BROKAW (Broucard/Bragaw/Bercaw/Berkaw) Index

The progenitor of the Brokaw, Bragaw and other families of this branch was one Bourgon Broucard, who was born in France. He was a member of the Huguenot Party, which was, during the 16th and 17th centuries, struggling to maintain Protestantism in that country. In the years following 1500, criticism of the Roman Catholic Church developed in Europe, which movement later developed into open warfare. This criticism was developed by Calvin in France, Luther in Germany. Those led by Calvin became known as Calvinists, and his followers in France as Huguenots.

The "Register of Ancestors" of the Huguenot Society of New Jersey states that the family name of Broucard lived in La Rochelle, France and that Broucard was at one time an honored and most noted name in France. The insignia of the Huguenot Society was worn by the Huguenot ancestors as an emblem of their faith. The eight corners of the four arms of the Cross of Malta were regarded as signifying the Eight Beatitudes, the Fleur-de-lis the Mother Country of France and the suspended Dove the Church, under the Cross.

Soon after the Luther resistance to the Roman Catholic Church in Germany, there developed a similar religious pressure in France and it continued for several centuries. After the Edict of Nantes, issued by Henry 14 (Henry of Navarre), the Huguenots enjoyed a considerable freedom of worship for a time, but during the latter part of the reign of Henry and during several subsequent reigns, the privileges granted by the Edict were gradually eroded. In 1685, the Edict was revoked and most of the civil rights of the Huguenots were withdrawn. As a result of the increasing religious pressure, many thousands of the French Huguenots left France and sought freedom in surrounding countries and in America.

Bourgon went first to Manheim, Germany in the early 1660's. At this time, Germany was made up of 26 separate Kingdoms. The King of that particular section had alot of uninhabited land and, learning of the plight of the Protestants in France, he invited families to come to his Kingdom. Every family that would come and help build his castle and grounds would be given a farm. This was in about 1663-4. These settlers retained their French language and customs, but many also acquired the German language. Many eventually intermarried with Germans and some (including Bourgon) later left for Holland and on to America. After about 10 years in Germany, Bourgon moved on to Amsterdam, The Netherlands and then, a few years later (1675), to what is now Brooklyn, NY where he and his family remained for more than 25 years.

Following Henry Hudson's famous voyage under the Dutch flag and the discovery of the Hudson River in 1614, the Dutch took possession of the territory of what is now New York, naming it New Amsterdam. Four Dutch governors were sent to govern the territory and a stream of Dutch settlers followed. The tenure of the Dutch in New Amsterdam lasted only about 50 years, but the stream of settlers did not stop with the loss of the colony. Rather it continued until the whole territory became almost a Dutch settlement, adequate to maintain their customs and habits over a vast scope of the country around New York and the surrounding parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Needless to say that the Broucard (et al) descendents were constantly under the influence of the Dutch culture and maintained their habits for many years until the whole swept under the leavening influence of the "American Melting Pot", and dropped their racial characteristics.

For a little over 25 years, the family lived in the vicinity of New York, but around 1702, all of the family (except one son, Isaac) moved to Somerset County, New Jersey. Isaac remained near the old homesite in Brooklyn and his descendents began to spell their names as Bragaw, and many of their branch still retain that spelling. The rest of the family found homes on the Raritan and Millstone Rivers in New Jersey and began using the Brokaw spelling. Later spellings included Bercaw, Brocaw, Berkaw, Brokas, Burgard, Burgaard, Broccard, Burkhart, Burchard, Brockard and many others (more than 20 different spellings were found in New Jersey records).

The Huguenots of France became soldiers to protect their religion and country and, like other soldiers of the times, adopted emblems known as "Armorial Bearings" or "Coats of Arms". Such emblems were first used to identify armored warriers on the battle fields. Later, however, they became marks of honor or distinction and could be used by family members on civil occasions. Usage standards became so lax that their value was much impaired. There is evidence that some members of the Broucard and LeFebre families adopted such emblems, but authentic "Crests" have not been found. It is certain that Bourgon Broucard never was a soldier.

In addition to the first American Broucard (Bragaw) colony in Brooklyn and the second (Brokaw et al) in Somerville, NJ, a third colony was later developed in eastern Ohio, where George Brokaw of the fourth generation settled near Flushing in about 1798. He and his 8 sons were all farmers and lived on contiguous farms. For a time, that community was mostly of that family.

The descendents of Bourgon Broucard are legion and from the original places of settlement, here in America, they have spread all over the country. Ever westward they moved and carried the frontier with them, or followed closely behind. They carried the banners of Faith, Truth and Industry wherever they went. In every war, from the first, in 1776, to the latest wars, there have been many soldiers defending their country and its honor. Few have attained wealth or fame, as the world defines it, but the vast majority were men that farmed, "the backbone of the nation", -tradesmen; businessmen; teachers, etc. and numerous ministers of the gospel. Our heritage indeed is great and for this we are truly thankful.

We, - the Brokaw Family Committee

Source: Our Brokaw-Bragaw Heritage

Other sources of information on the Brokaw line are:

  • The Broucard page of the Long Island Genealogy website
  • Brokaw Discussions on the Genforum site


    Here's an interesting line to pursue later. I've wondered if the name Bourgon is somehow related to the French (but one-time indep) kingdom of Burgundy. WCW pp202-5 says KoE Edw IV and his bros Richard (D of Richmond, later KoE R II) and George (D of Clarence, m. Isabel NEVILLE, dau of Warwick the Kingmaker, prominent player in WoR) led an abortive sortie into France in 1475 in an attempt to recover Henry V's French empire. They returned wealthier, bought off by KoF Louis XI. Then on 1-4-1477 the bros' bro-in-law Chas of Burgundy was k. in battle at Nancy after having fought long and hard to create a new 'middle kingdom' of Burgundy, indep of both Germany to the E and France to the W, and his widow Duchess Margaret suggested that Mary, her late hubby's dau and heiress, could secure her territories against KoF Louis by marrying George, whose wife Isabel had also d. a few weeks before (in childbirth, kid lived?). But Edw IV refused to allow this marriage, knowing only too well that if George [having already joined several rebellions against Edw and been forgiven] became DoB, English troops would be needed to prevent the French from conquering the duchy, also meaning Edw would no longer rcv his generous pension from Louis. Edw IV's sons w/Eliz of York were just 5 and 2yo (later 'Princes in the Tower'). George behaved badly after this and Edw finally agreed to have him executed on 18 Feb 1478. This angered Richard. Then Edw IV d. 4-9-1483 unexpectedly after a short illness!? ...

    Names

    2 1906-1999 BROKAW, Marguerite Thelma - GEARHART, Eldon
    3 1862-1931 BROKAW, Delmar Ellsworth - BOLLINGER, Rosa C
    4 1814-1897 BROKAW, Henry F - COFFING, Louisa 1816-75
    5 1773-1826 BROKAW, Abe C - STRYKER, Mariah
    6 1746-1814 BROKAW, Caleb - Van NOSTRAND, Jane
    7 1719-1799 BROKAW, Isaac - Van NOSTRAND, Maritje
    8 1684-1747 BROKAW, Abe - DAVIDS, Marietje
    9 1645-1720 BROUCARD, Bourgon 1645-1720 - LeFEBRE, Catherine

    Descent Chart

    Note: the 31 Dec 2014 issue of National Review magazine listed a Mr. Roberts W BROKAW III as a supporter of the NR foundation. Connected to above line?

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