Thomas BROWNE (ca. 1607 – 1687) was Alex’s 11th Great Grandfather, one of 4,096 in this generation of the Shaw line and one of 4,096  in the Miller line.  (See his great grandson Thomas BROWNE II for details of the double ancestors)

We have five separate Brown lines and seven different Brown immigrant ancestors, by far the most of any surname.  When the surname is of English origin it is derived from a nickname concerning the complexion of an individual, or the colour of their hair. Brown is derived from the Old English brun, brūn; Middle English brun, broun; or Old French brun.

1. John BROWNE Sr. (Swansea). (1583 Hawkedon, Suffolk  – 1662 Swansea, Mass)
John BROWN Jr.  (1620 -1662 Rehoboth, Mass)

2. John BROWN (Hampton) (1589 London – 1677 Salem, Mass)

3.  Nicholas BROWN (1601 Inkberrow, Worcester – 1694 Reading, Mass)

4. James BROWNE (1605 Southhampton, Hampshire  -1676 Salem, Mass.)

5. Thomas BROWNE (1607 Christian Malford, Wiltshire – 1687 Newbury, Mass.)
Francis BROWN I (1633  Christian Malford, Wiltshire – 1691  Newbury, Mass.)

Thomas was born about 1607 in Christian Malford, Wiltshire, England.  He married Mary ENDOE at Christian Malford on 20 Aug 1632 or 26 Jun 1631 in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England.  His parents were Joseph BROWNE and Sarah [__?__]. Thomas Brown and his wife sailed from Southampton 05 April 1635 on the ship James, William Cooper-Master, arriving in Boston, Ma on 03 June 1635.The manifest of the ship “James” shows only “Thomas Brown-Weaver”. It is assumed that his wife Mary and their first born child, Francis, was with him on this journey.  Thomas died from a fall on 8 Jan 1686/87 in Newbury, Mass.

Thomas Brown - Coat of Arms

Mary Endoe was born 1610 in Christian Malford, Wiltshire, England.  Alternatively, her surname was Healy.   Mary died 2 Jun 1655 in Newbury, Essex, Mass.

Children of Thomas and Mary:

Thomas Brown was a weaver by trade. The manifest of the ship “James” actually reflected two entries for “Thomas Brown-Weaver”. The second entry noted him as being a servant of one Thomas Antram.  As the name “Thomas Antram” does not appear in other records, there is some doubt as to the viability of our Thomas Brown being “a servant of Thomas Antram”.

Judging by the appraised value of his two sons’ estates, i.e. son Sargent Francis at £661,17s and son Isaac at £369,8s, we can assume that our Thomas Brown was a fairly successful weaver and an investor in property.

He and his wife settled in Newbury, Ma. He was admitted to the Newbury Church prior to 22 May 1639 at which time he was designated a Freeman. Thomas Brown being able to clearly sign his name was a man of some education. He witnessed the will of John Goffe on 4 Dec 1641. He served on the Grand Jury in different years and he disposed in court many times. Thomas Brown’s name is on the list of members of the church of Newbury in April 1671. He signed the Oath of Allegiance in Newbury in 1678.

Prior to 1652, Thomas Brown (and others) agreed to surrender land that had been granted to them on the on the left side of the Merrimack Ridge in Newbury, on condition that they be granted elsewhere three acres for every two previously granted.

26 Mar 1652 –  “Henry Short of Newbury, yeoman, as agent and in the behalf of Stephen Dumer, late of Newbury aforesaid, gentleman,” sold to “Thomas Brown & George Little of the aforesaid town and county, yeomen, all that farm of upland and meadow which was granted unto the said Stephen Dumer by the town of Newbury, being three hundred acres, sixty acres whereof is meadow”.

23 May 1660 –  Thomas Brown of Newbury, yeoman, sold to Henry Sewall of Newbury, gentleman, eight acres of meadow lately laid out and given to Henry Sewall in the Birchen Meadows in Newbury.

11 Apr 1677 –  Thomas Brown executed a deed wherein he confirmed transfer of property and land to his son-in-law, Peter Godfrey who married his only daughter Mary. This included “the possession of the of the house and barn and eleven acres of arable Land, adjoining to the said house in Newbury aforesaid, as also seven acres of meadow land lying at hither end of Birchen meadows, next George Little’s, with a four acre lot in Plumb Island which was granted to me for my freehold portion with the privilege of commonage–which the said Peter Godfrey has possessed ever since I did give unto Peter Godfrey in marriage with my Daughter, but having no assurance of it in writing–doe here by these presents, confirm unto the sayd peter Godfrey–all of the above named premisses provided the said Peter Godfrey pay yearly forty shillings unto the aforesaid Thomas Browne during my natural life, if it be demanded”.

22 Feb 1687 – A writing of a Kind of a will appears in court made by Thomas Brown deceased and it is not appearing to be so legal as the law requires: no executor being therein nominated therefore there is administratorship granted unto Francis BROWN of Newbury son of the said Thomas Brown upon the estate of the of the said Thomas Brown deceased” . Judging by the appraised value of his two sons’ estates, i.e. son Sargent Francis at £661,17s and son Isaac at £369,8s, we can assume that our Thomas Brown was a fairly successful weaver and an investor in property.

Children

1. Francis BROWN I (See his page)

2. Mary Brown

Mary was the first white child to be born in Newbury

Mary’s husband Peter Godfrey was born in England about 1631.  Peter died in Newbury, Mass 15 Apr 1716 in his 80th year. Alternatively, Peter died 5 Oct 1697 in Newbury, Essex, Mass.

Peter Godfrey 1 -- Source: Ancestry of Charles Stinson Pillsbury and John Sargent Pillsbury (1938)

Peter Godfrey 2

3. Isaac Brown

Isaac’s wife Rebecca Bailey was born 24 Nov 1641 in Salisbury, Essex, Mass. Her parents were John Bailey and Eleanor Emery. Rebecca died 13 May 1764 in Newbury, Essex, Mass.

4. Nicholas Brown

Nicholas’ wife Mary Linforth was born about 1647. Mary died 4 Jun 1717 in Haverhill, Essex, Mass.

Sources:

Thomas Browne 1 -- Source: Ancestry of Charles Stinson Pillsbury and John Sargent Pillsbury (1938)

Thomas Browne 2

http://trees.ancestry.com/owt/person.aspx?pid=17787571

http://www.genealogyofnewengland.com/b_b.htm

http://stanleyhistory.net/descnarratives/ThomasBrowne.htm

Ancestry of Charles Stinson Pillsbury and John Sargent Pillsbury (1938) By Holman, Mary Lovering, 1868-1947; Pillsbury, Helen Pendleton Winston, 1878-1957