Samuel Brown

Quick Facts

Significance:

Mississippi Homesteader

Place of Birth:

Simpson County, Mississippi

Date of Birth:

April 1864

Date of Death:

Before 1910

Application #21051 Final Certificate # 12201

Samuel Brown was born about 1864 in Simpson County, Mississippi. The 1880 US census recorded that his parents were Willis and Amy Brown. Samuel, age 14, had six siblings in 1880 - Charles, 18; Lucy, 11, Merta, 9, George, 5 and Orlena, 8 months.

On March 19, 1897, at the age of 33, Brown submitted his application to settle on 79.66 acres in Westville, Simpson County, Mississippi. He built a 16' x 20' home, one crib (for crops), a stable, and an outhouse. He and his wife, Mary (Stamps) Brown, farmed the land and raised their children for ten years.

Homestead Proof Testimony was provided by himself and two witnesses; Jim Steel and King Thompson. On January 16, 1897 they all attested that Samuel Brown and his family had continually lived on the land and that the building improvements were valued at $75.00. Additionally, he and his witnesses testified that Samuel had farmed 15 acres over ten seasons. Brown could neither read nor write. On January 2, 1890, he placed his mark on the Final Affidavit Required of Homestead Claimants swearing to the fact that he was a native-born American citizen, born in Mississippi, and the head of his family.

The 1900 US census in (Beat 3, Simpson, Mississippi) showed Samuel Brown as a farmer and the owner of his land. He and his family included his wife Mary (Stamps) Brown and their children: Luella, Ida, Fannie, Whit, Simon, Willie, Sam, and an infant son.

In the 1910 US census (Beat 3, Simpson County, Mississippi), Mary Stamps Brown, was a widow and listed as the owner of the family farm. They had two additional children in that 1910 census; Noah was born in 1902 and Elizabeth was born in 1905.

By the 1920 US census Mary Stamps Brown had moved to Cuyahoga County, Ohio with her children, William, 23; Samuel Jr, 21; Noah, 19; and Elizabeth, 14.

~ Contributed by Sandra Williams Bush, descendant 

About Sandra Williams Bush

Sandra Williams Bush is the great granddaughter of Samuel Brown. She is a retired librarian and has been working on her family history for 20 years. Sandra is a member of the Buffalo Genealogical Society of the African Diaspora, Georgia Genealogical Society, Afro-American Genealogical and Historical Society of Chicago, and the Afro-American Historical Association of the Niagara Frontier, Inc. Sandra has taken on the challenge of documenting her family's history. Her southern research focuses on Georgia and Mississippi. Sandra has presented introductory genealogy workshops to audiences ranging from youth groups to senior citizens. Sandra is a professional storyteller, a charter member of Tradition Keepers: Black Storytellers of Western New York and a Life member of the National Association of Black Storytellers. She is also a djembe drummer with the group Daughters of Creative Sound, an African American woman's percussion ensemble.

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Samuel Brown Patent Details - BLM GLO Records