Samuel Brown

Birth:	26 Feb 1857, Kimberley, Notts.
Father:	Not traced
Mother:	Not traced
Spouse:	Martha Maria REEVE
Marriage:	ca Feb 1876, Basford District
Death:	5 Sep 1938, Edgeley, Cheshire

 

Sam Brown belongs on these pages only as the husband of Martha Maria Reeve. Born in Kimberley, he moved his family to Cheshire in the early 1880s. In 1891 he was described as a carter, but in 1901 was described as a professional cricketer. He was well known as the latter, playing for Stockport, Cheshire and Nottinghamshire. For the latter, he made his debut against the Australian tourists on 25th June 1896, and then played in ten of the next eleven games that year. He also appeared in the North vs. South match in 1884, 85 and 86. His best bowling figures in First Class cricket were 6 for 55 vs. Yorkshire at Huddersfield in 1896, when he took 9 for 119 in the match.

He had played for Cheshire from 1883 to 1895, topping the batting averages in 1893, and topping the bowling averages in 1885, 1887, and 1890. He was one of only seven batsmen to score a century for the county during those years, scoring 107 in his first season.

His overall record was Batting: 2766 runs, average 19.34; Bowling 344 wickets, average 14.83.

His overall record for Notts. was:
Batting - Matches:14, Inns: 17, NO:1, Runs: 194, Highest:40, Ave: 12.13
Bowling - Inns:24, Overs:548.1, Mdns:207, Runs:1088, Wkts: 47, Ave: 23.15, 5wi:3

His obituary in the Stockport advertiser was quite lengthy:

MR. SAM BROWN
Noted Stockport Cricketer
SCORED A CENTURY AT THE AGE OF 57

Mr. Samuel Brown, the Grand Old Man of Stockport cricket, died at his residence, 56 Chapel Street, Stockport, on Monday, aged 81 years
Sam Brown, one of the most popular men in the history of sport in Stockport, in his early working career was a miner at Kimberley Colliery in Nottinghamshire and played cricket in his spare time for the local club. He showed such, facility both with the bat and the ball that he was soon persuaded to adopt the career of a professional cricketer, and in 1879 he was engaged by the Knutsford club and stayed there two years.

CAME TO STOCKPORT IN 1881

In 1881 he was engaged by the Stockport club, and thus began a connection which lasted a quarter of a century and covered one of the brightest. and most adventurous periods in the history of the club, including the removal to Cale Street, from the, ground at Charles street, the erection of the pavilion, the establishment of the Cheshire County Cricket Club at Stockport for several reasons, and various efforts by the Stockport club to promote winter sports, including a spell by the Rugby club at Cale Green and the establishment of the Stockport Association Football Club.

PLAYED FOR NOTTS

Sam Brown's career with the Stockport Cricket Club coincided with a trial with the Notts Colts, and he was given a place in the premier eleven of his county. Eventually he was persuaded to throw in his lot with the- Cheshire County Club,: and he played with the first Cheshire team that was formed. Those were halcyon days at Cale Green, when the visitors included the Lancashire County cricket team. He signalised his entry into Cheshire County cricket by scoring 104 and 92 against Staffordshire, and 109 against Shropshire.

In 1896 his appearance for Notts included the match with the Australians, and he also took part in the North v South matches, In 1896 he would have been selected to play for England against Australia if his name had been sent in earlier.

PROLIFIC SCORER

In his day Mr Brown was a prolific scorer. The first time he played against the late Arthur Mold, of Lancashire, he made 112, and he also scored 124 against the bowling of Alec Watson for Cheshire gentlemen against the Manchester club.

Once, while playing for the Cheshire Gentlemen against the Yorkshire Gentlemen at Chelford, he drove the ball 150 yards before it touched the ground.. One year, touring with the Lancashire Wizards he made 94, 111, 130, and 37 in consecutive innings, and followed up these achievements with a score of 124 against Manchester on the very next playing day

CRAFTY BOWLER

Sam Brown was equally successful as a bowler. There was a good deal of craft in his bowling. It has been aptly said of him that there never was a player who possessed a better knowledge of the art of keeping down runs, or if necessary, of enticing batsmen to hit out. He was an adept at deceiving batsmen, and often brought victory to his side in this way. During his tour with the Wizards noted above, he took no less than 20 wickets in three matches. For Notts, against Yorkshire he once took six wickets, including those of Tunnicliffe, J. T. Brown, E. Wainwright, and Lord Hawke.
For the Stockport Club he was not only a source of strength both as bowler and batsman, but he also proved an able coach. His knowledge of the games was profound, and his advice was especially valuable to the young cricketer.
In 1896 he was given a benefit at Cale Green, and in 1902 he was presented with an inscribed gold souvenir by the late Mr J. Horner, J.P., as a mark of the appreciation of a number of supporters of the Stockport Club.

BECAME AN UMPIRE

In 1904 Mr. Brown retired from his position-with the Stockport Club, after 23 years' faithful service, and he was appointed an umpire for county matches.
After he retired Mr Brown for many years had a sports outfitting shop at Castle Street, but gave it up a few years ago. For a time he played for the now defunct Brookfield club at Hempshaw Lane, and proved that his hand and eye had not lost their cunning. In 1914, at the age of 57, he turned out for the Brookfield club against Winnington Park and. scored 104 not out.
For many years he was groundsman and coach to the Stockport Grammar School, and late in life he had another spell of service with the Stockport club at Cale Green on the ground staff.
Mr. Brown had an intimate knowledge of the great cricketers of pre-war days - "Ranji", Dr. W. G. Grace, Jessop, Arthur Shrewsbury, and Reg. Spooner.
On the Occasion of his diamond wedding, in March, 1936, Mr. Brown and his wife received congratulations from the King.
The name of Sam Brown will always be justly honoured by Stockport cricketers, not only for his record as a cricketer, but for the sterling quality of the man - for his integrity, geniality, and spirit of friendship.

