University of Texas, Center for American History

A Guide to the John Henry Brown Family Papers, 1691-1951.



Descriptive Summary

CreatorBrown, John Henry
Title:John Henry Brown Family Papers,
Dates: 1691-1951.
Abstract:Correspondence and notes relating to Texas history comprise the bulk of the John Henry Brown Family Papers. Materials document the life, career and historical writings of jouranalist, politician and historian John Henry Brown, as well as other family members, from 1691-1951.
Extent:28 ft.
LanguageMaterials are in English
RepositoryCenter for American History,The University of Texas at Austin

Biographical Note

Journalist, military hero, politician, and historian, John Henry Brown served as mayor of Dallas (1885-1887) and authored several books on the history of Texas, Dallas and Dallas County, and Mexico.


Scope and Content

Materials related to the family and career of John Henry Brown include papers accumulated in connection with his historical writings and others produced by family members. Correspondence, notes, drafts and other materials relate to hisIndian WarsandPioneers of Texasand six other books.


 

Arrangement

Correspondence, journals and diaries, scrapbooks, literary productions, genealogies, newspaper clippings, land surveys and deeds, legal documents, maps, photographs and other pictorial items, financial records, and other materials, organized into two series: 1. Mitchel family correspondence. 2. Brown family correspondence. Series organized by type of material or subject, arranged chronologically.

Index Terms

Subjects (Persons)
Bowie family.
Brown, John Henry, 1820-1895.
Brown, John Henry, 1820-1895.--Archives.
Barron, Forbes, y ca. (Mexico).
Subjects
Texas Bird and Nature Study Club(Dallas, Tex.)
Frontier and pioneer life--Texas.
Indians of North America--Texas--Wars.
School lands--Texas.
World War, 1914-1918--War work--Texas.

Related Material

Manuscript and galley proofs published as History of Texas, from 1685 to 1893, by John Henry Brown. Saint Louis: L.E. Daniell, 1892.

Manuscript published as School History of Texas, from its discovery in 1685 to 1893, by John Henry Brown and Mary Mitchel Brown. Dallas: Published by the author, 1894.

Publications: Correspondence, notes, drafts, and other materials used as sources for publication: Brown, Marion T., Letters From Ft. Sill, 1886-1887. Austin: Encino Press, 1970.


Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

John Henry Brown Family Papers, 1691-1951, Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin.


Detailed Description of the Papers

 
Box
2E1Mitchel Family correspondence, 1777-1840



 
Box
2E2Mitchel Family correspondence, 1841-1849



 
Box
2E2-2E9, 2E11-2E13, 3E10Brown Family Papers:
Box
2E2Correspondence, 1838-1859
Account book with diary and genealogical entries, 1850-1853
Scrapbook, 1849
Box
2E3Correspondence, 1860-1878
Letters from Emilia Sandoval, Mexico, to Julius Brown, 1873
Box
2E4Correspondence, 1879-1885
Congratulatory letters on mayoral election, 1885
Box
2E5Correspondence, 1886-1887
Letters to and from Marion T. Brown at Ft. Sill, 1886-1887
Box
2E6Correspondence, 1888-1894
Box
2E7Correspondence, 1894-1897
Items relating to death of John Henry Brown (May 31, 1895)
Box
2E8Correspondence, 1898-1899 and undated
Box
2E9Business Papers
Bills, receipts, tax notices, checks, 1863-1899
Box
3E10Business and Correspondence
Letter Press (business transactions) of Thomas B. Mitchel, April, 1883 - April, 1886
Deeds and real estate matters, 1866-1894
Correspondence, 1900
Box
2E11Correspondence, 1901-1902
Box
2E12Correspondence, 1902-1903
Box
2E13Correspondence, 1904-1905



