Buckingham Notables: Rev. Henry James Brown
Buckingham Female Collegiate Institute
Those of you who follow Slate River Ramblings via the Slate River Press Facebook page will recognize the image above of the Buckingham Female Collegiate Institute. Used to illustrate “The Buckingham Polka” composed by the Institute’s music teacher, Arnaud Préot, this image also appeared with the chapter “A Noble Idea: Buckingham Female Collegiate Institute,” in “At a Place Called Buckingham.”
The drawing was executed by Rev. Henry James Brown (1811-1854), a Methodist minister and fellow instructor at the Institute. He also served as vice-president of its board. Born in Cumberland County, Brown began painting when he was about sixteen years old, eventually studying with the renowned artist Thomas Sully. In 1833, Brown married Susan Ann Hobson and together they had eight children. In 1850, they were living in Buckingham County adjacent Dr. John C. Blackwell, President of the Institute. In 1854, Brown died at the Institute at that age of forty-two.
To learn more about the college, type Buckingham Female Collegiate Institute in the search box.
Special thanks to John Ayres Greenlee for adding to my knowledge of Rev. Brown.
slate river ramblings . . . . 
I am an art historian; and, have been resarching the life and work of HJB, with an emphasis on his Saline County, Missouri residency period, since the early 1970s. For over a decade, I’ve been the VP of the Saline County (Mo.) Historical Society. I’d certainly like to hear from anyone who might know the whereabouts of HJB’s correspondence with any Saline Countians. HJB still has descendants living in Saline County, Missouri.
Samuel, Many thanks for dropping in. While I don’t know more about Rev. Henry James Brown, a Slate River Ramblings reader might comment. Best of luck in your ongoing project. Joanne
Reblogged this on Grandson of Sam.
Hi Joanne, I’m interested in this Henry Brown. My suspicion is that he might have been a brother to Richard Gaines Brown, who married into my Jones family. I believe, but have not yet proven, that R.G. Brown was a son of Henry Brown. R.G. Brown was also a minister. Any info appreciated. Cheers, JJ
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Henry James Brown was the son of Daniel Brown, Cumberland County. I don’t know more about that family. As you know doubt know, there are a lot of Browns in the area, especially those based in Albemarle County. Joanne
If you are interested in doing some genealogy about Buckingham relatives, send me an email, and I will put you in contact with my mother, who has been doing genealogy for decades, lives in Buckingham, and has ben in charge of a massive recording of all cemeteries in the county.
azcavalier@gmail.com
Neal, Thanks for joining the conversation and for offering Lynn’s help. Those doing genealogy in Buckingham County benefit immensely from the cemetery project. Joanne
http://www.geni.com/people/Henry-Brown/6000000032700579339
The link above was sent in response to John H. Jones. Joanne
RE: Richard Gaines Brown Ancestry records say:
“Born in Charlotte, Virginia, USA on 1796 to Henry Brown and Elizabeth Gaines. Richard Gaines married Agnes Walker Jones and had 8 children. He passed away on 1877 in Chariton, Missouri, USA.”
http://records.ancestry.com/richard_gaines_brown_records.ashx?pid=40481727
The Reverend Brown is my first cousin six times removed and the brother of Edward Smith Brown who was a Lynchburg lawyer. We are all descended from Buckingham Brown but I dont have a mention of a brother named Richard.