Peter Browne (bef. 1595 - bef. 1633)

Born before 26 Jan 1595 in Dorking, Surrey, England [uncertain]

Husband of Martha (Unknown) Browne — married about 1626 in Plymouth, Plymouth Colony

Husband of Mary (Unknown) Browne — married before 1631 in Plymouth, Plymouth Colony

Descendants

Died before 10 Oct 1633 at about age 38 in Plymouth, Plymouth Colony, New England

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Peter Browne was a passenger on the Mayflower. Join: Mayflower Project Discuss: mayflower

Biography

Peter Brown(e)^[1][2] was a passenger on the Mayflower.^[1][2]

Baptism

Peter Browne of the Mayflower sailing was probably the son of William Browne of Dorking, who was baptized 26 January 1594/5 at Dorking, Surrey, England, as suggested by Mayflower researcher Caleb Johnson.^[2][3] He had two older siblings, Jane and Thomas Browne, as well as three younger brothers, Samuel, John and James Browne. In or about 1605, when Peter was about ten years of age, his father died and the children may have been sent to family members and friends under apprenticeships. A local weaver probably apprenticed the three youngest sons in that line of work.^[3]

Relationship to the Mayflower Mullins Family

Peter Browne's hometown of Dorking, Surrey was where other Mayflower passengers – the Mullins family in particular - lived. Browne may have heard of the proposed Mayflower voyage from his relationship with the Mullins family. William Mullins was a shoe and boot maker in Dorking and was one of Londoners who was later involved in the financial support of the Mayflower expedition. Peter's sister, Jane Browne, married John Hammon in Dorking in 1610. Jane's mother-in-law, Jane Hammon, had appointed William Mullins as her estate administrator. Also, John Hammon's sister Susan married Ephraim Bothell, who purchased William Mullins property and home before he and his family boarded the Mayflower. ^[3]

Journey to America

The Mayflower departed Plymouth, England in September 1620. The small, 100-foot ship had 102 passengers and a crew of about 30-40 in extremely cramped conditions. In November 1620, after about 3 months at sea, including a month of delays in England, they spotted land, which was Cape Cod.

William Bradford's list of passengers^[4][5] included Peter Browne in a group of other men, "Edmond Margeson, Peter Browne, Richard Britterige, Richard Clarke, Richard Gardenar, Gilbart Winslow," "strangers," who were not among the higher class, but not servants. In this case "strangers" were defined as those persons who were residents of England (not Leiden Church members) when they joined the Mayflower. They generally had some connection to a church member or to the merchants underwriting the voyage.^[6]

Mayflower Passenger List, William Bradford

Life in America

Peter Browne was a signer of the "Mayflower Compact" 11 November 1620, while the Mayflower lay at anchor in what is now Provincetown Harbor. ^[7]

On 12 January 1621, "At noon, John Goodman and Peter Brown gathering thatch abroad, and not coming home after their two companions, put us in great sorrow." A search party was sent to look for them without success and "next day, thinking the Indians had surprised them, we arm out ten or twelve men after them, who go searching seven or eight miles, but return without discovery, to our great discomfort."^[8] The two with their two dogs, a mastiff and a spaniel, had eaten lunch by a small lake. The dogs chased after a deer. The men following the dogs soon became lost, wandered, got wet in the "freeze and snow" and hearing "lions" climbed a tree, where it was even colder, so huddled at the base of the tree until daylight. They climbed a hill where they could see the harbor and finally arrived home.^[9]

In the division of lands in Plymouth, in 1623, one acre was assigned to him. He owned land "on the south side of the street (now Leyden Street) and on the south side of the brook to the Baywards." In the 1627 Cattle Division, Peter Browne, Martha Browne and Mary Browne shared in "the eaight lot" with the Samuel Fullers and others. The lot shared a red heifer and two she goats.^[10][1][2]

He was one of the "purchasers" who took on the Plymouth Colony debt from the original Merchant Adventurers in 1628.^[11][1]

Peter owned property in Duxbury, ^[12] which was later inherited by his then living three daughters.

