Descendants of Robert Brooke

2. Mary BROOKE was born in Essex Co., Virginia and died on 28 Nov 1748 in Essex Co., Virginia.

General Notes: Mary may be Leonard's second wife and not the mother of Leonard's son Leonard.There is some argument but no solid proof.
Mary died without a will. Robert Rose applied for administration of estate. Essex Co. Will Bk. 8 pp.104-105

p73: Oct 18, 1718: Mary Tarrent[sic] of St Ann's Parish Essex Co, widow and
administratrix with the will annexed of Leonard Tarent[sic], Gent, appoint my trusty and well beloved brother Robert Brooke of same, Gent, my attorney to receive money, tobaccoes, goods or merchandize due to me from persons residing within the Kingdom of Great Brittain or Colony of VA. Mary Tarrent Wit: Salvator Muscoe, W. Brooke
Oct 21, 1718. Proved by Salvator Muscoe and Wm. Brooke. p38, 44-46, 51-52, 56-58, 64: Leonard Tarent is listed as a justice for various transactions

Mary married Leonard (Tarrent) TARRANT Of Essex Co Va about 1704. Leonard (Tarrent) TARRANT Of Essex Co Va died in 1718 in Maryland.

+ 7 M ii. Leonard TARRANT SR. was born about 1714 and died after 1791 in Greenville, SC.

3. Robert II BROOKE "The Knight" was born about 1700 in "Farmer's Hall" Essex County, Virginia and died about 1744 in Virginia, about age 44.

General Notes: STH 8 children in Will of 1736

Robert was a Knight of The Golden Horseshoe. There was a club for descendents of the Knights of the Golden Horseshoe in the basement of the Williamburg Inn. Helen Brooke Piemme has visited this club. The Knights of the Golden Horseshoe under Spotswood (1716) went over the mountain to claim land on the other side for King George. There is a marker on the spot where they rested and detail of the journey. King George knighted them and gave each a golden Horseshoe for services rendered.

1716 One of Spotswood Knight
1724 DEED: Essex Co, VA, 15 Sep, DB 17, Robert Brooke, Jr., and Phoebe, his wife; land that had belonged to his father, Robert Brooke
(Genealogies of Virginia Families I, Brooke, p. 444).
1726 he was appointed County Surveyor for Essex, a job which entailed marking lines, running boundaries, and supervising road crews.
1732 DEED: Essex Co, VA, 7 Jul, Robert Brooke, Jr, and wife Phoebe sold land that had come down from father, Robert Brooke, decd
(Genealogies of Virginia Families I, Brooke, p. 444).
1736 April 25,dated Will Although no birth dates were provided, we know from his 1736 will that Robert and his wife Phoebe had eight children, none of them yet "of age."

1737 May, 24th, Brooke wrote from his home in Essex to Colonel William Beverley, one of My Lord's commissioners, that despite a "Feaver" he was hurrying to finish the Prince William survey and would try to "get a fair plan of it" by the time of next court but "must be in Caroline all next week."
Beverley, less than sympathetic, replied: "I am very sorry for your so great indisposition-I heartily wish you a speedy recovery & pfect health-We should be very glad to have a plot of potomack as soon as possible, and I was in hopes we might have had it this week or the beginning of next, and as the duties of your offices interfere with each other, I think that of least consequence ought to give way to the greater, but this I leave to your own Judgement." Brooke made the deadline, for in the next session of the Virginia Council, his payment for "Surveying Potomac River, the boundary of Prince William County" was awarded, along with the money owed for tracing the Potomac to its headwaters.

