Number “I” is to distinguish this Brown family from that of the same name designated as “II” since the two “families” split genetically about 400BCE as attested by yDNA testing. Clearly, the surname arose independently with both Brown I & II and they have had their own distinct histories in the historical period. Today, Brown I descendants are numerous within the US, unfortunately so far we have been unable to link them to their ancestors in England from where their paternal line without any doubt crossed the Atlantic.
Brown I immigration to America was of an early date, they were certainly present there by the 2nd half of the 17th century. The key node for genealogical research is Thomas Browne, known as the Patuxent Ranger, who died in Anne Arundel Co, Maryland Colony in 1715. Currently there are at least four yDNA tested men whose descent can be traced back to Thomas and whose paternal chromozome profiles match. They carry haplogroup R1b-JFS0217 which is estimated to had formed in 1600AD, i.e. roughly in Thomas’ time.
Altought there is a lot of information on the Ranger Thomas published in books as well as online, much of it must be doubted or refuted. His birth year is usually given either as 1668 or bef. 1648 but in fact it is not known when he was born.
<--Zavet Thomase B. od Elisabeth River zminuje Wm. Greena stejne jako zavet Johna B. v Ann Arundel.
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