The emigrant ancestor of the Browns, of Mayfield, was a native of Wales, who came to the United States, settling in Dutchess county, New York, where he married and reared a family.
(II) Nathaniel Brown, son of the emigrant, was born in Dutchess county, New York, where he was educated and grew to manhood. He removed to Fulton county, where he settled on a farm in the town of Mayfield. He was a member of the Society of Friends, and was widely known as "Quaker Brown." He was a prosperous farmer and highly respected. He married Cynthia Wood; children: Amos C.; John W.; Isaac, of whom further.; Nathaniel (2); Mary; Abigail and Emily.
(III) Isaac, son of Nathaniel and Cynthia (Wood) Brown, was born in the town of Mayfield; Fulton county, New York, January 10, 1812, died November 21, 1880. He was educated in the public schools and reared on the farm. He followed the occupation of a farmer until he was thirty-five years of age, then purchased the Eagle Mills at Union Mills, and for several years manufactured paper from straw, later changing to a line of tobacco paper for various uses in that trade. He was engaged in papermaking for about eighteen years. He disposed of the manufacturing properties and returned to the farm of his father, where he lived until his death. He was a man of influence in the town, was a Republican in politics, and for many years held the office of highway commissioner. He was a member of the Society of Friends, and lived a life according to their most excellent tenets. He married Laura M., born January 31, 1819, died May 12, 1873, daughter of George Smith. Children:
- Amos S., born March 1, 1838; married (first), January 16, 1859, Emmeline Ingraham; (second) Frances, daughter of Levi Ingraham; (third) Helen Maxwell; by second wife, a son, Granville; by third, Max, Bessie and Helen.
- Lucius M., born November 28, 1842; married, December 31, 1863, Virginia Cromwell.
- George N., of whom further.
- Asa J., born April 7, 1846; married (first), May 3, 1863, Jane Eliza Reed; (second) Estella Decker; by first wife, a son, Leonard M., married Estella Smith.
- John M., born November 12, 1850, died May 21, 1867.
- Isaac M., born November 21, 1852; married, December 1, 1869, Mary Tooker.
- Byron D., born August 4, 1854; a glove and mitten manufacturer, of Mayfield; town clerk and supervisor; married, April 15, 1884, Elizabeth A. Griffith.
- Minnie E., born January 13, 1861; married Fayette Carpenter.
(IV) George Nathaniel, son of Isaac and Laura M. (Smith) Brown, was born in Mayfield, August 25, 1844. He was educated in the public schools and after completing his studies learned papermaking in his father's mills, where he remained until he was twenty years of age. When his father sold out his mills George N. and his brother, Amos S., purchased the "Thompson Mill," which they operated under the firm name of A. S. & G. N. Brown. They sold this mill after operating it for two years, went to Rockton, where they located and ran a paper mill for a short time, George N. selling out and locating in Broadalbin, Fulton county; after about one year he came to Northville, where he purchased a drug store. He has added the kindred lines found in modern drug stores and has built up a prosperous business. He is a Republican in politics and has served as town clerk, member of school board and supervisor. He was an organizer and charter member of the board of incorporators of the Northville Bank, and at their first official meeting, July 5, 1895, was elected president, an office he has held continuously. He is a member of Northville Lodge, No. 298, Free and Accepted Masons, and has served as treasurer fifteen years. Mr. Brown has been a Mason since his twenty-third year and will soon celebrate his Mason's Golden Wedding. He is a member and trustee of the Northville Methodist Episcopal church.
He married, October 20, 1869, Francelia Thompson, born January 8, 1848, daughter of John and Mary (Capron) Thompson, granddaughter of Isaac S., great-granddaughter of Captain John, and great-great-granddaughter of Archibald Thompson, of New Brunswick, New Jersey. He married Jacoba Shurrman, baptized February 2, 1724, died before 1760. Captain John, son of Archibald Thompson, married, June 30, 1766, Jane Stryker. He was commander of a packet running between Amboy, New Jersey, and New York City, which was captured by the British. He served in the revolution as first lieutenant, of Captain John Lyle's third regiment, Middlesex county, New Jersey, militia, and was captured by the British and confined in the "Old Sugar House" on Liberty street, New York City. He removed to Broadalbin, Fulton county, in 1802, where for many years he had a lime kiln and a grist mill. He died 1820. His widow in 1833. Isaac Shurrman, son of Captain John Thompson, was born October 3, 1782, died September 30, 1816. He continued the business of his father, later converting the grist mill into one for manufacturing paper. He served in the war of 1812, with the rank of captain. He was at Sackett's Harbor, and rendered good service. He married, January 23, 1806, Wilhelmina Baul. John, son of Isaac S. Thompson, was born July 23, 1808, died May 9, 1854. He was engaged in paper manufacture with his brother Samuel. He married, February 2, 1836, Mary Capron, born November, 1810, died February 16, 1907. Children:
- Lucy Celestia, born March 2, 1837, died August 12, 1870.
- Anna Jane, born January 7, 1839.
- Sarah Antoinette, born July 29, 1842, died April 2, 1844.
- Sarah Antoinette, born March 1, 1845, married, November 29, 1867, James Theodore Bradford; children:
- Mary Celestia, born September 29, 1870;
- Roy, October 3, 1875;
- Ralph, October 3, 1875.
- Francelia, born January 8, 1848; married, October 20, 1869, George N. Brown.
- Edward W., born November 1, 1851; married Ella Andrews; children: Fred and Harold.
- Rosalinda, born September 17, 1853.
Children of George N. and Francelia (Thompson) Brown:
- Harry E., died December 3, 1883, in his tenth year.
- Mabel A., born April 30, 1881; married, January 1, 1908, George C. Crossley, resides in Trenton, New Jersey, engaged in the clay business.