4

George Brock, Sr., b. ca 1680 (England?),

d. 1751 in Albemarle Co., VA

Page Updated 11 Mar 2011

The earliest Brock entry in St. Peters Parish of New Kent Co., VA, Vestry Book and Register was 3 Dec 1689 when "At a Vestry held at ye Church of St. Peter’s parish, in ye behalf of ye s’d parish ... It is ordered y’t Rich. Brock for ye future do pay no parish Levy." The second entry was 11 Oct 1700 when the baptism of Richard, son of Richard Brock, was listed. The third entry was 3 Jul 1703, the baptism of Joshua Brock, son of George Brock.

So George Brock was in New Kent Co., VA by 1703, his parents unknown, but it's possible he was related to Richard Brock who was in New Kent Co. Dec 1689, and the Richard Brocke who was transported from England in 1635.

 

 The Vestry Book & Registry of St. Peters Parish Church in the City and County of New Kent, VA, to which our family belonged, are invaluable records.

George claimed a land patent in 1719 for being transported [from England] by John Sims/Syms. No common thread connecting George to earlier Brock arrivals in other counties has been found, and it would be pure speculation to claim otherwise.

It was common for transported people to serve a period as indentured servants, such as 4, 5, or 8 years, to repay off their passage expense, before they too became landed gentry. Apparently George Brock and John Sims/Syms became good friends, for their association continued for years, as shown by deeds and other documents. Col. Sym/Sims was deceased in 1734, Hanover Co., but their association with another John Sims (presumably his son) continued in Hanover. (John Syme’s Rocky Mills mansion in Hanover County, Virginia / by V. Cabell Flanagan. Brookneal, VA: The Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation, 2004.)

From "A Hornbook of Virginia History," published by the Virginia State Library in 1965:

York County was originally named Charles River, and was one of the eight shires formed in 1634. The present name was given in 1643, probably in honor of James, Duke of York, the second son of Charles I. Its area is 123 square miles, and the county seat is Yorktown.

New Kent County was probably named for the English county Kent. Colonel William Claiborne, a native of Kent, was a prominent resident of the Virginia county at the time of its formation. New Kent County was formed from York about 1654. Its area is 221 square miles, and its county seat is New Kent.

Hanover County was named for King George I, who, at the time of his accession to the English throne, was Elector of Hanover, Germany. The county was formed from New Kent in 1721. Its area is 466 square miles, and the county seat is Hanover.

Louisa County, named for Princess Louisa, a daughter of King George II, was formed from Hanover in 1742. Its area is 514 square miles, and the county seat is Louisa.

New Kent Co. was created in 1654 out of York and James City Cos., original shires. Unfortunately, New Kent Co's early public records, which could have answered many questions about the genealogy of this family, were destroyed by two fires, so New Kent's earliest extant county records begin in 1865. Located in southern New Kent Co., VA, St. Peter's Parish was formed sometime in the seventeenth century, the exact year unknown. Its parish records 1680-1787 have been published, and a database is now on-line at ancestry.com. Many reveal the names of individuals, their parents' names, and dates of events, such as birth and baptisms.

New Kent Co. is bordered by the meanders of the York River. In the early days, waterways were the primary mode of transportation, but overland today, the distance between Jamestown on the James River, and New Kent on the York River, is only 32 miles.

In 1705 St. Peters Parish was divided in halves to form St. Paul's Parish, New Kent Co., by Act of the General Assembly. George Brock owned land prior to the procession of 1711/12.

George lived in St. Paul's Parish of New Kent County, Virginia in 1711/12, when his land was processioned and its bounds placed him in Precinct 24. He was still there on 17 March 1715/16 when again, Precinct 24 was processioned.

The lands of John Shelton, John Sims, Jno. Crenshaw, Wm. Crenshaw, David Crawford, Edw. Sims, Matthew Sims, Geo: Brock, ____ Burrass, Geo: Sims, & Geo. Wilkinson, being made one precinct, of which, John Shelton and John Sims were Overseers, made this return, viz. Jan ye 9th, & March ye 17th, 1715, pursuant to the within Order we the Subscribers did on the day aforesaid, in company with the within nam'd persons, procession all the respective Lands, except the land of Geo: Wilkinson whose bounds for want of a Survey can't be found, which being very Troublesom to all parties concern'd, we humbly beg relief in the premises.
Jno. Shelton, Jno. Sims.

