Genealogy Data Page 534 (Notes Pages)

Browne Christopher [Male] b. 1482 Swan Hall, Hawkedon, Suffolk, England - d. 3 JUL 1538 Hawkedon, Suffolk, England

More from History of Waterford, pg. 119

"This Christopher Browne ws Sheriff of Rutlandshire, 8th and 16th Hen. VII. (1492 and 1500), and 1st Hen. VIII (1509). He came over with Hen. VII., and assisted him against Richard III., for which good service King Hen. VIII., on the 6th day of July, in the 18th year of his reign, granted to his eldest son, Francis Browne, of counsel to Lady Margaret Beaufort (mother of Hen. VII.), Countess of Richmond and Derby, a patent, exempting him from holding the office of Sheriff or Escheater, and authorizing him to appear with his head covered in the presence of the King, his heirs, and successors, and of all great men, lords spiritual and temporal, and all other persons whomsoever of the kingdom. (Fuller's Hist. of the worthies of England.) That part of the arms, which appear in the 1st quarter, viz., per bend Argent and Sable, 3 mascles bendways counterchanged, and the crest, were, in 1480 (20th Edw. IV), granted to this Christopher Browne. (See Blore's Rutland, p. 209, where the grant is set out at length.).

Tolethorpe is situated on the right bank of the River Quash, in the Parish of Little Casterton, in Co. Rutland, about two miles north of the Borough of Stamford. In the 50th year of Edw. III (A.D. 1376), Sir Thomas de Burton, Knt., by deed, dated on the Saturday next after the feast of St. Martin, the Bishop, conveyed to John Browne, of Stamford, Esq., all his lands, tenements, rents and services in the Village of Little Casterton, with the reversion of the patronage of the church there. In the 5th year of Hen. VII., (1489) a fine was levied between Christohper Browne and others, plaintiffs, against Thomas Burton and Margaret, his wife, deforcients of a moiety of the manor of Tolethorpe and tenements, with the appurtenances."

Christopher Browne, son of Christopher Browne by his second wife Agnes Bedington, established himself in Suffolk County, purchasing two estates known as “ The Deans and Swans, contiguous to each other, and lying in the adjoining parishes of Somerton and Hawkedon. Swan Hall, Hawkedon, became the home seat of this branch of the Browne family and remained so for the next four generations, until the movement of the leading members of the family to America. Swan Hall is about a mile from Hawkedon. The original design was that of a Large E shape. What remains of the ancient structure is now a farm house. It is one of the oldest residence in the county and was probably built between 1400 and 1500. It was built of oak, and covered with plaster, excepting some of principal beams, which were elaborately carved. About 1820 the principal part of the building was taken down, and the beautiful paneling, carving, etc., of the interior were distributed among individuals in the neighboring parishes.

Christopher Browne died in 1538. His will dated May 27, 1531, was proved at Bury St. Edmunds, July 3, 1538. His property is described and bequeathed in his will.