John Brockman (soldier)

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John Brockman, Jr. (May 8, 1735 – January 31, 1801) was an officer in the North Carolina militia during the American Revolutionary War.

[edit] Early years

Brockman was born in King and Queen County, Virginia to John and Mary (Collins) Brockman, who later moved to Orange County, Virginia. His mother was the daughter of Captain Joseph Collins and Susannah Robertson. John Jr. was the grandson of Samuel Brockman and the great-grandson of Henry Brockman who was a primary founder of the English Brockman family in the United States. John Brockman, Jr., was orphaned when his father died; the court appointed a guardian for Brockman's younger siblings, but not him because he was over the age of 14.

John Brockman, Jr., married Amelia Martin, the daughter of Robert and Ann (Eason) Martin. They lived at "Thornhill" in Orange County, Virginia.

[edit] American Revolution

During the American Revolutionary War, Brockman has been reputed to be the colonel and leader of "John Brockman's Regiment" in the North Carolina militia.


In connection with this, there is a record of Brockman's supplying the Patriot militia, as certified by the secretary of the North Carolina Historical Commission with 2500 pounds curency. The Daughters of the American Revolution have recorded Brockman as a veteran and participated in unveiling a headstone in his honor. However, records are scarce for revolutionary war era militia. Given Brockman's age and wealth, and the fact that he funded the militia it would not have been unusual for him to have been made a titled militia colonel, as opposed to a formal officer. In any event, there do not appear to be formal records indicating that Brockman was colonel in the regular army. If Brockman indeed served in the militia, having come from Caswell County it is likely that he served in the Hillsborough District militia.[citation needed]

[edit] Sources

  • North Carolina Historical Commission: "For sundries furnished and cash paid the Militia of North Carolina, Virginia and South Carolina as allowed by the Auditor of Hillsborough District in December, 1781, as per report No. 81) Entry number 1400, John Brockman, 2500.00 currency."
  • Orange County Virginia families: Volume III (Unknown Binding) by William Everett Brockman, Publisher: W.E. Brockman (January 1, 1959), English, ASIN: B0007G5G0Q
  • The Brockman Family Cemetery, Pinckney District Chapter, Cherokee, Spartainburg, Union Counties, South Carolina Genealogical Society, Summer, 1993, Vol 17, No 2.
  • Greenville Co South Carolina Cemetery Survey, Vol II, Greenville Chapter of South Carolina Genealogical Society.
  • Clark, Parks, Brockman and Dean, Davis and Goss Families in Five Parts by Henry William Clark, Montgomery, Al, 1905, Printed by the author.
  • Early American History, Volume II, William Everett Brockman, Compiler and Publisher, 1926, Poucher-Printers, Minneapolis, 1926. Family History Library, Salt Lake, UT
  • The Brockman Scrapbook, 1952, William Everett Brockman, Midland National Bank, Minneapolis 1, Minnesota. - Research of Leonardo Andrea.
  • Will of Henry Brockman, Recorded in Will Book B. Pages 135-136. The original will is in the SC State Archives.
  • Will of John Brockman, Jr. 1801, Laurens Co, SC, Box 9, pkg 6.
  • Will of John Brockman, Sr., Orange Co., VA Order Book 6, page 233.
  • Will of Robert Martin, Orange Co., VA Will Book 3, page 49-50.