Individual Details

Rootsweb Archives: St. Francois County MO Marriages (1819-1836)
30 Jun 1836 Murphy Brown to Rebecca Jones

Microfilm of Marriages Volume 1 1836-1852; p. 2. 30 Jun 1836. Murphy Brown and Rebecca Jones each of St. Francois Co MO were married by William Polk, Elder

During the Civil War, Rebecca is said to have ridden a mule, carrying food to relatives in need. She also had to bury her husband and son, and take the rest of her family to Texas until the war ended.

1870 Census. McDonald Co, Richwood Township, Pineville P.O;. p.6, Dwelling 44
Rebecca Brown, age 48, Keeping house, $2500 of real estate, $600 personal, b. Illinois. She can read but cannot write. John R., age 24, farm labor, b. MO. Samuel [Lemuel] G. age 15, farm labor, b. MO. Isabel, age 8, b. MO.

In the 1876 MO State Census, Rebecca has Lemuel & Belle still at home as well as her granddaughter Isabell Brown, daughter of William, and a 4 year old boy named Robert Lee Wilson. [I have no idea who he might be.] Rebecca has 3 horses, 8 cows, 5 sheep, and 28 hogs; she produced 66 bu wheat and 700 bu corn.

Rebecca Brown purchased from Tom Comstock for $100: E1/2 of SE qtr of S7T23R29 80 acres. 18 Oct 1865.
12 Apr 1870, Rebecca P. Brown sold this tract for $500 to George C. Duncan. McDonald Co Deed Book D, p.137.

Deed Book G, p.603. 20 May 1879. Rebekah P. Brown and John R. Brown and his wife Margret E. and Lemuel G. Brown and his wife Isabell, and Beverly C. Barnett and his wife Eliza sold to Laura I. Brown of Barry County the following tracts: the SW 1/4 of the SW 1/4 in S8, T23, R29 containing 39.14 acres and 6.53 acres in the SW corner of the SE 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of the same section. For $100. Maranda J. Comstock and her husband Thomas were also listed in the deed but a margin note states that their names were erased. Another deed follows, dated 30 May 1879, from Miranda and Thomas Comstock of Crawford County, Arkansas, to Laura I. Brown, the same tracts of land for $1. [This must be land inherited from Murphy. Laura is a granddaughter, daughter of deceased son William Clayborn. However, it should have also included the daughter Sarah F. and her husband John Davidson ...unless another deed is recorded in the following Deed Book.]

1880 Census. Richwood twp. An 8-year-old child, Robert E. Lee Wilcox [his named appeared to be Wilson in the 1876 state census] lived with Rebecca. Daughter Belle, and sons Lemuel Green & John R. all lived right in a row.

OBITUARIES, DEATH NOTICES AND NEWS ITEMS EXTRACTED FROM THE VAN BUREN ARGUS; VOLUME 2; Fran Alverson Warren, 2001; p.9
20 FEb 1889 Mrs. Brown, the grandmother of R. Comstock, and Miss Fannie Davidson, his cousin, came home with that gentleman and remained a few days visiting their relatives.

Deed Book 31, p.159-165
Land patents of Murphy Brown's from the 1850's were filed for record. Rebecca P. Brown, John R. Brown & Maggie his wife, L. G. Brown & Isabel his wife, Laura Brown, and Bevy Barnett & Isabell his wife all of McDonald Co for the sum of $1 quit claim to Thomas Comstock: SW1/4 of SE 1/4 S8 T23 R29, 40 acres. 1879. Filed for record 27 Aug 1900.
And John R. Brown & Margaret E. Brown his wife and Lemuel G Brown & Isabell his wife, and Eliza I. Barnett & Bevley C. Barnett her husband and Rebeka P. Brown of McDonald Co and Laura I. Brown of Barry Co for $100 paid by Marandia J. Comstock of Crofford Co AR. SW1/4 of SE 1/4 S8 T23 R29 - 40 acres. 20 May 1879. Filed for record 27 Aug 1900.

1900 Census. Rebecca had grandson Harvie and his family living with her and farming. She stated her occupation was "Interest on monery". She owned her farm free of any mortgage.

1910 Census. McDonald Co; Richwood Twp, p.150b. Rebekah Brown, age 87, living with son Lemuel G. Brown.

Not only did "Becky" bury her husband and son Ezekiel: most of her 15 children pre-deceased her. Miranda, my ancestor, died 5 days before Rebecca died. Only Sarah Frances, Lemuel Green, and Eliza Isabel outlived their mother. Rebecca is said to have moved around in her later years, living with each child for awhile. She lived with Miranda and Tom Comstock for a time, but died at the home of her youngest child Belle.

