The Matthew Brown Marker, On The Allenwood Prison Grounds

The Brown Monument - Matthew & Eleanor Brown

If you turn right onto State Gameland road, off 44 near Elimsport, a short drive over the creek will bring you to a game lands parking area.  From that parking area, as you walk through the gate, there was once a road named Matthew Brown Road.  If you continue to walk .2 of a mile up the game land road, off in a field to the east is a monument, flanked by a grave stone on each side, surrounded by stone pillars and linked chain.

It's a monument to Matthew Brown, and his wife Eleanor.  Matthew was one of the first overseers of the poor in White Deer Township.  He was on the committee for safety in Northumberland County, and a member of the Provincial Council that met in Great Britain to dissolved our political connection with Great Britain.  In July 1776, he was a member of the State Convention that formed the Pennsylvania State Constitution of 1776.  In the fall of 1776 he entered into service as a solider in the Revolutionary War.  He contracted Camp Fever, forcing him to return home, where he died in March of 1777.

Grave stones for Matthew and Eleanor stood alone in the field, until 1907 when Matthews granddaughter sponsored, through the D.A.R., the more substantial marker at that location.

Whether this is, today,  the grounds of the federal prison, or part of the State Game Lands 252, I am not completely certain - it's right along the border at the very least.   It can be accessed from the game lands road, with no need to cross any fence - however, along other nearby sections of the same road, there is a fence marking the prison property.  

The 1907 marker reads:

MATHEW BROWN, 1732-1777

"A Servant of God, a Member of the Provincial Council, also of the first State Constitutional Convention and a Soldier of the Continental Army.

 His wife, Eleanor Brown, a noble woman, who survived him thirty seven years.

This stone is erected by grand-daughter Susan Brown Alexander under the auspices of the Lycoming Chapter D.A.R. on October 1907 "

Matthew Brown was born July 15th 1732, the son of John & Isabel Wier, of Scotland.  His grandfather, John Brown the martyr.  At a young age, John Brown Jr was taken by his mother to Ireland, where lived until he was about 35 years old.  In 1720, John, along with his brother James and some friends, emigrated to America. An excellent account of the early family was compiled by Robert Shannon, in 1900.  It is titled Matthew Brown, Ancestry and Descendants.

The Monument was erected on October 31 1907, by the Lycoming Chapter of the D.A.R.

A 1934 article about a reunion at the Wetzel School House notes that the "little red schoolhouse",  was built in 1856 on land belonging to Matthew Brown, and that his grave, and marker erected by the D.A.R.,  was " almost within a stones throw" from the schoolhouse door.

An article in 1970, when the S.A.R. held a ceremony at the marker, the location was further described :

"The Brown graves are on what was formerly known as the R.C. Meek farm, or what was known locally as the Old Lime Kiln Farm.  

The graves are located about 100 yards from the road beneath a large tree with no other trees near.  Four pieces of native stone some 36 inches high mark the corners of the lot approximately 30 feet square.  Hooks are provided for loop chains, but no chains are in evidence now.  A substantial monument was erected in the early 20th century by Mrs. Susan M. Brown Alexander of New York City, in memory of her grandparents.  The original thin marble grave stones are fixed against the base of the permanent monument.  The dates on them are still plainly visible when the light is just right"

Read The 1776 Pennsylvania Constitution here

https://www.phmc.state.pa.us/portal/communities/documents/1776-1865/pennsylvania-constitution-1776.html

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From ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY, Published in 1877:

 "Matthew Brown, whose remains lie buried in White Deer Hole valley, was quite a prominent man in our history.  He was one of the first overseers of the poor for White Deer township; in February, 1776, one of the committee of safety for Northumberland county; in June 1776, a member of the Provincial Council that met in Philadelphia to dissolve our political connection with Great Britain, and in July, 1776, a member of the State Convention that formed our State Constitution of 1776, which he signed on the 28th day of September, in that year. 

 In the autumn of 1776 he entered our provincial or United States army as a soldier, and while serving thus contracted what was called 'the camp fever,' which compelled him to return home, and finally carried him to his grave.  He lies buried here in a field, about half a mile south of my residence. 

