Mary Brown and Red Bluff Part 1

The story of a one-story house near downtown Red Bluff begins back East, in the 1800’s. There’s nothing remarkable about the house. Yet this modest building was built for and at one time was home to the family of John Brown of Harper’s Ferry fame.

There are riddles, twists and turns to this story.

John Brown believed slavery was wrong, He felt slaves would inevitably rise up and revolt against their masters. The strong sentiment on both sides of this issue showed up here in the northstate. But that’s another story.

Settling in northern New York, Brown workied first as a teacher to free and runaway Negroes, then as a farmer. He married twice - his second wife, Mary Day Brown, being the focus of these stories.

Married at seventeen, with little schooling, Mary Brown often found herself raising her growing family alone. Her husband and oldest boys were gone for long periods to the then Kansas territory.

During the 1850’s, the United States was trying to stave off civil war. When territories were considered for statehood, generally two states were created – one as a slave state and one free. Citizens voted to decide which way they would go. When Kansas was considered for statehood, pro-and anti-slavery people descended on the divided territory. Guerilla fighting between the factions was rampant, with John Brown and his sons in the thick of some of the most vicious battles.

In 1859, with Kansas leaning towards becoming free, Brown returned home. The family, including 13 children, was destitute. Instead of finding ways to help, Brown turned his attention to creating a slaves’ rebellion. That’s where Harper’s Ferry comes in.

Brown decided to raid the heavily-guarded U.S. Army arsenal in Harper’s Ferry, Virginia. Historians agree it would have been impossible to succeed. Brown’s family, however, has always maintained he knew this and instead intended for this to be a catalyst – the “match” to light up a successful slaves rebellion.

History shows Brown lost. Captured at Harper’s Ferry, by none other than Colonel Robert E. Lee, Brown was tried, convicted of treason and conspiracy, and sentenced to hang.

So what does all this have to do with the northstate? Patience. Read on!