RECTOR, VICAR, CURATE…OH MY!

Over the past several months, I’ve shared the stories of William Browne (1534-1613), Joseph Browne (1561-1633), and William Browne (1585-1650) who were members of the clergy during the Protestant Reformation. Trying to make sense of the Reformation’s impact on the church and to understand the various levels of clergy, however, nearly drove me batty.  

William Browne (1585-1650) – Curate, Schoolmaster & Merchant

Before my 10^th great grandfather William Browne was even born his future was seemingly laid out before him. Browne men, after all, were educated at Cambridge and spent their lives serving as the rector or vicar of a parish church. 

Joseph Browne (1561-1633) – The Rector of Rusper

Joseph Browne was the eldest son of William Browne and his wife Magdalene, whose story I recounted last month. Like his father before him, he was educated at Cambridge University and became a member of the clergy.

William Browne (1534-1613) - The Rector of Horley

In my previous post I told the story of Phebe Browne, my 9^th great grandmother, her journey to and life in America. Now it’s time for me to tell the story of her forefathers and the religious turmoil that impacted their lives.

Phebe Browne (1620-1664) - The Immigrant

It was surprising for me to see how many historians and genealogists have written about my 9th great grandmother, Phebe Browne. A Google search for her name returns nearly 50,000 results—a staggering number for a woman who lived in the 1600s. 

George Edgington I (1707-1791) - The Immigrant - Part Five: The Rest of the Story

George Edgington built a sizable farm on Dillon’s Run in the backcountry of western Virginia. Here his wife Margaret gave birth to their eight children. Six of those children would wed and start families of their own there. Despite such deep roots, George, Margaret, their children and grandchildren would all move away.

George Edgington I (1707-1791) - The Immigrant - Part Four: The Land Owner

We resume the story about George after he has returned home from having been captured by Indians and held by the French for three years during the early days of the French and Indians Wars. George and his wife Margaret have settled back into their lives. Soon they would welcome their sixth son, Jesse, in 1759, followed by daughters Hannah in 1760 and Jemima in 1765.

George Edgington I (1707-1791) - The Immigrant - Part Three: The Indian Years

George and Margaret Edgington left Philadelphia around 1743/44 for the western frontier of Virginia. They were likely part of a larger group of settlers that were heading to the region.

George Edgington I (1707-1791) - The Immigrant - Part Two: The Young American

Last month we determined that George likely arrived in America as a stowaway at the age of 14.  So, what happened to him next?

George Edgington I (1707-1791) - The Immigrant - Part One: The Stowaway

George Edgington's life reads like an adventure novel.  It is said that he arrived as a stowaway, lived as a frontiersman, was kidnapped and taken to Canada, his wife married another man, and he fought in a war.  But what, if any, of this true?  Join me as we take a deep dive into his life.