 His grave is surrounded with a rude unmortared stone wall, put there by his wife, Eleanor Brown, the widow named in our above list of names.  After surviving him for a period of thirty-seven years, she also died, and now lies buried at his side.  The inclosure is about ten or twelve feet square in the clear, inside, and contains two upright, plain white marble tombstones, now much discolored and blackened by time, leaving the following inscriptions and nothing more, to wit:

                    'MATTHEW BROWN,
                   Died April 22d, 1777.'

                     'ELEANOR BROWN,
                   Wife of Matthew Brown,

                    Died August 9, 1814.'

     And inside of this stone inclosure there stands four living trees, viz  a straight and handsome hickory tree of about sixteen inches in diameter near the ground, and three other crooked and scraggy trees, a wild cherry tree, and two elm trees of some seven or eight inches in diameter near the ground.  Mr. Brown seems to have been well off, and doubtless owned this land and lived somewhere near where he now lies buried." - J F. Wolfinger.

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PENNSYLVANIANS, PAST AND PRESENT By FREDERIC A. GODCHARLES (Copyright, 1924, by the Author)

 Matthew Brown, Provincial Councillor and Patriot, and Veteran of Revolutionary War, Born July 15, 1732

 Matthew Brown, member of the Provincial Council and State Constitutional Convention, and a veteran of the Constitutional army in the Revolutionary. War, was born in Lancaster County, Pa., July 15, 1732. His grandfather, John Brown, is numbered among the martyrs of Scotland. For unyielding adherence to the faith of the Covenanter, he was shot to death in the presence of his wife and children at his own doorway.

The widow fled with her children to the north of Ireland and from thence the sons, James John, came to America in 1720, and settled in Lancaster County, Pa. Here John's son, Matthew, was born. Matthew settled in Carlisle in 1760, married Eleanor Lytle and in 1774, removed to White Deer Valley then a part of Northumberland County. Here he acquired a fine farm and was prospering when, the Revolutionary War broke was a member of the Committee of Safety for Northumberland County; then a member of the Provincial Conference which met in Carpenters' Hall, June 18, 1776, he was elected a member of the Constitutional Convention of July 15, 1776; and then shouldered a musket and marched with the "Flying Camp" where, after much suffering in the New Jersey campaign he contracted fever of which he died April 22, 1777, leaving a widow and eight children. youngest of the family was Matthew who was born early in 1776.

He and his brother Thomas were adopted by an uncle, William Brown, of Harrisburg, a man of great religious and political influence.  The boys received an excellent education; Matthew graduated from Dickinson College in 1794. He then taught in the Northumberland Academy and studied theology. He was licensed to preach the Carlisle Presbytery on October 3. 1799.

For a few years he preached in Huntingdon, when he accepted a call to the First Presbyterian Church at Washington, Pa. About the beginning of this pastorate Rev. Brown was also installed as principal of Washington Academy, which during the next year, 1806, grew into a college, the charter of which was obtained principally, through his efforts. Brown was elected the first president, December 1806, and served with remarkable' success for ten years, retaining at the same time his pastoral connection with the church. In 1816, however, he resigned the presidency of the college, preferring to give his whole time to the church.

For six years he continued as pastor during which time he was offered the presidency of Center College, but declined. In 1822, however, he accepted the presidency of Jefferson College at Canonsburg. Under the presidency of Dr. Brown, which continued for twenty-three years, the college enjoyed a glorious career. It, never was blessed with a more successful president.

Nearly, one-half the 800 graduates became ministers of the gospel. After resigning the presidency, in 1845, on account of impaired health, he resumed it for a short time in the summer of 1847, but in October of that year his son, Alexander Blaine Brown, D. D., was chosen president of the institution and served with great satisfaction for nine years. Dr Matthew Brown continued to preach at intervals. Notwithstanding his growing infirmities he continued active until near the close of his life.

