Washington and Lee University, University Library Special Collections and Archives
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Use
The materials from Washington and Lee University Special Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with the source. Permission for publication of this material, in part or in full, must be secured with the Head of Special Collections.
Preferred Citation
Preferred citation: [Identification of item], John White Brockenbrough Papers, WLU Coll. 0478, Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA
In some cases the citation format may vary. Please contact Special Collections' staff to verify the appropriate format.
Biographical / Historical
John White Brockenbrough founded Lexington Law School in 1849. He earned his LL.D. from Washington College in 1851, where he taught as a law professor from 1866 and again from 1870-1873. He served as an Emeritus Trustee of Washington and Lee University from 1852-1872 and as rector from 1871-1872. He practiced law in various capacities during his career, including as a judge.
Scope and Contents
This collection contains two of John Brockenbrough's personal correspondences, a letter of resignation from Washington and Lee University, and a bank receipt from the Bank of Lexington. One of the personal correspondences contains information about military movements in Virginia during the American Civil War.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Correspondence
- Employees -- Resignation
- Military campaigns
- Receipts (Acknowledgments)
- Washington and Lee University
Significant Persons Associated With the Collection
- Averell, William Woods
- Brockenbrough, John
- Early, Jubal Anderson, 1816-1894
- Jackson, William Lowther
- Lee, Fitzhugh, 1835-1905
Significant Places Associated With the Collection
- Virginia -- Collierstown -- Collierstown Road
- Virginia -- Covington
- Virginia -- Craig's Creek
Container List
Contains a letter from John William Brockenbrough's descendant, Richard Oram, to the Head of Special Collections at James G. Leyburn Library that accompanied his donation of one of Brockenbrough's photocopied personal correspondences. This personal correspondence is also housed in this folder.
This folder contains a handwritten personal correspondence from John White Brockenbrough to an unknown sir. It mentions military movements throughout the region specifically related to Averell's Raid. The movement of General Fitzhugh Lee and his company to Covington, VA are mentioned. Collierstown and Craig's Creek as well as Generals William 'Mudwall' Jackson and Jubal Early are also mentioned.
This folder contains a handwritten draft of Brockenbrough's letter of resignation to Washington and Lee University.
Bank receipt in the amount of $2000 from the Bank of Lexington to John W. Brockenbrough in 1869 while he was Rector of Washington College. The receipt contains a small engraving of a 'gentleman farmer' taking his break in the fields.