c.1850-1912
The New York Age called Harriet King Brown “an energetic woman and a credit to her race”. The Sunday Call wrote, “She was interested in many charitable enterprises and was a successful businesswoman.”
Harriet was one of the first public school teachers under James Baxter at the Colored School in Newark. She was listed as assistant to James Baxter with her sister Marcia.
Harriet helped organize the Sunday School at St. Philips Church and was an organist at St. Philips for many years.
Harriet lived at 70 Warren Street and was part of the King Family, a Black family who had been in Newark for over 150 years at the time of her death. She was the daughter of Mary Thompson King and sister of Marcia and Ellen.
The New York Age said Harriet was involved in many charitable endeavors as well as business — she had dealt in real estate investments. Her husband John Brown was City Messenger under Mayor Haynes. Her Newark News obituary says “she was deeply invested in real estate and amassed a fortune” and indeed many real estate transactions appear under her name in the Newark News.
Bibliography
“Death of Mrs. Harriet A. Brown” New York Age Sept 12, 1912
Mayors Message/Reports, 1876 and 1878
“Mrs. Harriet A Brown” Newark News, Aug 31, 1912
Thanks to Noelle Lorraine Williams for sharing this name and New York Age obituary.
“Mrs. Harriet A Brown” Newark Sunday Call Sept 8, 1912