Browning Family Line

Browning Family Line

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Grandy's 3x Great-Grandmother:

My 5x Great-Grandmother:

Laila Laemmel-Gordon's 6x Great-Grandmother:

Nancy Henrietta Browning (1755 - 1831)

Nancy Henrietta McReynolds

Also known as: "Haney", "Henrietta Browning", "Nancy Browning"

Birthdate: 1755

Birthplace: Caswell, Province of North Carolina

Denomination: (probably) Presbyterian

Date of Marriage: 1783

Place of Marriage: Caswell County, Commonwealth of North Carolina

Death: 1831 at Barr's Creek, near Cynthiana, Indiana

Cause of Death: died of 'cold shock response' after falling into an icy stream

Place of Burial: Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Poseyville, Posey County, Indiana

Parents:

Edmund Browning

1732-1807

Mary Ann Murphy

1736-1795

Family

Spouse:

Joseph McReynolds (1762 - 1840)

Joseph McReynolds, Sr.

Also known as: "Private Joseph McReynolds, Sr.", "Joseph Marion McReynolds"

Birthdate: December 12, 1762

Birthplace: Caswell County, Province of North Carolina

Denomination: (probably) Presbyterian / Shaker

Occupation:

Military Service: 1778-1782 (Age 15 years) - Beginning December 16, 1778 Joseph served as a Private in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War - various regiments. He fought in the Battle of Guilford Courthouse and the Battle of Eutaw Springs, serving with "The Swamp Fox" Francis Marion.

Death: 1840 in Posey County, Indiana

Place of Burial: Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Poseyville, Posey County, Indiana

Immediate Family:

Son of Roland McReynolds and Agnes Ann Rich

See: McReynolds Line (Caswell County, NC)

Children:

1. Samuel M. McReynolds 1784-1852

2. Edward Browning McReynolds 1785-1865

3. Mary "Polly" McReynolds 1785-1846

4. Margaret Henrietta "Ritty" McReynolds 1794-1847

5. Tabitha McReynolds 1794-1849

6. Joseph McReynolds, Jr. 1796-1860

7. John McReynolds 1798-

8. Anna B. McReynolds 1805-1885

About Nancy Henrietta Browning

Henrietta (Nancy) "Haney" Browning was the daughter of Edmond and Mary Browning. Her siblings were Caleb, Joshua, Robert, Elizabeth, John, Rachel, Nimrod, and Mary Clary Browning.

Her children include Samuel, Edward, Mary, Margaret, Tabitha, and Joseph McReynolds, Jr.

She was the granddaughter of Francis Browning Jr. and Elizabeth Carter Lloyd.

After leaving the armed forces Joseph McReynolds returned to his home in Caswell County and in the year 1783 was married to Henrietta Browning, seven years his senior who had written him all the time he was in service. Caswell county was their home until the year 1802 when they moved to Sumner Co. TN.

In the year 1831 Joseph decided to leave Sumner County, Tennessee and re-located in Posey Co. IN since other members of the family had located in that area. When almost to their destination, while forging the Barr's Creek, near Cynthiana, IN, the wagon in which the old folks were riding overturned and the occupants thrown into the icy waters. The icy waters and the shock were too much for Henrietta and she died on the bank of the stream. Her body was taken to the home of her son Samuel and buried in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, the land having been donated by Samuel for Church and Cemetery purposes.

****

Biographical sketch should be credited to "McReynolds, A Royal Clan", compiled by William Howard McReynolds, 1980, page 87. William Howard McReynolds spent a fortune on his lengthy researches and should be thoughtfully remembered for his amazing contribution.

Biography

Francis Browning was born c. 1672, perhaps in Cecil County, Maryland.

Birth: 1666 Jamestown, Virginia Colony

Alternate Birth: Circa 1676 Cecil County Maryland

Parents: John Browning I 1640 - 1682 Elizabeth Ann Simmons 1649 - 1689

1676 Francis is born in Glouchestershire, England. He apparently came to the colonies with his father but when his father died in 1690 he returned to England and lived with his grandmother in Bristol, England.

1698 - Francis shows up in the Cecil County, Maryland court records.

1710 - Francis Browning purchases 200 acres on the southside of Portobago Creek in Essex County, Virginia. This land is about 12 miles from the earlier location of Thomas and Ester Browning. Francis Browning's Portobago land was adjacent to a tract owned by the Merritt family.

1711 - Francis Browning sells 100 acres of his Portobago land to Joseph Calloway. Rachel consented.

1715 - Francis Browning deeds the remaining 100 acres of his Portobago land to his daughter, Ann with the codicil that it not convey to her until after his death.

