Clarissa Hoyt was born in Tuftonborough New Hampshire. She and her parents moved to Chicago in 1833. There she met Samuel Brown and were married on February 3, 1834. The couple decided to make Milwaukee their home as Samuel had made a claim for property in Milwaukee in December, 1834. Byron Kilbourn invited Samuel, an expert carpenter, to come to Kilbourntown to help build homes and businesses. They came to take possession of the land in March 1835. They left Chicago by oxen team on a Monday morning and came to Walker’s Point at sunset on Saturday. They spent the Sabbath there and arrived in Kilbourntown on Monday. She is claimed in some documents to be the first white woman settler and in others, the second white woman settler in Milwaukee. (Source: Sketches of Wisconsin Pioneer Women by Florence Dexheimer.)
In 1842 Clarissa and Deacon Samuel Brown became a part of the story of Caroline Quarlls and the Underground Railroad. In July, 1842, when Caroline escaped from her mistress slave owner, she made her way via the Underground Railroad to Milwaukee. She gave a barber named Mr. Robert Titball her $85 to help hide her. Instead, he contacted Horatio Wells (Forest Home Cemetery) to help him catch her. Wells in turn, contacted Attorney Asahel Finch (Forest Home Cemetery) helped her to hide Caroline along the banks of the Milwaukee River and even in a barrel on a main street for several days. Asahel Finch made arrangements and then took her to the farm of Samuel and Clarissa Brown that was located between 17th and 20th and Fond du Lac Avenue. She was hidden and sheltered there by the Clarissa and Samuel. Samuel then took her hidden in a wagon to supporters in Prairieville in the Pewaukee area as she continued her journey on the Underground Railroad to Canada. (Source: History of Milwaukee by Howard Louis Conrad.)
A historical marker is located on the corner of 17th and Fond du Lac Avenue in Milwaukee that recognizes the involvement of Samuel and Clarissa Brown in the Underground Railroad and their help to Caroline Quarrls.
(Bio: Anita Pietrykowski)
In 1842 Clarissa and Deacon Samuel Brown became a part of the story of Caroline Quarlls and the Underground Railroad. In July, 1842, when Caroline escaped from her mistress slave owner, she made her way via the Underground Railroad to Milwaukee. She gave a barber named Mr. Robert Titball her $85 to help hide her. Instead, he contacted Horatio Wells (Forest Home Cemetery) to help him catch her. Wells in turn, contacted Attorney Asahel Finch (Forest Home Cemetery) helped her to hide Caroline along the banks of the Milwaukee River and even in a barrel on a main street for several days. Asahel Finch made arrangements and then took her to the farm of Samuel and Clarissa Brown that was located between 17th and 20th and Fond du Lac Avenue. She was hidden and sheltered there by the Clarissa and Samuel. Samuel then took her hidden in a wagon to supporters in Prairieville in the Pewaukee area as she continued her journey on the Underground Railroad to Canada. (Source: History of Milwaukee by Howard Louis Conrad.)
A historical marker is located on the corner of 17th and Fond du Lac Avenue in Milwaukee that recognizes the involvement of Samuel and Clarissa Brown in the Underground Railroad and their help to Caroline Quarrls.
(Bio: Anita Pietrykowski)
Clarissa Hoyt was born in Tuftonborough New Hampshire. She and her parents moved to Chicago in 1833. There she met Samuel Brown and were married on February 3, 1834. The couple decided to make Milwaukee their home as Samuel had made a claim for property in Milwaukee in December, 1834. Byron Kilbourn invited Samuel, an expert carpenter, to come to Kilbourntown to help build homes and businesses. They came to take possession of the land in March 1835. They left Chicago by oxen team on a Monday morning and came to Walker’s Point at sunset on Saturday. They spent the Sabbath there and arrived in Kilbourntown on Monday. She is claimed in some documents to be the first white woman settler and in others, the second white woman settler in Milwaukee. (Source: Sketches of Wisconsin Pioneer Women by Florence Dexheimer.)
In 1842 Clarissa and Deacon Samuel Brown became a part of the story of Caroline Quarlls and the Underground Railroad. In July, 1842, when Caroline escaped from her mistress slave owner, she made her way via the Underground Railroad to Milwaukee. She gave a barber named Mr. Robert Titball her $85 to help hide her. Instead, he contacted Horatio Wells (Forest Home Cemetery) to help him catch her. Wells in turn, contacted Attorney Asahel Finch (Forest Home Cemetery) helped her to hide Caroline along the banks of the Milwaukee River and even in a barrel on a main street for several days. Asahel Finch made arrangements and then took her to the farm of Samuel and Clarissa Brown that was located between 17th and 20th and Fond du Lac Avenue. She was hidden and sheltered there by the Clarissa and Samuel. Samuel then took her hidden in a wagon to supporters in Prairieville in the Pewaukee area as she continued her journey on the Underground Railroad to Canada. (Source: History of Milwaukee by Howard Louis Conrad.)
A historical marker is located on the corner of 17th and Fond du Lac Avenue in Milwaukee that recognizes the involvement of Samuel and Clarissa Brown in the Underground Railroad and their help to Caroline Quarrls.
(Bio: Anita Pietrykowski)
In 1842 Clarissa and Deacon Samuel Brown became a part of the story of Caroline Quarlls and the Underground Railroad. In July, 1842, when Caroline escaped from her mistress slave owner, she made her way via the Underground Railroad to Milwaukee. She gave a barber named Mr. Robert Titball her $85 to help hide her. Instead, he contacted Horatio Wells (Forest Home Cemetery) to help him catch her. Wells in turn, contacted Attorney Asahel Finch (Forest Home Cemetery) helped her to hide Caroline along the banks of the Milwaukee River and even in a barrel on a main street for several days. Asahel Finch made arrangements and then took her to the farm of Samuel and Clarissa Brown that was located between 17th and 20th and Fond du Lac Avenue. She was hidden and sheltered there by the Clarissa and Samuel. Samuel then took her hidden in a wagon to supporters in Prairieville in the Pewaukee area as she continued her journey on the Underground Railroad to Canada. (Source: History of Milwaukee by Howard Louis Conrad.)
A historical marker is located on the corner of 17th and Fond du Lac Avenue in Milwaukee that recognizes the involvement of Samuel and Clarissa Brown in the Underground Railroad and their help to Caroline Quarrls.
(Bio: Anita Pietrykowski)
Inscription
Wife of Samuel Brown.
Family Members
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Records on Ancestry
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