He was on a 1633 list of Plymouth freeman and was assessed 18s in Plymouth 25 March 1633.^[13]

Two Marriages

Peter Brown's Family, Bradford's Journal

Peter married first widow Martha (_____) Ford, in Plymouth by 1626. Martha had arrived in Plymouth on the ship "Fortune" in 1621, with her first husband _____ Ford, who died in 1621 in Plymouth, shortly after their arrival.^[1][2] Martha and William had children John, Martha and an unnamed son.^[1][14] Martha died in Plymouth between about 1628/9, the approximate date of her daughter Priscilla's birth and 1630, the approximate remarriage of Peter, allowing for the birth of his daughter by Mary.^[1][15]

Peter married, secondly, Mary_____ by 1631. Mary was taxed in 1634,^[16][1] but probably deceased by 1647, when one of the daughters sold land formerly Peter's without refering to the widow's dower rights.

Death

Peter Browne died in Plymouth after he was taxed 25 Mar 1633^[13] and before his inventory was taken, 10 October 1633. Debts listed in the inventory to the "Surgion" and Mrs. Fuller, indicate that Peter was sick.^[17][18]

11 Nov 1633 "It was ordered, that whereas Peter Browne dyed w^thout will, having divers children by divers wiuse, his estate amounting to an hundred pownds, or thereabouts, it is ordered , that Mary, his wife, who is allowed the administratrix of the said Peter, forthwith pay downe fifteen pounds for the use of Mary Browne, daughter of said Peter, to Mr. Joh. Done, of Plymoth aforesaid, w^th whom the said Court haue placed the said Mary for nine yeares ; at the end whereof the said John is to make good the said fifteen pownds to her or her heires, if in case she die." Similarly Peter's daughter Prisilla was allowed fifteen pounds paid to Mr. William Gilson, who was to care for her 12 years; "& to that end the said John & Wilł either stand bound for other for pformance of the severall paym^ts" and also provide "meat, drinke, cloathing, &c" during the term. "and for the rest of the estate the widow having two children by the said Peter, together w^th her owne 3^d, it is allowed her for bringing up the said children,"^[19][20]

Several later deeds disposing of Peter's real estate, consistently mention a third, showing that only three daughters inherited, the fourth child having died.

• 27 October 1647, signed by Ephraim Tinkham and Mary his wife, sold to Henry Sampson "all that Third pte of that Lott wch was formly the land of Peter Browne Deceased ... in Duxborough.^[20][21]
• 8 June 1650 (recorded) made about the last of January 1649, Willam Allin of Sandwich sold to John Brown of Duxborrow, weaver, 30 acres in Duxburrow "the one part of three of the land which appertained unto the Children of Peeter Browne brother unto John Browne." Presilla the wife of William Allin gave her consent.^[20][22]
• 25 March 1667/8 William Snow of Bridgewater sold to Ephraim Tinkham his one third part of land in Dartmouth granted to Peter Browne as a "Purchaser of oldcomer" Both William and Rebeckah signed this deed.^[20][23]
• 15 April 1669. William Allin sold to Henry Tucker his one third part of land in Dartmouth granted to Peter Browne as a "Purchaser of oldcomer"^[20][24]
• 13 August 1679. Ephraim Tinkham Sr of New Plymouth sold to John Browne of Duxburrow land, some "I had in right of Mary my wife, daughter of Peter Browne decesed" Mary consented to the sale.^[20][25]
• 7 November 1679, William Snow deeded to John Brown "my one third part of lands which were the Lotts formerly of Peter Brown, Deceased" Rebeckah his wife consented.^[20][25]

Children

Peter and Martha had two daughters, both born in Plymouth:^[1]

1. Mary Brown/e, born about 1626 or 1627. She married Ephraim Tinkham.
2. Priscilla Brown/e, born about 1628 or 1629. She married William Allen.
   
   Peter and Mary had two children: ^[1]
   
   
3. Rebecca, born about 1631. She married William Snow.
4. female child - born by 1633 & who probably died before 1647.

Common Errors to Avoid, Etc.

