Brake: A Family, a Tradition, a Contribution, and a Legacy

Baron Wilhelm Joseph Dietrich Von Brake (b.1689) was the son of Rudolph zur Lippe-Brake and Dorothea Elizabeth Von Waldeck of Delmenhorst, Duchy of Oldenburg, Hanover, Germany. He married Mauri Elizabeth, Lady Ailkinoch of Douglas (b.1694), the daughter of the Marquis of Douglas in Scotland. Their son Johann Jacob (b.1714) was born at Lemgo, Hanover. Shortly after the son's birth, the Baron his family sailed from Wilhelmshaven, Hanover for Edinburgh, Scotland. They settled in the Parish of Cannonmarch, Prestonpans, East Lothian, Scotland where another son was born. In 1729, Wilhelm, his wife Mauri and sons Johann and Jacob emigrated to the Colony of North Carolina and settled in Edgecombe Co. John Jacob settled later in Frederick Co., Virginia, while Jacob remained in Edgecomb Co., NC. Ancestors assumed the title of lord of Lippe from the time of Emperor Lothiar. The family became known as "zur Lippe" ('from the area of Lippe'). It later became known as Lippe-Brake and finally simply Brake. Several descendant generations are given for the two brothers.