DAVIDSON BROOKS of Union Co, NC

Davidson Brooks was born 28 May 1815 Montgomery Co, NC to William Brooks II and Mary Burleson. Shear speculation on the source of his name is that Davidson Brooks was named for Brigadier General William L. Davidson, a man that brothers John and William Brooks may very well have known during their military service under Capt. John Culpeper’s Rocky River Regiment. Gen. Davidson was killed in February 1781 at the Battle of Cowan’s Ford.

It is said that Davidson was born near Watson Primitive Baptist Church. The town of Watson was located just southwest of Polk Mountain in Union Co, NC. William and Mary Brooks lived next door to Thomas Polk, Sr. and his wife, Mary Shelby before the Polks left for “Little Mountain” (later “Polk Mountain” near Richardson Creek. This branch of the Brooks (through William II) has many connections through records and family with the Polks of Union County. Davidson's sister, Sarah Brooks would marry Thomas Polk Jr. (son of Thomas Polk Sr. and Mary Shelby) sometime around 1824. Davidson and Keziah are found Union Co, NC in 1850 and again in 1860, listed as living on Richardson's Creek. He apparently prospered during these 10 years, increasing the value of his land by three times. In 1870, he is found with wife Nancy Pyron in New Salem township, living in Olive Branch. It is likely that all the township name changes were just that… simply “name changes” and Davidson and his family never really moved, living in the same house all their lives.

The home he lived in is referred to as “The old Morgan Home” and probably belonged to the family of Drury Morgan or one of his sons, who ran a mill on Rocky River. This land (or the property next door) later belonged to William Brooks II, having been deeded to him by the heirs of Jacob Green. Another owner of this property may well have been John Culpeper. William Brooks II had been deeded this land by his father and, subsequently, he deeded it to his son, Davidson. Take a look at the map below and you will see that Reason’s branch starts about the New Salem area in Union Co, NC. It happens to lie very near “Morgan Mill Rd.”

Davidson Brooks' home… Old Morgan Home

(from Brooks Bridge of History)

Sugar and Wine Road

(from Brooks Bridge of History)

BCBNOTE: Just look at a map and you will see that Sugar and Wine road runs right up into the property formerly owned by Charles Andrew Dry, also John Brooks and before him, Jesse Brooks and William Brooks I. It is a northern promontory along the Rocky River where Union Co, NC juts into Stanly Co, NC. It is famous for containing “Brooks Island” and the fish trap that John and James Brooks once worked together.

The old Sugar and Wine Road got its name honestly. Sugar was hauled from Morgan’s Mill (now on Hwy 200) down this road that gradually grew to be known as Sugar and Wine Road.

Goin Morgan’s sons and he had a freight business. They hauled the staple groceries in, along with farming tools and hunting powder, most all essentials for the settlers. They had heavy duty, special built wagons to haul freight and used four horses to each wagon. Their main place to go for supplies was Fayetteville, N.C. Then the people or customers came to Morgan’s for their essentials.

Davidson Brooks and sons went in wagons up to Morgan’s Ford and Mill to stock up on supplies. They hauled sugar to their plantation to make brandy and wine. Davidson’s sons had a large apple orchard and made brandy when they were not farming. They also had vineyard and made wine. The wine and brandy were hauled to Cheraw down this road, now called the Sugar and Wine Road.

So, the road became known as Sugar and Wine Road as the people saw the wagon loads of sugar going by, regularly. Then the people below Davidson’s farm saw the wine going by on a steady basis – it was naturally, Sugar and Wine Road.

When Union County started naming the roads and putting up signs, some of the people in the Sugar and Wine Road area wanted to keep the name that they had always known it by. So they kept the road name that had meant so much to the older countians. Even though it is not across country like it once was, it is still in name on a part of the original road.

All of these old roads, old names, old homes, old cemeteries have much special meaning to the older folk and now the younger generation seems to be going back to country ways and are interested in the history of their family and the area where they lived. Davidson Brooks’ cider or brandy press was pulled by mules. He had the first cotton gin in the area with hand sawn wooden shaft. It was mule pulled and fed by hand. These were new inventions in this area of the state and Davidson with quite a large tract of land and a large family was the ideal one to have these.

Davidson Brooks died in Olive Branch 1898 Union Co, NC and was buried in the Old Brooks cemetery behind New Hope Baptist Church (see photo). Davidson taught handwriting to people, was a gentle-natured man and peaceable. He had 26 children (3 died? Unknown?) and lived to be 94 years old. It is said that at one time, Davidson’s land holdings were as much as 3000 acres (1860 Union Co, NC Taxes).

