[janwhin]

Turn over a stone and it's interesting what you find!

According to Trinity House, they built the lighthouse in 1841 at a cost of £3268 (bit different to Browne's £14,000)

Thomas Browne was a Warkworth Harbour Commissioner, partner in Radcliffe Coal Company and shipowner. In 1848 he faced bankruptcy proceedings, the petitioner being Mary Dodds of Alnwick, widow and woollen and linen draper. The Jurist and London Gazette confirmed the bankruptcy in 1849 (Newcastle District Court). Newcastle Courant 10 March 1854, notice stating that on 31 March a first and final dividend would be made in the case of Thomas Browne of Amble, shipowner.
There is a court case taken by Browne against a boatbuilder who refused to release a boat he had built. Apparently it had been paid for part cash and part bills of exchange drawn on Radcliffe coal company, signed only by Browne. The court found against Browne.
Perhaps the entry in 1855 Slater Directory was a bit of spin, designed to restore a public reputation?
Thomas Browne buried Kensal Green, All Souls, Kensington, London on 16 April 1862, aged 60.