browns of chester

[aussie01]

Hello,

Gee have to get used to the new look for this site, was little bit confusing but happily found my way in. Looks good though.

I am searching for any information on susannah brown who founded browns of chester. There is lots of info saying browns was "the department store"of its time and that Susannah brown founded the store in 1780 but i can not find any info on susannah herself, family, children, husband etc.
According to my father we are somehow related to the browns, so out of curiosity i thought i would check it out but after two days of searching the net i can not find any info on susannah the person.

Any help greatly appreciated

Regards yvette.

[grisel]

It may be worth contacting Chester History and Heritage

https://www.cheshirewestandchester.go..._heritage.aspx

[gasser]

the following is an extract from goole book search - a Book entitled
Browns and Chester: portrait of a shop, 1780-1946

Susannah Brown (nee Towsey). The "founder" of Browns of Chester.
She ran a little drapery and haberdashery shop with her sister, Elizabeth,
at the corner by the Cross.
Her family had been connected with the hattery and hosiery business
in Chester from the early 1700's.
She married John Brown, who had a druggist's shop a few yards down the street, in 1788.
1788.

Now..... at least a search can be made for the name Towsey......
igi pilot search reveals there was a
Susannah christened 23rd July 1758 at St Peter Chester, father Thomas,
Elizabeth christened 18th March 1753 at St Peter Chester, father Thomas.

Hope this gets you started ......must go and start meal!!
regards
Gail

[geneius]

Hello

Yes I remember shopping there with my mother it was an upmarket shop in the 1960/70's

Current info now linked to Debenhams

visitchester.com for pictur and details

geneius

[gasser]

Further to my previous post

Sarah christened 17th May 1761 at St Peter Chester, father Thomas, mother Sarah

A Thomas Towsey married Sarah Butterworth 18th November 1750 at St John the Baptist, Chester

now I really must go..........
Gail

[aussie01]

You ladies are wonderful, did not know about google books. Indeed I had to wip of and do the dinner thing also, no rest until everyone is fed. So I am now going to spend the next few hours checking out your information at least i have name to go on now.

Big thanks yvette.

[gasser]

Ok........some more for you courtesy of igi pilot search:

Name: John Brown Marriage:19 Jun 1788 Marriage Place: St Peter, Chester, Cheshire,
Principal's Residence: St. Oswald, Chester, Cheshire,
Spouse's Name: Susanna Towsey Spouse's Residence: St. Oswald, Chester, Cheshire,

children of John & Susannah:
William Brown b.10th Apr 1789 chr.5th May 1789 St. Michael's, Chester, Cheshire
Henry Brown b. 25th Jul 1795 chr. 3rd Jan 1796 St. Michael's, Chester, Cheshire
Sarah Brown b. 16th Apr 1790 chr. 6th Jun 1790 Chester
Eliza Brown b. 24th Mar 1794 chr.19th Jun 1794 Chester

from Pigot's Directory of Cheshire 1828-29
'Brown Wm & Hy Milliners Eastgate Street Row Chester'

possible deaths:
Susannah Brown Burial Date: 12 Dec 1828 Burial Place: Farndon, Cheshire,
John Brown Burial Date: 24 Apr 1820 Burial Place: St John the Baptist, Chester, Cheshire,
John Brown Burial Date: 26 Apr 1830 Burial Place: Aston-by-Sutton, Cheshire

St Bridget; St John the Baptist (part) St Martin; St Mary on the Hill (part) St Michael; St Olave; St Oswald (part) and St Peter, were all parishes of Chester - further information on these parishes can be found on genuki Chester

hope this helps, cheers for now
Gail