Peter Brown Family History

John Browne (c1490) & Joan

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General History

John Browne & Joan were one of my 14th generation ancestors.

Key Dates:

John Browne was possibly born around 1490 probably in West Hoathly, Sussex.

His forebears may have been a George Browne, a free tenant who lived in a half timbered house opposite the church in West Hoathly in 1450 and was involved with the South East rebellion in London on 2ndJuly 1450; a John Brown who occupied a considerable stretch of land in West Hoathly around 1340 (and was becoming a free tenant) and a William Browne around 1260 who owned an Ox and a sow and farmed a strip of land around the church. (source 4  and taxation figures for 1296, 1327 & 1332).  There was also mention of a William Browne , farmer, who lived in West Hoathly the same time as John. It is thought that he died in East Grinstead in 1547 (‘Will’ dated 12th April 1547).

John and his descendants lived at the Priest House in West Hoathly, Sussex. John left a ‘Will’ dated 30th April 1546 and presumably died shortly afterwards in 1546.

Joan's  (or Jone’s) birth details are unknown. She was Executor to her husband in 1546.

Besides the Mid-Sussex Browne's based around West Hoathly & East Grinstead one other Family Group existed in the area at this time East Mid-Sussex Browne's (based around Maresfield, Withyham & Rotherfield). This additional family group are probably related via ancestors of John Browne 1490 and are included here to enable a full picture of Brown's to be obtained.

Children Returns to 'Top of Page'

John Browne and Joan had nine known children:

