1850 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia
Page 86B
Dwelling 364, Family 364
Brizendine, Mary, 78, female, $2,000 real estate, born in Virginia, cannot read or write
Brizendine, Catharine, 30, female, born in Virginia, cannot read or write
Shepherd, Frances, 28, female, born in Virginia
Shepherd, John, 9, male, born in Virginia
Shepherd, William, 6, male, born in Virginia
Shepherd, Mary, 5, female, born in Virginia
Shepherd, Emily, 3, female, born in Virginia

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.]