Ellen (Unknown) Brown (abt. 1854 - 1859)

Born about 1854 in Mt. Washington, Berkshire County MA [uncertain]

Ancestors

Died Feb 1859 at about age 5 in Ghent, Columbia, New York, United States

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Biography

No birth record has been found for Ellen. Upon entering the Columbia County Poor House on 3 Dec 1858 her supposed mother, the woman using the name "Maria Brown" reported that Ellen was age 3 and therefore born abt 1854 or 1855. The facility records say they came from the Town of Copake Station (now Copake Falls). Other children accompany "Maria" were Eli Brown (b.1853), Daniel Brown (b.1856) and Estella Brown (b.1858).

Earlier, the 1855 MA State Census for Mount Washington MA records this "Brown" family group living in New Ashford MA (actually the village of Mount Washington therein). Ellen, who would have been one year old, is not listed in that family at that time.

Ellen first appears with this family group when entering the Columbia County Poor House in Ghent NY in 3 Dec 1858. The Poor House records record that Ellen died there about 2 months later. As was typical with the Poor House records, no burial record was noted.

Her origin may be of a similar circumstance as that of her named brother Daniel Brown (1856-1948) who also lacks a birth record related to this family group. Several DNA tests related to him and his male successors show he is not biologically related to the black man who is named as the father of the 1855 Census group. As well, this Daniel Brown's biological relationship to the supposed mother who uses the name Maria Brown has not been tested, is unconfirmed and therefore subject to suspicion. These circumstances suggest that Daniel may have come to this family group through a guardianship arrangement (recorded or verbal) or by adoption from some other unknown source at this time.

Given the foregoing circumstances regarding Daniel, and absent a birth record for Ellen, it is suggestive that Ellen may have come to this family group in a similar manner.

Thus child Ellen's origin and biological relationship to this family group may never be known.

Sources

(1). To date, no birth record has been found. The Town of Mt. Washington MA reports that they believe there was a Town Hall fire in those times that destroyed records. (2). 1855 MA State Census for Town of New Ashford/Mt. Washington, Berkshire County MA. (3). 18 Dec 1858 entry of the family group into the Columbia County Poor House as recorded in the facility's ledger which are last known to be in possession of the Columbia County Historian's Office.