James Brown (abt. 1645 - 1704)

Born about 1645 in Springfield, Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay Colony

Husband of Remembrance (Brooks) Brown — married 7 Jan 1674 in Hatfield, Colchester, Connecticut

Descendants

Died 8 May 1704 at about age 59 in Colchester, Hartford, Connecticut Colony

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Biography

James was born about 1645.^[1] James Brown passed away 8 May 1704.^[2] Per Torrey, James died in 1704.^[1]

Birth ABT 1650 Massachusetts

Death 08 MAY 1705 Colchester, New London Co., Connecticut

Burian Colchester, New London Co., Connecticut

September of 1675 James was branded with a B on his forehead being convicted for Burglary. March 1676 he was in court for assault and profaning the Sabbath. And later in court for debt.

Note: birth is sometimes given as ca 1647/48 and Rememberance's as ca 1654/55. Her death is sometimes given as after 1713, and probably occurred in Colchester, Connecticut. James took oath of allegiance at Hatfield, Massachusetts on the 8th of February 1678. He was at Hatfield in 1669, marriage sometimes given as Springfield 1674, he was in Deerfield by 1683, and in Colchester by 1702. His will was written at Colchester on 10 May 1704 and witnessed by Joseph Pomery, John Skinner, Thomas Skinner, & Samuel Lomas. It was recorded by Micaiell Taintor, Justice; at Colchester on 25 Sept. 1704. In it he mentions his wife [not by name] his sons James and John, & daughters, but none of them by name. Rememberance and son James deeded land at Deerfield in 1713. The following information from the Springfield, Mass. Records: "at a meeting of ye selectmen march ye 2d 1680 present Mr. Holyoke, Deacon Parsons, John Dumbleton, Danll Denton. Agreed upon yt James Brown shal have notice given him yt hee is not admitted as an inhabitant in ys town. And that hee is to leave ye town unless hee produce some approved person that wil enter into a bond off twenty pounds to free ye town from any charge yt shall by him or his happen to ye town. John Dumbleton is desired and orderd to give James Brown notice off ye order. March ye 4th 1680 James Brown making application to ye townsmen and desiring liberty to stay in ye town ys summer the townsmen did give him leave to continue in ye town till Michalmas next ensuing."

An early settler of Springfield was one Nathaniel Brown who came in 1649, but left and went to Middletown in 1650. James possibly born in Andover, Massachusetts according to other researchers.

James Brown married Remembrance Brooks January 7, 1674, at Hatfield/Colchester Connecticut.^[1][3]

Births of the last 7 children of James and Rememberance:^[4]

James Brown died between May 10, 1704 (when will was written) and September 25, 1704 (when will was proved), at Colchester, Connecticut.^[5][6]

