home photos stories guestbook links email

John Brooks I "of Va"

John Brooks of Virginia is probably the father of John Brooks II of Montgomery Co, NC and William Brooks I of Montgomery Co, NC (later known as William Brooks I of Stanly Co, NC) as well as Ephraim Brooks, Ezekiel B. Brooks, James Brooks and Joshua Brooks. He was born before 1720. This family arrived in NC sometime around 1760 and were granted deeds to land in Anson Co, NC on the Rocky River in what is now Stanly Co, NC (north of the river) and Anson Co, NC (south of the river). John Brooks I received 500 acres and William Brooks I, 100 acres.

24 Apr 1762 - grant #1559 - 500 a both sides Rocky R. near Cooper's Crk, both sides Richardson's Crk. near Crib's Crk. William rec’d 100 acres just south and east of this land on the river on the same day. (see map)

We first find John Brooks I in the 1763 Anson Co, NC Tax List, listed as "John Brooks Sr." with "John Brooks Jr." and "William Brooks." Twenty years later, “John Brooks of VA” shows in the 1782 Montgomery Co, NC tax records, listed as “invalid” with 3 slaves. He was obviously old at this time and would probably die soon. He does not appear as head of household in 1790… chances are he's probably passed on by this time. Although, he could still be one of the males over 16 years of age in either John II's or Williams' enumeration in 1790.

Children of John Brooks of Va:

William Brooks I b. 1736 Va d. 8 May 1818 Montgomery Co, NC

John Brooks II. b. c1735 , d. 1790-98 Montgomery Co, NC

Ephraim Brooks b.<1765

Ezekiel B. Brooks b.<1755 d. >1820

James Brooks b.<1765

Joshua Brooks b.<1765

See Possible Brooks - Bradford Connection for John Brooks of VA…

Records for John Brooks I of Va:

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

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 Sr." with "John Jr."

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 records for 1763 to 1789 may apply to either John Brooks I "of VA" or John Brooks 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. BCBNOTE: This record may apply to either John "of VA" or his son, John Brooks II.

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

BCBNOTE 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. BCBNOTE: This record may apply to either John "of VA" or his son, John Brooks II.

12 Oct 1774 - Stephen Wright (orphan-age 15) bound to John Brooks BCBNOTE: This record may apply to either John "of VA" or his son, John Brooks II.

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.)

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.