35 Consolidated Chronology

 I'll attempt to make some sense of the research documented in these blogs, with comments on the guesses and what alternatives there might be.

pre1799 Blog 7 has some speculative research for the Swain ancestors of William Brown

1791 Potential birth year for William Brown (father of Richard Walter Brown) based on 1851 Census. See Blog 9

1792 Potential birth year for William Brown (father of Richard Walter Brown) based on 1861 Census. See Blog 9

1796 Potential birth year for William Brown (father of Richard Walter Brown) based on 1841 Census.  See Blog 9

1816 Potential birth year (in Ellstree Middlesex) for Catherine Gooch (mother of Harriet Gooch) based on 1851 Census.

See Blog 5

1811 Potential birth year (in Canterbury Kent) for Henry Gooch (father of Harriet Gooch) based on 1851 Census.

See Blog 5

1815 Marriage of William Brown and Elizabeth Collins 14 May 1815 Hemel Hempstead. Unverified as the parents of Richard Walter Brown

See Blog 5

1816 Potential birth year for Henry Gooch (father of Harriet Gooch) based on 1841 Census.

See Blog 19

1816 Potential birth year for Catherine Howell (mother of Harriet Gooch) based on 1841 Census.

See Blog 19

1821 Potential birth year for Maria Brown (elder sister of Richard Walter Brown) based on 1851 Census.

See Blog 21

1828 Potential birth year for Henry Brown (elder brother of Richard Walter Brown) based on 1851 Census.

See Blog 21

1830 Richard Walter Brown born 26 Jan Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire, father William Brown, mother Elizabeth. 

See Blog 19

1831 Marriage Catharine Howell and Henry Gooch

“I can confirm that Catherine Howell married Henry Gooch (gunsmith) in St Albans Abbey 14/12/1831 Witnesses were Ann Dirton, John Nott & Thos. Brown.” See Blog 5

(Likely that Thomas Brown is related to one of the William Browns).

(Lorraine Tebbutt identifies Henry Gooch as being born 1800 and Catherine Howell being born 1805 and the date of their marriage as 14 Dec 1831.  Lorraine has parents of Henry Gooch as James Gooch (b1751) and Sarah Harvey (b1774) and parents of Catherine Howell as Henry Howell (b?) and Catherine Kaye (b?).)

1832 Potential birth year for Georgina Gooch (elder sister of Harriet Gooch) based on 1841 Census.

See Blog 19.  Same for 1851 Census.  See Blog 5

1833 A William Brown buried. 4 Nov 1833 aged 36 (c1797) Place of Burial St Albans. Dedication Dagnall Lane (Baptist). I don't think this is the father of Richard Walter Brown as there is no evidence of Richard Walter being Baptist).  Also Richard Walter's marriage certificate says father is a Baker, it doesn't say father deceased. Also the IGI identifies the following as children of parents William and Sarah Brown.  If William husband of Sarah dies 1833, that might explain no more children baptised after 1832. 

Children christened Abbey St Albans
Sarah Elizabeth 31 Mar 1820
Charles William 10 Aug 1821
Henry 26 Dec 1832
William Henry 26 Dec 1832
Robert Arthur 26 Dec 1832
Cicerly Sarah 26 Dec 1832
Louisa Caroline 26 Dec 1832

See Blog 9

1835 Harriet Gooch born 13 Dec Saint Peter, St Albans Hertfordshire, father Henry Gooch, mother Catharine. 

See Blog 5

1835 Birth of Emma Gooch (sister of Harriet Gooch) based on 1841 Census.

See Blog 19 Emma b.21/4/1835 and Sarah Ann b.18/11/1843 were baptised 31/7/1844. See Blog 5

1838 Birth of Emma Gooch (sister of Harriet Gooch) based on 1851 Census. See Blog 5

1841 Census, Residence Dagnall Lane St Albans, William (Head), Occupation Baker, Age 45, Born  Hertfordshire; Elizabeth (Wife), Age 50, Born Hertfordshire; Sarah (Dau), Age 20, Born Hertfordshire; Maria (Dau), Age 20, Born Hertfordshire; William (Son), Age 19,

Born Hertfordshire; Henry (Son), Age 15, Born Hertfordshire; Richard (Son), Age 10, Born Hertfordshire.

See Blog 19

1841 Census, Residence St Peters St Albans, Henry Gooch (Head), Occupation Gun maker, Age 25 Catherine (Wife), Age 25, Georgina (Dau), Age 9, Harriot (Dau), Age 6, Emma (Dau) Age 6. 

See Blog 19

1843(4) Birth of Sarah Ann Gooch.  Emma b.21/4/1835 and Sarah Ann b.18/11/1843 were baptised 31/7/1844. See Blog 5

1845 3 September Marriage Sarah Brown and George Gooch

Groom George Gooch Gunmaker Father William Gooch, Bride Sarah Brown Father William Brown.

[I'm guessing this is Sarah Brown, dau of William and Sarah Brown mention in the 1833 entry above.

See Blog 6

1851 Census, Residence 182 Dagnall Lane St Albans, William (Head), Occupation Baker, Age 60, Born  Luton Bedfordshire; Eliza (Wife), Age 59, Born Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire; Maria (Dau), Occupation Staw hat Maker, Age 30, Born Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire; Henry (Son), Age 23, Occupation Plumber, Born Hertfordshire; Richard (Son), Occupation Baker, Age 19, Born Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire

See Blog 19

1857 1 Nov 1857 Groom Richard Walter Brown, Bride Harriet Gooch, Old Church, Saint Pancras, London, England.  Marriage certificate identifies witnesses as Charles Stevens and Fanny Stevens, Minister CH Andrews and residence as Dextore St or Deutur St or Denton St (Wandsworth?).  Richard Walter Brown occupation Baker.  Father William Brown occupation baker, Father Henry Gooch occupation gun maker.