Notes

From the Family Tree of Don Dickenson on Ancestry world Tree:A GENEALOGICAL DICTIONARY OF THE FIRST SETTLERS OF NEW ENGLAND, BEFORE 1692 - Vol. 1 - Savage , James - 1860-62: BROWN, JAMES, Hatfield 1678, m. 7 Jan. 1674, Remembrance Brook, had Mary , b. 1677; Abigail, 8 Sept. 1678; and Thankful, 1 June 1682; rem. to Deerfield, and had Sarah , 1683; James, 1685; Mindwell, 1686 ; Hannah, 1688; Mercy, 1690; Elizabeth 1693, d. at 5 yrs. ; and John, 1695. He rem. after, to Colchester; and his d. Abigail, prob. was that capt. on t he fatal day of 29 Feb. 1704, carr. to Canada, but ret. safe.also:The first definite reference to James Brown is found in the "Petition of Hadley Against Impost of Customs - 1669" which includes "James Brown - west side (later Hatfield)" (History of Hadley, Mass. - Sylvester Judd - 1905 - page 77) He still lived in Hatfield, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts in 1673 and was among those listed as "ye persons yt took ye oath of Aleagence as above in Hatfield Febr 8th 1678" - James Brown. (History of Hatfield - page 106) James Brown perpetrated a particularly long "train of abuses" before coming to Deerfield. In September of 1674 Brown went to court for his "gross miscarriages in Breaking up ye House & seller of Thomas Meakins, Sr." and stealing nine gallons of "strong liquors & doing other damages." For this crime Brown had to pay triple damage, plus 3 pounds in court costs, and, gravest of all, he and his partner were "Branded on their fforheads for their Burglary with ye letter B. " Yet even this failed to settle Brown down. At the very next court session,in March of 1675 , he was "complained of" by Hatfield's John Graves "for breach of ye Peace ... beating him about ye head & face" while Graves was that winter in the meadow loading his sled with wood. At that same court session he was further accused of "Prophaning ye Sabath Laughing & Sporting in ye time of Publique Ordinance," for which he spent four hours in the Northampton stocks . In light of this, a 1684 debt action against him seems minor, almost an improvement." By 1688 Brown had settled in Deerfield. (New England Outpost - War and Society in Colonial Deerfield, Melvoin, Richard I., page 139) According to page 145 of the History of Springfield, Massachusetts, those mortally wounded in an attack at Springfield on October 5, 1675 were Nathaniel Browne and Edmund Pringridays who died a few days later. See below for a more complete account. It is possible that Nathaniel Brown was related to James Brown. Included among those who took an Oath of Allegance in Hatfield on February 8,1678 given by Major Pynchon was James Brown. The population in Hatfield in 1678 was probably between 300 & 350. (History of Hatfield, Massachusetts) According to Springfield, Hampden Co., Massachusetts Town Records, a "Meeting of selectmen March ye 2d 1680 agreed upon yt James Brown shall have notice given him yt hee is not admitted as an inhabitant in ye Town. And that hee is to leave ye Town unless he e produce Some approved person That wil enter into a bond off Twenty Pounds To ffree ye Town ffrom any charge yt shall by him or his happen to ye town. John Dumbleton is desired & ordered to give James Brown notice off ye order." Further, from the Springfield Town Records of March 4, 1680, "James Brown making application to ye Townsmen & desiring liberty to stay in ye Town ye summer the Townsmen did give him leave to Continue in ye Town till Michalmas next ensuing." By 1685 he had moved to Deerfield, Franklin Co., Massachusetts. References from "History of Deerfield, Vol. 1," by Sheldon include: "Wapping - 1685-90. Grants of home lots were confined to the Town Plat. A street was early laid out at Plumbtree Playne, - as Wapping wa s called until 1689, where August 1685, home lots were granted to Benjamin Barrett and James Brown; and soon after to ... Ebenezer and Nathaniel Brooks (step brothers of Remembrance Br own) ... These grants were generally made on condition of being built upon within a year, and maintaining all abutting meadow fence. This little band consisted of young men, nearly all with wives and young children, seeking a permanent home in this fertile valley. "(page 215) February 5, 1687: At a meeting of inhabitants of Deerfield, a list of those who owned land in the Common Field includes "James Brown - 13 rds 11 ft." (page 196) April 20, 1688: A list of wood lots as they were drawn included "Lot 11 James Brown No. of Commons - 9 Width of Lot - Rods 13 1/2". (page 208) A list of wood lots on the mountain, the first Lot beginning at Derfield River lyingalong by the River side: "No. of Lot 19 James Brown No. of Commons 9 Breadth of Lot - Rods 18". (page 209) May 30, 1689: at a town meeting in Deerfield James Brown was chosen to be a fence viewer. (page 210) James Brown of Deerfield sold land in 1697 "off his own ffree Will & alsoe with ye Consent approbation & good likeing of Remembrance Brown his Well beloved Wife." (New England Outpost - War and Society in Colonial Deerfield, Melvo in, Richard I., page 155)

January 27, 1701/02: "Town meeting to set town rates: Tho Frenches lot in Harrow meadow; Log meadow; and part of Stebbines meadow; that is to say from the nor therly part of it unto James Browns southline shall be set at 30 shillings an acre." (page 275) James Brown moved to Colchester, New London Co., Connecticut about 1702 when, "At a town meetinge held in Colchester Janewary 21 : 1702" James Brown and seven others were granted " the long meadow : to haue their proportion of meadow in equall proportion with others".^[7]

