October 22, 1891 November 11, 1891 May 31, 1907 June 10, 1907 February 14, 1908 June 7, 1908

Family Reunion Article The Brownback Family Brownback Family Meets Old Family Memorial Second Annual Reunion

June 22, 1908 June 23, 1908 September 9, 1908 September 21, 1908 October 3, 1908 October 12, 1908

1908 Reunion Family Reunion Brownback Memorial Ass'n Relating to the Brownbacks Announcement regarding unveiling of monument Unveiling of monument

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Family Reunion Daily Local News, October 22, 1891

A preliminary meeting of the descendants of Gerhard Brumbacht, now Brownback, will be held at the residence of Jesse Brownback, East Coventry, on Thursday, Nov. 5th, 1891, at 1 o'clock, p.m., to make arrangements for holding a reunion of the family some time during 1892.

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Article--Daily Local News, November 11, 1891

At the meeting of the Brownback family, held at Jesse Brownback's, the following, officers were elected: Harman Prizer, President; Abraham Fetters, Secretary; Garrett E. Brownback; Assistant Secretary; Jesse Brownback, Treasurer. They also appointed committees to collect money for the purpose of erecting a monument over the remains of old Gerhard Brownback, at Brownback's Church, who built and gave the ground for the first German Reformed Church in Pennsylvania.

The committee to collect money are: Elmira Brownback, Vincent; Mary Brownback, Uwchlan; Harry Brownback, Phoenixville; Bella Prizer, North Coventry; Oliver Brownback, 1526 North 8th, Phila.; Casper Francis, Spring City; A. B. Stauffer, Parker's Ford; Edward Emery, Pottstown; Edward Brownback, Trappe; Edward Brownback, Pleasant Plains, Ill.; Samuel H. Brownback, Assumption, Ill.; Hosanna Walton Simpson and Lucetia Garber, Vincent; Grant Binkinbinder, Royer's Ford; Holland Brownback, Downingtown; Harry Brownback, Norristown; Levi Brownback, Birchrunville; P. W. Brownback, Linfield; William Stauffer, Reading; Marius Brownback, Parker's Ford; Levi Bingaman, Coventryville; Laura Bunting, Norristown; Heckman Brownback, Royer's Ford. They adjourned to meet on Monday afternoon November 23, at Jesse Brownback's, when all are cordially invited to be present. The committee is also instructed to collect all the history they can of the Brownback family.

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The Brownback Family--Daily Local News, May 31, 1907

The reunion of the well known Brownback family of Chester county will be held at Bonnie Brae Park, Phoenixville, on June 8, and it is expected that more members of the family will attend this year than at any of the past reunions. The Brownback family is one of the oldest in Chester county, their ancestor being Garrett Brownback, one of the earliest settlers in the northern part of the county and founder of the Brownback Reformed Church.

Among the descendants of Garrett Brownback who will attend the reunion is Dr. Orlando W. Brownback, of Pendleton, Ind., who has not been in his native county for fourteen years. Dr. Brownback is coming east to attend a meeting of the American Medical Association to be held at Atlantic City during the second week of June, and is desirous of meeting his relatives and friends. Dr. Brownback is a son of William Brownback and Frances Brownback. His aged mother, who has attained her 94th year, is living with him in Pendleton. He is a brother of Levi Brownback, of West Vincent township; James Brownback, of Linfield, and Mrs. John Mosteller, of West Vincent. Dr. Wm. H. Mosteller, of Phoenixville, is his nephew.

About the only person by the name of Brownback in West Chester who is a lineal descendant of the original ancestor is Walton Brownback, of Dean street, who is proud of his lineage in this prominent family.

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Brownback Family Meets -- Daily Local News, June 10, 1907

A Spring City, Pa., special of June 9 says: The first annual reunion of the descendants of Gerhard Brownback met at Bonnie Brae Park yesterday, upward of 300 being present. Garrett Brownback, of Linfield, who is a member of the eighth generation, was historian of the gathering. The family will gather annually hereafter.

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Old Family Memorial--Daily Local News, February 14, 1908

An eight-ton monument of ________ granite is being finished at a Pottstown marble yard, on which will be cut the names of between 1700 and 1800 members of the Brownback family.

It is being made for Garrett E. Brownback, a rich creamery man of Linfield, and the top of it will contain an inscription reciting that it is in memory of Garrett Brownback and Mary Rittenhouse Papen who came from Germany in 1683, and died in 1757. He gave this land for a burial for his family and descendants and neighbors.

There are many descendants of Brownbacks in Chester county; the family being a large one. Recently a family reunion was held in this county which was attended by several hundred persons descended from the original settlers. Among these is Walton Brownback, of West Chester, who "points with pride" to his ancestry. He has several old relics of the family.

