Deborah married Bogardus Hatch.

      Orinda Knapp was born in 1791; age 53 census 1850. She was the daughter of Joseph Arad Knapp and Deborah Monroe.

      Cynthia Knapp was born circa 1793. She was the daughter of Joseph Arad Knapp and Deborah Monroe. Cynthia married Alonzo A. Mead on 6-Feb-1822; marriage is probable.

     Alonzo married Cynthia Knapp, daughter of Joseph Arad Knapp and Deborah Monroe, on 6-Feb-1822; marriage is probable.

      Noah Monroe was born circa 1729 at Norwalk, Fairfield County, Connecticut. He was the son of Joseph Monroe and Susanna Olmstead. Noah married Deborah Younglove, daughter of Supposed Daniel Younglove and Supposed Deborah (Unknown), in 1752 at Sharon, Litchfield County, Connecticut. Noah Monroe was baptized in Oct-1764 at Weston, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. He died on 5-May-1793 at Sharon, Litchfield County, Connecticut. Noah's estate was proved on 17-May-1793.
     He was also known as Noah Munrow. He was also known as Noah Munro. He was also known as Noah Manrow. He resided at at Salisbury before 1751. He resided at at Sharon town near Mudgetown, Litchfield County, Connecticut, after 1751; Sedgewick (1898. page 139 says that he "was a for more than forty years an inhabitant of Mudgetown. He came from Salisbury in 1751. He lived on the borders of the Pond....[and] died May 5 1793, at thje age of sixty-four [leaving] sons Noah, Younglove, Daniel and Philo."
Noah's left a will on 10-Jan-1788

He named wife Deboarh, three eldest daughters, Deborah, Miriam and Wealthy; daughters Susanna and Achsa; 3 youngest daughters, Dorcas, Mahala and Betsey; sons Younglove, Daniel and Philo.

On 17-May-1793 Deborah and Adonijah Briswold posted bond. He evedently died rather wealty [Litchfield Probate No. 2303].

      Deborah Younglove was born circa 1735. She was the daughter of Supposed Daniel Younglove and Supposed Deborah (Unknown). Deborah married Noah Monroe, son of Joseph Monroe and Susanna Olmstead, in 1752 at Sharon, Litchfield County, Connecticut. Deborah Younglove died on 22-Nov-1805 at Thorpe, Cayuga County, New York. Deborah was buried after 22-Nov-1805 at Pine Hill Cemetery, Thorpe, Cayuga County, New York.
      No doubt a descendant of Rev. John2, Samuel1 Younglove, first pastor of Sheffied, CT and it thought by Thelma (Younglove) Butler of Temple, TX, after years of Younglove researh, that she was the Daughter of John4, Samuel3, John2, Samuel1.

      Joseph Monroe was born on 18-Dec-1696 at Bristol, Bristol County, Rhode Island. He was the son of John Monroe and Mehetable (Unknown). Joseph married Susanna Monroe, daughter of David Monroe and Elizabeth Tedd, circa 1717 at Norwalk, Fairfield County, Connecticut. Joseph married Susanna Olmstead, daughter of Joseph Olmsted and Mehitable Warner, before 3-Nov-1720 at Norwalk, Fairfield County, Connecticut. Joseph married Elizabeth Stewart on 15-Nov-1739 at Wilton Congregational Church, Fairfield County, Connecticut. Joseph married Esther (Unknown) on 27-Oct-1744 at Wilton Congregational Church, Fairfield County, Connecticut. Joseph Monroe died on 10-Sep-1773 at Norwalk, Fairfield County, Connecticut, at age 76.
     He was granted at Norwalk, CT consisting of 4 acres by Joseph Olmstead who described him self in the deed as father-in-law to the grantee. on 3-Nov-1720 at Norwalk, Fairfield County, Connecticut. He sold 5 acres in Norfolk, CT to his brother Samuel with house and barn. on 24-Oct-1727 at Norwalk, Fairfield County, Connecticut.

      Susanna Olmstead was born on 2-Feb-1700 at at or near, Bristol, Bristol County, Rhode Island. She was the daughter of Joseph Olmsted and Mehitable Warner. Susanna married Joseph Monroe, son of John Monroe and Mehetable (Unknown), before 3-Nov-1720 at Norwalk, Fairfield County, Connecticut. Susanna Olmstead died in Dec-1734 at Norwalk, Fairfield County, Connecticut, at age 34; probably as a result of Peniah's.
      Not mentioned in the Olmstead Family.

