John Brown

John Brown Sr.
1710-1753

John Sr. was born in 1710 to William Brown and Hester Baker-Yardley (1)

His mother Hester Baker-Yardley was from the prominent Quaker Baker family. They immigrated from England in 1684. Some of whom are also buried here. She married Thomas Yardley when she was only 17. He was son of William Yardley, the original Yardley in the area, though not the one the town was named after.

Tragically Thomas and their children, Hester and William died in 1702-1703 and she was a widow at by age 20. She married William Brown shortly thereafter in 1704 and had five children, including John Sr. They were William, James, Margaret, Daniel, and John Sr. John was born the same year his father died and Hester moved back to this area, presumably to be closer to her family (2). 

After William Brown's death, Hester married Richard Hough. They had a son, John Sr's. half-brother, Richard Hough, named after his father. Hester tragically died in 1715 when John was only 5 and he was orphaned. It is believed he lived with Hester's Baker family relatives. 

John Brown Sr. married Hannah Hague in 1731 (3). They had six children: John Jr., Hannah, Mercy, Esther, Benjamin, and Mahlon.

The Brown family built a home that still exists today at 930 Stoney Hill Road (3), directly adjacent to Wegmans which was known as Prickett Farm (4). His son John Jr inherited his farm (7).

John Sr’s wife Hannah survived him and married Benjamin Cutler in 1755 living until 1769 (8).

Two of John Browns Jr's sons served in the American Revolution. They enlisted in August 1775 in the Lower Makefield Militia of Capt. Peter Vansant. Both are listed on the veterans plaque at Floral Vale. As a Quaker family this was not the norm. 

His enlisted sons were John Brown III (1756-?) and Mahlon Brown (1758-?). Mahlon also married outside the faith and had a child. Since the marriage was not recognized by the Quakers they called that child a "bastard". Mahlon was expelled from the weekly meetings but allowed to attend the monthly meetings. 

Neither John nor Mahlon was expelled from the Quakers due to their service.