The American progenitor bestowed upon his son, born in Dorchester county, Maryland, in 1710, the hereditary name of James. James Brown, of Dorchester county (later of Sussex county, Delaware), married Miss Priscilla White, daughter of Judge Thomas White, of Kent county, Delaware. Their son James, known in Maryland and Delaware as James Brown, Jr., married Miss Elizabeth Clarkson, daughter of Richard Clarkson, "planter of Carolina, Maryland." James Brown, Jr., and Elizabeth Clarkson were the parents of Mr. James Brown, of Jefferson county, Kentucky, who was born in Sussex county, Delaware, October 10, 1780.
Records confirm the tradition that the families of Browns, Whites, and Clarksons were a race of notable men and women in their several generations. They were a staunch, sterling, energetic, h rifty, prudent people, wielding much influence and possessing many servants and large landed estates in Maryland and Delaware. They lived in comfortable style; and being handsome in appearance, refined and courteous in manner, and accomplished in the social graces of music and dancing, were people of distinction in their respective neighborhoods.
The family of Whites was eminent for piety. Judge Thomas White was the firm friend of Rev. Francis Asbury (afterwards Bishop Asbury), aiding him in establishing Methodism in Delaware and Maryland; and when persecution assailed him, received and protected him under his own roof. Mrs. Priscilla White Brown, daughter of Judge White, was converted to Methodism by the powerful preaching of the great George Whitefield. His glowing vords of life kindled in her soul a missionary zeal that burned brightly until her last expiring breath. She was unremitting in her efforts to disseminate the "good tidings of great joy" which she had received. She established worship in her house, and imbued many of her children and descendants with the same ardent affection for Methodism.
