Jump to content

Oliver Brown (captain)

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Eplybon (talk | contribs) at 21:25, 6 August 2023. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Use only if necessary. {{For}} and {{About}} are also templates you can use for this purpose.
For other uses, see Subject's last name (disambiguation).
Socrates (example)
The Ancient Greek philosopher
Born470 BC
Died399 BC
OccupationPhilosopher
SpouseXanthippe

Subject's complete name (birthdate – death) can be a lead-in to the subject's popular name. Describe the subject's nationality and profession(s) in which the subject is most notable. Provide a description of the subject's major contributions in the immediately relevant field(s) of notable expertise.

To add pictures, use this format: [[File:Photo.ext|thumb|Photo caption]].

Biography

Ensure that the following sections are organized by year.[1]

Early life

Explain the subject's early life historically using a journalistic style.[1]

Marriage and children

If the subject married and gave birth, describe the marriage and list their children.

  • Subject's son (birthdate – death) If notable, provide a brief single-line description.
  • Subject's daughter (birthdate – death) If notable, provide a brief single-line description.

Death

[If applicable] Legacy If any, describe. See Charles Darwin for an example.

Philosophical and/or political views

Wikipedia is not a soapbox for individuals to espouse their views. However, views held by politicians, writers, and others may be summarized in their biography only to the extent those views are covered by reliable sources that are independent of the control of the politician, writer, etc.

Published works

If any, list the works organized by date of publication. See Charles Darwin for an example.

Recognition

Include honours, decorations, awards, and distinctions in this section, if any.

See also

List related Wikipedia articles in alphabetical order. Common nouns are listed first. Proper nouns follow.

References/Notes and references

Always cite your sources! No original research!

  1. ^ a b Last, first (date). Name of page. Page xx. Publisher: xxxx

Further reading

Add links to further readers' research.

List official websites, organizations named after the subject, and other interesting yet relevant websites. No spam.

'Captain Oliver Reed Brown'(b. June 25, 1753 - d. February 17, 1846) was a Captain in the Army during the American Revolutionary War[1]. He led the group of soldiers who tore down the statue of (George III|King George III in New York City in 1776 [2][3].

==Level 2==Life Oliver Brown was born in Lexington, Massachusetts on June 25, 1753, to Benjamin Wellington Brown (1720-1802) and Sara (Reed) Brown (1725-1774)[4]. When he was around 9 years old, he was sent to (Cambridge, Massachusetts|Cambridge to reside with a Mr. Thatcher. The reason for this move is unknown. Because of his residence in Cambridge from that time, Oliver was able to witness the Boston Tea Party at the age of 14. Although he did not participate, he attributed his zeal for acts of revolution and patriotism to being a witness to the sight. According to Brown, "The very air was electric. In the tension of the popular mind, every sound and sight was significant."[5] Other events young Oliver witnessed included the arrival of British troops in Boston in 1768, and the Boston Massacre in 1770.[6] His determination to be a part of the making of the United States led him to be at Lexington during the first major battle of the Revolutionary War, and he signed up with the Army to become a part of the troops who marched to Breed's Hill, built entrenchments, and successfully wounded and killed more enemy soldiers than there were in their own ranks.[7] On January 16, 1776, Oliver Brown was commissioned as Captain-Lieutenant of the artillery. After Boston was evacuated, he moved with the Army to New York.[8]

On March 26, 1776, Oliver married Abigail (Richardson) Brown (1756-1832), daughter of Edward and Mary Abigail Richardson[4]. They had eleven children. In 1790, the Browns moved to the area in Virginia which is known as Wellsburg, West Virginia today. He died on February 17, 1846, near Wellsburg. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7527513/oliver-brown. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)

==Level 2==Military Record[citation needed] Served in militia at Battle of Lexington, April 19, 1775, and served through 1775 in Colonel Richard Gridley's artillery corps (non-commissioned officer) Commissioned January 18, 1776, 2nd Lieutenant in Colonel Henry Knox's artillery regiment Commissioned January 1, 1777, Captain Lieutenant in Colonel John Crane's artillery regiment Resigned commission May 23, 1779