See Blog 5 or 21

1858 Walter Henry Brown christened Abbey, Saint Albans, Hertford, England.  Son of Richard Walter Brown (Baker) and Harriet Brown nee Gooch.  

See Blog 11

1860 Death Catharine Gooch March 1860 District St Albans Vol 3a Page 210 See Blog 5 

See Blog 11

1861 Census, Residence 151 Spicer St, St Albans, William (Head), Occupation Baker, Age 69, Born  Luton Bedfordshire; Eliza (Wife), Occupation Dress maker, Age 70, Born Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire; Maria (Dau), Occupation Staw hat Maker, Age 41, Born Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire; William (grandson), Occupation Scholar, Age 10, Born St Albans Hertfordshire.

See Blog 19

1861 Census, Residence New England Field St Albans, Richard (Head), Occupation Baker, Age 29, Born Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire; Harriet (Wife), Occupation Bonnet Maker, Age 25, Born St Albans Hertfordshire; Henry (Son) Occupation Scholar, Age 2, Born St Albans Hertfordshire; Emma Neale (unmarr), Occupation Lodger, Straw Bonnet Maker, Age 28, Born Wheathampstead Hertfordshire.

See Blog 11

1861 Census, Residence Fishpool St St Albans Hertfordshire

Name                             Status                  Occupation                Age            Birthplace

Henry                             Widower             Gunmaker                  49               Canterbury Kent

Georgina                        Dau (unmar)       Bonnet sewer              28              St Albans Herts

Sarah A                          Dau (unmar)       Bonnet sewer              27              St Albans Herts

See Blog 5

1864 18 July Horace John Brown Born England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 christening: 1865 ABBEY,SAINT ALBANS,HERTFORD,ENGLAND father: Richard Walter Brown mother: Harriet.  I haven't sighted the certificate yet
See Blog 19

1865 Richard Walter Brown and Betsy Rudd cease their partnership as straw hat manufacturers in St Albans Hertfordshire.

See Blog 14

1866 Birth Registration 

When and where born; 23 December 1866, St Peters Street, St Albans

Name; Frederick

Sex; Boy

Name and Surname of Father; Richard Walter Brown

Name Surname and Maiden Surname of Mother; Harriet Brown formerly Gooch

Occupation of Father; Strawhat Manufacturer (Master)

Signature, Description and Residence of Informant; Richard Walter Brown Father St Peters St St Albans

When Registered; 14 January 1867

See Blog 22 for image of registration

1870 Kate Brown born.  Dau of Richard Walter Brown and Harriet Brown nee Gooch.  Depending on the Census records, Kate was born in either St Albans or Poplar. See Blog 28

1870 A William Brown died. 20 February 1870 aged 73 (c1797), Place of Burial St Albans. I think this is the father of Richard Walter Brown

See Blog 9

1871 Census - Brown Family

Schedule Type Household

Registration District Poplar

Sub-District Poplar

Parish Poplar

County London, Middlesex

Father Richard W Brown, age 32 (b1839), born Hampshire. Mother Francis Brown, age 35 (b1836), born Herefordshire. Son  Walter H Brown, age 13 (b1858), born Herefordshire. Son Horace Brown, age 6 (b1865), born Herefordshire. Son Frederick Brown, age 4 (b1867), born Herefordshire. Dau Kate Brown, age under 1 (1870), born Poplar.

This information from Familysearch.org index.  Looking at the digitised record on Ancestry.com, the script is very poor and hard to read.  For Richard W the birth place looks closer to Herefordshire or maybe Hertfordshire.  All the other mentions of birth place are "do" that is same as above (except for Kate which is clearly Poplar).  Mother "Francis" could be Harriet poorly written.

1871 Census, Residence 31 Fishpool St St Albans, Henry Gooch (Head), Occupation Gun maker, Age 58, Catherine (Dau), Occupation Straw hat maker, Age 37.

See Blog 5.

1878 Electoral Record - Richard Walter Brown Residence 33 Avenue Rd St Mary Stratford Bow Tower Hamlets.

See Blog 20.

1881 Census, Residence 105 High St Poplar London, Robert (Head), Occupation Journeyman Baker, Age 49 (b1832), Born St Albans Hertfordshire; Harriet (Wife), Occupation, Age 45 (b1837), Born St Albans Hertfordshire; Frederick (Son) Occupation Plasterer, Age 17 (1865), Born St Albans Hertfordshire; Martin (Son) Occupation Baker, Age 21 (1860), Born St Albans Hertfordshire; Kate (Dau) Occupation Scholar, Age 11 (1870), Born St Albans Hertfordshire; Lottie (Dau) Occupation Scholar, Age 7 (b1875), Born St Albans Hertfordshire. 

This information is problematic - birth years, locations, names. Father "Robert" not Richard, son "Martin" not Walter, dau Kate and Lottie born in St Albans not Poplar.

Location and occupation correspond.  It is the best fit of the entries available. Maybe 11 year old Kate filled it out as both her parents were working?

Also in Blog 10  a Robert Brown bapt 1832 St Albans (parents William and Sarah) is identified.  It could be that Robert Brown married a Harriet Brown and then moved to London, and had children called Frederick and Kate as did Richard Brown and Harriet Gooch.  A bit of a coincidence? 

See Blog 9 for more on this problem. 

1881 Census Gooch Household

Residence 2 Fishpool St St Albans Hertfordshire

Name                             Status                  Occupation                Age            Birthplace

Henry                             Head                   Gunmaker                  72              Canterbury Kent

Catherine                       Dau                     Straw hat maker         45              St Albans Herts

1883 Henry Gooch aged 73 dies St Albans

See Blog 20.