 
Box
2E14-2E23Brown Family Papers:
Box
2E14Correspondence, 1906-1907
Condolence letters on death of Mrs. John Henry Brown in April, 1907
Box
2E15Correspondence, 1907-1909
Box
2E16Correspondence, 1910
Business papers
Bills, receipts, tax notices, checks, 1900-1911 and undated
Box
2E17Correspondence, 1911-1913
General correspondence and letters regarding the Mexican Revolution
Box
2E18Correspondence, 1913-1914
General correspondence including letters using code names to refer to persons in U. S. and Mexico involved in Mexican Revolution
Box
2E19Correspondence, 1915-1916
General correspondence and letters regarding difficulties in getting mail in and out of Mexico, mention of economic problems in Mexico , and effect on family in Mexico
Box
2E20Correspondence, 1917-1918
General correspondence and letters regarding the war in Europe
Letters from Mary B. Wilcox in London regarding the end of World War I
Box
2E21Correspondence, 1919-1920
General correspondence and letters regarding Red Cross activities
Box
2E22Correspondence
General correspondence and letters regarding death of Clara Brown Mitchel (March 16, 1922)
Box
2E23Correspondence, 1922-1925



 
Box
2E24-2E65Brown Family Papers:
Box
2E24Correspondence, 1926-1929
General correspondence and letters regarding death of Thomas Mitchel (January 19, 1928)
Box
2E25Correspondence, 1930-1932
Box
2E26Correspondence, 1932-1935 and undated
General correspondence and letters regarding death of Amie Mitchel, wife of Pierre (May 30, 1935)
Box
2E27Correspondence, 1936-1951
General correspondence and letters regarding deaths of Lizzie Brown and Marion Brown (March 1936)(January 1939)
Puzzles submitted for contests by Pierre B. Mitchel, 1940s
Box
2E28Business and real estate, 1921-1945
Pierre's Diary in Mexico, 1923
Receipts, ca. 1930s
Real estate accounts, 1934-1938
Box
2E29Journals of Clara Brown Mitchel, Mexico City, 1913-1915
(Includes observations about Mexican Revolution, conditions in Mexico, and mention of European war)
Box
2E30Journals of Clara Brown Mitchel, Mexico City, 1915-1916
Box
2E31Journals of Clara Brown Mitchel, Mexico City, 1916-1920 and undated
Box
2E32Diaries of Marion T. Brown:
Volumes I - XV, 1913-1922
(Includes comments on Mexican Revolution, the war in Europe, and family history)
Box
2E33Diaries of Marion T. Brown:
Volumes XVI, XVII, XVIII, 1922-1924
Incomplete, 1924-1932
Box
2E34Scrapbooks and journals of Marion T. Brown:
3 scrapbooks on astronomical matters and references to Dallas Society:
1921-1922
1923
1906-1921
Scrapbook materials, Genealogy materials, Personal family items, Early Texas history, 1861-1889 and undated
Scrapbook of "New England Literary Greats," 1894-1895
Notebook and diary when Marion was in Mexico, 1898-1910
Journal in Mexico, 1899
Diaries in Mexico, 1902
Box
2E35-2E37Scrapbooks of Marion T. Brown:
Box
2E35Legends and folklore
Birds
Extent (3 volumes)
Horses and mules
Tree, shrub and wildflower notes
Box
2E36Nature Studies
Trees and flowers
Astronomy
Ancient peoples
Indians
"Old Books"
Box
2E37Political career of John Henry Brown, 1860s-1890s
Ambassador Morgenthau's story, "Mission to Turkey," 1918
Cardinal Mercier's own story of Belgium during four years of German occupation, 1919
Newspaper clippings on World War I, 1918
Red Cross knitting record, 1917-1919
Box
2E38Miscellaneous scrapbooks and diaries:
Clara M. Beckworth's inventory of books, undated
Autograph book of Mollis Martin, 1861-1888
Cora Mitchel, "Summer in Mexico," 1901
Guest book of Marion and Lizzie Brown, 1909
Address and memo books of Marion T. Brown, undated
Family notebooks and diaries, 1912, 1923, 1924, and undated
Autograph book of Marion T. Brown, 1887-1934
Inventory of personal household items of Lizzie and Marion Brown, undated
Box
2E39Scrapbooks of Lizzie Brown:
