Ezekiel Marion Brooks of McKinney, Texas

Ezekiel Marion Brooks was born 15 June 1836 to Ezekiel and Sinthia "Siddy" Green Brooks in the part of Montgomery County, NC that became Stanly County in 1841. Ezekiel Marion Brooks married a woman with the longest name in my database, Catherine Amalentha Rosilla Letha Jane Byrd! She went by "Jane." Ezekiel M. & Jane Byrd Brooks were married 5 February 1857 in Stanly Co, NC and produced at least 9 children.

It is likely that Jane Byrd was the granddaughter of Andrew Byrd who is found in the 1850 Stanly Co, NC census listing not far from Jane and her family (mother Margaret M. Byrd, age 36, brother Jonathan M. Byrd, age 10 and little brother Andrew, age 7). Jane, herself was listed as "Catherine," age 13. 1840 census comparison suggest that Robert Byrd may have been her father. Margaret M. Teeter Byrd later married Wiley H. Hatley and gave Jane several half-siblings, one of whom was Doctor Wiley Hatley who married Martha Ellender Brooks, dau. of "Rabbit John" Brooks.

When the Civil War broke out, Ezekiel Marion Brooks joined the ranks of many of our family and friends on 24 Aug 1863 when he enlisted as a "private" in Co. H, 63rd Regiment NC Troops (6th Reg. NC Cavalry). Fortunately, Ezekiel M. Brooks survives the war and is found again in Stanly County Tax records for 1864, then in Stanly Co, NC censuses for 1870 and 1880.

Ezekiel M. and Jane and their family looked after the Brooks Estate and the elder Ezekiel Brooks for many, many years. Old man Ezekiel was listed in the census records as "idiot" and depositions taken in the 1830's and 40's suggest that he may have been epileptic and had at least one seizure that left him mentally disabled (BCBNOTE: this is my guess). E.M. & Jane cared for him for the rest of his life. It was not long after his father's death that he decided to leave NC for TX.

Children of Ezekiel Marion and Jane Byrd Brooks:

Cynthia Eliza Brooks b. 1857 Furr TS, Stanly Co, NC

Cynthia Eliza Brooks was probably named for her grandmother, Sinthia Green Brooks (wife of Ezekiel Brooks and mother of Ezekiel Marion Brooks). She went by "Eliza" from all known accounts. She married Hartwell Pinkney Love 19 Feb 1888 Stanly Co, NC (b. 25 Jan 1860 NC d. 18 Mar 1933 Stanly Co, NC). Eliza was Hartwell's second wife. His first wife was Lundy J. Furr (married 6 July 1879 Stanly Co, NC), another daughter of Israel & Mary Usley Reed Furr (see below at Eliza's brother Daniel Marion Brooks for Furr-Reed connections). Hartwell Love is buried at Love's Grove Methodist Church Cemetery in Stanly Co, NC as is his first wife, Lundy, having died 17 Oct 1887 (the year before his marriage to Eliza). Presumably, Eliza is buried there as well.

"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." (from Cyclone story)

More Eliza information comes from Gayla Brooks of McKinney, TX who tells of a son named Cilas M. Brooks b. 4 May 1873/5. Pictures of Cilas M. and Vera Self Brooks and family. He came to McKinney, Collin Co, TX with Ezekiel and Jane Brooks and his buried next to Ezekiel Marion Brooks in Wilson's Chapel Cem, in Collin Co, TX. The story goes that he was the illegitimate son of Alexander Cagle and Eliza Brooks and that Eliza wouldn't marry Cagle and had the child out of wedlock. Later, Alexander later married another Brooks girl, Mary Ann Brooks, daughter of King David Brooks. Cilas moved to Texas and was raised by his grandparents, Ezekiel M. and Jane Brooks.

My many thanks to Gayla Brooks Ownbey for this information and all the great pictures of this family!!

James C. Brooks b. 1860 Furr TS, Stanly Co, NC

Possibly killed in the cyclone between 1880 and 1892, his tombstone is found in the Brooks Family Cemetery on the old Brooks-Hill homestead beside that of his sister, Eva.

Daniel Marion Brooks

b. Jan 1863 Furr TS, Stanly Co, NC d. prob. Texas Married Laura Janetta Furr 7 Sep 1888 Stanly Co, NC She was born in Dec 1864, daughter of Israel & Mary Usley Reed Furr. Mrs. Israel Furr was the daughter of George Reed and granddaughter of John Reed, owner of the Reed Gold Mine. An interesting story goes that her father was absent one day that a very large piece of gold ore was found weighing several pounds. His brothers and father's partners sort of "ganged up" on him and said that only those present at the finding should get a cut from the nugget. Subsequently, George brought suit upon these men and the courts closed the mine for ten years, pending resolution! Afterward, many of George's family moved to Pope Co, AR in the great rush westward with the Brooks, Shinn, Teeter, Harkey and Love families.

