I32970: John BROCKINGTON IICapt. (1754

Notes

"John Brockinton Jr. (1754-1801), the father of my grandmother, Mary Barr B. Pressley (1783-1849), died leaving his children minors of tender years. The same may be said of John Gotea, my grandfather on my mothers side. These facts will account for the paucity as to incidents, names, etc. in the history which I am about to write.

From the position which the Brockinton, Sriven, and Fowler families held in South Carolina before and during the Revolutionary War, I think it would be safe to say that they came from England and belonged to the better class of people of that country.

Tory John Brockinton Jr. married (as it appears from that instrument referred to) 1773 Martha Fowler. He was a very intelligent man, of splendid physique, and wealthy for the times. At the beginning of the Revolutionary struggle he espoused the cause of the King, as did a majority of the wealthy planters of Carolina, and became a Captain in the British service. He gave General Francis Marion and his command much trouble. Unfortunately for family tradition, owing to the youth of his children when he died, very few of his adventures as a solider have been handed down to his posterity.

The old Town of Black Mingo in which he lived was situated on a large navigable Creek of the same name, one of the principle tributaries of Black River, On one occasion he pursued Marion from Williamsburg (or Craven County as it was then called) up into North Carolina, but failed to catch him or make him fight. After Marion's escape, the British forces returned, and went into camp near Black Mingo. Feeling perfectly secure the commanding officer was not as vigilant as soldiers ought to always be. The Creek was crossed by means of a bridge was not picketed as it should have been. Then Marion had eluded his pursuers, presuming on their feeling of sercurity induced by their pursuit and his long retreat, he turned back on their tracks. When he reached the bridge he directed the blankets of his men spread and thus deadened the sound of their horses' feet. The bridge was crossed and with this command he charged the British camp, and completely surprised his late victorious pursuers. The Red Coats were routed, and many who escaped were driven in to the neighboring swamp. I have no means of ascertaining the number killed or wounded. The family tradition is that Capt. John Brockinton's children were all so young at the time I would sooner rely on the statement of the biographer that on their memory. As the affair was not well managed we will let Col. Ball have all the credit. Capt. Brockinton was a brave man, and gallant soldier, and his descendants may rest assured that he did his duty with his usual courage in the engagement.

I have never heard from my grandmother or any of his grandchildren, or old men of the neighborhood who were boys during that war, that Capt. Brockinton conducted military operations other than in accordance with the laws of civilized warfare. The great confidence shown in him by his neighbors after the war is the best proof that he was a brave soldier and conscientious man. There was, during the Revolutionary struggle, bitter animosity between the loyalists and whigs, and no doubt, as the case is in every civil war, there were acts of violence and lawlessness on both sides. None can be established as having been practiced by authority of Captain Brockinton, I believe.

The Captain had the courage of his convictions, and never surrendered, as did many of the loyalists. After the war when the legislature of South Carolina passed confiscation acts his name was included in the list of the unrepentant. (See Vol. 7th Statues at large of S.C. page?) He lost much of his property in moving it from place to place to keep it out of reach of the officers charged with the execution of the confiscation laws. The repeal of these laws left him or his estate with considerable land, but of no great value. In fact, its was of no value is the only reason I can think of for its not being confiscated. It must in some way have escaped the notice of the officers of the law, or it may have been, and I think probably it was, that his neighbors through sympathy for him and his family would not bid on his land when exposed for sale. I find among the papers left by him a (copy of a) petition in behalf of his wife and children addressed to the legislature of South Carolina by seventy-three of his fellow citizens. On this list of petitioners I recognize the names of some of the most respectable people of Williamsburg. This petition represents his family as being "reduced from easy circumstances, to poverty and distress", his estate confiscated and "he on the banishment list". This petition is without date, but was probably sent to the Legislature when Capt. Brockinton was in hiding with his Negroes with him. How much of his property escaped confiscation, I have no means of ascertaining, but he had some left, and his family after the repeal of the confiscation acts were not so destitute as they appear by the petition to have been previously. Some of the lands were sold by his heirs, after I came to the bar, with my assistance. (See case of Sarah Jacks vs. Carraway & Perkins, Court of Equity, Williamsburg District, South Carolina.) My father gave up his claim to the poorer heirs. Capt. Brockinton's house was standing within my recollection (but in ruins) on the right hand side of the main street as one enters the Town of Black Mingo from the land side. It had for the times been a fine structure. Its owner had much of the spirit of the British Cavalier.

Capt. John Bockinton was urged by his fellow citizens after the war to consent to serve them in the Legislature, but he declined, feeling, probably that those who had gained their independence against his opposition should govern themselves without the assistance of their former enemies. I have heard of but one manifestation of bad spirit after the war was over on the part of Capt. Brockinton. That was directed against two ex-Captains of Marion's command I believe their names were White and Simons. When these two soldiers came into town he would dress his two young sons in British uniform and have them show themselves to the two old Whigs that he might enjoy their anger. He was a man of so much courage and strength that they never ventured to vent their rage on him, which it was probably his purpose to have them do.