Thomas Andrew Nicholas Richard katheryn Margaret Henry William Joan
  1. Thomas Browne was possibly born around 1516 probably in West Hoathly, Sussex. He would seem to have been the eldest son and was appointed executor of his father's Will of 1546. He married Elizabeth Teynton and he died in 1582. Details of Thomas Brown & Elizabeth Teynton are shown separately as they are direct ancestors.
  2. Andrew Browne was possibly born around 1518 probably in West Hoathly, Sussex. He was mentioned in his father's 'Will' of 1546.  He leased 'Parsonage Hill' from his brother Thomas and was a witness to Thomas's 'Will' of 1582. He had lands called Upper and Lower Pendents. He married Agnes. Andrew left a 'Will' dated 16th October 1595 and he died in 1597, prior to April. Agnes was named as executor to her husband’s ‘Will’ of 1595 and she was buried on 15th August 1616 in West Hoathly, Sussex ('wife of Andrew').  Andrew & Agnes had 11 known children: (source 1 & 6)
    1. Andrew Browne was possibly born around 1554 probably in West Hoathly, Sussex and he was named in his fathers ‘Will’ of 1595. He was Overseer to his brother Enoch  in 1614 and was church warden of West Hoathly in 1613. He firstly married Rachel Egerton on 18th October 1596 in East Grinstead, Sussex. He secondly married Agnes Avys on 1st January 1605 in Worth, Sussex. Andrew & Agnes had two known children:  He thirdly possibly married Elizabeth who was buried on 14th January 1619 in West Hoathly, Sussex ('wife of Andrew'). (source 3)
      1. Andrew Browne, was baptised 2nd December 1604 in Worth, Sussex (he was christened as Andrew Avys). He possibly married Mary Bayley on 1st November 1636 in Crawley, Sussex.
      2. Elizabeth Browne was baptised 29th March 1607 in Worth, Sussex and was probably buried there on 12th June 1641.
    2. Edward Browne was possibly born around 1556 probably in West Hoathly, Sussex. He may not be a son of Andrew- (see verification item 2 ). Details of Edward Browne are shown separately.
    3. John Browne was possibly born around 1558, probably in West Hoathly, Sussex. He possibly married Juliane. Details of John Browne & Juliane are shown separately.
    4. Enoch Browne was possibly born around 1560 probably in West Hoathly, Sussex .  He married Eleanor Grose around 1584. Details of Enoch Browne & Eleanor Grose are shown separately.
    5. Joshua Browne was possibly born around 1562, probably in West Hoathly, Sussex, and was named in his fathers ‘Will’ of 1595.  He married Emma Paine (Emmeline) on 2nd February 1626 in West Hoathly, Sussex and he was buried there on 7th May 1633.
    6. Rose Browne was possibly born around 1564, probably in West Hoathly, Sussex, and was named in her fathers ‘Will’ of 1595.
    7. Mary Browne was possibly born around 1566, probably in West Hoathly, Sussex, and was named in her fathers ‘Will’ of 1595.
    8. Jane Browne was possibly born around 1568, probably in West Hoathly, Sussex, and was named in her fathers ‘Will’ of 1595.
    9. Julian Browne was possibly born around 1570, probably in West Hoathly, Sussex, and was named in her fathers ‘Will’ of 1595. 
    10. Agnes Browne was possibly born around 1572, probably in West Hoathly, Sussex, and was named in her fathers ‘Will’ of 1595.
    11. Martha Browne was possibly born around 1574, probably in West Hoathly, Sussex, and was named in her fathers ‘Will’ of 1595. 
  3. Nicholas Browne was possibly born around 1520 probably in West Hoathly, Sussex. He was over 21 in father’s will of 1546. Nicholas was possibly was buried on 7th February 1579 in Edenbridge, Kent (shown as Nis). Nicholas maybe possibly had two children. This is pure guesswork and there is no supporting evidence that these were his children, but options are very limited.
    1. John Browne was born around 1545 (derived as no birth record exists). He possibly married Agnes Matthew (Mathewe) on 28th July 1567 in Burstow, Surrey. John & Agnes had two known children.
      1. Thomas Browne  was baptised on 22nd August 1568 in Worth, Sussex.
      2. Elizabeth Browne  was baptised on 15th October 1570 in Worth, Sussex.
    2. Thomas Browne was born around 1550 (derived as no birth record exists). Thomas possibly married Emma Balcombe (Eme) on 28thJanuary 1587 in Ardingly, Sussex (Thomas shown as from Stone). Thomas left a 'Will' dated 12th March 1600 and he was buried on 15th October 1600 in Lindfield, Sussex. Emma was buried there on 10th December 1597 ('Emme wife of Thomas'). Thomas & Emma had six children.
