John Browne (sheriff)
Encyclopedia
John Browne was an Irish
mapmaker and Sheriff
.
Browne appears to have been a member of the Anglo-Norman
Browne family of Kilpatrick, County Westmeath
. By his own account, he was "the first Englishman (Anglo-Irish
) that in the memory of man settled himself to dwell in the county of Mayo."
In August 1583, while servant to Sir Christopher Hatton, he created town plans of Athenry
and Galway
, which he sent to Sir Francis Walsingham. That November, he was appointed the first Sheriff
of County Mayo
. He settled at The Neale, Ballinrobe
, on lands thought to have been acquired from the Mac Meyler Bourkes. In the summer of 1584, he prepared a map of Mayo, leaving out the barony of Costello
and parts of Gallen and Clanmorris. This map was created at the request of Sir Richard Bingham, and was sent to Walsingham. He was again appointed Sheriff in 1587.
Other maps by Browne included one of Connacht, which was completed by his nephew, John, in 1591, and one of parts of County Monaghan
.
Browne and his sub-Sheriff, Donnel O'Daly, were killed in an encounter with Risdeard mac Deamhain and Chorrain and Walter na mBuilleadh Burke at Burrishoole
in February 1589 at the start of a major rebellion.
John Browne married Ann, daughter of Thomas Kardyff of Dunsink, County Dublin
. From their only son, Josias Browne, descends Baron Kilmaine
, Marquess of Sligo
and a number of other Browne families in Mayo. They were known as Browne of the Neale, and distinct from the family of Browne - one of the Tribes of Galway
- who also settled in Mayo and assumed the title Baron Oranmore and Browne
. Other descendants included John Browne of the Neale (1638-1712?); John Browne (died 1762) and Henry Browne, Chief Justice of Jamaica
.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
mapmaker and Sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
.
Browne appears to have been a member of the Anglo-Norman
Anglo-Norman
The Anglo-Normans were mainly the descendants of the Normans who ruled England following the Norman conquest by William the Conqueror in 1066. A small number of Normans were already settled in England prior to the conquest...
Browne family of Kilpatrick, County Westmeath
County Westmeath
-Economy:Westmeath has a strong agricultural economy. Initially, development occurred around the major market centres of Mullingar, Moate, and Kinnegad. Athlone developed due to its military significance, and its strategic location on the main Dublin–Galway route across the River Shannon. Mullingar...
. By his own account, he was "the first Englishman (Anglo-Irish
Anglo-Irish
Anglo-Irish was a term used primarily in the 19th and early 20th centuries to identify a privileged social class in Ireland, whose members were the descendants and successors of the Protestant Ascendancy, mostly belonging to the Church of Ireland, which was the established church of Ireland until...
) that in the memory of man settled himself to dwell in the county of Mayo."
In August 1583, while servant to Sir Christopher Hatton, he created town plans of Athenry
Athenry
Athenry is a town in County Galway, Ireland. It lies east of Galway city, and one of the attractions of the town is its medieval castle. The town is also well-known by virtue of the song "The Fields of Athenry".-History:...
and Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
, which he sent to Sir Francis Walsingham. That November, he was appointed the first Sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
of County Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
. He settled at The Neale, Ballinrobe
Ballinrobe
-Early history:Dating back to 1390, Ballinrobe is said to be the oldest town in South Mayo. The registry of the Dominican friary of Athenry mentions the monastery de Roba, an Augustinian friary whose recently restored ruins are one of the historical landmarks of the town today...
, on lands thought to have been acquired from the Mac Meyler Bourkes. In the summer of 1584, he prepared a map of Mayo, leaving out the barony of Costello
Costello
Costello is a surname in the English language. The name is an Anglicised form of the Irish Mac Oisdealbhaigh, meaning "son of Oisdealbhach". The Irish Oisdealbhach is derived from two elements: the first, os, means "deer"; the second element, dealbhach, means "in the form of", "resembling"...
and parts of Gallen and Clanmorris. This map was created at the request of Sir Richard Bingham, and was sent to Walsingham. He was again appointed Sheriff in 1587.
Other maps by Browne included one of Connacht, which was completed by his nephew, John, in 1591, and one of parts of County Monaghan
County Monaghan
County Monaghan is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Monaghan. Monaghan County Council is the local authority for the county...
.
Browne and his sub-Sheriff, Donnel O'Daly, were killed in an encounter with Risdeard mac Deamhain and Chorrain and Walter na mBuilleadh Burke at Burrishoole
Burrishoole
Burrishoole is one of the nine baronies of County Mayo in Ireland.-Legal context:Baronies were created after the Norman invasion as subdivisions of counties and were used for administration. While baronies continue to be officially defined units, they have been administratively obsolete since 1898...
in February 1589 at the start of a major rebellion.
John Browne married Ann, daughter of Thomas Kardyff of Dunsink, County Dublin
County Dublin
County Dublin is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Dublin Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Dublin which is the capital of Ireland. County Dublin was one of the first of the parts of Ireland to be shired by King John of England following the...
. From their only son, Josias Browne, descends Baron Kilmaine
Baron Kilmaine
Baron Kilmaine is a title that has been created twice, both times in the Peerage of Ireland. The first creation came in 1722 in favour of the soldier the Hon. James O'Hara. Two years later he succeeded his father as Baron Tyrawley. However, both titles became extinct on the second Baron Tyrawley's...
, Marquess of Sligo
Marquess of Sligo
Marquess of Sligo is a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1800 for John Browne, 3rd Earl of Altamont. The Marquess holds the subsidiary titles of Baron Mount Eagle, of Westport in the County of Mayo , Viscount Westport, of Westport in the County of Mayo , Earl of Altamont, in the...
and a number of other Browne families in Mayo. They were known as Browne of the Neale, and distinct from the family of Browne - one of the Tribes of Galway
Tribes of Galway
The Tribes of Galway were fourteen merchant families who dominated the political, commercial, and social life of the city of Galway in western Ireland between the mid-13th and late-19th centuries. They were the families of Athy, Blake, Bodkin, Browne, D'Arcy, Deane, Font, Ffrench, Joyce, Kirwan,...
- who also settled in Mayo and assumed the title Baron Oranmore and Browne
Baron Oranmore and Browne
Baron Oranmore and Browne, of Carrabrowne Castle in the County of Galway and of Castle Macgarrett in the County of Mayo, is a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1836 for Dominick Browne, who had earlier represented County Mayo in the House of Commons. His son, the second Baron, sat...
. Other descendants included John Browne of the Neale (1638-1712?); John Browne (died 1762) and Henry Browne, Chief Justice of Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
.