James (Polly) Brown and Eunice Reasor
James Brown and his wife Eunice lived in Greenville, Floyd County, Indiana, where they were prosperous farmers. About 1843 they became affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They left Indiana and moved to Fredericktown, Missouri, then to Macoupin County in Illinois, then to Nauvoo, Illinois in 1844. From then on they endured the trials and hardships of that people and when they were driven from Illinois they turned their faces westward with the rest of the Saints, being firm in their convictions concerning their newly found religion.
In 1846, at Council Bluffs, Iowa, a call was made for a battalion of 500 men from among the Mormons to fight in the Mexican War. James Brownvolunteered his services. Since there were two "James Browns" within the Mormon Battalion, James took his mother's maiden name, Polly, as a middle name to distinguish him from the other James Brown. James was mustered in the service of the United States in the Colonel Allen Company, taking with him his family as did some of the other volunteers. He was one of those sent to care for the sick and encourage them to keep faith and give them the care they could under the circumstances. His good wife, Eunice, did all she could caring for the sick as well as for her own family. Their two oldest sons, William Ferguson and Frederick Reasor had died a few years previous to this, leaving Neuman the oldest child; he was only 16 but he carried on a man’s work. Robert was 14, Sara Jane 12, and Mary Ann 4 years old at the time.
After the Mexican War ended in May 1847, they left Pueblo and arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah, where they disbanded. On the way to Salt Lake City, Eunice gave birth to her seventh child, John Taylor Brown. Then they were called, with others, to settle Manti, Sanpete County, Utah, where they arrived November 22, 1849.
In 1846, at Council Bluffs, Iowa, a call was made for a battalion of 500 men from among the Mormons to fight in the Mexican War. James Brownvolunteered his services. Since there were two "James Browns" within the Mormon Battalion, James took his mother's maiden name, Polly, as a middle name to distinguish him from the other James Brown. James was mustered in the service of the United States in the Colonel Allen Company, taking with him his family as did some of the other volunteers. He was one of those sent to care for the sick and encourage them to keep faith and give them the care they could under the circumstances. His good wife, Eunice, did all she could caring for the sick as well as for her own family. Their two oldest sons, William Ferguson and Frederick Reasor had died a few years previous to this, leaving Neuman the oldest child; he was only 16 but he carried on a man’s work. Robert was 14, Sara Jane 12, and Mary Ann 4 years old at the time.
After the Mexican War ended in May 1847, they left Pueblo and arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah, where they disbanded. On the way to Salt Lake City, Eunice gave birth to her seventh child, John Taylor Brown. Then they were called, with others, to settle Manti, Sanpete County, Utah, where they arrived November 22, 1849.