      1. Ano Browne was buried on 14th June 1585 in Lindfield, Sussex ('child of Thomas, not baptised').
      2. Ano Browne was buried on 23rd March 1587 in Lindfield, Sussex ('child of Thomas, not baptised').
      3. Ambrose Browne  was baptised on 9th June 1588 in Lindfield, Sussex.
      4. Emma Browne  (Emme) was baptised on 9th April 1589 in Lindfield, Sussex.
      5. Thomas Browne  was baptised on 23rd August 1590 in Lindfield, Sussex. He possibly married Ann Graime on 8th June 1637 in East Grinstead, Sussex. Thomas & Ann had one child.
        1. Thomas Browne  was baptised on 27th December 1638 in East Grinstead, Sussex. He probably firstly married Elizabeth Harling on 29th July 1663 in East Grinstead, Sussex. Elizabeth was probably buried there on 1st August 1667 ('wife of Thomas'). He married secondly Elizabeth Eastland on 15th June 1669 in East Grinstead, Sussex. Thomas & Elizabeth had four children (parents being shown as Tho & Eli). Thomas left a 'Will' dated 12th August 1681 and was buried on 16th August 1681 in East Grinstead, Sussex (shown as a Yeoman of East Grinstead in Sxfg People Index). Elizabeth left a 'Will' dated 19th April 1722 and she was buried on 3rd March 1725 in East Grinstead, Sussex ('widow')
          1. Elizabeth Browne  was baptised on 28th August 1670 in East Grinstead, Sussex. She married Edmund Chapman on 24th February 1690 in Lingfield, Surrey. She was mentioned in her father's 'Will of 1681 and her mother's 'Will' of 1725 as wife of Edmund Chapman.
          2. Sarah Browne  was baptised on 26th June 1672 in East Grinstead, Sussex. She was mentioned in her father's 'Will of 1681 and in her mother's 'Will' of 1725.
          3. Mary Browne  was baptised on 15th March 1674 in East Grinstead, Sussex. She was mentioned in her father's 'Will of 1681 and in her mother's 'Will' of 1725 as Mary Swan. Mary married George Swan and had at least one child (Elizabeth) whow was mentioned in her grandmother's 'Will' of 1725.
          4. Susanna Browne  was baptised on 3rd September 1676 in East Grinstead, Sussex. She married John Stenning (or Steyning) on 24th November 1695 in East Grinstead, Sussex. (License issued at Lewes on 4th November and John shown as from Godstone). She was mentioned in her father's 'Will of 1681 and in her mother's 'Will' of 1725 as wife of Mr Steyning. John & Susanna had four children: William, Mary, Sarah & Benjamin- all mentioned in their grandmother's 'Will' of 1725.
      6. Anne Browne  was baptised on 10th December 1594 in Lindfield, Sussex.
  4. Richard Browne was possibly born around 1522 probably in West Hoathly, Sussex. He was over 21 in father’s will of 1546. Possibly was buried on 7th January 1572 in Lindfield, Sussex. Richard maybe possibly had two children. This is pure guesswork and there is no supporting evidence that these were his children, but options are very limited.
    1. Richard Browne was born around 1550 (derived as no birth record exists) He possibly had a child
      1. Mary Browne (Marye) was baptised on 23rd December 1595 in Lindfield, Sussex. She may have married Cuthbert Faulconer (shown as Cutberd Fawkner) on 6th May 1622 in Lindfield.
    2. Thomas Browne was born around 1560 (derived as no birth record exists). He married Susan Egerton on 24th January 1585 in Worth, Sussex. Thomas & Susan had seven children. (all children born in Worth show parents as Thomas & Susan, whlist Burstow just shows Thomas). Susan was buried on 26th January 1616 in Worth, Sussex ('wife of Thomas') and Thomas was probably buried there on 10th April 1616.
      1. Anne Browne  (Ann) was baptised on 16th February 1586 in Burstow, Surrey.
      2. Abel Browne  was baptised on 4th February 1588 in Burstow, Surrey . Abel was maybe possibly buried on 22nd January 1602 in Worth, Sussex (shown as Abell).
      3. Elizabeth Browne  was baptised on 26th December 1592 in Worth, Sussex.
      4. Alice Browne  was baptised on 12th January 1595 in Worth, Sussex.
      5. Susan Browne  was baptised on 22nd March 1596 in Worth, Sussex.
      6. John Browne  was baptised on 10th July 1603 in Worth, Sussex.
      7. William Browne  was baptised on 25th October 1607 in Worth, Sussex.
  5. Katheryn (or Catherine) Browne was possibly born around 1524 probably in West Hoathly, Sussex. She was named in fathers will of 1546 and was unmarried at that time.
  6. Margaret Browne was possibly born around 1526 probably in West Hoathly, Sussex. She was named in fathers will of 1546 and was unmarried at that time.