When an uprising of the people succeeds it is a glorious revolution, when it fails it is a rebellion. The participants in the former case are "patriots"; in the latter "rebels". Had the cause of the Colonies failed Capt. Brockinton's name would have gone into history as a distinguished patriot and soldier. How unjust to the conscientious man that righteousness of his cause, and with the narrow minded, his honesty and patriotism must be proved by success; risking fortune, family and life in maintaining political opinions and principles is the highest proof a man can give of his honesty and patriotism.

After the death of her husband Martha Brockinton left Black Mingo, and settled near Dickey's Bay, waters of Turkey Creek, Williamsburg District. There she lived the remainder of her life. Her son, William Brockinton, lived with her and manged her small plantation; at the same time taking care of the large estate of William Burrows (his brother-in-law) of which he was the executor, and Guardian of his nephew, the son and only child of his brother-in-law and his sister.

The place where Mrs. Brockinton lived was known within my recollection as Brockinton's Old Field. The houses were all gone before my day. The title to the land passed by conveyance after Mrs. Brockinton's death to the Gamble family, and is still in them."

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Notes

Marriage 1 Mary UNKNOWN b: Abt. 1821 Married: Abt. 1842 in Hall Co., Georgia

Notes

Sir John Campbell, the third son, at first styled of Lorn, and afterwards of Calder, married Muriel, daughter and heiress of Sir John Calder of Calder, (now Cawdor), near Nairn.

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--Other Fields
PEDI: birth

Notes

2 Jacob MACKGEHEE b: ABT. 1707 + Eleanor DEJARNETTE
m. Ann (Wife)
m. Eleanor DE JARNETTE (Wife) b. 5 Sep 1720 in Abingdon Parish, Gloucester County, VA Marriage: 30 Oct 1737 in Gloucester Co. VA.
Children:
1. William McGEHEE b. 17 Dec 1740 in King William Co. VA.
2. Mary McGEHEE b. 10 Nov 1742 in Louisa Co. VA.
3. Elizabeth McGEHEE b. 5 Sep 1744 in Amelia County, VA.
4. Eleanor McGEHEE b. 21 Nov 1746
5. Ann McGEHEE b. 16 Jan 1748
6. Martha McGEHEE b. 12 Jan 1750
7. Aness McGEHEE b. 7 May 1752
8. Jacob McGEHEE b. 17 Jul 1754 in Prince Edward Co. VA
9. Sarah McGEHEE b. 19 Mar 1757 in Louisa Co. VA.
10. John McGEHEE b. 14 Nov 1738
11. Druscilla McGEHEE b. 16 Mar 1759
12. Agnes McGEHEE b. 2 Nov 1763

Notes

Willie Kirke Nettles, April 5, 1862.
Willie K. Nettles and Minnie M. LeNoir, April 18, 1889.
Willie Kirke Nettles, Son of S. S. and E. J. Nettles, Aug. 1, 1899.
Children of W. K. and M. M. Nettles:
Wilda, Apr. 24, 1897.

Notes

Spouse:Thomas CHENEY (AFN: FK40-BQ) Marriage: 1504? Of Kendal, Westmorland, England
Spouse: WAYNNEFFORD (AFN: FK40-S5)

Notes

1860 Census, age 23 in household of B. B. Taliaferro, age 60, Lynchburg, Campbell Co. VA.

Name: Van Taliaferro ,
Occupation: Merchant
Enlistment Date: 23 April 1861
Distinguished Service: DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
Side Served: Confederacy State Served: Virginia
Unit Numbers: 759
Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 23 April 1861 at the age of 24
Enlisted in Company G, 11th Infantry Regiment Virginia on 23 April 1861.
Wounded on 05 May 1862 at Williamsburg, VA
Detailed on 15 May 1862 at Lynchburg, VA (As clerk, unfit for field duty)

1880 Census: Name: Van TALIAFERRO
Age: 43
Estimated birth year: <1837>
Birthplace: Virginia
Occupation: Commission Mercht.
Relation: Self
Home in 1880: Lynchburg, Campbell, Virginia
Marital status: Married
Race: White
Gender: Male
Head of household: Van TALIAFERRO
Father's birthplace: VA
Mother's birthplace:VA

My Southern Family

Capt. John BROCKINGTON II

1754 - 1801

ID Number: I32970

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Sources

Maxine BROWN

ABT 1880 - ____

ID Number: I18000

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Nathan BRYANT

ABT 1819 - ____

ID Number: I58178

Notes

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Sir JOHN CAMPBELL of Calder

ABT 1490 - 1 May 1546

ID Number: I89637

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Guilliaumette CHIBAILHE

16 Jul 1595 - ____

ID Number: I20429

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Anna Laura DEVORE

20 Jan 1878 - ____

ID Number: I84270

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JOHN GREENE

ABT 1371 - ____

ID Number: I43204

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William Haynes HOUSTON C.S.A.

1834 - 1868

ID Number: I45574

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Jacob MCGEHEE

ABT 1707 - 6 Dec 1783

ID Number: I103540

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Willie Kirke NETTLES

5 Apr 1862 - 1 Aug 1899

ID Number: I93553

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ANNE PARR

ABT 1476 - 4 Nov 1513

ID Number: I74099

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Matthew SALZER

Van Tromp TALIAFERRO C.S.A.

1836 - ____

ID Number: I70778

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Lucy TINSLEY

ABT 1770 - ____

ID Number: I30600

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