In 1850 or 1851, orators and oratrices Zachariah Brizendine in his own right and as administrator of Polly Brizendine deceased, Wiley Brizendine, Catharine Brizendine and Frances Shepherd complained to the Chancery Court. That during the past year 1850, their mother Polly Brizendine died intestate leaving children the parties named (Frances being the widow of Smith Shepherd) and Mary Ann Brizendine wife of Temple Brizendine. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 41, item 41-I-8.]

In 1851, Temple Brizendine witnessed the will of Richard D. Dunn. Spaces for day and month were left blank; the will was proved on 17 November 1851. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 27, pages 114–115.]

On 14 August 1856 Charles Smith sold to Thomas Boughan “Springfield Farm” except for 100 acres conveyed on 1 August 1856 to Temple Brizendine. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 51, page 55.]

1860 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia:
Dwelling 763, Family 748
Brizendine, Temple, 40, farmer, $900 real estate, $320 personal estate
Brizendine, Mary A., 39
Brizendine, Wilton, 12
Brizendine, Alice, 10
Brizendine, Polly C., 8
Brizendine, Janetta, 6, female
Brizendine, Richard B., 4
Brizendine, Alfred, 1

1870 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia
Miller’s Tavern Post Office, page 130
Dwelling 325, family 325
Brizendine, Temple, 51, male, white, farmer, $1,000 real estate, $300 personal estate, born in Virginia
Brizendine, Mary A., 49, female, white, keeping house, born in Virginia
Brizendine, Wilton, 22, male, white, farm laborer, born in Virginia
Brizendine, Alice, 19, female, white, without occupation, born in Virginia
Brizendine, Polly, 17, female, white, without occupation, born in Virginia
Brizendine, Janette, 15, female, white, without occupation, born in Virginia
Brizendine, Richard, 13, male, white, farm laborer, born in Virginia
Brizendine, Alfred, 11, male, white, farm laborer, born in Virginia
Brizendine, Fannie A., 7, female, white, at home, born in Virginia