Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy

Helen Gennett Brown

Female 1845 - 1933  (87 years)


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  • Name Helen Gennett Brown 
    Born 4 Apr 1845  Kirtland, Lake, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Female 
    Died 11 Jan 1933  Luna, Catron, New Mexico, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried 12 Jan 1933  Luna, Catron, New Mexico, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I1400  Petersen-de Lanskoy
    Last Modified 27 May 2021 

    Family Samuel Newton Adair,   b. 11 Dec 1839, , Itawamba, Mississippi, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 16 May 1924, Luna, Catron, New Mexico, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 84 years) 
    Married 15 Dec 1863  Washington, Washington, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F941  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • RESEARCH_NOTES:
      1. Censuses:
      1850 US: Found in Kirtland, Lake, Ohio

      1880 US: 1880 US: Concho Creek, Apache, Arizona, 11 Jun 1880, 153/156:
      S.N. Adir, 40, farmer, MS AL AL.
      Helen J., 35, OH VT VT.
      Chas. Newton, 15, UT MS OH.
      Hariete J, 13, UT MS OH.
      Byron A., 11, UT MS OH.
      Jesmmine J., 9, UT MS OH.
      Mary Virginia, 4, UT MS OH.
      Annie K., 1, UT MS OH.

      1900 US: Precinct no. 37, Socorra Co., New Mexico, P. 121a:
      Samuel Adair, b. Dec 1839, age 60, married 36 years, b. Mississippi, no listing for parents birthplaces, farmer.
      Jennett, wife, b. Apr 1845, age 55, married 36 years, 11 total children of which 10 are still living, b. Ohio, both parents born in Vermont.
      Byron A., son, b. Mar 1869, age 31, single, b. UT, MS, OH, unable to work.
      Mary V., dau, b. Feb 1876, age 24, single, b. UT, MS, OH.
      Annie, dau., b. May 1879, age 21, single, b. UT, MS, OH.
      Edna, dau., b. Nov 1881, age 16, single, b. AZ, MS, OH.
      Josephine, dau., b. May 1884, age 16, single, b. AZ, MS, OH.
      Thomas J., son, b. May 1884, age 16, single, b. AZ, MS, OH.
      Marcus O., son, b. Oct 1886, age 13, single, b. NM, MS, OH.

      2. Reviewed Rootsweb.com Worldconnect 8 Dec 2002. Parents are Abraham Brown, b. 1808 in Londonderry, Windham, VT, and Harriet Amanda Sheldon, b. 1806 in Andover, Windsor, VT.

      3. Parents are Abraham Brown and Harriett Sheldon. Note about Abraham: the book "Grafton, Ghost Town on the Rio Virgin" p.116, shows Abraham on the list of property owners in Washington City prior to 1873 and is principally of those that owned land in 1863. Abraham was born 31 Aug 1808 at Londonderry, Windham, Vermont and died 23 Apr 1891. Harriet Sheldon was born 8 Aug 1806 at Andover, Windsor, Vermont and d. 18 Jul 1883. They married 25 Mar 1834.

      4. "Latter-Day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia," p. 577: "Adair, Thomas Jefferson [Samuel and Helen's son], an Elder who died away from home, filling a mission for the Church, was born May 28, 1884, at Nutrioso, Apache County, Arizona, the son of Samuel Newton Adair and Helen J. Brown. His grandparents on his father's side were among the noted residents of Nauvoo, Illinois, and his grandparents on his mother's side were associated with the Church in Kirtland, Ohio, where his grandfather Brown assisted in the erection of the Kirtland Temple. His parents were among the early settlers in Apache County, Arizona, and were staunch Latter-day Saints. Thomas J. was baptized Sept. 1, 1892, by his father and was ordained successively to the offices of Priest and Elder. He was set apart for a mission to the Southwestern States April 1, 1904, and was appointed to labor in Arkansas, where he spent twenty-eight months as a faithful, energetic missionary. While thus engaged he contracted a disease and being released from his mission he started for home and arrived at St. Johns, Arizona, July 23, 1904[6?]. His parents who lived about seventy-five miles from St. Johns, were notified, but when they arrived at his bedside he was unable to travel further, and getting gradually worse, he died Aug. 1, 1906, at St John's. Elder Adair was greatly respected by all who know him. He had received a good education, had attended the Stake academy at St. Johns, and taken the missionary course prior to going on his mission. He was noted for his exceptionally energetic and lively disposition and ever showed the greatest loyalty and devotedness to the Church."

