Miscellaneous documents
Reference: D/X 479 Catalogue Title: Miscellaneous documents Area: Catalogue Category: Other Records Description: John George Hunter Brown of Sunderland
Covering Dates: 1889-1959
Access: Access is restricted to all diaries after 1929
Catalogue Index
Use 
and 
to reveal/hide the structure of the catalogue index (requires Javascript to be enabled in your internet browser options). Click to jump directly to information at a specific level of the catalogue.
- Miscellaneous documents
- Miscellaneous documents - John George Hunter Brown of Sunderland (Ref: D/X 479)
- Diaries 1889 - 1892 (Ref: D/X 479/1-4)
- Diaries 1897 - 1904 (Ref: D/X 479/5-12)
- Diaries 1907 - 1913 (Ref: D/X 479/13-20)
- Diaries 1914 - 1918 (Ref: D/X 479/21-26)
- Diaries 1919 to 1929 (Ref: D/X 479/27-37)
- Diaries 1936, 1938, 1939, 1943 (Ref: D/X 479/38-41)
- Diaries 1953 - 1957, 1959 (Ref: D/X 479/42-49)
- Miscellaneous (Ref: D/X 479/50-53)
Catalogue Description
The diaries of John George Hunter Brown. 1889 - 1959John George Hunter Brown was born 18 February 1868 at No. 5 Colpitts Terrace, Durham. He moved, with his parents, to Sunderland in May, 1871 and lived there for the rest of his life. He began working as an office boy with Laing's Foundry in 1882, moved to Abbots Foundry, Gateshead from 1909 - 1911 and then to Palmers of Jarrow and Hebburn in whose affairs he was still actively involved at the age of 91. He married Elizabeth Hannah Hudson in 1897 and had a son and two daughters.
Throughout his life J. G. H. Brown was a dedicated businessman and staunch Methodist. In his youth and old age particularly he attended chapel events several times a week. The Sunday School was his main interest but he was also a chapel treasurer and a trustee. In business he worked long hours and travelled frequently to the many metal manufacturing and shipbuilding areas; i.e. Leeds, Glasgow, Middlesbrough, Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh to secure orders and attend trade meetings. He also made frequent business trips to London whilst working for Palmers. Throughout his life he kept continuous contact with an ever-widening circle of friends and relatives including his brother James who had emigrated to Illinois U.S.A. in 1881. J. G. H. Brown visited America in 1950 and was awarded the M.B.E. in 1952.
Mr. Brown appears to have kept a diary almost continuously from 1889 to 1959 most of which are catalogued here. In the catalogue the diaries have been grouped together to illustrate the main phases of Mr. Brown's life. Also in the collection are three photographs, Mr. Brown's passport and his log of a "voyage in search of health" which he made to Constantinople in the spring of 1891.
Access restricted to all diaries after 1929
Catalogue Contents
Very compact and detailed entries of events, thoughts and feelings, especially concerning his courtship of -"L"-. In his early 20's J. G. H. Brown was a keen cyclist, and he records details of his machines and cycle club activities. He, and -"L"- were members of the Band of Hope. Mr. Brown was also a Sunday School teacher, a Sunderland football club supporter, and he attended many evening classes. These early diaries reveal what was to be a lifetime pre-occupation with the weather, and the details of every minor illness which he or his family experienced.
Diaries for 1893 to 1896 not deposited.
Entries much more brief and business-like. In June 1897 he married -"L"-. The Previous months record the details of their setting up home. Thereafter "Lizzie" mentioned very infrequently. Diaries preoccupied more with the philharmonic society, his work, the Sunday School and chapel.
Diaries for 1905 to 1906 not deposited.
Now living at St. Marks Lodge - former home of Lizzie's parents ("rent - £30"p.a.)
Ref: D/X 479/13The years of World War One. Due to the demand for ships etc. the galvanizing business prospered as did Mr. Brown. His salary rose from £300 p.a. in 1914 to £500 p.a. in 1918. He invests in war loans.
Ref: D/X 479/21Prosperity continues. Many references to his sons university courses and later career in civil engineering.
Ref: D/X 479/27Spasmodic entries re. business meetings, social and chapel engagements and notes re. family birthdays, anniversaries, illnesses, etc.
Diaries for 1937, 1940, 1942, 1944 and 1952 not deposited.
Although still connected with Palmers and a director of the Felling Zinc Oxide Co. J.G.H. Brown is now retired. He is very active; visiting friends, neighbours, and relatives. He is still a member of the photographic club, the band of hope, the Antiquarian Society and several chapel committees. He carries on regular correspondence with many friends and relatives including his brother's family, in America, many of whom he had visited in 1950.
Diary for 1958 not deposited.
