John Brown was born in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1695, died January, 1764. He was a large vessel owner and a very wealthy man for his day. The family, however, lost most of their property during the revolution, as they remained loyal to the King. He married Jane Lucas, and had issue.
(II) Colonel Robert, son of John and Jane (Lucas) Brown, of Newport, was born April 9, 1735, died August, 1794. His wife Elizabeth was born January 28, 1744, died November 27, 1815. The tradition of the family is that this Robert was the Robert Brown captured by pirates, together with two boys who were with him on his vessel. Brown and the two boys (not his own) were set afloat in a rowboat near some rocky cliffs, the pirates supposing they could not land. But Brown being a good sailor landed in safety, although in ascending the rocks one of the boys was lost and drowned. Colonel Robert said, "He hoped and prayed that he would live to see the day when they were hung." He did live to see them hung at Newport and told them of his wish, which they remembered. Colonel Robert Brown married Elizabeth ————; children:
- Colonel Robert B., born November 19, 1763, died October 27, 1845; he was the father of eight sons, Peter, Barker, Philip, Robert, George, Henry, Edmund and David.
- John, born January 10, 1765, died December 19, 1836, leaving nine children: John, James, Samuel, Clark, Charles, Betsy, Becky, Mary and Susan.
- Silas, born November 28, 1766, died May 18, 1820; children: Silas, Brinton, Fanny, Elizabeth, Susan and Sarah Ann.
- Elizabeth, born July 27, 1767, died young.
- Peleg, of whom further.
- James, born July 11, 1771, died July 31, 1839. Mary, his wife, was born September, 1778; children: Robert, John, Benjamin, Mary, Lucy and Tabathy. By his second wife: Henry, Peleg, James, Caroline and George.
- Henry, born July 2, 1773, died September 25, 1845; his wife was a Miss Hamnon; they left one son, Silas.
(III) Peleg, son of Colonel Robert and Elizabeth Brown, was born August 7, 1769, died September 23, 1838. He married Dorcas ————, who died September 15, 1856. Children:
- William B., born September 22, 1793, died December 27, 1860;
- Mary, July 6, 1795, died June 22, 1875;
- Tabathy, August 13, 1797, died November 26, 1825;
- Elizabeth, September 30, 1799, died October 17, 1799;
- Joseph W., March 27, 1801, died June 5, 1878;
- Elizabeth C., December 30, 1802, died June 29, 1872;
- Ann M. June 22, 1805, died June 7, 1884;
- Jeremiah G., May 22, 1807, died November 24, 1820;
- Peleg, of whom further.
(IV) Peleg (2), son of Peleg (1) and Dorcas Brown, was born June 28, 1810, died June 23, 1891. He married, March 10, 1836, Ann Hoxie, born March 23, 1810, died February 17, 1887. Children:
- John P., born July 1, 1838, died May 24, 1881;
- Joseph H., of whom further;
- William H., born September 7, 1843, died February 17, 1844;
- Infant son, deceased;
- Mary Esther, May 15, 1849, died April 16, 1884, married Charles H. Bradish, December 21, 1881; children: Leila and Annabel.
(V) Joseph H., son of Peleg (2) and Ann (Hoxie) Brown, was born January 12, 1841, at Petersburg, New York, died March 27, 1904. He was a successful farmer of Hoosick where he lived all his life. He was a Republican and took a deep interest in the politics of the county, holding local offices. He was a member of the Baptist church. He married June 16, 1861, Mary E. James. She died August 13, 1898. Children:
- William Joseph, born June 23, 1862, died March 8, 1893;
- Hattie M.;
- Edward James, of whom further.
(VI) Edward James, son of Joseph H. and Mary E. (James) Brown, was born June 27, 1866. He was educated in the public schools of Hoosick, and then followed the occupation of his father, that of farming, and remained on the homestead with him. In 1894 he relieved his father of the care of the farm, taking full charge. He removed to Plattsburg, New York, for a much needed rest and remained there two years, 1895-96, and then returned to the farm where he has made his home. His farm is a dairy farm, requiring much extra work. He is a Republican in politics and takes an active part in town affairs. He is a member of All Saints Episcopal Church. He married, November 28, 1879, Marion Stetson, daughter of Elizur Larkin, died April 25, 1881; and Helen (Stetson) Larkin. Children: Helen Mary, Rowland Hoxie, Elizabeth Larkin.