Lewis Henry Brown (1840 - 1917), son of Alfred Nathaniel and Mary E. (Smith) Brown. Born in Windsor, Broome County, New York on April 22, 1840. By 1855 the family had moved to the Town of Union, Broome County, but he frequently refers to Binghamton as "home." Enlisted in Company D, 27th New York Volunteer Infantry on July 4, 1861. Promoted to corporal, September 1, 1861. Saw action at the First Battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861. Thereafter until March 1862 the 27th was on defensive duty around Washington, D.C. Several of Lewis's letters then describe the beginning of the Peninsular Campaign in April 1862. From August to November 1862 Lewis suffered from a fever and was either in hospital or a convalescent camp. He rejoined his regiment before Christmas 1862. The 27th was mustered out of service at Elmira, New York on June 5, 1863. Lewis re-enlisted on August 29, 1864, and was mustered in at Elmira on September 17, 1864 as an officer in Company M, 1st New York Cavalry (Veteran). He later served as 1st Lieutentant for Company D of that regiment, from which he was discharged on June 8, 1865. Lewis married Ellen Curtis around the end of the war, and the couple lived first with his parents before moving into Binghamton. Ellen died in 1914 and Lewis married as his second wife Sarah M. Halbert. He was engaged in the lumber and coal business in Binghamton for many years, and was active as a notary public and in the Grand Army of the Republic, serving as commander of Joseph H. Bartlett Post 108 in 1906. Lewis died after being struck by a motorcycle in October 1917, and is buried in Floral Park Cemetery, Johnson City, Broome County, New York.

Burritt Brown (1839 - 1920), older brother of Lewis Henry Brown. Enlisted on September 18, 1862 in Company H of the 168th New York Volunteer Infantry, also referred to as the 19th State Militia Infantry. The regiment was largely occupied with garrison duty at Yorktown, Virginia from February to June 1863, after which they served in Dix's Peninsula Campaign and joined the Army of the Potomac. He was discharged October 31, 1863. Re-enlisted August 29, 1864 in Company M, 1st New York Cavalry (Veteran), along with his brother Lewis. Promoted to 1st sergeant, November 1, 1865; discharged August 8, 1865 at Camp Piatt, West Virginia. Burritt married Ermina Judd in October 1866, and the couple lived next door to Burritt's parents in 1870. He later worked as a farmer, a foreman at the E.C. Smith Spoke and Hub Factory, and as an insurance agent for the Prudential Insurance Company. Ermina died about 1910, and in 1913 Burritt married as his second wife Alice J. Taylor Gerowe, the widow of another veteran. Burritt was active in Binghamton city government, serving on the Common Council and as Commissioner of Deeds. He was frequently an officer in Grand Army of the Republic Joseph H. Bartlett Post 108. He died on May 5, 1920.

Albert Ransom (1844 - 1930), friend and tent-mate of Burritt Brown, with whom he enlisted on September 18, 1862 in Company H of the 168th New York Volunteer Infantry. He had previously been rejected by the Army for prior hunting injuries. Like Burritt he was mustered out on October 31, 1863, and re-enlisted in Company M, 1st New York Cavalry (Veteran) in September 1864. He was discharged as a sergeant on June 8, 1865. He married Eliza W. Wilson and the family moved to Farley, Iowa about 1870 before returning to Binghamton by 1894. In 1910 he was commander of Grand Army of the Republic Joseph H. Bartlett Post 108. He lived at 20 Floral Avenue, Binghamton; in 1914 Burritt Brown had moved into 18 Floral Avenue, and in 1916 Lewis Henry Brown moved into the house on the other side, 22 Floral Avenue.

Recipients

Alfred Nathaniel Brown (1813 - 1888), father of Lewis Henry and Burritt Brown. Buried in Spring Forest Cemetery, Binghamton, Broome County, New York.

Mary E. (Smith) Brown (1810 - 1898), mother of Lewis Henry and Burritt Brown. Buried in Spring Forest Cemetery, Binghamton, Broome County, New York.

Ellen Brown (1841 - 1922), sister of Lewis Henry and Burritt Brown. Educator in both Binghamton and Buffalo. Buried in Spring Forest Cemetery, Binghamton, Broome County, New York.

Antoinette "Nettie" Brown (1843 - 1938), sister of Lewis Henry and Burritt Brown. Married Charles T. Dickson. Buried in Floral Park Cemetery, Johnson City, Broome County, New York.

Willard Whiting Brown (1844 - 1904), brother of Lewis Henry and Burritt Brown. Served in the 1st New York Cavalry (Veteran) from August 1864 to June 1865. Buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, Erie County, New York.

Merritt L. Brown (1847 - 1921), youngest brother of Lewis Henry and Burritt Brown. Buried in Windsor Village Cemetery, Windsor, Broome County, New York.

Merritt Roe (b. about 1855), young relative of the Browns; in the 1860 census he is living with the family. His exact relationship to them is unclear, but Alfred's mother was born Charlotte Roe, so he may be a nephew or cousin on that side of the family.