1888 Electoral Record - Richard Walter Brown Residence 29 Aberfeldy St Dee St Tower Hamlets Poplar. See Blog 28.

1889 Horace John Brown  Son of Richard Walter Brown and Harriet Brown nee Gooch, married 7 July 1889 Elizabeth Annetta Sharp (Horace attended his brother Frederick's wedding 7 September 1889 in Victoria).   See Blog 27

1889 Frederick Brown Age 22. Batchelor B. 1867, St Albans Essex, England, Married 7 September1889, Ida Wild, Christ’s Church, Hawthorn Victoria, Witnesses Thomas William Joy and A H Brady

1891 Gooch Household 1891 Census

Residence 2 Fishpool St St Albans Hertfordshire

Name                             Status                  Occupation                Age            Birthplace

Catherine                      Dau                       Straw hat maker          59              St Albans Herts

1893 Electoral Record - Richard Walter Brown Residence 48 Ettrick St Tower Hamlets Poplar.  See Blog 28.

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

See Blog 20.

1893 Electoral Record - Richard Walter Brown Residence 48 Ettrick St Tower Hamlets Poplar.
See Blog 20.

1895 Electoral Record - Richard Walter Brown Residence 41 Ettrick St Tower Hamlets Poplar.  See Blog 28.

1899 Death Richard Walter Brown  Registration District Poplar, sub district Bromley

When and where died - 22 February 1899, 41 Ettrick St
Name - Richard Walter Brown
Sex - Male
Age - 66 years (b1833)
Occupation - Journeyman Baker
Cause of Death - Pneumonia, Exhaustion
Informant - Kate Brown daughter in attendance 41 Ettrick St Bromley

See Blog 26.

1901 Census, Residence 41 Ettrick St Poplar London, Harriet (Head), Occupation Widow, Age 64, Born St Albans Hertfordshire; Walter (Son) Occupation Breadworker Baker, Age 42, Born St Albans Hertfordshire; Kate (Dau) Occupation Forewoman confectioner, Age 30, Born Poplar (plus three boarders - one cooper and two gas stokers).  See Blog 11 0r 28.

1902 Walter Brown (baker) Emigrates from London to Melbourne.

See Blog 11.

1911 Census, record 41 Ettrick St Poplar, London, Harriet (Widow), Occupation Old age pensioner, Age 74, Born St Albans Hertfordshire (for the last three years paralysis; Kate (Dau) Occupation Boys trouser machinist (wkr), Age 30, Born Poplar (plus one boarder).  See Blog 11 or 28.

1911 Harriet Brown 

Place of Death; 41 Ettrick Street
Age; 74 years (born c1836/7)
Occupation; Widow of Richard Walter Brown, Journeyman Baker
Cause of death; Hemiplegia, Senile debility.  Certified by GR Young MD
Informant; Kate Brown, daughter in attendance, 41 Ettrick St Bromley

See Blog 15.

1915 Walter Henry Brown dies

Name              Date                         Location

Walter Henry   26/1/1915 (age 57)   153 A’Beckett St Melbourne

Occupation     Married                   Children

Labourer          Unmarr                     Nil

Parents             Richard Henry Brown, Baker Harriet Brown nee Gooch

Cause              Fibroid disease of the lungs, cardiac dilation of the heart.  Post mortem held by Dr Mollison 27/1/1915 no inquest requird

Residence of Informant G Millar Const 5624 Bourke St Police Station

Where buried   Springvale

Born                England 13 years in Victoria (c1902)

See Blog 11.

1920 Frederick Brown dies 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.

See Blog 22.

1930 Horace John Brown  Son of Richard Walter Brown and Harriet Brown nee Gooch, died 19 July 1930 East Fremantle.   See Blog 27

1932 or 1934 Kate Brown
Death Sept 1932
63 yrs, Hackney, 1b, 342
or
Death Dec 1934
64 yrs, Fulham, 1a, 320

34 Volume of deeds, with index at front 1603 - 1843 Bedfordshire Archives

 The Bedfordshire Archive Service 

• Reference
  FR24/22/1
• Title
  Volume of deeds, with index at front
• Date free text
  1602-1843
• Production date
  From: 1602 To: 1843
• https://bedsarchivescat.bedford.gov.uk/Details/archive/110084856

I've extracted text that references various people with the surname Brown. Not claiming that any or all are related to each other or to Frederick Brown born St Albans.

Property: (a) piece of ground of 30 poles in Dagnall being south end of Andrewes Common with Affordhill to S and E Proviso: - for appointment of new trustees Memoranda: - 19 Sep 1701 Henry Seare, Giles Deane and Joseph Deane, surviving trustees were joined by: Joseph Deane the younger of Ringshall, Edlesborough, yeoman; Thomas Deane of Ringshall, Edlesborough, yeoman; Henry Fountayne of Ringshall, Ivinghoe, husbandman; Edward Deane of Wardes, Ivinghoe, yeoman; John Barnes of Ivinghoe Aston [Buckinghamshire], yeoman; Robert Seare of Dagnall, yeoman; John Barton of Studham, husbandman - 24 Apr 1730 John Barnes, Joseph Deane and John Barton junior, surviving trustees were joined by: John Freeth of Luton; John Gunnis of Luton; Daniel Brown junior of Luton; John Horn of Leagrave; Thomas Larance of Ward [Buckinghamshire]; Henry Austin of Ringshall, Edlesborough [Buckinghamshire] - 7 Feb 1771 Daniel Brown and John Brown, surviving trustees were joined by John Deane of Ringshall, Edlesborough, yeoman; John Freeth of Luton, currier; William Freeth of Dunstable, baker; Daniel Brown jnuior of Luton, bakee; Joseph Brown junior of Luton, miller; John Brown of Ampthill; Christopher Pryor of Stopsley - 10 Apr 1812 Daniel Brown senior and Christopher Pryor, surviving trustees were joined by Richard Markes Brown of Luton, mealman; Henry Brown of Luton; James Pryor of Stopsley; Richard Gutteridge of St.Albans [Hertfordshire]; John Foster of Luton, grocer; Thomas Squire of Kings Langley [Hertfordshire]; William Adams of Luton, farmer.

