DAVID BROWN
David brown was a wealthy trader who migrated to Penang during the time
of Captain Francis Light and the East India Company. During his time of
residence on the Island, he acquired and became the major land owner on
the Island. He established an estate known as “Ladang Rempah Ratus” in the
Gelugor area where Nutmeg, Coriander and Black Pepper were grown. David
Brown also owned estates in Sungai Nibong and Sungai Dua. Beside that, he also became a trading partner to James Scott, a fellow trader with Francis Light. With the death of Scott, David Brown bought over and owned the largest tract of land in Penang. The Brown Family with their estates and plantations became the wealthiest family in Penang, owning not only estates and plantations but several houses built on top of the Penang Hill. He was also known for his philanthropic and charitable nature. He made numerous donations in the development of Penang and donated a 12 acre piece of land to the Penang City Council that is known till this day as Padang Brown where a monument attributed to him can be found. After his death in 1825, the Brown estate was taken over by his son, followed by succeeding generations of the Brown family.