Historical Tribute Paid to Samuel and Mary Brown

by Dan H. Johnson

On Saturday, April 14 at Rials Creek United Methodist Church near Mendenhall, a historical tribute was paid to Simpson County pioneer settlers, Samuel and Mary Mooney Brown.  The ceremony was presented by the Central Mississippi Chapter Sons of the American Revolution from Jackson, the Copiah Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution from Crystal Springs, the Order of First Families of Mississippi, 1699-1817, from Natchez and the Mississippi Society of the Children of the American Revolution.

The service was attended by 107 descendants, society members, and interested community residents.  Descendants at the ceremony represented ten states:  Alabama, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oregon, Texas, and Wisconsin.

Samuel Brown was an American Patriot in the War for Independence, enlisting in the cause for freedom as a soldier in Georgia.  He was granted land in Georgia for his military service.  Following his marriage to Mary Mooney at the war’s end, he and his wife became the parents of eight children.  In 1811, the governor of Georgia granted Brown a passport through the Indian territories.  Arriving and settling in Wayne County, Mississippi Territory, the family remained there until the 1820 ‘s when they moved to newly formed Simpson County.  In 1835, Samuel Brown was elected to serve as Representative from Simpson County in the Mississippi Legislature.  The Browns were victims of one of the most infamous murders in the county’s history and were laid to rest near their homestead at the head of Rials Creek about 1 1⁄2 miles southeast of where Rials Creek United Methodist Church now stands, off of Airport Road.  A permanent monument was dedicated and placed at their graves in 1938.

A combined Mississippi/Alabama SAR Color Guard in Colonial Uniforms posted the colors.  The flags of the United States, the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, the State of  Mississippi, and the State of Alabama were presented by MSSSAR 1st Vice President John Taylor, MSSSAR member Ed Holland, ALSSAR Birmingham Chapter Secretary Col. Glenn Nivens, and ALSSAR Sergeant-at-Arms Bob Melton. 

Senior National Vice President of the Children of the American Revolution, Kathy Henry, led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag. Edward Campbell, Vice President of the Central MS Chapter SAR, led the pledge to the Mississippi flag.  Leading the SAR pledge was John Taylor.

Simpson County District 4 Supervisor and descendant of the Browns, Sammy Welch, welcomed the crowd.  He read a resolution by the Simpson County Board of Supervisors recognizing the lives of Samuel Brown and Mary Mooney Brown and commending the efforts of the sponsoring societies and the Brown descendants to preserve history and heritage by marking the graves.

Betty Compere on behalf of the Simpson County Historical and Genealogical Society delivered greetings. Following recognition of society members, dignitaries, and descendants, Johnnie Lou Yakstis presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Rials Creek United Methodist Church for allowing the ceremonies to be held in their Family Life Center.  Dan Johnson delivered a speech on the lives of Samuel and Mary Brown, “From Georgia to Mississippi.”

In recognition of Samuel Brown’s Revolutionary War service, Central MS Chapter SAR President Dan Johnson, descendant of the Browns, conducted a service dedicating a SAR Revolutionary War Patriot marker in recognition of Brown’s contribution in the fight for American independence.  Descendant Dickie Grubbs unveiled the marker for the audience to view.

Descendant of the Browns, Johnnie Lou Johnson Yakstis, Regent of the Copiah Chapter DAR of Crystal Springs, led the service dedicating a marker in recognition of Samuel’s war service.  This marker was unveiled by Brown descendant Loraine Grantham Johnson of the Copiah Chapter DAR.  A marker honoring Mary Mooney Brown as wife of a Revolutionary War Patriot was also dedicated at this time.  Brown descendant Loraine Yakstis Thornton of the Copiah Chapter DAR unveiled this marker.  Earlier in the ceremony, Loraine Thornton was also inducted into the DAR. Three generations of Brown descendants are currently members of the Copiah Chapter DAR:  Loraine Grantham Johnson, Johnnie Lou Johnson Yakstis, and Loraine Yakstis Thornton.

Mississippi State President Children of the American Revolution and descendant of the Browns, Elizabeth Henry, made a few remarks about her ancestors and placed a wreath in their memory.  Rebecca Jackson, Regent of the Cherokee Rose Chapter DAR of Hazlehurst, presented a wreath in honor of the Browns and it was placed by Jim Davis and Mike Davis, descendants of the Browns.

Mark Henry, MSSSAR Chancellor and Corresponding Secretary General of the Order of First Families of Mississippi recognized his mother, Joy Coleman Henry, as one who sang at the Brown Reunion in 1937 when plans were made to place a permanent monument at the graves of Samuel and Mary Brown.  Also recognized was Nattelie Wiggins Morgan who was present at that same reunion in 1937 when she gave a reading.  Mark then unveiled a First Families of Mississippi marker designating that the Browns lived within Mississippi’s boundaries prior to its statehood.  This was the first time that this marker had been placed on an ancestor’s grave, the Order having approved ancestral placement just last fall.

Dan Gibson of Crystal Springs presented the invocation and led the singing of the National Anthem and Amazing Grace. He also presented a very moving solo of a period hymn, “Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy.”

One of the most emotional parts of the service was the playing of “Taps” by Billy Henderson of Pearl.  The ceremonies concluded with the recitation of The American Creed led by Copiah Chapter Vice Regent Melody Worrell, and the SAR Recessional led by Dan Johnson.  Rev. David Hanna, pastor of Rials Creek United Methodist Church offered the benediction.