Elijah Brush (May 10, 1773 – December 14, 1813) was a lawyer and politician from Detroit, Michigan.
Early life
Elijah Brush was born in Bennington, Vermont in 1773, the son of Colonel Nathaniel Brush and Samantha Parker (d. 1789).[1] Brush graduated from Dartmouth College and came to Detroit in 1798.[2]
Career
Following Detroit's hand-over to American control, John Askin, a British subject, moved across the Detroit River to Canada, leaving behind his farm, "Private Claim #1," which was immediately adjacent to Detroit.[1]
In 1807, Brush was the counsel in the first case to test the right to hold slaves in Michigan, Denison v. Tucker.[4]
During the War of 1812, British forces captured Detroit and Elijah Brush and other militia officers were taken prisoner.[2] He was shipped to Toronto, but his brother-in-law, a British officer, procured his release, and Brush returned to Detroit in late 1813[5] when American troops retook the city.[2]
Personal life
In 1802, Brush married Adelaide Askin (1783–1859),[1] daughter of John Askin and sister of John Askin, both prominent fur traders.[2] The couple had three sons and a daughter[3] who survived their father:[1]
Edmund Askin Brush (1802–1877), who married Elizabeth Cass Hunt (1825–1913).[6]
Charles Andrew Brush (1804–1807), who died young.[6]
Charles Reuben Brush (1807–1849), who married Jane Cameron Forsyth (1809–1856).[7]
Archange "Semanthe" Brush (1813–1842), who married Charles Meredith.[6]
Elijah and Adelaide moved onto Askin's farm, and in 1806 the Brushes purchased it for $6000 and it eventually became known as the Brush Farm.[1] Brush, a careful administrator, increased the value of the farm and made his heirs wealthy.[2] In the 1850s, Edmund Brush began developing sections of the property into the fashionable Brush Park; the streets Edmund, Alfred, Adelaide, and Brush were named after members of the family.[8]
He died on December 14, 1813, shortly after the Americans retook Detroit.[2][5]
