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Charity Elizabeth Crim Brown

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Birth	:	25 Dec 1854 Shelby County, Indiana, USA
Death	:	4 Aug 1940 Centralia, Lewis County, Washington, USA
Burial	:	Washington Lawn Cemetery, Centralia, Lewis County, USA
Coordinate	:	46.7209320, -122.9606040
Description	:	Charity, born on Christmas day in 1854, was the daughter of George W. and Margaret Ellen (Heifner) Crim. Her mother, age 24, died on June 11, 1858; her father died on July 12, 1865. During her life Charity's strength of character and endurance was remarkable. She lost her parents at an early age. At age 20 she married William Perry Brown, and they had three children. With hope in their hearts for a better life they moved to Centralia, WA. This wasn't to be, and he died shortly after they arrived. She soon... Read More	Charity, born on Christmas day in 1854, was the daughter of George W. and Margaret Ellen (Heifner) Crim. Her mother, age 24, died on June 11, 1858; her father died on July 12, 1865. During her life Charity's strength of character and endurance was remarkable. She lost her parents at an early age. At age 20 she married William Perry Brown, and they had three children. With hope in their hearts for a better life they moved to Centralia, WA. This wasn't to be, and he died shortly after they arrived. She soon found a job as a laundress for a wealthy black man, a mulatto, George Washington, who was kind and sympathetic. He was the founder of Centralia and was greatly admired by the community. At his persuasion she married him hoping to improve the life of her children. Little did she know this would soon turn into a seemingly endless nightmare. After she gave birth to their son, he became extremely jealous and paranoid and abused her physically and mentally. This also included the abuse of her children by her first husband. After their son died in 1911 she became heir to his possessions that he had inherited from his father in 1905. Even so, she and her children paid a high price for her security. ----- Charity's parents were: George W Crim (1828 - 1865) Margaret Ellen Heifner Crim (1834 - 1858) Charity was born on Christmas day in 1854. Her sister, Nancy, was born on May 30, 1857. Her mother died on June 11, 1858. She was four years old; her sister, Nancy, was one. ----- Her father was 30 years old when he married a young teenager, Nancy Catherine Bright, age 17, in Rush Co, IN on July 10, 1859. In June 1860, Charity, age 5, lived in Walker, Rush Co, IN with her father, George W. & her step-mother, Nancy Crim, ages 30 & 18. Their post office was in Manilla. Her father, a farmer, had land & personal estate valued at $1500 & $200. Household Members George W Crim 30 (born in NC) Nancy C Crim 18 (wife - born in IN) Charity Crim 5 (daughter - born in IN) Nancy A Crim 3 (daughter - born in IN) John Crim 28 (single - laborer - born in IN) Mary Crim 23 (born in IN) ----- George & her step-mother, Nancy, had three children: John Freeman, George W. Jr, and Mary Frances. Her father died in 1865, and she went to live with her Grandmother, Charity Crim. On July 22, 1870, Charity Crimm, age 15, lived in Union, Shelby Co, IN with her grandmother, Charity Crim, The post office was in Manilla. Household Members Charity Crimm 74 (head - born in NC - real estate valued at $1300. All born in IN John E Crimm 36 (son) Jacob Crimm 33 (son) James Crimm 30 (son) Charity E Crimm 15 (granddaughter) ----- Charity, age 21, married William Perry Brown in Shelby Co, IN, on April 4, 1875. Their children were: George William Brown Cora May (Allred) Lola Belle (Bronson) ----- Tragedy struck the family when William died in Centralia on January 5, 1889, and Charity was left to raise her three young children, ages 10, 6, & 8 months alone. The news of his death was published in the Chehalis Bee Nugget on January 11, 1889. "On Saturday evening Mr. Brown a man who has but lately arrived here with his family and who has been sick almost since he came died with chills and fever and was interred in the burying ground Monday morning. He leaves a wife and three small children." ----- To help support her family Charity went to work for George Washington, the founder of Centralia. Both agree that marrying would help them both. They were married in Centralia, Lewis Co, WA on September 24, 1890, by Rev. C.D. Spencer, minister of the 1st Baptist Church in Centralia, in the presence of M.E. & L.D. Davenport. Their son, George Cleveland, was born in Centralia on December 15, 1891. ----- George and Charity's marriage ended in divorce. Their son, George, lived with both parents from time to time. On June 8, 1900, Charity E. Washington, age 45, divorced, lived in Centralia, Lewis Co, WA with three of her children. Charity worked as a Laborer in a Laundry. She was the mother of 5 children - 4 were living. Household Members: Charity E Washington 45 (born Dec. 1854 in IN) Geo Washington 8 (son - Dec. 1891 in WA - at school) Geo W Brown 20 (son - June 1879 in IN - Packer at Shingle Mill) Lola B Brown 12 (daughter - May 1888 in NB - at school) ----- On June 19, 1900, George Washington, age 82, & his son, George C. Washington, age 8, lived in Clark, Lewis Co, WA on a farm George owned. Household Members - both shown as Black George Washington 82 (widowed - born Aug. 1817 in VA) George C Washington 8 (son - born Dec. 1891 in WA - father born in VA - mother born in IN) ----- George Washington died in Centralia on August 25, 1905. On April 16 & 18, 1910, Charity E. Washington, age 55, widowed, owned a home on South Iron Street in Centralia, Lewis Co, WA. She had her own income (no longer worked). She was the mother of 5 children - 4 were living. Household Members Charity E Washington 55 (born in IN - mother of 5 children - 4 living - own income) Children: George W Brown 30 (son - IN - Mechanic in Automobile shop) Cora M Brown 26 (daughter - IN - Divorced - mother of 1 deceased child - Mistress in Hotel) George C Washington 19 (son - Mulatto - WA - No occupation) Boarder: Francis S Burchett 50 (widowed - born in VA - Patent Ideas Draftsman) ----- Charity's half-sister, Mary Golding, died on September 13, 1910. Charity attended her funeral. The Burlingame Enterprise (KS) Thursday, September 15, 1910 Miss Charity Brown, a half-sister of the late Mrs. L.J. Golding, arrived here from Centralia, Washington Monday." Charity & George Washington's son, George Cleveland Washington, died in Centralia on January 3, 1911. ----- Centralia Daily Chronicle (WA) Wednesday, January 1, 1913 "Mrs. C.E. Washington, of 602 S. Gold St., and her daughter, Cora Brown, left this afternoon for a two months' visit in Los Angeles." ----- On January 3, 1920, Charity Washington, age 66, widowed, owned a rooming house (mortgage free) on West Cherry St. in Centralia. Household Members Charity Washington 66 (born in IN) Cora Brown 36 (divorced - IN) ----- On April 2, 1930, Charity Washington, age 76, widowed, owned a home on Cherry Street valued at $5,000. She was living alone. ----- Charity, age 85, died in Centralia, Lewis Co, WA on August 4, 1940. Washington, Select Death Certificates, 1907-1960 Name: Charity E. Washington Gender: Female Marital Status: Married Age: 85 Estimated birth year: abt 1855 Death Date: 4 Aug 1940 Death Place: Centralia, Lewis, Washington Spouse: George Washington FHL Film Number: 2023755 Reference ID: 275 ----- Charity's obituary was published in a Centralia newspaper on August 5, 1940. It gave her last name as Brown. "DEATH CALLS MRS. BROWN Resident of Centralia Since 1888 Passes Away at Home on West Cherry Street Mrs. Charity E. Brown, aged 85, resident of Centralia 52 years, died Sunday at her home, 116 West Cherry Street. Born at Shelbyville, Ind., December 25, 1854, she came to Centralia in 1888. Her husband, William Perry Brown, died the following year. Surviving Mrs. Brown are a son, George Brown, Centralia; daughter, Mrs. Lola Bronson, Tenino; brother, John Crim, Burlingame, Kans.; two grandsons and two great-grandsons. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Sticklin chapel, Rev. C. Walberg officiating and burial being at Washington Lawn."

