Waymon Leggett BROWN

     Waymon Leggett BROWN, son of Jesse Anderson BROWN Jr. and Mary CAMP, was born on 24 August 1837 in Bibb County, Alabama.¹ Waymon Leggett BROWN went by Waymon.

He was probably the male under age 5 listed in the household of his father, Jesse Anderson BROWN Jr., in the 1840 Federal Census of Bibb County, Alabama.²

Waymon Leggett 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 Wyman L. Brown, age 11, born Alabama.³

Waymon Leggett 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 recorded as Wyman L. Brown, age 22.⁴

Waymon began military service at age 24 on 6 September 1861 in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama, when he enlisted in Co. D 20th Alabama Infantry, CSA. He was recruited by Captain R. M. Pratt for the war. The unit was mustered into service in Montgomery, then detailed to Mobile during September to December 1861. They were then assigned to East Tennessee where they guarded against local marauders. From 26 March to 17 April 1862 he was listed "absent waiting on sick at Knoxville, Tennessee. The 20th participated in the Kentucky campaign under Gen. Sterling Price, but saw no action. In early 1863 they were transferred to Vicksburg, Mississippi where they fought at Port Gibson, Champion Hill and the Siege of Vicksburg. They were captured with the Army and Waymon was paroled June 1865 at Selma, Alabama by Col. William R. Marshall of 7th Minnesota Volunteers. He served at Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, New Hope Church, Powder Springs, Atlanta, Jonesboro, and Columbia, Tennessee. He was wounded 16 December 1864 in the right shoulder and elbow at the Battle of Nashville. He returned to fight in the Battle of Bennettsville, North Carolina. He was discharged 20 April 1865 at Salisbury, North Carolina. After the war he farmed and served as a deputy sheriff and bailiff for his father, Jesse, who was elected sheriff in 1868.

Waymon Leggett BROWN appeared on a census, enumerated 1866, in the household of his father Jesse Anderson BROWN Jr. in Bibb County, Alabama. He was probably the one male age 20-30. He was also most likely the male listed as disabled in the war.⁵

Waymon married Fereby Jane CHISM, daughter of John CHISM and Dorinda TERRY, on 14 January 1869 in Bibb County, Alabama. The rites were solemized by David L. Brown, justice of the peace. He was appointed Constable of Bibb County precinct 5 on 2 February 1869 in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama.⁶

Waymon BROWN and Jenny CHISM appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1870 in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as Waymon Brown, age 30, farmer, $300 real estate, $450 personal property; Jane, age 26, keeping house; and Mahala Miller (black female), age 9. All were born in Alabama.^7,8

Waymon BROWN and Jane CHISM appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1880 in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as "Wamon" Brown, his wife Jane, and their three children. Waymon Brown, age 40, was recorded as a farmer, born in Alabama. His father was born in Tennessee and his mother in North Carolina. Jane, 37, and her father were born in Alabama, while her mother was born in South Carolina. Their sons Francis, age 6 and Henderson [Anderson], age 5, and daughter, Marsela, age 6 months, were all born in Alabama.⁹ Waymon was elected Justice of Peace on 1 August 1892 in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama.¹⁰

Waymon was a member of Free Springs Baptist Church, which was located six miles east of Ashby, Bibb County and three miles east of British, Chilton County. It was established 1898. He was a delegate to the Shelby Baptist Association from 1898 to 1904, the Bibb Baptist Association from 1904-1916, and served as church clerk and sunday school superintendant. The church has been extinct since about 1917.¹¹

Waymon Leggett BROWN and Fereby Jane CHISM appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1900 in Benson, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as Waymon Brown, age 59, born August 1840, farmer; wife Fereby J., age 51, born February 1849; daughter Bessie M., age 20, born January 1880; and 2 black male servants, age 16 and 26. They had been married 37 years and were parents of three children. All were born in Alabama. Living next door was their son, Anderson.¹²

Waymon BROWN and Zachariah Taylor ABNEY appeared in a newspaper article 3 November 1904 in the The Centreville Press, published in Centreville, Alabama. An examination was conducted last Saturday by Postmaster Fuller in Centreville for Rural Free Delivery Carriers. The proposed Route is out of Randolph through a part of Bibb and. Chilton counties. There are four applicants who stood for the examinations, as follows: W. L. Brown, Jno. W. Prim, Zack T. Abney and Wm. G. Oakley. The examination papers have been mailed to the Department, and until they return it will be impossible to tell who will be awarded the job.

Waymon BROWN and Jane CHISM appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 15 April 1910 in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as Waymon L. Brown, age 73, farmer, born Alabama, parents born Tennessee; and wife Fereby J., age 72, she and her parents born Alabama. They had been married 36 years and had three children. They lived on the Maplesville Road [now Hwy. 191] with son, Anderson, living next door.¹³

Waymon Leggett BROWN appeared on a census, enumerated 9 January 1920, in the household of his son Francis Horatio BROWN in Macedonia, Chilton County, Alabama. He was 82 years old.¹⁴

Waymon Leggett BROWN died on 23 January 1923 in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama, at age 85.^1,15 He was buried in Sandy Chapel Cemetery, Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama.

His estate was probated on 10 April 1923 in Chilton County, Alabama. His son, Francis H. Brown, was the administrator of the estate. Heirs were son F. H. Brown, age 51, son A. L. Brown of Montevallo, age 48; and daughter Mrs. J. D. Haggard of Maplesville, age 41.¹⁶