My Genealogy Home Page:Information about Henry Thomas Browne
Henry Thomas Browne (b. Abt. 1598, d. 1662)
Notes for Henry Thomas Browne:
Henry Browne was an early immigrant to Virginia.As a member of the Virginia Council, he was involved in the politics of Virginia from 1634 to 1662.Governor Argall in 1619 defined the Four Mile Tree (Four miles from Jamestown upriver) as the farthest limits of Jamestown.Henry Browne patented his plantation there on the southside of the James River purchasing portions of it from the heirs of John Smith. He was a vestryman of Southwarke Parish, Surry County Virginia, in 1661. (Southside Virginia Families, Volume I, by John Bennet Boddie, 1955)In 1639 he patented 2250 acres in Surry County at Jouring Point Creen (adjoining the plantation seated by Mr. Fowler) which was originally granted to Mr. Francis Fowler, and was left by Mrs. Antonia Folwer to the said Henry Browne.On 1 Mar 1657, Col. Henry Browne and Anne, his wife, sold land comprehended in a patent of a greater quantity situated in Surry County on James River, beginning at the westermost end of Pipsico Plantation, and so upward to the line of Col. John Flood.
Colonel Henry Browne, as he later appears in the records, was appointed to the Council in 1634 and served at intervals until his death in 1662. He was a great friend of Sir John Harvey; and Kempe, the Secretary of State, says that there were only two other members of the council who supported Harvey-Purefoy and another (Browne), "who was an honest, plain man, but of small capacity and less power."Colonel Browne was one of Governor Harvey's strongest supporters.When a majority of the Council sought to depose the Governor he stoutly resisted his arrest and expulsion from Virginia.When Governor Wyatt came to Virginia, Browne was turned out of office in Oct 1640, but was reinstated in March 1641, as he was included in the Royal Commission of that year which tends to show his strong influence at Court.When Berkeley was succeeded by the Puritan Governor, Richard Bennett, Colonel Browne again retired from the Council.When Berkeley once more became the Royal Governor, he was reinstated and died in office about 1662.His widow, by Oct 1662, had married Colonel Thomas Swann." (SVF-109)
Henry's father was Sir Matthew Browne, he resided at Betchworth Castle, and was created a Knight Bachelor in 1596.Sir Matthew inherited one quarter of the Manor of Dorking and the Castle Atbetchworth from his father.Sir Matthew's wife was Lady Jane Vincent.Henry's third great-grandfather was Sir George Browne, born in 1434, and resided at Betchworth Castle, in Surrey, England.Sir George Browne was Knighted by King Edward IV after the Battle of Wekesbury in 1471.During the first year of the reign of King Richard III, Sir George Browne fell victim to the intrigues of Royal power.The New Duke of Norfolk had taken over and using his influence, Sir George was convicted of being involved in the revolt of the Duke of Buckingham against King Richard III, and was beheaded on Tower Hill on 4 Dec 1483.This plot was an excuse for the elimination of any descendents of the Plantagenets of which the Betchworth Brownes stood in line to progress towards the crown of England.Sir George Browne's fifth great-grandfather was King Henry III of England.
More About Henry Thomas Browne:
Record Change: February 11, 2004
Children of Henry Thomas Browne and Ann Flood are:
- +Mary Browne, b. Abt. 1643, Surrey, Virginia, d. Bef. 1682.