He was twice married, first to Mary, daughter of Alexander Blaine, of Carlisle, Pa., second to Mary Williamina, widow of Backus Wilbur and daughter of Major William Ferguson, Unit ed States Army, who was killed in General St. Clair's defeat by the Indians at Miami village in 1791. Dr. Brown's daughter, Elizabeth, married Rev. David Hunter Riddle, D. D., afterward president of Jefferson College for a term of five years. Thus it will be seen that Dr. Brown was president of both Washington College and of Jefferson College, that his son, Alexander, and his son-in-law were both presidents of Jefferson College, the four serving a total of forty seven years in the two colleges, which united and now form the successful and popular Washington and Jefferson College.

On October 21 [31st], 1907, the descendants of Matthew and Eleanor Brown unveiled a monument over their graves in the White Deer Valley. Hon.  Emerson Collins delivered the principal address while Rev. Maitland Alexander, D. D., of Pittsburgh, and more than fifty other descendants participated in the ceremony which were in charge of the Lycoming Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. Susan Brown Alexander, a granddaughter, of the old Revolutionary hero unveiled the monument and she was likewise the donor of the memorial.

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SOME PENNSYLVANIA WOMEN DURING THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. MATRONS OF THE REVOLUTION. ELEANOR LYTLE BROWN
By William Henry Egle M.D. Harrisburg, PA, Published in 1898

[p.26-29]

Eleanor Lytle, daughter of Nathaniel Lytle, was born January 7, 1739, in Donegal township, Lancaster county. As the wife of Matthew Brown she was called upon to endure ranch suffering and privation incident to the Revolutionary war, as well as the incursions of the savages into what was then the territory of Northumberland county. We have no date of her marriage, but as her husband—who was born July 15, 1732, on the Swatara—settled near Carlisle in l760, it is probable that she was married about that time. As her youngest son, Matthew, was horn in 1776, and seven children proceeded him, we are warranted in fix-tug her marriage about that date. In the course of a few years Matthew Brown and his wife Eleanor, with their young family, were attracted to the West Branch Valley of the Susquehanna, and they settled in White Deer Valley. The location, on account of its fertility and natural surroundings, is one of the most beautiful to be found on the river. As early as 1775, the name of Matthew Brown appears on the assessment list of White Deer township as the owner of sixty acres of land. That he was a representative man and a patriot is evidenced by the fact that he was a member of the Committee of Safety of Northumberland county in 1776. In July of that year he was a member of the Provincial Conference that met in Philadelphia to form a State Constitution, and was one of the eight delegates from Northumberlandcounty. On the 28th of September. 1776, the first Constitution was adopted and signed by all the delegates present, the name of Matthew Brown appearing among those attached to that instrument. This [p.27] great duty performed, he hastened to join the army under Washington as a private soldier. Those were exciting and stirring times, and every patriot who could carry a gun was in demand. During the severe campaign in New Jersey Mr. Brown contracted camp fever, and not receiving the attention which he should, owing to the inadequacy of the medical department and hospital service, he applied for sick leave, which was granted, and he returned to his White Deer home in the autumn of 1776. The disease, however, bad obtained such a severe hold on him that it would not yield, and after lingering to the 22d of April, 1777, he died. aged nearly forty-five years. His faithful wife buried him on their own ground in a clump of trees which stood not far from their humble cabin on Spring creek, and watched over his grave with tender care until August 9. l814,when she was laid by his side, thirty-seven years after-Wards.
Left with a family of eight children, the eldest scarcely sixteen and the youngest only about one year old, her troubles and sorrows commenced. Yet like the Roman matron of old, she did not despair, but struggled along with a heroic devotion that was truly sublime, and cared for her family. When the "Big Runaway" was precipitated and every settler had fled she reached her relatives in Paxtang, where she remained until the storm of war blew over. On the return of peace she made her way back to her desolated home in White Deer, with part of her family, and there she lived near the lonely grave of her patriot husband until death beckoned her to his side.
In the later years of her life she became known as "Nellie" Brown. Her youngest son, Matthew, born in 1776, less than a year before his father died, was adopted by an uncle, William Brown, of Paxtang. together with Thomas, who was a little older, and by him raised. Matthew [p.28] was educated at Dickinson College, graduated in 1794, studied theology and was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Carlisle in 1799. He became a distinguished Presbyterian divine, and was the first president of Washington College, serving from 1806 to 1816. In 1822 he was chosen president of Jefferson College, which position he filled until 1845, a period of twenty-three years. He died at Pittsburgh, July 23, 1853, in the 77th year of his age. As one of the old time Presbyterian divines, few stand higher in the annals of that church than Rev. Matthew Brown, D. D.
Soon after her death her children erected plain tombstones to mark the graves of their parents, which hear the following inscriptions:

MATTHEW BROWN,
Died April 22, 1777.

