Elijah Brush
Encyclopedia
Elijah Brush was a lawyer and politician from Detroit, Michigan.
and came to Detroit in 1798.
Brush married Adelaide Askin (c. 1779 – 1859), daughter of John Askin
, in 1802. The couple had three sons and a daughter who survived their father: Edmund Askin (b. 1802), Charles Reuben (b. 1807), John Alfred (b. 1811), and Archange (b. 1813). John Askin was a British subject, and when Detroit was turned over to American control, he moved across the Detroit River
to Canada, leaving behind his farm, "Private Claim #1," which was immediately adjacent to Detroit. Elijah and Adelaide moved onto the farm, and in 1806 the Brushes purchased it for $6000; the property eventually became known as the Brush Farm. With careful administration, Brush increased the value of the farm and made his heirs wealthy. In particular, in the 1850s, Edmund Brush began developing sections of the property into the fashionable Brush Park; the street names Edmund, Alfred, Adelaide, and Brush were named by Ednund after family members.
's resignation in 1806. Brush also served as Treasurer of the Michigan Territory
from 1806 to 1813, and from 1811 to 1814 served as United States Attorney.
Brush was the counsel in the first case to test the right to hold slaves in Michigan.
During the War of 1812
, British forces captured Detroit and Elijah Brush and other militia officers were taken prisoner. He was shipped to Toronto, but his brother-in-law, a British officer, procured his release, and Brush returned to Detroit in late 1813 when American troops retook the city. He died shortly thereafter on December 14, 1813.
Early life
Elijah Brush was born in Bennington, Vermont in approximately 1772, the son of Colonel Nathaniel Brish and Samantha Parker. Brush graduated from Dartmouth CollegeDartmouth College
Dartmouth College is a private, Ivy League university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. The institution comprises a liberal arts college, Dartmouth Medical School, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business, as well as 19 graduate programs in the arts and sciences...
and came to Detroit in 1798.
Brush married Adelaide Askin (c. 1779 – 1859), daughter of John Askin
John Askin
John Askin was a fur trader, merchant and official in Upper Canada.He was born in Aughnacloy in Ireland in 1739; his ancestors are believed to have originally lived in Scotland with the surname Erskine. He came to North America with the British Army in 1758. After the British took over New France,...
, in 1802. The couple had three sons and a daughter who survived their father: Edmund Askin (b. 1802), Charles Reuben (b. 1807), John Alfred (b. 1811), and Archange (b. 1813). John Askin was a British subject, and when Detroit was turned over to American control, he moved across the Detroit River
Detroit River
The Detroit River is a strait in the Great Lakes system. The name comes from the French Rivière du Détroit, which translates literally as "River of the Strait". The Detroit River has served an important role in the history of Detroit and is one of the busiest waterways in the world. The river...
to Canada, leaving behind his farm, "Private Claim #1," which was immediately adjacent to Detroit. Elijah and Adelaide moved onto the farm, and in 1806 the Brushes purchased it for $6000; the property eventually became known as the Brush Farm. With careful administration, Brush increased the value of the farm and made his heirs wealthy. In particular, in the 1850s, Edmund Brush began developing sections of the property into the fashionable Brush Park; the street names Edmund, Alfred, Adelaide, and Brush were named by Ednund after family members.
Public service
Elijah Brush was elected a trustee in 1803, appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the Territorial Militia in 1805, and appointed as mayor of the town of Detroit after Solomon SibleySolomon Sibley
Solomon Sibley was a United States politician and jurist in the Michigan Territory.-Early life: 1769–1815:...
's resignation in 1806. Brush also served as Treasurer of the Michigan Territory
Michigan Territory
The Territory of Michigan was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from June 30, 1805, until January 26, 1837, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Michigan...
from 1806 to 1813, and from 1811 to 1814 served as United States Attorney.
Brush was the counsel in the first case to test the right to hold slaves in Michigan.
During the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, British forces captured Detroit and Elijah Brush and other militia officers were taken prisoner. He was shipped to Toronto, but his brother-in-law, a British officer, procured his release, and Brush returned to Detroit in late 1813 when American troops retook the city. He died shortly thereafter on December 14, 1813.