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Clara Brown (c. 1800–1885) was a former slave from Virginia who became a community leader, philanthropist and aided settlement of former slaves during the time of Colorado's Gold Rush. Brown was born in Virginia in 1800. She married another slave when she was eighteen and together they had four children. In 1835, Brown's family was broken apart when they were all sold to different slave owners; Clara was sold to a plantation owner in Kentucky. When Brown was 56 years-of-age, she received her freedom and required by law to leave the state worked her way west as a cook and laundress to Denver, Colorado. Brown settled in the mining town now called Central City, Colorado where she worked as a laundress, cook and mid-wife. With the money she made, she invested in properties and mines in nearby towns. Known as "Aunt Clara" for her emotional and financial support, Brown was a founding member of a Sunday school, made her home available for prayer services and generously supported the community. At the end of the Civil War, Brown could freely travel and liquidated all of her investments to travel to Kentucky to find her daughter. Although she was unsuccessful, she paid the way for 16 or more relatives and others who were former slaves to move to Colorado. Finally in 1882 she reunited with Eliza Jane and Eliza Jane's daughter. In 1885, the last year of her life, Clara Brown was voted into the Society of Colorado Pioneers for her role in Colorado's early history. == Early life == Clara Brown was born into slavery near Fredericksburg, Virginia on January 1, 1800.〔Varnell, 1.〕 At a young age Clara and her mother were sold to Ambrose Smith, a Virginian tobacco farmer, and worked in the fields. She was then moved with the Smith family to Kentucky.〔Clara Brown Biography, A&E Network.〕 Clara married a slave named Richard at 18 years of age. Together they had four children: Richard, Margaret, Paulina Ann and Eliza Jane. Sadly at 8 years of age Paulina, the twin sister to Eliza Jane, drowned. In 1835 their owner, Ambrose Smith, died. To settle the estate Brown's family was brought to a slave auction, sold separately and sent to different, distant locations. A plantation owner from Kentucky, George Brown, sensed her intelligence and strength and placed high bids to attain her.〔Varnell, 1.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Clara Brown」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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