Joseph Brown

Biographical Notes

On June 4th 1787 the Vicar of Ringwood Parish Church took three baptisms, including George and James Brown. As recorded : ' 4 George of Joseph Brown' and '4 James of Joseph and Hannah Brown' -'4' being the day of the month 'June' in 1787. Their father, Joseph Brown (1760-1827), was married three times. His first wife Ann died at Ringwood in 1783, 23 years old. His second wife, Hannah, died at Ringwood in 1790, aged 30. He married again, his third wife being Sarah Harding; they were married in Ringwood Parish Church on January 3 1792. That George was the son of his first wife Ann can be inferred by the record as it was written; the entries wouldn't otherwise have made the distinction they relay. So that Joseph had brought up his eldest son after Ann's death then marrying Hannah on September 23 1783. James was their son. Hannah died in March 1790. This interpretation ihas been preferred to the assumption that they were the twins sons of Joseph and Hannah Brown and the Family Tree accordingly reflects this view. Sarah lived a much longer time -she died in 1846. But she raised the two boys and had seven children with Joseph. Both George and James were referred to in the Will of Joseph Brown, which was proved in Doctor's Commons in February 1828, Joseph's death having been the previous December. George and James were thus half brothers.

Joseph Brown, baker and shopkeeper of Ringwood, was, according to records held in the Guildhall Library, London, insured with the Sun Fire Insurance Company in 1783 in relation to his house, bakery and other premises. Joseph would have been twenty three years of age.

Policy number 458067 ref 11936/300
'Household goods in his now dwelling house, bakehouse & offices adjoining -£25
Wearing apparel not exceeding -£50
Utensils and stock in trade in his fuel house only now thatched -£10
Utensils and stock in trade in the yard only -£5'
[the original Sun Fire Office was established by the entrepreneur, Charles Povey, in 1706]

A second record of insurance with the Royal Exchange Assurance Corporation confirmed, 'Joseph Brown, Baker of Ringwood' -Policy 101102 Ref 7253/12 providing cover as follows and dated March 9th 1787
'On his dwellinghouse and office adj. brick built and tiled -£120
On his household furniture therein -£40
On wearing apparel -£20
On utensils and trade -£20
On a fuel house, stable, kitchen and cart-house adjoining situate near, thatched -£30
On utensils of trade therein -£20'

Richard Gordon Brown [R.G.B.] recorded the following notes upon Joseph Brown, forbears & descendants -a copy of being supplied by Sylvia Greer to inform the Tree. The notes may be found amongst the source documents.

'The Brown family, according to Parish registers, have lived in Ringwood, Hampshire as far back as 1700, from James Brown, followed by James Brown of Poulner (Powner), his son, Joseph Brown, and his grandson, Richard Brown until finally Richard's son, George Pritchard Brown, who died in 1914. They were Parish Vestry Clerks or Clerks to the Board of Guardians and as time advanced having other civic roles; all being buried in the churchyard of Ringwood Parish Church, St Peter and St Paul, which is contiguous to the market place in Ringwood -near the Belfry door, or later and subsequently, in the Town's Cemetery when opened in about 1870. Joseph Brown was Richard Brown's father and was Parish Vestry Clerk, taking on the role in 1800 shortly after the duties were undertaken by his father, James Brown.
By the time my father, George Pritchard Brown, took over the job, in 1871, the post entailed such jobs as Clerk to the Guardians, Clerk to the Justices, Clerk to the burial Board and Superintendent Registrar. Today, it would be called Town Clerk.' [Note: R.G.B. was second son to George Pritchard Brown (1843-1914) and Jenny Eliza Brown (Fletcher) of Highfield, Ringwood.]
Searches amongst remaining Parish Vestry Records for Ringwood revealed how in 1800 Joseph Brown was appointed Vestry Clerk - his remuneration being £12.12 / and shortly after he died, on or about Dec. 29 1827 a Notice was disseminated in the Parish 'to elect a new Vestry Clerk 'in place of the late Joseph Brown', as recorded in the Vestry Minutes.
It has been recognised that the role of Vestry Clerk was often carried on through several generations. On January 3 1828, James Stroud, Joseph's son-in-law, who had married Joseph's eldest daughter, Harriett, was elected to be the Vestry clerk. His remuneration was £35.

The Parochial Church Council 'History &c. for the Parish of Ringwood, 1965, added:
"These are some known Vestry or Parish Clerks:
1696: Joseph Browne of Westover
1697: John Browne
1740: James Brown, of Powner (Poulner), d. 1799, Received £10 p.a. in 1772
1792: James Adams
1800: Joseph, son of James Brown, d. 1827. Received £12.12.0 p.a.
1828: James Stroud. Resigned 1832. Received £35 p.a.
1832: Richard Etheridge. Resigned 2 days after election to become Assistant Overseer at £60 p.a.
1859: Horatio Ward
1873-1903: James Dawkins, d. 1905
1903-1936: Walter Bursey, son of Charles Bursey (1837-1916) verger.
It continued, "I have recently been informed by a descendant of the Brown family [no identity was given in the book] that five generations (George, Richard, Joseph, James and James) served Ringwood as either Parish Clerks or Clerks to the Guardians. There is much history of interest as regards the duties and persons of Parish Clerks, many of them in their day being very great characters. This can well be imagined by any who have seen Gainsborough's painting in the Tate Gallery entitled 'The Parish Clerk'. The site for the portrait was Edward Orpin, Parish Clerk of Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, who died in 1781." A photo of the painting is amongst the media sources.

