Charles L. Brown was born at Center Moriches, N. Y., on September 6, 1852 and has followed the water nearly all his life.

            At the age of 14 years he engaged in the fishing business as captain of a sloop and sailed out of Greenport harbor.  After a few years he went in schooners in the oyster carrying trade.  He then for several years commanded fishing smacks which carried their cargoes of fish to Fulton Market, New York City.

            After leaving the smack fishing business he engaged in the sailing of pleasure yachts for wealthy yacht owners and was captain of such famous racing yachts as the "Banshee", "Neola", "Gray Jacket" and others.  He at one time sailed a yacht for William C. Whitney, Secretary of the Navy under President Grover Cleveland.

            Since retiring from yacht sailing he has been active in fishing on the bays.

            He is now 85 years old [in 1937] but is still active and is working about every good day.

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            The above account was written by Daniel F. Brown, brother of the subject.  Charles L Brown lived to be 94 [sic. should be 92] and spent his latter years clamming on Great South Bay until his untimely death when he was struck by a train on his way to work. [October 4, 1944]  -  By Ruby (or Lila) Brown

Note:  Charles Brown was known as "Little Man," or as "Uncle Charles."  He was very hard of hearing, and one theory at the time supposed that as the train passed the crossing several of its middle cars did not have their lights on (a common practice).  Charles may have thought the train had passed and continued walking, getting his fishing poles caught by the passing cars.