Brown, John Nicholas

John Nicholas Brown (1861-1900) was born on December 17, 1861, at the family homestead in Providence, Rhode Island. He was the eldest son of John Carter Brown and Sophia Augusta (Brown) Brown. John Nicholas Brown was a member of one of the most prominent and distinguished families in Rhode Island, and an eighth generation descendant of Chad Brown, one of the original settlers of Providence Plantations. The family was active during the American Revolution and a supporter of the Federal Constitution. The Browns proved to be resourceful and prosperous merchants and manufacturers, pioneers in the China trade, and well-known manufacturers of spermaceti candles. During the nineteenth century, the Brown family transferred their vested interests from commerce to cotton manufacturing. The Brown family was a political, economic, philosophical, religious and philanthropic leader in Rhode Island.

During his childhood, John Nicholas Brown resided at 357 Benefit Street on the East Side of Providence. There he received his early education under the direction of private tutors. The family summered in Newport, Rhode Island, at their Mansion House located on Bellevue Avenue. Due to the nature of his father's business activities, John Nicholas Brown and his family lived and traveled throughout Europe for many years. Following the death of his father in 1874, John Nicholas Brown spent two years abroad traveling with his family. He resided in Cannes for the winter season, and during the summer months, he visited museums. As a young teen, John Nicholas had the opportunity to tour the Louvre, the Bibliotecque Nationale, various churches, art museums, and private libraries.

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