USA > Maryland > Genealogical and memorial encyclopedia of the state of Maryland, a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, Volume II > Part 6
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opponent, and during his term won several notable victories in the conviction of habitual violators of the law who had grown to believe they were immune from conviction.
As Associate Judge of this circuit it is hardly necessary for me to speak after the eloquent words spoken of him by his colleague who served with him during the whole time he was on the Bench, and the members of this Bar who have spoken so beautifully of his work and exalted character.
This was how the kindly-hearted, perfectly-poised, clear- headed, clean-minded judge was regarded by the members of the profession he long adorned. With a mind without bias he worked hard to master cases in order that he might reach a proper conclusion and decide each case according to the law and the facts, and his written opinions were clear and to the point. Outside the profession he had an admiring throng of friends in all walks of life, and when the end came the people of the Fifth Judicial Circuit mourned.
Judge Brashears came of good, sturdy stock, his people were settled in Lower Anne Arundel many years before the Revolutionary War, and six days after the Declaration of In- dependence the Brashears and Gardiner boys were volunteer- ing for service in the companies of Captains Tillard and Chew, then forming at West River to fight for our independence. The American ancestor, Benjamin Brasseur, came from France to Virginia, and thence to Maryland, in 1658, and was naturalized an English subject, December 4, 1662. Soon afterward he died intestate, but his widow, Mary, whose death occurred soon after that of her husband's, left a will in which she gave her residence as "The Clefts." Benjamin Brasseur, the founder, was commissioned a judge of Calvert county, May 21, 1661, according to Volume II, page 424, "Archives of Maryland." The line of descent from Judge Benjamin Brasseur to Judge James Russell Brashears, to whose memory this review is dedicated, is through the founder's son Robert, his son Samuel, his son John, his son John (2),
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his son William, his son Robert, his son John William, his son Judge James R. Brashears.
The records of the land commissioner's office show that 2841/2 acres, a part of Anne Arundel Manor, was surveyed, June 12, 1769, for Mr. John Brashears (the anglicised form of the name) and on September 1, 1771, was patented to Mr. John Brashears. This land was devised by him to his sons, Benjamin, William and Jonathan, by his will, dated August 10, 1771. William Brashears, great-grandfather of Judge James R. Brashears, was the last of the name to own a part of "Brashears Purchase," and when he conveyed his interest to strangers he reserved the family burial ground. John William Brashears, father of Judge James R. Brashears, was a farmer, a strong and able man, who served for a time as register of wills of Anne Arundel county.
James Russell Brashears, son of John William and Willie E. Brashears, was born at West River, Anne Arundel county, Maryland, March 13, 1858, died August 19, 1917, at his home in Annapolis, Maryland. He attended public school and West River Academy until eighteen years of age, working on the home farm during vacation periods. At the age of eighteen he came to Annapolis, a strong, well-developed, modest, coun- try boy, entering his father's office as deputy register of wills, virtually running the office. Keen and alert of mind, he soon saw that the returns from farm labor were small in com- parison, and he determined to study law. Upon completing his law preparation, he was admitted to the bar, and began practice in the year 1887. Said a colleague of the bench in referring to this period :
This member of the Court enjoyed an intimate acquaintance with Judge Brashears before his admission to the Bar, and, together as young men just beginning life, we talked of our hopes and aims and plans for the future. Like most of the boys of the Civil War period, we had not enjoyed many educational advantages and agreed that we could hardly hope to ever enjoy
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any of the honors then held by the older distinguished members of the bar, while both of us, having the natural reverence of the country boy for persons in high place, looked upon the members of the Court as persons apart from ordinary mortals only to be approached with awe and reverence.
At that time Judge Brashears was a young man of pleasing appearance, fair of form, physically a giant in strength, gentle manners and pleasing address, he inspired confidence and rapidly grew in public esteem.
His acquaintance gained in the office of Register of Wills was very large all over the county, and practice came to him in abundance. This acquaintance never grew less, for he held his friends, who constantly increased in number, becoming in time a valuable asset both in a professional and political way. He began early to make his influence felt in Democratic party councils, and beginning with the year 1889, and continuing until 1901, his name was on this party ticket at every State election. In 1889 he was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates, and was thrice re-elected, an unusual honor in Anne Arundel county. At the general election of 1895, although most of the Democratic candidates were defeated, he was elected State's Attorney, serving most ably a full term of four years. In 1901 he was again elected to the House of Dele- gates, his fourth term. During his term he served as tem- porary speaker on committees on Ways and Means, and chair- man on Judiciary, the ranking committee of the House; chairman of the Committee on Chesapeake Bay and Its Tribu- taries, and chairman of the Committee on Temperance. While a member of the General Assembly he absolutely re- fused all passes, neither would he accept an allowance for postage.
