Robert Brown (Pennsylvania politician)

Robert Brown (December 25, 1744 – February 26, 1823) was a United States Representative from Pennsylvania. Born in Weaversville, Pennsylvania, he attended the common schools and was apprenticed to the blacksmith trade. At the beginning of the American Revolutionary War he was commissioned first lieutenant in the Pennsylvania "Flying Camp" on September 10, 1776; he was captured at the surrender of Fort Washington on November 16, 1776, and worked at the blacksmith trade while a prisoner. He was later put aboard the prison ship Judith and was subsequently imprisoned in New York City's Old City Hall. He was paroled on board ship December 10, 1777.

Brown was a member of the Pennsylvania Senate from 1783 to 1787, and was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the Fifth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Samuel Sitgreaves. He was reelected to the Sixth and to the seven succeeding Congresses and served from December 4, 1798 to March 3, 1815. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1814, and retired from public life and lived on his farm. In 1823 he died near Weaversville; interment was in East Allen Presbyterian Churchyard.

References

• Robert Brown at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress