Moses Brown

Early Life and Beginnings

Moses Brown, born on September 23, 1738, was raised in the prominent and prosperous merchant family of James Brown II and Hope Power Brown in the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations – present-day Providence. His early life bore the weight of wealth and expectations, despite his father’s untimely death in 1739. Raised by his industrious uncle, Obadiah Brown, Moses was exposed to the trades of rum distilling, iron forging, and various merchant activities, even unfortunate ventures like the ill-fated slave ship Sally in 1764.

Family Industries and Political Involvement

Upon the death of Obadiah in 1762, Moses and his brothers Nicholas, Joseph, and John inherited shares in these thriving businesses, which were then rebranded as Nicholas Brown & Co. The family had a strong presence in the Rhode Island community, particularly as descendants of Chad Brown, a co-founder of Providence Plantations. The Browns’ influence extended to their active role in establishing the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, eventually renamed Brown University.

Beyond his commercial ventures, Moses served as a deputy to the Rhode Island General Assembly from 1764 to 1771, working against the Stamp Act of 1765. He participated in the relocation of the College to Providence from Warren and donated family land for the new campus.

Personal Life Transitions

Moses married his cousin, Anna Brown, in 1764 and together, they parent two children who survived beyond infancy and a daughter who sadly, did not. After Anna’s demise in 1773, Moses began to retreat from the family’s enterprises, drawn instead to the Quaker faith.

Second Marriage and Industrial Innovations

In 1779, Moses married another Quaker devotee, Mary Olney. Around 1788, demonstrating his charm for enterprise, Moses ventured into textiles with his cousin Smith Brown and future son-in-law William Almy. Inspired by British advances in water-powered mills, he hired English immigrant Samuel Slater to recreate such an innovation in Pawtucket. Thus, in 1793, the first water-powered spinning mill was born.

Final Years and Legacy

One of Moses’ unique strides was his involvement in the agriculture sector, promoting experiments on his farm. He was among the founding members of the Rhode Island Agricultural Society. The 1797 yellow fever epidemic saw Moses advocating sanitary practices and later, introducing smallpox vaccination to Rhode Island.

In the wake of the War of 1812, Moses’ pacifist nature shone through his founding of the Rhode Island Peace Society. He ardently collated valuable historical records relating to colonial Rhode Island, eventually serving as a chairman for the Rhode Island Historical Society.

Moses passed on September 6, 1836, due to gastroenteritis. His life story consists of his traverse through personal and social chaos, navigating numerous family deaths and leaving a meager lineage. His last will bore testament to his empathy, as his surviving assets were given to his stepchildren and the Society of Friends.

Philanthropy and Anti-Slavery Crusade

Moses was distinctly remembered for his notable humanitarian efforts. After becoming a Quaker, Moses dedicated his life to the abolition of slavery, releasing the last of his enslaved workers in 1773. His rigorous anti-slavery efforts urged the passing of a law in 1787 prohibiting Rhode Islanders from partaking in the slave trade. Also, in 1789, Moses founded the Providence Society for Abolishing the Slave Trade, striving to enforce the newly-passed anti-slavery laws.

A Passion for Education

Moses’ commitment to education ignited with the revamp of the New England Yearly Meeting School. His donations in terms of land, funds, and book collections were instrumental in re-establishing the school. Later renamed Moses Brown School in 1913, it still stands as a leading preparatory school in the United States.

Despite the economic and political power he wielded, Moses chose to commit himself to cultivating social justice and education, demonstrating his vital role as a moral compass during the American industrial revolution era.