Notes:

June 12, 1904 Obituary reads:

Death of Mrs. Matilda A. Brown.

Mrs Matilda A. Brown, (ne Haskins) widow of the late J, C, Brown, Died at her home in Mandarin at 2:30 o'clock Sunday morning the 12th inst.

She had been a patient sufferer for several years, but her complaint was not considered dangerous until about ten days before her death it assumed a serious nature, she grew worse rapidly and her physician advised that her children be notified at once of her condition as he entertained no hopes of her recovery. All that medical skill could od was of no avail she grew gradually worse until the end came.

She was born in Charleston, S C, October, 20th 1833, six years after, her parents moved to St. Augustine, shortly after this her mother died and her father enlisted in the Indian War and died also in 1851, leaving her and two brothers, James and William, orphans. At the age of 16, on the 5th day of July 1851, she and her brothers were taken to Tampa by their uncle Vincent Leonardy, two years later she returned to St. Augustine on a visit and while there was invited by her cousin, Mrs. Mary Bowden to visit her at Mandarin.

It was during this visit that she met her husband, Mr. J. C. Brown, it was love at first sight and they were married in a short while after, living the rest of her life and dieing on the spot where they were married. She was a widow only a short while, her husband having died January 15, 1902.

She is survived by six daughters and two sons; Mr. C. M. Brown, of May Port, Mr. R. E. Brown of New York, Mrs. W. H. Stormes and Mrs. A. R. Doran of Panama Part, Mrs. P. E. LeBaron and Miss Nena C. Brown of Jacksonville, Miss Sidney Brown of Mandarin, and Mrs. P. J. Canova of Green Cove Springs. She was surrounded by all of her children at her death and the scene at the death bed was touching beyond description.

There was never a mother more loved by her children than she, nor a family more affectionate and loving to each other than they. She was loved by all who knew her and the esteem in which she was held can only be judged by the host of friends who called with beautiful floral offerings, to pay their last respects to the dead, and the long procession which followed her to her last resting place.

She was always a devout member of the Catholic Church. Her last words to the priest were, "I have always tried to live an honest, truthful, virtuous and christian life," which was highly commented upon by him. She will be missed by her many friends as she was charitable especially to the sick.

Her interment took place Monday at 10 o'clock in the Catholic Cemetry at Mandarin, Rev. Father Baum Gartner officiating.