The history of the Brown family in Mickleton, Gloucester County, New Jersey began when Richard S. Brown purchased 106 acres at auction from the estate of Lewis Atkinson in November 1890 at a purchase price of $5,222.84.
Originally a dairy and vegetable farm, Richard and his wife Sarah also raised poultry, hogs, and tree fruits both commercially and for their own use.
Their son, J. Clinton began farming on his own at age 23 when his father died after a brief illness. Eventually his brother William joined him in the farming operation. They formed a partnership, Brown Brothers, that in the 1940’s and 50’s raised 12,000 chicks to broiler size per year, shipped milk by train to Philadelphia and Atlantic City and did custom butchering. During their ownership they were one of the first in the area to implement terracing for soil conservation.
J. Clinton’s sons Richard and Robert joined the partnership and farmed with their father and uncle for 25 years. By this time the farm had increased in size to 200 acres. In the mid-50’s Brown Brothers built the first free stall barn, milking parlor and bulk storage in Gloucester County, New Jersey. The milk was shipped to Heritage’s dairy in Thorofare.
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