(IV) Bargain & Sale of 12 Feb 1741 Parties: (1) John Barnes of Ivinghoe Aston [Buckinghamshire], yeoman; (2) John Chester of Dunstable, baker; Joseph Deane of Ringshall, Edlesborough [Buckinghamshire], husbandman; (3) Henry Austin of Ringshall, yeoman; John Horn of Leagrave, tailor; Thomas Lawrence, son of Mordecai Lawrence of Wards Combe [Buckinghamshire]; John Jenkins of Eaton Bray, tailor; Thomas Ringham of Markyate Street, Caddington [Hertfordshire], carpenter; William Brown (son of Daniel Brown of Luton), draper (4) Joseph Chessey of Dunstable, baker; John Freeth of Luton, linen draper; John Gunnis of Luton, baker; John Brown of Luton, mealman; Joseph Brown of Luton, tallow chandler; Charles Barnes of Ivinghoe Aston, yeoman

Property: (a) 1 rood of pasture ground at W end of a Tylers Close, Sewell, abutting on Whitehillway to W reserving to late owner Richard Chester all timber of ash and elm (V) Feoffment of 27 Apr 1742 Parties: (1) Richard Chester of London, furrier (son of John Chester of Dunstable, baker); (2) Henry Austin of Ringsall, Edlesborough [Buckinghamshire], yeoman; John Horn of Leagrave, tailor; Thomas Lawrence (son of Mordecai Lawrence) of Wards Combe [Buckinghamshire]; John Jenkins of Eaton Bray, tailor; Thomas Bingham of Markyate, Caddington [Hertfordshire], carpenter; William Brown (son of Daniel Brown of Luton), draper Operative Part: - (2) paid 10/- to (1); - (1) enfeoffed (a) to (2)

(VI) Feoffment of 8 Apr 1777 Parties: (1) Thomas Lawrence (son of Mordecai Lawrence) of Wards Combe [Buckinghamshire]; William Brown (son of Daniel Brown of Luton), draper, [surviving trustees in (IV)]; (2) John Freeth of Luton, currier; Daniel Brown of Luton, baker; Joseph Brown jnuior of Luton, miller; Christopher Pryor junior of Luton, maltster; Richard Brown junior of Luton, maltster Operative Part: - (1) enfeoffed (a) in (V) to (2) in trust

(VIII) Will of Richard Chester of Wandsworth [Surrey] on 12 Mar 1761, devising: - all freehold estate purchased from James Adcock in Sewell in Houghton Regis and Totternhoe, except a half acre of meadow adjoining the Quaker burial ground to his nephew Richard Chester; - half acre of land in Sewell adjoining the burial ground to John Frith of Luton, shopkeeper and Daniel Brown of Luton, baker upon trust to annexe it to the burial ground and use it as a burial ground for the Quakers belonging to late Market Street Monthly Meeting; - will proved on 4 Nov 1763 by Richard Chester, sole executor in PCC (IX) Bargain & Sale of 10 Apr 1812 Parties: (1) Daniel Brown the elder of Luton, baker; Christopher Pryor of Stopsley, farmer; Richard Brown of Luton, maltster [surviving trustees in (VI)]; (2) Daniel Brown the younger of Luton, baker; Richard Markes Brown of Luton, mealman; Henry Brown (son of Richard Brown), of Luton; James Pryor of Stopsley (son of Christopher Pryor); Richard Gutteridge of St.Albans [Hertfordshire]; John Foster of Luton, grocer; Thomas Squire of Kings Langley [Hertfordshire]; Thomas Squire of Hempstead [Hertfordshire]; William Adams of Luton, farmer Operative Part: - (2) paid 10/- to (1); - (1) released (a)-(c) to (2) in trust

