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Descendants of George Brown(1833-1880)
Find A Grave # 106959413 https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/106959413/george-brown
George Brown fought in the Civil War, but not under the name of George Potter. At that time in history slaves were given the surname of their master. From George's military record, he is listed as being 5'5" tall, with black complexion, hair and eyes. He enlisted in the Union Army on March 25, 1864 assigned to the First Florida Calvary Company "E" on April 26, 1864. George's Unit saw action in Walton, Holmes, Washington and Jackson County. On September 27, the troops left Marianna, Florida to return to Fort Barrancass. This trip was made with a stop by some troops in Vernon, Florida. From Vernon the troops traveled to Point Washington. It is reported that six-hundred slaves followed the troops. It is believed that Ellen and her two boys followed these troops to Point Washington where they were loaded on the USS Lizzie Davis, for transport to Fort Barrancass. George was part of the troops that marched from Point Washington to Fort Pickens, arriving about October 5, 1864. George left his unit in Tallahassee, Florida to return to his wife and two boys. He settled in Washington County, Florida south of what is now called "Spring Run". The first time George appeared on the tax roll was in 1867. He paid taxes each year. There is no record that he paid land taxes, even though his property was worth $200.00 The reason for this might be that George owned ten cows and eight hogs. He paid state tax of $1.07, a bond tax of $1.25 per acre. In 1874, a tax of $.15. In 1875, George owned eleven cows valued at seventy-five dollars. He paid a state tax of $1.25 and a school tax of $.13. In 1876 George owned one mule eight cows and two hogs valued at $107.00. The value for his personal property was $154.00. In 1872 George was listed as being on the Trustee Board of St. Luke School. Two children of George and Ellen were instrumental in establishing two well known churches in northwest Florida. St. Luke was established with the assistance of Lorenzo Brown who became the first trustee of the Church. The first wedding held in St. Luke's. Church was the interracial marriage of Clara Brown and Joe Peterson. The second Church established in the northwest area was Mc Queen Temple, which was aided by Clara Brown Peterson who donated the land.