      John Monroe was born circa 1664 at Bristol, Bristol County, Rhode Island. He was the son of John Monroe and Sarah (Unknown). John married Mehetable (Unknown) before 1694 at Bristol, Bristol County, Rhode Island. John married Ruth Bowen on 20-Nov-1718 at Swansea, Bristol County, Massachusetts. John Monroe died in Dec-1739 at Bristol, Bristol County, Rhode Island.
     

Little is known of John2 except that it is said that he had at least three sons: Joseph; John; Samuel; and, no doubt, duaghters Mary and Mercy. We believe him to be also the father of the daughters we have given him by Ruth since he the only one of his generation who seems not to have rec. his childrens birth. He also moved around a good deal. On Mar 13 1799 he and family wer warned out of Portsmouth, RI. He received two deeds to land in Wilton, CT, then a part of Norwalk, Feb 13, 1726/27 from Joseph Olmstead altough he was "Of Bristol" in the deeds.

      Mehetable (Unknown) was born circa 1673 at at or near, Bristol, Bristol County, Rhode Island. Mehetable married John Monroe, son of John Monroe and Sarah (Unknown), before 1694 at Bristol, Bristol County, Rhode Island.

      John Monroe was born circa 1632 at at or near, Assynt, Sutherland, Scotland. He was the son of presumed George Munro and presumed Marjorie Ross. John married Sarah (Unknown) before 1663 at Possibly, Duxbury, Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts. John married Sarah (Unknown) in Oct-1663 at Plymouth County, Massachusetts. John Monroe died in Oct-1691 at Bristol, Bristol County, Rhode Island.
     The Inventory of John Monroe was taken "estate of John Monroe decease." His estate is valued at £72, 15s., his debts at £16.14, administration deferred until the widow and children could be brought together. on 10-Nov-1691 at Bristol, Bristol County, Rhode Island. On 1-Feb-1692 A document exists called "Articles of Agreement between Sarah Monroe felict of John Monroe late of Bristol deceased and administratrix of his estate remaining on the one part, and his sons John, Thomas, William and George Monroe, and his two daughters, Sarah and Elizabeth Monroe, on the others part." In it widow Sarah agrees to bring up, maintain and educate the other four children of which she was als the Naqtural mother: Susannah, Benjamin, Joseph and Mary--until the caome of age or marry. She also alows the three oldest sons to keep the estate they have had, to give George wto cows and a calf or calves whe his apprenticeship expires in about three years, and to give daughters Sarah and Elizabeth each a cow with calf or calves on May first next. After she has paoid John's debts, she is to have the balance of the estate/.

      Sarah (Unknown) was born circa 1643 at at or near, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. Sarah married John Monroe, son of presumed George Munro and presumed Marjorie Ross, before 1663 at Possibly, Duxbury, Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts. Sarah married John Monroe, son of presumed George Munro and presumed Marjorie Ross, in Oct-1663 at Plymouth County, Massachusetts. Sarah (Unknown) died after 1-Feb-1692 at Bristol, Bristol County, Rhode Island.

      (Unknown) Hart was born circa 1771. He was the son of Smiton Hart Jr. and Mary Manchester.

      Jonathan Tripp was born in Oct-1671 at Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island. He was the son of Joseph Tripp and Mehitable Fish. Jonathan married Martha Brownell, daughter of William Brownell and Sarah Smiton, on 22-Aug-1695 at Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island.

      William Brownell was born in 1648 at Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island. He was the son of Thomas Brownell and Anne Bourne. William married Sarah Smiton, daughter of William Smiton and Sarah Lloyd, circa 1674 at Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island. William Brownell died before 1-Aug-1715 at Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island. William's estate was proved on 1-Aug-1715.
     William's left a will on 6-Nov-1714

"To wife produce of all my land in Little Compton and all movables for life except a featherbed to daughter Alice. To son Smiton Brownell all horsekind and cattle left at wife's decease and half of the household goods. To son George Brownell half household stuff. To son Smiton all land in Little Compton at wife's
decease. To four sons Thomas, William, Benjamin and Robert 20 shillings equally. To three daughters Martha, Anne and Mary 15 shillings equally... "

      Sarah Smiton was born on 25-May-1647 at Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island. She was the daughter of William Smiton and Sarah Lloyd. Sarah Smiton was born in 1654 at Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island. Sarah married William Brownell, son of Thomas Brownell and Anne Bourne, circa 1674 at Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island. Sarah Smiton died circa 1715 at Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island. Sarah's estate was proved on 1-Aug-1715 at Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island.
     Sarah's left a will on 6-Nov-1714 at Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island.