Funeral

The interment took place at Cheadle Cemetery yesterday. The service in the home was conducted by the Rev. G. B. Combe, who also officiated at the graveside, where the hymn "Jesu, lover of my soul" was sung. Mrs. Brown was not well enough to attend the funeral.
In his tribute to Mr Brown, the Rev. G. B. Combe said: "By the passing of Mr Sam Brown in his 81st year Stockport have lost one who was a true sportsman and a gentleman. Mr F. W. Sowerbutts, the present secretary of Stockport Cricket Club, who has known Sam Brown for fifty years and played with him on many occasions, gave him a fine tribute when he told a Press representative: 'In all the fifty years I have known him I have never heard him make a nasty, or. unkind remark about anyone, and have never heard anyone say anything nasty or unkind about him. He was a credit to cricket and to his club. He was as keen a cricketer as one could wish to meet, but he always played the game fairly and above board.
I have known him only the last sixteen years of his long life, yet come to respect him for that charm of personality and natural humility which has endeared him to his-many friends. I need not go into detail over the achievements of his cricket career; they are admirably given in our local Press, but I am certain that whenever he played he brought into his team rare gifts of judgment and courage. Very few men are privileged to live long enough to celebrate their diamond wedding and receive congratulations from the King, as our friend did. There was a wonderful simplicity in his character, as I have known him in later years, and though he had to encounter misfortune through bad trade and give up his sports outfitting business, if I may say so, he batted blithesomely even then on a rather sticky wicket, and there was always a warm welcome awaiting one when you visited his home.
"During the last few months of his life he suffered greatly, and his patience and fortitude were amazing. Indeed, he gave of his best right up to his last moments - a day's work faithfully done. Sam Brown died, trusting his Saviour. It was our privilege, to minister to him the night before he passed on, and to sing his favourite hymn, 'Jesu, Lover of my soul,' and if ever a man was ready for the home call - he was!
"Everyone is meant for something, and our friend discovered it and reached it, and could say at the end: 'I have finished my course; I have made the best I could of myself out of the stuff,' and there is laid up for men like him - victors in life's struggle - not a cup or a medal, but a Crown - the Crown of Life.
"Play the game then. Be loyal to your Captain. Seek the good of all. Live not for yourself, but for your side. Be determined to score. Make the most of yourself. Be all that you can be. Then the Crown is yours, and the Captain's: 'Well done, good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.' "
The principal mourners were: Mr. Samuel Brown, jun. (son), Miss Carrie Brown, Mrs. Mills, Mrs. Bales; and Mrs. J. Oakes (daughters), Mr. Alex Brown and Mr. Ernest Brown (sons), Mrs. H. Denby (daughter), Mrs. S. Brown, Mrs. A. Brown, and Mrs. E. Brown (daughters-in-law), Mr. H. Denby (son-in-law), and Mr. John Southworth (brother-in-law).
Representing Stockport Cricket Club: Messrs. J. C. Fallows, H. Torkington, G. A. Baker, J. B. Gragg and F Long (vice-presidents), F H. Sowerbutts (hon. Secretary), F. Knott, H. Lees, J. Parratt, T. H. Mottershead. A. Frost, R. Greenhalgh, Mr J. K. Whalley (representing Mr R. J. Bailey, president), and J. Standrin.
Others present were Mrs Henderson (grand-daughter), Mr and Mrs J. Toole, Mrs Henderson, Mrs Greenhalgh. Mr J. T. Barnett was unable to be present.
Wreaths were from:-Wife and Daughter Carrie; Son Sam and Clara and Grandchildren; Daughter Martha, Lily, Frank and Roy; Daughter Lily, Aquila, Beatrice and Ann; Daughter Florence and Son-in-law Jack and Grand-daughter Flo and Graham; Son Alex, Hilda and Family; Fred. Marian and Alan; Son Ernest. Ray and family; Grand-daughter Marjorie and Eric; All at 28, Brinnington Road; Amy, Henry, and Doreen; Harold Torkington (Davenport Park); Miss Heawood and family; Mr Southworth and family, Minnie and Lewis; Mr and Mrs Ankinson and Friends of the Pineapple Inn; Mr and Mrs Eckersley; Mr and Mrs Sale and Len; Mr and Mrs Webb and family; Mr and Mrs Denky; John and Jack Fallows; Friends at the Commercial; the Members of the Stockport Cricket Club "With many happy memories of a fine cricketer and great sportsman"; The Neighbours; Mr and Mrs A. Shaw (Bramhall).
Mr Geo. Meredith, Wellington Road South had charge of the arrangements.

Sam Brown ca. 1936

** I am indebted to Mr. Peter Wynne-Thomas, archivist at Notts. CCC, who provided the information on this page.

 

GRO Birth Index:
GRO Marriage Index:	Mar 1876 Basford 7b 195
GRO Death Index:	81y Sep 1938 Stockport 8a 56
1881 Census:	Brewery St., Kimberley	RG11/3321/128/74
1891 Census:	Cain St., Cheadle, Cheshire	RG12/2801/79/63 30
1901 Census:	62 Countess St., Stockport	RG13/3294/148/103
1911 Census:	40 Greek St., Stockport

 

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