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William Brooks I of Montgomery Co, NC
According
to information gathered by Rev. Edgar Marcelus Brooks (the author of Brooks
of Union County, 1925), William Brooks I was born 1736 in Culpeper County, VA, or what would
later become Culpeper County (originally Orange County, Va at the
time of William’s birth and Spotsylvania
Co, VA just prior to that). Family
tradition states that William had two known brothers that migrated with him to
North Carolina, John Brooks and Joshua Brooks. That tradition also states that
John went to Tennessee and that Joshua went to Mississippi. Well, yes.. William Brooks had two brothers
named John and Joshua. However, John Brooks II's son, John Brooks III moved to
Henry Co, TN and William Brooks I's son, Joshua James Brooks went to
Attala Co, MS.
The
facts are that the Brooks family came to Anson Co., NC thus
receiving a grant of land on the Rocky River in what would later become Stanly County, NC. This grant was issued to the Brooks’ in 1762
through George Augustus Selwyn’s agent, Henry McCullough. The History of Anson County states
that there were four original grantees for Anson County, NC:
John Culpeper, William
Brooks, Anne Trull and John Lee. “John Brooks I "of Va"”
who shows in a 1782 Tax list for Anson Co, NC as “invalid” seems to have been
the older John and probably the head of the clan. He received 500 acres to his son William’s 100 acres in 1762. This John Brooks' son, John Brooks II also served as
lieutenant in the Rocky River Regiment in the 1770’s, with William Brooks as
ensign, both under Capt. John Culpeper (another original Anson grantee). So, it would seem that the history books have
stated the case prematurely. William
Brooks’ family becomes more well known due to the fact that they mostly stay in
the same area of NC and proliferate the name.
But, John Brooks (at least in 1762) was the more prominent member of the
family.
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 (in 1793) passed on?
William
Brooks I died 8 May 1818 (this date known thanks to a letter written by his
daughter-in-law to her parents in TN) and is buried on the old home place in
Stanly Co, north side of Rocky River near the old home (later, the home of
Henry Hill, then Shufford Burris whose wife was Annie Hill) located off #1120
near Stanfield, Stanly Co, NC. There’s
an old slate stone (from the Rocky River presumably) that shows his initials
(W.B.) and his dates (1736 – 1818). See
Brooks – Hill – Dry Cemetery listings…
BCBNOTE: According to the 1790 census of Anson Co, NC,
William had two older males in his household, both born before 1775. William Brooks II (in 1800 census) was
living near Jesse Brooks (a young man with new family) south of the Rocky River
in Anson Co, NC. Due to the proximity
with William, Jesse may very well be one of these older sons. Also, according to sources in Brown Co, OH,
there’s a John Brooks (b.11 Mar 1774 d. 1833) who married Elizabeth Hall, dau.
of John Hall of Anson Co, NC and moved to, first, Kentucky, then Ohio by
1805. Owing to proximity of John Hall’s
deed records (actually owned part of the Island in Rocky River that the Brooks
also owned at one time) and the fact that there were so many Johns in the
Brooks family that William simply must have had one, I’m assuming for theory’s
sake that this John Brooks was William’s son.
Another theory of mine is also a possibility that Jesse and John were
twins and that they may have been named for the respective grandfathers. If this is the case, assuming John Brooks is
probably the name of William Brooks’ father, then Jesse might be the first name
of William’s father-in-law. This would
put Jesse Gilbert in line for that position.
William Brooks I had the following children:
#*Jesse Brooks b. c1774
#*John
Brooks b. 11 Mar
1774 d. 31 May 1833
(daughter) b. 1774-84
William Brooks II b.1779 d.13 July 1846
(daughter) b. 1784-90
David
Brooks b.1780-90 d.c1842
*Rebecca
Brooks b. 28 Jan
1790 d. 16 Nov 1853
Alexander
Brooks b.1791 d.27 July
1853
Hester Brooks
b.c1793
d. 3 May 1849
Joshua James Brooks
b.1794
d. Oct 1871
Ezekiel Brooks b.1798
d.1870-80
James Brooks b. c1800 d. April 1829
@ John Brooks b.c1802 See Deposition
of John Brooks
(daughter) b. 1800-10
* These are just
guesses for now…
# May have gone
together to Kentucky.. then John on to Ohio
@ Reference made to John (age over 47 in 1849)
Brooks in Trial notes for Ezekiel Brooks (absolute reference stating his
relationship to William I and Ezekiel) This John Brooks makes it confusing with
William Brooks II's son John, also born in 1802! The elder John Brooks in this family had left for KY by 1801… I
suppose naming another son John wouldn't have confused anyone with the other
one so far away?… I'm just pulling at straws here… help! Thanks again to Jim S. Brooks of
Spartanburg, SC for his help in obtaining these documents!
Aerial view of the William Brooks homestead in Stanly Co,
NC. The house in center is the one
known as the Brooks-Hill home, also shown in the next photograph from a
newspaper article in the Stanly County Newspaper:
For a
transcript of the family cemetery, go here:
Records for William Brooks I:
24 Apr 1762 - NC Land Grant
#1558 - 100 acres in Anson Co. on the S. side of Rocky River below Richardson’s
Creek, joining both sides of the Spring Branch of the sd. creek.
