Brown, Moses

Biography

Biographical Narrative

Moses Brown (October 2, 1742-February 9, 1827), prominent merchant and citizen of Newburyport, Massachusetts, was the youngest of thirteen children of Joseph Jr. and Abigail Brown. As a boy he was apprenticed to a chaise-maker and upon adulthood he started in business himself as a carriage manufacturer. Eventually he turned to commerce, developing a large foreign and domestic trade, especially in sugar, molasses and distilled rum. He increased his investments until he was the owner of several wharves, wharehouses, and distilleries, as well as extensive real estate in Newburyport and vicinity.

Source: Dictionary of American Biography, Volume 3. New York: Scribner, 1929. p. 147.

From the guide to the Moses Brown Papers, 1777-1815, (University of California, Davis. General Library. Dept. of Special Collections.)