BLACK HISTORY MONTHClara Brown (c. 1800–1885) was a former slave from Virginia who became a community leader, philanthropist and aided settlement of former slaves during the time of Colorado's Gold Rush. She was known as the 'Angel of the Rockies' and made her mark as Colorado's first black settler and an "official pioneer." She became a prosperous entrepreneur and another example of how much people can accomplish when they are determined.
I learned about her this past month through a children's book by Linda Lowery titled Aunt Clara Brown: Official Pioneer. I think back on my elementary school years in Maple Heights, Ohio, and how much I loved the library. I especially enjoyed reading biographies. Children's books are wonderful means of introducing minds to memorable people and their stories.
Clara Brown's life in many respects says much about slavery without preaching. She was born into slavery, married a slave at 18 and had children. But the children were property and he dearest Eliza Jane was sold to someone else when she was 10.
Clara Brown herself was sold numerous times and lived in various states. Through Lowery's book I learned that slaves could indeed have good masters and when her master died in the 1850s she was given the opportunity to buy her freedom, which she was most eager to do.
Clara Brown was eager to go West when this prospecting craze hit. At first the caravan of pioneers were reluctant to have her come along when she sought them out in St. Louis, but she was determined and showed them her papers. She wasn't permitted to ride in the wagons, so she walked alongside the oxen on the 680 mile route as the wagon train headed out. Her only possessions to begin with were a washtub and boiler. At this time she was in her late 50s.
From the start she made herself useful, making meals, washing clothes, taking care of the sick, nursing them to health with herbal teas and other remedies. When they arrived the gold fever was everywhere. Men were too excited about prospecting to think about much else. So, for Clara Brown it was an entrepreneurial opportunity that she took advantage of.
In the Denver area, Brown settled in nearby Auraria where she worked at the City Bakery. Following the tide of miners heading into the mountains, Brown set up the first laundry in Colorado at Gilpin County in Gregory Gulch, now called Central City, Colorado. She also worked as a midwife, cook and nursemaid. After a while she was able to put aside $10,000, which was real money in those days. She then began buying up real estate.
She had a spiritual side and became one of the founding members of the nondenominational Union Sunday school through her affiliation with two Methodist missionary ministers. According to Wikipedia, "Brown gave generously of herself to those in the community. She hosted the first Methodist church services at her house and helped those in need any way she could, whether newly settled Euro-Americans or Native Americans. Lovingly called "Aunt Clara," her home was, "a hospital, a home, a general refuge for those who were sick or in poverty." She was quoted as saying, "I always go where Jesus calls me." The Catholic Church and the first Protestant church in the Rocky Mountains were built partly through Brown's donations toward their construction."
After the Civil War she had this strong compulsion to find her daughter so she returned East to Kentucky looking for her family. She learned that her husband and daughter Margaret were dead and that a son was lost. Still she pressed on in her quest to find Eliza Jane.
She failed in this effort, but helped between 16 and 26 relatives and former slaves to get a new start in life by bringing them to Colorado. She gave each family a home or piece of land and taught them how to go into business for themselves. In return she asked them to spread the word that she was still longing to find Eliza Jane.
By age 80 her own funds were depleted from helping others and from being cheated by real estate agents. (Even then old folks got taken advantage of.)
Colorado made an edict to call anyone who went to that territory before 1865 was an "official pioneer" and eligible for a pension. When she went to collect, however, she learned that you had to be white and you had to be a man.
Once again she leaned on her friends. She'd helped so many people that she was nicknamed "Aunt Clara Brown." Friends wrote letters, gave speeches, and ultimately succeeded in helping her get the official approval as a Pioneer, making her eligible for the pension she'd been denied.
When she was 83 she received a letter from a woman in Council Bluffs, Iowa saying that there was a woman who worked at the post office who had been a slave, and sold away from her mother when she was 10 or 11. Her name was Eliza Jane.
Clara Brown got on a train and headed East again. Her friends raised the money to pay for the trip. When she arrived, she caught a trolley to Second Street where a woman came running out to greet her. Could it be?
Sure enough, the eyes said it all.
Eliza Jane moved to Colorado and was standing at her mother's side when she received her Pioneer award in her wheelchair.
Today her great-great grandchildren are Denver Bronco fans. (I just had to throw that in here.)
One of the big takeaways for me was seeing how her commitment to helping others came back in turn when she needed it later. Her values and life example are lessons for all of us.
Related Links
Aunt Clara Brown: Official Pioneer
How Much Do You Know About Sojourner Truth
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