Millard C. Brown Sr. 1877 and Sara Ann Smiley 1878

Millard C. Brown Sr. my Great Grandfather was born in 1877. Millard C. died in at his home at Ludwig's Camp, R.D.2. West Chester, Pa. in 1950, he was 73. he was buried in 1950 in Grove Methodist Churchyard, Grove, Pa. He resided along Pottstown Pike, Ludwig's Camp, West Chester R.D. 2, Pa.. in December 1950, resided on Boot Road, Grove, Pa. in 1924 and resided in Green Hill, Pa. before 1924. Occupation: Carpenter, House Builder for over fifty years. Religion: Member of Goshen Baptist Church.

On March 29, 1899 when Millard C. was 22, he married Sara Ann Smiley, G Grandmother, daughter of Isaac H. Smiley and Mary Jane Farra, (pictured on the right) in 7 P.M in the home of Rev. Joshua E. Walls, pastor of First baptist Church. Born on November 3, 1878 in Pennsylvania, she died at home in Grove, Pa. on July 24, 1950, she was 71. She was buried in the Grove Methodist Churchyard, Grove, Pa. She resided in Boot Road, Grove, Pa. in 1950. Religion: Active worker in both Goshen Baptist and Grove Methodist Churches. Cause of death: Illness of several months.

In July 1950, I was 9 years old. I remember visiting Grandpa and Grandma Brown's Grove home a lot as a child. I remember the kitchen clearest. She had a wood burning cook stove. I recall a bucket of kindling was always off to one side. My memory of her funeral is very foggy, but I do recall being back in that Grove house with people milling about. There was a table of food in the living room and I wandered about nibbling.

My Great Grandpa didn't last long after Sara died. I was with my Grandfather when he discovered the body. After Sara died, Millard left the Grove home and moved to a small house he had built just off Rt. 100 and outside of West Chester. We went there to visit, perhaps because of the Christmas season, perhaps just because my grandfather was his son. My grandfather went to the door and knocked. After a while he sent me back to the car and he went in alone. I don't remember much after that point, until the funeral, and I remember little of it anymore.

Mr and Mrs. Millard C. Brown are greeting friends at their home at the Grove this afternoon and evening from 2 until 9 o'clock, the occasion being an "open house" planned by their children in celebration of the golden wedding anniversary which they observed on Tuesday. Having spent several enjoyable weeks in Florida along with Mrs. Brown's brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Wilmer W McVaugh, of Goshen heights, the group returned home on Thursday afternoon, the trip by motor. The marriage of the former Miss Sara Smiley to Millard C. Brown took place at 7 o'clock in the evening, March 29, 1899, in this borough at the home of Rev. Joshua E. Walls, pastor of the First Baptist Church. Mrs. Sallie Messmer and the late Miss Laura Green were the witnesses. The weather was like spring such as today. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have always lived in this community. They began housekeeping at Green Hill and since 1924 have resided at the Grove. Both are enjoying good health and have looked forward with pleasure for some time to celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. The Brown children are: Francis F., of Downingtown; Mary, wife of Roy Seeds, Paoli, Millard C., Jr., of the Grove, Ralph F., of Strafford, and Paul R., of the Grove. There are eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have the best wishes of many friends in this community for continued good health and happiness. Daily Local News. 4/2/1949.

Mrs. Millard C. Brown, Sr. Mrs. Millard C. Brown Sr., of the grove, died in her home Monday night after an illness of several months. She was 72. A native of Chester County, she was the daughter of the late Isaac and Mary Jane Smiley, and lived in this section her entire life. She was an active worker in both Goshen Baptist Church and Grove Methodist Church. Among her survivors, in addition to her husband, Millard Sr., are the following children: Millard Jr., Grove; Ralph, Strafford; Francis, Downingtown; and Mrs. Leroy Seeds, Paoli. DR, 7/26/1950.

"Brown - In West Goshen, Township, on Dec. 2, 1950, Millard C., Sr., husband of the late Sara A. Brown, in the 74th year of his age. Funeral from the Hicks Funeral Home, 229 S. High St., West Chester, on Wednesday, Dec. 6, at 2 P. M.. Interment in Grove cemetery." - 12/4/1950

They had the following children:
Ralph F. (1917-1967)

Paul Richard (1920-1983)

Millard C. (1907-1975)

Francis Fizz (1900-1957)

Mary (Great Aunt), born about 1905 and died about 1975. She resided in Paoli, Pa. in 1950. About 1930, when Mary was 25, she married Charles LeRoy Seeds. He was born about 1900. Charles LeRoy died about 1970. He resided in Paoli, Pa. in 1950.