 | Old churches, ministers and families of Virginia. |  |
No. XVII.
THE BROKENBROUGH AND FAUNTLEROY FAMILIES.
[After supposing that my work was done, a box of papers has been
sent me by a friend,[7]
from which, and a brief notice by himself, I have
drawn the following particulars concerning some members of the above-mentioned
families.]
Colonel William Brokenbrough, the first of the name in Virginia of
whom we have any information, settled in Richmond county and married
a Miss Fauntleroy. The Rev. Mr. Giberne married her sister. The sons
of Colonel Brokenbrough were Austin, who married a Miss Champe,
daughter of Colonel Champe, of King George. The children of Austin
Brokenbrough were Champe, who married a Miss Bowie, of Port Royal,
and left no sons. His surviving daughters are Mrs. Thornton, Mrs.
Peyton, and Mrs. George Fitzhugh, of Port Royal. The other son of
Austin Fitzhugh was John, who became an Episcopal clergyman,—a
learned, amiable, but somewhat eccentric man. He left one son,—Austin,
—who married a daughter of the late General Brown, of the United
States Army. The daughters of the first Austin Brokenbrough were
Lucy, who married a Mr. Alexander, of King George, and, at his death,
a Captain Quarles, of Orange; Elizabeth, who married the Rev. James
Elliott; Jane, who married Mr. Thomas Pratt, of King George, and was
the mother of Mrs. William and Benjamin Grymes and Mrs. Dangerfield
Lewis, of King George. At the death of Mr. Pratt, Jane married Mr.
Taliafero, of Blenheim. Newman Brokenbrough, the second son of
Colonel William Brokenbrough, left no children. More, the third son,
was the father of the late Colonel William Brokenbrough, of Richmond
county. John, the remaining son, was the father of the late Judge William
Brokenbrough, of the Court of Appeals, Dr. John Brokenbrough,
of Richmond, President of the Bank of Virginia, Thomas Brokenbrough,
also of Richmond, Arthur Brokenbrough, of the University of
Virginia, and of Dr. Austin Brokenbrough, of Tappahannock.
The first Austin Brokenbrough, son of Colonel William, was a man
of no little notoriety in Virginia. He was in the English army with
Washington, under General Braddock, but took a very different view of
his obligation to the Crown from General Washington. He, like some of
the old clergy, thought that he was perpetually bound by his oath of allegiance
to the King. He wished, however, to remain in America, as he
had a father, brother, children, and property here. He was willing to be
passive and obey our laws, but could not unite in what he considered rebellion.
the Northern Neck. In the year 1775, he sent in a petition to the Assembly,
asking leave to remain in Virginia on the terms above mentioned,
which was rejected. Nor only this, but not less than five companies of
men from Richmond, Caroline, and Westmoreland counties came to his
house, determined on some signal punishment, if not the taking of his
life, which he avoided by flying to England in a vessel about to sail from
Hobbs's Hole. His father and brother, though respecting his motives
for adhering to the Crown, joined themselves to the American party. I
have had access to a diary kept by this Austin Brokenbrough from the
time he set sail in 1775 to the time of his return at the close of the war,
and also to letters of the family. Although the diary is much mutilated,
enough remains to enable us to form a just estimate of his character and
a correct view of himself and companions in England during the war.
Some of them had been officers in the army with him, but most of them
were gentlemen from Virginia who sympathized with him. From his
diary it would seem that they had a merry time of it while in England,
especially in London, their chief place of rendezvous. But, in order to
relieve the tedium of such a state of idleness and suspense, the American
loyalists determined to form themselves into a company and offer their
services to the King in case of a threatened invasion from France. When
the time for electing officers arrived, a Lord Pepperell and John Randolph
of Virginia, brother of Speaker Randolph, were the candidates for the
captaincy. The former gained it by two votes. Major Grymes, who
married Mr. Randolph's daughter, was made ensign of the company.
The King most graciously accepted their offer. There was, however, no
need of their services. Mr. Randolph, it is said, died of a broken heart,
and made it his last request that his remains should be brought back to
Williamsburg and deposited in the College chapel, which request was
granted. Mr. Grymes also returned to Virginia. While in London the
American loyalists seem to have had a merry time of it, dining and
supping together at various inns, and having more private lodgings.