1724 - Francis Browning, identified as of St Ann's Parish, Essex County, Virginia, sells his Spotsylvania land to Edward Rovvzee for 40 pounds sterling. He apparently never lived on this land.

1730 - Francis Browning, with the consent of his wife, Mary, sold the Pneumensend's Creek land. This date coincides fairly closely with death or his move to Culpeper County, Virginia.

1693 Marriage

Married in Cecil County,, c. 1693 to Rachel Merritt or Marriott.

Marriage: Rachel Merritt/Marriott 1699 Jamestown, Virginia

Wife: Rachel Browning (born Merritt/marriott) 1673 - 1775

The family apparently lived in Essex County, Virginia at least the children were reportedly born there; and later moved to Culpeper County, Virginia. Some of the grandchildren of this couple later were found in Caswell County, North Carolina, and in Montgomery County, Maryland; which perhaps explains the apparent confusion between this lineage and that of Captain John Browning of Jamestown.

Husband: Francis Browning

Marriage: 1698 Cecil County, Maryland, USA[1]

Marriage: 1711 Essex County, Virginia, USA[2]

1698 Court Suit, Cecil County, Maryland

Court Minutes of Cecil County, Maryland, dated November 9, 1698 report the suit of Edward Skidmore against Francis Browning, Sr for the settlement of a small debt.[3]

1710 Essex County, Virginia

An unanswered question is why Francis Browning of Cecil County, Maryland, would move to Essex Co, Virginia. A possible explanation might be the desire of his wife to move near her parents -- and an opportunity to buy land next door to the parents.

1710-1715 Land Sales, Essex Co, Virginia

On December 10, 1710, Francis purchased from Charles Farrell of Essex Co, Virginia, a tract of land containing 200 acres on the south side of the head of Portobago Swamp in the county. Consideration for the sale was 4,500 pounds of sweet-scented tobacco. The land was adjacent to the lands of the Merritt family.[3]

On July 20, 1711, Francis sold 100 acres in Essex County to Joseph Calloway; release of dower was signed by Rachel Browning, his wife. [3]

On July 16, 1715, Francis Browning of St. Mary's Parish, Essex County, Virginia, conveyed 100 acres of land "whereon I now live" to his daughter Anne for natural love and affection. This was probably about the time at which Francis moved to the area that later became Spottsylvania County, and finally Culpeper. There were a number of children, reportedly born in Essex Co, Va, although it would appear likely that those born before 1710 were born in Cecil County, Maryland, [3]

1723 Death

He died c. 1723 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia (formed in 1720 from parts of Essex, King and Queen, and King William Counties). [3]

Death: 1712 Kent, Maryland or Jamestown, Virginia

Alternate Death: Before 1720 Spotsylvania County, Virginia

Children of Francis and Rachel

Anne, b. c. 1694, died Jan 21, 1775 in Culpeper Co, VA[3] Wiki has her born in Cecil Co., MD.

Francis, Jr, b. c 1696. Wiki has him born Cecil Co, MD. Married c. 1716 to Elizabeth Lloyd, said to be a daughter of William Lloyd (1680) and Mary Ann Crowley (1682), and a granddaghter of Col. Edward Lloyd and Alice Couch. Colonel Edward Lloyd had moved from Virginia into Talbot Co, MD in the mid 1600's, where he founded a dynasty of political leaders of the colony, establishing his seat at Linton on the Wye River.[3]

Edward, Srb. c 1700 in old Prince Georges Co, MD.[3] Wiki has him born Cecil Co.

Thomas, Sr, b. c 1702, and died after 1762, perhaps in King and Queen Co, VA. Married c. 1734 in Caroline Co, VA to Anne, and had children.[3] Wiki has him born in Cecil Co.

John, b. c 1704, and died between 1779 and 1781 in Hanover Co, VA. Married c 1724 to Susanna and had children, born in Essex Co, VA[3] Wiki has him born in Cecil.