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
1763 Anson Co. Tax List...
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) (the date of this tax list may also
indicate a reason as to the strange land transfers of 1763 and 1765 above and
below... perhaps John had to sell 100 acres to pay his taxes, then William was
able to buy the land back <at a much higher price> from Culpeper to repay
his "loan")
25 Apr 1765, JOHN CULPEPPER
of Anson, to WILLIAM BROOKS of same, for L25... 100 Acres on S. side Rocky
River, where BROOKS now lives at JOHN LEE’s ford, Richardson’s Creek... JOHN
CULPEPPER (seal), Wit: HENRY STOKES,
THOS. DENARD, JACOB DENARD (x).
Recorded according to law. THOS.
FROHOCK. Clk.
Dec 1770 - NC Milita -
Rocky River Company - recommended as Ensign (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.
14 Jan 1772 -
Ord..(others)....Wm. Brook, to lay out road from the pine tree where it crosses
at the province line between head of Liles Cr. and Brown Cr. through Anson
toward Salisbury till it shall intersect the line of Roan Co. Nathl. Holly
overseer.
12 Jul 1774 - William
Brooks to Griffin Hogan, deed, pr. by James Hogan Jr.
13 Jul 1774 - Wm. Brooks to
Jesse Gilbert, deed, pr. by John Colson
17 Sep 1774 - William Brooks
to William Crittendon ----- details:
On 1 Jan 1761, Benjamin
Smith of Anson sold to William Crittenden 100 acres (6-1, Anson NC) on the
south west side of the Pee Dee adjoining lands of Youngs, Robert Parks, Thomas
George, and William Yearly. Witnesses were Robert Lee, William Yearly and
Zachariah Phillips. Robert Lee wrote his last will and testament on 29 Nov
1766. He mentioned daughter Sarah Crittenden. From the earlier deed, it appears
Sarah married William Crittenden. At this point, the facts get hazy for me. It
has been written that Sarah Lee, the daughter of Robert, married Thomas Presley
Senr. In his 1808 last will and testament, Thomas Presley [Sr] mentioned his
wife Sarah Presley. In the closing paragraph of this 1808 will, Thomas Presley
appoints “my true and trusty friend William Crittendon & my son Richard
Presley Executors and my beloved wife Sarah Presley Executrix to this my last
will and testament”. Was Sarah the second wife of Thomas Presley, and was this
William Crittenden a stepson? This younger William Crttendon appears in the
1810 Montgomery County Census as 26-45 years old. He purchased land in
Montgomery County from William Brooks Senr. The witness was J. Smith. Conveyed
17 Sep 1794, the land was likely close to the Rocky River in now Stanly County.
Dated 5 Jan 1795, a non-descript survey was made for 25 acres granted to a
William Crittendon. The land was situated on the Rocky River in Anson County.
Chainers were Richard Smizs and Briant McClendon. On 14 Dec 1815, Wm.
Crittendon of Montgomery County sold to Thomas Van Senr, of Anson County 56
acres on Richardson’s Creek (R-142, Anson NC). This land was part of an
undivided tract formerly the property of Charles Harrington Deceased. Witnesses
were Benjamin Oneal and Thomas Vann. Note that Thomas Vann owned land adjoining
that of Benjamin and Ezekiel Thomas. Who is Benjamin Oneal?
Oct 1774 - (from Anson
Wills and Estates 1749-1795) pg.299:
Estate of Robert Lee to John Lee, Admr. Legacies to Mintry &
Elizabeth Lee... Allowed Oct. Ct. 1774. Pd: John Hamer...(others)...William
Brooks, ....
John Lee (+)
12 Jul 1775 - James Fletcher to William Brooks
by Charles Ray
“ - Ord. Wm.
Brooks, ...(others)..., be fined for non-attendance at grand-jury
“ - Burford &
Howard vs. Isaac Brigman. Jury: ...(others)...Chas. Ray, Wm. Brooks,...
Non-suit.
24 September 1777
-Indenture Wm Brooks of Anson County to Joakim Hudson of same County. for the
sum of 45 pounds for 69a lying in Anson Co on both sides of Richardsons Creek
beginning at a White Oak ...!. This land was granted by patent to the said
Brooks by George Augustus Shelvil on 6 Mar 1767 with ½ all gold and silver
mines excepted. (117)Source Stephen R and Pamela D Hudson at Rootsweb. Need
copy of original deed. (Joachiam aged 44 )
1780 - Montgomery County Tax
List
1782 - Montgomery County Tax
List - 750 acres (100 acres in Anson Co.) with 5 slaves
1790 - NC Census of
Mecklinburg/Montgomery County (3 males b.<1775, 2 males b.1774-90, 4
females, 6 slaves) Salisbury District
1 Sep 1794 - Jonathon
Morgan, of Montgomery County, to William Brooks, of same, for 20 pounds, 50
acres in Anson County on both sides of Taylor’s branch of Richardson’s Creek.
John Brooks
Wm. Brooks