==Level 2==Notable Military Actions Oliver Brown was the leader of a group of men who toppled the gilded statue of King George III in New York City [9], which was later partially smelted to create bullets to use against the British Army. The removal of the statue was done without orders and under secrecy. When General George Washington heard of the destruction, he condemned the action, saying "Tho the General doubts not the persons who pulled down and mutilated the statue in the Broadway last night were actuated by zeal in the public cause, yet it has so much the appearance of riot and want of order in the army, that he disapproves the manner, and directs that in future these things shall be avoided by the soldiery, and left to be executed by proper authority."[10] Oliver Brown was known to tell about his part in the event as something he regretted.[11]

Commanded his men and two artillery pieces in the Battle of Harlem Heights, the Battle of White Plains, and at Bound Brook.[12]

Was a participant in the Christmas crossing of the Delaware and experienced the harsh conditions at Valley Forge.[13]

Refused to retreat at Monmouth against Lee's orders, instead continuing to man the artillery.[14]

Four years of service were under the personal command of General Washington.[15]

==Level 2==Recognition

A monument stands near the gravesites of Oliver and Abigail Brown, to honor Captain Brown's part in the creation of the United States. The plaque at the base of the monument reads "Captain Oliver Brown, of the Artillery of the Massachusetts Line, Revolutionary War. Born in Lexington, Mass., 1752. He stood in front of the first cannon fired by the British on the Americans in the affray at Lexington. Witnessed the Tea Party, Boston Harbor. Was at the Battle of Bunker's Hill. Commissioned by Congress 16th of January, 1776. Commanded the volunteer party that bore off the leaden statue of King George from the Battery of New York, and made it into bullets for the American Army. Bore a conspicuous part in command of Artillery at the Battles of White Plains, Harlem Heights, Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth. After serving his country, he enlisted in the Armies of the Son of God, and surrendered to the last enemy on the 17th of February, 1846, in the full assurance of a never ending peace."

The Brooke County Museum and Cultural Center in Wellsburg, West Virginia, has a collection of letters belonging to Oliver Brown, including letters from John Hancock. [16]






References

  1. ^ "Military Hall of Honor".
  2. ^ "A Horse's Tail: How a Legendary Piece of a King George III Statue Landed at New York Historical Society".
  3. ^ "A Biographical Sketch of Captain Oliver Brown, Hayden, H.E."
  4. ^ a b Lexington Record of Births. p. 11. Cite error: The named reference "Massachusetts, U.S., Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  5. ^ "A Biographical Sketch of Captain Oliver Brown, Hayden, H.E."
  6. ^ "A Biographical Sketch of Captain Oliver Brown, Hayden, H.E."
  7. ^ "A Biographical Sketch of Captain Oliver Brown, Hayden, H.E."
  8. ^ "A Biographical Sketch of Captain Oliver Brown, Hayden, H.E."
  9. ^ "A Horse's Tail: How a Legendary Piece of a King George III Statue Landed at New York Historical Society".
  10. ^ {{cite web|url=https://annotation.blogs.archives.gov/2014/07/09/three-huzzas-from-the-troops/%7Ctitle=Three Huzzahs From the Troops, National Archives
  11. ^ "A Biographical Sketch of Captain Oliver Brown, Hayden, H.E."
  12. ^ "A Biographical Sketch of Captain Oliver Brown, Hayden, H.E."
  13. ^ "A Biographical Sketch of Captain Oliver Brown, Hayden, H.E."
  14. ^ "A Biographical Sketch of Captain Oliver Brown, Hayden, H.E."
  15. ^ "A Biographical Sketch of Captain Oliver Brown, Hayden, H.E."
  16. ^ "Peronal letters of Oliver Brown held at Brooke County Museum and Cultural Center". Weirton Daily Times. July 2020.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Oliver_Brown_(captain)&oldid=1169067955"