(XI) Bargain & sale of 7 May 1712 Parties: (1) John Chester of Dunstable, baker; (2) Richard Dodd of Kensworth, yeoman; John Barnes of Ivinghoe Aston [Buckinghamshire], yeoman; James Hawkins the younger of Dunstable, baker; Richard Chester of Dunstable, baker; (3) Zachary Neell of Caddington, yeoman; Daniel Brown of Luton, maltster; William Elknis of Luton, shopkeeper; Joseph Deane the younger of Ringshall, Edlesborough [Buckinghamshire], brickmaker Operative Part: - (2) paid " a competent sum of money" to (1); - (3) paid 5/- to (1) - (1) sold (a)-(b) in (X) to (3) in trust (XII) Bargain & Sale of 12 Dec 1766 Parties: (1) Richard Chester of Dunstable, furrier (nephew and heir of Richard Chester of Dunstable, baker, deceased); (2) Richard Brown of Luton, maltster; John Dean of Ringshall, Edlesborough [Buckinghamshire], brickmaker; John Freeth the younger of Luton, currier; William Freeth of Dunstable, baker; Daniel Brown the younger of Luton, baker; Joseph Brown the younger of Luton, grocer; Christopher Pryor of Stopsley, yeoman Reciting: - a building had beeen erected as a Quaker meeting house on (a)-(b) in (X) Operative Part: - (1) sold (a)-(b) in (X) with Quaker meeting house built on it to (2) for 5/- Habendum: - to (2) in trust to suffer meeting house to be used for worship by the Quakers with proviso for election of new trustees (XIII) assignment of Meeting House and grounds to new trustees of 14 Apr 1815 from (1) Daniel Brown the elder of Luton, baker and Christopher Pryor of Stopsley, gentleman to (2) Joseph Brown of Luton, maltster; Joseph Cranstone of Hemel Hempstead [Hertfordshire], ironmonger; Thomas Squire of Hemel Hempstead, gentleman; James Pryor of Stopsley, farmer; William Gutteridge of St.Albans [Hertfordshire], brazier; Richard Gutteridge of St.Albans, brazier; Daniel Pearman of Luton, draper; Thomas Squire of Bourne End, Hemel Hempstead, gentleman; George Batch of Hemel Hempstead, draper; John Foster of Luton, grocer; Richard Marks Brown of Luton, miller; William Adams of Luton, farmer (D) CASTLE STREET MEETING HOUSE, LUTON [see also FR/24/15/1-9] (XIV) Bargain & Sale of 7 Aug 1799 Parties: (1) John Chase of Luton, surgeon; (2) William Anstee, late of Luton, now of Dunstable, draper (trustee for John Chase); (3) Christopher Pryor of Stopsley, yeoman; Joseph Brown the elder of Luton, miller; Richard Brown the younger of Luton, cornfactor; William Brown of Luton, maltster; Daniel Brown the younger of Luton, baker; William Brown of Luton, baker; William Adams of Luton, yeoman; Joseph Brown the younger of Luton, a minor Operative Part: - (3) paid 105 to (1); - (3) paid 10/- to (2); - (1) and (2) sold (a) to (3)

(XV) Assignment of meeting house in new trustees of 30 Jun 1843 from (1) Daniel Brown of Luton, gentleman and William Adams of Luton, brewer to (2) Henry Coles Brown of Luton, mealman; Frederick Brown of Luton, ironmonger; William Drewett of Luton, baker; Robert Marsh of Luton, gentleman; William Adams the younger of Luton, gentleman; Richard Brown of Luton, gentleman (E) 2.5 ACRES IN MAULDEN (XVI) Feoffment of 14 Feb 1775 Parties: (1) William Brown of Ampthill, grocer; (2) Daniel Brown of Luton, baker; John Freeth, currier; Joseph Brown, miller; Richard Brown junior, maltster; Christopher Pryor, farmer all of Luton; John Brown now living with William Brown; John Adams of Pulloxhill, grazier; John Bennell of Ampthill, baker; George Exton of Ampthill, ironmonger Operative Part: - (1) sold (a) to (2) for 45 Property: (a) 6 lands containing 2.5 acres in Maulden abutting: NE on highway from Ampthill to Maulden; SW on land late of Everitt, now William Brown; SE on land of John Betts; NW on land in occupation of William Betts Habendum: - to (2) in trust to use rents, profits etc. for Quaker poor in Bedfordshire

(XX) Lease and Release of 24-25 Jun 1823 Parties: (1) Thomas How Masterman, late of White Hart Court, Lombard Street, City of London, goldsmith, now of Hoxton [Kent], gentleman; William Hawson of St.Albans [Hertfordshire], merchant; Philip Gutteridge of St.Albans, auctioneer; Emmett Skidmore of Rickmansworth [Hertfordshire], coal merchant; Joseph Skidmore of Rickmansworth, coal merchant; (2) Henry Brown of Luton, gentleman; ; (3) Daniel Pearman of Luton, draper; John Belch of Hemel Hempstead [Hertfordshire], draper; William Brown of Luton, baker; Thomas Marshall of Hemel Hempstead, confectioner; James Pryor of Stopsley, farmer; Henry Coles Brown of Luton, gentleman; Joseph Cranstone of Hemel Hempstead, ironmonger; William Gutteridge of St.Albans, auctioneer; Thomas Squire of Hemel Hempstead, gentleman; Thomas Belch the younger of Hemel Hempstead, draper; Alfred Pearman of Luton, gentleman Operative Part: - (2) paid 5/- to (1); - (1) released (a) in (XVII) to (2) Habendum: - to (2) to use of (1) and (3) upon trust for use of St.Albans Monthly Meeting (XXI) Note of part of garden ground being taken by Commissioners under Act of Parliament to improve the Holyhead Road [Watling Street] and new wall to separate the road from the garden ground being built by trustees who had a sum from the Commissioners remaining after building the wall of 170 which was invested on 30 Apr 1828 in purchasing 164/17/- in 4% annuities in the names of trustees Henry Brown, Daniel Pearman, James Pryor and Joseph Cranstone