ELEANOR BROWN,
Wife of Matthew Brown.
Died August 9, 1814.

Matthew The same stone as above, in 2024	Eleanor The same stone as above, in 2024

 As the ground came to be cleared around the graves, a rude, unmortared stone fence was erected as a protection. This, in time, tumbled into ruin, when a wooden fence was put up. This, too, has rotted down, and there is scarcely any protection now to the graves. The tombstones, much time-stained, remain.

 A clump of trees overshadow them, but as they are now in the midst of a cultivated field, the time will soon come when the graves of the Revolutionary patriot and his heroic wife may be desecrated by the plowshare of civilization, which will rudely pass over them and remove every trace of their existence. By a recent subdivision the graves now lie in Gregg township, Union county, close to the line of Washington township, Lycoming county. They should be marked by a permanent monument to perpetuate the name and memory of an early patriot and his noble wife.

1907

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A Hero Honored
As published in the Lewisburg Chronicle, November 1907

"Few sections of our country are more fruitful for historic research of colonial times, than Union Co. On the border of civilization, at the outbreak of the Revolution, its people who were not massacred by the treacherous Indians, had no time to record the deeds of valor and heroism that then took place. The sods of the valley cover the graves of forgotten and unknown heroes of whom the world will never know. Yet a few sacred graves have been sufficiently marked to designate the resting place of heroes of true liberty. Such is one of the graves in Gregg township.

In a field at  some distance from the public highway rests the remains of Matthew Brown, a man of energy, leadership and devotion to the liberties of an oppressed people. He was a type of that stalwart manhood that will bring success out of apparent defeat. His grandfather, John Brown, is numbered among Scotland's martyrs. For adherence to the faith of the Covenanters he was shot at his own doorway in the presence of his family. The spot where he fell is now marked with a monument to his memory, bearing date 1685.

In that great wave of Scotch Irish emigration came the sons of this martyr to Lancaster county, 1720, where our Revolutionary hero was born. Mathew grew to manhood in Lancaster county. He located at Carlisle and married Eleanor Lythe, who was no less a hero in sharing the hardships of frontier life. In 1774, Mathew moved to White Deer Valley, then a part of North. Co.

He became an extensive land owner and foremost citizen, selected by the people of the valley for highest civic duties. Mathew Brown was numbered among the Com. of Safety for North. Co A member of that convention which severed the ties from English oppression, a member of the first constitutional convention of Pa. When the new and dear young Republic was in distress, when the small Continental army was meeting with reverses in 1776, Mathew Brown helped to rally the few scattered hardy riflemen in the valley and with them joined the continent al army.

His home was on the frontier. His wife and children needed protection, yet so great was his love for the cause of liberty, that he sacrificed all for his principle's of politic liberty. In the fall of 1776, he was stricken with camp fever, came home and lingered until April 22, 1777, and died for his country's liberty. 

Mathew Brown's granddaughter, Mrs. Susan Brown Alexander, of N.Y., has erected a beautiful granite stone to his memory, the unveiling of which was under the auspices of the D. A. R. and G. A.R. of Williamsport. 

The services were partly held in the Lutheran church, near Alvira. Mayor Foresman, of Williamsport, presided. Hon. Emerson Collins was orator. Patriotic songs and memorial speeches united the three or four hundred people present, as though each was one of the forty-six Brown decedents present. At the grave Mrs. Allen P. Perley, state regent, had the honor of unveiling the stone.

The G. A. R. also held impressive services at the grave of a comrade who fell 130 years before, to remind us that a noble life does not die with the interment of the body. The marker is a beautiful heavy dark granite stone, bearing the inscription:

 "MATHEW BROWN, 1732-1777.

