1. Basic Chronology

1791                      Elizabeth Collins born Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire, parents unknown

1792/6                   William Brown born (Christening 5 May 1793 St Mary?) Luton Bedfordshire, parents Richard and Sarah Brown?

14 April 1815       William Brown and Elizabeth Collins married in Hemel Hempstead.  William and Elizabeth had a number of children; it appears twins Sarah and Maria and then in order William, Henry and Richard.

1816                      Henry Gooch born (Canterbury Kent).

1821                      Sarah and Maria Brown born (parents William and Elizabeth Brown).

1822                      William Brown born (parents William and Elizabeth Brown).

1826                      Henry Brown born (parents William and Elizabeth Brown).

26/1/1830             Richard Walter Brown born (parents William and Elizabeth Brown) in Hemel Hempstead.

14/12/1831          Catherine Howell married Henry Gooch (gunsmith) in St Albans Abbey 14/12/1831 Witnesses were Ann Dirton, John Nott & Thos. Brown.

21/4/1835             Emma Gooch born.  Baptised St Albans Cathedral 31/7/1844.  Father Henry Gooch, mother Catherine Gooch

13/12/1835          Harriet Gooch born, Saint Peter, Saint Albans, Hertford, England.  Father Henry Gooch, mother Catherine Gooch

1841                      Census Richard Brown listed as a Baker in the 1841 Census.  Address is 395 New England Field St Albans.  Other members of the household; Elizabeth, Sarah, Maria, William, Henry, Richard.

1841                      Census Henry Gooch, Gunmaker age 25, Catherine Gooch age 25, Georgina Gooch, age 9, Harriot age 6, Emma age 3.  Address St Peters St St Albans Hertfordshire.

1851                      Information on the Brown’s and Gooch’s from the Census required.

18/11/1843          Sarah Ann born baptised St Albans Cathedral 31/7/1844.  Father Henry Gooch, mother Catherine Gooch

1/11/1857             Richard Brown and Harriet Gooch married in St Pancras London.  No explanation of why they were married in St Pancras.  Both gave residence as Dextore St or Deutur St or Denton St (Wandsworth?). 

11/8/1858             Walter Henry Brown christening (parents Richard Walter Brown (baker) and Harriet Brown) in St Albans Cathedral.

1860                      Deaths Mar 1860, Catharine Gooch, St Albans

1860                      Martin Brown born (St Albans) father Robert Brown and mother Harriet.

1861                      Richard Brown listed as a Baker and Harriet as a Straw Bonnet maker.  Other members of the household; Henry scholar, Elena Nease (?), lodger aged 28 born Wheathampstead Herts, occupation Straw Bonnet Maker.  Address is 395 Dagnal Lane St Albans.

1861                      Henry Gooch age 45 gun maker, Georgina age 28 Bonnet Sewer, Sarah A age 27 Bonnet Sewer.  Address Fishpool St St Albans Hertfordshire.

1861-71                Richard and Elizabeth Brown die in St Albans.

1864                      Frederick Brown born (St Albans) father Robert Brown and mother Harriet, if this the same person as following?

23/12/1866          Frederick Brown born St Peters St, St Albans.  Father Richard Brown Straw Hat Manufacturer (Master) mother Harriet.

1870                      Kate Brown born (Poplar Middlesex) father Robert Brown and mother Harriet.

1871                      I can’t find any relevant information for the Browns in the 1871 Census.

1871                      Henry Gooch gun maker age 58, Catherine Gooch age 37 Straw Hat maker.  Address 31 Fishpool St St Albans Hertfordshire.

1874                      Lottie Brown born (Poplar Middlesex) father Robert Brown and mother Harriet

1881                      Information in the 1881 Census is subject to speculation as I can’t find obviously correct information.  The nearest information is a Robert Brown and family (see table below).  This identifies Robert Brown as being a Journey man Baker (aged 49), wife Harriet (aged 45) and four children Martin, Baker (aged 21), Frederick, Plasterer (aged 17), Kate (aged 11) and Lottie (aged 7).  All family members are identified as being born in St Albans except for the two girls who are listed as being born in Poplar Middlesex.  Address is 105 High St Poplar Middlesex.  Note Henry Brown is not listed as being at that address.

1881                      Henry Gooch gun maker age 72, Catherine Gooch age 45 Straw Hat maker.  Address 2 Fishpool St St Albans Hertfordshire.

1883                      Henry Gooch dies in St Albans age 73.

1885                      Richard Brown dies aged 54 in St Albans.  I haven’t found a reference to Harriet Brown’s death.

1888                      Frederick Brown settles in Victoria.  According to his son, Frederick Brown made a number of trips to Victoria, before he settled in Melbourne.  He was described as visiting South Africa as a ship’s baker.

7/9/1889               Frederick Brown, Age 22. Batchelor B. 1867, St Albans Essex, England, Married 7 September 1889 in Christ’s Church, Hawthorn Victoria, Witnesses Thomas William Joy and A H Brady.

1891                      Census Catherine Gooch age 59 Straw Hat maker.  Address 2 Fishpool St St Albans Hertfordshire.

26/1/1915             Walter Henry Brown, father Richard Hy Brown, mother Hart Gooch, age 57 (b 1858) died 1915 Reg No 2489

22/4/1920             Frederick Brown dies at Church St Richmond, Oedema of lungs, Arterio Scleroris and Heart failure.  Treated for 2 years, last treatment 22/4/20 Dr Matheson.  Buried Springvale Cemetery 22/4/20