A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Brown, Catherine
BROWN, CATHERINE,
Was a half-blooded Cherokee, born at Willis Valley, in the state of Alabama, about the year 1800. Her father's name, in the Indian language, was Yau-nu-gung-yah-ski, which is, "drowned by a bear." His English name, from his father, was John Brown. Her mother's name was Tsa-luh, in the Cherokee. Her English name was Sarah. They were people of property, and far above the level of their nee, but still had no education—they could not speak a word of English. In 1816, the American Board of Foreign Missions sent the Rev. Cyrus Kingsbury to the Cherokee nation, for permission to establish a school in their territory. This was granted, and a school opened at Chickamaugah, within the territory of Tennessee. Catherine had heard of the school, although living at the distance of a hundred miles. She had learned to speak English, by residing at the house of a Cherokee friend, and could read in words of one syllable. She was now seventeen years of age, possessing very fine features, and of roseate complexion. She was decidedly the first of Cherokee beauties. She was modest, gentle, and virtuous, with a sweet and affectionate disposition. From her wealth and beauty, she had been indulged as the pride of her parents; but she was the most docile of all the missionary pupils. Her progress was wonderfully rapid. In three months, she learned to read and write This exceeds the progress of any one on record, in America or any other country. She soon became serious, and then religious; and was baptized in January, 1818. In June, 1820, she undertook to teach a school at Creek-path, near her father's house. She sbowed the greatest zeal in the cause of enlightening her countrywomen; those of all ages came to learn something of her. She established religious exercises in her father's house, and brought many to Christianity. She was not contented with the measure of information she had acquired, but intended to push her studies into higher branches of knowledge, which she knew to exist; but while she was contemplating great things for herself and her nation, her health began to decline. She had probably injured herself by too close application to her studies. The change from flying through the groves and paddling the canoe to such a sedentary life, which she must have severely felt, together with her anxiety for the conversion of her family, particularly of a brother, who had died the preceding year, aggravated her disease. She bore her sickness with great resignation, and her piety made a deep impression on the hearts of all who knew and loved her. She died July 18th., 1823, and was buried at Creek-path, beside her dear brother John, whom she had been instrumental in converting to Christianity.