The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Brown, David (preacher)

BROWN, David, Cherokee preacher: b. about 1800; d. Creek Path, Miss., 14 Sept. 1829. He was educated with his sister Catherine at the school of Rev. Cyrus Kingsbury, in what was then the Cherokee territory, in northern Alabama and Mississippi, and engaged with her in educating and christianizing their native tribe. He was a preacher and interpreter, and also acted as secretary of the Indian government. In November 1819 he assisted John Arch in the preparation of a Cherokee spelling-book, which was printed. Through his agency a mission was established at Creek Path town in 1820. David Brown united with the Church at this time, and in the spring of the same year went to Cornwall, Conn., to attend school. After two years there he spent a year at Andover, fitting himself for the ministry. Returning to his birthplace, he began his missionary work and made many converts to Christianity among the Cherokees. According to a letter written by him in 1825, the Christian religion was generally adopted by the tribe and an advanced standard of civilization had been attained by them. He died before the Cherokees were dispossessed by the United States in defiance of treaty obligations.