Richard Browne, of Washington Parish

• Richard Browne, aged 19, was on a list dated May 28, 1635, of individuals to be transported to Virginia by the "Speedwell," John Chappell, Master, "after examination by the Minister of Gravesend." Moved to Kent Island, MD. On 18 February 1638 was a witness to election results for first representative of Kent Island to MD General Assembly.

The Speedwell of London sailed May 28, 1635 from Gravesend, England to Virgina with Master John Chappell. On board his vessel were 49 men, 9 women, and 2 children (girl 10, boy 6 mos). Arrived at Jamestown Abt July 1635

"Theis under-written names are to be transported to Virginea imbarqued in the Speedwell of London Jo: Chappell Mr being examined by the Minister of Gravesend of their conformities to the orders & discipline of the Church of England and have taken the oath of Allegeance."

Speedwell, a sister ship to the Mayflower developed a leak in 1620 and could not make the voyage with the Mayflower, but did sail May 28, 1635, from South Hampton for the colony of Virginia. (Speedwell returned to England, was refitted, sold, and saw service in the hands of Captain John Chappell.

"A" Speedwell travelled to Virginia in 1635 (59 passengers, captain Jo. Chappel) and to Boston in 1656 (41 passengers, captain Robert Lock). It should be noted that the ship name "Speedwell" was popular, and also ships did not last long, and owing to it's condition in 1620, the 1637 Speedwell may not have been the same ship as the one that was planned to leave with the Mayflower. Even the Mayflower was likely scrapped in 1624.

On July 3 1638, Richard Browne and 2 others agreed to a performance bond of 3000 pounds tobacco, posted on security for William Lewis, who had been found guilty of "unreasonable disputations on points of religion, tending to disturbance of the public peace and quiet." Lewis had forbidden some of his workers from reading a Protestant tract - he was a Catholic. It is interesting that Browne, who was a Protestant, would post bond on his behalf.

In 1650 Richard Brown applied for 100 acres of land, for having transported Thomas Dynnyard. His occupation was listed as planter, but he was involved in a number of litigations, often acting as an attorney. He himself was periodically sued for non-payment of debts.

Proceedings of Maryland General Assembly includes a brief biographical sketch of Richard Browne, as a member of the General Assembly: "Immigrated in 1648 [to St. Mary's County? - only approximately correct in any case] as a free adult with his family. Resided in St. Mary's County; moved to Virginia, 1654. Public service: jury duty 1648/49. Legislative service: Assembly, a Burgess in St. Mary's County, 1649 (Accounts). Religion: Protestant. Education: literate. At first election, owned about 200 acres." Took "oath of ffealty" to Gov. Calvert in St. Mary's Co. June 2, 1647."

Moved to Westmoreland Co. VA, occupying 200 acres patented 13 Sep 1654, on Mattox Creek, 3 miles from the Potomac. Accumulated more land over the years. One way of acquiring land was by transporting individuals to Virginia; since the Colony was eager to increase its population, individuals were given 50 acres for each person they brought in. Richard Browne transported 13 individuals, for which he received, on March 22, 1654, 650 acres. On Sep 28, 1671 gave his son Originall 200 acres, half the plantation in which he was living. The family may well have moved to Virginia to escape the religious tensions in MD. (Source: William Clark Wroe; "The Wroe and Chancellor Families;" 1992)

Family

Father: Original Browne b: BEF 1598 in England Mother: Elizabet Baldwin b: ABT 1602 in England

Married:

• 1. 1 FEB 1646/47 in Newbury, Essex, MA to Elizabeth Badger b: ABT 1626 in Newbury, Essex, MA (???) [NO]
• 2. ABT 1654 in Washington Parish, Westmoreland County, Virginia to Eader James b: BEF 1632 in Washington Parish, Westmoreland County, Virginia
• 3. BEF 2 NOV 1660 in Northumberland County, Virginia to Anne MNU Warder Children of 1st wife

1. Richard Browne b: BEF 1645 in Washington Parish, Westmoreland County, Virginia
2. Original Browne b: 1648 in St. Mary's County, Maryland
3. Derrick Browne b: 1651 in Washington Parish, Westmoreland County, Virginia

   ---

NOTE: Some sites claim our Richard married an Elizabeth Badger a year after he married Eader James. Another Richard Brown(e) born 1614 in England and died 26 Apr 1661 in Newbury, Massachusetts. married (1) Edith in England. She died 12 Apr 1647 in Newbury, Massachusetts. He married (2) Elizabeth Greenleaf Badger 18 Feb 1648 in Newbury, Massachusetts. Since this is a different Richard Browne who marries Elizabeth Badger within the same time frame, it seems logical to eliminate her as an ancestor

• https://www.colonial-settlers-md-va.us/getperson.php?personID=I2981...
• http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mysouthernfamily/...