Peter Brown Family History

John Browne (c1546) & Mary Mills

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General History

John Browne & Mary Mills were one of my 12th generation ancestors.

Key Dates:

John Browne was born around 1546, probably in West Hoathly, Sussex and was the son of Thomas Browne & Elizabeth Teynton .  He was executor to his father’s will of 1582 and was named in brother George’s will of 1614 and as dead in brother Edward’s will of 1627. He lived in the Priest House at West Hoathly, Sussex. In PM Inquisitions (source 5) he is stated as 'held rectory of West Hoathly and part of farm of Chidingly in West Hoathly'.
John married Mary Mills. (name known from named brother in law in Lewes License from later marriage & source 5). John left a 'Will' dated 7th August 1608 and was buried on 14th September 1609 in West Hoathly (sources 1,2 & 5).

Mary Mills birth details are not known.

Children Returns to 'Top of Page'

John and Mary had 6 known children

John Thomas Mary Elizabeth Susan Allen
  1. John Browne was born 5th May 1594, (source 5), in West Hoathly. He was mentioned in his Uncle George Browne's 'Will' of 1614 as his godson and in his Uncle Edward Browne's 'Will' of 1627. John Browne possibly had three wives. He married firstly Sarah Lintot (Sara) on 18th November 1622 in Bolney, Sussex (source 7). Sarah was buried at West Hoathly on 27th February 1627 ('a married woman'), (source 1&2). John & Sarah had three known children (A-C). John secondly married Elizabeth Paine of Lindfield on 15th November 1627 at Horsted Kenes, Sussex (License issued at Lewes on 5th November 1627 with surety provided by George Stace of West Hoathly, a yeoman (Horsted Keins)). Elizabeth’s ancestry is not known. She was buried on 25th August 1634 at West Hoathly, Sussex ('wife of John'). John and Elizabeth had two children (D-F). John thirdly married Anne Nicholls on 28th February 1639 in West Hoathly. (License issued at Lewes on 23rd February 1639 with surety provided by Robert Mills and Edmund Tipton of Lewes: John Brown shown as from West Hoathly and Robert Mills was his earlier brother in law - source 6). See also 'Personal History' below. John was probably buried on 7th December 1670 (sources 1&2) in West Hoathly.
    1. Sarah Browne (Sara) was baptised on 30th August 1623 in West Hoathly and she was mentioned (but un-named) in her great uncle Edward Browne’s 'Will' of 1627.
    2. Mary Browne  was baptised on 28th June 1624 in West Hoathly and was buried there on 29th August 1624 ('an infant'). (sources 1&2)
    3. Mary Browne was baptised on 21st August 1625 in West Hoathly and was buried there on 30th November 1625 ('a child') (sources 1&2).
    4. John Browne was baptised on 23rd November 1628 in West Hoathly. He married Jane Odway (daughter of Francis Odway- a Francis Odway married Audriel Butler on 21st July 1640 in West Hoathly Sussex and later lived in Mitcham) on 14th May 1663 in Mitcham.(source 4). Jane was the niece of John Watson who lived in ‘the Great House’ in West Hoathly and also see 'Personal History' below. John and Jane had six children. (source 1 & 2)
      1. Elizabeth Browne was baptised on 7th October 1665 (sources 1&2) in West Hoathly .
      2. John Browne was baptised on 4th February 1668 (source 1&2) in West Hoathly. Possibly married Anne Ware on 6th December 1692 in East Grinstead.
      3. Mary Browne was baptised on 27th November 1669 (source 2) in West Hoathly. She married Richard Lea (or Lee) on 7th October 1692. (License issued at Lewes with surety provided by John Brown). As part of marriage settlement she received from her father £500, the Priest House and much of the land. However she was soon widowed and sold her inheritances to help pay off her fathers debts.
      4. Esther Browne (Hester) was baptised on 9th July 1672 (sources 1&2) in West Hoathly and was buried there on 23rd December 1694 (sources 1&2).
      5. Anne Browne (Ann) was baptised on 20th July 1675 (source 2) in West Hoathly.
