Preston County, West Virginia Brown Family Reunion of 5 October 1895 ************************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: Material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor. Submitted by Lawrence G. Brown, , April 1999 ************************************************************************** The following news story was published in the Kingwood, "Preston County Journal" newspaper following the initial Brown Family Reunion of 5 October 1895, and reprinted in the "Genealogy of the Brown Family of Prince William Co., VA", first published 1898 and republished in the 1930 edition, page 143, authored by James Edgar Brown, Attorney, Chicago, IL, and researched by his elder brother Prof. Samuel Boardman Brown of West Virginia University. James and Samuel were sons of Granville Brown and Elizabeth Watson, and Granville was son of Samuel Byrne Brown, son of Thomas Brown who settled at Brown’s Mill vicinity, Preston Co., WV about 1805. Still standing and occupied is the well remembered "Stone House" where some of the Thomas Brown family and descendants lived in later years. Provided by Lawrence G. Brown, Col., USA, Retired, gr-gr grandson to Thomas Brown. E-Mail =================================================================== First Annual Reunion of the Brown Family Held Last Saturday One of the most enjoyable gatherings ever held in the county assembled last Saturday, October 5th, at Brown’s Mill, in Valley district, about half way between Reedsville and Gladesville. The occasion was a big picnic and meeting of the Browns and for the purpose of effecting a permanent organization and holding an annual reunion of the descendants of Thomas Brown, who came from Old Virginia to this county in 1805 and settled near Brown’s Mill, where the picnic was held. He patented a large body of land there and died there, and lies buried on the old place in sight of the old Stone House, which was built by his son, William. John Buckner Brown, another one of his sons, married and moved to Wayne county, Ohio, in 1813, and his descendants form a numerous branch of the celebrated and widely known Brown Family. They are scattered through Wayne, Ashland, Richland and Holms counties, and some far and wide. About nine years ago William Wesley Brown, one of the old John Buckner Brown’s sons, originated a Brown Family Reunion over there and they have held an annual meeting ever since. So the numerous descendants of the family in this country decided to organize one also, and about a month ago circular letters of invitation and explanation were sent out to all those whose address was known to the Committee, inviting them to come in and be counted. Last Saturday was the day fixed and Providence seemed to smile upon the occasion, for the weather was all that could be ask for, and more at this season of the year. The day was simply perfect for a picnic, and the "Brownies" gathered from three or four counties, coming in hacks, buggies and spring wagons, and some who got left at the railroad, walked eight miles to be there. The place where it was held is a splendid situation for anything of the kind, the house being situated on a beautiful knoll, sloping off around and dotted with pine trees, and the whole covered with a good sod. A table fifty-one feet long was constructed, with sets around it, and the whole loaded down with all the delicacies of the season. All those that could conveniently do so brought well filled baskets and boxes of "good things," and the sight when all gathered around the festal board was tempting enough to please the most confirmed dyspeptic. There bushels of the finest apples, bananas, turkeys and chicks roasted, cakes enough for three or four church festivals and swell weddings, dozens of watermelons, and other things to numerous to mention, but it was a feast that a country editors doesn’t often get a whack at. We secured a seat right by a big roasted gobbler that weighed eighteen pounds, and the way things disappeared from that table, in our reach, was a caution. There were ninety-seven at the fist table and several for the second, so that there was over a hundred present altogether, and we honestly never saw people enjoy themselves and have as good a time at a picnic as on that occasion. Eugene Lanham, of Irondale, acted as Chief marshal, and Amos Harris, of Morgantown, a colored man, who used to belong to Jacob Zinn and lived thee before the war, was there as Head Waiter at the table. After the picnicking was over, the meeting was called to order by J. Slidell Brown, and Eugene Lanham was elected Chairman and J.S. Brown, Secretary. Speeches were the order of the exercises, and Dr. Ashford Brown, of Webster, being the oldest Brown present, spoke first. He was followed by Granville Brown, Esq., of Halleck. Then Miss Maul Brown, of Kingwood, recited "McCullough’s Leap." J. Slidell Brown gave a short talk, explaining the object of the organization and how it came about. He was followed by Prof. Samuel B. Brown, of Morgantown, who spoke at some length on the history of the family and made a very interesting and valuable address. His speech was the main one of the occasion, and was well received. Charles M. Brown, of West Grafton, gave a short but witty and entertaining talk. After the speeches a permanent organization was effected by the election of the following officers who serve till the next annual reunion: President---Dr. Ashford Brown, of Webster. First Vice-President---William T. Brown, of Grafton. Second Vice-President---William B. Brown, of Brown’s Mill. Third Vice-President---William Cartwright, of Stewardstown, Monongalia county. Secretary---J. Slidell Brown, of Kingwood. Historian---Prof. S.B. Brown, of Morgantown. Committee on Arrangements---Granville Brown, Halleck; Edward Brown, Gladesville; J. Slidell Brown, Kingwood. On motion, it was ordered that the Association hold an Annual Reunion on the second Saturday in September. It was decided to hold the next meeting at Gladesville, second Saturday in September, 1896. A committee of four was appointed to look after the graves of the old members of the family buried on the old place and have them suitably marked and perhaps moved. The following committee was selected: Wm. T. Brown, Ashford Brown, Jr., J.S. Brown and Robert Brown. Five Browns from the railroad missed the conveyance that was to be sent after them, and determined to be there, they walked eight miles, arriving just in time for dinner. On motion, a rising vote of thanks was tendered them for their grit in getting there. The Association formally adjourned after a short speech from the new President, and everyone present promised to come again next year, if alive and able. NOTES AND COMMENTS All three of the Vice-Presidents are named William, which seems to be a popular name in the family. About the second oldest man resent was William Cartwright of Stewardstown. He was accompanied by his sister, Mrs. Marinda Darling. Gladesville was agreed upon for a place of meeting, because it is rather a central point and a great place for picnics. It is not far from the railroad and accessible for most of the family. About the jolliest man present was Eugene Lanham, and although he is not a Brown, as he remarked, he is considerably mixed up with the family by marriage. And by the way, he makes a splendid and efficient presiding officer. The oldest man present was Col. Tom Protzman from Easton, Monongalia county, 84 years of age, and as hearty as lots of men of half his years. He is certainly a remarkably well preserved man and ought easily pass the century mark. How we would like to see a reunion of the whole Brown Family. It is said that when the Lord was naming the people of the earth, he got about half through, and becoming tired of the job, said, "Well, just call all the rest Brown." This accounts for there being so many of them. The Browns were strictly in it that day and out in full force. The only family they take a back set for in respect to quantity, is the ubiquitous and universal Smith Family, and in point of quality they don’t retire for any one. The Lord certainly does love the Browns, or he would never have made so many of them. There were members of the family present from four counties, Marion, Monongalia, Taylor and Preston, and one young lady, Miss Annie Lanham, from Staunton, Indiana. Next year it is expected at least two hundred will be in attendance, and from far and near. Of course the crowd could be much larger, only no one but members and descendants of this one family of Browns and those connected by marriage, are invited or eligible for membership in the Association. -------Preston County Journal