In a message dated 17/06/2008 01:20:20 GMT Standard Time,
jhigginsgen@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
writes:
>>>>
There is a biography of John Browne the gun-founder (father-in-law of
Thomas Foley) in ODNB. He is stated to have born in Chiddingstone,
Kent, and son to Thomas Browne, "founder of iron ordnance to Elizabeth
I and James I", whom John followed in the family business. No mention
of any connection to the Brownes of the Viscount Montagu family - and
probably not likely, given the profession of this Browne family..
Per ODNB John Browne's 1st wife (and the mother of his children) was
Martha Tilden, dau. of Henry (called Richard in other sources). His
2nd wife was Elizabeth, dau. of Lancelot Bathurst, alderman of London.
Based on Burke's General Armory, there doesn't appear to be any
connection between the arms of the Viscounts Montagu and those of this
family of Brownes.
So, no apparent Gifford {or Browne/Montagu) connection here, but at
least a couple of more ancestors for Prince Charles....
<<<<<<
The m2 to Elizabeth, dau. of Lancelot Bathurst is an error and has
confused
this John Browne with a John Browne of Horton Kirby, Kent part of the
Brownes
Lord Mayors of London family.
The earliest record I have of this family is:
"Thomas and John Browne, father and son, dominated the production of
English
iron ordnance for half a century and more. In 1596 Thomas Browne took on
the office of Crown gun founder on the death of Thomas Johnson. ...
When Thomas Browne acquired this office, he had been operating Bough Beech
furnace, Hever, [Kent] since before 1589. This he rented and subsequently
bought from Thomas Willoughbie, and cast guns for the ex****t trade,
notably for
the patentees active in the Dutch market.... "
_Extract from “The Iron Industry of the Weald” by Henry Cleere and
David
Crossley (Merton Priory Press, 1995.)”_
I have looked for a possible connection to the Montague Brownes, with
nothing definite except perhaps:
In the Will of Lucy Browne (made 1531 pr 1534), the widow of Sir Anthony
Browne grandfather of the 1st Viscount Montage, includes, amongst many
other
places, Brenchley, Kent. The above Thomas Browne was of Brenchley
It may also be of relevance that this Lucy Browne mentions her interests
in
Coal Mines (Myne of Cole) although these are situated in Yorks and Notts.
Adrian
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