Person:James Brown (302)

Identity

Anderson states that "[t]hree men named James Browne were made free in the 1630s, on 4 March 1633/4, 25 May 1636, and 17 May 1637" and places these men as of Charlestown, Boston, and Newbury. Untangling their record and identifying their families is not a simple task. Henry Fitz Waters (NEHGR 29:184, 1875) tries to shed some light

Healey - Browne. "William Healey m. Sarah (Cutting) Browne, wid. of James Browne, the glazier who removed to Salem from Newbury and purchased the an estate on Prison Lane (now St. Peter's Street), being a part of what was formerly Christopher Waller's lot. She was a dau. of Capt. John Cutting of Newbury, and Browne's second wife."

David W. Hoyt brought some clarity in his "The Cutting-Browne Family of Newbury." (Essex Hist Col 48:85-88, 1912)

James Browne, of Charlestown, Newbury and Salem, "glazier," born about 1605; married 1st, about 1637, Judith Cutting (Capt . John), who died about 1650; 2d, about 1650-52, 5 Sarah Cutting (sister of Judith), who was admitted to the Charlestown church March 14, 1652. He was of Charlestown till about 1660; then of Newbury, and of Salem as early as 1672. Coffin calls him "James Jun." to distinguish from "Mr. James Browne," who was one of the first settlers of Newbury and called "late teacher at Portsmouth," in 1656. James died at Salem, Nov. 13, 1676. Will dated Jan. 29, 1674-5, probated Nov. 29, 1676. Widow Sarah married Nov. 29, 1677 [W. Ch.], William Healy, SEN.f of Cambridge. She was living in Feb., 1682-3. A Sarah Healy married Dec. 3, 1685 [Nb.], Hugh March, Sen., of Nb., as his third wife. Widow Sarah March died Oct. 25, 1699 [Nb.].

As is usually the case, understanding relationships and finding definitive sources to untangle families of common names, like Browne, is not an easy task, and nor are the conclusions reached static. Further research may find the "facts," as we now understand them, may apply to other men and families of the name Brown/Browne.

Marriages

Torry indicates that James was twice married; first, to Judith Cutting, and second, her sister, Sarah Cutting, who died in 1699, both daughters John Cutting. Torrey continues indicating that Sarah Cutting, after the death of James, married William Healey and then Hugh March. Anderson does not mention a marriage to Hugh March.

Anderson states that the 1st wife of James was called Judith in the town records of Charlestown and Elizabeth in the church. The 1660 will of John Cutting names "Daughter Sara Browne of Charlstowne, the wife of James Browne." (Essex Antiq 8:165) We know this is the second wife of James because he confirms the relationship in his will, "[lands] bequeathed to my said wife, by her father John Cutting deceased." ^S1

Vital Records are silent on the marriages of this James Browne. To bring context, we follow the guidance of Anderson and Hoyt in establishing a timeline.

Will & Probate

The will of James Brown, Glazier, of Salem, among those mentioned are: "my beloued wife Sarah"; "[lands] bequeathed to my said wife, by her father John Cutting deceased"; "my eldest son John Browne"; "my son Samuell"; "my son Abraham,"; "amongst my five daughters, viz: Sarah Beasly, Anna, Mary, Abigaile & Martha Browne." "I giue to my said wife all the rest of my estate when my debts are paid : & doe appoynt her my sole executrix of this my will, & doe appoynt my Brother Nicholas Noyce And Hilliard Yeren, sen. to be ouerseers & heerunto I haue set to my hand & scale this 29: of Janury 1674." - James Browne, (seal). Witness : Hilliard Veren, Senr., Samuell Pickworth.

By 1707, the estate had not been fully administered and that left James³ Browne, Jr., "only male heir of his grandfather, Mr. James Browne late of Salem," to resolve the issues. James³ Browne Jr. was the son of James², the son of James¹ Browne (who died in Nov 1676). A petition was made to the Court concerning the bequeaths made by his grandfather to his Uncle Samuel. Samuel has died without a will and the bequeath could not be administered by the executor of his grandfather's estate because Sarah, his grandmother had died. The Court granted James Browne, Jr., of Newbury authority to administer the outstanding portions of his grandfather's estate.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4} James Browne of Salem, in Massachusetts, Probate Court (Essex County). The Probate Records of Essex County, Massachusetts. (Salem, Massachusetts: The Essex Institute, 1916, 1917, 1920)
   3:108-111.

   - The 29:11mo. 1674 I James Browne of Salem, being weake of body yet of pfect memory doe make this my last will& testament...
   - Will of James Browne, glazier, was proved 29:9:1676, and Sarah, the relict and executrix
   - Proved in Salem court 29 : 9 : 1676 by Hilliard Veren
   - Inventory of the estate of James Browne, sr., who deceased Nov. 3, 1676, taken Nov. 30, 1676, by Nicholas Noyes and Nathaniell Beadle
   - Administration granted to James Browne, jr., son of Mr. James Browne, only male heir of his grandfather, Mr. James Browne late of Salem, deceased, on a legacy given to Samuell Browne, son of said deceased, who also deceased without making any disposal of same, and whereas Sarah Browne executrix to the will of said deceased dyed before.
   Bond of James Browne, jr. of Newbury, with John Browne of Rowley and Collen Frazer as sureties, for 100li., to administer on a legacy given by his grandfather James Browne late of Salem, deceased, and upon any other part of the estate not bequeathed in his will. Dated Dec. 1, 1707. Witness: John Stangly, Daniel Rogers.