William Browne, Esq.

- 1489

• Name	William Browne  [1]
  Suffix	Esq.
  Born	Stamford, England   [1]
  Gender	Male
  Biography	His will was dated 17 February 1488/9. According to "Early Settlers of Watertown": This William Browne was a "merchant of the staple of Calais." Leland says of him, that he was " a Marchant of a Very Wonderfull Richnesse, and he lyved in hoc estate, so that sum men be alyve that have seene him." Fuller says, "He was extracted, as I am credibly informed, from the ancient family of Brownes, of this county" [Rutlandshire]. He was Alderman of Stamford, in 1435, '44, '49.'60, '66, and 70, and sheriff of Rutlandshire, in 1467, '75. '83, and '86, and probably of Lincolnshire, in 1478. He was the founder of" Browne's Hospital/' called the "Old Bead House," in Stamford, which was completed in 1493, and dedicated in 1494,—for a warden, confrater, 12 poor men, and a nurse, and which he liberally endowed with the manor of Swayfield, in Lincolnshire, and other estates. This institution is still flourishing, its revenues being greatly increased, and the scope of its charities enlarged. He also built, at his own expense, the beautiful steeple of the Church of All Saints, Stamford. [The church had been erected by his father.] On the north side of the steeple, on a shield, is the device of a merchant of the staple. He and his wife were buried in the south (St. Mary's) chapel in said Church (" a chapel proper to his family"). Where formerly stood the altar, there is a blue marble stone and figures of William Browne and his wife, engraved on brass. He is dressed in a long gown, and stands upon two cushions or wool-packs; she in elegantly flowing robes, with a dog at her feet. Above the canopies, over their heads, are four blank shields and scrolls. On that over his head in inscribed, " x me spede;" and over hers, " Der Lady help at neede." At their feet, the following inscription: [CENTER:]"Rex Regum, Dominus Dominantium, tu quia solus Velle tuo suberit, omne quod est, vel erit; Intravit terram corpus, sed spiritus ad te Currere festinat; tu, Deus, accipe me In te sperantem; fili Deus, et pater alme, Altitonensq', Deus Spiritus, accipe me. Peccavi, mala multa tuli me penitet hujus, Ad te clamantem, tu Deus, accipe me. Non intres D'ne, judicare mihi, nisi primo Digneris venie reddere quod satis est; Et q' pro nostris a’ i' abus suscipiendis Rex terrenus eras, tu Deus, accipe me."[:CENTER]
  Died	1489  [1]
  Buried	St. Mary's Chapel in All Saints Church
  Person ID	I2427	Our Family
  Last Modified	27 Sep 2016

  
  

  Father	John Browne,   b. Stanford, England ,   d. 26 Jul 1442, Standford
  Mother	Margery,   d. 22 Nov 1460
  Married	Y  [1]
  Family ID	F863	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Margaret Stoke,   d. 1489
  Married	Y  [1]
  Last Modified	18 Dec 2016
  Family ID	F864	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Sources

  [S291] Watertown, MA.