• Origins: There have been many theories published in the last 150 years regarding origins, birth and parents of Peter Browne of the Mayflower. His probable baptism and correct origins were not identified and published until 2004.^[3] All sources before this time are obsolete.
  • Incorrect Origins and Parents: He has been said to have been born in Hawkedon, Suffolk, England to Thomas Brown and Joan Sayer - this is incorrect. As noted, he has been shown have been born in Dorking to William Browne. There is no evidence to suggest he was a son of Thomas and Joan Browne.
  • Incorrect Origins and Parents:Others cite Peter Brown's parents as Thomas Brown and Jane Gabb. This is considered unfounded.

• Marriages
  • Some accounts (unsourced Ancestry.com trees) make her maiden name as Weighte (Weight). This is not supported by any sources or reputable genealogists.
  • Marriage Date: 24 Oct 1624 or 27 Oct 1624 to widow Martha Ford, in Plymouth. ^{[citation needed]}

• Other Children: There are sources that claim Peter had sons, John and Peter. However, deeds show that each of his daughters held one third of his estate, not leaving any room for inheriting by sons.
  • Peter Brown (of Windsor), born about 1632. Early accounts claimed Peter of Windsor as a son of the Mayflower passenger Peter Brown. This has been disproved, mainly by the deeds of sale from Peter's sons in law.^[26][15]
  • John Browne, born 1631 - said to be Rebecca's twin. This may be a confusion with John Brown, Peter's brother
  • Isabel Browne b. about 1633. It should be noted that Peter of Windsor may have had sisters Mary and Isabel, which would account for the name Isabel appearing in unsourced lists of children.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9} Robert S. Wakefield, Mayflower Families through Five Generations, Volume 7: Peter Brown, (Plymouth MA: General Society of Mayflower Descendants, 2002).
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4} Anderson, Robert Charles. The Pilgrim Migration. pp. 82-85 Text also at "Peter Browne", American Ancestors Free link
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3} Johnson, Caleb. The Probable English Origin of Mayflower Passenger Peter¹ Browne, and his Association with Mayflower Passenger William¹ Mullins. The America Genealogist vol. 79 no. 3 (July 2004):161-165 .
4. ↑ *Bradford, William, 1590-1657. Of Plimoth Plantation: manuscript, 1630-1650. State Library of Massachusetts "List of Mayflower Passengers." In Bradford's Hand.
5. ↑ Bradford, William. History of Plymouth Plantation (Massachusetts Historical Society, 1856) p. 449 "Moyses Fletcher, John Goodman, Thomas Williams, Digerie Preist, Edmond Margeson, Peter Browne, Richard Britterige, Richard Clarke, Richard Gardenar, Gilbart Winslow." p. 454"Moyses Fletcher, Thomas Williams, Digerie Preist, John Goodman, Edmond Margeson, Richard Britteridge, Richard Clarke. All these dyed some after their arivall, in the generall sicknes that befell. But Digerie Preist had his wife & children sent hither afterwards, she being Mr. Allertons sister. But the rest left no posteritie here."
6. ↑ Johnson, Caleb. "New Light on William Bradford's Passenger List of the Mayflower" The American Genealogist 80:98, 99 Link at AmericanAncestors ($)
7. ↑ Morton, Nathaniel. New England's memorial. (Boston: Congregational board of publication, 1855) Originally published 1669.p. 26 Note: The original compact is gone. Morton furnished the earliest known list 1669 facsimile
8. ↑ Prince, Thomas. A Chronological History of New-England: In the Form of Annals, Being a Summary and Exact Account of the Most Material Transactions and Occurrences Relating to this Country, in the Order of Time Wherein They Happened, from the Discovery of Capt. Gosnold, in 1602, to the Arrival of Governor Belcher, in 1730 : with an Introduction Containing a Brief Epitome of the Most Considerable Transactions and Events Abroad, from the Creation ... (Cummings, Hilliard, and Company, 1826) Originally published 1736. p. 183