      William Smiton was born circa 1630 at Stepney, Wapping, Middlesex, England. William married Sarah Lloyd, daughter of William Lloyd and Alice Noke, circa 1650 at Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island. William Smiton died in 1671 at Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island. He died on 6-Jul-1676 at Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island.

      Sarah Lloyd was born circa 1630 at Bristol County, Gloucestershire, England. She was the daughter of William Lloyd and Alice Noke. Sarah married William Smiton circa 1650 at Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island. Sarah Lloyd died in 1709 at Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island.

     Thomas Brownell was baptized on 5-Jun-1608 at Saint Mary's Church, Rawmarsh Parish, Yorkshire, England. He was the son of Robert Brownell and Mary Wilson. Thomas married Anne Bourne, daughter of Richard Bourne and Judith Cowper, on 20-Mar-1637 at St Bennet's, Paul's Warf, London, England. Thomas Brownell died on 24-Sep-1664 at Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island, at age 56

On the afternoon of 24 September 1664, Thomas Brownell was killed in an accident while on his way from his farm at the northwest end of Rhode Island to Portsmouth. (The Brownells, as was typical of most settlers at that time, probably did not live on their farm. They would also have had a small lot in Portsmouth where they built their home and lived, going to their farm during the day to work.) Aged 56, Thomas left behind a wife, Anne, and nine children, ranging in age from nine to twenty-five years.

According to the testimony of Daniel Lawton, Brownell had stopped at the home of Lawton's father, Thomas Lawton, and upon leaving, invited Daniel, aged 21, to ride with him the rest of the way to Portsmouth. The ride soon became a race when Thomas put his horse to a gallop as they came down the hill near William Wodel's property, located about halfway between the Brownell farm and the town of Portsmouth. The younger man soon caught up with and passed Thomas.

As he continued the race to Portsmouth, Lawton looked back to see where Brownell was. Seeing his riderless horse running towards a swamp he immediately turned his horse around and caught Brownell's horse.

He then retraced his way until he came upon Brownell lying on the ground near a tree. He called out to him, but received no response and so dismounted to check on him. Taking him by the arms and seeing the great amount of blood on the ground, Lawton realized that Thomas Brownell was dead.

The following day a coroner's jury, with Samuel Wilbur as foreman, made an inquest into the accident. Testimony was taken from Daniel Lawton and details about the scene of the accident were given.

The jury's conclusion was that Brownell, riding furiously down the hill, was either thrown against or hit the tree. The broken reins of his bridle had been found next to the body and there was blood and hair sticking to the tree. HIs skull was broken and his "brains came out," thus causing his death.

(The above narrative is based on the following records found in Rhode Island Historical Society Collections, Vol. XXV [July 1932], "The Lands of Portsmouth, RI, and a Glimpse of Its People," by Edward H. West, pp. 32-33, as well as in the E.E. Brownell Collection.).
     He and Anne Bourne immigrated in 1638.

Inquest Into The Death of Thomas Brownell

The testimony of Daniel Lawton aged about twenty-one years or thereabouts being according to law upon oath ingaged testifieth that yesterday in the afternoon Mr. Brownell being at the deponants fathers house, Mr. Brownell asked the depondant wither he would ride towards Portsmouth town along with him, the deponant answered he would so they both ride together, and when they were come down the hill at the head of William Wodels ground, Mr. Brownell put his horse on a gallop afore the deponant, whereupon this deponant also put on his horse and presently out run Mr. Brownell and got affore him, and so continued on his gallop some distance of way afore he lookt back but at length looking back to see where Mr. Brownell was he spied his horse running alone out of the way into a swamp whereupon this deponant forth with, not mistrusting emminant danger to the man ran and turned horse and brought him into the way where presently he saw Mr. Brownell lyinge on the ground, and the deponant called but none answering he lett horse goe and went up to him and took him by the arms, whereby and also by the efusion of very much blood from him on the ground he perceived the sayd Mr. Brownell was dead. This deponant doth testify the above written.