A Servant of God, a Member of the Provincial Council, also of the first State Constitutional Convention and a Soldier of the Continental Army. His wife, Eleanor Brown, a noble woman, who survived him thirty seven years. "

This stone is erected by his granddaughter, Susan Brown Alexander, under the auspices of Lycoming Daughters of the American Revolution, Oct. 1907.  Mrs. Alexander is a worthy decedent of a brave, noble and honored man.

She deserves much for her remembrance and sacrifice in this her eightieth year, but on this day, the greatest joy of all. Her act should be emulated that the present generation may know and those who follow may learn and be inspired by a knowledge of devotion to country, by fallen heroes. -  D. P. STAPLETON."

Stories From The Cemeteries - An Index

State Game Lands 252

An Index of History, Stories, Photos, and Sights To see

[Home of the Alvira Bunkers]

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READ MORE
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From The History Of Northumberland County, By Meginness:

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The men recruited for the flying camp were to be militiamen from three colonies: 6000 from Pennsylvania, 3400 from Maryland, and 600 from Delaware. They were to serve until December 1, 1776, unless discharged sooner by Congress, and to be paid and fed in the same manner as regular soldiers of the Continental Army.

The Pittsburgh Press reported that Rev Dr Matthew Brown Riddle, and Rev Dr W.F. Brown, and Rev. Dr. Maitland Alexander "left for Williamsport to attend the dedication of a monument to their great-grandfather Mathew Brown".  The monument was a gift from Mrs S.M. Alexander, mother of Rev. Dr. Maitland.

In his will, Matthew states that he has 8 children.  Four sons, and four daughters.  He names his wife Eleanor, and his brother William Brown.

1925

Matthew Brown, in Pennsylvania Past & Present by Frederick Godcharles

1934

The Daily Notes, Canonsburg, 1963

    On Matthew Brown, family historian Mary Jane Porter writes: born July 15, 1732, in Paxtang Twp. Pennsylvania, was educated in the school of the Rev. Francis Allison. In 1760 he settled on the Conedoguineb Creek near Carlisle and in 1774 sold out and moved to White Deer Valley where he purchased 60 more acres of land and afterwards acquired more, as at his death he owned 763 acres. He was a representative from Northumberland Co., in the Convention of July 15, 1776, that framed the first State Constitution. In the autumn of that year he entered the army as a private soldier; contracted a fever while campaigning in New Jersey, returned home where he died April 22, 1777. Was buried in a field near his residence. He married Eleanor Lytle about 1760, who survived him 37 years and died August 9, 1814, about 80 years of age.

1970
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Matthew Brown JR

Matthew Brown was a prominent Presbyterian minister and president of Washington College and Jefferson College. Next to John McMillan, Brown was the most important figure to education in Western Pennsylvania.

Brown was born in January 1776 in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania (now part of Union County, Pennsylvania). His paternal grandfather, a native of Ireland even though he was of Scottish descent, emigrated to America in 1720 and settled in eastern Pennsylvania. His father, also named Matthew Brown, was born in 1732 and was an early settler of White Deer Valley and a soldier in the American Revolutionary War. Upon his father's death, young Matthew Brown and his brother were adopted by their father's brother, William Brown, a religious man who was a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature.

Brown graduated from Dickinson College in 1794 and taught in a classical school in Northumberland County. In 1796, he began to study theology and was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Carlisle on October 3, 1799.  He held a call in Mifflin, Pennsylvania and Lost Creek within the Presbytery of Huntingdon.

On October 15, 1805 he was installed as preacher of the First Presbyterian Church of Washington, Pennsylvania. He was also elected principal of Washington Academy and was a principal agent in securing its charter to become Washington College; he was elected its first president on December 13, 1806, serving that position in tandem with his pastoral duties.The reputation of the college and the prosperity of the church grew considerably under his leadership. During this time, the town of Washington had grown from a small pioneer settlement into a larger town, and he vigorously denounced the growing practices of card playing and dances in his famous "Serpent Sermon." Brown was elected a member of the American Antiquarian Society in 1815. In 1817, and agreement was made between the church and Washington College that no one should supervise both institutions.[3] Brown chose the church and resigned the presidency on April 30, 1817.

