The Browne Family VaultArchive 1078
A Genealogist in Worcester has written in with the following information, after seeing our website.
Grave of George Lewis Browne Capt RN 1784-1856 and his wife Anna Pyke 1781-1846
Captain George Lewis Browne R N was born circa 1784 in Bridgwater Somerset. He was a member of the Unitarian Chapel in Dampiet Street and is now buried in the non conformist section of Wembdon Road cemetery.
He led a varied and interesting life.
He fought alongside Lord Nelson, on HMS Victory, at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 and helped compose the famous 'England Expects...' signal. He was present at Nelson's funeral.
Around 1814 he married Anna the daughter of Thomas Pyke Esq. (The WRC archive says 'Annie' which is probably a misreading of the worn stone)
The Pyke family had been in the ascendancy at Christ Church Chapel Bridgwater since the 18th century and they were Braziers and Founders in Bridgwater.
Goerge and Anna had a least two children; Samuel Woolcott Browne born c.1816 and Maria Browne born c.1818.
In 1841 George Lewis Browne is working as the Manager of the West of England & South Wales District Bank, which was on the Cornhill Bridgwater.
The 1841 census shows George L. Browne aged 58, occupation Banker living at the Cornhill, Bridgwater with his wife, 2 children, sister Fanny (48), Mary Browne (49), and Augusta Browne (7). James How (25) Accountant lives with them with his wife, Hannah, who is one of their three servants.
In 1846 Anna died and was buried in the burial ground of Christ Church Chapel Dampiet St. In 1853 she was exhumed and moved to the Wembdon Road Cemetery to be in the Browne family vault.
The 1851 census shows George L. Browne, aged 68, a widower of Fore Street. He is described as Capt. Royal Navy, Magistrate County of Somerset, Magistrate borough of Bridgwater, Barrister not in practice, Commissioner of Taxes and Turnpike Trust and Manager of the West of England District Bank. Living with him are his spinster sister Fanny and his sister Mary with her husband John Bowden Gentleman.
On the 22nd of April 1856 George Lewis Browne died, aged 72, during or shortly after his Brother John Browne's year of Mayoralty. He was buried in the Browne Vault at Wembdon Road Cemetery
Samuel Woolcott Browne was born circa 1816 probably the eldest child and son of George L. Browne. He was a Corn and General Merchant. In 1850 he married Thomazine Leigh Carslake and in the following year he is living in Friarn Street Bridgwater. Samuel & his wife were living at Clifton, Bristol by 1861 and in 1881 Samuel was living in 58, Porchester Terrace Paddington where he died in the same year. It is unlikely that he was brought back for burial in the family vault.
In the Dampiet Street Unitarian Chapel is a plaque to the man:
In memory of George Lewis Browne, Captain Royal Navy, and of Ann his devoted and beloved wife, this tablet is erected by their sorrowing children who affectionately cherish as their best heritage the consolatory rememberance of their parents bright example in every relation of life. During many years active service Captain Browne obtained the trust and highest commendation of Admiral Lord Nelson under whose immediate command he distinguished himself at the Battle of Trafalgar. After the restoration of peace he became barrister of law of the inner temple and subsequently a magistrate for the county of Somerset. He was born 15th January 1784 and died 22nd April 1856. His wife, daughter if Thomas and Ann Pyke of this town was born 9th December 1781 and died 25th October 1846.