      5. From the book "Nutrioso and Her Neighbors," by Nina Kelly and Alice Lee, p. 180, has a group photo of "Old Folks Reunion in Luna, 1928" with "Genett Adair" photographed sitting in the front row. Copy of photo on file.

      6. The following is a small excerpt of a larger listing (see Samuel Newton Adair's notes for full transcription), which was received in digital form from Don and Caroline Smith, 2003. Regardless of the title - "Family Records of Samuel Newton Adair" - I am not sure if this is really a transcript of records kept by Samuel Newton Adair or not. Some death dates given for some of the individuals are after the date Samuel Newton Adair himself died. I spoke in person with Collins Chapman of Mesa, Arizona, in Feb. of 2006. He did not recognize it. Collins' family is the source of most of the biographical information on Samuel and Collin's mother was responsible for the autobiography of Samuel Newton Adair who dictated it to her. The following came to me as an addendum to a typed copy of that autobiography; however, I have now seen a portion of the original handwritten dictation and find no such attachment. The following therefore has no documented source that I can find thus far and should be used with caution:
      [A.] Father: Samuel Newton Adair; Mother: Helen Gennett Brown Adair; Children:
      Charles Newton Adair
      Harriett Gennett Adair
      Byron Abraham Adair
      Jamima Jane Adair
      William Oran Adair
      Mary Virginia Adair
      Anna Cathrine Adair
      Sarah Edna Adair
      Olive Josephine Adair
      Thomas Jefferson Adair
      Marcus Owen Adair
      Sheldon Genealogy: Father: William Sheldon; Mother: Hannah Sheldon; Children:
      William Sheldon
      Sophrona Sheldon
      Sylvester Sheldon
      Harriet Sheldon
      Hannah Sheldon
      Brown Genealogy: Father: Abraham Brown; Mother: Harriet Sheldon Brown; Children:
      Newel Abraham Brown
      Harriet Amanda Brown
      Byron Welman Brown
      Austin Milton Brown
      Clinton Oran Brown
      Helen Gennett Brown
      Leveret Wesley Brown
      [B.] Samuel Newton Adair - Born at Itawomba County, Mississippi, Dec. 11, 1839. Baptized by Samuel Jefferson Adair, in 1847. Ordained an Elder by John Freeman. Ordained a High Priest by Apostle Erastus Snow, at Luna, New Mexico Nov. 24, 1885. Married to Helen Gennett Brown by Robert Covington at Washington, Utah, Dec, 15,1863. Endowed at Endowment House, Salt Lake City, Utah, June 18, 1867. Patriarchal Blessing by Emer Harris. Filled Mission to Moqice Village - Went Nov. 1862. Returned on Jan. 10, 1863. Migrated from Mississippi to Nauvoo. Died at Luna, New Mexico, May 16, 1925.
      [C.] Helen Gennett Brown - Born at Kirtland, Ohio, April 4, 1845. Married to Samuel Newton Adair, by Robert Covington at Washington, Utah, Dec. 15, 1863. Endowed at Endowment House, Salt Lake City, June 18, 1867. Migrated from Ohio to Nauvoo. Died at Luna, New Mexico, Jan. 11, 1933."
      [D. Children of Samuel Newton Adair:]
      Charles Newton Adair - Born at Washington City, Washington County, Utah Jan. 13, 1865. Baptized by Robert F. Goold Aug. 23, 1874. Confirmed by Samuel Newton Adair, Aug. 23, 1874. Married to Mary Elva Woolsey by William Johnson at Thatcher, Arizona, March 19, 1888. Endowed at Arizona Temple Oct. 24, 1935. Migrated from Utah to Arizona, Nov. 11, 1879. Died at Eager, Arizona, Aug. 16, 1939.
