John Browne (sheriff) facts for kids
John Browne (died 1589) was an Irish cartographer and sheriff. A cartographer is someone who makes maps. A sheriff is a top law enforcement officer in a county.
Browne was likely part of the Anglo-Norman Browne family from Kilpatrick, in County Westmeath. The Anglo-Normans were people from England and France who came to Ireland many centuries ago. John Browne once said he was "the first Englishman (Anglo-Irish) that in the memory of man settled himself to dwell in the county of Mayo." This means he was the first person from England to live in County Mayo that anyone could remember.
A Mapmaker for Leaders
In August 1583, John Browne worked for an important person named Sir Christopher Hatton. During this time, he drew detailed plans of the towns of Athenry and Galway. He sent these plans to Sir Francis Walsingham, who was a powerful government official.
In November of that same year, Browne was chosen to be the very first Sheriff of County Mayo. He made his home in a place called The Neale, near Ballinrobe. He probably got this land from a family called the Mac Meyler Bourkes.
In the summer of 1584, John Browne created a map of County Mayo. He left out some parts, like the area of Costello and sections of Gallen and Clanmorris. This map was made because another important leader, Sir Richard Bingham, asked for it. Browne sent this map to Walsingham as well. He was appointed Sheriff again in 1587.
John Browne also made other maps. One was a map of the whole area of Connacht. His nephew, also named John, finished this map in 1591. He also mapped parts of County Monaghan.
His Final Days
In February 1589, John Browne and his assistant sheriff, Donnel O'Daly, were killed. This happened during a fight with rebels named Risdeard mac Deamhain and Chorrain and Walter na mBuilleadh Burke. They were killed in a place called Burrishoole. This event happened at the start of a big rebellion against the English rule.
His Family and Legacy
John Browne married a woman named Ann. She was the daughter of Thomas Kardyff from Dunsink, in County Dublin. They had only one son, Josias Browne.
From Josias Browne came many important families. These include the Baron Kilmaine and the Marquess of Sligo. Other Browne families in Mayo also came from this line. They were known as the Browne family of the Neale. They were different from another Browne family, one of the Tribes of Galway, who also settled in Mayo and became known as Baron Oranmore and Browne.
Other notable people who were descendants of John Browne include John Browne of the Neale (who lived from 1638 to about 1712) and John Browne (who died in 1762). Henry Browne, who was a Chief Justice in Jamaica, was also a descendant.