(XXVII) Assignment of 22 Sep 1787 Parties: (1) Joseph Rickman of Stockwell [Surrey], bottle merchant; (2) Thomas Cowdry, previously of Croxley Green, Rickmansworth [Hertfordshire], now of Stockwell, mustard maker; William Hawson the elder of St.Albans [Hertfordshire], draper; Thomas Squire of Hemel Hempstead [Hertfordshire], yeoman; Samuel Squire of Hemel Hempstead, ironmonger; Joseph Hagger of Piccotts End, Hemel Hempstead, miller and mealman; James Pollard of Hemel Hempstead, salesman; Richard Brown the younger of Luton, maltster; James Smith of St.Albans, shopkeeper; William Brown of Luton, maltster; William Hawson the younger of St.Albans, draper; John Pryor the younger Luton, maltster; Jonathan Freeth of Luton, ironmonger; Daniel Brown the younger of Luton, baker; Joseph Brown the younger of Luton, miller Operative Part: - (2) paid 5/- to (1); - (1) assigned (a) in (XXIII) to (2) in trust for remainder of term of 1,000 years Endorsement: - deed poll of 16 Feb 1815 in which James Pollard, William Hawson the younger and Daniel Brown assigned (a) in (XXIII) to Henry Grover to enact (XXVIII) below (XXVIII) Assignment of 17 Feb 1815 Parties: (1) Henry Grover of Hemel Hempstead [Hertfordshire], gentleman; (2) James Pollard of Hemel Hempstead, draper; William Hawson the younger of St.Albans [Hertfordshire], draper; Daniel Brown of Luton, baker; Joseph Cranstone, ironmonger; Thomas Squire, gentleman; George Belch, linen draper, all of Hemel Hempstead; John Pryor of Stopsley, farmer; Joseph Brown, farmer; Daniel Pearman, draper; John Foster, grocer; Richard Marks Brown, miller; William Adams, farmer all of Luton; William Gutteridge and Richard Gutteridge, both of St.Albans, braziers; Thomas Squire of Bowen End, Northchurch [Hertfordshire], gentleman Operative Part: - (2) paid 5/- to (1); - (1) assigned (a) in (XXIII) to (2) in trust for remainder of term of 1,000 years

(XXXIII) Lease & Release of 24-25 Sep 1787 in which Thomas Cowdry, now of Stockwell [Surrey], mustard maker and will Hawson the elder of St.Albans [Hertfordshire], draper, surviving trustees of Hemel Hempstead meeting house appointed as new trustees Thomas Squire of Hemel Hempstead [Hertfordshire], yeoman, Samuel Squire of Hemel Hempstead, ironmonger, Joseph Hagger of Piccotts End, Hemel Hempstead, miller and mealman, James Pollard of Hemel Hempstead, salesman, William Hawson the younger of St.Albans, draper, John Pryor the younger of Luton, maltster, James Smith of St.Albans, shopkeeper, William Brown of Luton, maltster, Jonathan Freeth of Luton, ironmonger, Daniel Brown the younger of Luton, baker and Joseph Brown the younger of Luton, miller (XXXIV) Lease & Release of 16-17 Feb 1815 in which James Pollard, William Hawson the younger and Daniel Brown the younger, surviving trustees of Hemel Hempstead meeting house appointed as new trustees Joseph Cranstone, ironmonger, Thomas Squire, gentleman, George Belch, linen draper, all of Hemel Hempstead [Hertfordshire], James Pryor of Stopsley, farmer, Joseph Brown, farmer, Daniel Pearman, draper, John Foster, grocer, Richard Marks Brown, miller, William Adams, farmer all of Luton, William Gutteridge and Richard Gutteridge, both of St.Albans [Hertfordshire], braziers and Thomas Squire of Bourne End, Northchurch [Hertfordshire], gentleman

(XLIII) Lease and Release of 22-23 Feb 1787 in which Joseph Greenwood of Astwick, Hatfield [Hertfordshire], yeoman, William Hawson the elder of St.Albans [Hertfordshire], draper and Zachariah Neale of Redbourne [Hertfordshire], gentleman, surviving trustees of St.Albans meeting house appointed James Smith of St.Albans, shopkeeper; William Hawson the younger of St.Albans, woolstapler; Thomas Squire of Hemel Hempstead [Hertfordshire], mealman; Samuel Squire of Hemel Hempstead, ironmonger; Joseph Haggar of Hemel Hempstead, mealman; James Pollard of Hemel Hempstead, draper; John Pryor the younger of Luton, maltster; Richard Brown the younger of Luton, maltster; William Brown the younger of Luton, maltster; John Freeth of Luton, currier; Daniel Brown the younger of Luton, baker and Joseph Brown the younger of Luton, mealman as new trustees of (a)-(b) in (XXXVII) and (a) in (XL) (XLIV) Lease and Release of 21-22 May 1816 in which William Hawson now of Cowley, Uxbridge [Middlesex], James Pollard of Hemel Hempstead [Hertfordshire], salesman and jn Freeth of Luton, currier, surviving trustees of St.Albans meeting house appointed Joseph Brown of Luton, maltster; Joseph Cranstone of Hemel Hempstead, ironmonger; Thomas Squire of Hemel Hempstead, gentleman; James Pryor of Stopsley, farmer; William Gutteridge of St.Albans, tin plate worker; Richard Gutteridge of St.Albans, tin plate worker; Daniel Pearman of Luton, line draper; Thomas Squire of Bourne End, Northchurch, gentleman; George Belch of Hemel Hempstead, draper; John Foster of Luton, grocer; Richard Marks Brown of Luton, miller and William Adams of Luton, farmer as new trustees of (a)-(b) in (XXXVII) and (a) in (XL)

Summary of mentions of people by the name of Brown

1712 (XI) Bargain & sale 

Daniel Brown of Luton

1730 (a) piece of ground of 30 poles in Dagnall being south end of Andrewes Common with Affordhill to S and E - for appointment of new trustees  

Daniel Brown junior of Luton; 

1741 (IV) Bargain & Sale 

William Brown (son of Daniel Brown of Luton), draper  

John Brown of Luton, mealman; 

Joseph Brown of Luton, tallow chandler; 

1742 (V) Feoffment  

William Brown (son of Daniel Brown of Luton), draper

1761 (VIII) Will of Richard Chester of Wandsworth [Surrey] devising:  

half acre of land in Sewell adjoining the burial ground to John Frith of Luton, shopkeeper and Daniel Brown of Luton, baker upon trust to annexe it to the burial ground and use it as a burial ground for the Quakers belonging to late Market Street Monthly Meeting;

1766 (XII) Bargain & Sale 

Richard Brown of Luton, maltster; 

Daniel Brown the younger of Luton, baker; 

Joseph Brown the younger of Luton, grocer

1771 (a) piece of ground of 30 poles in Dagnall being south end of Andrewes Common with Affordhill to S and E - for appointment of new trustees  

Daniel Brown and John Brown, surviving trustees were joined by 

Daniel Brown jnuior of Luton, bakee; 

Joseph Brown junior of Luton, miller; 

John Brown of Ampthill;

 - 10 Apr 1812 Daniel Brown senior and Christopher Pryor, surviving trustees were joined by Richard Markes Brown of Luton, mealman; Henry Brown of Luton; James Pryor of Stopsley; Richard Gutteridge of St.Albans [Hertfordshire]; John Foster of Luton, grocer; Thomas Squire of Kings Langley [Hertfordshire]; William Adams of Luton, farmer.