William, b. c 1710 in Cecil and William born c. 1710 in Culpeper Co, VA, and d. after 1796 in Frederick Co, MD. Married c. 1735 to a Miss Williamson, and had children, the first four born in Essex Co, VA and the last two in Pennsylvanie, according to the records of Dottie Elliott. However, other records found iN Hoye's Pioneer Families of Garrett County (1988) suggest that these children were born in Frederick Co, MD. Additionally, some of the birth dates of the children are as much as ten years off between the two records; and we believe the earlier dates to be corect. About 1752, William is believed to have moved to Bedford Co, PA, perhaps in company with his brother, Edward. William joined the British Army under General Braddock, and fought the French and Indians. After the defeat of General Braddock at Fort Duquesne, William remained in Pennsylvania. [3]

Son: William Browning 1710 - 1790

James, b. c 1712 in Spotsylvania Co, VA, and James, born c. 1706 in Caroline Co, MD; died 1773 in Henrico Co, Va. Married there c. 1745 to Anne Williamson, b. c. 1728.[3]

Nicholas, b. c. 1715 Spotsylvania and Nicholas, born c. 1712 Caroline, and died c. 1774 in Fauquier Co, VA. Married about 1740 in Culpeper Co to Lavinia and had children.[3]

Sources

Some information was obtained through Kentucky Historical Society with dates and locations of birth/death/name difference.

Blanchard, Charles. Editor. Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana - Historical and Biographical. F. A Battey & Co., Pub. 1884. Chicago (800 pages)

Browning, E. F. Brownings in America, 1908. Page: p. 445

Genealogy of the Brownings in America from 1621 to 1908 by Edward F. Browning, Reprinted by Higginson Book Co., Salem, Mass

Browning Family Research, Cecil Co: http://poegen.net/VA/Studies/BrowningResearchSite.htm

Ancestry.com Title: Virginia Land, Marriage, and Probate Records, 1639-1850 Publication: Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2004; Repository: #R1

[3]

↑ Source: #S82 Page: Source number: 1689.004

↑ Source: #S88

↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 William Neal Hurley, Jr, Our Marland Heritage, Book Twelve: Browning Families, Primarily of Montgomery and Frederick Counties, Maryland. Bowie, Maryland: Heritage Books, 1998, p. 37-38

References:

https://www.geni.com/people/Francis-Browning-of-Cecil-County-MD/6000000006345119960

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/L232-SJ5

https://gw.geneanet.org/nicholasisgreat?lang=en&iz=0&p=francis&n=browning&oc=3

https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/L232-SJ5/francis-browning-sr.-1678-1720

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Browning-242

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Grandy's 7x Great-Grandfather:

My 9x Great-Grandfather:

Laila Laemmel-Gordon's 10x Great-Grandfather:

Christened: St. Swithun's Church, Brookthorpe, Gloucestershire, England

Denomination: (probably) Anglican

Death: 1690 in Maryland, Cecil County, Province of Maryland

Children:

1. John Browning 1640–1690

2. Thomas Browning II 1643–1726

3. Hester Browning 1648–

About Thomas Browning

At some point before 1670,Thomas and Hester left Maryland,probably returning to Gloucestershire,England

Biography

This biography is a rough draft. It was auto-generated by a GEDCOM import and needs to be edited.

1656-57 - Thomas and Hester Browning came to the colonies with their children to Old Rappahannock County, Maryland. [Maryland Hall of Records, State Archives, Book 9, Paage 490; Book WC2, page 73] It apparently took several years for a person to patent land due to selecting, surveying, and purchasing the land. Since he patented land in 1657 they should have come sometime before that. Settlements couldn't be made on the Rappahannock River until the treaty with the Indians was signed on September 1, 1649 so it was unlikely that they would have been here earlier than that. Although Thomas had land claims in both Virginia and Maryland, he lived in Essex County, VA where many other immigrants from Bristol, England also lived.

Thomas and Hester Browning show in documents on the "south side of the head of Hoskins Creek" in Lancaster Co VA (later Old Rappahannock Co and present Essex Co), The Virginia patent for 450 acres, granted 30 Nov 1657 was issued for the transportation of nine people to the colony, including Thomas, his wife Esther, their son, John and their daughter, Hester, as well as others. The patent was signed by Samuel Mathews and William Claiborne, Sr. [Old Rappahannock Co VA Deed Book 2, p. 55]

1659- O4 May l659, 'Thomas sold his land on Hoskins Creek to John Cooke. [Old Rappahannock Co Deed Book 2, p.55] John Cooke assigned to Thomas Meader, dec'd, and given by will to Thomas Meader, orphan on 09 Apr 1664. (Cavaliers & Pioneers, p. 477-478, by Marion Nell Nugent)

1659, 01 Aug - Thomas Browning bought 100 acres of land from William Johnson. [Old Rappahannock Co Deed Book 2, p. 190]

1662 - 16 Jun , Thomas made arrangement to sell this land to David Hopkins and Richard Prator. [Old Rappahannock Co Deed Book 2, p. 335]

1663: Thomas Browning and his wife Hester sell their Essex land and move to Maryland accompanied by their son John. The elder Brownings purchased property from Abraham Morgan in Baltimore Co. (later Cecil Co.) that year in November. [Robert W Barnes, Baltimore County Families, Baltimore: GPC Co, Inc, 1989, page 78]