Those who approved their principles and conduct were not wanting in
hospitality to them,—especially Lord Dunmore, who either lived in London
or was often there. Among those who consorted together I find the
names not only of Randolph, Grymes, and Brokenbrough, but of Corbin,
Beverley, Maury, Brackenridge, Kirkpatrick, Wormley, Madison, Burnley,
Marshall, Norton, Gilmore, Innis, Steuart, Walker, Williamson, Richardson,
Fitch, Rhoan, Delany, Loyd, Stephenson. All of them appear to have
been Americans,—most of them Virginians. Whether they were all disaffected
to the American cause, or whether other considerations may not
have carried them thither, I know not. Mr. Brokenbrough seems to
have been intimate with them all.
Time seems to have hung heavy on Mr. Brokenbrough's hands. He
appears to have been more temperate than some of his companions, either
himself quite shocked at some things in his intercourse with them;
yet he speaks of taking two dinners at different taverns with one of them
in the same day, and again two suppers the same night, and being quite
drunk, with all the rest of his company, on one occasion. The manners
and morals of London must have been very bad at that time. Mr.
Brokenbrough exhibits a very varied character in his diary. At one
time we have a humorous parody on a passage in Shakspeare; then one
of Addison's hymns is copied into it. Now he visits the King's Chapel
in the morning, dines with a friend, and, "after bottle, goes to St.
Thomas's." Now he is in other churches, and speaks in praise of the
sermons, and now at different theatres, and with a company of ladies at
Vauxhall, all of whom, except the young ladies, drank too freely and
were vociferous.
While in Glasgow he heard the celebrated Dr. Robertson, the historian,
preach, and represents his delivery as the most inanimate and uninteresting,
though his style was good and some sentences striking. Much of
his time while in London was spent in hearing the debates in Parliament,
especially those on American affairs. He was present when Lord Chatham
delivered his last speech and fainted and was carried home. His
account of it is quite good. After spending seven years in this manner,
he becomes very desirous to return to Virginia. During his absence his
father and youngest son died, and his property was wasting away through
mismanagement and was in danger of confiscation. In the year 1782 he
came over, and we find him in a vessel at Boyd's Hole, but is advised by
his brother not to venture farther. After this he is in Charleston, S.C.
At what time he actually resettled himself in Virginia does not appear.
While at Boyd's Hole, on board the "Flag," he addresses a long letter to
Mrs. Tayloe, of Mount Airy, whose husband died during the war. The
letter is in reply to inquiries concerning some friends and relatives in
England. An extract from it will be interesting to some of my readers.
"Dear Madam:—I received your favour by my brother, and should
not have delayed returning my thanks for your kindness to my family
and benevolent wishes to myself had it not been that I am under severe
restrictions in a very small cabin. I lament the unhappy state of my
native country and the causes which separated me from my family, and
nothing is left for me but to be humbly content. It gives me pleasure
that good people and those I respect sympathize with me. The prayers
of such will, I hope, fly up to heaven. My prayers—God help me!—for
seven long years have availed nothing; yet I shall still most cordially join
them that Great Britain and America may be again cemented by mutual
interests and that an honourable peace may soon take place. Should it
be otherwise, I hope the din of war will never approach so near to Mount
Airy as to produce the least disquietude or in any manner disturb your repose.
May your son be a great comfort to you! I am told he very much
good qualities and eminent virtues. To surpass them can scarcely be expected,—that
so rarely falling to the lot of man. I cannot, dear madam,
help being highly interested in the welfare of a youth whose father always
took pleasure in rendering my family his best services,[8] and laid me
under particular obligation, and gave the most lively instances of generosity
and humanity, unsolicited, at a time when party prejudices ran high and
sorely against me, and in the moment when I was reduced to the most
lamentable and critical situation that man could be driven into."
It seems that Colonel Tayloe, though on the American side, had gone as
far as he could in behalf of Mr. Brokenbrough, and then warned him of
his danger. The brothers of Mr. Brokenbrough were decidedly American,
as is seen by their letters. The following extract from one of Mr. Newman
Brokenbrough's shows that he took a religious view of the war:—
"The direful scene of war now carried on by Britain upon this continent
is truly melancholy. No man could have thought that Englishmen
and Christians could have so far degenerated from humanity as to
be guilty of such barbarity as is acted upon the people of this continent.
The most savage race in any age of the world would blush at it. However
it may not be thought, on your side of the water, to be more severe
than the nature of the offence deserves, yet I would beg leave to observe
that people are never the sooner convinced of error by such measures,
and that it rather incites them to revenge than deters them from war.
Upon reflection we may plainly discover the cause of such calamity. The
wickedness and impiety of the present profligate age requires an iron rod
for chastisement. You are now in a country where iniquity abounds,
and if you won't be wilfully blind you may discover the great degeneracy
of the British nation from their ancient purity."
