Gustavus Richard Brown
Encyclopedia
Gustavus Richard Brown was a lifelong friend of George Washington
, a physician, helped found the hospital department of the Continental Army
, and a botanist. He is best known as one of the doctors summoned to attend to George Washington the night he died.
Gustavus Brown studied medicine in Edinburgh, Scotland, graduating in 1768. In addition to medicine, he was elected to the legislature of Maryland, and served as a judge. He was a member of the Maryland state convention of 1788 and voted to ratify the U. S. Constitution. During the American Revolution
, he helped establish the hospital department and was surgeon-general of the Continental Army. He was called on by General Washington to inspect the Maryland troops and enroll the names of the able-bodied men.
Around 1780, he bought and combined four tracts of land from his neighbor, now known as "Betty's Delight". Combining this land with his own, he built and in about 1783 moved into Rose Hill, his manor house Rose Hill
is adjacent to the Thomas Stone National Historic Site
.
Along with Dr. James Craik
, "Dr. Gustavus R. Brown, another prominent resident of Port Tobacco, and Dr. Elisha Cullen Dick, attended [George] Washington during his final illness, December 14, 1799. Dr. James Craik
was so impressed with Dr. Brown's medical skills that he suggested to Mrs. Washington (Martha), that if any case should occur that was seriously alarming, she should send for Dr. Brown."
The Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary in Waldorf, Maryland
is named after him. His younger sister, Margaret, married Thomas Stone
, a signatory of the Declaration of Independence
.
In some records Dr. Brown is confused with his father of the same name, who came from Dalkeith, Scotland in 1708. The elder Gustavus Brown settled at Middleton (named after his family homestead near Dalkeith, Scotland) in Charles County, Maryland
, as related by his descendant Moncure Daniel Conway.
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
, a physician, helped found the hospital department of the Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
, and a botanist. He is best known as one of the doctors summoned to attend to George Washington the night he died.
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, he helped establish the hospital department and was surgeon-general of the Continental Army. He was called on by General Washington to inspect the Maryland troops and enroll the names of the able-bodied men.
Around 1780, he bought and combined four tracts of land from his neighbor, now known as "Betty's Delight". Combining this land with his own, he built and in about 1783 moved into Rose Hill, his manor house Rose Hill
Rose Hill (Port Tobacco, Maryland)
Rose Hill, a historic home near Port Tobacco in Charles County, Maryland, United States. It is a five-part, Georgian-style dwelling house. It has a two-story central block with gable ends. It was restored during the mid 20th century....
is adjacent to the Thomas Stone National Historic Site
Thomas Stone National Historic Site
The Thomas Stone National Historic Site, also known as Habre de Venture or Thomas Stone House, is a United States National Historic Site located about 25 miles south of Washington D.C. in Charles County, Maryland. The site was established to protect the home and property of Thomas Stone, one of...
.
Along with Dr. James Craik
James Craik
James Craik was Physician General of the United States Army, as well as George Washington's personal physician and close friend.-Education and emigration to America:...
, "Dr. Gustavus R. Brown, another prominent resident of Port Tobacco, and Dr. Elisha Cullen Dick, attended [George] Washington during his final illness, December 14, 1799. Dr. James Craik
James Craik
James Craik was Physician General of the United States Army, as well as George Washington's personal physician and close friend.-Education and emigration to America:...
was so impressed with Dr. Brown's medical skills that he suggested to Mrs. Washington (Martha), that if any case should occur that was seriously alarming, she should send for Dr. Brown."
The Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary in Waldorf, Maryland
Waldorf, Maryland
Waldorf, Maryland is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Charles County, Maryland, United States. It is south-southeast of Washington, D.C. The population of the census-designated area only was 67,752 at the 2010 census...
is named after him. His younger sister, Margaret, married Thomas Stone
Thomas Stone
Thomas Stone was an American planter who signed the United States Declaration of Independence as a delegate for Maryland. He later worked on the committee that formed the Articles of Confederation in 1777...
, a signatory of the Declaration of Independence
Declaration of independence
A declaration of independence is an assertion of the independence of an aspiring state or states. Such places are usually declared from part or all of the territory of another nation or failed nation, or are breakaway territories from within the larger state...
.
In some records Dr. Brown is confused with his father of the same name, who came from Dalkeith, Scotland in 1708. The elder Gustavus Brown settled at Middleton (named after his family homestead near Dalkeith, Scotland) in Charles County, Maryland
Charles County, Maryland
Charles County is a county in the south central portion of the U.S. state of Maryland.As of 2010, the population was 146,551. Its county seat is La Plata. This county was named for Charles Calvert , third Baron Baltimore....
, as related by his descendant Moncure Daniel Conway.