Born Hillcrest Cemetery, Dallas, Texas.
Died two miles east of Gracemont, Caddo County, Oklahoma.
Buried Gracemont Cemetery, Gracemont, Caddo County, Oklahoma.
Posted by: Louise Hassell Message: I am searching for the ancestors and
descendants of William F. BROWNEN (sometimes spelled BROWNING) who was
born near Paris, Lamar Co., TX in either 1843, 44, or 49. He married
first Mary Ann MOSS and second her niece, Mary Francis ADAMS. Most
descendants are in Oklahoma.
It's on William F. Brownen's death certificate that she was his mother.
However, my research does not bear this out. The only William Brownen or
Browning I can find in the northeast Texas area was born in 1849 to James
and C. Browning (spelling as in 1850 census). "C" was apparently Cyntha
Smith. I found their marriage license. Do you have more info about Mary
Penn?
Oma Hall has told me that William's father died when he was six and his
mother when he was 9. This also fits with the Wm born in 1849 to James
and Cyntha Browning. Cyntha remarried to a James Russell after the death
of Browning, but then she dropped from the scene before 1860. If Oma's
story is correct, she would have died in 1858 or so.
Family tradition reports William F.'s birth date as 4 July 1843, however
dates of his birth vary between 1842, 1843, 1844, 1849, and 1850. One of
the two 1870 censuses for William F. BROWNING, says he was born about
1849 [five months old on either June 1 (the official census date) or
October 23, 1850
(the actual census date)]. All sources except one of the 1870 censuses
say he was born in Texas; one 1870 says Arkansas, the other Texas.
According to family tradition, his father died when he was six years old
and his mother when he was nine. This fits with census information for
the William F. BROWNING, age 5 months in 1850 and age 10, living with a
different surname family, in 1860. In 1860 neither James BROWNING/BROWNEN
or
Cyntha BROWNING/RUSSELL (she remarried) can be found in Texas.
I speculate that because he was orphaned so young, he may not have known
when his birthday really was, and picked the nation's birthday as his own.
Buried Gracemont Cemetery, Gracemont, Caddo County, Oklahoma.
The cause of death was bronchial pneumonia.
W. F. Brownen took out mortgages on livestock and future crops of cotton
in amounts from $50.00 to $324.00.
William F. Brownen's grandmother and grandfather were killed by Indians,
and one of his aunts was captured at the same time. She lived with the
Indians for a number of years.
Confederate Army according to oral family history. It should be noted,
however, that, while there was a Duff's Regiment, there is no record of
William F. Brownen (or Browning) being a member of that regiment. The
regiment, which was first the 14th Battalion and later the 33rd Cavalry,
was called Duff's
Partisan Rangers. A search of the Records of the Adjutant Generals
Office, Civil War - Confederate Soldiers of Texas revealed no mention of
his name. This researcher has been unable to discover any pension
application either. If William was actually born in 1849, as begins to
seem more plausible,
then he was only twelve years old at the beginning of the war.
There was a W. BROWNING who was a Private with Capt. L. H. McNelly.
McNelly captained McNelly's Scouts, Scout Regiment, Green's Division, B.
G. Thomas Green, commanding, CSA. There
was a James DUFF who was Captain of Alamo Rifles, 30th Brigade T. M.
These last two men are listed in Confederate Military Service, reel
#1A-Buoyer.
On page 180, line 17, William Browning, age 10, born in Texas, was
living with F. G. CHESTER, 27, a farmer with $550 in real estate and $500
in personal property, born in Tennessee. The
others in the household were Elvira Chester, 17, born in Tennessee;
William Chester, 3, born in Texas; and Matilda Chester, 10/12, born in
Texas.
This census lists family 462 beginning on line 30: BROWNEN, William F.,
white male, 32, married, farmer, born in Texas, father born in Tennessee,
mother born in Texas; Mary, white female, 24, wife, married, keeping
house, born in Texas, parents born in Arkansas; Sarah L., white female,
10, daughter, single, at home, can't write, all born in Texas; William
J., white male, 8, son, single, at school, all born in Texas; Albert E.,
white male, 4, son, single, all born in Texas, Edward A., white male, 2,
son, single, all born in Texas. The enumerator was P. M. Tucker. and was
a member for over 61 years
According to Oma Hall's "Brownen Family History", "He enjoyed good health
till he was past ninety, although his eyesight was failing. He was quoted
as saying that walking on rough roads bothered him some but on smooth
roads he could do fine for five or six miles."
Anecdote 1852 near Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas, 1872 I.O.O.F. Lodge
N9 83, Hopkins County, Texas
Census 17 Aug 1860 Hopkins County, Texas, 12 Jul 1880 Cooke County, Texas
Education He attended two terms of school after the Civil War.
Migrated Bef. Apr 1884 Indian Territory (Oklahoma)
Occupation A farmer and medical doctor. This lasted to his death, in
Texas; a range rider from the time he was twelve years old, After the
Civil War, he resumed his work as a cowboy.
Military= Bet. 1861 - 1865 Duff's Regiment.
Mortgage Bet. 8 Apr 1905 - 21 Apr 1906 Johnston County, Indian Territory.
Witnesses to homestead proofs and the township and range of the homestead
they witnessed to. Arapaho newspapers from 1892-1906 "Brownen, William,
14-19"

This census shows the head of family as William F. BROWNEN, a white male
born in July 1844 and 55 years of age. He was born in Texas; his father
was born in Tennessee; and his mother in
Louisana. He was a farmer and could read, write and speak English. He
owned a farm, free of a mortgage. He and his wife, Mary A., had been
married 28 years. Mary A. was a white female,
born in July 1854, and aged 45. She had borne 12 children, 9 of whom were
living. She was born in Texas; her father in Virginia; and her mother in
Arkansas. She could read, but not write, and she spoke English. All of
the children then living at home were born in Indian Territory. Their
father and mother
were both born in Texas. All of the children spoke English.
Ellar, Son, a white male, was born in April 1884, and was aged 15. He was
a farm laborer and could read, but not write. Stella M., daughter, a
white female, was born in May 1886, and was aged 14. She could read and
write. Allen, Son, a white male, was born in January 1889, was was aged
11. He could read, but
not write. Dixie Lee, daughter, a white female, was born in July 1891,
and was 8 years old. Charlie R., Son, a white male, was born in February
1895, and was 5 years old. George C., Son, a white male, was born in
December 1897, and was 2 years old.
Mary Francis was William F.'s first wife's niece.
The census lists William F. Brownen, head of household, who owns a home
free of debt. He is a white male, 76 years of age, who can read and
write. He was born in Texas, his father was born in Tennessee and his
mother in Louisiana. He speaks English and has no trade or profession. He
is married to Mary,
a white female, 66 years of age, who can also read and write. She was
born in Texas and speaks English. Her father was born in Ireland and
spoke Irish as his mother tongue. Her mother was
born in Arkansas. Their son George, a white male aged 22 is the only
child left at home. He can also read and write and speak English. He was
born in Oklahoma; his father in Texas and his mother in Texas. He was a
laborer on a farm.
Buried Gracemont Cemetery, Caddo Co, Oklahoma.