On 31 Dec 1662, David Hopkins and Richard Prator agreed to pay to Thomas Browning"two thousand pounds of good, sound merchantable bright and large Virginia tobacco." Witnesses: Richard Glover and Richard James. Richard James was one of the persons transported to MD by Thomas Browning. [Old Rappahannock Co Deed Book 2, p. 327]

1670- 03 February 1670/1, John had 500 acres of land, known as "Successor" surveyed on forks of the Elk River in MD. [Maryland Rent Rolls, Book 6, p. 330] This record indicates that John had to be at least 21 years old in 1670

1674 - April 6 - John and his wife Elizabeth sold to Richard Nash of Kent County,MD, "all that messuage and tenement where said John Browning now liveth or did lately live and commonly known by the name of Browning's plantation near the River of Bohemia." The deed states that John Browning's right to sell this land was "by virtue of a patent the twenty-first day of July 1663 made unto Abraham Morgan and by him assigned to Thomas Browning, father of said John Browning." It stipulates that John Browning will make other assurances as needed provided it occurs within three years and that John and Elizabeth are not compelled to travel over twenty miles from their place of abode to perfect it. This document appoints Henry Ward of Baltimore County to serve as their attorney to enroll the indenture. The deed, signed on 06 Apr 1674 by John and Elizabeth Browning was witnessed by Augustine Henum, Rowland Williams and Thomas Shelton. References in this deed suggest that John and Elizabeth planned to be away from Maryland for a period of time and also suggest that Thomas Browning was still living at that date, hence the need for "other assurances as needed." Recorded in 26 Feb 1674/5 Maryland Testamentary records is a document which shows that Captain Peter Judman of the Isle of Jamaica, a merchant, granted to "John Browning, gentleman, now bound for his Majesties' plantation of Virginia" power of attorney to receive debts from John Gilbert, merchant. This document establishes that John Browning was en route to Maryland. The power of attorney was signed by Peter Judman on 12 Aug 1674. Upon arrival in MD, John Browning found that John Gilbert had died intestate, and as representative of a creditor of John Gilbert, he was named administrator of the Gilbert estate. Sureties for this administration were Richard Nash and John Poole. It appears that John and his wife were in Maryland on 06 Apr 1674 when they transferred land to Richard Nash. Soon after that date, they left the colony of Maryland for a period of several months and were in Jamaica on 12 Aug 1674, when Peter Judman designated John Browning to receive debts from John Gilbert, merchant, and were back in Maryland before February 1675. The Peter Judman document clearly establishes that John was en route to Maryland, as the reference in the Judman document to 'Virginia' is consistent with terminology of early date when all of the southern colonies were sometimes referred to as "His Majesties Plantation in Virginia." John Browning had settled on a piece of land that his friend and neighbor, Augustin Herman, claimed as his own. Herman sued Browning, but on the day of appearance,he was so ill that he could not undertake the long joumey to court. He drew up a detailed complaint against his neighbor which he entrusted to his contestant, John Browning, to be taken to court. Browning in turn faithfully delivered the complaint at court and had it read. Browning was ordered to vacate the disputed piece of land, whereupon he left the (MD) colony for good. ["The German Element in Maryland" by J.A. Weishaar and "The Maryland Germans" by Dieter Cunz, p. 19]

On 29 Jul 1679, a document signed by Cecil, Lord Baltimore, shows that thirteen years ago, John Browning's father had a conditional warrant granted for 500 acres 'in Cecil County being made good by John Browning, his son, who has possession and has paid taxes since his father's decease, but no patent was granted to either Thomas Browning or his son. It was ordered that the land office draw up a patent. [Cecil Co MD Patent Records, Book 15, p. 574]. This document was signed personally by Cecil, Lord Baltimore, who was never in Maryland. It appears that John Browning may have been in England to settle the affairs of his father's estate when the document was obtained. Additional evidence of the absence of John Browning for a period of approximately I8 months is that "John Browning, Gentleman," brought suit against George Oldfield and Andrew Peterson on 24 Oct 1677. This suit was filed in Chancery Court and wasn't tried until 29 Jul 1769. This would indicate that Thomas Browning died sometime between the arrival of the Spring and Fall 1677 convoys. On 03 Nov 1679, John Browning made an oath that his father transported himself, Hester Browning, John Browning, Gabriel Brown, Anne Brown, Richard James, Elizabeth Laven, Thomas Simster and John Devon thirteen years earlier. [MD Patent Records, Book WC2, page 73.]

