Reverend Chad Brown I (circa 1600-1650) was one of the first ministers of the First Baptist Church in America

First Baptist Church in America

The First Baptist Church in America is the First Baptist Church of Providence, Rhode Island, also known as First Baptist Meetinghouse. The oldest Baptist church congregation in the United States, it was founded by Roger Williams in Providence, Rhode Island in 1638...

 and a co-founder of Providence, Rhode Island

Providence, Rhode Island

Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...

. Brown was also the American progenitor of the Brown family of Rhode Island, known for its association with Brown University

Brown University

Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...

.

Settlement in Providence

Chad Brown was born in Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England and married Elizabeth Sharparowe on 11 September 1626 in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England. He immigrated to New England

New England

New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...

 from England on the ship “Martin” with his wife Elizabeth and son John. The family arrived in Boston in the Massachusetts Colony in July of 1638. He soon moved to Providence which was recently purchased by Roger Williams

Roger Williams (theologian)

Roger Williams was an English Protestant theologian who was an early proponent of religious freedom and the separation of church and state. In 1636, he began the colony of Providence Plantation, which provided a refuge for religious minorities. Williams started the first Baptist church in America,...

 from the Native Americans. Later in 1638, Brown and twelve others signed the Providence Compact governing the new colony. Chad Brown became known as an arbitrator of disputes in the colony, and he was also the town's initial surveyor. Brown owned a lot on “Towne Streete,” (now South Main street and Market Square

Market Square, Providence, Rhode Island

Market Square is a market square in Providence, Rhode Island. It is located at the intersection of present-day North Main Street and College Street.-History:...

) along with land under what is currently University Hall

University Hall (Brown University)

The University Hall at Brown University is the first and oldest building on campus.-History:Built in 1770, it was originally known as the College Edifice...

 of Brown University

Brown University

Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...

. The site was chosen by his descendants to establish Brown University in Providence on College Hill

College Hill, Providence, Rhode Island

College Hill is a neighborhood in Providence, Rhode Island, and one of six neighborhoods comprising the East Side of Providence and part of College Hill Historic District. It is roughly bounded by North Main Street to the west, Power Street to the south, Governor Street and Arlington Avenue to...

. Brown also served on a committee determining the governance of the colony while Roger Williams was in England gaining an official charter for the colony from 1643 to 1644.

Children

His children were:

• John Brown I, born in 1630, England; d. 1706; m. Mary Holmes.
• Daniel Brown I, b. about 1645; d. 1710; m. Alice Hearndon.
• Phebe Brown, b. England; m. (1) Thomas Lee; m. (2) Greenfield Larrabee.
• James Brown I - b. England; d. 1683; m. Elizabeth Carr. Rhode Island's Brown University is named for Nicholas Brown, Jr.
  Nicholas Brown, Jr.
  Nicholas Brown, Jr. , was a Providence, Rhode Island businessman and philanthropist who was the namesake of Brown University.-Biography:...
  
   a descendant of Chad and Elizabeth Brown through James Brown I, and his son, Nicholas Brown, Sr..
• Jeremiah Brown I, born in 1634, England; d. 1690; m. (1) Mary Gardner; m. (2) Mary Cook
• Judah Brown
• Chad Brown II, d. May 10, 1663.

Pastorship of First Baptist Church

In 1639 Mr. Brown assumed the leadership of the First Baptist Church in America

First Baptist Church in America

The First Baptist Church in America is the First Baptist Church of Providence, Rhode Island, also known as First Baptist Meetinghouse. The oldest Baptist church congregation in the United States, it was founded by Roger Williams in Providence, Rhode Island in 1638...

, which had been briefly pastored by Roger Williams. During Brown's pastorship, the church worshipped in a grove or orchard and in the houses of its members. Rev. Chad Brown remained pastor until his death sometime before 1650. His remains were initially interred near the corner of College and Benefit Streets, but were moved in 1792 to the North Burying Ground. His wife was listed a a widow in the September 1650 Tax List.