1744 After these two large assignments, Robert Brooke seemed to stay closer to his family and his plantation; surviving plats are from Essex, Caroline, and Prince William counties. He died in 1744 leaving "an enviable reputation as surveyor," more than 8,000 acres of Virginia land, and most importantly, another fine surveyor: his eldest son Robert.
An accomplished surveyor in his own right, Robert was appointed County Surveyor of Essex and Caroline after his father's death. Like his father before him, young Robert was also chosen to make a journey in auspicious company. In the spring of 1744 he was one of "seven flaming fine gentlemen" selected to accompany Virginia commissioners to the frontier town of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. There they would be joined by delegates from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and the Six Nations of the Iroquois to negotiate a new land treaty. Virginia's senior commissioner was Thomas Lee of Stratford, presently to become acting governor, and his second was Colonel William Beverley of Orange County. The Virginians' journey began aboard the yacht Margaret, up the Chesapeake Bay to Annapolis, where they were "entertained by Governor and Madam Bladen. At Philadelphia old James Logan personally conducted them through his library; they hearkened to the Presbyterian preacher, Gilbert Tennent; and they took tea with the prominent Jewish merchant, Solomon Levy." At last arriving in Lancaster, the delegations settled down to arbitration. In due time, Commissioner Thomas Lee was able to report that Virginia was now bounded on the west "by the South Sea...including California."
Meanwhile, back in London, the Privy Council finally took up and adjudicated Virginia v. Fairfax. "The decree entered on April 11, 1745, found that the Northern Neck proprietary included all the lands between the rivers Potomac and Rappahannock lying east of a straight line from the head spring of Potomac, as established by the survey of 1736, to the head spring of the Rappahannock." It was now necessary to survey the Fairfax Line. Commissioners were appointed, and they in turn selected four surveyors: Peter Jefferson (father of Thomas Jefferson), Benjamin Winslow, Thomas Lewis, and Robert Brooke. From the Rappahannock head spring, the surveyors struck a northwest line which took them up and down mountains, through swamps, creeks, and thickets, all the while chaining the distance for 76 miles. Nearing the Potomac head spring, they sent Benjamin Winslow scouting for the trees marked ten years earlier. When he succeeded and returned to tell them, Thomas Lewis wrote "This piece of good News was So very agreeable yet it Seemd [to] Inspire every one with New life & vigour & was then Resolved to Run a traverse to the Spring head..."
When the entire party arrived at the copse of marked trees, Robert Brooke beheld his late father's carved initials. The team ran a corrected line back, and closed within 100 yards of their beginning point. The map prepared by Peter Jefferson and Robert Brooke "introduced topographic details of the little-known northern region between the Blue Ridge and Alleghenies that were a valuable addition to Virginia's cartography."

Securing Virginia's Future
The Brooke men's surveying careers can be measured by how much they were trusted by others, especially their professional peers who shared mutual cares, labors, and dangers. Although surveying Virginia's highways, byways, and wilderness kept them away from their families for extended periods, both men were loving husbands and fathers. Robert Brooke-father and son-were equally at ease with powerful colonial officials and settlers as well as Indians of the frontier. Both men, through their surveying, mapping, and ambassadorial contributions helped secure Virginia's future.

Mary Munson Rouse Root is a licensed land surveyor, the Editor of Backsights (Journal of the Surveyors Historical Society), and an 11th generation Virginian.
Copyright 1995 - 2004 by GITC America, Inc, Inc. Articles cannot be reproduced,
in whole or in part, without prior authorization from GITC America, Inc, Inc.

Robert Brooke (son of the Robert Brooke who settled in Essex County, Virginia) was a man of classical education and a skilled professional surveyor. In 1736, as one of the surveyors for His Majesty George II, Brook was commissioned to determine the boundary of Virginia's northern neck, proprietary holding of Lord Fairfax.
This Robert Brooke is said at one time to have owned at least twenty thousand acres of land in Virginia. He lived at "Farmer's Hall" on the Rappahannock River which was burned.

There is a tablet in the Essex Court House at Rappahannock, incribed thusly--

In Memory Of
ROBERT BROOKE
Gentleman Justice of Ye Old Court 1692-1706
and of
ROBERT BROOKE JR
Deputy Clerk of Ye Old Court 1700
HORSE SHOE KNIGHT
Robert Brooke, Jr died in 1744 leaving "an enviable reputation as surveyor,"and more than 8,000 acres of Virginia land

• Occupation: owned "Farmer's Hall," a 600-acre plantation along the banks of the Rappahannock River.