1679 - On 26 Nov 1679, a John Browning bought a 500-acre tract in Somerset Co called "Coleman's Adventure." (Book 25, p. 401) On I8 Mar 1680, John bought a 500-acre tract in Cecil Co MD called "Round's." (Book 24, p. 105)

On 22 Mar 1680, John Browning had 883 acres of land called "Clifton" surveyed in Cecil Co MD. (From "Sidelights of Maryland History." by Richardson) On 26 Nov 1679, he purchased the 883-acre tract in Cecil Co called "Clifton." (Book 24, p. 282)

On 17 Nov 1680, John bought a I 00-acre tract in Cecil Co MD called "Brownley." (Book 25, p. II; Book 30, p. 208) On 22 Mat 1681, John received a 450-acre tract in Cecil Co MD called "Warren." (Book 24, p. 282)

1680- On 02 May 1680, John Browning received the 500-acre tract 'm Cecil Co called "Success" which had been surveyed in 1670. (Book 24, p. 88)

On 08 Sep 1687, John bought a 550-acre tract in Cecil Co MD called "Askmore. " (Book 25, p. 35 1; Book 32, p. 660)

On 08 Sep 1687, John bought a 150-acre tract in Cecil Co MD called "Morelow." (Book 25, p. 352; Book 32, p. 662)

1690 - The estate of John Browning was settled by a court-appointed administrator. Administrative bond recorded 18 Oct 1690, authorizing William Walton to serve as administrator for the estate of John Browning "late of Cecil County." Security in the amount of 100 pounds was posted by John Sleep (Sloop) and Mathias Mathason. (Cecil Co Records of Administration, Box 6, Folder 25) Note: There is no mention of Elizabeth Browning or her dower rights as John's wife, so she probably died before that time. The sons of John Browning were either too young or absent and could not serve in any capacity as administrators of their father's estate. Inventory of estate filed 18 Oct 1690 by William Walton, The inventory was carried out by George Beestone and Henry Riggs. [Cecil County Records of Administration, Box 1, Folder 19]

1696- There are six children living with John Browning's mother, Hester Browning, in Bristol, England --- Francis, Hester, Judith, Elizabeth, Mary and Ann. Nothing identifies these children as John's children, it is possible that Mary and Ann are the children of John's brother, Thomas.

Source:

Blanchard, Charles. Editor. Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana - Historical and Biographical. F. A Battey & Co., Pub. 1884. Chicago (800 pages) Browning, E. F. Brownings in America, 1908 Burgess, James Anthony. Ancestors and Descendants of James Anthony Burgess. website. http://gedcom.surnames.com/burgess_jim/ghtindex.htm

References:

https://www.geni.com/people/Thomas-Browning-of-Maryland/6000000001612055650

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/G3RQ-3PZ

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Browning-497

http://www.geocities.ws/kellyparks99/browning.htm#Thomas

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Browning History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Browning is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was name for a person with brown hair or a dark complexion. The surname Browning is derived from the Old English word bruning, which was in common usage until the 14th century. This word is itself a derivative of the word brun, which means brown. The name was in usage as a personal name as early as 1086, when Bruning de Cestretona was recorded as a resident of Cumberland.

Early Origins of the Browning Family

The surname Browning was first found in Cumberland but by the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, the name had scattered throughout most of ancient Britain. By example, that rolls listed Henry Brunwyne, Staffordshire; John Brunwyn, Suffolk; Richard Brunwyn, Lincolnshire; Avice Bruning, Cambridgeshire; John Bruning, Norfolk; Roger Bruning, London; and Ivo Brunig, Huntingdonshire.

Kirby's Quest listed the name as a forename and a surname: Brounyng le Fox, Somerset, 1 Edward I; and Brounyng Bycheheye, Somerset, 1 Edward I (during the first year of King Edward I's reign.)

As time moved on, spellings changed. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included Agnes Brownyng, a spelling closer to the spellings used today.

A little further to the north in Scotland, early records there included John Brwnyng, as one of the "burgenses rure manentes" of Aberdeen, 1317, and "Sir John Browning was sheriff there in 1328. Willelmus Bronnyng in the parish of Fyvy was excommunicated in 1382. "

Browning Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Browning have been found, including Browning, Brownyng, Bruning, Brownigg, Brownygg and many more.

Browning Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

John Browning who settled in Virginia in 1621

George Browning, who settled in Virginia in 1635

Geo Browning, who landed in Virginia in 1635

Jon Browning, who landed in Virginia in 1635

Joseph Browning, aged 20, who arrived in Virginia in 1635