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Second Annual Reunion -- Daily Local News, June 7, 1908

THE SECOND ANNUAL REUNION of the BROWNBACK FAMILY will be held at Bonnie Brae Park near Phoenixville, on SATURDAY, JUNE 20TH (Twentieth), 1908. The following will be the programme for the day: 10 a.m. to 12 noon, assembling of family; 12 m. to 2 p.m., family dinner; 2:30 to 4 p.m. family conference. All connected with this family are invited. Also communicate with the President at Phoenixville.

W. H. Mosteller, M. D., President; Garrett E. Brownback, Treasurer; Rev. Oscar Brownback, Secretary; Harry I. Heistand, Royersford, Historical Secretary.

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1908 Reunion -- Daily Local News, June 22, 1908

Among the more than 1500 Brownbacks and Brumbaughs and other branches of this family who gathered at Bonnie Brae park, near this place, Saturday, at the second annual reunion of the Brownback Family Association, were many Philadelphians and hundreds of members from Montgomery, Chester and Delaware counties.

This association is composed of descendants of Garrett Brumbaugh, one of the men who built the first church in Germantown.

Garrett Brumbaugh came from Amsterdam--so the records of the historical committee have developed--on the ship Concord, sailing from Amsterdam on October 6, 1683. Arrived at the port of Philadelphia, Brumbaugh setled (sic) in what is now Germantown. In the years which followed the name underwent a slight change, until now almost all the descendants of the early Dutch pioneer are Brownbacks, although there still are a goodly number of Brumbaughs. In 1734 the Brumbaughs and Brownbacks were strongest in Chester county, near Bethel, in Vincent and Coventry townships, and the Brownback homestead being only a short distance from an Indian village.

In 1726 Benjamin Brownback, a son of Garrett Brownback, pioneer, established the first tavern in that section, along what is still called "The Ridge Road" and is still known as Hiestand's Corner among Chester countians. Here it was that Benjamin Brownback's wife was robbed and murdered, her murderer never having been captured. In 1741 Brownback's Church, one of the famous and historic landmarks in Chester county, was established by member of the family. To-day descendants of the Dutch pioneer are among the most prominent people living in Chester and Montgomery counties, and many Philadelphians are members of the Association.

The reunion Saturday was of the nature of a big family gathering--speeches by members of the Association, election of officers for the ensuing year and a big family dinner spread under the trees in the park.

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Family Reunion -- Daily Local News, June 23, 1908

The second annual reunion of the Brownback family was largely attended at Bonnie Brae on Saturday, June 20th. By twelve o'clock a very happy crowd of old and young members of the family from far and near had gathered around the long and bountifully spread tables. This "family dinner" is a most enjoyable feature of the reunion and nothing so conduces to promote the family feeling as this prolonged and merry gathering around the tables.

At 2:30 was held the family conference. The President, Dr. William B. Mosteller, of Phoenixville, gave an address, not only of welcome, but of tribute to the sterling qualities of character of the ancestors of the Brownback family. A number of letters were then read. One of special interest from Caius Marcus Brumbaugh of Washington, D. C. Dr. Brumbaugh is compiling a complete history of the whole Brownback family in America, and reports most important and interesting data received from Germany and Switzerland, carrying the Brownback family lines centuries back. He also extends greetings from the Huntingdon branch of the family, who on the 19th hold a reunion at Hollidaysburg.

An important feature of the family conference was to arrange for the presentation and unveiling of a monument to be placed in the Brownback Cemetery. This monument is a gift of Garrett E. Brownback, of Linfield, Pa., and commemorates the two hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary of the landing of Gerhard Brownback in America. This important ceremony is to take place in October and a large executive committee was appointed to have this celebration in charge. This committee includes Eugene Brownback, of Trappe; Jesse Brownback Keim, Philadelphia; Lewis C. Brownback, Spring City; Morris Brownback, Parkerford; Wm. B. Stauffer, Downigntown; U. S. G. Finkbinder, Royersford; John H. Brownback, Downingtown; Harmon Prizer, Pottstown; Harry I. Heistand, Esq., Royersford; Stephen S. Brownback, Philadelphia; S. L. Bingaman, Coventryville; Dr. O. W. Brownback, Pendleton, Ind; J. M. Brownback; Decatur, Ill.; John Ralston Bingaman, Altoona; Max Keiser, Germantown; Amos Heistand, Spring City.

After an election of officers for the ensuing year, resulting in the re-election of last years staff, with the exception of Recording Secretary, Rev. Oscar Brownback, who is in Europe continuing his studies.

The President of the Brownback organization is Dr. We. Brownback Mosteller (sic); Secretary, Sarah Lane Bingaman; Treasurer, Garrett E. Brownback; Historical Secretary, Harry I. Heistand; Custodian of Valuable Family Papers, Garrett E. Brownback. The Association then adjourned to meet again at Bonnie Brae in June of 1909, after listening to a beautiful poem written for the occasion and read by the author, Mr. John Ellis and ending thus:--

Then let us all in sweet accord
United be this sweet June day;
'Twill surely bring a rich reward,
In glints and gleams from Bonnie Brae.