  7. Henry Browne was possibly born around 1528 probably in West Hoathly, Sussex. He was under 19 in father’s ‘Will’ of 1546. Henry married Anne in about 1564 . (Note-the marriage and children may relate to another Henry, but Henry's son Henry had a property arrangement with George son of Thomas- see Archives. However the marriage & children may relate to a Henry the son of William Brown of East Grinstead). Henry left a 'Will' dated 7th June 1597 and he was buried on 23rd September 1598 in East Grinstead, Sussex ('Harrie Brown senior'). Anne was mentioned in her husbands 'Will' of 1597 as executor. Henry & Anne had eight children
    1. William Browne was baptised on 11th February 1565 in East Grinstead, Sussex (son of Harrie). He possibly married Elizabeth Browne on 26th January 1590 in Lingfield, Surrey. He presumably died prior to 1597 as he was not mentioned in his father's 'Will'.
    2. Esther Browne (Hester) was baptised on 8th December 1566 in East Grinstead, Sussex (no parents shown). She was mentioned in her father's 'Will' of 1597 as "Easter".
    3. Sarah Browne was probably born in about 1568 but was baptised on 13th March 1569 in East Grinstead, Sussex (no parents shown). She was mentioned in her father's 'Will' of 1597.
    4. Judith Browne was baptised 13th March 1569 in East Grinstead, Sussex (no parents shown). She was mentioned in her father's 'Will' of 1597 as his youngest daughter and also as Judith Osborne. Judith married John Osborne (shown as Osmer) on 18th May 1592 in East Grinstead, Sussex.
    5. Henry Browne (Harrie) was baptised 18th October 1573 in East Grinstead, Sussex. (no parents shown). He was mentioned in his father's 'Will' of 1597. He married Bridget Kydder in East Grinstead, Sussex on 5th December 1599 (shown as Harye Browe & Briggett Kydder, widow - License issued at Lewes on 22nd November 1599). Henry probably moved to Edenbridge, Kent ( See Documents: Archive 1) and this is consistent with the birth place of later descendants in Cowden. Bridget was buried on 7th July 1636 in East Grinstead, Sussex. (‘Bridget Browne wife of Henry’). Henry's estate was admistered on 17th May 1641 so he presumably died in 1641. He possibly had a child. This is pure guesswork and there is no supporting evidence that these were his children, but options are very limited.
      1. Henry Browne was born in about 1600 (derived as no birth record exists). He probably married Joan Harrison on 30th January 1632 in Cowden, Kent. Henry was buried on 4th October 1667 in Cowden, Kent. Henry & Joan had seven children.
        1. John Browne was baptised on 1st June 1632 in Cowden, Kent.
        2. Richard Browne was baptised on 14th December 1634 in Cowden, Kent.
        3. Mary Browne was baptised on 26th November 1637 in Cowden, Kent.
        4. Henry Browne was baptised on 8th June 1641 in Cowden, Kent and he was buried there on 11th March 1643 ('son of Henry').
        5. Ann Browne was baptised on 19th May 1644 in Cowden, Kent.
        6. Elizabeth Browne was baptised on 14th May 1648 in Cowden, Kent and she was buried there on 12th March 1649 ('daughter of Henry').
        7. Elizabeth Browne was baptised on 4th September 1651 in Cowden, Kent. She possibly married Richard Turner on 27th October 1674 in Cowden, Kent.
    6. Elisha Browne was probably born in about 1575. He was mentioned in his father's 'Will' of 1597.
    7. Susan Browne was baptised on 23rd April 1578 in East Grinstead, Sussex and she was buried there on 3rd December 1579 (‘Suzan, daughter of Harrie’).
    8. John Browne was baptised on 15th January 1581 in East Grinstead, Sussex (son of Harrie). He was mentioned in his father's 'Will' of 1597. He possibly married Mary Job on 1st November 1607 in East Grinstead, Sussex and she was buried on 1st October 1622 in East Grinstead, Sussex. (‘wife of John’). John was possibly buried on 24th November 1623 in East Grinstead, Sussex. (source 3).
  8. Joan (or Jane) Browne was possibly born around 1531 probably in West Hoathly, Sussex. She was named in fathers will of 1546 and was unmarried at that time.
  9. William Browne was born in March 1534, probably in West Hoathly, Sussex. He was under 20 in his father’s ‘Will’ of 1546. He was Overseer to his brother Thomas in 1581. William maybe possibly became Vicar of Horley and married Magdalene Elsick. Details of William Brown & Magdalene Elsick are shown separately. There is some doubt that this ancestry line is correct. (see verification - item 1).

