1574 - Clement

FAMILY

Clement Browne was born about 1574. Though we do not know who his parents were, I suspect he may be a descendant of the London gentleman John Broun who purchased land in Stockbury during 1491. There are few references to this family in the parish register prior to the 1670's, which makes me think they may have been absentee landlords. The West Kent Quarterly Sessions QM/SI/1607/1/8 of 10 DEC, 1606, mention a Margaret Browne and Margaret Sherwood, both of Stockbury, spinsters, in the night time at Stockbury stole one pair of "stockyns" worth 6d. and one pair of shoes worth 4d. belonging to Cicilly Gilbert in the house of the said Cicilly.[Both acknowledge the indictment and whipped]

On July 16, 1599, Clement married Charity Muddle at the Church of All Saints in Hollingbourne. She came from a Thurnham family which also owned 10 acres at Stockbury. Charity’s father Richard died in 1600, he left Charity £3 6s 8d. She died at the age of 24, and was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Hollingbourne on 9 March 1602.

Two months after Charity's death, on May 3, 1602, Clement married Jane Packe at the Church of St Mary Bredman in Canterbury.

A YEOMAN OF HOLLINGBOURNE

In his will, Clement is described as a yeoman from Hollingbourne.

On May 6, 1602, Clement Browne, yeoman and Michael Norrice, tilemaker, both of Hoillingbourne gave sureties for Edward Croumpe of Hollingbourne, labourer, in £20, to appear, do and receive and to keep the peace towards Arthur Craye of the same, yeoman.

CHILDREN BY CHARITY MUDDLE

George Browne baptised at the Church of All Saints in Hollingbourne on 19 July 1601. When George’s maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Muddle, died in 1608 she bequeathed George twelve pence. George died at Hollingbourne, at the age of 14, and he was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Hollingbourne on 4 April 1616.

CHILDREN BY JANE PACKE

1. Richard Browne baptised at the Church of All Saints in Hollingbourne on 23 February 1603.
2. Robert Browne baptised at the Church of All Saints in Hollingbourne on 27 November 1603. When John Muddle, the brother of Robert’s father’s first wife, died in 1637 he left Robert twelve pence and described him as his godson.
3. Ottowoas/Attowes Browne baptised at the Church of All Saints in Hollingbourne on 21 April 1605. As far as it is possible to read them his name was given as Ottowoas at his baptism and as Attowes in his father’s will.
4. William Browne was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Hollingbourne on 9 June 1609.
5. Nicholas Browne (OUR ANCESTOR) baptised at the Church of All Saints in Hollingbourne during December 1610.
6. Thomas Browne baptised at the Church of All Saints in Hollingbourne on 8 November 1613.
7. (proposed) the William Brown who married 23-year-old Bridget Muddle at the Church of All Saints in Hollingbourne on 24 August 1641. They had three children born at Hollingbourne in 1642 and 1651, the last two being twins who only lived a few days. William Brown owned a house with two chimneys in Hollingbourne during 1664.
   • Elizabeth Browne baptised at the Church of All Saints in Hollingbourne on 24 August 1642.
   • The twins, who were buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Hollingbourne on 23 February and 28 February, 1651.

CLEMENT BROWN'S WILL

Clement Brown was buried at All Saints at Hollingbourne on 20 April 1616. According to the terms his will, proved by the Consistory Court of Canterbury on 28 May, 1616, his widow Jane could keep the profits of his houses and lands until the youngest was 22 years old. Then she was divide the properties between his children. One of Clement's first wife's brother, William Muddle of Hollingbourne, was made an overseers of this will. There appears to have been some complications. Jane was not on the scene in 1632, when her sons Nicholas and Thomas Browne sued the widow Margaret Peck regarding this inheritance.