By 2 April 1720, this Precinct had been split, Hanover Co. had been cut out of New Kent Co., and George was in Hanover Co. Pct. 32, along with only two of his old neighbors, John Sims and John Crenshaw. His new neighbors were: John Williamson, Edward Harris, and Thomas Johnson (all born by 1699).

On 11 Jul 1719 George was issued two patents for 300 acres each on the West branch of Stonehorse (Stone Horse) Creek, in St. Paul's Parish, New Kent Co., adjoining John Symes and Christopher Clark -- the first for the importation of six persons @ 50 ac each: Robert Selector, Solomon Hobson, Percy Kelly, James Harrell, Wm. Morrill, John Ludley; and the other for being transported [from England] by John Sims.

On the same day, John Sims patented 200 acres on branches of Stonehorse Creek, adjoining George Brock's corner, George Brock's line, and Christopher Clark, for 20 shillings. The patents were signed by Governor Alexander Spotswood, in the name of King George II. Col. John Sims/Symes was deceased 1734 in Hanover Co.

No one claimed 50 acres for transporting George to Virginia, which suggests he was born there, though one of the following might possibly have been his father (Lancaster Co. is not far from New Kent traveling by water):

Such patents were issued after the land was occupied, the patent applied for and approved, and officially surveyed, a process which could take a few years, for clearly George occupied his by 1711/12, the term we use in this time period because their Gregorian calendar New Year began March 25th.

This is George Sr's first patent:

In addition to JOSHUA b. 1703, GEORGE BROCK (Sr.) had another son, GEORGE, Jr., mentioned in his will, but left bequests only to George Jr's son JOHN BROCK, and everything else to his friend JOHN MELTON who cared for him. No mention of George Jr's birth or baptism is found in parish records, which suggests that George Jr. was born before they arrived in the parish.

On 24 Mar 1725 George Brock was mentioned in a deed of John Black of Hanover Co. (24 March 1725), 400 acres.... adjoining the lines of John Sims, George Brock, John Syme, Surveyor, Richard Anderson and John Utley.

On 17 Aug 1725, RICHARD BROCK made over a deed to GEORGE BROCK of Hanover Co. The published county record does not give the acreage, location, or reason for this (Hanover Co., VA, Court Records 1733-1735 Deeds, Wills, Inventories). Was this Richard Brock II, who wrote his will 1732 in Hanover Co., son of the Richard Brock b. 1604 who came to New Kent Co., VA, at age 31 in 1635? Were Richard and George related?

In 1726 St. Martin's Parish in Hanover Co. was cut off from St. Paul's Par., the portion in the forks of the Pamunkey River (North and South Anna Rivers) and that NW of Stone Horse Creek.

George Brock, Sr., lived in New Kent Co. in 1703 when his son Joshua's birth was listed in St. Peters Par. Registry. New Kent was created 1654 from York and James River Cos. George Sr. lived in the portion of New Kent which became Hanover Co. in 1720.

   

These are the Virginia counties descending from New Kent Co.:

?? In Feb 1727 Goochland Co. was cut out of Henrico Co. (an original shire surrounding Richmond on the James River). It appears that George Brock, Sr., left Hanover Co. to move further west, for in Apr 1733 in Goochland Co., there was a lawsuit by William May against George Brock "the deft. pays 50 shillings in court and judgment is granted petitioner for his costs only."

Between 1735 and 1737 in Gooochland Co. it was "Ordered that the Church wardens of St James Parish do bind unto George Brock, Sarah Roe, an orphan girl."

That means one George Brock was in Goochland Co. in 1733, while another George Brock in 1734 obtained four land patents totalling 1,600 acres in Hanover Co. To determine whether this was George Sr., George Jr., or his son George III will require examination of the deeds where this land was later sold by his heirs, and hopefully had all their signatures.

1. On 25 May 1734, George Brock of Hanover Co., VA, patented 400 acres on both sides Corn Swamp, adjoining the lines of Harding Burnley Jr., John Aylett, and others (Patent Book 13, p. 212).

2. On 1 Aug 1734, George patented another 400 acres adjoining Syms' and Harding Burnley’s lines (Book 13, p. 244).

3. Also on 1 Aug 1734, George Brack patented 400 acres adjoining the lines of Col. John Syme decd., and said Brack (Book 13, p. 244).

4. On 1 Aug 1734, George Brack/Brock of Hanover Co., VA, patented 400 acres adjoining the lines of Col. Richard Yarbrough Jr., John Poindexter, and Col. John Syme (Patent Book 13, p. 245).

SEE the 1734 George Brock Patents

In 1741 GEORGE BROCK witnessed a deed for land on Lickinghole Creek in Goochland Co.

