Mary Helm is mentioned often in the Record Book of The First Baptist Church of Christ in Southport (Pine City Baptist Church) dated 1854-1895. She was very active in the church and a Eulogy outlining many of her activities was included in the record book on January 5, 1895.

Mary Seamons Brown was born October 24, 1818 in New York State to William A. Brown and Lurana Seamons Brown. Her brother, just before her, was born in Rhode Island and her sister born after her was born in Corning, NY. She had 4 older siblings, two girls and two boys when she was born. They were Elizabeth Ann “Betsey” Brown 1811-1874, William Arnold Brown 1812-1887, Abigail Julia Brown 1815-1887, and Charles Brown 1817-1847. After her birth, her parents had two more girls and three more boys. Those brothers and sisters were Clarissa Lurana Brown 1820-1876, “Deacon” John Brown 1824-1901 (see the page on his life immediately before this page), Anthony Brown 1830-1899, Achsah Brown 1830-1902, and Comfort Simmons Brown, 1833-1876.(1) Mary’s father died in September of 1833 when her youngest brother was 7 months old. He died in Maryland and was buried in Caton New York perhaps because Betsey was living there. Her mother died and was buried in Caton, New York, in April of 1835 when her youngest brother was 2 yrs old. Mary would have been 15 when her father died and 17 when her mother died. It is unknown how the children coped with their loss at that time or who completed their upbringing. Mary was in the middle, with 4 older and 5 younger siblings.
Five years later, about 1840, she married Samuel Helm. They had 4 girls and then two boys. They were Mary Helm 1841, Elizabeth Helm 1843, Margret Helm 1847, Helen Helm 1851, Samuel J. Helm 1854-1876, George Helm 1855-1914.
In the 1850 census, Mary (age 31) and Comfort (age 17)  were living with Deacon John Brown. It is unknown why Mary is listed with her maiden name and she is living with her brother. John and Martha's children were age 3 (William Dean) and 1 (Louisa Cornie) at the time and we know from Pastor Sheardown's autobiography (2) that Martha was ill much of the time so perhaps Mary was staying there to help with the children. But Mary also had small children and most likely was pregnant with Helen at the time. Perhaps she needed to be closer to town until her baby was born and someone else was caring for her other 3 girls age 9, 7, and 3. Samuel Helm was a farmer. He was not a regular attender of the covenant meetings but Mary was almost always listed as attending. He was not on the membership lists but was mentioned one time in the minutes of a covenant meeting.

Her siblings as known-
*Betsey Brown married Ebenezer Miller and lived in Caton, NY. They had 7 boys and no girls - George F.1831, Charles K.1835, William Brown 1839, Horace Winchester 1844, John D. 1848, John B. 1849, Eugene Smalley 1850.(1) A church in Caton is mentioned and she may have belonged to that church but was the eldest sister of Mary Helm and John Brown. She is mentioned as a dear sister,  who had died, in the Jan. 5, 1875 covenant minutes.
*Mary’s brother Anthony was also a Charter member married to Esther who joined the church Nov. 5 1882 by letter from Coopers Plain. The Helms lived next to Anthony who was also a farmer. They had 3 girls - Martha M. 1853, Sarah B.1855, and Ella S. 1857. They had an infant who died at birth and a son Willis S. 1859 (2) who died when he was 4 yrs old. Sarah Brown was a member of the church and is often mentioned in the minutes of the Covenant meetings as being in attendance. Anthony, Esther, the infant and Willis  are buried in the Pine City Cemetery located behind the Hay Loft.
*Comfort joined the church Aug. 5, 1865 by letter from the Elmira church. He married Huldah Selina Hopkins and they had 4 boys - Clarence Archibald 1860, Edwin Hazen 1862, Ford Hopkins 1867, and Ralph C 1876. He is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery. (1)
***Mary’s son George and his wife Martha were members of the church. They joined on May 6,1899 by letter and were members until death in 1914 and 1931 respectively. There is no evidence that they had children.

The Eulogy for Mary Helm dated January 5, 1895-
“At a covenant meeting held in the Southport Baptist Church the following Resolutions was read and adopted
In memory of Sister Mary E. Helm - since it hath pleased an all wise Father to remove from us our highly esteemed and aged sister Mary E Helm and hath taken her we trust to a house where care and toil is unknown and whereas - she was a faithful worker for forty years working for interest of the Southport Baptist Church and the Masters Kingdom and was ready to respond to the wants of the afflicted - ready with open heart and hand - In sickness and sorrow in times of death - ready with cheering words and wise council - when and where most needed - and whereas she was faithful in attendance in the various departments of church work - always anxious for the prosperity of Zion - in Sunday school work - in the prayer meeting - in covenant meeting where her voice was so often heard admonishing us to work - It will never be heard again - in the missionary cause has lost a tried and true friend and the temperance cause an ardent support Therefore Resolved that in the death of sister Helm the church has sustained an irrepairable loss that we shall greatly miss her in the church and in our houses - though she is no more with us-her influence ought to inspire us that remain to greater activity Resolved that we extend to the afflicted family our heart-felt sympathy in this their hours of sorrow and bereavement  Resolved that these resolutions be put on the church record and a copy of the same be given to the family if they desire it.”

                    J W Sherman Clerk

Mary Helm is buried in the Pine City Cemetery behind the Hay Loft.

1 Ancestry.com

2 Joycetice.com