BROWN, Thomas Common
Thomas Common Brown was born at Shilbottle, Alnwick, Northumberland on 21 December 1828 and baptised at Shilbottle on 11 January 1829, son of James Brown, a carpenter, and his wife Jane née Common. In 1844 apprenticed as a millwright and in 1849 commenced work for engineers Robert Stephenson and Co. and in 1852 moved to the engine works of R. and W. Hawthorn, where he designed marine engines and the following year moved to the works of R. Morrison and Co at Ouseburn Engine Works. Thomas married at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland in 1855, Frances Fiddes (1833-1908) and in 1859 they came to Ipswich when he joined Ransome and Sims, engineers, and with whom he remained for 28 years, latterly as Chief Draughtsman and manager’s Chief Assistant. Thomas was engaged in the design and manufacture of various classes of agricultural machinery, being in several cases the inventor and patentee. In 1861, a 32-year-old general smith, living at 5 Borough Road, Ipswich with his 27-year-old wife Frances and two children, James 3 and Dorothy 1. In 1871, a civil engineer, now living at 147 Woodbridge Road, Ipswich with four children, James Fiddes 13, born Durham with Dorothy Jane 11, Alice 9 and Frances 7, all born at Ipswich. A member of the Ipswich Art Club 1890-1897 from 147 Woodbridge Road, Ipswich but does not seem to have exhibited. Thomas Common Brown died at 147 Woodbridge Road, Ipswich on 17 December 1909, aged 81, leaving an estate of £4,177.