Before us the 25th of September 1664
William Baulston, Asst.
John Sanford, Asst.

These to the Corroner Mr. William Baulston Assistant - Wee of the Inquest being apoynted and Ingaged to Sitt on the Body or Corps of Thomas Brownell of portsmouth; who was found dead on the high way against the upper end of the land of William Wodell yesterday being the 24th of this instant month.
This is our Return judgement and sence thereon, We find by Evident Signs and apeerances, as a very great Efusion of Blood, and the Raines of his bridle being broken and lying neare by him, as also an apparent signs of a Stroke on a tree neare to where he lay and some blood and hair sticking on the Sayd tree That the Sayd Brownell came by his death thus he Riding furiously with his horse down hill was throwne or dashed against the sayd tree, and his Skull Broke and to our understanding his Brains came out This wee find was the Cause of his death.

Signed with the full agreement and Consent of the rest of the Jurry
the 25th Sept 1664
Samuel Wilbure, forman.



When Thomas Brownell died on 24 September 1664, he did not leave a will or any directions as to how his estate should be handled. Today when someone dies without a will, the courts determine, according to state laws, how the estate is to be divided. The same procedure was used in the case of Thomas Brownell except that the power to do so was vested in the Town Council of Portsmouth rather than the courts.

Therefore on 16 September 1665 the Town Council determined how the estate should be divided. Anne Brownell was appointed executrix of the estate and was directed to carry out the terms of the settlement. Prior to his death, Thomas had agreed to an exchange of lands with William Brenton. The Council directed that Anne honor that agreement and the transaction was completed in November of 1665.

As customary at that time, the bulk of the estate was to go to the eldest son, George. Because George was then only about nineteen years old, Anne was to retain the "use, benefit and profit" of all the housings and lands that belonged to Thomas. At the time of his marriage or when he reached the age of twenty-one, George was to receive one-half of the land. Which half was left to Anne to determine. After Anne's death, George was to inherit the remaining half of his father's property. A provision was made that should George die before Anne, the property would go to George's heirs, if any. If not, the property would go the the second eldest son, Robert.

Legacies were also given to the other eight children, with the stipulation that if Anne should die before those legacies were carried out, George, or whoever inherited the land and housings of Thomas, was to carry out those legacies. The three younger sons--Robert, William and Thomas--were each to receive £20 when they reached the age of twenty-one. The two eldest daughters--Mary and Sarah--both of whom were married at the time of their father's death, were each to receive ten shillings. The other three daughters--Martha, Anne and Susanna--were to be paid £20 each at the time of their marriage.

Finally, if any of the eight younger children of Thomas were to die before they had received their bequests, the amount due them was to be divided among those still living.

This settlement reflects the custom of primogeniture--the right of the eldest son to inherit the entire estate of his parents--which was still followed in New England as it had been for many centuries in England. Many parents made gifts of money or land before their death to their younger children as a means of providing for their future and for a more equal distribution of the family's assets. Because Thomas died unexpectedly with no will and with six of his nine children under the age of twenty-one, no such provisions had been made.

The legacies which the three younger sons and the three unmarried daughters received were not small amounts. Twenty pounds was a good dowry, and probably similar to that received by Mary and Sarah when they were married. Without such a dowry, the girls would have had a difficult time finding a husband. For Robert, William and Thomas, £20 would allow them to buy property of their own when they came of age. That Mary and Sarah received only ten shillings indicates that they had already received their dowry at the time of their marriages.

As executrix of her husband's estate, Anne was required to post a bond of £200 to assure that she would carry out the provisions of the settlement. Should she fail to do so, the bond would be forfeited.

This settlement of the estate of Thomas Brownell raises several interesting questions. First, why did it take almost one year after his death for the Town Council to settle the estate? And second, why was an inventory of the estate not done? Usually an inventory was conducted immediately following a death, detailing all the possessions from property and livestock to household furnishings and clothing that belonged to the deceased. If such an inventory was done, it has been lost.

Could it be that the Council was forced to make this will because of disputes over the estate? And why was Anne required to post a bond to ensure that the bequests were carried out? It seems that the Town Council did not trust Anne and thus forced her to divide the estate according to law and customary practices of that time.

