Rhode Island

Robert Brownell

Robert Brownell, born 1576 Rawmarsh, Yorkshire married Mary Wilson in Sandal Magna, Doncaster, Yorkshire

Robert was the son of Thomas and Margaret Brownell.

Their son Thomas, bp. 1608 Rawmarsh; died 1668 Portsmouth, Rhode Island. He married in 1636 at St. Benet's Wharf, London to Anna Bourne (1607-1685) - their 9 children were all born in Portsmouth, RI.

Thomas was killed in September 1664 while on his way from his farm at the north west end of Rhode Island to Portsmouth. Aged 56, he left behind his wife Anne, and 9 children aged from 9 to 25 years. He had asked a neighbour's son to ride along with him for awhile, then he put his horse to the gallop as they came down a hill. He fell off his horse and hit a tree, causing a fatal head injury.

He had held a number of public offices in Portsmouth. He had died without leaving a Will, so the Town Council determined how the estate should be divided. Names of the children were:

George
Robert
William
Thomas
Mary
Sarah
Martha
Anne
Susanna

A Robert Brownell was made a freeman of Rhode Island in 1725.

Thomas Brownell and his wfe Ann both died in 1665. Source