      6. Jane Browne was baptised on 20th July 1680 (source 2) in West Hoathly.
    5. Thomas Browne was baptised on 25th January 1630 (sources 1&2) in West Hoathly. No mention appears of Thomas and it is assumed that he was buried on 11th October 1630 in West Hoathly, Sussex (‘a child’).
  2. Thomas Browne was born around 1596, probably in West Hoathly, Sussex. He married Catherine Comber. Details of Thomas Browne & Catherine Comber are shown separately as they are direct ancestors.
  3. Mary Browne was born around 1598 probably in West Hoathly, Sussex and was mentioned in her fathers 'Will' of 1608 and her uncle Edward Browne’s 'Will' of 1627.
  4. Elizabeth Browne was born around 1600 probably in West Hoathly, Sussex and was under 21 in her fathers 'Will' of 1608 and was mentioned in her uncle Edward Browne’s 'Will' of 1627.
  5. Susan Browne was born around 1602 probably in West Hoathly, Sussex and was under 21 in her fathers 'Will' of 1608 and was mentioned in her uncle Edward Browne’s 'Will' of 1627. She married John Prior, butcher of West Hoathly on 9th July 1623 in Lewes. (Source 4 refers to brother in law ‘John Prior’ a butcher from Strakes when talking about John Browne in 1634).
  6. Allan Browne (Alan or Allen) was born in 1607 probably in West Hoathly, Sussex (Note: the birth year is confirmed as he was a witness in a law suit in 1670 and was aged 63). He was under 21 in her fathers 'Will' of 1608 and was mentioned in his uncle Edward Browne’s 'Will' of 1627. He was a church warden in West Hoathly in 1635/36. He probably married Margaret Prior on 9th May 1631 in Balcombe, Sussex. Allan left a 'Will' dated 25th November 1681 and was buried on 1st December 1683 in West Hoathly, Sussex (source 1&2).  Margaret was buried there on 19th July 1672 ('wife of Allen'). Alan & Margaret had 6 children:
    1. John Browne was baptised 13th July 1632 at West Hoathly and was buried there 21st March 1636 (' a child') (source 1&2).
    2. Margaret Browne was baptised 6th July 1634 at West Hoathly (sources 1&2). She was mentioned in her fathers will of 1681. She married first Thomas Peckham on 19th June 1650 in West Hoathly, Sussex and had children (i-ii). She married secondly Edward Nicholas and had a son (iii). (source 1)
      1. Thomas Peckham was baptised on 31st July 1652 in West Hoathly, Sussex (son of Thomas & Margaret). He was mentioned in his grandfathers will of 1681. (Note Parish register also shows burial of a Thomas Peckham, infant on 22nd January 1657 , but this was probably Thomas son of William & Joan baptised 23/04/1656)
      2. Mary Peckham was baptised on 16th June 1654 in West Hoathly, Sussex and was buried there on 13th March 1658 ('daughter of Thomas')
      3. Edward Nicholas was baptised on 22nd September 1673 in Worth, Sussex. He was mentioned in his grandfathers will of 1681.
    3. Allan Browne baptised 20th September 1635 at West Hoathly (source 2&3). He was mentioned in his fathers will of 1681.  By 1668 he had opened a mercers shop in West Hoathly. Allan left a Will dated 1708 and was buried on 13th September 1708 in West Hoathly ‘an old Batchelor’.
    4. John Browne was baptised 14th January 1638 at West Hoathly (sources 1&2). He was Executor to his father in 1683 and inherited land at Ditchling under his will. He was mentioned in his brother Allan's will of 1708. He probably had a child:
      1. John Brown was born in about 1660, possibly in Ditchling, Sussex (derived, but no birth records found). He married Elizabeth Hooke on 15th September 1685 in Lewes, Sussex (License issued in Lewes and John shown as from Ditchling and Elizabeth from Newick). John & Elizabeth had three children (a-c). Elizabeth was buried in Ditchling on 2nd June 1694 ('wife of John'). He secondly married Rebecca Wallis of East Grinstead on 16th May 1700 in Worth, Sussex (license issued at Lewes on 9th May 1700, Rebecca shown as a widow of East Grinstead and John a widower from Ditchling). John and Rebecca had one child (d). Rebecca was buried on 4th December 1750 in Ditchling, Sussex.