On February 6, 1702 James Bro wn and his wife Remembrance of Colchester deeded to William Belding, for the consideration o f 30 pounds, "seven acres in the Greate Meadow in Deerfield." (Old Hampshire Deeds (at Springfield, Massachusetts) - Book D, page 200)

At the Connecticut General Assembly meeting in May 1703, "This Court grants that Mr. John Buckley ... James Brown, Joseph Pratt, and the rest of the proprietors or freeholders in the township of Colchester shall have a pattent give n them for the whole township, to be signed according to law." (Connecticut Colonial Record s - Vol 4, page 415)

At a town meeting in Colchester, New London Co., Connecticut on April 2 4, 1704 "further granted unto isreal wiatt a parsell of meadow lying betwene James browns meadow & micaiell tantors ... "^[8]

James Brown did not return to Hatfield about 1702 and did not die there on July 8, 1711 at age 56 as stated by George Sheldon in a History of Deerfield, MA - instead, he remained in Colc hester and died there in 1704. "Jeames brown dyed may the 8th : 1704" ^[9]

His estate was probated on June 8, 1704 in Colchester. The will of James Brown, Sr., of Colchester, dated May 10, 1704, proved September 25, 1704, was signed by his mark (JB). He left to his wife and son James equally, lands at Deerfield with house and barn, they to pay 5 pounds to each of the daughters. All land in Colchester to sons James and John, James to have house and home lot, and John "my new feild at the Cabing." Wife to have moveable estate. Witnesses: Joseph Pumery, Samuell Lomees, John Skiner and Thomas Skinnner. The inventory was taken June 8, 1704 by Micaell Taintor, Joseph Wright and John Skinner. It amounted to 160 pounds, 16 pense and 0 shillings and the widow, Rembrance Brown, took oath to it. (New London Probate Records, File 774; Vol. 3, page 72)

This fixes the date of death of James Brown between May 10, and June 8,1704 (May 8, 1704 Colchester V. R.) In 1713 Remenbrance Brown, widow of James Brown of Colchester, and her son James, deeded landin Colchester. (First Century History of Springfield (MA) - 1899 - Henry Burt) For his will see "New London, Conn. Probate Records: Abstracts of Files before 1700" - Donald Lines Jacobus - The American Genealogist, Vol. 10, page 38 See "Notes on Browns of Colchester, Conn." - Donald Lines Jacobus - The American Genealogist, Vol. 35, pages 139-43 (1959) for references to this family.

