Andrew Brown

by

The first ward household of Andrew Brown was configured on the Albany census in 1800. A year earlier his substantial house (perhaps identified as "Andrew Brown & Co." and valued at $14,000), lots, and personal property were valued on the city assessment roll. The census reveals that this Albany resident was born between 1756 and 1774, that he lived with a woman in his age bracket, and was the head of a household that included five younger people.

Later information surrounding the formation of the St. Andrew's Society, identified him as a native Scot. We seek more specific defining information on his origins and path to Albany. An older, same-named contemporary (perhaps one of four living in New York State in 1790) also died in western Albany County.

In May 1801, the newspaper reported that "Andrew Brown & Co." was offering for sale a substantial property at the corner of State and Market Streets. These offerings were described in detail in the contemporary press.

Perhaps his wife was one Jane/Jean Maxwell. If so, the marriage produced a number of likely children who would marry and raise children during the nineteenth century.

During the early 1800s, this individual was a member and trustee (1804-07) of the Albany Presbyterian church. His wife, Jane, was a member beginning in September 1803. In October 1803, he was elected second vice-president at the first public meeting of the St. Andrew's Society - a community-based group that contributed "to the relief of Scottish emigrants." In February 1802, he had been named president as the first president "sould be a Scotsman."

A reminiscent cityscape attributed to historical artist James Eights features his landmark home on North Market Street during the early 1800s.

Andrew Brown had passed on by March 1807 when letters of administration were issued on his estate.

Missing important defining information, and following our most recent sweep of Internet-based sources, we move on for now.


biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Andrew Brown is CAP biography number 7448. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.

In 1800, eleven city households were headed by men with the Brown surname - more than double the number enumerated in 1790. By the way, fifteen Brown-named addresses were listed in the first city directory published in 1813. Kinship relationships have not been determined at this time. Five individuals named "Andrew Brown" headed households in New York State (one in Rensselaerville, Albany County) and were configured on the first Federal Census of 1790.





first posted 1/10/16; updated 5/17/16