Philippa Brown, (née Musgrave), wife of Thomas Brown

Philippa Brown was the daughter of Dr William Musgrave, the Exeter physician and antiquary and his wife Philippa (née Speke). Her exact date of birth has not been established but it is thought to have been sometime during 1699. On 25 October 1720, she married Thomas Brown in Exeter Cathedral. This portrait and the pendant of her husband were also painted in 1720.

Her father died within a year leaving her £1500 and a farm at Cullompton, but since his estate was heavily in debt the value of this bequest may not have been realised. Fortunately, Philippa’s recent marriage to Thomas Brown was to bring her financial security.