Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 4.djvu/25

Rh on the continent. An account of this expedition belongs to general history, but the small golden horseshoes given by Governor Spotswood to members of the party in commemoration, with their appropriate motto Sic juvat transcendere montes, are still cherished by the descendants of the knights of the famous adventure. Robert Brooke married and among his children was a son Richard, of whom further.

(IV) Richard Brooke, youngest son of Robert (2) Brooke, moved up the Rappahannock river to Smithfield, on the same side of the river. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Colonel Francis Taliaferro, of Spottsyivania, West Virginia. Among his children was John Taliaferro, of whom further, and his twin brother, Francis Taliaferro. Three of the sons of Richard Brooke served in the revolutionary army and one son in the United States navy under the celebrated Paul Jones.

(V) John Taliaferro Brooke, son of Richard Brooke, was born August 27, 1763, at Smithfield, an old family estate on the Rappahannock river four miles below Fredericksburg, and died on his estate. Millvale, in Stafford county, West Virginia, in 1822, aged fifty-nine years. He studied for the legal profession and practiced it for a time in Fredericksburg, but later retired to his plantation, where he spent the remainder of his days. For many years he sat on the bench of the county court of Stafford county, serving also for many years as justice of the peace. He served as first lieutenant of artillery in the revolutionary war, at the age of eighteen, and in recognition of his gallant conduct at the battle of Eutaw was promoted to brigade major of the park of artillery by Charles Harrison, who commanded it, and was invited by him to live with him "in the same marquee to the end of the war." He married Anne Mercer, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Cary) Selden, of Salvington, Stafford county, Virginia. They were the parents of five children, three of whom attained adult age, namely: Samuel Selden married Angelina Edrington; Francis John, killed on Christmas Day, 1837. at the battle of Okeechobee, Florida, in the Seminole Indian war; Henry Laurens, of whom further. The family were members of the Episcopal church. Mr. Brooke being a vestryman of the parish.

(VI) Henry Laurens Brooke, son of John Taliaferro Brooke, was born at Millvale, in Stafford county, Virginia, July 16, 1808, died in Charles Town, West Virginia, in 1874, at Rion Hall, the home of his son-in-law, Judge Daniel B. Lucas. He was educated by private tutors until he was seventeen years old, when he went to private schools in Richmond. He took up the study of law and practiced in Richmond until after the civil war, when he removed to Baltimore, Maryland, where he practiced for a few years, after which he removed to Charles Town, West Virginia, where his death occurred. He was an advocate learned in the law, fearless in the championship of the right, and gained honor and distinction through capable service in public office. He was for many years commonwealth attorney for Richmond, and was the incumbent of several civil positions under the confederate states government. He was an old line Whig in political faith, and a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal church. He married Virginia, daughter of Judge Henry St. George and Ann Evelina (Hunter) Tucker. She died in Richmond, Virginia, in the fall of 1863, aged forty-seven years. She was a member of the Presbyterian church. Children: I. Evelina Tucker, born July 20, 1838; married Judge Daniel B. Lucas, for many years a judge in West Virginia courts. 2. Anne Selden, born June 10, 1840; married. December 5, 1867, James Fairfax McLaughlin, died 1904. 3. Virginia Dandridge. born June 3, 1842, died 1845. 4. St. George Tucker, born July 22, 1844; married, August 15, 1882, Mary Harrison, daughter of Thomas A. and Anne (Washington) Brown, of Charles Town, West Virginia. 5. John Taliaferro, born June 9. 1846. died July 20, 1846. 6. Francis John, born December 24, 1847; married, November 25, 1880, Elizabeth Gay Bentley, who died August 11, 1903. 7. Virginia Tucker, born Jul}^ 26. 1850, died July 1. 1865. 8. David Tucker, of whom further. 9. Elizabeth Dallas, born February 6, 1854. 10. Henry Laurens, born October 3, 1856; married Mrs. Mary Johnson. II. Laura Beverly, born April 21. i860; married Everett Wade Bedinger.

(VII.) David Tucker Brooke, son of Henry Laurens Brooke, was born in Richmond. Virginia. April 28. 1852. After studying for a time under private instruction he matriculated at the University of Virginia.