On 12 Jul 1742 GEORGE BROCK of St. James Par., Goochland Co., purchased land for £7 from James Owens of St. James Par. containing 162½ acres on the east branches of the Wilde Boar Creek, bounded by Charles Christian, and having beginning boundaries within the Hanover Co. line.

George Brock, Sr., moved west abt 32 mi. to the portion of Goochland Co., VA, which became St. Ann's Par., Albemarle Co. in 1744 (formed out of Goochland and Louisa Cos.). He died in Albemarle Co. (the portion which became Fluvanna in 1777) bet Sep 1751 and Feb 1752, leaving a will.

   

George's son Joshua Brock (b. 1703) lived in Hanover Co. in 1732, was on the Falling River, Lunenberg Co., VA, tax lists of 1748 and 1749, but we don't know where or when he died.

George's son George Jr. (b. ca 1700?) lived in a different parish, the portion of Goochland Co. which became Southam Par. in 1744, which became Cumberland Co. in 1749. He was in Cumberland Co. through 1756, the portion which became Powhatan Co. in 1777). If I am right about the generation, he obtained four patents of 400 acres each in Hanover Co. in 1734 -- some of the lines crossing into Louisa Co. In 1753 the heirs of George Brock sold 1,200 acres of this land in Louisa Co. deeds.

We do not know the surname of George Jr's wife Jane, who might easily have been a native. On 5 Jul 1734 in St. Paul's Par., Hanover Co., she and George signed an indenture; he signed with a + mark. This was not George, Sr., who signed documents was his mark, his initials gB:

George Brack of St. Pauls Par., Hanover Co., to Champness Terry of St. Martins Par.; Lease and Release; £30 currt. money; 150 ac. and plantation in St. Martins Par. beginning at oak in Mountain Track in Capt. William Flemings line.... near the main branch of Sedgey Creek.... Mrs. Barbara Winstons corner.... part of a greater Tract granted to the sd. George Brack by Deed in Hanover Co. Court on the (blank) day of (blank) 17 (blank).
George (+) Brack
Wit: Charles Yancey, Thos. Dickenson, John Sutton
5 July 1734 ack. by George Brack. Also Jane the wife of the sd. Brack relinquished her Right of Dower.

 Hanover Co., VA, Court Records 1733-1735 Deeds, Willis, Inventories; p. 96-98 Indenture. 5 July 1734

In 1734, Albemarle Co., VA, was created out of Goochland and Louisa Cos. By 1746 George Brock Sr. had moved to Albemarle Co. (home of Thomas Jefferson and his residence Monticello, on a mountain -- east of Charlottesville the county seat. George Brock obtained a patent for 95 acres on Bremo Creek, the portion of Goochland which was St. Ann's Par., Albemarle Co., then became Fluvanna Co. in 1777; while George Brock Jr. was living in Southam Par., the portion of Goochland which became Cumberland Co. Powhatan Co. was cut out of Cumberland in 1777. Incidentally, several other counties created out of Albemarle include Bedford Co. in 1752 where many of the Brock family lived.

In 1734 when George Brock, Sr., and his sons lived in Hanover Co. on land that crossed the line into Louisa Co., four patents for 400 ac each were granted to a George Brock, bordering John Sims/Syms also from New Kent Co. Louisa Co. was created in 1742 from a portion of Hanover.

From 1750 to 1756, when Jesse Brock was an infant and young child, the only Brock mentioned in Cumberland Co. records was a George Brock. I surmise this was George Brock III (son of George Jr.).

George Brock, Sr., wrote his will 10 Sep 1751 in Albemarle Co., and it was recorded there on 11 Feb 1752, so he died between the two dates.

On 15 Jun 1753 in Louisa Co., VA, George Brock's heirs and Thomas Stubblefield sold 1,200 acres of land to Samuel Thompson. Samuel Thompson of Fredericksville Par. Thompson mentioned this land when he wrote his will on 16 Jun 1753, recorded 28 Aug 1753, "to my five youngest sons . . . 1,200 acres on which I now live which I purchased from Thomas Stubblefield and George Brock's heirs . . . if George Brock's heirs should sue . . ."

We need to see the actual deed and who signed it for George Brock's heirs! Was it John Brock and John Melton? Or others signing for George Brock, Jr., who may have died a year after his father? Or were the four patents totalling 1,600 acres obtained by George Brock, Jr., and he died within a year or year and one-half after his father George Sr.? Published abstracts of Louisa Co. records mention William and Mary Brock, John Brock, Samuel Brock, Richard Brock and Richard Jr., and David Brock -- sometimes they were fined for absenting themselves from divine services.

