Looking for Parents of Elisha Brown (possibly born in Fairfield, Ohio or North Carolina between 1809-1812)

Question

I've been looking for the birth family of my great, great grandfather Elisha Brown.  I have information that he was born on November 27, 1809, in Fairfield, Ohio, but in a later California census it lists him being born in North Carolina in 1810 or 1812.  

Elisha Brown married my great, great grandmother Hannah Ricketts in 1838 in Indiana.  They had several children, one of them James Ewing Brown was my great grandfather.    

In 1848 they came to California by covered wagon and eventually settled in Humboldt County, California.   Not too long after their arrival, Elisha Brown left for the gold fields and never returned even after sending a letter home in 1852 saying he had struck gold and would be home in the spring (I have the original letter).  Hannah eventually filed for divorce and remarried.  She died in 1894.  No one ever heard anything more from Elisha Brown, but there is an Elisha Brown in the 1860 California census.  Not sure if it was him or not.  

I have been trying to figure out who his parents were and their ancestors as that is one part of my family tree I am missing.

Thank you!

Comments

Hi, Elisha Brown is my 3rd Great Grandfather. I have him born in NC 27 November 1809. Married Hanna Ricketts 09 October 1838 Wells County IN. H was a resident of Jamestown, Well, Indiana in 1840. In 1848 he left with his family and Peter Lassen to California. In 1850 his residence was in Monterrey, California, 1852 his residence was in Indian Diggins, Placer County, California. 1860 his residence was Kimshew, Butte County California. 1867 his residence was Butte County, California.He died 4 November 1868 in Butte County, California. I believe he is buried in Butte County. Let me know if any of this helps.

Answer 1

Hannah Ricketts b. 24 May 1818, marriage to Elisha Brown, 9 Oct 1838, death 19 Oct 1894. The following are submitted genealogies:

Children: Berthena, 3 Aug 1839, died 1889; Theodore Huston, 15 Feb 1841, died 12 Apr 1925; James Ewing, 12 Dec 1846, died 1937; Albert 1 Aug 1851, died 14 Feb 1887.

Another submitted genealogy adds two more children, John Brown, born 2 Feb 1844, died 14 Jun 1845; and Elizabeth Brown, born 29 Sep 1848, died 23 Dec 1854.

Comments

Hi Frank,

Thank you for your response to my question about Elisha Brown.  He was my great, great grandfather and I'm trying to find out who his parents were.  I've been searching for many years and just keep hitting a brick wall with him.  I have information that he was born on 11-27-1809 in Fairfield, Ohio, but then on a later California census it states that he was born in I believe 1810 or 1812 in North Carolina.  I have searched for any information that fits with the information I have and just cannot figure out who his family was.   It kind of makes me wonder if maybe he was Native American or something, but I don't know how to find out.  

Thank you again for answering.  Eri n

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Elisha Brown had a son, Theodore Huston, born 1841 in Indiana. At the time of the 1910 US Census, Theodore Huston Brown was living in Ferndale, Humbolt, CA at the age of 55.

Another son, James Ewing, was born in Indiana in 1846. James E. Brown died in 1937 and is buried at Ferndale Cemetery, Humbolt CA.

A third son, Albert must have headed West as well. Albert Galitin Brown born 1 Aug, 1851 died in Ferndale Humbolt, CA 14 Feb 1887. He is also buried at Ferndale Cem.

I wonder if they went out West and made a connection with their father and whether Elisha Brown might be buried in Ferndale Cemetery.

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The 1850 United States Census shows Elisha Brown age 40 living in Monterey, CA with his wife, Hannah age 32. He was b. in NC and she was b. OH. Their children are living with them. Berthina is 11, b. IN, Theodore is 9, b. IN, Jas (James I assume) was b. in MO and Elizabeth age 2 was b. CA.

If Elisha Brown was buried in the same cemetery as at least two of his sons, Ferndale Cemetery, Ferndale, Humbolt Co., CA, they might have information about Elisha's parents. I'm assuming that he was b. in NC.