I am related to a Brown family through my great grandfather, Charles Marsh Brown Hurst,born Hewelsfield, 1871, who was the son of Caroline Geneva Brown (1848) and Thomas Hurst. Caroline Brown was the daughter of Charles Brown (1817-1891 (Waterman and Innkeeper) (he was running the "Royal Arms" in Hewelsfield 1871 census, and an Ellen Victoria Jenkins. Charles Brown (1817-1891)was down as living at Royal Arms Cottage, Brockweir, at the time of his death. He was the son of Thomas Brown 1781-1867 (dates approx) and Ann Marsh 1776-1827.

My great grandfather was born in Hewelsfield in 1871, but was staying in Liverpool by 1881 (ex census), with his mother Caroline, she died 1896 Liverpool as Caroline Geneva Sandys, appears to have married 4 times, shown as widowed? Charles Marsh Brown Hurst died 1959 Liverpool age 85.

I think Brockweir/Hewelsfield were not very big places, Kellys directory 1970's 300 and odd inhabitants.

So your Browns may be related to mine.

Regards Yvonne Magee, Liverpool

Do you have the age of Henry when he died in 1838 - and the marriage/census info for the children of Henry and Elizabeth? Witnesses at wedding sometimes gives family clues.

On my CD - I do have a baptism of a James BROWN at Hewelsfield St Mary Magdalene - on the 14 November 1819 to Henry and Elizabeth (Shipwright) - which is about 1.97 miles from Brockweir. I've double checked, and it is Henry & Elizabeth (birth also on FOD records) There are only two Brown's baptised at Hewlesfield 1813-1837 -

Maria BROWN, parents John & Maria, no occupation: address Brockwear, baptised 22 October 1815.

These are quite a few BROWN families in Brockweir/Hewlesfield either Mariners or Navy - so difficult to sort out. Looking at the 1841 census for Tintern, quite a few BROWN's are Mariners.

The 1841 census for Hewlesfield, Brockweir (has these BROWN's) all on FOD records, again, residence Brockweir, and christened Tintern - Monmouth.

Thomas BROWN - 65 Waterman (not born in County)
Charles BROWN - 25 - Waterman (born in County)
Victoria BROWN - 25 - born in County

then in the same house..... we have

John BROWN - 20 - Shipwright - born in County
William BROWN - 25 - Shipwright - born in County - (shipwrights as your family)

On the 1851 Census for Hewlesfield, we have a Thomas BROWN visitor aged 46, saying he was born in Tintern, Monmouthshire!!

1851 Census, Devon,Stoke Damerel, Clowance, District 1a, Image 27
33 James Street

John BROWN, age 32, Shipwright, born Glos. Brockweir
Alice BROWN, age 28, born Monmouth, Tintern
Mary BROWN, age 5 - born ditto
Bertha BROWN, age 3, born Devon, Devonport
Alice J BROWN, age 1, born ditto

Looking at the Tintern baptisms, some of John & Alice's children were taken back to Tintern to be baptised.

1861 Census, Devon, Stoke Damerel, St Aubyn, District 5, Image 44
54 Chapel Street

John BROWN - age 41, Shipwright Gt ?Dockyard, born Glos. Hewlesfield
Alice BROWN - age 38, born Monmouthshire, Lintern
Mary BROWN - age 14, born ditto
Emma BROWN - age 3, born Devon, Devonport
James BROWN - age 1 - born ditto

On the Church of Latter Day Saints, there is a marriage at St Phillips & St Jacobs Bristol (where the Docks are and where many marriages took place - people went there to work from surrounding areas) - of a Henry BROWN to an Elizabeth PRITCHARD 8 March 1805.

Bristol isn't covered by Gloucestershire Family History Society's CD's - this is now under Bristol & Avon.

On the 'net'

Monmouthshire Parish Record Transcripts
(which include Tintern may give you answers) - being Shipwrights, the children may have been baptised else, although it seems to be a BROWN occupation. You would however, from the Tintern records, be able to form BROWN family groups, which may give you more clues.

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~monfamilies/monprts.htm

Christine (Brown) Hall
Canada