Holly Middleton BROWN

     Holly Middleton BROWN, son of Jesse Anderson BROWN Jr. and Mary CAMP, was born on 25 December 1846 in Bibb County, Alabama.¹ Holly Middleton BROWN also went by the name of Henry.

Holly Middleton BROWN appeared on a census, enumerated 5 November 1850, in the household of his parents Jesse Anderson BROWN Jr. and Polly CAMP in Bibb County, Alabama. He was recorded as Holly W. Brown, age 4, born Alabama.²

Holly Middleton BROWN appeared on a census, enumerated 1 August 1860, in the household of his parents Jesse Anderson BROWN Jr. and Mary CAMP in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama. He was listed as Holly Brown, age 14.³

Holly began military service at age 16 on 10 October 1863 in Centreville, Alabama, when he enlisted as a private in Co. D 20th Alabama Infantry, CSA, serving as a teamster. Henry fought in the battles of Dalton, Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, and Peachtree Creek. He was never wounded and was paroled 26 April 1865 at Salisbury, North Carolina. On 10 January 1865[1864?] he was admitted to St. Mary's Hospital at Westpoint, Mississippi. He applied for a Confederate pension 15 May 1899 in Jefferson county, Alabama.⁴

His mother died before 1866 in Bibb County, Alabama. Henry was only about 20 years old or less.

Holly married Teresa A. WOOD, daughter of John W. WOOD and Margaret GREEN, on 13 February 1868 in Bibb County, Alabama. The service was performed by Richard Wood, M.G. According to Dovie and Mary Casey, the couple moved to Briarfield. Theresa and two of their children, Charlie and Ollace, died there. Later Holly moved to Birmingham.⁵

Holly Middleton BROWN and Teresa A. WOOD appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1870 in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as Henry Brown, age 25, farmer, $250 real estate; Trecy [Teresa], age 23, keeping house; and Henry, Jr., age 1 year. All were born in Alabama. They lived next door to Henry's father, Sheriff Jesse Brown.⁶

Holly lived in 1890 in 1500 4th Avenue, Birmingham, Alabama.⁷

In 1897 Holly Middleton BROWN, John Anderson BROWN and Harrison Felix BROWN were living in Birmingham, Alabama, at 304 S. 19th Street. Holly M. Brown was working as a carpenter, John A. was a waiter at Gelder's Restaurant and Felix H. was employed as a tinner for C. A. Bain.

Holly Middleton BROWN was listed in the 1904 city directory for Birmingham, Alabama. Hollie Brown was listed as a carpenter rooming at 1700 1/2 First Avenue. He was living in January 1922 in Birmingham, Alabama, when he applied for residence at the Confederate Soldier's Home at Mountain Creek, Alabama. In his application he gives his age as 77, said that his wife was deceased, he had three living children and had a son living in Louisville, Kentucky. According to Frank B. Brown, Henry was admitted to the Soldier's Home, but did not like it and stayed there only a short time before returning to Birmingham.⁴

Holly Middleton BROWN's death certificate was recorded on 10 May 1924 in Louisville, Kentucky. He died at his residence at 202 W. Jefferson Street. Cause of death was myocarditis. His son, John A. Brown wss listed as the informat and he gave his father's birthdate as 24 Dec 1844 at Bellamy, AL [Location incorrect] and that his father was John Brown of New York [both incorrect]. Mother's name was listed as unknown.

Holly Middleton BROWN died on 10 May 1924 in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky, at age 77. He was living there with his son, John Anderson Brown.⁸ He was buried in St. Stephens Cemetery, Louisville, Kentucky.⁹

His obituary appeared 11 May 1924 in the The Courier-Journal, published in Louisville, Kentucky. Holly M. Brown, 79, who served in the War Between the States, died at the Krieger Hotel, 202 West Jefferson Street, at 2:30 o'clock yesterday. morning, following several Weeks illness. He is survived by three sons, John A. Brown, with whom he lived at the hotel; H. B. Brown, Dayton, Ohio; and George Brown, New York; and a daughter, Mrs. R. Eatman, Bellamy, Ala. Funeral services will be held a, t 3 o'clock this afternoon at Ratterman's Chapel, 2114 West Market Street. Burial will be in St. Stephen's Cemetery.