Daniel Marion Brooks probably moved to Montague Co, TX at the time his parents moved to Collin Co, TX. He is found on the 1900 census there and his daughter Mary Jane married William Edward Perry there in 1906.

Thanks go to Judy Perry Seay (a researcher for this family), a descendant of this branch. My thanks also to Sandi Brooks Lewis and her sister, Susie Taylor for their help in "fleshing out" Dan's family (as well as telling us about their grandfather, Henry Monroe Ezekiel Brooks, another child of Daniel Marion Brooks! Thanks also to Jackie Lee of Viborg, SD for the photo and information!

Another daughter, Mollie Brooks marries Art Bone and died in Anderson, Shasta, CA in 1992 at the age of 95!

Margaret Izabell Brooks b. 1866 Furr TS, Stanly Co, NC

"Izabell" was one of the three brothers and sisters that married in 1888. She married Martin L. Love on 28 Aug 1888 Stanly Co, NC. He was born c1869, son of William and Eliza Teeter Love. They are buried with Ezekiel M. and Jane in Wilson's Chapel Cem. in McKinney, Collin Co, TX.

"Another sister, Isabelle, was blown over across Island Creek, and lodged in an apple tree on the farm of John O. Tucker." (from Cyclone story)

Colonel Hampton Brooks

b. Jan 1870 Furr TS, Stanly Co, NC Married Martha J. Baker b. Feb 1872 on 10 Nov 1892. He may or may not have married Lulu Williams b. 1873 on 14 Jan 1894 Union Co, NC but I doubt it now unless the date is wrong… perhaps later. She was the daughter of James and Sophronia Ellen Nance Williams of Union Co, NC. Moved to Collin Co, TX near his parents. Lived in Millican Community of McKinney.

My research into Colonel Hampton has exposed a possible error in a aged old tradition. The marriage to Lulu Williams in Union Co, NC on 14 Jan 1894 to "Hamp" has got to be wrong. An "R. Hampton Brooks" married Martha J. Baker in 1892 in Union Co, NC. So far, I know of no Brooks to match with that "R". I believe it is an error in the record and should have read "C". 1892 is the very year that Ezekiel Marion Brooks sold the family Estate to Henry Hill. Afterwards, they moved to Collin Co, TX, presumably right after. "Hamp" apparently follows his father to Texas, appearing there in 1900 in the Millican area of Mckinney, Collin Co, TX just like his mother's obituary stated he did. His wife's name appears as "Martha". In 1910, after his father's death in 1900, he is found in Lanes Creek area of Union Co, NC once again. This time, his wife is "Martha J." It is after 1910 that I lose him. Some of his children can be found in Monroe and the two younger ones live in Charlotte, NC. I believe that he died there in Union Co, NC just after 1910. Where "Lulu Williams" comes in I don't know. But, this tradition may have prevented many researchers from answering the question of "Hamp's" whereabouts.

Eva R. Brooks b. 1874 Furr TS, Stanly Co, NC d. Stanly Co, NC

Possibly killed in the cyclone between 1880 and 1892, her tombstone is found in the Brooks Family Cemetery on the old Brooks-Hill homestead beside that of her brother, James.

Arretta Jane "Hettie" Brooks b. 1876 Furr TS, Stanly Co, NC

Married Mort Love of Biggers, Collin Co, TX.

Henry E. Brooks b. Jan 1878 Furr TS, Stanly Co, NC

lived in Milligan Comm, McKinney, Collin Co, TX

Mary Elizabeth Brooks b. Feb 1879 NC d. poss. Stanly Co, NC

Said to have married Dock Fletcher Love (b. 11 Dec 1888 Stanly Co, NC d. July 1973 Concord, Cabarrus Co, NC). Dock F. Love was another son of William and Eliza Teeter Love.

At the time of Jane Brooks' death, according to her obituary, Mary was still single, yet only about 23 years old. She may have married afterward and moved back to NC with Dock F. Love. (BCBNOTE: this still doesn't sit well with me because of the age difference and the distance from NC to TX… might be a case of someone "needing" to fill in the blanks!)

