and this census. Spencer - son - 18 single Doll - daughter - 20 Single (Nellie L.) Claude - son - 16 Single Nick - son - 14 yrs. Single Eunie Mae - daughter 10 - single Pauline - daughter - 8 single (this dear lady was still alive as of this writing, as late as March 2001 and up until July of 1999 was wonderful in helping with this family research. COX, Thomas - Head - 48 - M - Farmer Loucindy - wife - 59 - F - Ola - daughter - 29 single Spermaion - 15 single Pollis - son 12 Single Bessey - daughter (step) 6 single In the 1920 Census Nancy Brown (Joseph E. Brown 'Joe" 's mother) was no longer shown for Worth County, Georgia.; however later found was a Proof of her death on certificate; wherein Nancy is shown dying April 30, 1926. Joe's mother, Nancy, went to live with her daughter, Loucindy and son-in-law Tom Cox in Warwick, Ga. Joseph E. Brown died before his mother and that is why he is not shown in the 1920 Census. The BROWN family endured the lost of two family members. This must have been some very tragic years for the Brown Family. Pauline Brown has sent me a picture of herself and lots of information on the family. She is the last living member of this family group today. Pauline remembers the mule named KITT, however it was real old then. It also looks like Leola could have been cheated on this document???? Eight children should add up to forty acres, not 15 acres. MY TRIP TO DOLES, GEORGIA to Red Oak Baptist Church and Cemetery: After a trip to Albany to meet with Carson and to meet my Aunt Pauline. On this trip Aunt Pauline showed me a house that she knew Joe and Leola Brown had lived in. She also told me that she knew Nick Brown was born in this house. As we were looking at the house and taking pictures; the owner drove up and introduced himself to us. He told us that this house had been formerly owned by the doctor (FORD) of Doles, Ga. This would explain the births of Joe's and Leola's children in this house. It also means that my grandfather, Frederick (Fed) Brown also had lived in this house as a child along with the other four siblings. I could imagine the children at play in the yard surrounding the home. This home is now just a storage for this owner. (See Attachment - a picture of Leola Watson Brown.) LEOLA (Watson) Brown November 6, 1997 - Received a picture of Leola Watson Brown (approximate age in photo is twenty years). Leola is wearing the basic black, puffed sleeves, with rounded collars, and the front of the bodice is pleeted. This dress was very typical of this area in time. The Brown family was known to have been initially the Quakers, and this dress would have been an appropriate attire. Also, our Leola lived and grew up on a farm. In those days, the darker colors were what most women would wear. The frilly, light colored dresses were usually worn by those who didn't have the need to worry about stains. Our Leola, worked on a farm, and she would have worn clothing appropriately made, durable, and comfortable. I was estatic when I received the photo; as I opened the envelope, I held my breath. For as I folded the folder back to see the photo clearly, I realized, my God, I looked so much like her! I always knew that I took after my fathers side more in looks than my mothers side of the family. I can see the resemblance in my son, Keith's face, eyes, nose also. Leola Watson Brown had short hair in this picture. She is wearing a dress with rounded collars and pleated front, puffed sleeves and dark in color. See http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/worth/photos/lwbrown.html for this photo. Finally, after searching, I was beginning to make headway into the discovery of my ancestors and roots. A real good feeling inside began to fill my heart. By remembering our ancestors, we are honoring their lives before us. "Lest we forget". In remembering our ancestors, we must also realize, just as us, they had shortcomings, too. However, those shortcomings are quickly forgotten, as I am so glad to just know who they are and begin to put our family together that those shortcomings really doesn't matter anymore. We know from early records of Red Oak Baptist Church that it was founded and organized with the help of the Brown family. Our earliest ancestors can be found buried in the church cemetery. Another interesting fact is that the Frederick Brown family members are buried in this cemetery. Another proof that there is connection to the other line. My thought is that Frederick Brown is the son of William Brown, who was the father of David S. Brown. Leola (Watson) Brown, lost her husband when he was very young, in his thirty's. This left her with only the help of her eldest sons, one being my grandfather, James Frederick Watson Brown or known to us all his life as "Fed". I know he helped his mom on the farm and with his