William Brockenbrough (jurist)
Encyclopedia
William Brockenbrough was born in Tappahannock
in Essex County, Virginia
, USA, the son of Dr. John Brockenbaugh and Sarah Roane. He attended the College of William and Mary
in 1798. He studied law and then went into private practice. In 1802-03 he represented Essex County in the House of Delegates
and became a member of the Council of State in May, 1803. His judicial career started when he was appointed as a judge of the general court on February 7, 1809. On February 20, 1834, he was appointed a judge of the Court of Appeals
but died just four years later.
In 1806, he married Judith Robinson White
. According to family history, Dolley Madison
said, "as a friend I find Mrs. Judith Brockenbrough unequalled." In 1814, following the burning of Washington
by Admiral Cockburn, she and Dolley Madison saved what valuables they could from the White House
before taking refuge at the Octagon House. Judith Brockenbrough's initials are scratched on a windowpane in an upstairs bedroom at Mount Vernon
. William Brockenbrough's home in Richmond
, at Fifth and Clay streets, was frequently visited by Chief Justice Marshall
and other notable citizens of Richmond.
Tappahannock, Virginia
Tappahannock is the oldest town in Essex County, Virginia, United States. The population was 2,068 at the 2000 census. Located on the Rappahannock River, Tappahannock is the county seat of Essex County...
in Essex County, Virginia
Essex County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,989 people, 3,995 households, and 2,740 families residing in the county. The population density was 39 people per square mile . There were 4,926 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile...
, USA, the son of Dr. John Brockenbaugh and Sarah Roane. He attended the College of William and Mary
College of William and Mary
The College of William & Mary in Virginia is a public research university located in Williamsburg, Virginia, United States...
in 1798. He studied law and then went into private practice. In 1802-03 he represented Essex County in the House of Delegates
Virginia House of Delegates
The Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years; unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbered years. The House is presided over by the Speaker of the House, who is elected from among the...
and became a member of the Council of State in May, 1803. His judicial career started when he was appointed as a judge of the general court on February 7, 1809. On February 20, 1834, he was appointed a judge of the Court of Appeals
Supreme Court of Virginia
The Supreme Court of Virginia is the highest court in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It primarily hears appeals from the trial-level city and county Circuit Courts, as well as the criminal law, family law and administrative law cases that go through the Court of Appeals of Virginia. It is one of...
but died just four years later.
In 1806, he married Judith Robinson White
Judith Brockenbrough
Judith Robinson White Brockenbrough was born in King William County, Virginia, was the daughter of John Camm White and Judith Braxton. She married William Brockenbrough in 1806. An intimate of Dolley Madison, wife of President James Madison, she was present in Washington when the British burned...
. According to family history, Dolley Madison
Dolley Madison
Dolley Payne Todd Madison was the spouse of the fourth President of the United States, James Madison, and was First Lady of the United States from 1809 to 1817...
said, "as a friend I find Mrs. Judith Brockenbrough unequalled." In 1814, following the burning of Washington
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
by Admiral Cockburn, she and Dolley Madison saved what valuables they could from the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
before taking refuge at the Octagon House. Judith Brockenbrough's initials are scratched on a windowpane in an upstairs bedroom at Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon (plantation)
Mount Vernon, located near Alexandria, Virginia, was the plantation home of the first President of the United States, George Washington. The mansion is built of wood in neoclassical Georgian architectural style, and the estate is located on the banks of the Potomac River.Mount Vernon was designated...
. William Brockenbrough's home in Richmond
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
, at Fifth and Clay streets, was frequently visited by Chief Justice Marshall
John Marshall
John Marshall was the Chief Justice of the United States whose court opinions helped lay the basis for American constitutional law and made the Supreme Court of the United States a coequal branch of government along with the legislative and executive branches...
and other notable citizens of Richmond.