        1. John Browne was baptised 10th July 1687 in Ditchling, Sussex (father is John Junior).
        2. Mary Browne was baptised 24th September 1691 in Ditchling, Sussex (father is John Junior).
        3. Elizabeth Browne was baptised 25th June 1694 in Ditchling, Sussex.
        4. Nathaniel Browne was baptised 3rd June 1701 in Ditchling, Sussex (father is John Junior) and was buried there on 2ndDecember 1701 (son of John Junior).
    5. Nathaniel Browne was baptised 13th September 1640 at West Hoathly (source 1&2). He was Executor to his father in 1683 and inherited “Cumberland” under his will. He was Churchwarden of West Hoathly in 1690. He married Tymothy Cornford on 7th March 1671 at Lindfield, Sussex (License issued at Lewes on 16th February 1671). He was Overseer to Richard Godley's 'Will' of 2nd March 1690 (Sxfg People Index ref 45124). Nathanial left a 'Will' dated 17th February 1698 and was buried on 17th May 1698 in West Hoathly (source 2). His wife Tymothy was mentioned in her husband's 'Will' as executor. Tymothy was buried on 7th February 1705 in West Hoathly, Sussex ('aged widow'). Nathaniel & Tymothy had two children.
      1. Elizabeth Browne was baptised on 27th March 1676 in West Hoathly, Sussex and she was probably buried there on 19th June 1683 ('young child') (sources 1&2)
      2. Timothy Browne was baptised on 15th March 1683 in West Hoathly, Sussex. He was mentioned in his father's 'Will' of 1698, but as under age, and in his uncle Alan Brown's will of 1708 . He was shown as a 'Freeholder of West Hoathly' in the Sussex Poll of 1705. (Sxfg records: Entry ref 9358). Timothy married Mary Brett, (a widow from Lindfield & Timothy shown as from Lindfield), on 28th April 1719 in Ifield, Sussex. Timothy was buried on 27th November 1763 in Ardingly, Sussex (aged 80- from Lindfield') and Mary was buried there on 15th October 1778 ('Relict of Timothy, aged 82'). Timothy & Mary had three children.
        1. Nathaniel Brown (Nathanial) was baptised on 5th April 1720 in Lindfield, Sussex and he was buried there 24th May 1721 ('Nathanial, son of Timothy & Mary').
        2. Elizabeth Brown was baptised on 6th October 1721 in Lindfield, Sussex. Elizabeth left a Will dated 16th September 1776 and was buried on 10th October 1776 in Ardingly, Sussex ('Aged 55'). Her 'Will' says she was a Spinster but also mentions her two children Letitcia Brown and Thomas Brown.!!
        3. Timothy Brown was baptised on 5th October 1722 in Lindfield, Sussex. He was mentioned in his sister Elizabeth Browne's Will of 1776. He was admitted to St John's College, Cambridge in June 1744 (aged 21) and migrated to Peterhouse College in November 1744. He graduated (BA) in 1748 and was ordained a Priest on 24th July 1748 (source 12). He was the Rector at Ardingly from 1757 until his death and also Rector of West Hoathly from 1772. Timothy married Elizabeth Stanbridge on 15th September 1778 in Cuckfield, Sussex. Timothy left a 'Will' dated 4th November 1797. He died on 27th October and was buried on 8th November 1804 in Ardingly, Sussex (' aged 83, Rector of Ardingly'). Timothy & Elizabeth had two children. Elizabeth was mentioned in her husbands 'Will' of 1797.
          1. Timothy Brown was born on 6th February and was baptised on 17th February 1784 in Ardingly, Sussex (father Timothy shown as Rector of Ardingly). He was mentioned in his fathers 'Will' of 1797.
          2. Elizabeth Brown was born on 20th May and was baptised on 6th June 1786 in Ardingly, Sussex and she was buried there on 14th April 1787 ( daughter of Timothy & Elizabeth aged 10 months').
    6. Mary Browne  was baptised 22nd June 1645 in West Hoathly, Sussex. She was mentioned in her fathers will of 1681. She married Nicholas Arnold in about 1670 and had four children all mentioned in her fathers will of 1681. (Source 1)
      1. Walter Arnold was baptised on 5th February 1672 in Worth, Sussex.
      2. Elizabeth Arnold was born about 1674
      3. Margaret Arnold was born about 1676
      4. Mary Arnold was born about 1678