Personal History Returns to 'Top of Page'

John Browne (1490) - (source 4)

John Browne, was reasonably well off for a peasant farmer. He met at Nutley on 20th October 1520 ‘Lord Dacre of the South’ who was holding an enquiry into forest affairs for Henry VIII. (PB Note: this may be incorrect as there was also a John Brown who lived in Nutley at this time). He was a successful husbandman by 1524 when he leased the Manor of West Hoathly (land and the Priest House) from Lewes Priory. He lived frugally and took a big risk by renting the manor & farm as he was only a peasant farmer and this meant a lot more work, more stock and employment of extra labour. The Priest house was an old fashioned building even in its day. There was no glass in the windows and the farm hands that John employed probably slept in the draughty hall around the fire in the middle, but it was an age of hard living. Whom he paid the rent too changed a lot over the period (Lewes Priory, Thomas Cromwell, Anne of Cleaves -see Priest House history). As ‘Lord of the Manor’ and as part of the lease agreement with the Lewes Priory, he had to pay  the pension of the vicar, as long as the vicar was one of the dispossessed monks.
John Browne farmed all the fields between Chiddingly and the church at West Hoathly , about a mile. His farm, from 1532, was worth, with the tithes and manorial dues also rented from the monks, £8.6.8 a year. (for comparison a horse was then valued at 3 pounds and candles 1/3 per dozen). Besides being a farmer, he also dug for iron ore to supply the furnace at Chiddingly which Thomas Michael had bought in 1536.

In the "lay subsidy rolls" for 1524/25 John Browne does not appear (but there are a John & William Browne in Lindfield area and a William & Thomas Browne in East Grinstead). For further details of other Family Names see Taxation-Subsidy Rolls.

Andrew Browne (1518) - (source 1 & 6)

Andrew appears to be the second eldest son as would inherit his mother’s lease of the Manor on her death under his fathers ‘Will’. He lived at The Pendants (Upper & Lower) in West Hoathly and leased Parsonage Hill from his brother Thomas. He was a witness to Thomas’s ‘Will’ in 1581. 

Verification & Concerns Returns to 'Top of Page'