Brooks Brooks b. 2 May 1880 Furr TS, Stanly Co, NC

There is a small possibility that this child (listed in 1880 census) is not Mary Elizabeth. Apparently, they had not yet named the child when the 1880 census was taken. Since Mary was born February of 1879, it would seem that more than a year would have been enough time to find an appropriate name for any child. It may be that this was a tenth child that either did not live long or was killed later in the cyclone. Mary's whereabouts at this point are not known. That's why I'm saying this is a small chance. J This is probably Mary. It may be that she was actually born in May of 1880 instead of what the 1900 Collin Co, TX census reports.

Sad tidings for Ezekiel Marion Brooks and family:

Cyclone (from Stanly Newspaper, April 20, 1976)

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.

From the apparent ages of the children, this picture would had to have been taken sometime around the time they left for Texas… about 1890 or so… maybe after they arrived in Texas.

Ezekiel M. Brooks would, in January, 1892, sell the old Brooks homestead to Henry W. Hill before moving to McKinney, Collin Co, Texas. Some of the family was found there in the 1900 census (Ezekiel, Jane, Henry and Mary). A newspaper article about the Brooks-Hill Homestead is available on this site in the "Stories" section.

This family lived in the Enloe Community of McKinney, just southeast of town. The community was comprised mainly of farmers… and from the 1900 census, many of those farmers were from other states! There must've been some incentive for moving there that attracted so many.

Newspaper article mentioning Ezekiel Marion Brooks' residence:

The Democrat, McKinney, Tx., January 29, 1895
Editor Democrat

ENLOE SCHOOL HOUSE :

Farmers have been busy the past two weeks cleaning and breaking the land for another crop of 4 cent cotton......W. G. DRAKE and family have been visiting his brother-in-law, SAM SMITH of New Hope the past week.......SAM ODLE who has been confined to bed with fever for the past three or four weeks is convalescent......ABE ENLOE, JR. had his saddle stolen from his home, Jan. 19. No clue......MRS. JOHN ENLOE who has been on the sick list is better at this writing......The young people had a hop at E. M. BROOKS' residence on the 19th......MRS. JOHN RENFRO and mother, former residents of this community, but now of Grassey Lake, were visiting ABE ENLOE,SR. and family this past week......The North Carolinaians continue to come into our settlement. More tax-hauls......BROTHER McKINNEY preached an able sermon to a large audience at the new Christian Church on the 20th......There was no school here last Friday as our new teacher, MR. J. M. SHOOK was attending the institute which met at McKinney on the 25th and 26th......MRS. MITT RUTLEDGE has returned from a visit to her mother who lives in West Collin......Spelling every two weeks at the new schoolhouse.

Not long after the Brooks were enumerated in the 1900 census on April 18th, 1900, Ezekiel Marion Brooks would die on his farm from a heart attack. He was laid to rest in Wilson Chapel Cemetery in the Enloe Community of McKinney, Collin Co, TX.

His wife Jane would follow soon after on December 26th, 1902 at her daughter's home.

E.M. & Jane Brooks' tombstone in Wilson Chapel Cemetery of McKinney, Texas. Photos provided courtesy of Gayla Brooks Ownbey of Plano, TX! (Note: Gayla recently married to one lucky photographer there in Collin Co, TX. If you need a good photographer, he can be reached through Ownbey Photography, phone 214/207-9396)

Downtown McKinney, TX in 1906

Texaco Station in McKinney, TX c.1910 (from http://www.mckinneytx.com/)

Miscellaneous records and sources for Ezekiel Marion Brooks:

Stanly County court records show his middle name as "Monroe"

5 Jun 1860 Stanly Co - Furr TS - Albemarle - #81: farm: 50/225/750/65

24 Aug 1863 - enl. as prvt. in Co. H, 63rd Regiment NCT (6th Reg. NC Cavalry) present or acct'd for thru Aug 1864 when reported "absent on detached serv."

1864 Stanly Co, NC Tax List --- 8/50?/2/1600/SW$15;PC$50/725/1055/11.80

6 Jul 1870 Stanly Co - Furr TS - Albemarle - #1 800/0

23 Jun 1880 Stanly Co - Furr TS - Albemarle - #303

1883 - W. A. Cagle store customer (from Ledger Book)

1892 - Sold Family Estate in Stanly Co, NC and moved to Texas

1900 Collin Co, TX... Enloe School Comm, McKinney ED#1, #106

My thanks to Jackie Lee of Viborg, SD and Judy Seay (soon to be from McKinney, TX!!) for the information on Ezekiel Brooks...