John Brown (abt. 1827 - 1864)

Born about 1827 in Dartmouth, Devon, England, United Kingdom

Died 9 Aug 1864 at about age 37 in Durban, Natal, South Africa

Biography

Death Notice of John Brown

Various Papers filed with the Master of the Court

Age at Death 37 on 9 Aug 1864 in Durban

Parents NN and Sarah NN

Spouse NN dec.

Children

Elizabeth, later m. Wellington

Sophia

From the correspondence, it appears that John Brown was married and living in Dartmouth with his wife and children, Elizabeth and Sophia. His wife died, and John left the children in the care of his brother Thomas, and possibly also of his mother Sarah, and left England for Natal, where he found employment as a Constable in the relatively newly formed Police Force of D'Urban. A few days after joining, he became ill, and died. His few effects were sold, and the money eventually found its way to his daughters in England. Thomas reported that he and John had two sisters, but he had lost contact with them. ^[1]

The following may be relevant:

England and Wales Census, 1861

Place: Lamerton, Devon, England, United Kingdom

Registration District: Tavistock

Residence Note: Lamerton Green

Household Role Sex Age Birthplace

Thomas Brown Head Male 31 Tamerton, Devonshire

Mary Brown Mother Female 63 Tavistock, Devonshire

John Brown Brother Male 28 Tamerton, Devonshire

Maryann Brown Sister Female 23 Tamerton, Devonshire

Elizabeth ... Brown Niece Female 2 Tamerton, Devonshire ^[2]

Death Certificate of John Brown

Age 37 Death Date 09 Aug 1864 at Durban

Parents: NN

Brother: Thomas Brown of Dartmouth

Children:

Elizabeth m. Wellington

Ellen Sophia Brown

John Brown was a Constable in the Durban Borough Police. A few days after he began duty, he became ill, and soon afterwards died of Consumption. His children were in Dartmouth in England. ^[3]

Sources

1. ↑ https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS7P-K4WX-2?i=849&cc=2573604 Added on 6 May 2020 by Ian McArthur
2. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1861," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M7BN-9B9 : 24 October 2019), Elizabeth ... Brown in household of Thomas Brown, Lamerton, Devon, England, United Kingdom; from "1861 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 9, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey. Added on 6 May 2020 by Ian McArthur
3. ↑ "South Africa, Pietermaritzburg Estate Files 1846-1950," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QLR2-P3RD : 17 March 2018), John Brown, 1864; citing Probate, Pietermaritzburg Archives (Formerly Natal State Archives), South Africa. Added on 13 May 2022 by Ian McArthur