Louisa Brown was born in approximately 1809 and was enslaved by Major William Croghan at Locust Grove. She was the mother to several children enslaved at Locust Grove, but we currently do not know if Louisa had a husband or who the father of her children was.
Louisa’s children are:
- Charlotte Brown Bishop Bransford (1823-unknown)
- David Brown (1834-1868)
- Gibson Brown (1838-1908)
- Jesse Brown (1844-unknown)
- James Brown (1848-1932)
- Stephen (1853-1924)
Louisa and her children were emancipated in the 1849 will of their enslaver, Dr. John Croghan. However, her emancipation was to be through a “gradual” process of 7 years. The first 4 years of this process, she was to work to pay off any debts of her deceased enslaver. For the last 3 years, she was to save any wages earned to generate a “nest egg” to have financial independence upon gaining her freedom.
In 1856, she and her children finally obtained their full manumission and freedom from enslavement.
After Louisa’s emancipation, she settled her family in a small residence in downtown Louisville on Jefferson Street, between Floyd & Preston Streets. Unfortunately, Louisa died tragically only 29 days after obtaining her freedom.
On March 29th, 1856, the Louisville Daily Democrat reported that “A free colored woman named Louisa Brown, residing on Jefferson street, between Floyd and Preston, was severely if not fatally injured night before last, by her clothes taking fire while she was asleep near the fire place. She was burned in a most shocking manner, and her recover is doubtful”.
Louisa died from her injuries just two days later. Her children were cared for by other members of the formerly enslaved community at Locust Grove, some travelling to live with their older sister Charlotte Bishop and her husband at Mammoth Cave.