%xmlchars; ]> MS2253 Guide to the Obadiah Bruen Brown Family papers, 1807-1941 Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University Special Collections Research Center, The Gelman Library, The George Washington University 2007

2130 H. St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20052 Phone: 202-994-7549 Email: speccoll@gwu.edu

Machine-readable finding aid derived from Re:discovery database program and converted into xml; Code template by Archives and Information Associates (http://archivesandinformation.com), Alexandria, Virginia . 2007 Finding aid written in English Guide to the Obadiah Bruen Brown Family papers, 1807-1941 MS2253 Special Collections Research Center, The Gelman Library, The George Washington University

Washington, D.C.

Processed by Jennifer King, 2008 Encoded by Jennifer King, 2008

Descriptive Summary Train, Russell Obadiah Bruen Brown Family papers, 1807-1941 MS2253 0.5 Linear feet This collection contains documents related to the family of Obadiah Bruen Brown and the records date from 1807-1941. Brown was the pastor of the First Baptist Church in Washington for more than 40 years. He also served as the first President of the Board of Trustees of Columbian College (now George Washington University). The materials in the collection includes letters, wills, deeds and GW course lecture cards. The George Washington University, The Gelman Library, Special Collections Research Center

2130 H. St. NW Washington, D.C. 20052 Phone: 202-994-7549 Email:

English Information for Users Preferred citation

Obadiah Bruen Brown Family papers, Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University.

Restrictions on Access

Some records may be restricted.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Russell Train, 2008 (Accession 2008.028).

Restrictions on Use

Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.

Historical or Biographical Note

Obadiah Bruen Brown (1779-1853) arrived in the city of Washington in 1807 as the first pastor of the First Baptist Church. Born in Newark New Jersey, Brown left home at the age of 17 to study with Baptist Reverend William Van Horne in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. In 1807 at the age of 28, he preached several sermons at the First Baptist Church andy soon after was called to become the pastor. The same year Obadiah Brown become pastor he also began working at the Post Office Department and was elected chaplain of the House of Representatives. He started as a clerk in the Post Office and eventually held the position of Chief of the Contract Division. He married Elizabeth Riley Jackson in 1808. They had four children.

In 1820, Obadiah Brown was an active delegate to the Baptist General Convention in Philadelphia. The delegates to the convention decided to open a Baptist institution of higher education in the District of Columbia. On February 9, 1821, President James Monroe signed the legislation that passed Congress granting a charter for the Columbian College (now George Washington University) which opened later that year. Brown served as the first President of the Board of Trustees of the college and was an instrumental contributor to the first building fund.

Obadiah Brown died May 2, 1853 at age 73. He is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery as are his wife Elizabeth, son William and several grandchildren.

Other members of the Brown family included in this collection include William Van Horne Brown and Thomas B. Brown, Obadiah Brown's sons and George Whitfield Brown one of his grandson.

Most of the information about the Obadiah Brown in this biography comes from Russell Train's book The Train Family. This book relates much of the history of the Brown family. It is cataloged in the Special Collections and serves as a great resource for anyone researching the Obadiah Brown and the Brown family.

Collection Scope and Content

This collection contains letters, deeds, wills, one photograph, one postcard, and GWU course lecture cards all related to the family of Russell Train. The three prominent members of the family represented in the collection are Obadiah Bruen Brown, his son William Van Horne Brown, and Obadiah's grandson George Whitfield Brown. The material dates from 1807-1941.

The material is for the most part organized in the order established by the Donor Russell Train and retains the original folder headings. This does mean that some folders duplicate types of documents and perhaps overlap in dates. As the collection is small enough Special Collection staff deemed that retraining this order did not unduly inhibit a researcher from discovering all important information.

Collection Organization

This collection is not organized into series.

Indexing Terms Individuals Brown, Obadiah Corporate Entities First Baptist Church (Washington, D.C.) Topics George Washington University Columbian College Baptists Geographic Locations Washington (D.C.) Detailed Description of the Records 1 1 Brown family genealogy includes notes on O.B.B. [Obadiah Bruen Brown], undated 1 2 Letters and other papers related to the Brown family, 1807-1831

This file includes Obadiah Bruen Brown's Will.

1 3 Letter from William Van Horne Brown of Washington, DC to Bro. Yost (Potts town?), 01/05/1861 1 4 Brown, George Whitfield and Mary [1/2], 1870 ca.-1940 1 5 Brown, George Whitfield and Mary [2/2], 1870 ca.-1940 1 6 Obadiah Bruen Brown, 1853-1929 1 7 Brown, Obadiah and Elizabeth Riley, undated 1 8 Brown, (O.B) [Obadiah Bruen] and Brown (W.V.) [William Van Horne], undated 1 9 Obadiah Brown a thesis by John C. Hillhouse Jr., 1970

This file also contains two articles about Obadiah Brown written by John C. Hillhouse. These items were sent by Mr. Hillhouse to Russell Train.

1 10 Death of Obadiah B. Brown, undated

This folder contains a newspaper article

1 11 Oration by Thomas B. Brown, 07/04/1830

Oration Delivered before the citizens of Lafayette Indiana Commemorating the anniversary of our Independence July 4, 1830 by Thomas B. Brown"

1 12 Bruen family, undated

Geneaology related to the Bruen family

1 13 Correspondence, 1854-1994 1 14 Historic documents, undated 1 15 Misc. deeds etc. involving Obadiah Bruen Brown, 1822-1940 1 16 Old papers, some family some interest, undated 1 17 Course cards for GW courses, 1832-1834

According to Donor Russell Train these cards belonged to William Van Horne Brown, son of Obadiah Brown. He received an A.B degree in 1831, an M.D. degree in 1834, and an M.A. degree in 1838 all from George Washington University (known at the time as Columbian College).

Separated Material Materials transferred to the Gelman Library stacks include: 1. History of the Baptist institutions of Washington City. Call no. BX 6249 .W35 R7 2. Letter of William T. Barry, Postmaster General, to the House of Representatives of the United States Call no. HE6371 .B29 1835