This aerial photo was taken Sunday morning, 1 July 1984 by the USGS. There seems to be quite a few cars in the parking lot… it looks like a good attendance at the New Hope Church that day! This church is located at the intersection of the New Salem Road (off Hwy 205 from New Salem) and New Hope Church Road (CR1658) The Old Brooks cemetery is located behind this church in a wooded area.

This is the roadmap location of New Hope Church. Notice that Reason branch of Rocky River begins not more than two miles north of the church's location. William Brooks II owned land on Reason's branch at the Rocky River and, apparently even further south than that. His son, Davidson and family are buried in the cemetery mentioned on this map. Notice also that the town of Watson is just SW of the church.

Davidson Brooks married three times:

m1. Kesiah Malinda Tarlton m. <1843 Union Co, NC b. 1825 NC d. 1864. Kesiah was the daughter of John P. and Mary Tarlton and the widow of Col. Thomas Polk, Sr., son of William Polk and Catherine Stearns. Thomas first married Mary Shelby, daughter of Reese Shelby, Sr. They lived on Watson’s Creek, but later moved to “Little Mountain” on Richardson’s Creek land. Later, it was called Polk Mountain and is still known by that today. Thomas married Kesiah in 1841 and died eight months later. It is said that Kesiah’s grandmother was full-blood Waxhaw Indian. It is legend that Thomas promised “Kizzie” an apron full of gold if she would marry him. Upon his death, he tried to tell her where the gold was, but all they could make out from the dying man was “sycamore tree”. The ensuing months showed the roots of every sycamore tree in the county!

Dower of Kesiah “Kizzie” Tarlton Polk Brooks

State of N.C.

Union County

I, William Wilson Sheriff by Nathan B. Jenkins DS for Wm. Wilson Sheriff of said county attended by the following Jury of good & lawful men, Viz. Lewis Griffin, Ransom Baucom, A. Helms, Samuel Presson, Thomas C. Griffin, Enoch A. Griffin, Jonathan Trull, Jackson Simpson, Bryant D. Austin, Charlie P. Griffin, S. Griffin, Solomon R. Mullis – who after having been duly sworn in according to law proceeded on the 26^th day September 1843 in obedience to the annexed writ to lay off and allot to Kiziah Polk, widow & relict of Thomas Polk, dec’d. as described in said writ according to the following bounds Viz – Beginning at a willow oak by a white oak and red oak on the bank of Richardson’s Creek and runs No 29 Wst 17 chains to a small sweet gum by a mulberry tree and dogwood – thence So 29 Wst 28 chains & 50 links to a stake by a walnut tree and small pine in an old field – thence No 70 Wst 41 chains to a stake by a large white oak post – thence No 30 Wst 66 chains & 10 links to a dead post oak by 3 post oaks – thence with said line So 43 Et 33 chains to his other corner stake thence – with his other line No 46 Est 56 chains to a stake in a line of the old Rosland then with said line now called Wooten So 36 Et 38 chains to Marlens Corner on the bank of Richardson Creek thence up the various courses of said creek to the beginning containing 406 acres, also another parcel of land boundary as follows Viz – Beginning at the two corners of David Polk 250 acres survey Rushings Corner stake between a post oak, red oak & pine and runs with Rushings & Polks lines No76 Et 15 chains to a stake by 2 black Jacks Rushings Corner – thence with his other line So 44 Et 3 chains & 80 links to a stake by a pine then No 74 Et 7 chains & 50 links to a pine in Brandon’s Corner thence – with No 20 Wst 10 chains to a stake by 2 post oaks – thence So 47 Wt 66 chains & 30 links to a pine by 2 pines & post oak – thence – So 89 Est 38 chains & 75 links to the beginning containing 136 acres making in the whole dower 542 acres which Dower the said Kiziah Brooks is already in possession of given under the hands & seals of the Jury before me the 28^th day of September A.D. 1843

Lewis Griffin

Ransom Baucom

Cessie Helms

Samuel Presson

Thomas C. Griffin

Solomon R. Mullis

Copied as was – no changes or corrections.

Anson Co, NC

Davidson and “Kizzie” lived on Thomas Polk’s land there on Polk Mountain which the previous dower describes. 542 acre dower! Talk about a landed widow.

m2. Nancy Angeline Pyron m. 28 Sep 1869 Union Co, NC b. 1845 d. 1871. Nancy was the daughter of Samuel Pyron I and Clarinda Helms.

m3. Nancy Griffin m. 16 Aug 1871 Union Co, NC b. 1845 d. 1921 Union Co, NC. Nancy was the daughter of Charles P. Griffin and Eunice Williams.

Nancy L. Brooks’ will

State of N.C.