In 1907 he was elected State Senator for a four years' term, but had hardly entered upon his senatorial duties when he was appointed by Governor Austin L. Crothers to fill the vacancy upon the bench of the Fifth Judicial Circuit Court, caused by the death of Judge James Revell. The appointment
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was made April 1, 1908, and under it Judge Brashears served until the next general election, when he was elected to suc- ceed himself, for the full term of fifteen years. He had been nominated for the office by the Democrats of the circuit com- prising the counties of Anne Arundel, Howard and Carroll, and had the endorsement of the Republican Convention, a splendid tribute to receive from political opponents. With his elevation to the bench, he practically retired from all political activity.
He was truly one of those sincere, noble characters who made the world better for having lived in it. In his public career, as in his private life, he exemplified the highest ideals, and as one who loved his fellowmen he was, in turn, loved and honored by them. He was in the truest sense a Christian gentleman, and, as one of the pastors at the funeral services so feelingly said: "The Lord abode with him." Judge Brashears was thoroughly practical and an accomplished man of affairs. His boyhood experience on the farm, his later experience in the Register of Wills office, in the active practice of his profession, as State's Attorney, as member of the House of Delegates for four terms and as State Senator, and lastly his judicial career, his interest in which was shared by his delight in his home farm, all served to broaden his knowledge of men as well as of affairs, and, combined with his ster- ling integrity and unswerving devotion to duty, splendidly equipped him for the invaluable service he rendered to his people. He had, especially, rare discernment in picking out the true from the false, and stood as a veritable bulwark against sharp practices and unrighteous machinations, just as he stood ever ready to extend the strong arm of the law (and with justice tempered with mercy) to all those who needed and merited its help and protection.
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Judge Brashears was a member and a trustee of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Annapolis, his funeral being from that church, where a great throng from city, county and State gathered to pay last homage to one whom they loved. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Improved Order of Red Men, and of the various bar associations, local, State and National.
Judge Brashears married, December 22, 1891, Matilda Brown, daughter of ex-Mayor James Brown, of Annapolis. Mrs. Brashears survives her husband with an only son, Lieu- tenant James H. B. Brashears, a graduate of St. John's Col- lege, now second lieutenant of the United States Marine Corps, who was stationed at Quantico, Virginia, at the time of his father's death.
The memorial service held in honor of the memory of Judge Brashears was presided over by Judges Moss and For- sythe; eulogies were offered by lawyers and judges, and the following resolutions unanimously adopted :
WHEREAS, The Supreme Ruler of the Universe has in His Divine Providence seen fit to remove from our midst, Hon. James R. Brashears, late Associate Judge of this Court, and
WHEREAS, In view of the cordial relations that existed between Judge Brashears and the members of the Bar, it is right, fit and proper, that a public acknowledgment by the Bench and Bar of his virtues, personal and legal qualities, should be made a matter of record.
'THEREFORE, Be It Resolved by the members of the Bar of the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County, that we here express our deep regret at his untimely demise.
RESOLVED, That in his association with the members of this Bar that he was always courteous, considerate, careful, kind and conscientious.
RESOLVED, That in our belief, personal feelings or motives never entered into his mind in regard to any case before him, whether he was a friend or
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foe, and that we believe he held. the scales of justice with such an even hand that a feather's weight would turn them.
RESOLVED, That this Bar feels that his death was a distinct and sad loss to our community, and that we bow to his memory loyally with our hearts.
RESOLVED, That in his high character, he was an ornament to the Bench of the State, and that his loss to the Bench, the State and the people of Anne Arundel County, is a deep regret to those who practiced before him as a Judge and who associated with him individually.
RESOLVED, That a copy of these resolutions be entered upon the minutes of the Court and another be sent to his family.
GEORGE STEWART BROWN
G' EORGE STEWART BROWN, for nearly half a century the active head of the famous old banking house of Alex- ander Brown & Sons, in addition to the possession of the exceptional financial ability inherited from his father and grandfather, had talents which fitted him for public life, and for many years served with distinction as Paymaster-General of the State. He was identified with almost all the important financial and philanthropic interests of Baltimore, and to each one he proved himself a tower of strength.
