Dorothy (Brookes) Langford (aft. 1650 - bef. 1669)

Born after 1650 in Westmoreland, Virginia [uncertain]

Wife of Thomas Langford — married about 1667 in Westmoreland, Virginia

Died before 1669 before age 19 in Westmoreland, Virginia [uncertain]

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Biography

Dorothy was born after 1650 as she is not named as one of the headrights of Henry Brookes when he moved to Virginia from Maryland, although he names his then-living children and stepchildren (progeny of his wife, Jane, widow of David Wickliffe of Maryland). These children are David, Robert, and Alice Wickliffe, and Eman., Jane, and Lydia Brookes. Dorothy is named in her father's will signed 21 June 1662, and is specifically described as unmarried. ^[1] She is Henry's legatee who is to receive certain real and personal property to which her mother Jane is given a life interest. The land she was to receive was to go to her sisters Jane and Lydia should she die without heirs.

She apparently did marry sometime after her father signed his will in 1662, but had no issue, as the will of Thomas Langford shows. Langford signed his will on 11 Mar 1668/9, and it was probated in Westmoreland County. ^[2] In the will he leaves cattle "unto my mother in law Jane Brookes alias Butler" and leaves his wife's wedding ring "unto my sister in law Jane Higdon." He mentions no issue in his will, and it is apparent that his wife predeceased him. As all of Jane Brookes's daughters are accounted for in other marriages, Dorothy is the only possible candidate for Thomas Langford's wife. That there was no issue of the marriage is apparent by the legacies - he mentions a number of friends and in-laws, as well as a ward, John Eveins/Evens.

Since Dorothy was born after 1650, she would have been 12 years at most at the time of her father's death. Assuming she married at about age 17, her marriage would have taken place approximately 1667. That she died without heirs is further evidenced by the fact that her sisters did apparently get the land that would have devolved to her, as they are later recorded in possession of it. ^[3]

Research Notes

Dorthy Brooks alias Butler 650 acres in Northumberland County,Virginia in 1664.^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ John Frederick Dorman, abstractor, Westmoreland County, Virginia Records, 1661-1664 (Washington, DC: John Frederick Dorman, 1972), 75.
2. ↑ John Frederick Dorman, abstractor, Westmoreland County, Virginia Deeds, Patents, Etc, 1665-1667: Part One (Washington, DC: John Frederick Dorman, 1973), 46.
3. ↑ Charles E. Hatch Jr, Popes Creek Plantation: Birthplace of George Washington (Washington's Birthplace, VA: Wakefield National Memorial Association, 1979), 20.
4. ↑ VirginiaCountyRecords