This name is of frequent occurrence in early New England records. One hundred and twenty-seven Browns emigrated to America before 1700. Over thirteen, a regiment by themselves, served in the revolution from Massachusetts alone. According to the "Herald's" College, England, the Browns have been granted one hundred and fifty-six coats-of-arms. The name has many orthographic peculiarities. The first Brown was so called because of his dark swarthy complexion; Browning was the son of Brown; Brownell was the mighty Brown; Brownlee, the Brown who lived in a pasture; Brownlow, the Brown who lived on a hill. Various forms are Boown, Bown, Braun, Brouun, Browne, Borwnn, Brune and Brown. The name has been borne in the United States by men of mark in law, politics, business and letters, including John Brown, the great Abolitionist, whose "Soul goes marching on." The name of Thomas is a persistent one in the family of James Brown, who was the second son of Rev. Chad Brown, of Providence, Rhode Island. James Brown, son of James and grandson of Rev. Chad Brown, married Ann ———— and had a son Thomas, who married, April 3, 1746, Almey Greene, daughter of John, granddaughter of Thomas, son of Thomas, son of John Greene, "the surgeon." They had a son Thomas Brown, born October 18, 1765. This Thomas may be the father of Thomas Brown, of Boston, later of Hudson, New York. The Browns of Rhode Island, many of them, settled in Boston, and Thomas of this record may have been one of them. If this can be proven the generations are:
(I) Rev. Chad Brown, of Providence, Rhode Island, arrived in Boston from England, July, 1638, with wife Elizabeth.
(II) James, second son of Rev. Chad and Elizabeth Brown, married Elizabeth Carr.
(III) James (2), of Newport and Scituate, Rhode Island, son of James (1) and Elizabeth (Carr) Brown, married Ann ————.
(IV) Thomas, son of James (2) and Ann Brown, married Almey Greene.
(V) Thomas (2), son of Thomas (1) and Almey (Greene) Brown, was born October 18, 1765, married and had issue.
(VI) Thomas (3), son of Thomas (2) Brown, was born August, 1791, in Boston, Massachusetts, died in Hudson, New York, November 7, 1853. He was a merchant of Hudson, conducting a general store. He was a member of the Presbyterian church. He married Thirza Curtis, born May 16, 1804. Children:
- Henry C., married Dorothy Whitbeck;
- William, of further mention;
- Jacob.
(VII) William, son of Thomas (3) and Thirza (Curtis) Brown, died in Hudson about 1894 or 1895, and was buried in the Hudson cemetery. He lived in Hudson almost all his life and was a furrier and hatter. He was a Democrat in politics and attended the Presbyterian church. He married Lucinda Hoysradt and had two children:
- John Thomas, of further mention;
- William Alexander, of further mention.
(VIII) John Thomas, son of William and Lucinda (Hoysradt) Brown, was born at Hudson, November, 1841, died December 8, 1903, at Brooklyn, New York. He was educated in the public schools at Stockbridge, Cooperstown, and at a private school in Hudson. He resided in Peekskill, also Albion, Orleans county, New York, then returned to Hudson. He early learned the jewelry trade and that was his business throughout his life. He removed to Brooklyn, New York, where he was employed by a jewelry firm. He retired some time before his death. He was an active Democrat and very popular with his party. He was nominated for assembly from Orleans county, New York. He was a member of the Episcopal church and a vestryman. He married, October 20, 1864, at Hudson, Helen, daughter of Abijah Cutter Stevens, and granddaughter of John Stevens, who served in the revolutionary war. Abijah Cutter Stevens was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, January 12, 1814, died June 27, 1893, at Hudson, New York. He settled in Hudson at the age of twenty-one and was a gunsmith by trade. He invented a rifle that afterward came into general use, although he was not known as the patentee. He was a Republican in politics, and a member of the Dutch Reformed church. He married, October 4, 1834, Sarah Francis Smith, born March 14, 1816, died April 17, 1910, at Hudson, daughter of Francis and Eliza (Grinnell) Smith. Seven children, of whom four died in infancy:
- Helen;
- Albert, now living in Brooklyn;
- Henry Grinnell, born February 2, 1847, died March 4, 1909.
John Thomas and Helen (Stevens) Brown had one child:
- Carrie Stevens, who married, October 5, 1887, at Hudson, Robert William Evans, born at Hudson, January 21, 1865. He was educated in the public schools and graduated from De Garmo Institute at Rhinebeck, New York. He entered business with his father and is treasurer of the Brewing & Malting Company of Hudson, New York. Children:
- Harold, born February 6, 1889; he was educated in the public schools of Hudson and St. John's Military School at Manlius, New York, where he was graduated in 1907; he was captain of one of the two companies in the school, being promoted from the ranks, through different offices. He took one year post-graduate course at Williams College, then entered Hobart College, now (1910) a junior; his fraternity is the Sigma Phi of Williams.
- Cornelius, born February 28, 1890; he was educated in the public schools of Hudson and Worcester Academy, where he was graduated 1909; he is now (1910) a junior at Cornell University; his fraternity is the Sigma Phi.
- Robert William, Jr., born September 29, 1894; educated in the public schools of Hudson, now at Pawling school at Pawling, New York.
(VIII) William Alexander, son of William and Lucinda (Hoysradt) Brown, was born March 19, 1849. He was educated in the public schools and Hudson Academy, Hudson, New York, also at Glendale, Massachusetts. He holds a regents certificate from the state of New York. For thirty years he conducted successfully a dry goods business in Hudson. He retired in 1896. In 1898 he entered the employ of the Albany Southern Electric railroad as bookkeeper, collector and cashier, and is now located at Hudson. He is a Democrat in politics and has served as water commissioner. In religion a Presbyterian. He married, May 25, 1876, Mary Blanche, daughter of Ira and Melissa (Allyn) Cole. She is a member of the Daughters of the Revolution. Children:
- William Edward, born March 29, 1877; he was educated at Hudson, graduated from high school in 1895; he entered Union University at Schenectady, New York, where he was graduated in the class of 1899 with the degree of Civil Engineer; he is a member of the Psi Upsilon; he is now at the head of the power and mining department (electrician) with the General Electric Works of Schenectady, New York; he married Pauline A. Bates, of Schenectady.
- Florence Hoysradt, educated in the public schools of Hudson and graduated from high school in the class of 1894; she is a member of the New York Kindergarten Association, where she took a two years' course with Miss Hunter; she received her diploma January 4, 1908; she is now a resident of New York City.