Mrs. MARY A. (CLARY) BROWN was born September 14, 1816, in North Carolina, daughter of William and Nancy (Wright) CLARY, both natives of North Carolina. Our subject is the elder of two children born to her parents. May 23, 1834, she married J. R. BROWN, a native of East Tennessee, born May 10, 1811. He was a tailor by trade, and worked at this profession about twelve years. He was married in Madison County, Ala., and while in that State was engaged in these different occupations: Tailoring, merchandising and farming. In 1850 he immigrated to Tennessee, and engaged in the merchandise business at Unionville, and continued there several years. He then engaged in the saw-mill business, but at the same time continuing his farming interests, and was engaged in the latter business at the time of his death, which occurred January 22, 1875. He was an exemplary member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
To our subject and husband were born thirteen children, seven of whom are dead. These living are Nancy J., William C., Lucinda C., James P., Thomas D., and Joseph E. Our subject is a woman of considerable influence in this section. Her son, Thomas D., is living with her, superintending the farm. He is a local minister for the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Transcribed by Kathryn Hopkins
Source: Goodspeed Publishing Co. History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present: Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford & Marshall Counties, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Reminescences [Sic], Observations, Etc., Etc. Easley, S.C.: Southern Historical Press, 1988.