ATTACK OF OCTOBER 1675 The Indians were gathered in great numbers on the west side of the river. Small parties were constantly lurking near the frontier towns, Hatfield, Northampton, and as far as Springfield, where, on September 26th, they burned the farm-house and barns of Major Pynchon on the west side of the river. Major Pynchon says , in a letter to the Council, Sept. 30th: We are endeavouring to discover the enemy and daily send out scouts, but little is effected. Our English are somewhat awk and fearful in scouting and spying, though we do the best we can. We have no Indian friends hereto help us. We find the Indians have their scouts out. Two days ago two Englishmen at Northampton being gone out in the morning to cut wood, and but a short distance from the house, were both shot down dead, having two bullets apiece shot into each of their breasts. The Indians cut off their scalps, took their arms and were off in a trice. According to Russell's list of killed, these men were Praisever Turner and Uzacaby Shakspeer. Up to this time the Springfield Indians had been friendly and remained quietly in their large fort on the east side of the river towards Longmeadow. Some uneasiness had been felt of late in regard to them, and Major Pynchon had consulted the commissioners about disarming them. The Connecticut Council advised against the measure, and recommended rather to receive hostages from them, to be sent to Hartford for security. This plan was adopted and the hostages sent; but the Indians, excited by the successes of the hostiles, and probably urged by secret agents of Philip, resolved to join the war against the English. They managed the escape of their hostages, and waited the opportunity to strike their blow. On Monday, Oct. 4th, a large body of the enemy had been reported some five or six miles from Hadley, and immediately all the soldiers were withdrawn from Springfield to Hadley, and were preparing to go out against the Indians the next morning; but during the night a messenger arrived from Hartford or Windsor, reporting that Toto, a friendly Windsor Indian, had disclosed a plot of the Springfield Indians to destroy that town next day, and that five hundred of Philip's Indians were in the Springfield fort, ready to fall upon the town . Thereupon, early on the morning of Tuesday, October 5th, Major Pynchon, with Capts. Appleton and Sill, and a force of one hundred and ninety men, marched for Springfield, arriving there to find the town in flames and the Indians just fled. Major Treat had also received news of the intended attack, and hastened from Westfield with his company, arriving on the west side of the river some hours before the Massachusetts forces came, but was unable to cross, though five Springfield men escaped through the enemy's lines, hotly pursued, and carried over a boat in which a party attempted to cross, but the Indians gathered upon the east shore and fired upon them so fiercely that the attempt was abandoned until Major Pynchon came. The Indians burned some thirty dwelling-houses and twenty-five barns with their contents, Major Pynchon's mills, and several of his houses and barns, occupied by tenants. Fifteen houses in the "town-plat," and some sixty more in the outskirts and on the west side were left unharmed. The people had taken refuge in the garrison-houses, which were not attacked. Two men and women were killed, viz., Lieut. Thomas Cooper, who before the assault rode out towards the fort to treat with the Indians, having two or three men with him, and was shot by an enemy concealed in the bushes a short distance from the town, but managed to ride to the nearest garrison-house, where he died. His companion, Thomas Miller, was killed on the spot. During the assault, Pentecost, wife of John Matthews, was killed, and NATHANIEL BROWNE and Edmund Pringridays were mortally wounded. The above account is the substance of letters written by Major Pynchon and Rev. John Russell, October 5th and 6th. The number of Indians engaged has probably been much over-estimated. The Springfield squaw captured at the time reported the whole number at two hundred and seventy. Mr. Russell said the Springfield people thought there were not "above 100 Indians, of whom their own were the chief." Rev. Pelatiah Glover, the minister of Springfield, lost his house, goods and provisions, together with a valuable library which he had lately removed to his house from the garrison-house where it had been stored for some time.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} New England Marriages to 1700. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2008.) Originally published as: New England Marriages Prior to 1700. Boston, Mass.: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2015. Reference Volume 1, page 220. Subscription.
2. ↑ Taintor, Charles M. Extracts from the Records of Colchester, with some Transcripts from the recording of Michaell Taintor, of "Brainford," Conn. Hartford: Press of Case, Lockwood and Company, 1864. Page 101.
3. ↑ Savage, James A Genealogical Dictionary of The First Settlers of New England, Before 1692,Volume #1, Pgs 263 - 274, Broughton - Brown
4. ↑ Thomas W. Baldwin, Vital Records of Deerfield, Massachusetts to the Year 1850, Boston, Mass., 1920 - published by Wright & Potter Printing Company. Reference pages 36-37
5. ↑ "Probate files collection, early to 1880"
   Catalog: Probate files collection, early to 1880 Probate packets - Brockway, Richard-Brownson, Abraham, 1675-1850
   Film number: 007628379 > image 874 of 1249
   FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-9925-J763 (accessed 3 October 2023)
6. ↑ Jacobus, Donald Lines "Notes on Browns of Colchester, Connecticut" The American Genealogist. New Haven, CT: D. L. Jacobus, 1937-. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2009 - .) Reference Volume 35, page 139. Subscription
7. ↑ Taintor: Pages 34-35
8. ↑ Taintor: Page 42
9. ↑ Taintor: Page 101

• Vital Records of Deerfield, Massachusetts, to the Year 1850 (New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Mass., 1920) Page 36: shows his wife's name as "Rembrance"
• Savage, James. A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England (Boston, Little, Brown and Company, 1862) Vol. 1
• Taintor, Charles M. Extracts from the Records of Colchester, with some Transcripts from the Recording of Michaell Taintor, of "Brainford," Conn. (Case, Lockwood and Company, Hartford, 1864)
• Cutter, William Richard. New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial (Lewis Historical Publishing Co., New York, 1913) Vol. 3, Page 1548