"Historical and Personal Items," Part I
"Historical and Personal Items," Part II
Scrapbook, 1925
Notebook, "Red Cross Knitting Inspection," 1918
Yearbook, "Red Cross Activities," 1918
Real estate items, 1912-1914
Miscellaneous records:
Business records of Lizzie and Marion Brown, 1929
Address and memo books, 1916-1935
Notes from Presbyterian Church records, 1873-1922
Women's work, First Presbyterian Church, Dallas, 1928
Documents related to Presbyterian Church, Dallas, 1871-1934
Account books, 1907-1919
Diary, Lizzie Brown, Mexico City, 1908
Box
2E40Family scrapbooks and historical papers:
Newspaper clippings and pressed plants
Newspaper clippings concerning Texans and southern literature
Papers re: J. J. Ogsbury and Thomas Henesee Lands in Calhoun County
Historical scrapbook
Notebooks (publications and family), 1887-1893
Box
2E41Scrapbooks of John Henry Brown:
General newspaper clippings, 1843-1848
General newspaper clippings, ca. 1892
Historical sketches
Texas Indian wars
"Confederates in Mexico"
Literary (Texas writers)
Box
2E42-E243Organizations and clubs:
Box
2E42Scrapbooks on Texas Bird and Nature Study Club, 1924-1935
Papers presented to Texas Bird and Nature Study Club, 1911, 1929-1933
Items related to Texas Bird and Nature Study Club, 1926-1934
Marion Brown's articles related to Texas Bird and Nature Study Club, 1932-1935
Dallas Reading Circle, 1881
Box
2E43Pierian Club minutes and other materials, 1920-1924
Dallas Students Art League (R. J. Onderdonk, teacher/ Marion Brown, secretary), 1983
Pearl Street Reading Club
Box
2E44Literary productions of Clara Brown Mitchel:
Literary productions, incomplete/untitled
Stories and legends of Mexico
Stories and legends of Mexico and Spain
Notes on ancient Mexican art, sculpture, architecture
Box
2E45Family literary productions:
Clara Brown Mitchel diary, Texas to Mexico, 1865
Clara Brown Mitchel literary productions, many incomplete, undated
Clara Brown Mitchel manuscript, from Florida to Tampico
Lizzie C. Brown literary productions, 1911 and undated
Marion T. Brown literary productions, undated
Thomas B. Mitchel manuscript "Three Republics…," undated
Thomas B. Mitchel manuscript "Le Bateau Trouve," undated
Various family members or unidentified
Box
2E46-2E47Literary productions of Mrs. John Henry Brown (Mary Mitchel Brown):
Box
2E46Scrapbook of poems
Juarez, President Benito of Mexico
"Dinah" (manuscript)
Manuscripts (incomplete)
"From Orizava to Tuspan"
Manuscripts (one of her 70th birthday)
Miscellaneous manuscripts
Box
2E47Materials relating to Mrs. Brown's School History of Texas
School History of Texas (manuscript)
Letter book re: School History of Texas
Box
2E48Literary productions:
"Mrs. Horn's Captivity," by Mrs. John Henry Brown
"Mrs. Thornton's Story of her Captivity," by Mrs. John Henry Brown
Materials concerning Oxendale-Plummsa-Jasperson-Direfamilies
John Henry Brown manuscript and historical notes
Empty envelopes with annotations by John Henry Brown
Box
2E49"Historical" correspondence, diaries, and journals:
Copies of official correspondence concerning independence from Mexico, 1824-1836
John S. Moore's manuscript on the Bowie family, undated
Biography of Alfred Sturgis Thurmond, undated
Diaries and journals of John Henry Brown, 1869, 1870,1888, 1893
Family diaries and journals, 1861-1882
Box
2E50Genealogies:
Miscellaneous genealogies and requests
Brown-Jones-Kerr-Wells-Stevenson families
Mitchel-Avery families
Avery family
Box
2E51Genealogies and historical associations:
Genealogies of Brown-Clark-Kerr-Wells Doddridge families
Genealogies of Avery-Mitchel-Alden families
Printed funeral notices of family and friends
Newspaper clippings about Brown family
Dallas County Pioneer Association
Dallas Genealogical Society
Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, United Daughters of the Confederary