James Stroud, Vestry Clerk from 1828-1832 was Joseph Brown's son in law, married to Harriett Brown Joseph's daughter by his marriage to Sarah Harding; James was referred to in Joseph Brown's will of 1827. The marriage took place at Ringwood Parish Church in April 1822, the record is a source. Richard his brother William and sister, Maria, Harriett's siblings signed the record being witnesses. James Stroud -the marriage record indicates had come to live in Ringwood. James and Harriett had two daughters, Caroline and Emily. Emily -their daughter born in 1831 (see the 1841 Census, when she was 10 years of age) as a minor married Robert Chilcott, widower and Innkeeper, landlord of the Red Lion, Market Place Ringwood. Their Marriage record is also amongst the sources. Robert and Emily Chilcott's daughter Emily Jane married George Pritchard Brown.

Personal search of Parish Records in the County Record office, Winchester, undertaken by Hants. Gen. Society member, confirmed that when first appointed as Vestry Clerk, in 1800, Joesph Brown received a salary of £12.12.0. and following Joseph's death in December 182, issue of a notice to appoint a new Vestry Clerk, so that James Stroud (then an accountant in Ringwood) was appointed Vestry Clerk -Jan. 3 1828. It is thought he may have been the last of the Vestry Clerks to be appointed to the Parish administration of Ringwood. The Search also produced information from Vestry Records at the Archives, namely: an entry in 1762 had referred to the appointment of James Brown [who would have been Joseph's father] as the Parish Vestry Clerk in place of James Brown [who Richard Gordon Brown confirmed was father to James of Poulner (Joseph Brown's father)]. On November 28 1763 William Collins was appointed Vestry Clerk until, once again, James Brown (Joseph's father) was appointed on November 8 1772. The last mention of James Brown -as the clerk in the records, was Nov. 7 1791. He must, it would seem from that information, have held the position from 1772 - 1791. it may help to add how when Joseph died in 1827, the Parish Vestry was the means for the Parish administration of virtually all local affairs; save the supervision of the local poor law administration was undertaken in London. The presence of fine Head stones close to each other in Ringwood Churchyard Joseph and James Brown, may be taken as a mark of their status, and following on James Brown's grandfather having also performed the role as Vestry Clerk.

Sources:

