The following biography of James Dall Brown, quoted from Volume V of Philip Alexander Bruce's "History of Virginia" (1924), pages 398-99, gives some information on him and his family:

JAMES DALL BROWN. When the early founders of the Brown family, so well and favorably known in Westmoreland County, came from England in Colonial days and settled in Virginia, they no doubt found satisfying surroundings, and through their industry and comfortable living conditions to which they had looked with longing eyes as they braved the unknown dangers of the sea and a foreign shore. Here the Browns remained, grew in numbers and importance, and so prospered that probably before the Revolutionary war one of the largest landowners and slaveholders in Westmoreland County was the great-grandfather of James Dall Brown, owner of "Spring Grove" farm near Machodoc, Virginia, and one of the county's representative and substantial business men.
Mr. Brown was born on "Poplar Hill" farm, near Hague, Westmoreland County, Virginia, June 11, 1880, the second child and only son of George F. and Mary Estell (Arnest) Brown, the latter of whom was born December 24, 1851, in the State of Missouri, and now resides with her son on "Spring Grove" farm. Her one daughter, Mary Willoughby, is the wife of Fisher Howe, Second, and they reside at Princeton, New Jersey.
George F. Brown was born on his father's extensive plantation near Hague, Virginia, "Buena Vista" farm, in 1848, and died on "Wilton" farm in Westmoreland County in February, 1909. He was one of a family of six sons and two daughters born to Col. Thomas and Sarah (Newton)[correction--Sarah Lee Cox] Brown, both of whom practically spent their entire lives on the Buena Vista estate. The four surviving members of their family are: Thomas, who resides at Buena Vista; Elizabeth, who resides at Machodoc, Virginia, the widow of William Mayo, formerly a farmer at Coles Point; Robert, who is a farmer, resides with his sister; and Charles F., whose home is at Berryville, Virginia. Colonel Brown, whose title was one of honor and courtesy, was an extensive planter and his family socially prominent in the county. Thomas Brown, the eldest surviving member of his father's family, has spent his life at the old home place, Buena Vista. He has represented this and adjoining counties in the Legislature, was superintendent of public instruction for a number of years, also served a long while as internal revenue collector, and filled with honor many other prominent positions.
George F. Brown remained on the home plantation through boyhood and early youth, but later resided on other estates in the neighborhood, including "Poplar Hill" and "Wilton," the former of these coming into his possession through his father, and the latter through his wife's inheritance. These great southern country estates in old days were usually many miles in extent, with roomy, porched and vine covered old manor houses, with "quarters" in the background, and there are few scions of these old Virginia families, wherever they may be at the present day, who do not tenderly recall an old homestead like this and remember its lavish hospitality and social prestige. Like his father, George F. Brown carried on large farming operations, although under somewhat different conditions, and he also was greatly interested in breeding and training fine horses, the thoroughbreds from his farm and stables being recognized among the best produced in the state. From his estate went the "Duke of Westmoreland," which developed into one of the famous horses on the English turf. In addition to his other interests Mr. Brown took part in political matters in his neighborhood, and for many years served in the office of justice of the peace. He was a faithful member of the Episcopal Church.
James Dall Brown was educated in the public schools at Hague, Virginia, and as he grew older assumed many duties on his father's plantations. Following his father's death in 1900, he managed his mother's farm, "Wilton," for one year, and after she sold that property, moved on his present valuable farm, "Spring Grove," which is situated near Machodoc, in Westmoreland County, where he has 222 acres of fine, well improved land, and a handsome mansion house. Mr. Brown operates his land according to modern methods and with the use of the latest improved agricultural machinery. As a man of enterprise he has some additional interests, being a director in the Farmers Bank of Hague, Virginia, and he owns and profitably operates a flour and grist mill, roller process, which has a capacity of twenty-five barrels a day, and is situated on his farm. He grows good stock also, without making a specialty of this feature.
Mr. Brown married at Baltimore, Maryland, in May, 1912, Mrs. Lucy Wilhelmina (Kellam) Mayo, a daughter of David C. and Lucy (Nottingham) Kellam, the latter of whom is deceased. The father of Mrs. Brown is a merchant at Shadyside and an extensive potato grower in Northampton County. Mrs. Brown was educated in the Buena Vista Academy and the Southern Female Institute at Petersburg, Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have four sturdy young sons: James Dall, Jr., born July 4, 1913; George Fulton, born October 25, 1915; David Kellam, born in 1917; and Willoughby Randolph, born December 23, 1921. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are members of the Episcopal Church. In political life he has always been identified with the democratic party, but is active only to the extent of good citizenship.