William Brockenbrough (jurist)

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William Brockenbrough (July 10, 1778 to December 10, 1838) 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, Dolly Madison said, "as a friend I find Mrs. Judith Brockenbrough unequalled." In 1814, following the burning of Washington by Admiral Cockburn, she and Dolly Madison saved what valuables they could from the White House before taking refuge at 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.