This pleasant little village or hamlet, which has recently sprung into some prominence on account of being the site of the Cartridge Factory, and near the lately discovered granite quarry, was, in early years, made a place of no little importance by the erection of Brown's mills.
A MAN OF ENTERPRISE...
George Brown came from England to Lachute, and was for several years employed as miller in the old seigniorial mill at that place. The exact time of his advent is uncertain, but the fact that, in 1818, he received a grant of land at what is now known as Brownsburg, shows that he was here at that date. He was a man of enterprise, and very soon after locating his land, he began the erection of mills, which were of priceless benefit to the early settlers of this section -- a benefit which their descendants still enjoy, after the lapse of threescore years.
There is good evidence that his dwelling house, which is now occupied by his grandson, D. D. McGibbon, was entered by his family, as a residence, in 1829. Much of the lumber which was used in its construction was floated up the stream on which the mills were built, from Lachute.
...AND GREAT INFLUENCE
Mr. Brown became a man of great influence here; he was a Magistrate and Captain of Militia, from which, on the 21st May, 1857, he was promoted to the rank of Major. Much credit is due him for his perseverance under the most discouraging circumstances, it being authentically stated that, when the family reached St. Andrews, on coming from England, they had only money enough left to purchase a single loaf of bread. Before closing his career, however, he surrounded his family with all the comforts of affluence, and was able to relieve the necessities of many others.