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Richard Browne |
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No parents conclusively identified |
Richard Browne married Margery EN15 and was the father of James, William,
and Jerimiah Browne EN15.
His name was incorrectly documented as “William” in the account of his son’s
(William Browne) life, which was reproduced in the records of the Nottingham
Monthly Meeting on the 28th day
of the 1st month, 1786 US11. This account had been originally
written by Richard’s son, William Browne, but had then later been retold by
another unidentified person. This account states that he resided “in
Bedfordshire or Northamptonshire in a Village or
parish called Puddington, near Wellingborough”
and that he was the father of two daughter and seven sons, who included William
and James Browne, who “came over to settle in Pennsylvania in early time, tho’ not in the first Vessels that arrived” US11. “Puddington”
was probably Podington, which is about six miles
southeast of Wellingborough. In telling the story of
his father’s life, William Browne stated that he was the youngest of his
father’s children (“I am the youngest of his nine Children (he having had six Sons besides, and two daughters)”), but this
information conflicts with the birth record of Jerimiah Browne, who was
allegedly born two years after William Brown US11. This account also said that he died
about 1664 US11. A transcription of pertinent portions
of this account has been provided below, but this account does incorrectly
refer to him as “W. Brown” US11:
By
his Son’s relation, he was some time in Communion with the Baptists afterwards
joining with the sect called Puritans; and is said to have been a teacher
amongst both; and a seeking religious man, whose mind was drawn into careful
Endeavors after Purity of Life ~ About the first going forth of that eminent
Minister of the Gospel, William Dewsbury, he came to the town where this pious
Man dwelt; Who observed him as he was passing along, and taking Notice of the
solidity of his Countenance, invited him to turn in and break Bread with him,
who accepted the invitation… After this, he accompanied W. Dewsbury on the way
towards a neighboring village, and recommended him to a certain Man’s house,
who was likewise religiously inclined, and was also effectually convinced on W.
D.s visit: ~ When W. Brown came back, his Wife asked him, wherefor
he brought that Mad man to their House, he answer’d,
“Why woman, he hath brought the Eternal Truth of God to us”: ~ W.m
Dewsbury returning some time afterwards, it is mention’d
that W. Brown obtain’d leave for him to attend at the
Parish Church, so called, and by his Powerful Testimony there, many People were
convinced; But the Priests and others who were hard-hearted, were much enraged
against Friends, becoming cruel both in Speech & ill Treatment; terming the
Power which attended their Ministry, Witchcraft; and endeavoring to stir up
Persecution with greatly increased in those Days.
After
the said W. B.’s convincement, his
Landlord sent him a couple of young Hounds, to feed & raise for him, being
a wild airy man, & given to sporting and Merriment; but his Tenant was not
free to give Countenance to such vain Diversions, & therefore did not
comply with his desire, at which his Landlord was much displeased: And having
generally paid his rent at a set time every half Year, to a Steward appointed
to receive the Rents, he had not been careful to demand receits,
the Steward appearing honest & trusty: But the Landlord, out of humor with
him as above hinted, taking the adventage of his
neglect, came and demanded the Rent; He told him it was paid at the proper day;
the Landlord then queried if he had a receit, to whom
answer’d, No, as he had not been in the Way of asking receipts, expecting there would be no
occasion: Yet the cruel man said “except you will take your Oath that it is
paid, you shall pay it to me”; And being of tender Conscience on that Account,
because he believed our Savior had forbidden all swearing, this Friend had to
pay his Rent over again; ~ After this the Landlord was bitter, and not fond of
seeing him, being probably condemned in himself for such Usage; yet turned him
off the farm; and Friends at that time being view’d
in an unfavorable Light by many because of their singularity &
conscientious scruples in divers Matters which differ’d
from the corrupt Ways of the World, it occasion’d him
considerable difficulty before he found another farm to settle on to his Mind;
~ From his Industry and upright conduct on the second farm, he was in good
Repute, and much in favor with his new landlord; the Lord prospered him in his
Worldly Affairs & otherwise: ~
The
time of the Decease of this Valuable Man is computed to be about the Year 1664;
having been an approved Minister: ~ On his Death-Bed, and near the close of his
Life, he was abundantly favored with a Sense of the Divine Presence near him,
greatly to his Comfort, and the Encouragement of his Children… …Of which is
appears (by the Account mention’d by his Son William
aforesaid) this faithful Friend our Predecessor was a living Witness in his
latter days, expressing after this manner to his Wife before he departed; “Altho’ the Lord whom I have sought and served, hath been my
Staff and Comfort thro’ Life, & hath often manifested his Power to me
eminently, yet his Divine Favor seems now to be more than ever before; And for
thy Comfort he hath even shewed me, that thou Shalt live to bring up all our
Children, and they Shall be blessed and be all favored to keep their Habitations
in the Truth:” Which was fulfilled according to the Account given by his said
Son, who mention’d, “I am a Witness that this was a
true Prophecy, for I am the youngest of his nine Children (he having had six
Sons besides, and two daughters) who all lived, and were favored to died in unity with Friends.”
James
Browne, the son of Richard Browne, was born on the 25th day of the 3rd
month, 1656, according to the records of the Monthly Meeting of Wellingborough in Northamptonshire,
England EN15. According to the account of his brother’s (and father’s) life
which was recorded in the Nottingham Monthly Meeting records, after emigrating
from England, James first settled near Marcus Hook in Chester County,
Pennsylvania, but later joined his brother, William, in Nottingham, Chester
County, married Honour Clayton, who was the daughter of William Clayton, and died about the
year 1715 US11. The records of the Burlington Monthly Meeting in Burlington
County, New Jersey state that James Brown, a “Weaver of Upland alias Markes hook upon ye
River Dallaware” and Honour
Cleyton (also called Honnor
Clayton in another record) of Burlington declared their intent to marry for the
second time on the 7th day
of the 6th month, 1679 US11.
They were said to have been married on August 18, 1679 PE2. Honor Brown was mentioned in the will of her husband, James
Brown of Nottingham Township, Pennsylvania, which was dated January 15, 1715
and proved March 1, 1715/6 PE7.
Letters of administration were granted to his wife and son, Honor and James
Brown, on that date PE7.
The will also named his children, William Brown,
Jeremiah Brown, Marjary Pigot,
Daniel Brown, James Brown, and Mary Brown, and a slave named Hannah PE7.
Willyam Browne,
the son of Richard and Margrey Browne, was born on
the 29th day of the 1st
month, 1658, according to the records of the Monthly Meeting of Wellingborough in Northamptonshire,
England and the Northamptonshire
Quarterly Meeting records EN15.
Jerimiah
Browne, the son of Richard Browne, was born on the 19th day of the 8th
month, 1660, according to the records of the Monthly Meeting of Wellingborough in Northamptonshire,
England EN15.
He
may have been the Richard Browne of Boasworth who
died on the 28th day of the 9th month, 1662, according to the records of the Quarterly Meeting
of Northamptonshire EN15. Both Wellingborough and Husbands
Bosworth are northwest of Northampton, and Husbands Bosworth is about
twenty-five miles northwest of Wellingborough.