Rev. Edward Brown, was descended from an English family that settled in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, by 1670. Edward Brown, the son of Thomas Brown and Christian Maule, was born in 1714 in Nansemond County, Virginia.
Edward and his brother John received land in Chowan County, North Carolina, from their grandfather William Maule on September 16, 1719. Edward was baptized in 1749 in North Carolina. Edward Brown married Prudence around 1750, and had six children: Edward Brown, Arthur Brown (1754), Sherrod Brown (1756), Mourning Brown (1758), Susanna Brown (1760), and Jemima Brown.
Rev. Edward Brown was pastor of Great Cohera Baptist Church (in current Rowan County, North Carolina) from 1749-1783. Edward was a Revolutionary War soldier in Duplin County, North Carolina, and received a voucher #48 for principal due him of 26 pounds, 10 shillings, 0 pence. On 12 May 1784, Edward made his will, dividing his property among his wife and children. The executors of his estate were his friend Hardy Stevens, and his sons Arthur and Sherrod Brown.