Brown, Obadiah B., D.D., was born in Newark, N. J., July 20, 1779. He was educated a Presbyterian but in early. life espoused the views of Baptists.

Baptist Church History – Facebook

Top contributor  · 2h  · Daily Baptist Encyclopedia – Post by Jim Curran

Brown, Obadiah B., D.D., was born in Newark, N. J., July 20, 1779. He was educated a Presbyterian but in early. life espoused the views of Baptists. He was engaged in teaching for several years, and about the age of twenty-four was bap- tized. Wishing to devote himself to the ministry, he studied theology under the care of the Rev. W. Van Horn, of Scotch Plains. After his ordination he preached for a short time at Salem, N. J., and removing thence to Washington, D. C., in 1807, he became pastor of the First Baptist church in that city; in which relation he continued for’ up- wards of forty years (1850), until growing physical infirmities prevented his officiating’ longer. ‘ He was chosen repeatedly chaplain to Congress. Dr. Brown took a deep’ interest in education, and was for a long time a most efficient member of the board of trustees of the Columbian College. He was greatly interested also ‘in missions, and in con- nection with Rice and:others promoted the organ- ization of the Baptist General Convention for mis- sionary purposes. His pulpit efforts were marked by an unusual vigor of mind, and sometimes by great power and effectiveness.’ He died May 2, 1852. From the Baptist Encyclopedia by William Cathcart photo and further information below from findagraveAmerican Biography, A New Cyclopedia,@ Volume XLII, p. 21-22, published under the direction of The American Historical Society, Inc., New York, 1930.The Rev. Obadiah Bruen Brown, son of Eleazer and Mary (Bruen) Brown, and grandfather of Harrington Brown of this record, was born at Newark, New Jersey, on July 20, 1779. He was a man of versatile talents, active in church and philanthropic enterprises and in the sphere of public affairs. He established the first Baptist Church in Washington and gave it his services without cost. He contributed generously of his substance to the support of charitable and benevolent work carried on by the Baptist Church, was widely known for his brilliant eloquence, and was a member of the most scintillating groups ever to inhabit official Washington. From his intimate friend, Andrew Jackson, he received the appointment of chief clerk in the post office department, which he filled with every success during Jackson=s administrations. His wife, who was Mrs. Elizabeth Jackson, an English widow whose maiden name is unknown, was also a prominent figure in Washington social life. She was a devoted church worker and the founder of the Protestant Orphan’s Home in Washington, an enterprise which was carried on in successive generations by her daughter and granddaughter-in-law.