SPOTSYLVANIA: CEMETERY RECORDS – BROOKE CEMETERY Contributed by: Joan Renfrow NOTICE: I have no relationship or further information in regards to this family. *************************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES(tm) NOTICE All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information is included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *************************************************************************** Source: Library of Virginia Digital Collection LVA Titled Files: Survey Report, Brooke Cemetery: 1936 Dec. 9 Research made by Mildred Barnum Cemetery Location: 6 miles from Fredericksburg, Virginia, on the Bowling Green or old Stage Road, Route #2. Spotsylvania County East of the old Saint Julian mansion, on the top of a hill, surrounded by trees, an iron fence enclosing the graveyard, lay the bodies of the distinguished Judge Francis T. Brooke and his beloved wife, Mary Champe Brooke. Periwinkle and old English ivy in its natural state and grace covers the graves. Mrs. Brooke having selected this spot of her last resting place. We can imagine very well in the spring how the birds sing and mate around these old graves, and the graveyard covered with periwinkle blossoms, making a beautiful carpet. We can visualize how the early sun peeps through the trees, and the moon at night shining through the waving leaves in the summer, and down unbrokenly through the bare limbs in the winter. There stands right outside of the yard, a large yew tree, which perhaps was planted by the loved ones of Judge and Mrs. Brooke, as this kind of tree is very seldom seen in this section of the State. Many people who visit this old graveyard say “I wonder why Judge Brooke did not select this spot for his swelling, as the view is so entrancing.” This question can easily be answered. Judge Brooke did not acquire this part of the estate until some time after he removed to Saint Julian. The following inscriptions: A small but grateful tribute of my heart to one whom I had loved so well and long. Mary Champe Brooke She expired October 5, 1846, in the 58th year of her age. She was never excelled in virtue nor in those endearing qualities which made her an affectionate wife and devoted Mother. Francis T. Brooke Natus 27 August, 1763 Died 3rd of March 1851 This monument is erected by his only surviving son, who will ever cherish his memory with filial affection. Mr. Francis E. Brooke, son of Judge Francis T. Brooke and wife are also buried in this graveyard, but there are no tombstones over their graves. Mrs. Francis E. Brooks died at Saint Julian on May 3, 1874 in the 59 year of her age. (Note: Mrs. Brooke was the youngest daughter of Colonel John Ambler of Richmond, was born in that city on May 18, 1815. On the 25th of November, 1837, she became the wife of the late Francis E. Brooke, Esquire, (he died two weeks before his wife) and after spending fifteen years at “Millfarm”, Louisa county, Virginia and partly in Richmond removed in 1862 to Saint Julian. On Trinity Sunday, just two weeks after her husband’s burial she was laid beside him.)