Personal History Returns to 'Top of Page'

John 1554

John 1594

In the "Subsidy Roll" for Rape of Lewes of 19 James 1 - 1621, John Browne had lands in West Hodely shown as tax due on £20 2s. 8d. (For further details of other Family Names see Taxation-Subsidy Rolls ).

He was churchwarden of West Hoathly 1624/5 and executor to his uncle Edward Browne’s ‘Will’ of 1627. He was the main beneficiary of his Uncle Edward Browne's 'Will' (Edward was the son of John’s grandfather Thomas Brown). He inherited half share of West Hoathly manor and by 1634 had bought the other half from Nathaniel Browne when he was known as a Squire. He lived in the Priest House. At the time of his death in 1670 John Brown owned everything on the west side of the street except the Great House (later called the Manor House) and Hulle’s house. Squire Browne was prosperous during the civil war finding good markets for his iron ore and charcoal. Nathanial Browne had sold the Great House to James Infield of Gravetye in about 1628 (see Richard Infield & Catherine family ref 1 A iiv). Catherine Infield (James's mother) spent £1000 repairing it and it was later inherited by John Watson (son of Bridget Brown and husband of Cordelia Infield - Thomas Browne & Elizabeth Teynton family ref 6 B).

John 1628

As part of the marriage settlement, on 6th April 1668, Jane Odway inherited from John Watson "the Great House, Wyldegooseland (Selsfield Place), Rock farm (Duckyls farm), Row Giffors farm, Jenkynsfield, Finch field and MaltHouse opposite the Priest House-160 acres in all". John Watson was the son of Bridget Brown & John Watson (see Thomas Brown 1516 ref 6B). John Browne then lived in ‘the Great house’ which was renamed ‘the Manor House’ after John Watson died in 1679 (source 2). (In John Watson's 'Will' dated 12th January 1677 (Lewes A35.P161) he mentions his cousin John Browne and John Brown's wife his neice.).
John Browne styled himself as ‘Gentleman’ but incurred many debts in 1692 and 1695  resulting in sale of the Priest house and associated lands. John Browne (1628), ultimately owned the Priest House, the Manor House, the Lower Barn, Rocks Farm & Rowe Giffords farm. The Priest House had become two cottages since his fathers death. He farmed the land himself but let the Priest House and Lower Barn. The land he inherited from his father was heavily mortgaged. However after the restoration, the iron trade and the village were not prospering. There was a struggle between the yeoman and the big landlords for the ownership of land and forest as more land was ‘enclosed’. In 1691 John Browne was one of the commissioners appointed to report on land to be awarded to commoners. He had a number of loans and debts and he had paid several visits to London and incurred high legal fees. After the sale of all his property in 1695 to pay his debts he was left with about £1000 capital – all that remained from two centuries of industry of the Brown & Infield families. He had to start life afresh at age 67. (source 4). John then lived in a cottage at the Tuns and most Browne’s were now landless men and relatively poor. The Manor house declined and the courts ultimately in 1731 ordered the sale of the lands that had belonged to John & Jane and a buyer paid £2400. (for picture see Places-West Hoathly)

 

Verification & Concerns Returns to 'Top of Page'