McDonald County Library lists the following obituary:
Newspaper: "Pineville Herald"
Buried: Rocky Comfort Cemetery, Rocky Comfort, Missouri (Actually buried Chitwood Cemetery
Brown, Rebecca P. Died: 02-10-1912
When I received the above it said:
"Independent" Rocky Comstock, Feb. 16, 1912
Rebecca Brown
Mrs. Rebecca P. Brown was born in Ill. November 11, 1822 and died at the home of her youngest child Mrs. John Carter, Feb. 10 1912, age 89 years, 3 months and 6 days.
She was married to Murphy Brown in 1836 and to this union were born 15 children and she survived all but three, these living are Mrs. John Davidson; Mrs. John Carter, and L. G. Brown together with 43 grandchildren and several great grandchildren.
Aunt Becca as she was called by her friends and neighbors had lived in and near this vicinity for 70 years and during this time she maintained a character above reproach, and by her unceasing ambition she made a living and raised her family to be honorable men and women, three of whom were constantly at her bed side during her late illness and lovingly and faithfully administered to her comfort as only loving hands can do.
Aunt Becca won the confidence and responect of all her neighbors because was was honest and faithful in all her dealings and in old age almost to the 90 mile-stone in the journey of life; her eyes were dim yet her mind strong and active and all through her sickness and suffering she portrayed the spirit of mirth and cheerfulness. She was patient and forbearing until the last, realizing the end of human strength is the beginning of God's power.
Aunt Becca never identified herself with any church but several years ago professed her faith in Christ and since that time she said she had trusted in His promises and looked to Him for strength in all her trials and disappointments.
Funeral services were conducted by Rev. E. W. McCracken at the Methodis church. A large crowd of friends and relatives was present. The body was intered in the Chitwood cemetery to await the resurection. While we know there is a voice that is stilled, a chair that is vacant, the loving companionship of a mother gone. Yet, we feel sure that if we live right we will died right and this being true we can look forward to a reunion beyond the grave where there will be no more sorrows; no more heartaches sighing or separation.
And if thru patient toil,
we reach the land
Where tired feed with
sandal loosed may rest
When we can clearly see
and understand
I think we then can say
God knew the best
A FRIEND

Birth	4 Nov 1822	Morgan County, Illinois
Marriage	29 Jun 1836	Saint Francois County, Missouri - MURPHY BROWN
Death	10 Feb 1912	McDonald County, Missouri

Spouse	MURPHY BROWN (1816 - 1863)
Child	Richard Jones Brown (1837 - 1839)
Child	Elizabeth Bridget Brown (1839 - 1839)
Child	William Clayborn Brown (1840 - 1860)
Child	MIRANDA JANE BROWN (1842 - 1912)
Child	Ezekiel Wilson Brown (1843 - 1863)
Child	John Reed Brown (1845 - 1889)
Child	Nancy Emeline Brown (1847 - 1864)
Child	Mary Catherine Brown (1848 - 1864)
Child	Sarah Frances Brown (1850 - 1922)
Child	Joel Brown (1852 - 1852)
Child	Lemuel Green Brown (1855 - 1923)
Child	Monervia Magdalene Brown (1856 - 1857)
Child	Robert Thomas Brown (1858 - 1858)
Child	Rebekah Ann Brown (1860 - 1860)
Child	Eliza Isabel "Belle" Brown (1862 - 1934)

Father	Rev. RICHARD JONES (1803 - 1853)
Mother	DOROTHY AMOS POINDEXTER (1805 - 1846)
Sibling	Elizabeth Jones (1824 - 1865)
Sibling	Claybourne Jones (1826 - 1859)
Sibling	Thomas Fleming Jones (1828 - 1862)
Sibling	Ally M. Jones (1830 - 1850)
Sibling	Sarah Jones (1832 - 1850)
Sibling	Polly J. Jones (1833 - )
Sibling	Francis M. Jones (1835 - 1840)
Sibling	Robert Jones (1837 - 1923)
Sibling	Lucy Ann Jones (1838 - 1840)
Sibling	Richard Polk Jones (1840 - 1920)
Sibling	Zadoc Wright Jones (1843 - 1905)
Sibling	Dorothy A. Jones (1845 - 1908)