84R7087 MGB-D
By: Bonnen of Brazoria H.C.R. No. 58
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, A former slave who rose to prominence as a
businessman and civic leader, Charlie Brown played a significant
role in the history of Brazoria County, and his life and legacy are
indeed worthy of tribute; and
WHEREAS, Born in Virginia, Charlie Brown traveled west to
Texas following his emancipation and settled in Brazoria County;
though unable to read or write, he had an innate business sense that
led him to a number of successful entrepreneurial endeavors; he
harvested cedar lumber to be milled in Galveston and shipped to
furniture makers in New York, and his interests grew to include a
gristmill, a syrup mill, and a cotton gin; and
WHEREAS, With the wealth he acquired, Mr. Brown purchased
land, eventually amassing some 3,000 acres near present-day
Danciger and another 200 in what is now West Columbia, where at one
time he owned a third of the town's property; he married a former
slave of the Dance family, Isabella, and the couple acquired the
Dance estate for their home; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Brown donated land for schools in Danciger,
Linville, and West Columbia; the latter of the three became the
Charlie Brown School, which educated children of color in the
community for many decades before it was closed in 1965; Mr. Brown
believed strongly that students should learn about and understand
the struggles of their African American forebears, and he began a
Juneteenth Celebration to commemorate the end of slavery in Texas;
and
WHEREAS, When Charlie Brown passed away in 1920 at the age of
92, he was thought to be the wealthiest African American in the
state, and he was highly respected by people from all walks of life;
in 1955, a street was dedicated in his name by order of the city
council of West Columbia, and most recently, his achievements and
generosity were recognized with the mayoral proclamation of Charlie
Brown Day in West Columbia on August 30, 2014; and
WHEREAS, Although he lived through slavery and its
injustices, Charlie Brown became a prosperous landowner and a force
for good in his community, and his remarkable story serves as an
enduring source of inspiration; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 84th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby commemorate the life of Charlie Brown and honor the unique
contribution he made to the history of Brazoria County and the State
of Texas.