  1. John's will refers to Thomas being under 21 so he was born after August 1587. John's father Thomas's will of 1582 says that John had no children at that time.
  2. A marriage license was issued at Lewes on 1st April 1595 to a John Brown and Margery Mills (license granted by John Prescott vicar of Rie)
  3. There are a number of Elizabeth Paines in the locality:
    1. 26th May 1606, in Cuckfield the daughter of Andrew Paine and Ellinor Tasker (a widow). However she probably married John Martine in Cuckfield on 06/08/1627
  4. Source 4 refers to other children of John Browne’s son (1628). Fenner who was bought the windmill at Selsfield Common; Sussanah who married  a farmer, Mr Sevenoak of Hammingden (may have been Nathanials daughter);
  5. Few marriages took place in the church in the period 1640-1665. No baptisms or burials were recorded from 1641-1645
  6. John Browne’s Will (1608) mentions his daughters in the order of Mary, Elizabeth Susan so are assumed to be born in that order.
  7. PM Inquistion (Source 5 - ref 182) shows “John Browne, v. 307, no. 24, 13 April 7 James I, died 14 Sep. last at West Hoathly, heir son John, aged 14 years, 4 months and 9 days. Held rectory of West Hoathly and part of farm of Chidingly in West Hoathly. Mentions brother in law Robert Mills.”. This means that John has to be the eldest son.
  8. In general the family name BROWNE was used up to about 1700 and then BROWN became standard
  9. 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) Sarah buried 27/2/1627)
    2. There are some occasional slight date errors- a) shows Nathanial buried on 17/5/1699 instead of 17/5/1698, b) Ann, daughter of John shown baptised 28/7/1675 instead of 20/7/1675, c) Jane,daughter of John shown baptised 5/10/1680 instead of 20/7/1680, d) Margaret, daughter of Alan baptism shown as 6/6/1634 instead of 6/7/1634, e) Esther shown buried 23/12/1695 instead of 23/12/1694, f) John shown buried 14/09/1608 instead of 14/09/1609
Documents Returns to 'Top of Page'

Wills:

  1. John Browne left a 'Will' that was dated 7th August 1608 and was proved on 12th November 1608. (Lewes A12.P312). It mentions wife Mary, daughters Mary, Elizabeth and Susan, son John. The link is to a very poor copy of the 'Will'.
  2. Allan Browne left a 'Will' that was dated 25th November 1681 and was proved on 15th December 1683 (Lewes A36.P142). The link is to a poor difficult to read copy of the 'Will'. It mentions his daughters Margaret (wife of Mr Peckham) and Mary (wife of Nicolas Arnold), sons Alan, John & Nathaniel. and granddaughter Margaret Arnold. Also mentioned is Joseph Browne.
  3. Nathaniel Browne (Family ref 8 E) left a 'Will' that was dated 17th February 1698 and proved on 14th July 1698 (Lewes A43.P102) . (Note: also proved on 06/11/1745 ref A57.P265). It mentions his wife Timothy and son Timothy (both executors); overseers were Abraham Nicholas, Thomas Garston, John Prior; witnesses were John Mason, Sarah Ring, William Griffith.
  4. Alan Browne left a 'Will' that was dated 5th October 1705 and was proved in 1708 (Lewes A47.P131) shown as from Worth . It mentions his brother John (executor) and his son John and the children of brother Nathaniel (Timothy & Elizabeth).
  5. Elizabeth Brown (family ref 6 E ii b) left a 'Will' that was dated 16th September 1776 (Lewes A63.P624) and was proved on 18th December 1776. It mentions her brother Reverand Timothy Brown and her daughter Letitcia Brown & her son Thomas Brown. The 'Will' also says she was a Spinster!!.
  6. Timothy Brown (family ref 6 E ii c) left a 'Will' that was dated 04/11/1797 and was proved on 11/03/1805 (Lewes A69.P518). It mentions his wife Elizabeth (executor) and son Timothy.