George, Jr., had two sons that we know of -- George III and John (his heir). In Dec 1761, John Brock of St. Ann's Par., Albemarle Co., sold to a George Brock the 95 acres he inherited from his grandfather. The deed appears to be witnessed by George Jr. (signed with X), and the George buying the land was probably George III -- so both he and John could write.

In 1764 in St. Ann's Par., Albemarle Co., George Brock was mentioned in a court case, and again in 1773 when it was ordered that George be arrested.

   

In 1776 at the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, Jesse Brock was living in Guilford Co., NC, when he enlisted. From 1780-1783 he was in Henry Co., VA. His second enlistment for three mos. in 1781 was in Surry Co., NC (across the line from Henry Co., VA).

In Jul 1777, shortly after Fluvanna Co. was cut out of Albemarle, among the signers of a petition to dissolve the new county were Micajah, Allen, and George Brock, John Melton and Pearce Melton -- all with their signatures. Micajah and Allen are known to be sons of a George Brock, and this places them in the same location as George Brock III, not George the son of Joshua b. 1703. Allen Brock was the grandfather of Elder George Brock (b. 1809), and this indicates he descended from George Brock Jr. rather than from Joshua his brother.

Joshua was in Henry Co., further south, the following year.

After 1788, the two brothers George and Joshua's families seemed to converge in Henry and Franklin Cos. -- Joshua moved across to Surry Co., NC, but returned to VA and back again. Many of his descendants moved to NC, SC, and TN. After the war he lived some years in Guilford Co. again, then in Franklin Co., VA; in 1790 was in Henry Co., VA, with another Jesse Brock (son of Joshua); and in 1798 was in Russell Co., VA-- which borders Kentucky. He applied for a Revolutionary pension.

   

On 6 May 1744 Albemarle Co. was formed out of Goochland and Louisa Cos., and St. James Parish was divided into three - St. Ann's covered Albemarle, St. James Southam covered the S. side of the river, and St. James Northam covered the rest of Goochland. GEORGE BROCK Sr. sold his land in Hanover Co. and moved to Albemarle Co., VA, where on 20 Aug 1748 he was granted a patent for 95 acres on both sides of Bremo Creek near the head, in St. Ann's Par., Albemarle Co.

On the 1746 and 1748 tithe lists, a George Brock was in St. James Southam Par., Albemarle Co. (the portion that is now Powhatan Co.), VA, with two other tithes; we know this wasn't George Sr. because he was in St. James Parish. This was probably George Brock, Jr., and his oldest sons. Males living at home were 16-21 before they were listed separately in their own names, so the two other tithes were born 1725-1730, George Jr's sons George b. 1726 and John b. bet 1725-30.

In 1749 the Southam Par. portion of Goochland Co., VA, became Cumberland Co. -- where Jesse Brock was born 8 Dec 1751, as sworn in his Revolutionary Pension application. He settled Harlan Co., KY, in late 1700s and died there 3 Oct 1843. His sister Mahala Susanna Brock (who married Edward "Ned" Callahan) was born in Cumberland Co. too, 1749.

On 2 Feb 1748/9 George Brock of Albemarle Co. & Thomas Bibey of Goochland Co. sold the same 162½ acres on the Wilde Boar Creek to Humphrey Parrish -- the beginning boundaries now crossed over into Louisa Co. George made his mark as gB, the same mark he made on his will.

On 29 Nov 1749 in Albemarle Co., GEORGE BROCK (Sr.) conveyed in a Deed of Gift, all his estate to his wife Katharine (Napier) 'without any TROUBLE from any person . . . Indenture . . . for consideration of the love and affection which he bore her of ALL his estate of whatever kind during her life. This Deed of Gift was in lieu of Katharine receiving dower rights in George Brock's estate. This might imply she was not his first wife and there could be trouble from children of his first wife.

Kathryn was b. 12 Oct 1680, daughter of Robert Napier and Mary Perrin, according to some descendants' data on rootsweb.com.

However, it appears that Kathryn died bef 10 Sep 1751, in Albemarle Co., when George Brock wrote his will, ' . . . being sick and weak of body . . .' , and bequeathed to his loving grandson, John Brock, the son of George Brock Jr., part of his plantation of 95 acres on Bremo Creek and cattle; the residue to his friend, John Melton in consideration of the care he had given to George. Patrick Napier witnessed both the deed and the will. It was recorded 11 Feb 1752.