Mr. Austin Brokenbrough in his diary mentions one instance of this
which shocks him,—viz.: the fact that the English Government sought,
through Governor Johnson, of New York, to bribe some of the members
of the American Congress. There was a nobleness of soul in him which
revolted at this.
To the above gleanings from the fragments which have been sent me,
I must add something concerning one member of this family from personal
knowledge. With Dr. John Brokenbrough, of Richmond, President
of the Bank of Virginia, I was long and intimately acquainted. His
house was my home during many years whenever I visited Richmond,
and we freely corresponded at other times. A more amiable man is not
easily found. He took an active part in the building of the Monumental
Church, and was during Bishop Moore's life the vestryman to whom he
referred most frequently for council. And yet he was for a long time
eradicating them. They were the result of the early teachings of Mr.
Ogilvie, who did so much injury to the youth of Virginia. Mr. Austin
Brokenbrough speaks of this gentleman in his diary as one with whom he
became acquainted in England. How he came to Virginia I am unable
to say, but he became a teacher in Tappahannock, and Dr. Brokenbrough
either was his pupil, or heard those infidel lectures which he delivered
in various parts of Virginia and which ruined so many of her young
men. I have reason to believe that these unhappy doubts ceased to
disturb the mind of Dr. Brokenbrough, and trust that he died in the true
faith of the Christian.
THE FANTLEROY FAMILY, NOW SPELLED FAUNTLEROY.
This is a very ancient and numerous family of Virginia. The name is
often found in the old vestry-books. I have not been able to get any
genealogical account of it, but Henning's "Statutes at Large" makes
frequent mention of Major Moore Fantleroy at a very early period, and I
have recently received a document of some interest, dated 1651, in which
he is one of the chief parties, which I shall present to the reader. Major
Fantleroy lived in the Northern Neck, and kept the Indians in that region
in order by his military talents. In the year 1651 he purchased a large tract
of land from one of the tribes, as the following contract shows:—
At a machcomacoi held the 4th of April, 1651, at Rappahannock,—Accopatough,
Wionance, Toskicough, Coharneittary, Pacauta, Mamogueitan,
Opathittara, Cakarell James, Minniaconaugh, Kintassa-hacr.
To all people to whom these presents shall come, both English and
Indians, know ye that I, Accopatough, the right-born and true king of
the Indians of Rappahannock Town and Townes, and of all the land thereto
belonging, do hereby, for and in consideration of ten fathom of peake and
goods, amounting to thirty arms'-length of Rohonoke already in hand
received, and for the love and affection which I the king, and all my men,
do bear unto my loving friend and brother, Moor Fantleroy, who is
likewise now immediately to go with me unto Pasbyhaies unto the governor,
and safely to convey me and my men back again hither unto Rappahannock,
for which and in consideration thereof I do hereby bargain and
sell, give, grant, and confirm, and by this present indenture have bargained,
sold, given, granted, conveyed, and fully confirmed unto the said
Fantleroy, his heirs and assigns forever, a certain p'cell of land situate,
lying, and being in two necks on the north side of Rappahannock Creek,
beginning for breadth at the southernmost branch or creek of Macaughtions
bay or run, and so up along by the side of the said river of Rappahannock,
unto a great creek or river which run—Totosha or Tanks Rappahannock
Town; for length extending easterly with its full breadth unto the
bounds of the Potowmack River at the uttermost bounds of my land. To
all and every part and parcel thereof, lying and being as aforesaid, unto
the said Fantleroy, his heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns forever,
so long as the sun and moon endureth, with all the appurtenances,
rights, liberties, commodities, and profits whatsoever thereunto belonging,
in as full and as ample manner as ever I, the said king, or any of my
predecessors, ever had or could have had, by for me. My heirs and successors
fully assuring the said Fantleroy, his heirs and assigns, forever peaceably
and quietly to enjoy all and every part and parcel of the said land
without any manner of lett, losses, molestations, or disturbance whatsoever
proceeding from me or any Indian or Indians whatsoever, now or
hereafter, may or shall belong unto me or any of my heirs, assigns, or
successors, hereby giving unto my said brother full power, leave, license,
and authority to punish, correct, beat, or kill any Indian or Indians
whatsoever, which shall contrary to the intent of this my act and deed
presume to molest, harm, or offer any manner of harm, wrong, injury, or
violence upon the said land, or any part of it, unto the said Fantleroy, his
heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns, or any whomsoever he or they
shall seat, place, or put upon any part or parcel of the abovesaid land
hereby given, and granted, and alienated as aforesaid. In witness whereof,
and to the true and full intent and meaning is hereof, with a full knowledge
and understanding of this present act and deed, I, the said king, in the
presence of my said great men and divers others of my Indians, have
hereunto signed and sealed, the fourth day of April, one thousand six hundred
and fifty-one. Signed, sealed, and possession given by tree and turf,
Accopatough, (seal.)