      Harriet Gennett Adair - Born at Washington City, Washington County, Utah, Nov. 13, 1866. Married Owen W. Clark at Salt Lake City Temple, Nov. 26, 1884.
      Byron Abraham Clark - Born at Washington City, Washington County, Utah, March 9, 1869. Ordained a Deacon by Samuel Newton Adair, March 6, 1884. Migrated from Utah to Arizona. Died at Luna, New Mexico April 29, 1933.
      Jamima Jane Adair - Born at Washington City, Washington County, June 29, 1871. Married to William C. Baldwin by Gilbert D. Greer at Luna, New Mexico. Died at Taylor, Arizona, June 8, 1919.
      William Oran Adair - Born at Washington City, Washington County, Utah, Oct. 12, 1873. Died at Washington, Utah, July 18, 1876.
      Mary Virginia Adair - Born at Washington City, Washington County, Utah, Feb. 23, 1876. Baptized by Lemuel A. Pace, May 1, 1884. Confirmed by Benjamin Noble, May 1, 1884. Married to John Henry Petty, May 24, by Melvin Swapp at Luna, New Mexico. Endowed at St. George Temple. Died at Luna, New Mexico, April 4, 1908.
      Anna Catherine Adair - Born at Washington City, Washington County, Utah, May 11, 1879. Baptized by Samuel B. Tenney, Aug. 1, 1889. Confirmed by William H. Reynolds, Aug. 1, 1889. Married to James Smith McFate, April 21, 1904, by Amon McFate at Luna, New Mexico. Endowed at St. George, Utah. Died at Luna, New Mexico, July 13, 1916.
      Sarah Edna Adair - Born at Concho, Apache County, Arizona, Nov. 27 1881. Blessed by Samuel Newton Adair. Baptized by William H. Reynolds, June 5, 1890. Confirmed by Gilbert D. Greer. Married to William S. Laney by John R. Windsor at Salt Lake City, Oct. 8, 1909. Endowed at Endowment Room, Salt Lake Temple. Died at Luna, New Mexico, Dec. 11, 1918.
      Olive Josephine Adair - Born at Nutrioso, Apache County, Arizona, May 28, 1884. Blessed by Samuel N. Adair, May 28, 1884. Baptized by Samuel N. Adair, Sept. 1, 1892. Confirmed by M. H. Thompson Sept. 1, 1892. Married to Charles Ronald Stewart by J. J. Hale, at Luna, New Mexico, Nov. 26, 1906. Endowed at Mesa Temple, Mesa Arizona, May 24, 1928. Died at Luna, New Mexico, April 12, 1937.
      Thomas Jefferson Adair - Born at Nutrioso, Apache County, Arizona, May 28, 1884. Blessed by Samuel N. Adair, May 28, 1884. Baptized by Samuel Newton Adair, Sept. 1, 1892. Confirmed by M. H. Thompson, Sept. 1, 1892. Ordained a Deacon by Samuel N. Adair, Jan. 31, 1897. Ordained a Priest by Samuel N. Adair, Dec. 28, 1902. Ordained a Teacher by Samuel N. Adair, May 20, 1901. Endowed at Salt Lake City, 1904. March 21, 1904, left on a Mission to Arkansas. Returned from his Mission to St. Johns, Arizona, where he died Aug. 1, 1906. Thomas spent 28 months in the Mission Field in Arkansas. He became ill with typhoid malaria fever and was honorably released to return home. He only got to St. Johns, where he died.
      Marcus Owen Adair - Born at Luna, Socorro County, New Mexico, Oct. 8, 1886. Blessed by Samuel N. Adair, Jan. 6, 1887. Baptized by Samuel N. Adair, Sept. 5, 1895. Confirmed by W. H. Reynolds, Sept. 5, 1895. Ordained a Deacon by Samuel N. Adair, Dec. 28, 1902. Married to Anna Fuentes, April 21, 1914, by A. J. Kent at Luna, New Mexico. Died at Luna, New Mexico, Dec. 8, 1926.

