William Abraham Brown, known as Abram, was born in 1844 in Elbert County, Georgia. Abram was a farmer in Elbert County and lived in the area of Bowman, Georgia all of his life. Abram, his first wife Martha and my Great Grandmother are buried at Rehobeth Baptist Church in Bowman. The area in which Abram grew up in Bowman was called Goshen. Not much is known about Abram’s childhood or early life, except that he was born to John and Martha Brown who were somewhat prominent in Elbert County at the time.
Three of Abram’s brothers, Ira Brown, James Franklin Brown and Middleton W Brown died in the Civil War. I remember by grandfather telling me that some of his uncles died in what my grandfather called, “The War Between the States.” I will write more about Ira, James and Middleton under the section or page titled, John and Martha Brown.
Abram and Mary Brown married on November 1, 1866 in Elbert County, Georgia.
The marriage record says
“There are to authorize and permit you to join in the Honorable State of Matrimony, William A Brown of the one part and wife, Mary O Jordan of the other part according to the rites of your church, provided there be no lawful cause to object to the same; and this shall be your authority for so doing. Given under my hand as Ordinary for the County aforesaid this 1st day of November, 1866.
Signed W.H. Edwards, Ordinary
I hereby certify that William A Brown and wife Mary O Jordan were joined together in the Holy Bonds of Matrimony by me on the 1st day of November, 1866.
Signed: Asa Duncan
Abram and Mary had the following children:
Emma Brown 1866-
Ophelia Brown 1870-1932
William Levi Brown 1876-1892
John Brown 1868-Unknown Death Date
Sometime within the next nine years Mary Brown died. William Abram Brown married her older sister, Nancy C. Jordan on August 19, 1875.
The marriage record reads:
William A. Brown and Nancy C. Jordan
Marriage License
To any Judge or Justice of the Peace or Minister of the Gospel, you are hereby authorized to john William A. Brown, and Nancy C. Jordan in the Holy State of Matrimony according to the Constitution and the Laws of this State and for so doing this shall be your sufficient license and you are hereby required to return this License to me with your Certification hereon of the fact and date of the marriage.
Given under my had and seal, this 19th day of August 1875.
J. A. Andrews, Ordinary
Georgia, Elbert County
I certify that William A. Brown and Nancy C. Jordan were joined in Matrimony by me this 22nd day of August 1876.
Recorded December 20th 1876
J A. Andrew, Ordinary
Abram and Nancy had the following children:
Martha Mendora Brown July 29, 1977-July 29, 1877
Lizzie Eldora Brown July 29, 1977-August 3, 1969
Levi Brown 1876-1879
Jasper Aaron Brown June 15, 1880- August 28, 1964
Effie Brown June 1879-March 15, 1955
Dillard Goss Brown November 17, 1884-April 24, 1969
In the 1890 Census, Dillard Goss Brown is living in Stranges, Franklin County, Georgia with his mother’s sister, Katie (Jordan) Kelley and her husband Thomas W. Kelley. Dillard is listed in the census as a nephew and as a “farm laborer.” Dillard’s mother died shortly after his birth and that is why he is living with his aunt and uncle.
This picture was indentified on some sites and William Abe Brown. Whether or not it is our great grandfather, William Abram Brown is questionable. There is an astounding likeness to our family.
