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John Brooks II of Montgomery Co, NC

John Brooks II is the brother of William Brooks (later known as William Brooks I of Stanly Co, NC). John and William are sons of John Brooks "of Va." This John Brooks was born circa 1735 and appeared on the 1763 Anson Co, NC Tax List as "John Brooks Jr." This and the 1782 Tax List are the only reasons we know of the existence of a John Brooks II. John Brooks III was b.1758. He is the John Brooks who later moves to Henry Co, TN.

Now known as “John Brooks Sr.," he shows in the 1782 Montgomery Co, NC tax records, listed as “inv” with 150 acres and 1 slave. He was listed as "inv," probably meaning "invalid." "John Brooks Jr." shows on this list with 900 acres of land (100 acres in Anson Co, NC) and 4 slaves. Consequently, we find records showing an older “John Brooks, Senr., dec’d” With sons Emond (Edmond) and John Brooks in 1798. They seem to have sold all their inheritance (possibly for a move away from the Anson area). The Rocky River Regiment in the 1770’s consisting of Capt. John Culpeper (one of the original grantees) with lieutenant John Brooks and an ensign William Brooks shows a John Brooks apparently with some military experience. This could be John Brooks II… it's still possible that it's his father, John Brooks I, but his father should be getting up in years. It's more likely that this is John Brooks II and that he had gained previous military experience possibly in the French and Indian War.

John Brooks II appears on the 1790 Montgomery Co, NC census, but not on the 1800 census. Also, the following deed indicates his death prior to 21 Nov 1798:

p. 319 - 21 Nov. 1798 - Emond Brooks to Charles Coppage - $1200. - no acreage given - "all that tract of land which my father John Brooks, Senr., Dec'd willed to myself and my brother John Brooks." - Also a tract on Coppins (Cooper’s?) Creek joining said land and John Richardson.

The records show at least two sons of John Brooks II, Emond (Edmond) and John Brooks III. John Brooks III left for Henry Co, TN.

Children of John Brooks II:

John Brooks III. b.1758 NC , d. 1845 Paris, Henry Co, TN

Edmond "Bibby" Brooks b. c1760-65

…. there were also 2 younger sons and at least 3 daughters

There is a reference in 1793 to a “Widow” Brooks in John Melchior’s store ledger in Cabarrus County, NC. William Brooks I also appears in this ledger in 1795. Could this “widow” be the wife of John Brooks II who is now passed on?

Records for John Brooks II:

Early Land Grants in Anson Co, NC:

3 Sep 1779 -- Brooks, Eliz. #4117, S.W. Peedee

No date – Brooks, James #2790, Leverett’s Creek

24 Apr. 1762 – Brooks, John #1559 (prob. John Brooks I "of VA")

24 Apr. 1762 – Brooks, William #1558 – Rocky River

BCB NOTE: It would seem that John and William listed here obtained their grants at the same time and in the same location (very likely bordering each other on the Rocky River)… in 1763, John Brooks sold land on Rocky River (near Richardson’s Creek) to John Culpeper. So, it seems to fit.

1763 NC Tax List - Anson Co. - listed as "John Jr." with "John Sr."

BCB NOTE: Tax List also shows William Brooks as taxpayer with the following slaves: Sharper, Cesor, Quuan, Mol & David Snead (total of 6 taxables) (further BCB NOTE: may indicate that he was still unmarried)

(BCBNOTE: the following deeds between 1763 and 1782 may be attributed to either John Brooks I or II)

24 Jan 1763 - JOHN BROOKS of Anson, to JOHN CULPEPPER of same, for L10 NC money... land on S. side Rocky R., beginning at a branch, near the ford, between JOHN BROOKES & JOHN LEE... Richardson's Creek... JOHN BROOKS (B) (seal), Wit: HENRY STOKES, AARON BURLISON, W. BROOKS (BCB NOTE: this land is sold back to William Brooks in 1765 for a pretty decent profit of L15… deed states that William Brooks was currently living on this land at the time.)

2720 pg. 615: John Brooks 11 Dec 1770, 100 acres in Anson Co. on Rocky River, joining (a point) above the mouth of Richardson's Creek.

Dec 1770 - NC Milita - Rocky River Company - (William Brooks, Ens.; John Brooks, Lieut.; John Culpeper, Capt.)

NOTE FOR ROCKY RIVER COMPANY: from the service record of James Arnett b. 20 Jun 1760, While resident of Anson Co, NC he enlisted July 1776 or 1777 serving 3 monthes in Capt. John Culpepper's Co. in Colonel David Love's NC Reg.... stated in 1833 that he was drafted in Anson Co. under Capt. Culpepper, was marched against the Cherokee Indians, served 3 mos. and dis. at Pleasant Gardens, NC..... Tour of Duty: thru NC to Cherokee Nation, crossed Catawba R. at Beaty's Ford, Crossed Blue Ridge at what was then called the Narrow Passage. Knew Gen. in command - Gen. Rutherford & Capt. Hawthorn, Capt. Speed, Capt. Robertson, Capt Hay of Col. Love's Regiment which he served 3 mos. in the Cherokee expedition, was at Hiwasee towns, which was burnt and the corn destroyed - was also at the Valley towns and destroyed them.

4905 pg. 321: John Brooks 21 July 1774, 150 acres in Anson on Rocky River, joining the bank of sd. river near the mouth of a small branch and near above John Brooks.

12 Oct 1774 - Stephen Wright (orphan-age 15) bound to John Brooks

Feb 1779 - signed petition to form Mont. Co. w/ Joseph (Joshua?) Brooks

1782 Mont. Co Tax List - listed as "invalid" w/ 3 slaves

Montgomery Co, NC The Earliest Extant Deeds 1774-1842

Deed (B2-344, Anson NC) 1 Dec 1789. Jesse Gilbert, Esquire to Jno. Brooks. Being 108 acres on the south side of Richardsons Creek beginning on the river about 4 cuts down from the creek. The lanes run back to Richardson's Creek and then down the creek to the beginning. Witnesses were William Gilbert and Frances Yarborough. (BCB NOTE: this deed appears to be the in the same location as land granted to William Brooks in 1762. On 13 July 1774 there is a notation in the court minutes stating that William Brooks deeded land to Jesse Gilbert, proved by John Colson. Is this the same land? Is this when William Brooks moved further down the Rocky River to the Island Creek area? It is feasible that John Brooks would buy the land back since it bordered his own.)