Brown, Nahum

Born deaf at Stow, MA; first member of a family of hereditary deaf persons, including Thomas Brown [II] (q.v.) and the Swett family. Never educated; married Abiah Eastman, a hearing woman, and became a farmer. Abiah interpreted for him in business matters, using homemade signs. His daughter Persis, also born deaf, was the stem of the deaf Swett family members, and his son Thomas Brown [II], also deaf, continued the Brown deaf paternal lineage.