      BIOGRAPHY:
      1. I received from A.C. (Collins) Chapman a hard copy of his 16 page biography entitled "Nettie Adair aka Mary Genette Adair Chapman, Some Remembrances of her Growing up Years (A Taped Interview)," by A.C. Chapman, January 2006. The following passage records her memories about her grandparents Samuel Newton and Helen Genett Brown Adair as follows:
      Pp. 6-7: Question: "Tell us a little about your grandmother Adair. What was her name?
      Answer: "Her name was Helen Genette Brown Adair. (Could you tell us a little of what you remember about her?) She was born in Kirtland, Ohio and came across the plains. (Do you remember her birthday?) It was the 4th of April, in 1848. As I said, I would always go up and help her with her dishes and her work. I can remember that she had a little red bottle that she called her camphor bottle. She would put a little alcohol and some camphor it it and every night just before she went to bed, she would tip that bottle up one time on her tongue.
      Question: "That was kind of like the asafetida bags that people wore to keep away contagious diseases or whatever was going around.
      Answer: " Yes, and she never had a cold and was never sick or anything like that. She kept this camphor bottle on the mantle in plain sight, and we all knew what it was and what it was for. I think they first moved to Concho. They were called from Washington, Washington County in Utah, and Concho was the first place that they settled in Arizona. Later on they moved to St. Johns and were then called to settle in Nutrioso. and after that they moved to Luna, New Mexico.
      Question: "What type of woman was she physically, was she tall, short or what?"
      Answer: "She was short and rather heavy set. (What were her favorite things?) Well, I have the quilt of daddy's that she made for him when he was quite young. She liked to make quilts, and she would crochet and knit. Daddy gave this quilt to me, and as you are the oldest son, you will get it if you want it. She made it for him before he ever got married.
      Question: "So you remember any stories she used to tell you about coming across the plains?"
      Answer: "No, I don't, I sure don't. If she did I just don't remember it. In those days we just didn't record the histories like we should have. There are so many things we could have written if we had just realized how much they would have meant to us in later years. Grandmother was a woman that didn't talk very much. We don't know but very little about her family. She didn't talk about them too much. I do remember that while she was alive, she had a brother by the name of Leveret Brown. He lived in Salt Lake, and she would talk about him from time to time. She also had a sister who lived down at Safford, Arizona, and she would come up and see her a lot. We called her Aunt Mandy.(Harriet Amanda Brown Tyler was Helen Genette Brown's oldest sister who died in January of 1906.)"
      Question: "What do you remember of about your grandfather, Samuel Newton Adair?"
      Answer: "Not too much. Grandfather Adair was born in Itawamba County, Mississippi in 1839. He was a cotton farmer when he was young. (Do you remember how he came into the Church?) No. I don't, but he wasn't born in the Church. After he joined the Church, he was called by Brigham Young to settle in Washington County, Utah to help start the cotton industry there. I helped him write his history after I got home from my mission, and I have it here in my book. Grandpa was very religious, and I think he was in the bishopric when the Luna Ward was first organized. He always worked in the Church."
      Question: "Was he a cattleman along with your father?"
      Answer: "No, he was more of a farmer. He had a little farmland, and did quite a bit of farming. (This was in Luna?) Yes. He was one of the earlier settlers of Luna. After living in St. Johns for a while, the family moved to Nutrioso, and then came from there to Luna. (Was there anyone living in Luna when he moved there?) Oh yes, there were a few families, but not too many."

