James Stephens Brown (Mormon)

James Stephens Brown (July 4, 1828 – March 25, 1902[1]) was a notable participant in the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in California.[2][3][4][5][6] He was also a member of the Mormon Battalion,[7][8] a missionary,[9] notable writer and speaker,[10] and a prolific husband and father[11]

This article is about the Mormon pioneer. For the Tennessee politician, see James Stephens Brown.
James Stephens Brown
James Stephens Brown
Born(1828-07-04)July 4, 1828
Davidson County, North Carolina
DiedMarch 25, 1902(1902-03-25) (aged 73)
Salt Lake City, Utah
Spouse(s)Lydia Jane Tanner, Rebecca Ann McBride, Elia Lester, Elizabeth Clegg
ChildrenDeseret, Daniel, Alveretta, Vantile Mac, Burtina, Pauline, Homer, Alphonso, Leo, Zimania Wilford, Elando, Annie Eliza, Frank Lester, Charles, Sarah-Emma, Ada, Mary Lillious, Gaurdello, Mark C., Benjamin Joseph, Louetta, Myrtle J.
Parent(s)Daniel Brown and Elizabeth Stephens

Life and career

James Stephens Brown was born July 4, 1828 in Davidson County, North Carolina to Daniel Brown and Elizabeth Stephens.

In 1844 he was converted to "Mormonism" along with the rest of his family,[9][10] and joined the rest of his coreligionists when they were driven from Illinois. After arriving in Winter Quarters on the Missouri river, he enlisted in the Mormon Battalion as a private. As a member of the Battalion he marched from the Missouri river to California, and was discharged in 1847.

To earn money to get to Salt Lake City, he and other members of the Battalion, including his uncle Captain James Brown and his son Jesse Sowell Brown, found employment with John Sutter who owned a mill. It was while working at this mill that James W. Marshall found the first pieces of gold, and Brown, after conducting some rudimentary tests, pronounced "gold, boys, gold!"[10][3][6] This was the pronouncement that began the California Gold Rush of 1849.

Upon getting to Utah, he was a prominent speaker, and traveled speaking of his adventures with the Battalion and in California.[10] He also served LDS missions in Tahiti (October 1849–November 1852), England (April 1860-October 1862), the US Territories (October 1869-unknown), the United States (April 1872–unknown), the Navajo Indians (October 1875-unknown), and again to Tahiti (April 1892–July 1893).

In 1898 he was invited to be a guest of honor at the 50th anniversary of the discovery of gold in California celebrations.[12]

Marriage and children

Brown married four wives.[12][11][1]

  • His first wife was Lybia Jane Tanner.
    • Her children were Lybia J., Rachel Elizabeth, Emeretta, James T., Zina May, August, and Valentine.
  • His second wife was Rebecca Ann McBride whom he married in September 1854.
    • Her children were Deseret, Daniel, Alveretta, Vantile Mac, Burtina, Pauline, Homer, and Alphonso.
  • His third wife was Elia Lester whom he married January 31, 1863.
    • Her children with him were Leo, Zimania Wilford, Elando, Annie Eliza, Frank Lester, Charles, Sarah-Emma, and Ada.
  • His fourth wife was Elizabeth Clegg whom he married on 4 March 1872.
    • Her children were Mary Lillious, Gaurdello, Mark C., Benjamin Joseph, Louetta, and Myrtle J.

Published works

Life of a Pioneer: Being the Autobiography of James S. Brown.[10]

California Gold: an authentic history of the first find[6][3]

References
  1. "James Stephens Brown b. 4 Jul 1828 Davidson, Mecklenburg, North Carolina, USA d. 25 Mar 1902 Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, USA: The Watson Clan Genealogy". watsonclan.com. Retrieved 2018-04-20.
  2. "Mormons among first gold rush prospectors". DeseretNews.com. 1997-09-09. Retrieved 2018-04-20.
  3. "California gold; an authentic history of the first find, with the names of those interested in the discovery;". The Library of Congress. Retrieved 2018-04-20.
  4. Tyler, Daniel (1881). A Concise History of the Mormon Battalion in the Mexican War. 1846-1847. p. 333. james s brown mormon battalion.
  5. Owens, Kenneth N. (2005). Gold Rush Saints: California Mormons and the Great Rush for Riches. University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 9780806136813.
  6. Brown, James S. "Eyewitness to the Discovery of Gold at Sutter's Mill - 1848". www.sfmuseum.org. Retrieved 2018-04-20.
  7. "Original Battalion Roster". www.mormonbattalion.com. Retrieved 2018-04-20.
  8. Roberts, Brigham Henry (1919). The Mormon Battalion: Its History and Achievements. Deseret News. p. 64. mormon battalion james s. brown.
  9. "James Stephens Brown". churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2018-04-20.
  10. Brown, James Stephens (1900). Life of a Pioneer: Being the Autobiography of James S. Brown. G.Q. Cannon & Sons Company.
  11. James Stephens Brown Pedigree Record. . Publisher: FamilySearch.org
  12. "Archives West: James Stephens Brown papers, 1849-1892". archiveswest.orbiscascade.org. Retrieved 2018-04-21.
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