George Stewart Brown, son of George and Isabella (Mc- Lanahan) Brown, and grandson of Alexander Brown, the founder of the house, was born May 7, 1834, in Baltimore, where he received his academical education at McNally's Institute. At the age of sixteen he entered his father's office, and at twenty was admitted to membership of the firm. Upon the death of his father, in 1859, he became the head of the house and the only surviving member of the firm. In 1867 W. H. Graham became associated with him, and in 1872 W. G. Bowdoin was taken into the firm, the name of which remained, as always, unchanged.
In 1868 Mr. Brown was appointed by Governor Swann Paymaster-General of the State, and was continued in office for many years, being reappointed by several succeeding occupants of the gubernatorial chair. His period of service was marked by the greatest efficiency, and he always mani- fested a peculiarly strong interest in the militia. He twice served on the Harbor Committee, and also the Committee on Manufactures. Among other positions of trust which he held were those of president of the Baltimore & Havana Steamship Company, director in the National Mechanics' Bank, the old Calvert Sugar Refining Company, and the
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Union Railroad Company, and vice-president of the Canton Company. An active business man, General Brown engaged in many forms of enterprise, and in politics was a leader in the reform movement of 1859, and in similar movements in 1875 and 1889, serving in the last named year as chairman of the Nominating Committee of One Hundred. He was long identified with the Young Men's Christian Association, and was one of the most liberal contributors to its support. For many years he was one of the managers of the House of Refuge, the Blind Asylum, and the Maryland Bible Society, and was also a trustee of the Peabody Institute. Next to his anxiety for the moral and social welfare of his native city was his interest in all that could increase its beauty, and as Park Commissioner he rendered most valuable aid in this direction. Politically he was a Democrat, although at all times preferring "the right man in the right place," inde- pendent of party considerations. He was for many years identified with the First Presbyterian Church, on Madison street, to the work of which he was a liberal contributor.
General Brown married, in 1857, Harriet Eaton, of New York, and they became the parents of a son, to whom they gave the name of his great-grandfather, Alexander. General Brown was of striking appearance, being tall and straight as an arrow, with a full grey beard. He was sparsely built, but active, and always fond of athletic sports. He was one of the organizers of the Elkridge Hunt Club, and until a few years previous to his death was an ardent follower of the hounds, keeping pace with men many years his junior. More recently he turned his attention to yachting, and on board the "Bally- mena" traveled all along the North American Atlantic coast. He also spent much time in Europe, his visits being frequent and of considerable duration.
General Brown died May 19, 1890, at his Baltimore resi-
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dence, mourned by the entire community for the exercise of those qualities which made him, as a man and a citizen, a worthy successor of noble and public-spirited ancestors, a pil- lar of the prosperity of his native city, and a motive power in her advancement. As a man, admirable in every relation of life, he has left an honored memory, honored especially for those good deeds which his modesty would fain have con- cealed, but for which multitudes bless his name.
JUDGE WALTER I. DAWKINS
THE family of Dawkins established itself at Over Norton, Oxfordshire, England, in the time of Henry VIII. One of the family who attained prominence as a sea general, as admirals were then called, fought under Blake when Jamaica was captured. Later he became one of Cromwell's major generals who helped govern England and was placed in charge of South Wales. Another of the family, who is praised by Dr. Johnson in Boswell's biography, devoted his wealth to two objects. A classical scholar and traveller, he fitted out an armed expedition, and re-discovered Palmyra, which had been lost for centuries to civilized eyes. His travelling com- panion, Wood, published a large folio volume narrating the journey. Subsequently James became a secret agent of the "Young Pretender," and represented him at the Court of Frederick the Great. He is mentioned with much praise in a book by Mr. Andrew Lang, entitled "Pickles, the Spy," which is a history of the "Young Pretender's" betrayal by some of his Scotch adherents. The founder of the family in Amer- ica was Joseph Dawkins, of Calvert county, Maryland, said to have been born in England, and to have come from Oxford- shire to Maryland about the middle of the seventeenth century.
Arms-Gules, a lion passant or, between two roses in pale argent and as many flaunches of the second each charged with a lion rampant sable.
Crest-A dexter arm couped at the shoulder proper, holding a battle axe bendways or, the blade rose gules.