+ 8 M i. Col. Robert (S/O The Knight) BROOKE III was born about 1730 in "Brookesby" Essex County, VA and died about 1790 in Essex Co., Virginia, about age 60.

+ 9 M ii. Richard BROOKE Of Smithfield was born about 1732 in Virginia and died in 1792 in Virginia, about age 60.

14 M vii. Humphey BROOKE was born in Virginia, died on 11 May 1758 in Virginia, and was buried in Died Single/No Issue.

General Notes: 1763 WILL: Culpepr Co, VA, WB A-318, dtd 11 May 1758 and proved 17 Feb 1763.
Left all of estate in Culpeper and elsewhere to brother Richard;

4. Humphrey BROOKE Sr. was born about 1701 in Essex Co., Virginia and died on 14 Oct 1738 in King William Co. VA, about age 37.

General Notes: Proof that Humphrey was Husband of Elizabeth Braxton. (See Henny's Statues VIII,p.474, and Virginia Magazine of History and Biography Vol. X,p.197.
He died 14 Oct, 1738 (see Virginia Magazine of History and Biography April 1904, P. 445, also Virginia Magazine and Biography Vol. XV p.201.)

On 15 May 1738, George Braxton, Sr., George Braxton, Jr., Humphrey Brooke, Robert Brooke, Robert Rose and Thomas Chew obtained patents for 40,000 acres on both sides of the Fluvanna (now James River), and both sides of the Pedlar River in Goochland (now Amherst County) below the Great Mountains. The two Braxtons were large plantation owners in King and Queen County and active in local government. Upon their deaths, Carter Braxton inherited their westward land patents. His lands extended southwest from the Buffalo River along Tribulation Creek, Higginbotham Creek and Rutledge Creek and included the present Town of Amherst. Around 1768, Braxton began to sell parcels of his patent to settlers. In the family tradition, he remained in politics and became one of the signers of The Declaration of Independence.

Humphrey owned jointly 5,000 acres of land at the foot of the "great mountains in the county of Spotsylvania", with his father-in-law, Col. George Braxton, his brother-in-law, George Braxton Jr., and his son Paulin and George Brooke. He also owned 10,000 acres between the "great mountains and the little mountains", with his brothers Robert and William Brooke, and George Braxton Sr. and George Braxton Jr.

Virginia Gazette (Parks), Williamsburg , July 21 to July 28, 1738.
RAN away, on Saturday the 15th Instant, at Night, from Mr. Humphry Brooke, in King William County, a Servant Man, nam'd John Harris, a Welshman: He had on a light colour'd Kersey Coat, Nicanees Wastecoat, and Duroy Breeches, a brown Linen Shirt, and worsted Cap.
1738 DEATH: King William Co, VA, 26 Oct, died at his house in said county, Mr. Humphrey Brooke, a merchant of considerable note anda justice of the peace of said county (Virginia Gazette).
(1) "Virginia Historical Magazine," Vol. 16, p.103,104. "The Brooke
Family," by Prof. St. George Tucker Brooke.
(2) Carolyn Tayloe Davidson Carey, Greenwood Village, CO. Cites: (a)
"VA Hist. Magazine," Vol. 11, p.445. (b) "William & Mary Quarterly,"
Jan 1903, p.210. (c) Will of Robert Brooke, Bk. 7, p.265.
(3) "Genealogical Abstracts from 18th-Century Virginia Newspapers,"
by Robert K. Headley, Jr. (Genealogical Pub. Co., Baltimore, 1987) p.4 Cites: (a) "The Virginia Gazette," 27 Oct 1738.
(4) "Vital Records of Three Burned Counties: Births, Marriages and
Deaths of King and Queen, King William and New Kent Counties,
Virginia, 1680-1860," by Therese Fisher (Heritage Books, 1995) p.23.
Cites: (a) ""King William County, VA," by Elizabeth Ryland (Dietz Press,
Richmond, VA, 1955). (b) "Virginia Gazette."
The Virginia Genealogist: The Brooke Family of Virginia

Humphrey married Elizabeth BRAXTON , daughter of George BRAXTON Sr. and Elizabeth PAULIN , about 1726.