younger siblings for many, many, years and through many hard times. Leola, went to live with Stella and her son, Nick in her later years in Moultrie, and she worked at the sewing factory. Leola lived in Moultrie until she died. Leola is buried beside her husband at Red Oak Baptist Church Cemetery in Worth Co., Ga. Lot # 124; 16th District of Worth County Georgia; is referred to a "Joe Brown Place" in numerous history books. Notes for LEOLA (WATSON) Brown - Found: HEAD of Household, female, white, 47, widow, Born in Georgia, page 86, Doles District, Worth Co., Ga. re: 1920 Census Records. Brown, Leola 47 years old, Farmer Doles Dist. Worth Co., Ga. 1920 Census Spencer Brown - son - 18 years Doll Brown - daughter - 20 years Claude Brown - son - 16 years Nick Brown - son - 14 years Eunice Mae Brown - daughter - 10 years Pauline - daughter - 8 years old Leola died while staying at Judy's mothers home. Eula Mae was with child and needed around clock care. Leola was living with Nick and Stella (Cribb) Brown in Ashburn before going to Judy's mothers home. Leola died while in Colquitt County at Judy's mother's home. There is no death record, no official came or was present, her body was moved back to Worth County and she was buried beside her husband at Red Oak Cemetery Church. Leola had went to Eula Mae's home to help her bring Alma into the world. Leola stayed over four days and nights helping Eula Mae, and two days after Alma'a birth, Leola callapsed, went to bed from exhaustion and never got up, she died. Carl's daddy paid for the lumber to build Leola's coffin and they borrowed a truck to carry Leola to Red Oak Cemetery for burial. The ladies in the neighborhood sewed Leola a new dress for the funeral burial, as she didn't bring anything to wear with her appropriate for burial. "God takes and God gives us new life." Nick and Stella did not have descendants. The family trunk was left behind in their house in Ashburn and it held all the family portraits and family Bible. It is claimed it fell off of the truck on their move to Brunswick. She also said "vaguely" Leola got married when she was 12 or 14 years old. Leola was a young woman when she died at age 58 (According to birth and death dates). 1880 United States Census Search results | Download Previous Household Next Household -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Household: Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace James F. WATSON Self M Male W 30 GA Farm Laborer GA GA Elizabeth WATSON Wife M Female W 24 GA Keeping House FL FL Leola WATSON Dau S Female W 5 GA GA FL Mary J. WATSON Dau S Female W 3 GA GA FL Children of JOSEPH BROWN and LEOLA WATSON are: i. NELLIE L. (DOLL)2 BROWN, b. 1910, Doll got burned real bad as a child when she fell in the fireplace.; d. Deceased. 2. ii. ADDIE A. BROWN - HUSBAND, b. January 1892, Oldest Child 29 yrs old in 1920 census of Worth Co., Ga.; d. Buried in Cordelle, Ga.@ Sunnyside Cemetery. iii. NETTIE A. E. BRITT BROWN, b. November 1893, READ NOTES ON HER.; d. Deceased. Notes for NETTIE A. E. BRITT BROWN: Family story is that Nettie and her husband owned a Boarding House in Moultrie. Nettie's husband died in Moultrie. Later she still owned the Boarding House in Moultrie, but also moved to Jacksonville, Fla and opened another Boarding House there. No other information available at this time. iv. WILLIE BROWN, b. 1894. 3. v. JAMES FREDERICK (FED) W. BROWN, b. June 03, 1895, SEE NOTES ON HIM. W. stands for Watson. 84 years at death.; d. November 01, 1979, Thomas County,Laura Hill-10 St. -Lot 17;Thomasville, Ga.. vi. THAD BROWN, b. 1896. 4. vii. HARDY J. BROWN, b. March 1897, 21 yrs in 1920 Census of Worth Co., Ga. Born in Ga.; d. Buried in Columbus. See Notes on Him.. 5. viii. SPENCER BROWN, b. 1902, SEE NOTES ON HIM.; d. Buried in Moultrie City Cemetery, Ga.. ix. CLAUDE BROWN, b. 1906; d. Buried in Cordelle, Ga.@ Sunnyside Cemetery; m. ELMA UNICE. x. NICK BROWN, b. 1908; d. Buried in Cordelle, Ga.@ Sunnyside Cemetery; m. (1) STELLA CRIBB, Divorced - 2 babies who died at birth. no names.; b. of Brunswick, Ga. area.; m. (2) UNICE BRANCH, 2nd wife - no children. Notes for NICK BROWN: Nick Brown was a Painter by trade. He first married Stella Cribb - who he later divorced. This divorce left Stella and the Cribb family very bitter towards the Brown family. Stella's father was Lum Cribb. There were two babies born and died during the marriage, no descendants were left. He then married Unice Branch of Cordelle, Ga. -There were no children of this union either. Nick lived at the Smokes Bridge Road Housing Project in Cordelle until he died at appx. age 55. with Eunice Branch. 6. xi. EUNICE MAE BROWN, b. January 26, 1909, SEE NOTES.; d. August 07, 1995. 7. xii. PAULINE BROWN, b. January 09, 1912, See Notes. 84 Yrs of age now. Sylvester, Ga.Worth Cty..