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Stanly News and Press

Tuesday, April 20, 1976

The Brooks-Hill Homestead

200 Years In Only Two Families

By Annie Hill Burris

William Brooks, I, came from Culpepper County, Virginia to North Carolina and settled in Stanly County sometime between 1736 and 1764. He settled on what is now known as the late Henry W. Hill homestead in western Stanly County. The estate was handed down to a son William Brooks II (BCBNOTE: We now know that Ezekiel Brooks was the son who received the homestead from his father [approx. 275 acres], but due to Ezekiel's mental handicap, it was administered through his brother, Alexander Brooks. William Brooks II lived just over the Rocky River to the south in Union Co, NC) and both father and son are buried in a nearby cemetery on the Henry W. Hill homestead known as the Brooks Cemetery.

There are 100 graves or more, some said to be Indian graves.

Later the property came into possession of Ezekiel Brooks (BCBNOTE: Ezekiel Marion Brooks, son of Ezekiel Brooks) and some years after, it was sold to the late Henry W. Hill. This homestead remained in the Brooks family over 100 years. It now has been in the Hill family about 100 years totaling 200 years for the two families.

Cyclone

During the lifetime of Ezekiel Brooks, a cyclone swept through the farm in a path about one-half a mile wide. It destroyed almost everything in its way including the home. The house and trees were leveled to the ground. The home was lifted off its foundation, leaving some furniture and bedding. However, almost everything inside was strewn over timbers and anything it happened to hang onto.

The family was scattered to and fro, no one knowing where the others were for some time.

Eliza Brooks, a daughter, was blown over a large elm tree that stood in the front yard, carrying her in mid-air and settled her down near Island Creek which is one-fourth mile away.

Another sister, Isabelle, was blown over across Island Creek, and lodged in an apple tree on the farm of John O. Tucker. After a while, the sisters got together and went back to the destroyed home only slightly injured, but never to be forgotten, as a terrible episode.

One by one, the family all got back together, only to find the floor and a few pieces of furniture left of their home. The Brooks mother was struck on the head by a flying piece of timber that caused her death later. It might be of interest to many people of this county to know that this Mrs. Ezekiel Brooks was the mother of Mr. Wade Love of Stanfield.

Most of the Brookses of North Carolina and many other states are descendants of William Brooks I.

After Ezekiel sold out his farm, to Henry W. Hill, he moved to Texas. Some of his family stayed in Texas, and many of them later came back to N.C. When a Brooks meets another Brooks, he may know he is a descendant of William, I, who lies sleeping in the old Brooks Cemetery.

Indian Relics

Long ago, Indians must have roamed this territory which lies in the forks of Island Creek and Rocky River, because many Indian relics have been found on the place, some of which are in the possession of the youngest daughter of Henry W. Hill, Mrs. Annie Burris. The old home is now in possession of Mrs. Annie Burris and her husband, Shuford Burris. They have two daughters, Mrs. Brady Thomas of Wadesboro, and Mrs. Melvin (Buck) Hill of Albemarle.

Part of the original log home which the Brooks occupied is still on the farm, having been built 80 years or more ago. It is of colonial style, well built, and has been well kept. The house was builty by Dan Arey, Matthew Huneycutt, and Millard Sasser, all deceased. All parts of the house, banisters, trimming for the porches, columns and trim were made on the premises of the place. The interior is very pretty and all the mantels were also made on the place.

The house is located on a beautiful knoll surrounded by pretty rolling hills in every direction.

Many Brookses from quite a few states come back to see the old settled place, which could tell some interesting stories of bygone days.

Mouse Story

Many are the stories told and untold in the bygone days of these two families. Even the mice created some interest like none I've ever known by such little creatures.

About 50 years ago my husband and I started into the creamery business in a small way. We sold our cream once a week and, of course, it amounted to very little in those days. However, I had a savings place in the corner of our old cabinet where I always put the money and receipts which paid for the cream. Also I had the habit of dropping my diamond ring into the box which had no lid.

One day when I looked for the ring, it was gone. Naturally, I was upset because it had been in the box a couple of days.

Meanwhile, we had a 12-year old orphan boy whom my husband found on the streets of Oakboro, homeless with only the clothes on his back. My husband was touched by the situation, bought him some shoes and clothes, and brought him home.

After searching for the ring for several days, I concluded that maybe the little boy had taken it, although we didn't mention such a thing to him (thankfully).

One night as I was looking through the drawer hoping the ring might show up, I spied a little paper nest cut by mice in one corner of the drawer. No ring could be found anywhere so I gave up.

In the Night

Then one night as I was trying to sleep, something seemed to say "look behind the drawer". So the next day, we were about ready to tear out thewall, when, suddenly, I pulled the drawer all the way out.

And what did I see?

My diamond ring shining more brilliantly than ever before. It was neatly placed in a bed of cut-up cream receipts. There was also three pieces of money in the nest. I have never before nor since, heard of a mouse making such an expensive home for her coming event.

The moral to this story is: I'll never think of anyone taking that which does not belong to them.

I had fully decided the poor little innocent orphan had taken my ring, when it was a cunning mouse that did the trick.

I learned a lesson that I'll never forget.

End of Article

Aerial view of the homestead from US Geological Survey