Hello Brian:
Have been away from genealogy for some time but back into it again. I can't remember if I ever answered your questions here.
My G. Grandfather , John (Holt/Hoyt ?) Brown , born in Ireland about 1813, married Catherine Snow, daughter of William and Abigail Hater. Their children were: William, Andrew, Abigail, John and Josiah (my grandfather). I have their info in a large family file (FTM) but "the deserter" remains a mystery to this day. So little is known about him--no photos, even exactly where in Ireland he was from. One family member thinks he was from Naas.
I believe I met you at the Smith reunion in Shelburne some time ago. Anne