  1. William Browne (Family ref 9) ancestry is unclear.
    1. Michael J. Burchall, a Sussex Family  Historian, on 1 Dec. 1973 said (in "A Tillinghast Genealogy," page 58), " Pardon Tillinghast married Sarah, eldest daughter of Benjamin Browne, Vicar of Ifield. (ie son of William) The Browne family hailed originally from West Hoathly in Sussex, where Benjamin's grandfather had leased the Rectory Manor from the Priory of St. Pancras, Lewes. Soon after the  dissolution of the monasteries Benjamin's uncle had purchased the manor along with other land."
      On the other hand, a year earlier, Mr. Burchall , who transcribed the Horley parish register had said "William Browne was inducted into the Vicarage of Horley in 1561, by Queen Elizabeth I. He remained vicar until his death in 1613, some 52 years. He may have been a younger son of the family of Browne of Betchworth, although his ancestry has not yet been traced". (Source 9)
    2. There are some web sites showing that  he may have been baptised/born in Horley, Surrey on 1st February 1534 , but the reference to being born in Horley has no basis as the parish records did not start until 1584 and the date is inconsistent with the burial record (see verification item 2 of William Browne 1534).
    3. There is no clear evidence to show that William of Horley was the son of John & Joan of West Hoathly. However the birth timeline is basically consistent with births of other children of John and Andrew Browne's (son of John) 'Will' is witnessed by a Benjamin Brown. This was usually a cousin/nephew but shows a possible name link to one of William of Horley son's name.The only Benjamin that has been identified in this period was William's son. Against this, William, son of John, is shown as an Overseer to his brother Thomas in 1581 whereas the Horley William was vicar of Horley from 1561 and would presumably not be readily available to supervise his brother’s estate from a distance and no mention appears in the 'Will' of Thomas of the words 'Vicar or Reverand'.
    4. My personal conjecture is that on balance, the naming of Benjamin Browne as a witness shows that he is probably a kinsman to Andrew and therefore William is related to the family of John & Joan. If not his son he is his nephew. I have currently shown him as son, but things may alter as information is found.
    5. Links to Betchworth Brownes: There are a number of tenuous links between this & other family groups and the Betchworth Browne's
      1. Peter Brown, Benjamin Browne and Walter Browne names all tie in with the Betchworth Browne's and the William Brown 1534 Family Group. These three names are relatively uncommon.
      2. Benjamin Brown name also ties in with as a witness to the Will of Andrew Brown, brother of Thomas, of West Hoathly in 1595 in The John Brown 1490 Family Group.
      3. Bridget Browne married John Watson in Dorking in 1582. This has to be Bridget Browne of West Hoathly, daughter of Thomas. (Thomas Brown 1516 Family group), whom definately married a John Watson around this time and to have two do it would be too coincidental. As Bridget had a strong family in West Hoathly, why did she marry in Dorking, unless there was a strong family connection.
  2. There may be another related Browne family living in the area - brother of John and their children.
    1. The purchase of the manor house by Thomas was witnessed by his 'brother' Edward according to source 4. He would likely to be of a similar age to Thomas ( ie 35-45).
    2. In Thomas's 'Will' of 1582, one of the Overseers was Edward Brown. He was not shown as a brother (unlike William), but one assumes would be of a similar maturity (ie aged 40-50).
    3. Sussex Genealogies (SxG) says that John had a son Edward but he is not shown in the current transcript of the 'Will' of John. This may be an error in the transcription, but more likely a wrong interpretation of the 'Will' of Thomas. Similarly SxG says Andrew had a son Edward but he not shown in the current transcript of Andrew's Will.
    4. Andrew's 'Will' is witnessed by a Benjamin Browne and a Thomas Browne. Benjamin Browne of Ifield was not yet a Vicar at this time (ordained one year later) so was probably still 'studying'. He would only be aged 24 and possibly too young to witness a 'Will' of an elderly man. This implies that there possibly was another Benjamin Brown around. The Thomas Browne may be the son of brother Thomas or another kinsman.
    5. I have currently shown an Edward as son of Andrew. The names of the children of this Edward are inconsistent with other common family names implying that he is not the son of Andrew. (Andrews Will showing no Edward). Edward actually had a son named Stephen which ties in with a son of Joseph, son of William of Horley. The father of this Edward may be the person identified in 2.1 & 2.2 above.
    6. There was also mention of a William Browne , farmer, who lived in West Hoathly the same time as John. It is thought that he died in East Grinstead in 1547 (‘Will’ dated 12/4/1547) but he may have had a son William whose children these are, but they may be children of other sons of John.
      1. William Browne was baptised on 18th September 1580 in East Grinstead, Sussex. He was buried there on 14th July 1581(‘son of William’).
      2. Henry Browne was baptised on 20th November 1584 in East Grinstead, Sussex (may not be son of this William- no parentage shown)
      3. Agnes Browne was baptised on 12th February 1587 in East Grinstead, Sussex. She was buried there on 27th March 1587 (‘daughter of William’).
      4. Johane Browne was buried on 30th March 1588 in East Grinstead, Sussex. (‘daughter of William’)
      5. William Browne was baptised on 23rd March 1589 in East Grinstead, Sussex (may not be son of this William- no parentage show
  3. SxG- Source 1 has a number of errors identified
    1. All dates shown between 01/01 and 24/03 up to year 1750 usually have the year shown as that of the previous year (Exceptions are: a) marriage of Joshua in 1626)
    2. SxG in children of John 1490 identifies an Edward Browne but he is not mentioned in John Browne’s ‘Will’. It also does not identify Richard or Margaret who are mentioned in that ‘Will’ .
  4. Where 'Years of birth' are shown then these are estimates and were NOT quoted by the Sussex Genealogy source 1. They are based on available facts and generally assume 1st child  is born a minimum 25 years after fathers birth and subsequent children are born at 2 yearly intervals. Where an exact date has been quoted then this is usually from the Parish Register.
  5. In general the family name BROWNE was used up to about 1700 and then BROWN became standard
Documents Returns to 'Top of Page'
Wills:
  1. John Browne left a 'Will' that was dated 30th April 1546 ( Lewes A1.P143). The link is to a transcript of the 'Will'. In the 'Will' he mentions his wife Joan; his sons Thomas (executor), Andrew, Nicholas, Richard, Henry (under 19), William (under 20); his daughters Katherine, Margaret, Jone (all unmarried). Witnesses were John Bryan, Walter Feldwyke & Thomas Wyllard.
  2. Andrew Browne left a 'Will’ that was dated 16th October 1595 and proved 2nd April 1597 (Lewes A10.P140). The link is to a transcript of the 'Will'. In the 'Will' he mentions his wife: Agnes; his sons Andrew, Enoch, John, Joshua; (Sussex Genealogies also says Edward!!): his daughters Rose, Mary, Jane,Julian, Agnes, Martha. Also mentioned are late brother Thomas and witnesses Thomas Browne & Benjamin Browne.
  3. Henry Browne (Family ref 7) left a 'Will' that was dated 7th June 1597 and was proved on 24th February 1599 (Lewes A10.P171). The link is to a transcript of the 'Will'. In the 'Will' he mentions his wife Anne; his daughters Easter, Sarah, Judith Osborne(youngest); his sons Henry, Elisha, John; others mentioned are William Browne, Mr Turner, William Seall; witnesses were William Browne, Richard Woodman, Richard Milles.
  4. Thomas Brown (family ref 3 B) left a 'Will' that was dated 12th March 1600 and was proved on 26th October 1600 (South Mailing B74).
  5. Henry Browne (Family ref 7 B) estate was Administered on 17th May 1641 (Lewes B7.P283)
  6. Thomas Brown (family ref 3 B iii a) left a 'Will' that was dated 12th August 1681 and was proved on 11th October 1681 (Ref PCC: PROB 11/267). The link is to a partially readable copy of the will. In the 'Will' he mentions his wife Elizabeth; his daughters Elizabeth Sarah, Mary & Susanna . He also mentions his cousin Thomas Hoardby and friend Thomas Chapman.
  7. Elizabeth Brown (family ref 3 B iii a) left a 'Will' dated 19th April 1722 and was proved in 1725 (Ref Lewes A51.P372). In the 'Will' she mentions her daughter Elizabeth (wife of Edmund Chapman), her daughters Susanna Steyning (widow), Sarah, Mary (wife of George Swan); her grandchildren William, Mary, Sarah & Benjamin Steyning, Elizabeth Swan.
Places::
  1. A description and history of the Priest House