 

  'In the name of God amen, I GEORGE BROCK of the County of Albemarle, being sick and weak of body but of sound mind and memory thanks to Almighty God do make & ordain this my last will and Testament in manner and form following . . . FIRST I recommend my Soul unto Almighty God that gave it hoping through the merits of my Blessed Savior to Receive full Pardon for all my past sins & my body I commit to the Earth to be buried at the discretion of my Executors hereafter to be named & as touching such worldly goods as it hath pleased God to bless me with I give & bequeath as follows:
Item 1, I give to my loving grandson John BROCK, son of George BROCK II part of my plantation of 95 acres of land, 4 head of cattle, Viz: ____ her calf her white faced heifer 2 yrs old & a ____ the age & my white mare branded on the rear buttocks & my bed to him and his heirs forever
Item 2, The rest of my estate of what kind or quality whatsoever I give to my friend John Melton in consideration of his care of me during my life & I do appoint my Trusty Friend John Melton my whole Executor of this my last will & testament, witness my hand this 10th day of September 1751.

signed, GEORGE (gB) BROCK

Wit: Patr. Napier, Eliza. (+) Manhile, Mary (M) Webb
11 Feb 1752, the last will of George Brock was presented into court by John Melton the Executor, proved by the oaths of Pat. Napier & Elizabeth Manhile, two of the witnesses & ordered recorded. Security for obtaining probate William Creasy & John Goots.

  Albemarle County, Virginia, Deed and Will Book 1, p. 30

Why did George Brock, Sr., leave no land to his son George Jr.? Probably that the latter had previously been provided for, or owned plenty of his own. In 1761, John sold his inherited land to his brother George, Jr., or his nephew George III.

 On 8 Dec 1761, John Brock of St. Ann's Parish of Albemarle sold to George Brock of the same . . . for £20 his 95 ac in Albemarle on both sides of Great Bremo Creek beginning at John Paine's corner to Joseph Walton's line.

Signed John Brock, Juda (+) Brock.

Wit: Caleb Stone, George (X) Brock, Jemima (I) Sawhorn.
Recorded 8 Dec 1761

Albemarle Co., VA, Deed Book 3, p. 130

John Brock and Judah Walker were married 2 Feb 1754 in Goochland Co., VA. John signed his name to the 1761 deed, but Judah made her mark.

The third George Brock was apparently John's brother George III. He signed the deed dated 24 Mar 1779 in Fluvanna Co. when he sold the land -- George Brock of Fluvanna to Fisher Rice Bennett of Fluvanna, for £300, one certain tract of land of 95 ac in Fluvanna on both sides of Bremo Creek near the head, and bounded by John Payne, Joseph Walton. Signed: George Brock. Wit: Daniel Tilman, Thomas Winn, John Melton. Rec 6 May 1779.

As Jerry Taylor points out on her brockancestry website (see Brock Connections: Following the Path), that proves three George Brocks. 1st George Sr. gB, 2nd probably George Jr. X, and 3rd George (who signed his name, so could write) was probably George Brock III, John's brother, indicating that George Brock, Jr., had his sons learn to write.

June Baldwin Bork's 1989 book, Burnetts and Their Connections (Apple Valley, CA), listed George Brock II as the husband of Kathryn Napier, and their four children as Catharine, Joshua, Allen, and Moses. But, in another place, she had something different. The trouble is that this family (like many others) was very repetitous about choosing names -- brothers naming their children after each other and after their parents, grandparents, and cousins. There were many George, John, Allen, Moses, Joshua, James and Jesses. The two known sons of George Brock, Sr., the brothers George and Joshua, did this and at times their families lived in the same areas so are very difficult to distinguish among.

The known children of George Brock, Sr., b. ca 1680, were

George Brock, Jr. b: ca 1700 (in New Kent Co., VA?)
Joshua Brock b: 1703 in New Kent Co., VA.
Elijah Brock? b: 1704 in St. Peters Par., New Kent Co., VA (no further info).
Mary Katherine Brock b: 1710 in New Kent Co., VA (no further info).

At the outbreak of the War Between the States (aka Civil War) in 1861, the western counties of Virginia separated into the separate state of West Virginia over the issue of secession. When Virginia joined the Confederacy, West Virginia stayed in the Union. Virginia counties are shown as of 1865.
 

 NOTE: This is a work in progress. My apologies for any errors or omissions in the descendants of George, Jr., and Joshua Brock -- they are unintentional and subject to change. Please contact me with corrections, additions, and your evidence to support that.

George Brock, Jr.