General Notes: Elizabeth was the daughter of Col. George Braxton (1677-1748) and Elizabeth Paulin. Her brother, George Braxton Jr., was the father of Carter Braxton, signer of the Declaration of Independence.

! (1) "Virginia Historical Magazine," Vol. 16, p.103,104. "The Brooke
Family," by Prof. St. George Tucker Brooke.
(2) Carolyn Tayloe Davidson Carey, Greenwood Village, CO. Cites: (a)
"VA Historical Magazine," Vol. II, p.445.
(3) "The Compendium of American Genealogy," Vol. IV, ed. by
Frederick Adams Virkus (Reprint 1930. Genealogical Pub. Co.,
Baltimore, 1968) p.690. Ancestry of Rosalie McCormick Smithey.

! Birth: (2) d/o George Braxton/Elizabeth Paulin. (3) d/o Col. George
Braxton/Elizabeth Parlin.
Marriage to Humphrey Brooke Sr.: (1,2)

+ 16 M i. Col. George BROOKE was born about 1727 in Virginia, died on 7 Apr 1782 in Richmond, Richmond Co. VA, about age 55, and was buried in 1782 in King William Co. "Mantapike".

17 M ii. Paulin BROOKE was born on 28 Sep 1728 in Virginia and died about 1747 in Died Young, No Issue, about age 19.

General Notes: Depository: Principal Probate Registry / Class: Will-Register Books, 30 Strahan
SR Number: SR 04635
Reel Number: Not filmed
Title: Will of Paulin Brooke
References: Probate Act Book 1748.

Will of Paulin Brooke of Virginia, mariner. (See copy)

(1) Carolyn Tayloe Davidson Carey, Greenwood Village, CO. Cites:
(a) "VA Historical Magazine," Vol. II, p.445.

+ 18 M iii. Col. David Humphrey BROOKE Of Fauquier ² was born about 1730 in Fauquier Co., VA., died about 1802 in Fauquier Co., VA., about age 72, and was buried in 1802 in Fauquier County, VA

+ 19 M iv. Col. Robert BROOKE was born about 1729 in Virginia and died on 28 Jan 1790 in Essex Co., Virginia, about age 61.

5. William "The Elder" BROOKE was born about 1702 in Essex Co., Virginia and died in 1734 in Died In A Naval Battle, about age 32.

General Notes: 1734 April 4 dated Will, names "brother Humphrey Brooke"

He died early, leaving his widow, Sarah Taliaferro Brooke who proceeded with his plans and built the well known old colonial home known as "Brooke's Bank" on a part of the Old Plantation also facing the river. Here this branch of the Brooke family dwelt for more than two hundred years. ¹

William married Sarah TALIAFERRO , daughter of Lawrence TALIAFERRO and Sarah Alice THORNTON . Sarah was born about 1698 in Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Virginia and died in 1763 in St. Anne's PA, Essex, Virginia., about age 65.

General Notes: Was given land in recognition of her husband's service to King George II in 1751. Sarah built thr house called "Brooke's Bank"
¹

General Notes: In his will, William gives certain mountain land, which he patented " in common with George Braxton, Sr and Jr, and his two brothers" to his daughter Sarah Brooke, who never married.
1764 July 9 Informed of the proceeds to divide the Brookesby tract of land
Sarah Brooke in her will gave the land to her nephew John Brooke s/o brother William

¹

Table of Contents | Surnames | Name List

This Web Site was Created 12 Mar 2007 with Legacy 4.0 from Millennia

Descendants of Robert Brooke

Second Generation