The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-06-23
BOWDOlN COLLEGE.
The Connection of Rev Thomas Browne
of the Town of Falmouth, the Part
That is Now City of Deering, With the
Institution.

uC W0oocAAJ way SLUG OL OcO1 h1S ooAOSo
just before Forest Avenue IS reached at
Woodfords, in Deering. is one that pleas
es the observing passer-by on account of
it's terrace of artistically arranged shrubs
and trees, and evidences of cultivated
taste of the occupants of the premises.
But just now the space between the re-
sidence of Mr.. George Racket and DR..
Albion P. Topliff should receive unusual
historical notice because it was long
the abiding place of Rev. Thomas
Browne in whose brain l believe was en-
gendered the thought that culminat-
ed in the establishment of Bowdoin Col
lege which was incorporated June "a,
1794, just century ago tomorrow and
of which he became the first Vice Pres
ident.
An idea Of the personal attractions,
charms, and oratorial powers of Parson
Browne can be formed from the follow
ing from che
Eastern Herald and Gazette of Maine
Portland, October Both, 1897.
"On Wednesday the 18th inst. departed
this life at Falmouth in the sixty-fourth
year of his age, the Rev. Thomas Browne.
minister of the second Congregational
church in that town.
He was a son of Harvard University,
graduated.in the year 1852
He was known to be gentleman of
exaordinary mental abilities, blest with
tenacious memory, sound and pene-
tratlng Judgment and lively invention !;
as well as an accurate and excellent
scholar, without pedantry.
On suitable occasions he appeared
brilliant in wit and innocent humor;
and he was most pleasant companion,
highly esteemed and loved by all his
acQ ua1ntaDces. AS leader in public
devotion he was remarkably engaged and
solemn, as well as pertinent and pathet-
ic, Gin all his addresses to heaven. Be-
ing weighty in the Scriptures, as a tex
tuary and expositor he shone brightly in
preaching, uniting in his sermons
strength of argument and moving rhet-
oric, with good voice, a just elocu-
ton, and plain correct stile; which
rendered him verytaccepta BILE preacher
to both learned and unlearned authors.
Without callingsany man master but
loving and embracing the truth-he took
his Theological principles from the
Bible, the true fountain of truth His
sentiments were orthodox, without
rightly and catholick without licen-
tiousness.
Filled with charity, he cordially en-
braced all who appeared as the sincere
friend of Christ, tho differing from
him in former religious sentiments; not
think king it best to wound the unity of
the Church by contending for non-essen-
tial truths.
But the best part of. his character is
that he lived as he preached, being ex-
emplary in the practice of all Christian
virtues. Not only was he a sincere lover
of peace, but SO able an adviser and re-
conciler that his presence was very often
required to assist in ecclesiastical coun-
ellis in the vicinity and not seldom from
a very considerable distance. Indeed it
may be said of him with truth that his
praise was in all the churches.
This servant of God greatly excelled in
prudence, in equanimity, in humility. in
love to those who love the moral image
of God, i'll patience under beraavements
and various Gatherings and disappoint-
ments.
And with singular fortitude and seren-
ity of mind he bore his last illness, tho
lingering and painful, retaining the full
use of every power of his mind to the
last day of his life. He was enabled to
contemplate and speak of his approach
ing dissolution, without any apparent
trepidation.
And at last in kind of deliauium
or fainting fit, unlocked for by himself
and friends, bout him, he met his great
change which we trust is his infinite
gain. Thus lived and died this eminent
minister of Christ. leaving behind him
a sorrowing widow and five children to
deplore their unspeakable loss, in which
they are joined by the honored Church
and Congregation. Help Lord for the
G odly man ceaseth; for the faithful fall
from among the children of men.
He came of remarkable family. A
Thomas Browne married Martha, wild
ow of Richard Oldham, and lived inCam-
bridge, Mass. His son Ichabod born
Sept. 5. 1866, lived there John, son of
Ichabod, born Nov. /, 1895, graduated
at Harvard 1714, ordained at Haverhill
May IS, 1719, died there Dec. 2, 1742. He
was the father of nine children, four of
whom became clergymen, daughter
named Abigail, married Rev. Edward
Brooks, at one time settled at North
Yarmouth, from whom descended Bish-
OPP Brooks. Another daughter married
John Chapman, an able lawyer of Mable-
head, Mass, who graduated at Harvard,
1873, son of Rev. John Chapman, and
fell July 1, 176s, in Portland while
pleading a cause, expired in two hours,
was buried in the Eastern cemetery,
where monument erected to his mem
DRY may be seen.
Rev. Thomas Browne, next to the
youngest child of Rev. John Browne, was
born May 17,1734, atHaverhill, graduated
at Harvard 1852, married widow Lydia
Howard in 1868, became the pastor and
was installed over the Stroudwater parish
in Falmouth, Aug .21, 1865. died in a
two story yellow. colored house that
stood end to the highway at the place
mentioned in the foregoing. At the old
Sroudwater cemetery may be seen a
headstone at his grave inscribed as
follows
Here lies inferred
The mortal part of .,.-.. .v
The Rev. Thomas Browne
Who expired in the hope of
A glorious Immortality,
On the 18th, day of October, 1877;
In the 64th. year of his age