He turned down offers of the presidency of Centre College and his alma mater Dickinson College to remain as pastor in Washington. He resigned that position in 1822 to accept the presidency of Jefferson College at Canonsburg.

On September 25, 1822, Brown was elected the fifth president of Jefferson College, largely due to the support and influence of Rev. Dr. Samuel Ralston, who was president of the Board of Trustees of Jefferson College. He was paid an annual salary of $800. In 1824, Jefferson College established the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. The college erected Providence Hall between 1829 and 1832. Jefferson College graduated 770 students during his tenure. He resigned at the age of 69 in 1845 due to ill health. He died on July 29, 1853.

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REV. MATTHEW BROWN, D.D., LL.D. (1776-1853) Among the most distinguished educators and most eminent divines in western Pennsylvania was this revered gentleman, whose praises are still heard in our homes, schools, colleges and churches. To the long chain of respectable and pious ancestors he added a golden link. In the family history the luster of the fair record which is found on its pages was increased by the life of this great and good man, whom thousands honored as a minister, a teacher a benefactor and a friend.

BROWN GRANDFATHER: His paternal grandfather, (John Brown 1684-1740) who, though of Scottish descent, was a native of Ireland, came to this country in 1720 and settled in the eastern part of Pennsylvania, where he died, leaving five sons, all of whom were distinguished as devout and exemplary Christians. (Buried in Old Paxtang Presbyterian Meeting House Cemetery, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. - SECOND PICTURE)

BROWN FATHER: MATTHEW (1732-1786) One of these sons was named Matthew, and he was the father of the subject of this sketch. He was born in 1732 and resided some years in the vicinity of Carlisle, Penn., when he moved to White Deer Valley, Northumberland county, of which he was an early settler. He was a ruling elder in the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and was distinguished for his integrity, talents, uprightness and wit. In the Revolutionary war he took an active part, and was a member of the "Flying Camp." While in the army he died at the age of forty-six years. He left eight children, the youngest of whom was Dr. Matthew Brown, who was born in 1776, two years before his father's death. Upon the demise of his father, young Matthew and his brother Thomas were adopted by their father's brother, Mr. William Brown, who was well known, and for many years exerted an extensive influence in both the religious and political world. As a commissioner of Dauphin county, in which for a long time he had resided, he assisted in laying out the town of Harrisburg, now the capital of Pennsylvania. Being an intelligent, public spirited man, he was elected to various positions of honor and trust, and served frequently in the Legislature of Pennsylvania. As a member of that body in 1776, he was the first man to propose the gradual emancipation of the slaves within the commonwealth, a measure which, though not then favorably received, was afterward adopted. He was also a member of the convention which formed the constitution of the State in 1790, and his name appears among the signers of that instrument. At one time he was sent as a commissioner to Ireland and Scotland on behalf of the Covenanters, to procure for them a supply of ministers, one of whom preached for some time in a church erected on his place. (Wife was Eleanor Lytle 1732-1814). (They are buried in Gregg Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania. This stone is erected by their grand-daughter, Susan Brown Alexander, under the auspices of the Lycoming Chapter of the D.A.R. October, 1907. - THIRD AND FOURTH PICTURES)

