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The History Of The Rushbrooke Family
"The history of the Rushbrooke family as far as we have accurate record, dates back to June 26, 1822. Upon this date my grandfather, James A. Rushbrooke, was born in Downham, Norfolk, England. When he was only nine months old his mother, who was Anne Whight [sic] before marriage, was accidentally shot and killed. After the death of his mother, grandfather was cared for by an aunt until he was nine years old, when his father married again and took him home.
Before he was twenty one years of age grandfather joined the English Army as an assistant doctor and went to the East Indies. While there he met a beautiful young girl, Eliza Jane Burleigh, and fell in love with her. They were married at Bellary, East Indies, May 30, 1843. She was of English parentage born at Londonderry, Ireland, April 20, 1826. She, with her mother, father, two sisters and one brother had traveled with the English Army also.
After their marriage, grandfather and grandmother lived at Bellary awhile and there their first child, Emily was born. From there they went to Secunderabd, East Indies, and the second child, James, was born. Soon after this grandfather's father wrote for them to come home and they returned to Ely, England where my great grandfather lived at that time. Eight children, Joseph, Caroline, William, Arthur, Henry, Albert, Annie, and Janie were born there. They lived at Ely for about twenty one years. During this time grandfather came to America and worked as a bookkeeper in Atlantic City, New Jersey, for two years while his family remained in England.
Not wishing to be separated from his family he decided to return to England and bring them to America. Accordinglt grandfather, with one son, Joseph, later known as Uncle Joe in our neighborhood, set sail for the United States. They landed at New York City January 12, 1869. Grandfather had planned to settle in New Jersey but he became acquainted with Mr. Jim Peck in New York who persuaded him to come to West Virginia and settle near Peterstown. He then wrote back to England and grandmother with five of the children, Arthur, Henry, Albert, Annie, and Janie started in a sailing vessel, "The Hudson" leaving the four other children, James, William, Emily and Caroline in England.A terrible storm came up while they were at sea and it took them five weeks to cross the ocean. They landed in New York sometime in October 1870.
From there they came to White Sulphur Springs where grandfather and Mr. Jim Beasley met them with a wagon and brought them to their new home near Gray Sulphur. They lived there for a while but moved to Green Valley in 1871. Here the last of their eleven children were born.
Many amusing incidents of the family in their new home were recorded by my grandfather. One of the most interesting of these is given directly from his diary:
"Capture of a Rattlesnake"
"Shortly after my arrival in Virginia, I was engaged in hoeing corn whilst my son Joseph was plowing. When suddenly he calls out, "Here's a big rattlesnake," and sure enough in the fence corner was a large snake with aelevated head and tail making that most hidious noise which once heard can never be forgotten. I soon had my hoe upon his head and slipping my hand under it I grasped him by the neck. I then took my pocket knife and extracted his fangs, made him fast with a hickory withe and went on with my work until sunset. On my way home carrying the snake I chanced to meet my landlord, Mr. J. E. Williams who on seeing the living reptile in my hand turned pale with fright and shoughted, "Jesus Christ, man do you know what you've got thar." "Yes," says I, stroking it's head with my finger, "this is what you call a rattlesnake, is'nt it?" "Rattlesnake, yes by God and he'll rattlesnake you. Throw him away as far as you can and I'll kill him with a rock." "Oh no," says I, "twould be a pitty to kill him." Then he seemed to smell a mice and when he found that he had met the rattlesnake's master passed on exclaiming, "Well gentlemen dead or alive I would'nt touch that durned thing for the best hourse on my plantation." I kept this snake about three weeks but as I could'nt induce him to eat he became so slim that he excaped through the wires of his cage. About two weeks after I recaptured him and he had become as large as ever. After keeping him two or three weeks longer I killed him and stuffed his skin, put in false eyes and used him very successfully to keep turkies and ckickens off drying fruits."
Grandfather taught school until his death, February 27, 1885. Grandmother lived untol 1903. The latter history of the family is well known to many friends and relatives who are here today to celebrate the Golden Wedding of the last surviving member of this pioneer family, Albert E. Rushbrooke."
Although the author of this passage is unknown at this time, we do know that it was presented as a history of the Rushbrooke family given to all members present at the Golden Wedding Anniversary of Albert Rushbrooke held at the "home place" in Green Valley.
The Rushbrooke Family
Generation 1
1.Joseph Rushbrooke, born ABT 1799 in Norfolk, England; died ABT 1882 in Ely England. Married Anne Wright. Marriage Date: 21 Oct 1821 Recorded in: St. Nicholas, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England.
Source: FHL Number 1526456 Dates: 1794-1847
Known Children of Joseph Rushbrooke and Anne Wright:
[2]i.James Arthur Rushbrooke 26 JUN 1822-27 FEB 1885)
Generation 2
2.James Arthur Rushbrooke was born 28 JUN 1822 in Downham, Norfolk, England. He married Eliza Jane Burleigh 30 MAY 1843
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