Important question about a son of pre-Civil War abolitionist, John Brown.?

Question

I keep reading conflicting information about one of John Brown's sons, Salmon. One report I read, his birthdate is in 1836 and he joined his father and brothers in the Pottawatomie Massacre. Another source, however, tells me that Salmon Brown was born in 1856, the same year as the Massacre.
When I was still in school (I've since graduated and am finished for the summer), one of my teachers told me to never trust a site for its truths unless it was a .edu. The problem with this is both of the sites with conflicting birth years are .edu's.
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!

If it helps any, this is the link to the site that shows Salmon's birth year as 1856:
http://www3.iath.virginia.edu/jbrown/family.html

I'm trying to find the other one that shows it's 1836.

Answer 1

He was born in 1836 and died in 1919 per his gravestone which is located at Greenwood Hill Cemetery in Portland, Oregon.

Answer 2

According to "John Brown, Abolitionist", Salmon Brown was born in 1836, took part in the Pottawatomie Massacre, but refused his father's urging to join the Harper's Ferry plot. He was one of those who received his father's body after Brown was hanged, but the biography has no information on him afterwards.

There was anothe Salmon Brown who was John's brother. The Salmon born in 1856 was probably a grandson. In 1856, John's second wife Mary Day Brown would have been 40, rather old for having children in the days before fetility therapies.

Answer 3

First, I would say your teacher is very much incorrect regarding what sites to trust. Schools have always been guilty of spreading false education and misinformation regarding a wide range of topics. Scholars who seek truth must reference a wide range of sources and come up with their own answers regarding specific details (i.e. dates, etc.) and general conclusions. You should trust sites that reference their sources - this way you can validate the information they provide to you.

The answer to your question is 1836/1837. This is validated through Census records - Salmon, his wife, and two children are found in North Alba, Essex County, NY in 1860, roll M653_753, p. 328. John had taken his family to Alba around 1855 I believe.

The link below is to a letter from Salmon Brown to R. J. Hinton dated January 10, 1860 in which Salmon discusses his father's role in the massacre. Certainly interesting reading if you're researching this family.

http://www.territorialkansasonline.org/cgiwrap/imlskto/index.php?SCREEN=show_document&document_id=103067&SCREEN_FROM=search&submit=search&search=Pottawatomie%20Massacre,%20May%201856&startsearchat=5&searchfor=

Most other sources, particularly Kansas historical books and documents, do support Salmon was involved in the massacre. I can provide further references if you would like.