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Charity Elizabeth Crim Brown's memorial?
Charity Elizabeth Crim Brown's memorial is located at: Washington Lawn Cemetery, Centralia, Lewis County, USA.
When did Charity Elizabeth Crim Brown death?
Charity Elizabeth Crim Brown death on 4 Aug 1940 in Centralia, Lewis County, Washington, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Charity Elizabeth Crim Brown's memorial?
Latitude: 46.7209320
Longitude: -122.9606040

Family Members:

Parent

Spouse

William Perry Brown

(1852 - 1889)

George Washington

(1818 - 1905)

Children

George William Brown

(1879 - 1960)

Cora May Brown

(1883 - 1934)

Lola Bell Brown Bronson

(1888 - 1981)

George Cleveland Washington

(1891 - 1911)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Washington Lawn Cemetery
Centralia, Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7209320, -122.9606040

2. Mountain View Cemetery
Centralia, Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7289009, -122.9843979

3. Pioneer Cemetery
Centralia, Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7290300, -122.9898100

4. Greenwood Memorial Park
Centralia, Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7372017, -122.9824982

5. Greenwood Cemetery
Chehalis, Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6511002, -122.9389038

6. Cogdil Family Cemetery
Thurston County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7747010, -122.8826590

7. Claquato Cemetery
Chehalis, Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6469002, -123.0216980

8. Fern Hill Cemetery
Chehalis, Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6366710, -122.9418560

9. Newaukum Hill Cemetery
Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6338980, -122.9768320

10. Grand Mound Cemetery
Rochester, Thurston County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8213997, -123.0199966

11. Forest Grove Cemetery
Tenino, Thurston County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8254580, -122.8497110

12. Lincoln Creek Cemetery
Galvin, Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7604700, -123.1446600

13. Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Bunker, Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6088840, -123.0863790

14. Napavine Cemetery
Napavine, Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 46.5817000, -122.9039000

15. Deskins Family Cemetery
Chehalis, Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6878000, -122.7530000

16. Chehalis Tribal Cemetery
Thurston County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8068570, -123.1602260

17. Secena Cemetery
Oakville, Grays Harbor County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8061600, -123.1611900

18. Finn Hill Cemetery
Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7564011, -123.1919022

19. Mima Prairie Pioneer Cemetery
Mima, Thurston County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8724403, -123.0611649

20. Thurston County Poor Farm Cemetery
Littlerock, Thurston County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8861790, -123.0225100

21. Saint Urban Catholic Cemetery
Winlock, Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 46.5177200, -122.8856500

22. Benn Cemetery
Oakville, Grays Harbor County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8303540, -123.2239950

23. Oakville Pioneer Cemetery
Oakville, Grays Harbor County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8318939, -123.2229996

24. Oakville Final Rest Memorial Cemetery
Oakville, Grays Harbor County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8323060, -123.2240030