BROOKE, Francis J., jurist, born in Smithfield, Virginia, 27 August, 1763; died 3 March, 1851. In 1780 he joined Harrison's regiment of artillery as lieuten-ant--his twin brother, John, obtaining a similar commission in the same regiment--and his first campaign was under Lafayette, in 1781. He afterward joined Greene's army, and served until the end of the war. On his return to Virginia, after studying medicine for a year with his elder brother, Lawrence, he turned his attention to the law, and was admitted to the bar in 1788. He practiced in the counties of Monongahela and Harrison, was appointed commonwealth's attorney in the district court, and then practiced in Essex County, and in the Northern Neck. He was elected to the state house of delegates in 1794, removed to Fredericksburg in 1796, and in 1800 was chosen to the state senate, becoming its speaker. In 1804 he was elected a judge of the general court, and in 1811 a judge of the court of appeals, of which he was president for eight years. In 1831 he was re-elected judge of the same court, and retained the office until his death. Judge Brooke was an intimate friend of George Washington.--His son, Francis J., born in Virginia in 1802, was graduated at the United States military academy in 1826, served as second lieutenant in the Black Hawk war, became first lieutenant of the 6th infantry, 6 May, 1835, and was killed at the battle of Okeechobee, 25 December, 1837, where he had distinguished himself by his bravery.

--George Mercer Brooke, soldier, brother of Francis J., the elder, born in Virginia; died in San Antonio, Texas, 9 March, 1851. He entered the army 3 May, 1808, as first lieutenant in the 5th infantry, was made captain 1 May, 1810, and became major in the 23d infantry in 1814. On 15 August of that year he was brevetted lieutenant colonel for gallant conduct in defense of Fort Erie, and on 17 September was brevetted colonel for his services in the sortie from the same fort. He was made a brevet brigadier-genera1 17 September, 1824, and in July, 1831, served as colonel of the 5th infantry. During the war with Mexico he fought with distinction, and was brevetted major general for his services, 30 May, 1848. At the time of his death he was in command of the 8th military department. Fort Brooke, at the head of Tampa bay, Florida, received its name from him.