This decree is also an important genealogical document, as it clarifies several mistakes that have been made regarding the children of Thomas and Anne Brownell. Many sources have noted only eight children, while the will clearly states that there were nine. The youngest, Susanna, is not mentioned in Austin's Genealogical Dictionary of Rhode Island, in George Grant Brownell's Genealogical Record of the Descendents of Thomas Brownell or in Little Compton Families. In the few sources that do mention her, she is said to have died in 1655, the same year she is said to have been born. Susanna was, however, still living when the estate was settled in 1665, but no further record of her has been found.

Another discrepancy appears in the order of birth of Thomas and Anne's children. In all other sources, the order is given as follows: Mary, Sarah, Martha, George, William, Thomas, Robert, Anne and Susanna (if she is listed at all). The decree made by the Town Council of Portsmouth lists the sons' order of birth as George, Robert, William and Thomas. In the absence of actual birth records (and I know of none that exist) this decree is the definitive primary source for information about the nine children of Thomas and Anne Brownell, especially since the original document, as opposed to transcripts, still exists.

Because a will established inheritance and ownership of property, it was the one most important legal document a person at that time could have. The order of birth of the sons was of great importance because the eldest living son would inherit the parents' estates. Thus those who made the will and those who approved it would not have made mistakes in that regard.

Several transcripts of this document are incomplete because of the condition of the original. The document had been folded in half twice and the words at each fold are rather difficult to make out. By enlarging a photocopy of the document, the wording becomes more clear and thus we are able to get a complete and accurate transcript of the document. The original is on file at the Portsmouth town hall.

     Anne Bourne was baptized on 15-Feb-1606/7 at St. Michael's, Cornhill, London, Middlesex, England. She was the daughter of Richard Bourne and Judith Cowper. Anne married Thomas Brownell, son of Robert Brownell and Mary Wilson, on 20-Mar-1637 at St Bennet's, Paul's Warf, London, England. Anne Bourne died after 24-Oct-1666 at Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island.
     She was also known as Anne Bourn. She was also known as Ann Bourn. She and Thomas Brownell immigrated in 1638.

     Sarah married Smiton Hart Jr., son of Smiton Hart and Eliphal Sanford, before 1817.

      Benjamin Smiton was born circa 1655 at Bristol County, Gloucestershire, England. He was born in 1668 at Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island. He was the son of William Smiton and Sarah Lloyd. Benjamin married Elizabeth Bonham on 7-Dec-1693 at Trinity in the Minories, London, England. Benjamin Smiton died in 1709 at Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island.

      Elizabeth Bonham was born at at or near, London, Middlesex, England. Elizabeth married Benjamin Smiton, son of William Smiton and Sarah Lloyd, on 7-Dec-1693 at Trinity in the Minories, London, England.

      William Lloyd was born circa 1600 at at or near, Bristol, Gloucestershire, England. William married Alice Noke, daughter of John Noke, circa 1630 at England. William Lloyd died on 26-Feb-1675 at at or near Radcliffe, Bristol, Gloucestershire, England.

      Alice Noke was born circa 1610 at Offley, Hertfordshire, England. She was the daughter of John Noke. Alice married William Lloyd circa 1630 at England. Alice Noke died after 1672 at at or near, Newport, Rhode Island.

      Judith Cowper was born circa 1575 at at or near, London, Middlesex, England. She was the daughter of John Cowper and Elizabeth Ironsides. Judith married Richard Bourne, son of William Bourne and Margaret Ryse, in 1599/0 at London, Middlesex, England.

     Richard Bourne was baptized on 18-Jun-1564 at St. Michael's, Cornhill, London, Middlesex, England. He was the son of William Bourne and Margaret Ryse. Richard married Judith Cowper, daughter of John Cowper and Elizabeth Ironsides, in 1599/0 at London, Middlesex, England. Richard was buried on 11-Mar-1632 at St. Michael's, Cornhill, London, Middlesex, England.

      John Cowper was born circa 1540 at St. Michael's, Cornhill, London, Middlesex, England. John married Elizabeth Ironsides circa 1560 at St. Michael's, Cornhill, London, Middlesex, England. John Cowper died in 1609 at St. Michael's, Cornhill, London, Middlesex, England.

      Elizabeth Ironsides was born circa 1545 at St. Michael's, Cornhill, London, Middlesex, England. Elizabeth married John Cowper circa 1560 at St. Michael's, Cornhill, London, Middlesex, England.

      John Noke was born at at or near, Hertfordshire, England.