[1] Birth & Baptism : Baptism : Name: Joseph Brown
Baptism Date: 26 Sep 1760 : Baptism Place: Ringwood, Hants. England
Father: James Brown
FHL Film Number: 0994051 IT 3-5
[2] Marriages : Joseph Brown's three marriages: -
(i) 1st wife, Anne Bramble. England Select Marriages 1538-1973, Births, Marriages, Deaths & Parish Recds : Subcat.: Parish Marriages : marriage of Joseph Brown & Ann Bramble
Name Joseph Brown : Marriage Date 14 Dec 1780 : Marriage Place Ringwood, Hants. England
Spouse Ann Bramble
FHL Film Number 0994051 IT 3-5
Index accessed: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/32220324:9852
& ↑ Joseph Brown in Hampshire, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1921
Hampshire Archives and Local Studies; Winchester, Hampshire, England; Anglican Parish Registers; Reference: 84022/1/9 : Year Range: 1767-1787 : Marriage and Recd. of published Banns
accessed: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/276526:62423
The burial of Ann Brown, wife of Joseph Brown took place at Ringwood in February, 1783 -see Ann Brown's Profile
↑ (ii) 2nd Marriage -Hannah Ayles, in September, 1783 : confirmed: FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N26H-KMY : 13 March 2020) retrieving, "England Marriages, 1538–1973 ", Hannah Ayles in entry for Joseph Brown, Marriage Place: Ringwood, Date: Sept. 23, 1783
Hannah died, March 1790 -Parish Recd. of Burials, held at the Parish Church Office, Ringwood [see below]
(iii) Further, re: Joseph Brown's Marriage > Hannah Ayles: Hampshire, England, Church of England Marriages & Banns 1754-1921 : Hampshire Archives & Local Studies; Winchester, Hampshire, England; Anglican Parish Registers; Reference: 84022/1/9
Name Hannah Ayles [& Joseph Brown] : Recd. Type Marriage : Marriage Date 23 Sep 1783
Marriage Place Ringwood, Hampshire, England
Spouse Joseph Brown
accessed: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/90276598:62423
↑ 3rd Marriage, to Sarah Harding, 1792 : English Marriages 1538-1973
↑ Findmypast > ref. to marriage of Joseph Brown & Sarah Harding, accessed, Findmypast : March 22, 2023: Marriage Day: 15, Month: January, Year: 1792 : Hampshire Gen. Society -transcription : Recd. Category: Birth, Marriage, Death & Parish Recds. Subcategory : Parish Marriages
↑ Hampshire, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1921
Hampshire Archives & Local Studies; Winchester, Hants. England; Anglican Parish Registers; Reference: 84022/1/10 : Year Range: 1786-1800
accessed: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/274998:62423
[4] Recds of Sun Fire Office & The Royal Exchange Assurance Corporation -Guildhall Library, London
[5] Extracted -Register of Electors, 1806-7 refers to Joseph Brown of Ringwood
[6] Burials:
(i) Hants. England, Church of England Burials, 1813-1921
Hampshire Archives and Local Studies; Winchester, Hants. England; Anglican Parish Registers; Reference: 84022/1/16
accessed: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/228127:62424
(ii) Parish Recd. -Churchyard Burials, based on Register of Burials, St. Peter & St. Paul Parish Church, the Parish Office, Ringwood; transcribed from Original Recds., County Archives &c. Winchester
(iii) M.I.s the graves of Joseph Brown, of Sarah his wife (dec. Apr. 1 1846) & Maria Brown (dec. Feb. 10 1841)
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/129300441/joseph-brown?_gl=1*13...
(iii) Headstone photographs
(iv) Ringwood vestry & parish Rcds. -various, Winchester Archives & Local Studies
[7] Will of Joseph Brown, legacies &c. to Sarah Brown, his wife & their children : Prerogative Court of Canterbury &c. Will Registers. Name of Register: Sutton Quire Nos. 51 -100. Will of Joseph Brown, late shopkeeper of Ringwood, Hampshire. N.A. of U.K., Kew; Prerogative Court of Canterbury Date: Feb. 5 1828 : piece Ref. PROB 11/1736/144
[8] Index & extract from Death Duty Registers 1796-1903 re: liability to death duty, Joseph Brown of Ringwood, 1828, IR27/204 & Findmypast search Recd.
[9] Ringwood Parish Vestry Recds. Hants. County Archives, Winchester
[10] History of Parish Church of St. Peter & St. Paul, Ringwood. Parochial Church Council 1965.
According to page 31, Ringwood Public Library in 2022
[11] Letter: Hants. Genealogical Soc., Nov. 12 1984 : M.I. s of Joseph, Sarah and Maria Brown : Ringwood Parish Church
[12] Hannah [Hannah Brown] [& Joseph Brown] in England, Select Births & Christenings, 1538-1975
Name Hannah [Hannah Brown] : Gender Female
Spouse Joseph Brown
Child James Brown ['James Brown of Brockenhurst' -as in the will of Joseph Brown, executed 1827]
accessed [Index] : https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/87699044:9841
[13] Eliza Brown in Hampshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1536-1812
Hampshire Archives & Local Studies; Winchester, Hants. England; Anglican Parish Registers; Reference: 84022/1/4 : Yr. Range: 1782-1812
Name Eliza Brown : Recd. Type Baptism : Baptism Date 4 Feb 1795
Baptism Place Ringwood, Hampshire, England
Father Joseph Brown : Mother Sarah Brown
accessed: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/186724:62421
[14] Joseph Harding Brown -Baptism
Joseph Brown in Hampshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages & Burials, 1536-1812
Hampshire Archives & Local Studies; Winchester, Hampshire, England; Anglican Parish Registers; Reference: 84022/1/4 : Yr. Range: 1782-1812
accessed: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/105186582:62421 : Incl. burial of Hannah Brown, wife of Joseph Brown : Hants. England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages & Burials, 1536-1812
Hampshire Archives & Local Studies; Winchester, Hants. England; Anglican Parish Registers; Reference: 84022/1/4 : Yr. Range: 1782-1812
accessed: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/188971:62421
[15] Appointment of Joseph Brown of Ringwood to the Office of Inspector of Corn Returns
N.A. Cat. Ref. No. Q : Q3/13 : Q - Hampshire Quarter Sessions - 1559-1971
Rcds. of Hampshire Quarter Sessions, judicial & administrative from 1559 until 1971 &c.
Hants. Local Studies & Archives Centre, Winchester

Qualification Note
Searching on ancestry.uk produced a Marriage of one, Joseph Brown(e) to Elizabeth Mitchell in March 1781. The date of this marriage Recd. (set out below) is inconsistent with that of the marriage to Ann Bramble. Further, the Recd. for that marriage to Elizabeth Mitchell described Joseph as being a 'Batchelor', not 'widower'. Contrast the Recd. for his marriage to Hannah Ayles. Finally, Ann Bramble's burial was in February 1783. The search entry for the marriage to Elizabeth Mitchell however, is:
Marriage .. [of Joseph Browne] .. to Elizabeth Mitchell, March 11 1781
Joseph Browne [the spelling included in this record to an 'e'] in Hampshire, England, Church of England Marriages & Banns, 1754-1921
Hampshire Archives & Local Studies; Winchester, Hampshire, England; Anglican Parish Registers; Reference: 84022/1/9 : Year Range: 1767-1787

Other
Will of David Stone a Ringwood Cordwainer -buried in Ringwood Churchyard in 1796 listed Henry Oak, Gentleman and Joseph Brown as his Executors