Bennett Browne

Of "Hill Park" Essex County, VA.

His will was dated 1 August 1788 with a codicil dated3 April 1789 and presented for probate on 21 Dec 1789. (Records of Essex County, Tappahannock, Virginia. Will Book No. 14, p.171. (p.347))

In his will which he wrote by hand he says - "I Bennett Browne of Essex County Virginia, Merchant, being in a declining state of health but of sound and disposing mind and memory. . ."

He had property and plantation in King William county as well as "Hill Park" Essex County where his wife's mother Mrs. Campbell was "currently residing" and which came to him from the Hill family through his wife, Mary Hill Browne.

His family came from Maryland - his father, Charles Browne, and mother Priscilla Brooke Browne had left him and his children, Charles and Sarah, land and slaves. Land included an undivided moity of a tract of land known by the name of Meagreholm laying and being in the County of Queen Anne and State of Maryland, conating by patent six hundred and eight acres.; also an undivided moity of a tract of land contiguous thereto called Ashley containing by Escheat Patent ninety five and a half acres; also an undivided moity of one other tract of land laying and being in the County of Caroline and State aforesaid containing by Resurvey two hundred and eighty one acres; all opf which lands were conveyed to me by virtue of a deed of gift executed by my Brother James Browne, dec'd in favor of my Brother Basil Browne and myself; which lands were willed to him by my father Charles Browne Gent'n dec'd of Maryland. (p. 348)