Places:

  1. A description and history of the PRIEST HOUSE

Archives:

  1. Allan Browne (Family Ref 6) : Assignment of 4000 year lease   Add Mss 53636  24 February 1671. These documents are held at West Sussex Record Office . Contents:  (a) Allen Browne the elder of West Hoathly, mercer, (b) Nathaniel Browne of West Hoathly, merchant, younger son of (a) Property as before Recites: 6 November 1649 Assignment of the lease by John Watson to (a) Witnesses: William Milles, Thomas Garston, John Orgle
  2. Nathaniel Browne (Family Ref 6 E): Copy of Court Roll  Add Mss 36293   1 October 1691. These documents are held at West Sussex Record Office . Contents:  Surrender by William Paine to the uses of Nathaniel Browne of West Hoathly, mercer, then to Timothy Browne his wife and Timothy Browne their only son. Messuage and 35a. land called Gainford in West Hoathly
  3. Timothy Browne Family Ref 6 E ii: Deed of Appointment of Timothy Browne of Lindfield, mercer as guardian, attorney and curator of John Board of Paxhill in Lindfield, gent  Add Mss 36290  10 October 1717. These documents are held at West Sussex Record Office
  4. Timothy Browne (Family Ref 6 E ii): Assignment of 4000 year lease  Add Mss 53637  6 November 1745. These documents are held at West Sussex Record Office.Contents:  (a) Timothy Browne of Lindfield, mercer, only son of Nathaniel Browne of West Hoathly, mercer, decd.
    (b) John Browne of West Hoathly, mercer Property as before. Consideration: £125 Recites: Add Mss 53,636 and that Nathaniel Browne by his will made his widow Timothy [sic] and his son Timothy his executors. Witnesses: George Brett, Francis Green
  5. Timothy Browne (Family Ref 6 E ii): Apprenticeship Indenture between Timothy Browne of Lindfield and Timothy Browne his son and Edward Allen of Rotherfield  Add Mss 36278  11 January 1698/9. These documents are held at West Sussex Record Office (NOTE: Reference to Timothy his son should be Timothy her son) Contents:  By which Timothy Browne is apprenticed to Edward Allen for 7 years as a mercer, in consideration of two sums of £20.
  6. Timothy Browne (Family Ref 6 E ii) Agreement for sale of shop goods of a shop in Lindfield, in consideration of £35, from Thomas Lashmer of Lindfield, mercer, to Timothy Browne of Ardingly, mercer  Add Mss 36289  16 May 1706 These documents are held at West Sussex Record Office
  7. John Browne (Family Ref 1 D): ( see also William Payne 1620 & Nathanial Brown Ref 6E) Mortgage  SRL/2/5/2  29 Oct 1660. These documents are held at East Sussex Record Office Contents:  Nicholas Chatfield of Fletching, mercer and his eldest son and heir Alexander Chatfield to Thomas Peckham and JohnBrowne of West Hoathly, yeoman [overseers of the will of William Payne of East Grinstead]
    1 messuage, garden, hemp plot and backside called Forge House (½a) in Fletching, occupied by NC (bounds as SRL/2/5/1 above, except William for John Wilson) 2 messuage in Fletching (N: churchyard; S: road), formerly two shops, occupied by Henry Snell
    3 annuity of 12d from lands and tenements in Fletching, late Thomas Kidd. W: John Rownd, John Awcocke
    Attached: bond, 29 Oct 1660; assignment by John Browne, as overseer of the will of William Payne of East Grinstead, 2 Sep 1658, to his eldest son and executor William Payne, with a list of their investments of the assets of the estate; W: Nathaniel Browne, Joan Bryan; 3 Jun 1669
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. Col. F. W. T. Attree, Notes of Post Mortem Inquisitions Taken in Sussex [1485-1649], Sussex Record Society, 14 (London, 1912), no. 182,
  6. Sussex Record Society – Marriage Licenses at Lewes 1586-1642,1670-1732, 1772-1837 (Volumes 1, 6, 25,26)
  7. Other Sussex Parish Registers– Bolney
  8. Lewes Will Microfilm
  9. Sussex Family History Group-Sussex Marriage Index CD:
  10. Kent Parish Registers (Cowden)
  11. Sussex Family History Group - Baptism & Burial records
  12. Cambridge University past students 1200-1900 (see Links)