Joseph Dawkins, the immigrant ancestor of the Daw- kins of Maryland, settled in Calvert county, in the year 1668, or prior thereto. Among the documents formerly belonging to the Lords of Baltimore, which were brought from England by Dr. William Hand Brown, and are now in the Maryland MD .- 27
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Historical Society, is the Rent Roll of Calvert County, the original book used by the Lords Proprietors. On page 21 appeared the following entry: "Hill Hall," 200 acres, sur- veyed April 11, 1668, for Joseph Dawkins and Robert An- drews. "Hill Hall" was probably the home plantation of Joseph Dawkins. He also acquired two other tracts known, respectively, as "Joseph's Reserve" and "Joseph's Place," as appears from the following entries in the Rent Roll, "Joseph's Place" containing 200 acres, surveyed November 24, 1682, for Joseph Edloe, situated on the north side of the Patuxent river and the west side of Leonard's creek, in possession of William Dawkins, and "Joseph's Reserve," 196 acres surveyed, Novem- ber 27, 1682, for Joseph Dawkins.
(I) The founder of this family in America was Joseph Dawkins, of Calvert county, Maryland, said to have been born in England, and to have come from Oxfordshire to Maryland about the middle of the seventeenth century. He married Mary Hale. His will was probated May 9, 1685. Children: 1. Joseph, see forward. 2. William, married Ann Smith. 3. James. 4. Mary, became the wife of James Duke, of Calvert county, Maryland.
(II) Joseph Dawkins, son of Joseph and Mary (Hale) Dawkins, was a resident of Calvert county, Maryland. He died in 1715, and his will was probated April 2, 1715. He married Sarah . Children: 1. William, see forward. 2. Joseph, of "Bachelor Hall." 3. James, born April 29, 1708, of "Haphazard" and "Mary's Dukedom." 4. Mary. 5. Sarah. 6. Margarett. 7. Dorcas.
(III) William Dawkins, eldest son of Joseph and Sarah Dawkins, married Mary, daughter of General James Mackall. This marriage is recorded on page 86 of the Register of Christ Church Parish, Calvert county, as follows: "William Daw- kins intermarried with Mary Mackall, August 9th, 1720."
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General James Mackall, member of the House of Burgesses from Calvert county, Maryland, 1712, and Chief Justice of Calvert county, 1716, married Ann Brooke, daughter of Roger Brooke, born September 20, 1637; Justice, 1675 to 1684, and High Sheriff, 1684, and his second wife, Mary (Wolse- ley) Brooke. Roger Brooke was son of Robert Brooke, born June 3, 1602, in Southampton, England ; B. A., Wadham Col- lege, Oxford, July 6, 1620, M.A., April 23, 1624; arrived in Maryland, June 30, 1650; commander of Charles county, Maryland, 1650; president of Provincial Council, 1652, act- ing Governor of Maryland, 1652; died July 20, 1655, and his second wife, Mary (Mainwaring) Brooke, daughter of Roger Mainwaring, Bishop of St. David's. William Dawkins died 1756, and his will was probated November 20, 1756. Chil- dren of William and Mary Dawkins: 1. Ann, born August 2, 1721; married a Mr. Elliott. 2. Sarah, born September 18, 1723, died 1730. 3. Elizabeth, born April 19, 1725. 4. James, born January 15, 1726. 5. Joseph, born January 22, 1728. 6. Mary, born November 10, 1730. 7. M. Dorcas, born March 20, 1732. 8. William, see forward. 9. Charles, born August 22, 1736; married Rebecca . 10. Rebecca, born May 3, 1738. 11. Benjamin, born June 4, 1740. 12. Jesse, born July 21, 1742.
(IV) William Dawkins, son of William and Mary (Mackall) Dawkins, of Calvert county, Maryland, was born August 3, 1734, and died after 1786. He married Children: 1. Rebecca, born December 2, 1759. 2. Joseph, see forward.
(V) Joseph Dawkins, son of William Dawkins, was born about 1769. He married Mary --- , and they had one child, James, see forward.
(VI) James Dawkins, son of Joseph and Mary Daw- kins, of Calvert county, Maryland, was born in 1793, and
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died March 6, 1826. He married, 1816, Mary Parran, daugh- ter of Alexander Parran, born 1757, died 1805, and his wife, Millie (King) Parran, born 1761, died 1818. Alexander Parran was a son of Young Parran, Associate Justice of Cal- vert county, 1747 to 1755; Chief Justice of Calvert county, 1756 to 1769; member of the House of Burgesses, 1765 to 1771, and his wife, Elizabeth (Smith) Parran. Young Par- ran was son of Alexander Parran, Chief Justice of Calvert county, 1700, and his wife, Mary (Young) Parran. Children of James and Mary (Parran) Dawkins: I. Elizabeth Mary, born October 6, 1817. 2. Alexander, born March 28, 1819. 3. Young Parran, see forward. 4. Jane, born June 8, 1822. 5. Eliza Maria, born December 13, 1823. 6. Rebecca.
