Individual Details

The marriage of Chaddus Browne to Elizabeth Sharparowe is recorded in the parish records at High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England, 11 Sep 1626.

Came to America on the "Martin" accompanied by his wife Elizabeth and son John, age 8. One of the passengers, Sylvester Baldwin, died after having declared his nuncupative will to Chad Browne and others on the 21st of June; the will was proved on 13 Jul 1638 by the oaths of Browne and three other men. That same year, he proceeded to Providence and was a signer of the Compact which denied religious interference in civil affairs.

By 1640 was a member of a committee to consider the Colony bounds in Rhode Island. Sometimes referred to as a surveyor. In 1642 he was ordained as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Providence, the mother church of that faith in America. Roger Williams was likely the first pastor, leaving in 1643. Brown University occupies part of the lot where his home was located; the home lot of Chad Browne was at the corner of present Market Square and College Street in Providence.
NOTE: The oldest authority available;"The History of the Baptists in America published in 1772 by Morgan Edwards states, "Williams was pastor from the establishment of the church until he left the colony for England in 1643, and he then resigned it to Messers. Brown and Wickenden. Mr. Chad Brown died between 1660 and 1665 leaving the church in charge of his colleague."

Chad Browne is said to have been buried on his own ground but his remains were removed in 1792 to the North Burial Ground. His stone there has the following inscription:
"In Memory of Chad Browne, Elder of the Baptist Church of this town. He was one of the original Proprietors of the Providence Purchase. Having been exiled from Massachusetts for Conscience Sake. He had five sons John, James, Jeremiah, Chad, and Daniel. Who have left a numerous Posterity. He died about A.D. 1665. This Momument was erected by the Town of Providence."

He left a will, as it is referenced in deeds, but the original is lost. There was a general readjustment of his estate in 1672, which may have been the time of death of his widow. A Chad Browne was allotted lands in several divisions from 1675 to 1683 but that could have been either his son of the same name, or his name drawn by proxy in his right of his ancient holdings. He also owned lands in Glocester, Scituate and Johnston, R.I.

There is no definite record of the paternity of the suggested son Daniel, but the use of the name Chad among his descendants would seem to substantiate that Daniel was indeed one of his sons. There is no mention of daughters. There is also some question about a 5th son - Chad, or Judah in some genealogies. Adequate proof is available for John born in England, James and Jeremiah.

A Browne widow appeared on a tax list 2 Sep 1650. Since several Brown families lived in Providence, it's doubtful that this was Elizabeth. A deed of William Field in 1663, mentions Chad Browne as deceased. A will was alluded to in deeds of his sons.

Printed in NHGSR, 1926, Vol. 80, beginning p.73, Chad Browne of Providence RI. Four Generations of His Descendants , by William Bradford Browne of North Adams, MA
Part of the same article printed in The Connecticut Nutmegger, Vol. 13, p.701-710 [1980]

His stone in North Burial Ground, Providence:
In Memory of
CHAD BROWN
Elder of the BAPTIST CHURCH
In this Town
He was one of the original Proprietors
of the PROVIDENCE PURCHACE
Having been exiled from Massachusetts
for CONSCIENCE Sake.
He had five Sons
John, James, Jeremiah, Chad, Daniel
Who have left a numerous Posterity
He died about AD 1665.
THIS MONUMENT
was Erected by the TOWN of
PROVIDENCE
NOV 1792

Died before 16 Dec 1663 when George Kindrick of Newport deeded to William Field of Providence house and land in Providence bounded "on the north side with home share of Land of Chadd Browne deceased" Prov. Early Records 1:50
Possibly died earlier - a Widow Brown was taxed 2 Sep 1650.

Marriage	11 Sep 1626	High Wycombe, County Bucks, England - ELIZABETH SHARPAROWE
Immigration	Jul 1638	Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Death	Bef 16 Dec 1663
Burial		North Burial Ground, Providence, Providence, Rhode Island

Spouse	ELIZABETH SHARPAROWE ( - 1672)
Child	JOHN BROWN (1629 - 1706)
Child	James Brown ( - 1683)
Child	JEREMIAH BROWN (1634 - 1690)
Child	Judah or Chad Brown ( - 1663)
Child	Daniel Brown ( - 1710)

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