Thomas Brooke Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Brooke Jr.
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Brooke family coat of arms
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| 2nd Governor of Restored Proprietary Government | |
| In office 1720–1720 |
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| Preceded by | John Hart |
| Succeeded by | Charles Calvert |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1659 near Nottingham, Prince George's County, Maryland, in Calvert (after 1696 Prince George's) Co., Maryland |
| Died | 7 Jan 1730 Nottingham, Prince George's County, Maryland |
| Profession | governor |
Thomas Brooke Jr. of Brookefield (1660 – 1731) was an important leader in early Maryland. He held the rank of Colonel and served as the President of the Council in Maryland. In 1720, he was the acting 13th Proprietary Governor of the Province of Maryland. He took over after Governor John Hart left and before Charles Calvert, fifth Lord Baltimore arrived.
Thomas Brooke Jr. was the son of Major Thomas Brooke Sr. (1632–1676) and his second wife Eleanor Hatton (1642–1725). Eleanor later married Col. Henry Darnall (1645-1711).
Contents
Life and Work
Thomas Brooke Jr. was born in 1660 near Nottingham, in what was then Calvert County, Maryland. This area later became Prince George's County. He became a high-ranking officer in the local military, reaching the rank of Colonel.
Early Career in Maryland
Thomas Brooke Jr. served as a justice of the peace for Calvert County from 1679 to 1689. This meant he helped keep order and settle disputes in the community. He was also a vestryman at St. Paul's Parish, which involved managing church affairs.
In 1689, he lost his position as a justice. This was likely because he didn't support a local uprising known as the Protestant Associators' revolution. However, in 1691, Charles Calvert, the 3rd Lord Baltimore, nominated him to join the first royal Council. This Council was also known as the Upper House of the colonial Maryland General Assembly. Thomas served on the Council of Maryland from 1692 to 1707.
He also became a justice of the Provincial Court in 1694. The next year, he was appointed Deputy Secretary of Maryland. By 1699, he was the Commissary General of the Province, a role that involved managing public records and legal matters.
Challenges and Reappointment
In 1708, Governor John Seymour removed Thomas Brooke Jr. from all his offices. This happened partly because of his family's strong connections to the Roman Catholic faith. His brothers were Jesuits, and his stepfather, Col. Henry Darnall, was also a prominent Catholic. Governor Seymour also cited poor attendance at Council meetings, even though Thomas had usually attended regularly before Seymour became governor.
When Maryland returned to the control of the Calvert family (the proprietors) in 1715, Thomas Brooke Jr. was reappointed to the Council. He served again from 1715 to 1722.
Serving as Governor
In 1720, Thomas Brooke Jr. was chosen to be the President of the Council. This made him the acting Governor of Maryland. He served in this role after Governor John Hart left and until Charles Calvert, fifth Lord Baltimore, arrived. He was then replaced by Captain Charles Calvert, a cousin of Lord Baltimore.
Thomas Brooke Jr. was removed from the Council again in 1722, but the exact reason for this second dismissal is not clear. Unlike his parents and brothers, he was a member of the Church of England and raised his own family in that faith. He was one of the first vestrymen of St. Paul's Parish.
His Home and Land
Thomas Brooke Jr. lived at an estate called "Brookefield." He inherited this land from his father. It was located on Mattaponi Creek near the Patuxent River. Originally, "Brookefield" was in Calvert County, but in 1696, it became part of the newly formed Prince George's County.
By the time he passed away on January 7, 1730, at "Brookefield," Thomas Brooke Jr. owned a large amount of land, over 7,000 acres (about 28 square kilometers).
Family Life
Thomas Brooke Jr. was married twice.
First Marriage
Around 1679, he married Anne Addison. They had four children together before Anne passed away around 1684.
Second Marriage
His second wife was Barbara Dent (1676–1754). Barbara was born in 1676 in St. Mary's County, Maryland, and died in Calvert County, Maryland, on June 26, 1754. Barbara was the daughter of Col. Thomas Dent Sr. (1630–1676) and Rebecca Wilkinson (1633–1726).
Children
Thomas Brooke Jr. had many children. Here are some of them:
- Baker Brooke (born 1680)
- Benjamin Brooke Sr. (1680–1727)
- Eleanor Brooke (1683–1756)
- Elizabeth Brooke (1683–1748)
- Jane Brooke (1685–1779)
- John Brooke (1687–1727)
- Lucy Brooke (born 1687)
- Mary Brooke (1689–1758)
- Nathaniel Brooke (1689–1780)
- Priscilla Brooke (1690–1760)
- Rebecca Brooke (1692–1768)
- Sarah Brooke (1694–1732)
- Thomas Brooke III (1696–1744/45)
- Thomas Brooke (1717–1768)
