In his will, which was probated in October following, he left bequests to his widow Reana (his second wife), each of his eight children, something to the new college (Harvard) then building at Cambridge, and to George Alcock, a student.

[4] Emma's father, John Frost Brown, for many years a leading bookseller in Concord, was an ardent lover of beauty, whether in nature or art.

During her girlhood, as she took long outdoor tramps with him, he taught her to note the changing beauties of sky and land and sea, which in later years she was skilful in reproducing on canvas.

[4] He was a great reader himself, and he directed her reading, which dwelt mostly on outdoor themes and stories of golden deeds in ancient and modern history.

If from her father she inherited a love of good reading, of pictures and pre-eminently of nature, she was no less indebted to her mother for a certain executive ability, indispensable to success, while from both parents she received constant help and encouragement in her early efforts.

[6] Brown produced contributions for various literary and religious magazines, including the Atlantic Monthly, The Aldine, the Living Age, and others.

Huldah, her book of patriotic verse, dedicated to a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, was read with appreciation by lovers of graceful poetry.