1775 (XVI) Feoffment (6 lands containing 2.5 acres in Maulden abutting: NE on highway from Ampthill to Maulden; SW on land late of Everitt, now William Brown; SE on land of John Betts; NW on land in occupation of William Betts)

William Brown of Ampthill, grocer; 

Daniel Brown of Luton, baker; 

Joseph Brown, of Luton, miller; 

Richard Brown junior of Luton, maltster; 

John Brown now living with William Brown; 

(in trust to use rents, profits etc. for Quaker poor in Bedfordshire)

1777 (VI) Feoffment 

William Brown (son of Daniel Brown of Luton), draper, 

Daniel Brown of Luton, baker; 

Joseph Brown jnuior of Luton, miller; 

Richard Brown junior of Luton, maltster

1787 (XXVII) 

Richard Brown the younger of Luton, maltster; 

William Brown of Luton, maltster; 

Daniel Brown the younger of Luton, baker; 

Joseph Brown the younger of Luton, miller

1787 (XXXIII) Trustees of Hemel Hempstead meeting house 

William Brown of Luton, maltster, Daniel Brown the younger of Luton, baker

Joseph Brown the younger of Luton, miller

1787 (XLIII) Trustees of St Albans Meeting House

Richard Brown the younger of Luton, maltster

William Brown the younger of Luton, maltster

Daniel Brown the younger of Luton, baker 

Joseph Brown the younger of Luton, mealman

1799 (XIV) Bargain & Sale

Richard Brown the younger of Luton, cornfactor; 

William Brown of Luton, maltster; 

Daniel Brown the younger of Luton, baker; 

William Brown of Luton, baker; 

Joseph Brown the younger of Luton, a minor

1812 (IX) Bargain & Sale 

Daniel Brown the elder of Luton, baker;

Richard Brown of Luton, maltster 

Daniel Brown the younger of Luton, baker; 

Richard Markes Brown of Luton, mealman; 

Henry Brown (son of Richard Brown), of Luton;

1812  (a) piece of ground of 30 poles in Dagnall being south end of Andrewes Common with Affordhill to S and E - for appointment of new trustees  

Daniel Brown senior and Christopher Pryor, surviving trustees were joined by 

Richard Markes Brown of Luton, mealman; 

Henry Brown of Luton; 

1815 (XIII) assignment of Meeting House and grounds to new trustees 

Daniel Brown the elder of Luton, baker 

Joseph Brown of Luton, maltster; 

Richard Marks Brown of Luton, miller

1815 (XXXIV) Trustees of Hemel Hempstead Meeting House

Joseph Brown, of Luton, farmer, 

Richard Marks Brown, of Luton, miller

1815 (XXVIII)  (1) 

Daniel Brown of Luton, baker; 

Richard Marks Brown of Luton, miller

1816 (XLIV) Trustees of St Albans Meeting House

Joseph Brown of Luton, maltster

Richard Marks Brown of Luton, miller

1823 (XX)

Henry Brown of Luton, gentleman; 

William Brown of Luton, baker; 

1828 (XXI) improve the Holyhead Road [Watling Street] and new wall 

Henry Brown,

1843 (XV) Assignment of meeting house

Daniel Brown of Luton, gentleman 

Henry Coles Brown of Luton, mealman; 

Frederick Brown of Luton, ironmonger; 

Richard Brown of Luton, gentleman

33 "A Walk Around Luton in 1804"

 If my research is correct (or even nearly) correct, there would be Brown family ancestors living in Luton in the late 1700s/early 1800s.  As noted in this record, there was only a few thousand people in that town on 1804 (though many thousand in around about).  It could be that some/many are related (brothers, parents, children, cousins) or not and it could be that some are connected to Frederick Brown born St Albans).  However Brown is and was a common name. Then again maltsters, brewers and bakers were all closely aligned occupations, I've copied some text that I found interesting as it mentions Brown(s) and occupations.  There are two more mentions of Brown in the text (J Brown involved in Methodist Chapel and Mr Brown. a Steward to Lord Bute).

The full text can be found by following the link (well done the Greg Harrison for putting all the information on line). The link has sketches and maps.

https://www.lutonheritageforum.org/exhibitions/buildings/a-walk-around-luton-in-1804

"In 1804, Luton contained just over 600 houses and slightly over 3000 people... Trade was confined mainly to malting, straw plaiting, straw hat manufacture and agriculture. The buildings were chiefly public houses, farm houses, maltings and old thatched cottages. The few shops had small low windows and the frontages of a few of the more respectable dwellings were paved with pebbles. Other parts were unpaved. Buildings projected far out into the roadway, which was further encroached upon by banks of earth, so that carts could pass each other only with some difficulty. Grass and weeds were much in evidence. The channels along both sides of the roadway were the receptacles of refuse, and planks were placed across these channels, opposite each front door, for the residents to get into the road. Sanitation was unheard of; the drainage and liquid refuse was conveyed down into the river Lea from the surface of the streets.