(VII) Young Parran Dawkins, son of James and Mary (Parran) Dawkins, of St. Mary's county, Maryland, was born October 3, 1820, and died January 23, 1883. He was Judge Commissioner of the Orphans' Court, assessor, and held other offices. He married, May 26, 1842, Alethea Elizabeth Dor- sey, born 1824, died October 25, 1878, daughter of Walter and Ann (Ireland) Dorsey, of Calvert county, Maryland. Chil- dren : 1. James Alexander, born September 21, 1845; married (first) Melissa Polk Bryant, daughter of Joshua Bryant, of Harford county, Maryland; married (second) Mary Lizzie Deming, born June 12, 1857, daughter of Edward C. and Frances (Ghislen) Deming, of Norfolk, Virginia. Child by first marriage: James Arnold, born October 29, 1875, died June 27, 1876. Children by second marriage: Frances Ale- thea, born April 14, 1884; Young Parran, born April 19, 1887; Mary Deming, born November 14, 1889, became the wife of Herbert S. Michael. 2. Mary, born August 30, 1849, died November 10, 1850. 3. Young Parran, born September 23, 1856, died, unmarried, December 9, 1899. 4. Walter Ireland, born October 21, 1858; Associate Judge of the Su-
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preme Bench of Baltimore; former president of the Maryland State Bar Association. 5. Eva, born May 27, 1864, and died March 2, 1917, was the wife of James S. Edelen, of Prince George county, Maryland.
WILLIAM STEWART POLK
A WONDERFUL life ended September 7, 1917, with the passing of William S. Polk, of Baltimore, a nonagenarian in years, a leading man in the insurance field for half a cen- tury, an ex-naval officer and ex-army officer, and one of Balti- more's best-known and deeply-respected citizens. But it is not these facts that form his claim to be numbered with those men of eminence whose lives are the glory of the city of Balti- more, but his life of uprightness, his Christian character and his all-embracing charity. No pen could overdraw the beauty of the life now begun in a better clime.
The Polk family is one of antiquity, tracing to early days in Scotland, the feudal barony of Pollock being held in the family in the time of King David, who reigned in the twelfth century.
Arms-Vert a saltire or, between three high horns argent, stringed gules, in the flanks and base.
Crest-A boar passant quarterly or, and vert transfixed through the shoulder by an arrow proper.
Motto-Andaciter et strenne.
In the year 1269, Petrus de Pollok was one of the men of rank who under pressure submitted to Edward of England in the bond known as Ragman's Roll. Petrus de Pollok was succeeded by his son, Robert de Pollok, who married Agnes, daughter of Sir John Maxwell, Lord of Carlaverok, they the parents of a son, John Brecius de Pollok, who left a son, John de Pollok, designated in a charter by King James II. of Scot- land (December 12, 1439), as: "Nobilis sir Johannis de Pol- lok, fillius et Tires Brecius de Pollok." From this famous noble sprang the illustrious line of Pollok of that ilk. His ancestor was Charles Pollok. John de Pollok had a second son, Robert de Pollok, who received from King James II.
W.Stewar Boek
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the great land grant in New Scotland, as Ireland was then called. He became Sir Robert de Pollok, whose eldest son John inherited the estates in Old Scotland, while the youngest son Robert received the newly acquired lands in Ire- land, with the title of Sir Robert de Pollok, the name there always and until this day having been pronounced Polk by the natives, as it has continued to be by the descendants of the one who brought it to Maryland.
In the year 1640, Sir Robert de Pollok, of Ireland, joined the Scotch Covenanters, whose commander-in-chief and gov- ernor of Dumbarton Castle was a relative of General Sir Alex- ander Leslie, one of the famous soldiers of that day. In 1646 Sir George Maxwell, of Nestor Pollok, was married to Lady Arabella Stewart, lineal descendant of King Robert III. He was succeeded by his son, Thomas ; and his second son, Robert Bruce Pollok, married the widow of Major Porter, of the English Army. According to the, best authorities, the lady was Miss Madeline Tasker and heiress to the estate of Morn- ing Hall in Ireland. She was closely related to the Countess of Mornington, and an aunt to the Duke of Wellington. Robert de Pollok had patented to him in 1687 certain estates in Dames Quarter, Somerset county, Maryland, which have descended in the family to the present generation. Robert Bruce Pollok (Polk) had eight children, the majority of whom married and left descendants who have been among Maryland's distinguished sons, and found in high position all through the West and South, a President of the United States bearing the name. The name of Robert Polk and that of his son appear in 1689 among the loyal subjects of Somerset county, Maryland, who addressed a letter to King William and Queen Mary.
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