Archives:

  1. Family Ref 7. 4000 year lease  Add Mss 53,633  25 September 1609. These documents are held at West Sussex Record Office
    Contents: 
    (a) Henry Browne of Eatonbridge, Kent, weaver
    (b) George Browne of West Hoathly, yeo.
    Parcel of ground, being part of the yard, backside and meadow belonging to a certain messuage of (a) in West Hoathly, now in the occupation of Philip Comber, called Wildgooseland; which said parcel of land contains half an acre, and lies on the west side of West Hoathly High Street. With free liberty of passage through the closes and yards belonging to the Wildgoose tenement.
    Consideration: £13.6s.8d.
    After the expiration of a 21 year lease granted by (a) to Philip Comber on 10 July 1605.
    Rent: one silver penny, if demanded
    Witnesses: Edward Baldwyn, Philip Comber, George Baldwyn, Edward Baldwyn junior
Sources Returns to 'Top of Page'
  1. Sussex Genealogies  (Ardingly Centre) - John Comber 1932
  2. Parish Registers – West Hoathly
  3. Sussex Record Society -  East Grinstead Parish Registers 1558-1661:
  4. "The Story of a Forest Village - West Hoathly", by Ursula Ridley
  5. Sussex Record Society – Marriage Licenses at Lewes 1586-1642,1670-1732, 1772-1837 (Volumes 1, 6, 25,26)
  6. Lewes Will Microfilm
  7. Sussex Family History Group - Sussex Marriage Index CD
  8. Ancestors of Mandy Willard: see Links
  9. Adrian Channing: re John Browne & Joseph Browne- West Hoathly: Archiver > GEN-MEDIEVAL > 2002-12 & 2001-11
  10. Kent Parish Registers (Cowden)
  11. Sussex Family History Group - Baptism records