1885 ca, North Elba, New York, USA :The two JOHN BROWN 's sons at home. Photo by Jarvis, Pasadena, California. John Brown (1800 1859) was an American abolitionist who believed armed insurrection was the only way to overthrow the institution of slavery in the United States. Emancipation of the slaves, proclaimed on the 22nd September 1862, by the U.S.A. President ABRAHAM LINCOLN (1809 - 1865)