The directory that follows is taken from an article that appeared in the “Luton Times and Advertiser” in 1883. The origin was unquoted and its author unrecognised. The original text is in italics, to which I’ve attached my comments. The map below is not to scale and its only purpose is to assist with the location of the residents and their properties.

11. Hog Lane

“But keeping along George Street, next to Clark’s, is Stephen Taylor’s carpenter’s shop. Then Henry Cain’s the watchmaker; Thomas Foster, cooper; Mrs. Cain, whitesmith; Madame Barnet’s school; Edward Cain, tailor; Clarke, wood stainer; Olney, butcher; Mr. Richard Brown, maltster; Peregrine Nash, weaver; corner of Hog lane, up which are five cottages and Dame Henson’s school. There are also three cottages on the way to Farley Green”.

This little colony of trades-people speaks eloquently of life at this time. It was unusual to find a woman carrying on the business of a Whitesmith, a metalworker who does finishing work on iron and steel such as filing, lathing, burnishing or polishing, now called a silversmith. Mr Richard Brown’s malting was on the site of “The Old Bell” public house, not to be confused with the Bell Inn on the eastern side of George St (see no.28). Hog Lane would be re-named to Chapel Street in 1814, in consequence of a new Wesleyan chapel being built there. The schools mentioned above were probably Plait schools where young girls and boys would have to produce so many yards of plait as set by the parents. Conditions were deplorable and the rooms densely overcrowded.

17. The Crown Inn

“Then the Crown Inn, kept by Mr. Henry Taylor, who is the carrier to London. Next Mr. William Anstee, draper; Dr. John Chase; John Wesley, shoemaker; John Gardner, tailor; Mr. John Knowles, haberdasher; Mr. Robert Hill, auctioneer; Mr. Daniel Brown, the houses of the two latter being situated on Cross Pond. Mr. Daniel Brown, sen., is a baker and maltster, and next is Samuel Chase, surgeon”.

The Crown was yet another ancient hostelry, dating from the 16th century or before. The building still exists today and after a number of name changes is still The Crown. Cross Pond was the area now known as Park Square. The pond, which was of considerable size, lay at the corner of Church Street. It was enclosed with brick walls, except on the south-west side, which was left open for cattle, and freely used by children in summer for bathing, and for sliding when frozen over in winter.

At the south-east end of this pond stood the “Round House” and fire-engine house. The “Round House” was a lock-up for the temporary accommodation of malefactors pending their removal to Bedford prison. The pond was condemned at the Court Leet in 1836, and was filled up within two days therefrom, and the lock-up and fire-engine house taken down.

18. Park Street

“Then come the Hospital, the Workhouse, known as “the house with the three steps,” Workhouse Yard, the Tythe Barn and Tythe Barn Yard. These may now be said to be fronting Park Street, formerly called Sheep Street or South End. Down this street are Mr. Anthony Sherlock, painter and glazier; Mr. J. Woodward at the Cock; Mr. Richard Haselgrove, builder; Mr. Thomas Mead, grocer; Mr. Daniel Brown, Jnr., flour and pig dealer; Mr. John Wood, butcher; Thomas Battams, basket maker; Robert Whitting, Bland, Coleman, J. Sherlock, Jackson, Flitton, Richard Stone, Bull Inn, Horton, Wright, Glenister, Newman, and Prudden”.

View of Park St

The drawing  shows Park Street as it was in 1821 looking south from Park Square. Going from right to left, we see the workhouse, the Tithe Barn and the Cock inn further down. On the left we see the Cross Pond and the lock-up. As mentioned above, “Hospital” signified a place or building erected out of charity for the reception and support of the poor, aged, sick, and otherwise helpless.

Until 1766, part of a large house in Castle Street called Langleys was used for this purpose. In 1836, after the workhouse was transferred to Dunstable Road, this building was converted to a private dwelling, but later this became “The Brewery Tap“. The Cock Inn was trading till a few years ago but is now closed. The Bull later became “The Black Bull” in the 1940’s and was demolished in 1969 for road widening purposes.

19. Long Pond

“There are three houses in Old Yard. F. Newman lives at the corner of the street, opposite Long Pond. Next to him are three cottages (empty) and three more occupied by Mead, Buckthorpe, and Master Crawley, who sees after Burr’s farm-yard adjoining. Next to which is Mr. Samuel Ainsworth’s house with a cottage, and then a passage called Ainsworth’s passage, up which are three cottages and. a barn. There are three Church charity cottages between Mr. Ainsworth’s shop and The Chequers public-house, kept by Mr. Clarke, next to which lives Cookson, carpenter, and in the yard, Pates. Fronting the street there are four cottages, before the meadow which is in West Hyde hamlet. Carter and Jacob Chad live at the last two. Beyond is the Breache Mill, occupied by Mr. Brown”.

Long Pond was as insanitary as was Cross Pond. This can be guessed from the fact that today’s Lea Road bore the unsavory name of Blackwater Lane for the overflow from the pond ran through its ditches down to the river.

21. Towards St. Ann’s Lane

“Returning to Park Street by Mr. Bunn’s meadow, opposite the Baptist Meeting Burial Ground, live Nehemiah Munn, grave-digger, and pew-opener Dorrington, Whitley, Deamer, the watchman and lamp-lighter. Hunt, Harris, Crawley, and Godfrey, then Dr. Robert Kerby’s, “the Diel House”, Limbury the carrier, and next to him Quick and Pollie Knight. Next to her is Mr. Joseph Brown, and opposite to him is St. Ann’s Lane, down which dwelleth Walker, Brown, and Clark”.

No reference can be traced to Mr. Bunn and it is possible that it was a mistake for Mr. Burr. There remains the need for an explanation to “the Diel House”.