Gawen Brown (1719 - 1801)

Born 1719 in England

Husband of Elizabeth (Hill) Brown — married 19 Oct 1764 in Boston, Massachusetts Bay Colony

Died 8 Aug 1801 at about age 82 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States

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Biography

Gawen Brown was born in 1719 in England. He came to the U.S.A. before 1749. He was famous for making clocks and watches. In particular, he was known for making and installing a tower clock at the Old South Church in Boston. Brown installed his clock sometime between 1768 and 1770. From 1752 to 1760, Brown moved his shop several times. He married three times and had a total of twelve children. First, on April 5, 1750, Brown married Mary Flagg. They had six children. Mary Flagg died in 1760 at age 31. His second wife, Elizabeth Byles, was the daughter of Mather Byles. Elizabeth died in 1763, and she lived only three years from the time of their marriage. They had no children. In 1764, Brown married Elizabeth Hill Adams. Elizabeth was the widow of Dr. Joseph Adams (the brother of Samuel Adams). They had six more children. Gawen Brown died in 1801. Some of Brown's clocks are on display at the Met.

Sources

• https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/8147
• http://delaneyantiqueclocks.com/products/maker/41
• http://delaneyantiqueclocks.com/products/maker/41
• Eaton. Rev. Arthur Wentworth Hamilton. Old Boston Families, Number Four, The Byles Family, NEHGR (NEHGS, Boston, Mass., 1959) Vol. 69, Page 107-8: Also see footnote.