John Edgecombe,
Alexander Campler,
Natha Batson,
Franc: Marsh.
This eleventh of May, one thousand six hundred and fifty-one, we,
Touweren, the great King of Rappahannock and Moratoerin, do hereby
fully ratify and confirm the above said act and deed unto our loving
brother Fantleroy, his heirs and assigns. Witness our hand and seals the
day above written.
| Witnesses: | Touweren, | Machamap | |
| William Foote, | (SEAL.) | (SEAL.) | |
| Fran. Marsh, | |||
| Natha Batson | |||
| (A copy) | (Teste.) | Wilson Allen, C. G. C. | |
Colonel Fantleroy was probably a man of high and fearless temper. It is
on record that on a certain occasion, when he was a member of the House
of Burgesses, something occurred which greatly displeased him, and led
to such strong denunciation of the Assembly that he was expelled for
insulting its members. On the following morning, however, he was
reinstated.
The following extract from a communication from Dr. Henry Faunt Le
Roy, of Naylor's Hole, Richmond county, furnished at my request, is
added to what has been said about the Faunt Le Roys.
The family is of French origin. After their increase they became dispersed,
and, from what I can gather, had something to do with the struggles
between the Catholics and Huguenots or French Protestants. Some remained
in their native land, some crossed the Channel, and one came to America
and settled in Virginia at an early period. The last-named, Moore Faunt
Le Roy, purchased from the aborigines a very large tract of land on the
Rappahannock River, above and below the creek of the same name, and
located. How many children he had, I know not. The only written
record which I have is in an old family Bible, in which appears the name
of my great-grandfather, whose name was William. He was born in
1684, was married to Apphia Bushrod, had three sons and seven
daughters, and died in 1757. The sons were William, Moore, and John.
The first-named was my grandfather, and was born in 1713 and died in
1793. The second was born in 1716; death not mentioned. His
children moved from the Northern Neck to King and Queen, where their
descendants now live. The third was born in 1724: when he died is
not mentioned. My grandfather (who was called Colonel William Faunt
Le Roy) was twice married. By the first wife he had one daughter,
(Elizabeth,) who became the wife of Mr. Adams, of James River, after
having refused her hand to General George Washington. By his second
union (with Miss Murdock) he had seven sons and three daughters. One
married Colonel Turner, near Leedstown, another Mr. Carter, of Amherst;
a third died single. The eldest two of the sons (William and Moore)
as was customary in the good old days of the aristocracy, received the
greatest share of attention, and, in accordance with the usages of the
times, were sent to Europe (home, as it was then called) to be educated.
They were medical students at Edinburgh and Aberdeen,—one fourteen
and the other seven years. William died soon after his return. Moore
lived for some time after his return in Tappahannock, Essex county.
On account of bad health, he did not do much professionally. He died
in Charleston, S. C., in 1802, at the house of the Rev. Wm. Wilson Henry.
The youngest son but my father was very chivalrous in character, enlisted
in the Revolutionary army, and became a favourite with the commander-in-chief.
He was killed in the battle of Monmouth, N. J., in June, 1777,
on the anniversary of his natal day, aged twenty-one years. My father
(Robert) was born in 1758, and was married to Sarah Ball, a daughter of
Colonel James Ball, of Lancaster county, and had five children. His life was
marked by a great non-conformity to the world, which made him offensive
to some who did not understand him, but by those who knew him and
his motives he was highly esteemed and duly appreciated. He embraced
religion in 1806, and was a Christian in the Scripture sense of the word.
words were, "I want to die; come, Lord Jesus," and he entered into his
rest. "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of
that man is peace."
It would seem from the foregoing, and from what may be read in my
notice of Mr. Edward Ambler and his wife, and what Mr. Irving and other
writers have conjectured concerning Miss Grymes, of Middlesex, and perhaps
one other lady in the land, that General Washington in his earlier
days was not a favourite with the ladies. If the family tradition respecting
his repeated rejections be true,—for which I would not vouch,—it may
be accounted for in several ways. He may have been too modest and diffident
a young man to interest the ladies, or he was too poor at that time,
or he had not received a college or university education in England or
Virginia, or, as is most probable, God had reserved him for greater things,
—was training him up in the camp for the defence of his country. An
early marriage might have been injurious to his future usefulness.
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