      PHOTO:
      1. Photo on file received from A.C. (Collins) Chapman.

      BIRTH:
      1. FHL Film 2456: "Early LDS Church Membership Records for Nutrioso, Arizona": Record of the Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Nutrioso Ward, St. Johns Stake of Zion. Page not noted:
      S.N. Adair; father: Samuel J. Adair; mother: Jamima Mangum; b. 11 Dec 1839 at Eightywomby [Itawamba Co.], Mississippi; first baptism: 1847 by S.J. Adair; first confirmation: 1847 by J?.; ordained an Elder.
      Hellen G.B. Adair; father: Abraham Brown; mother: Harriet Sheldon; b. 4 Apr 1845 at Kirtland,, Ohio.
      Charles Newton Adair; father: Samuel N. Adair; mother: H.G.B. Adair; b. 13 Jan 1864 at Washington, Washington, Utah; blessing 1865; first baptism: 23 Aug 1874 by RlH. Gould; first confirmation: 23 Aug 1874 by S.N. Adair.
      Hariet G. Adair; father: Samuel N. Adair; mother: H.G.B. Adair; b. 13 Nov 1866 at Washington, Washington, Utah.
      Byron A. Adair; father: Samuel N. Adair; mother: H.G.B. Adair; b. 9 Mar 1869 at Washington, Washington, Utah; blessing 1869 by S.N. Adair; first bapt 1869 by S.N. Adair; first baptism: 2 Oct 1879 by McCrery.
      Jamima J. Adair; father: Samuel N. Adair; mother: H.G.B. Adair; b. 29 Jun 1871 at Washington, Washington, Utah; blessing 1871.
      Mary V. Adair; father: Samuel N. Adair; mother: H.G.B. Adair; b. 23 Feb 1876 at Washington, Washington, Utah; blessing 1876; first baptism: 1 May 1884 by S.A. Pace; first confirmation: 1 May 1884 by B. Noble.
      Annie C. Adair; father: Samuel N. Adair; mother: H.G.B. Adair; b. 11 May 1879 at Washington, Washington, Utah; blessing 1879.
      Sarah E. Adair; father: Samuel N. Adair; mother: H.G.B. Adair; b. at Erastus, Apache, Arizona; blessing by S.N. Adair.
      Olive Josephine Adair; father: Samuel N. Adair; mother: H.G.B. Adair; b. 28 May 1884 at Nutrioso, Apache, Arizona; blessing 28 May 1884 by S. N. Adair.
      Thomas J. Adair; father: Samuel N. Adair; mother: H.G.B. Adair; b. 28 May 1884 at Nutrioso, Apache, Arizona; blessing 28 May 1884 by S. N. Adair.

      MARRIAGE:
      1. Per website ; "Early Marriages (1862-1919) in Washington County, Utah: Male and Female Surname Indexes," compiled by Wesley W. Craig, Ph.D: "Adair, Samuel Newton, residing Washington, Wash., UT and Helen Gennett Brown, residing Washington, Wash., UT, mar. 15 Dec 1863 at Washington, Wash., UT, number LDS Surv-1."

      2. Website: "Western States Marriage Record Index":
      Groom Last Name: Adair
      Groom First Name: Samuel Newton
      Groom Residence: Washington, Washington, Utah
      Bride Last Name: Brown
      Bride First Name: Helen Gennett
      Bride Residence: Washington, Washington, Utah
      Place: Washington City
      Date: 15 Dec 1863
      County of Record: Cache
      State: Utah
      Volume: 1
      Page: 27
      Marriage ID: 242578
      Comment: Source: LDS Genealogical Surveys (FHC #1,059,454)

      BURIAL:
      1. Photo on file of tombstone in the Luna Cemetery: "Genet Adair, 1845-1933." Also many of her descendants are in this same cemetery.