9. ↑ Johnson, Caleb H. The Mayflower and Her Passengers (Xlibris Corporation, 2005) Note this is in something written earlier.
10. ↑ David Pulsifer, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth in New England, 12 vols. in 10, vol 12. 1623 pp. 3, 4; 1627 p. 11
11. ↑ Shurtleff, Nathaniel Bradstreet. Records of the colony of New Plymouth, in New England; printed by order of the legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by New Plymouth Colony. Vol. 2 Court Orders 1641-1651 (1855) p. 177
12. ↑ Winsor, Justin. History of the town of Duxbury, Massachusetts : with genealogical registers (Boston : Crosby & Nichols [etc.], 1849) p. 17, p. 48
13. ↑ ^{13.0 13.1} Shurtleff, Nathaniel B. (ed.) Records of the colony of New Plymouth, in New England; printed by order of the legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by New Plymouth Colony, Vol. 1 (1855) Court Orders 1633-1640 (Boston: William White, 1855) 1633 freemen's list p. 4; 1633 tax list p. 10
14. ↑ Anderson: Pilgrim Migration p. 211 "____ Ford"
15. ↑ ^{15.0 15.1} The American Genealogist vol. 42 no. 1 (January 1966):35-42. Goodwife Martha Ford, by Mrs. John E. Barclay F.A.S.G.
16. ↑ Records of New Plymouth 1:28
17. ↑ "Plymouth Colony Wills and Inventories." The Mayflower Descendant (Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants, Boston, 1899) Vol 1 p 79-82
18. ↑ "Massachusetts, Plymouth County, Probate Records, 1633-1967," images, FamilySearch, Wills 1633-1686 vol 1-4 > image 16 of 616; State Archives, Boston. Vol 1 pp 7, 8.
19. ↑ Shurtleff, Nathaniel B. (ed.) Records of the colony of New Plymouth, in New England; printed by order of the legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by New Plymouth Colony, (Boston: William White, 1855) 1:17; 1:18-19
20. ↑ ^{20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 20.6} Bowman, George Ernest (transcriber) "The Settlement of Peter Browne's Estate and Deeds of Land Belonging to his Heirs." The Mayflower Descendant (1903) Vol 5, pp 29-37
21. ↑ Tinkham to Sampson: "Massachusetts Land Records, 1620-1986," images, FamilySearch, Plymouth > Deeds 1620-1651 vol 1 > image 162 of 239; county courthouses and offices, Massachusetts. PC Land Records 1:240 (not 146)
22. ↑ Allin to Brown: "Massachusetts Land Records, 1620-1986," images, FamilySearch, Plymouth > Deeds 1620-1651 vol 1 > image 199 of 239; county courthouses and offices, Massachusetts. Vol 1 p. 309
23. ↑ "Massachusetts Land Records, 1620-1986," images, FamilySearch, Plymouth > Deeds 1651-1681 vol 2-4 > image 300 of 677; county courthouses and offices, Massachusetts. Vol 3 p 111
24. ↑ "Massachusetts Land Records, 1620-1986," images, FamilySearch, Plymouth > Deeds 1651-1681 vol 2-4 > image 324 of 677; county courthouses and offices, Massachusetts. Vol 3 p. 159
25. ↑ ^{25.0 25.1} Tinkham to Brown and Snow to Brown: "Massachusetts Land Records, 1620-1986," images, FamilySearch, Plymouth > Deeds 1686-1699 vol 5-6 > image 91 of 344; county courthouses and offices, Massachusetts. Vol 5 p 197
26. ↑ Jacobus, Donald Lines. "Peter Brown of Windsor, Connecticut."The American Genealogist 33: 214 (1957)

See also:

• Wikipedia article for Peter Browne
• "Beyond the Pilgrim Story: Peter Brown(e)", Pilgrim Hall Museum, [https://pilgrimhall.org/peter_browne.htm
• Anderson, Robert Charles, The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England 1620-1633, vol. 1: A-F, (Boston: NEHGS, 1995):259-261, biography of Peter Browne.
• Caleb Johnson, "Peter Browne", MayFlowerHistory.com
• Pulsifer, David, ed. Records of the colony of New Plymouth, in New England (Boston: From the Press of William White, Printer to the Commonwealth, 1861) Vol. 1 1620-1651 & Book of Indian Records for their lands", Page 2-3: Name spelled "Peeter Brown"
• The Mayflower Quarterly Magazine, Volume 85, Number 1, Spring 2019, page 28, Lydia (Tinkham) (Tupper) (Baker) Hill[s] and Her Great-Great-Grandson Robert Grimball Tupper: A Peter Browne Line, by John Bradley Arthaund

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