People Australia

  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites
  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites
  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites

Browse Lists:

Cultural Advice

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website contains names, images, and voices of deceased persons.

In addition, some articles contain terms or views that were acceptable within mainstream Australian culture in the period in which they were written, but may no longer be considered appropriate.

These articles do not necessarily reflect the views of The Australian National University.

Older articles are being reviewed with a view to bringing them into line with contemporary values but the original text will remain available for historical context.

Thomas Brown (c. 1764–1792)

Thomas/John Brown, a nurseryman, was found guilty on 10 September 1783 at the Old Bailey, London, of the theft of a tortoise shell snuff box worth 5 pence. Sentenced to 7 years transportation he was sent to the Censor hulk as John Brown, and arrived at Sydney in January 1788 aboard the Scarborough as part of the First Fleet.

As Thomas Browne he married Elizabeth Barber on 17 February 1788. Their first two children died not long after their births. His daughter Elizabeth, born in June 1791, was living with her parents in December 1791.

By August 1791 Mould was working a farm at the Northern Boundary Farms in partnership with William Mould and William Bradbury. It is believed that he was the Thomas Brown who was buried at Parramatta on 28 January 1792.

* information from Mollie Gillen, The Founders of Australia: A Biographical Dictionary of the First Fleet (1989), p 54

Citation details

'Brown, Thomas (c. 1764–1792)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/brown-thomas-30123/text37388, accessed 22 November 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Alternative Names
  • Brown, John
  • Browne, Thomas
Birth

c. 1764
England

Death

27 January, 1792 (aged ~ 28)
Parramatta, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Cause of Death

unknown

Cultural Heritage

Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.

Passenger Ship
Occupation or Descriptor
Key Events
Key Places
Convict Record

Crime: theft
Sentence: 7 years
Court: Old Bailey, London
Trial Date: 10 September 1783
(1783)

Pre-transportation

Occupation: horticulturist

Post-transportation

Children: Yes (3)