Thomas BROWNELL

  General Notes:

THE HISTORY OF THE BROWNELLY FAMILY, by William R. Brownell, 1975. Found in the Joseph Smith Library, Salt Lake City, UT. Page 6, 7. Thomas Brownelly, the ancestor of most, if not all, of the Brownells in America, was born in England. The date of his birth is not known, but he was baptised on 5 June 1608 at Rawnarsh Parish, Yorkshire. Thomas was the youngest son of Robert and Mary (Wilson) Brownell, who lived in Sandal Magna Parish, Agbrigg Waberntake, Yorkshire. On 20 March 1637, Thomas Brownell married Anne Bourne at St. Benet's, Paul's Wharf, London. The earliset record of Thomas Brownell in Rhode Island is in 1647 when he was a witness to the will of John Walker on 16 March 1647. That same year he was appointed a water bailey for the colony. In 1655 he was on the roll of freemen (citizens having full political rights and privileges) of Portsmouth. He was a member of the General Court of Commissioners for the colony in the years 1655, 1661, 1662, and 1663. In 1661, a dispute arose betwseen Thomas Brownell and John Porter concerning the boundary of land which Thomas had purchased from Richard Carder. At a town meeting on 11 May 1661, it was ordered that the dispute be submitted to arbitration. The decision was given 1 Oct 1661, but no record was made of what that decision was. Thomas Brownell died on 24 Sep 1664 at Portsmouth. The cause of his death was given as a fall from a house. He was buried there in the Brownell Cemetery.

Written by Patricia Joan Ayres Brownell. February 13, 1999. from "A History of the Brownell Family", " The Brownell Chronicle", "Genealogical Record of the Descendants of Thomas Brownell" and "Brownell Genealogy".

Thomas and his brother George moved to London and became drapers (fabric merchants). After Thomas married Anne Bourne they resided in the parish of St. Mary Cole in London until they emigrated to the New World Colonies in 1638. Thomas and Anne arrived in Boston in 1638 on the ship Whale. They arrived at Braintree, MA, and then went on to settle at Pourtsmouth, Rhode Island.

In the Public Library at Winterset, Iowa they have a complete set of books that list the immigrants that came over to the New World. The code for source book 275 page 109, lists Ann and Thomas Brownell, no age given, Place of Arrival - Massachusets, Yr of Arrival 1620-1650.

In Portsmouth, Thomas was appointed Water Bailey ( An official having certain jurisdiction over fisheries and other maritime matters) on May 20, 1647, was made a Freeman (an honour bestowed on a person. Only a church member was so honoured. Only a freeman was allowed to participate in the local government) in 1655, appointed a commissioner (the officer in charge of a department or bureau of the public service) in1655, 61,62 and 63, and appointed Deputy (a member of the common council who acts as an alderman's deputy) in 1664.

On the afternoon of September 24, 1664, Thomas Brownell was killed in an accident.
Inquest into the Death of Thomas Brownell. The testimony of Daniel Lawton aged about twenty-three years or there-abouts being according to law upon oath ingaged testifieth that yesterday in the afternoon Mr Brownell being at the deponants fathers house, Mr Brownell asked the deponant whether he would ride towards Portsmouth town along with him, the deponant answered he would so they both ride together, and when they were come down the hill at the head of William Wodels ground, Mr. Brownell put his horse on a gallop afore the deponant, whereupon this deponant also put on his horse and presently out run Mr Brownell and got affore him, and so continued on his gallop some distance of way afore he lookt back but at length looking back to see where Mr Brownell was he spied his horse running alone out of the way into a swamp whereupon this deponant forth with, not mistrusting emminant danger to the man ran and turned horse and brought him into the way where presently he saw Mr Brownell lying on the ground, and the deponant called but none answering he lett horse goe and went up to him and took him by the arms, whereby and also by the efusion of very much blood from him on the ground he perceived the sayd Mr Brownell was dead. This deponant doth testify the above written.

The coroner's jury made an inquest into the death and took testimony from Daniel Lawton. The jury concluded that Brownell, riding furiously down the hill, was either thrown against or hit the tree. The broken reins of the bridle had been found next to the body and there was blood and hair sticking to the tree. Brownell's skull was broken and his "brains came out," thus causing his death.

Thomas Brownell did not have a will. The Council of the Towne of Portsmouth with the free and voluntary consent of Ann Brownell, widow of the deceased Thomas Brownell, enacted the Ann Brownell whole and executor of the estate.

  Burial Notes:

Brownell Cemetery, Portsmouth, Newport Co, RI

  Noted events in his life were:

• Occupation: Dealer in cloth, clothing and dried goods; farmer.

Thomas married Anne BOURNE on 20 Mar 1637 in St Benet's, Paul's Warf, London, England. (Anne BOURNE was born in 1606 in St Michael, Cornhill Parish, London, England, died after 24 Oct 1666 in Portsmouth, Newport Co, RI and was buried in Portsmouth, Newport Co, RI.)