Union County

I, Nancy L. Brooks being of sound mind and memory but considering the uncertainty of this life and the certainty of death do make and declare this to be my last will and testament.

First – I will and devise all my personal property to my son Wade H. Brooks and my daughter Fannie E. Brooks – to share and share alike in the division of the same.

Second – I will that my body be given a decent burial and that all burial expenses and all of my just debts be paid out of my property by my executor.

Third – I do hereby appoint my son, Wade H. Brooks, as executor to this my last will and testament – hereby revoking and declaring all other wills by me heretofore made void and declaring this to be my last will and testament.

In testimony whereof, the said Nancy L. Brooks do hereunto set my hand and seal on this the 4^th day of November, 1919

Nancy L. Brooks

Book 4 – page 301, Union County

Children of Davidson Brooks and Kesiah Malinda Tarlton:

Mary Isabelle Brooks b. 1 Apr 1842 d. 1842

Calvin H. Brooks b. 24 Jun 1843 d. 8 Oct 1916 m. Jane E. Dry 1866

Lucy A. Brooks b. 1 Sep 1844 d. young

Cullen Cyrus Brooks b. 5 Feb 1846 d. 26 Jan 1885 m. Tabitha E. Simpson <1867

Lydia A. Brooks b. 13 Mar 1847 d. 5 May 1914 m. Benjamin Franklin Staton

Mary Elizabeth Brooks b. 27 Apr 1848 d. 1850's

Eliza Jane Brooks b. 1849 d. 1850's

Henry M. Brooks b. 3 Oct 1850 d. 18 Apr 1920 m. Frances Martella Austin c1870

Sarah E. “Sallie” Brooks b. 28 Feb 1852 m. Henry Davis

William Brooks b. 1853 d. young

Alexander J. Brooks b. 26 Oct 1854 d. 1914 m. Thetis Sophronia Austin 25 Aug 1875

UNION COUNTY, NC - BOOKS - Sketches of Monroe and Union County, 1902 pt. 1

A. J. Brooks is 47 years old, a native of Union county, and a

successful farmer. He has been called to fill several positions of

honor and trust and always filled them acceptably. He was appointed a

justice of the peace in 1885 and has held the office ever since. In

1896 he was elected county commissioner and was the only one of the

Democratic candidates elected on the board. In 1899 he was appointed

as a member of the board of education and circled its chairman. In

December, 1900, he resigned that office to again take his place on the

board of county commissioners, to which he was elected by the people

in November. He has served as a member of the Democratic executive

committee for 16 years and is a genuine, pure Democrat whose services

have always been at the call of his party.

James Thomas Brooks b. 12 Nov 1857 d. 21 Mar 1929 m. Martha E. Smith 28 Mar 1883

Emaline Brooks b. 24 Sep 1859 d. 1860

John David Brooks b. 18 Nov 1860 m. Mary C. Gaddy

Serena Kesiah Brooks b. 8 May 1862 d.1927 m. George Milton Little 30 Nov 1876

(infant) b. 1864 d. 1864 mother, Kesiah died from complications

Child of Davidson Brooks and Nancy Angeline Pyron:

Samuel Edgar Brooks b. 5 Dec 1870 Union Co, NC d. c1896 m. Mary Margaret Brantley

Samuel’s mother died from this birth. He died of typhoid at age 26.

Children of Davidson Brooks and Nancy Griffin:

Charles “Ed” P. Brooks b. 15 Oct 1872 m. Maggie Polk

Zebulon Baxter Brooks b. 24 Nov 1873 d. 14 Aug 1948 m. Lucretia Jane Simpson 11 Mar 1897

Eunice Clementine Brooks b. 7 Feb 1876 d. 31 May 1959 m. Lewis Monroe Williams

Wade Hampton Brooks b. June 1878 d. 1951 m. Minnie Baucom 1 Oct 1896

Nanny Elizabeth Brooks b. 6 Feb 1881 d. 19 Sept 1922 m. William Henry Staton

Arrilla “Arrie” Brooks b. 1882 d. 26 Nov 1961 m. Marshall Helms

(infant) b. 1884 d. 1884

Alexander J. Brooks married in 1876 to Thetus S. Austin (daughter of Bryant DeBerry Austin), who bore him nine children. They lived in Marshville, Union Co, NC.

Calvin H. Brooks married Jane E. Dry about 1866 and had twelve children in Stanly Co, NC. Prior to his marriage, he had enlisted with his brother Cullen, in Co. B, 15th Reg NC Infantry of the Confederate States Army.

Cullen was discharged 20 Aug 1862. He resided in New Salem, Union Co, NC after the war. Cullen's Photo