Bell County Independent Blurs
Military Organizations--Texas Veteran Association
Box
2E52Materials relating primarily to Dallas:
References to history of Dallas County
Journal re: Dallas city government and public schools, 1884
Political papers including Brown's mayoral term, 1861-1882
Items relating to Brown's term as Justice of the Peace, 1888-1890
Field notes of Dallas County School Land, 1879
Streets of Dallas, 1872, 1880
Items concerning Bachman Lake Camps--Dallas, 1933-1934
Newspaper clippings about Dallas, 1890-1924
Box
2E53Literary effort and newspaper clippings:
Articles and speeches, 1870-1886
Description of state of Texas in 1878
Topographical description of Texas in 1880
Newspaper clippings concerning Texas
Box
2E54Materials and correspondence related to literary efforts by John Henry Brown:
Henry Smith biography
G. W. Fulton correspondence
Texas history book and Indian wars, 1876-1888
Texas history book and Indian wars, 1889-1890
Texas history book and letters from John Henry Brown in St. Louis, 1893
Texas history book and Indian wars, 1892-1899
Texas Revolution, San Jacinto, Alamo
Box
2E55History of Texas, 1685-1892, Volume I:
Original manuscript
Box
2E56History of Texas, 1685-1892, Volume I:
Original manuscript
Box
2E57History of Texas, 1685-1892, Volume II:
Original manuscript
Index, appendices, fragments
Incomplete manuscript
Corrected proof (incomplete)
Box
2E58Correspondence and biographies concerning "Eminent Texians"
Correspondence requesting information about early Texans, 1887-1895
Brief biographies of Eminent Texians, 1890
Materials concerning biographical data of early Texans, 1891-1894
Sketches of eminent Texans for encyclopedia, 1891
Correspondences from and about eminent Texans: Hamilton P. Bee, Lorenzo De Zavala, James Bonham, Haron
Correspondence from G. Nelson Smith of Philadelphia (Texian soldier), 1886
Correspondence from J. T. DeShields, 1886-1888, 1893, 1907
Papers from and references to Stephen F. Austin and family, 1832-1889
Correspondence relating to Ben McCulloch biography by V. M. Rose, McCulloch family, 1883-1886;1889-1894
Correspondence and materials concerning Bowie family, 1876, 1889
Materials relating to death of Jefferson Davis
Sketch of W. W. O. Stanfield (private secretary to Thomas Rusk) by son
Box
2E59Materials about Indian wars and/or Mexico:
Indian depredations and fights
Correspondence concerning Indian wars and pioneers, 1881-1895
Items related to Brown and Mitchel families in Mexico
Spanish/Mexican documents, 1691-1858
Newspaper clippings and materials re: Mexico
Items concerning Barron, Forbes & Co., Mexico (mining company)
Will from South America (copy), 1911
Box
2E60Land Surveys by John Henry Brown:
Yucatan Peninsula, 1865-1866
Matagorda, 1877-1879
Unorganized county school lands, 1882
Correspondence and report on unorganized county school lands, 1882-1883
Survey trip to Wise County, 1882
Box
2E61Mitchel, Avery, Chaplin families:
Religious literary productions, 1897-1929
Sermons and religious tracts by Rev. Colby C. Mitchel, 1813-1841
Rev. Colby C. Mitchel materials, earlier than Nov. 15, 1841
Correspondence and fragments concerning Fannie Chaplin, undated
Avery family materials, 1820-1830
Box
2E62Unidentified and/or undated items and fragments
Box
2E63Unidentified and/or undated items and fragments
Box
2E64Family memorabilia, 1846-1938:
Family memorabilia
Calling cards
Memorabilia cards/complimentary tickets
Invitations and monograms
Wedding invitations
Greeting cards
Club and dance programs
Ephemera and official documents
Items concerning Indianola, Texas
Items concerning death of Lizzie Brown, 1936
Papers concerning Ann King Williams (Black servant)
Box
2E65Legal and business
Wills and legal correspondence, 1877-1936
Legal and business materials, 1893-1936