A fine orchestra added to the enjoyment of another happy reunion of the Brownback family.

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Brownback Memorial Ass'n--Daily Local News, September 9, 1908

INFORMATION WANTED
The Brownback Memorial Association desires any person or persons who have any facts, traditions or other historical matters in relation to the Brownback family, or know of a small book published about 1800 on the life and German origin, also map of the 10,007 acres of land owned in Vincent Townwhip, by Gerhard Brownback, to make themselves known as (sic) once to the officers of said Association.

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Relating to the Brownbacks--Daily Local News, September 21, 1908

[E]ditor News:--I notice by an advertise[men]t that the Brownbacks wish informa[tion] respecting their ancestors, and es[pec]ially of a "map of the 10,007 acres [of ]land owned in Vincent township by [Ger]hard Brownback." I think it likely[ tha]t he may have owned some land in [Cov]entry, but doubt his owning much in [Vin]cent. From the statements in Futhey [???] Cope's History of Chester County, [pag]e 209, it would appear that the lands in Vincent were merely leased to the set[tler]s for many years. I have a plot of [the ]township, made in 1773 which locates [ma]ny of the tenants on the borders and [a f]ew in the interior. Gerhard or Garret [Bro]wnback was taxed in that region from [???] till his death in 1757. In 1736 he pe[titi]oned for license to keep a tavern, re[pres]enting himself to be in Coventry town[shi]p and much oppressed by travelers [wis]hing entertainment. His petition was [gra]nted and continued for many years, [???]t he was mostly located in Vincent. [His] son, Benjamin, who suc ceeded him [on] the homestead, appears by the map [in] 1773, to have held 630 acres, in the [for]m of a square, of which 216 were in [Co]ventry and 414 in Vincent. This includ[ed] the head waters of Stony Run. Ben[jam]in succeeded his father as tavern[kee]per and continued the buisness till his [dea]th in 1786.

Vincent township was then supposed to contain about 20,000 acres of land, half of which belonged to the heir of Major Robert Thompson, of Newington Green, county of Middlesex, England, in 1775, and the other half to the West New Jersey Society, barring possibly some small portions actually sold to settlers.

GILBERT COPE

Note: The margin of the clipping did not copy. The text in brackets [ ] is what I think the information should be. Where I couldn't make an educated guess I put in [???].

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Announcement regarding unveiling of monument--Daily Local News, October 3, 1908

All the details have been arranged for the big meeting of the descendants of Garrett Brownbaugh, who came to this country two hundred and twenty-five years ago, on October 10th, at Brownback's Church, in East Vincent, that county, at which time a memorial stone bearing the names of all the known descendants to the number of about fifteen hundred will be dedicated . The stone has been erected for some time.

The clan will meet at the old church at 10:30 a.m. There will be music by a band and the invocation will be made by Rev. Charles Blinghoff, pastor of the church. A biography of Garrett Brownbaugh will be read by William H. Mosteller, M. D. and Garett E. Brownback will deliver the genealogical address. The presentation of the stone will then take place and after the unveiling dinner will be served. The afternoon will be devoted to a social meeting of members of the family. A large number of acceptances have been received. Transportation will be provided from Spring City to the church, but the visitors will be charged a small sum for the same.

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Unveiling of Monument--Daily Local News, October 12, 1908

Hundreds of representatives of the Brownback family, mostly from Montgomery and Chester counties, gathered on Saturday at Brownback's Reformed Church, in East Vincent, Chester county, to witness the unveiling of a granite memorial to Garret Brownbaugh, the original ancestor of the family in America. He came from Germany 225 years ago, and the anniversary of his arrival was selected for the unveiling ceremonies. They comprised an invocation by the Rev. Charles Blingluff, pastor of Brownback's Church; biography of Garret Brownbaugh, Dr. William H. Mosteller, President of the Brownback family Associtation; genealogical history, Garrett E. Brownback, Linfield.

The memorial stone is the gift of Garrett E. Brownback, the rich creamery operator of Linfield. At the head is the inscription:

"In memory of Garret Brownbaugh-Mary Rittenhouse Papen, who came from Germany in 1683, died in 1757. He gave this land for a burial place for his family, his descendants and his neighbors."

Then followed the names of about 1400 of his descendants arranged in genealogical order. They cover both sides of the monument.

Then followed the names of about 50 of his descendants arranged in genealogical order. They cover both sides of the monument.

There were altogether about 1500 descendants. As the monument is probably six feet wide and six feet high, it will hold a number of names, and the names of only the heads of the branches are given.

An impressive feature of the day's ceremony was the procession around the church and the monument. All the people, old and young, numbering about 800, present from near and far, took part.

At the dinner the good things were served in profusion, and everybody had a full share.

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Articles found at the Chester County Historical Society Library, West Chester, Pennsylvania.