John Brockman (soldier)

John Brockman, Jr. (May 8, 1735 – January 31, 1801) was an officer in the North Carolina militia during the American Revolutionary War.

Early years
Brockman was born in King and Queen County, Virginia to John and Mary (Collins) Brockman, who later moved to Orange County, Virginia. His mother was the daughter of Captain Joseph Collins and Susannah Robertson. John Jr. was the grandson of Samuel Brockman and the great-grandson of Henry Brockman who was a primary founder of the English Brockman family in the United States. John Brockman, Jr., was orphaned when his father died; the court appointed a guardian, Kelly Jennings (second husband of Mary Collins), for Brockman's younger siblings, but excluded John as he was over the age of 14.

John Brockman, Jr., married Amelia Martin, the daughter of Robert and Ann (Eason) Martin. They lived at "Thornhill" in Orange County, Virginia.

American Revolution
During the American Revolutionary War, Brockman has been reputed to be the colonel and leader of "John Brockman's Regiment" in the North Carolina militia.

In connection with this, there is a record of Brockman's supplying the Patriot militia, as certified by the secretary of the North Carolina Historical Commission with 2500 pounds currency. The Daughters of the American Revolution have recorded Brockman as a veteran and participated in unveiling a headstone in his honor. However, records are scarce for revolutionary war era militia. Given Brockman's age and wealth, and the fact that he funded the militia it would not have been unusual for him to have been made a titled militia colonel, as opposed to a formal officer. In any event, there do not appear to be formal records indicating that Brockman was colonel in the regular army. If Brockman indeed served in the militia, having come from Caswell County it is likely that he served in the Hillsborough District militia.