 
Box
2.325/V57Oversize materials:
Family history and autobiography
References to Indianola
Newspaper letters and editorials by John Henry Brown
Materials about Brown, Kerr, Wells, Stevenson, Durbin, Avery, Doddridge, Thomas Mitchel, Parke families
Sign with knitted garments to be reconstituted



 
Box
3S166Map of Mexico City, (reproduction) ca. 1500s
Land grant, letter from Brown to daughters
James Bowie family tree
Certificates
Galleys of History of Texas
Floor plan
Printed material
Brown family tree
Commissions, 1848-1884



 
Box
OD1273Oversize:
Brown family tree
Botanical profile, from Fort Smith to San Pedro, 1853-1854
World War I Victory Liberty Loan Banner



 
Box
4L444Pierre Brown Mitchel materials:
Children's picture book, 1882
Marion Brown materials:
Box
4L445Children's scrapbook, 1887
Box
4L446Red Cross scrapbook, 1914-1918
John Henry Brown materials:
Box
4L447Scrapbook, newspaper clippings--state 1878-1882--
Box
4L449Scrapbook, newspaper clippings from Galveston, Indianola and Dallas 1843-1883--
Box
4L450Scrapbook, newspaper clippings--Dallas and Texas 1885-1887--
Box
4L451Scrapbook (genealogy)



 
Box
3S4Photographs and pictorial materials:



 
Box
3S4Photos, people:
Adams, John--Onderdonk, Robert
Ireland, John--Young, Jennie
Illustrations from Brown's History of Texas and other publications
Unidentified



 
Box
3S5Photos, places:
Alamo--Xochicalco, Mexico (ruins)
Illustrations for Brown's History of Texas and other
Publications
Unidentified
Negatives



 
Box
3S5Sketches and drawings:
By Brown family members and others, 1864-1904 and undated
By Marion T. Brown, 1891-1897 and undated



 
Box
3S213Oversize photographs and lithographs
Drawings and paintings by and of Marion Brown and Sophie Mitchel
Sketches by Brown family members, 1896-1897 and undated
Oversize photos of Brown family and historical figures
Box
3Y1Marion t. Brown sketchbooks, 1887-1894
Postcard albums:
Battle of Verdun, France, 1916
Mexico City and greeting cards
Mexico, Canada, Europe, and artwork
Box
3Y2Ships and New England historic sites
San Antonio and California missions, historic Virginia churches, Mexico churches, and other U.S. churches
Album and scrapbook of greeting cards and other printed illustrations
Box
3Y3aCased photographs:
Brown and Mitchell family members
McCulloch, Benjamin
Scurry, William Redi
Unidentified
Box
3Y4Brown, Henry



 
Box
3S164Daguerrotypes, etchings and engravings



 
Box
4N13bPaintings:
Portrait
Box
4N13cPortrait of John Henry Brown by Charles Kent Owen, 1902
Box
4N13e, 4N14b 4N8rPortraits
Box
4N14fPortrait of Mary Mitchel Brown by Marion T. Brown, 1897
Box
4N8sPaintings by Marion T. Brown and Sophie Mitchel
Box
2.325/OP14Marion T. Brown's watercolor sketch of bluebird
31 maps, 1835-1939, in map collection