While with this uncle, prominent alike in Church and State affairs, Dr. Brown received his early training and education. He then entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle (FIFTH PICTURE), where he was graduated in May, 1794, during the presidency of Dr. Nisbet. After his graduation he taught a classical school in Northumberland county, where he became intimately acquainted with the prominent men of the profession. About the year 1796 he began the study of theology, his instructors being Rev. James Snodgrass, Dr. Nisbet and Dr. John King and was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Carlisle, on October 3, 1799. Two years after he accepted a call from the united congregations of Mifflin and Lost Creek, within the bounds of the Presbytery of Huntingdon. Having labored faithfully here for several years, he accepted a call from the First Presbyterian Church of Washington, Penn. (SIXTH PICTURE), of which he was installed the first pastor October 16, 1805. At the same time he was elected principal of Washington Academy (SEVENTH PICTURE), which during the next year, 1806, grew into a college, the charter of which he was the principal agent in procuring. Of this now institution, Washington College (EIGHTH PICTURE), he was elected the first president, December 13, 1806, and as such served with remarkable success ten years, retaining at the same time his pastoral connection with the church. With unceasing diligence he performed his double duties as pastor and president, which taxed his faculties and powers to the utmost, but the result of his labors were soon manifested in the growing prosperity of the church and in the extended reputation of the college. Among those who were graduated while he was president, many rose to stations of eminence in the different professions, and some acquired considerable distinction in the political world. In December, 1816, he resigned the presidency of the college, but for six years he continued as pastor of the church to which he was bound by many solemn and tender ties. In the meantime his reputation as president of Washington College had attracted much attention, and turned toward him the eyes of many in different places. Among other invitations received by him was a call to the presidency of Centre College, at Danville, Ky., and the trustees of Dickinson College also desired him to fill a similar position. As pastor of the church in Washington he remained until 1822, when he resigned this charge, having accepted the presidency of Jefferson College (NINTH PICTURE), at Canonsburg.

For several years after he moved to Canonsburg he preached alternate Sabbaths with Dr. McMillan in the Chartiers Church (TENTH PICTURE), of which the latter minister was the pastor, but in 1880 a congregation was organized in the town in connection with the college, which enjoyed his pastoral and pulpit labors until the year 1845 when, on account of feeble health, he resigned the presidency of Jefferson College. Notwithstanding his growing infirmities he continued to preach until near the close of his life. On July 29, 1853, he died at the age of seventy-seven years. The funeral services were held at Canonsburg, but the body was laid to rest beside his loved ones in Washington.

Before closing, a few words must be added regarding his domestic relations; he was twice married first in 1804 to Miss Mary Blaine (1784-1818), of Cumberland county, Penn., who died in 1818, leaving two children: one of them was the Rev. Dr. Alexander Blaine Brown, who two years after his father's resignation succeeded him as president of Jefferson College. The other was Elizabeth, the estimable and talented wife of Rev. D. H. Riddle, D. D., who also became president of the same institution. In 1825 Dr. Brown was married to Mary W. Ferguson (1791-1838), widow of Rev. Mr. Backus Wilbur. She died in 1838, leaving one daughter, Susan Mary, the wife of Mr. Henry M. Alexander, a prominent lawyer in New York City, one of the well-known Princeton family of Alexanders, and son of the first professor in the Princeton Theological Seminary. This daughter inherits her father's talents and many excellent traits. She is an earnest worker in the church, devotes much time in laboring for the good of others, and gives freely of her means to charitable objects.

Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893)

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The Jersey Shore Suffragists

From a post by the Jersey Shore Historical Society:

The Jersey Shore Chapter of the Women’s Suffrage movement was organized in May 1915. Two women who headed up the chapter are profiled here:

Mrs. James A. Richards (Helen Blair) was born on December 9, 1877 in Potts Grove, PA. She married James A. Richards on June 29, 1904 in the Presbyterian Church, Jersey Shore. He was a Locomotive Engineer with New York Central Railroad. In 1900 Helen was a school teacher and the family was living at 250 Locust St.. By 1920 (the passage of the 19th amendment) Helen and James have 3 children (Helen Dorothy age 13, Anna age 12 and Mary Louise age 2) and are living at 425 Allegheny St..

In 1940 she is living in Ithaca, NY with her daughter and six year old granddaughter (born in Peiping, China).

Helen Blair Richards died June 27, 1971 in Ovid, Seneca County, New York. She is buried in the Jersey Shore Cemetery

She was a descendant of Matthew Brown (1732-1777) of Northumberland County, He was a deputy of the convention that framed the Constitution. (North America, Family Histories.)

Mrs. J. Frank Torbert (Sarah Burnett) was born January 10, 1852 in Norristown, PA. Sarah married J. Frank Torbert in 1881. They had five children John F., William L., Ruth, Paul E., and Charles S. The children were baptized in the Presbyterian Church of Jersey Shore. J. Frank Torbert was a Timber Speculator/ Lumberman by trade. He died on March 15, 1911 of Typhoid Fever.