Pulaski in Giles County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Aaron V. Brown
(1795-1859)
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 6, 2020
1. Aaron V. Brown Marker
Tennessee State Representative 1831 - 1833
U.S. Congressman 1839 - 1845
Governor of Tennessee 1845 - 1847
Postmaster General of the United States 1857 - 1859
Born in Brunswick County, Virginia August 15, 1795, Aaron Vail Brown attended Westrayville Academy and graduated Valedictorian from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1814. In 1815, he moved to Nashville where he studied law under Judge Trimble until 1817. Brown moved to Pulaski in 1818 and continued his law practice, becoming a partner of James K. Polk.
Aaron Brown began his political career in 1820 as an Alderman for the City of Pulaski and as City Recorder in 1821 and 1824. He served in the Tennessee State Senate from 1821 to 1825 and was a member of the State House of Representatives from 1831 to 1833.
Aaron became the first Giles Countain elected to the United States Congress in 1839 and served until 1845 when he was elected Governor of Tennessee. During his term as Governor, the Mexican War was fought. Tennessee's quota of recruits was 2,800; but a stirring call for volunteers by Governor Brown resulted in 30,000 volunteers, thus earning Tennessee its designation as “The Volunteer State.”
Brown lost his re-election bid for Governor to fellow
this page online
Governor Aaron Vail Brown is buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Nashville.
Erected by City of Pulaski.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #15 James Buchanan series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 15, 1795.
Location. 35° 11.601′ N, 87° 1.737′ W. Marker is in Pulaski, Tennessee, in Giles County. Marker can be reached from South Rhodes Street north of East Cemetery Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located in Maplewood Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pulaski TN 38478, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Neill Smith Brown (here, next to this marker); General John Calvin Brown (here, next to this marker); Thomas Martin (1799-1870) (a few steps from this marker); Thomas McKissack Jones (within shouting distance of this marker); General John Adams, CSA (within shouting distance of this marker); Maplewood Cemetery
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 6, 2020
2. Aaron V. Brown Marker
Photographed By Unknown artist
3. Aaron V. Brown
Oil on canvas portrait owned by Giles County Historical Society. (Courtesy Tennessee Portrait Project)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 9, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 245 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 9, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
