Benjamin Brown

London merchant, partner in Robert & Benjamin Brown & Co. (q.v.), awarded with Robert Brown (q.v.) the compensation for the Cupar or Cooper Grange estate in Trinidad as mortgagee. The firm was described as 'merchants and drapers' in 1813 and 'merchants and warehousemen' in 1837. It was dissolved in 1847 after the death of Robert Brown. The fortunes of the two men, who were almost certainly brothers, apparently diverged before their respective deaths.

1. Benjamin Brown (1777-1851) was shown as of The Cedars Clapham Common and as the brother of Robert Brown of Wellfield House (1771-1847) in the Visitation of England and Wales, which showed him dying at Bath in 1853. Will of Benjamin Brown merchant [late of the City of London] of Bath Somerset proved 23/06/1853. He left his property (which included the advowson of the parish of Bedstone, Salop and six shares in an estancia in Buenos Aires, under the direction of John Plowes and Co.) to his nieces and nephews including his leasehold cottage in Orchard Street Clapham. His identity as the brother of Robert Brown of Wellfield House is cemented by the presence in Benjamin Brown's will of nephews surnamed Kilburn: Elizabeth Brown, the sister of Robert Brown of Wellfield House and of Benjamin Brown had married William Kilburn of Wallington.

T71/894 Trinidad 1837. Claim by Henry Scott of Port of Spain. Counterclaim by Robert and Benjamin Brown of Cheapside London merchants, mortgage £11123 10s 9d on 31/12/1833. Adjudged 30/04/1838 to counterclaimants, their right as first mortgagees being decreed upon appeal to Privy Council made 27/02/1838. Boyle's Directory of 1835 shows Benjamin Brown 49 Howland St. 1838 PO London Directory Robert & Benjamin Brown & Co. Merchants 157 Cheapside.

1. Joseph Jackson Howard, Visitation of England and Wales Notes (1897) Volume 2 p. 55 'Pedigree of Brown.' PROB 11/2173/348. The Benjamin Brown gentleman of Howland Street Fitzroy Square whose short will, proved 18/01/1848 (PROB 11/2067) makes no reference to commercial interests or to real estate and left his entire estate to his daughter Elizabeth Eleanor Brown, the sole executrix, thus appears unconnected. This Benjamin Brown aged 75 Independent was living at Howland Street with Eliza Brown aged 40 in 1841.