Thomas Brown Sr.

     Thomas Brown Sr. was born circa 1716.

Thomas married Hannah Irby circa 1738 in Bladen County, North Carolina. This marriage may not be correct. It comes from a colonial court case beginning 1 Feb 1734 through 20 Nov 1739. The case involves Henry Irby, deceased, and Hannah Irby, the wife of Henry and his executor, of Onslow Precinct in 1734, New Hanover precinct in 1735 and upon her marriage in 1737/1738 to a Thomas Brown of Bladen Precinct.²

Thomas Brown Sr. was granted land 2 March 1738 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. He got 200 acres on the east side of the Tar River. The river runs through Tarbor.³

Thomas Brown Sr. was granted land 25 July 1743 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. He received 300 acres on the north side of Stoney Creek. This was just north of Goldsboro.⁴

Thomas Brown Sr. bought a tract of land from Thomas Hill in March 1763 in Halifax County, North Carolina. Thomas Hill to Thomas Brown Jr. (day omitted) March 1763, for 10 pounds proclamation money 350 acres on south side of Coneto Swamp, joining Thomas Hill, John Edmondson, Marmaduke Norfleet, Thomas Brown, Colo. Connor, Thomas Hill. Witnesses: James Delaney, Andrew McDaniel (X), John Edmondson (X). Filed April court 1763, Jos. Montfort.^5,6

Thomas Brown Sr. sold a tract of land to Peter Smith on 25 November 1763 in Halifax County, North Carolina. Thomas Brown of Halifax county to Peter Smith of same for 50 pounds of Virginia 100 acres joining William Ogilvie, Thomas Brown, Thomas Brown and Mary Brown (X). Witnesses: William Powel, Francis Cots (X). April court 1764. Joseph Montfort.⁷

Thomas Brown Sr., Edmund BROWN, and Thomas Brown Jr. appeared on a tax list in 1768 in Archibald McKissack's District, Bladen County, North Carolina. "Thomas Brown and two sons, Edmond and Thomas," were taxed for three white polls.⁸

Thomas Brown Sr. was granted land 26 April 1768 in Bladen (now Robeson) County, North Carolina. The grant contained 100 aces on Cowpen Prong near or joining the provence line. Edmund Brown purchased land here in 1771.^9,10

Thomas Brown Sr. and Thomas Brown Jr. appeared on a tax list in 1770 in Bladen County, North Carolina. Recorded by Abram Barnes, Esq. was "Thomas Brown, Senr., Thos. Brown [Jr.] and Richd. King", three white polls. Also listed nearby were "Edmond Brown", Dempsey Barefield, Charles Barefield, Rodger Barefield, and Jonathan Taylor, all listed as 1 white poll each.¹¹

Thomas Brown Sr. and Thomas Brown Jr. were included on a tax list in 1771 in Archiblald McKessaak's District, Bladen County, North Carolina. It was recorded as "Thos. Brown Senr. & son Thos.' 2 whites and 1 "Negroe wench Pender."¹²

Thomas Brown Sr. sold a tract of land to William Taylor on 7 April 1771 in Bladen (now Robeson) County, North Carolina, for 50 lbs. proc. money. The transaction contained 50 acres on Ashpole Swamp on Gumping Gully, including the Brown Grist Mill. The lot was patented by Isaac Odom on 1 July 1758 and conveyed by deed to Joseph Scripps. It was conveyed by him to William Allen and by him to Thomas Brown. Witnesses were: Josiah Taylor and Jonathon Taylor. It was recorded in November 1771 by Maturin Colvill, Circuit Clerk.^13,14 He witnessed the deed of Edmund BROWN and Joseph Oates on 24 September 1771 in Cowpen Prong, Bladen (now Robeson) County, North Carolina.¹ He and Edmund BROWN had as neighbors David Page, Robert Edwards, John Lock, Sr., John Lock, Jr., Benjamin Lock, Thomas Hardwick, Robert Rowan, and ___ Baldwin between 1771 and 1775.¹⁵

Thomas Brown Sr. received a land patent 18 November 1771 in Bladen (now Robeson) County, North Carolina. The transaction was recorded as 50 acres in Bladen between the southwest side of Ashpole or Tadpole Swamp, joining William Taylor and Charles Barfield.¹⁶

Thomas Brown Sr. and Thomas Brown Jr. were included on a tax list in 1772 in Archiblald McKessaak's District, Bladen County, North Carolina. They were listed as "Thomas Brown Senr & Son Thomas." 2 white polls and 1 female slave.¹⁷

Archibald Taylor was granted 640 acres in Bladen County 11 Jan 1773. The land was described as being locatied between Thomas Brown's land and Double Branch.¹⁸

Thomas Brown Sr. was granted land 11 January 1773 in Bladen County, North Carolina. The grant for 200 acres was located on Colleys (Colly) Swamp including part of Joseph Locks pasture. The land was on both sides of Johns and Colleys swamps. It was surveyed 28 Jun 1773.^19,20

Archibald Taylor patented 640 acres in Bladen County between Thomas Brown and double branch, joining a small branch and Niel McColskey.²¹

Thomas Brown Sr. died in 1781 in Bladen (now Robeson) County, North Carolina. Although at this time Tories in Bladen county outnumbered Patriots five to one, Patriots broke into the home of Thomas Brown, who was a newly appointed Tory officer, murdered him and plundered the premises. Cannot be sure that this is the same Thomas Brown.²²