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 John Brooks also appears on the 1782 Montgomery Co, NC tax list as "John Brooks Sr." to distinguish between him and his father (John Brooks "of Va") and his son (John Brooks Jr.). In 1779, it's possible that he buys land from Henry Hall south of the Rocky River (in Anson Co, NC) on Cribb's Creek. The survey shows a perfect square of property containing 150 acres. The deed mentions "John Brooks Junr." Now, John Brooks "of Va" is still alive, according to the tax list in 1782, or this could be his son, John Brooks II. John Brooks, son of William Brooks I was born c1760, so it's possible that he, too would be found trading land in 1779 and may be the John Brooks Jr. in the deed, although the son of John Brooks II, John Brooks III later moves to Brown Co, Oh and is married to Elizabeth Hall, daughter of John Hall. See this deed at Henry Hall to John Brooks Jr.

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. This John Brooks Jr. is (in 1782) the youngest of the four “John”s in the Brooks family capable of owning land, thus he is William Brooks I’s oldest son. The youngest “John Brooks” is John II’s son, John III (b. 1774). John II dies in Jan, 1792 and leaves his two sons in his will. John Brooks III will be 18 yrs old in March. Belief is that Edmond is younger. They are young but not incapable of venturing out on their own. Consequently, we find records in Montgomery County, NC extant deeds 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). Could John Brooks II’s early death been enough of a tragedy for them to cause them to venture out?

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. BCBNOTE: Interesting note here is that Virginia Military records for the French and Indian war make numerous references to a private "Bibby" Brooks from Hanover Co, VA (he was stated to be short with dark hair). The name "Bibby" appears in census records for Anson Co, NC… Any connection here? Is this "Bibby" or "Bebby" Brooks John's brother Edmond? In recent weeks, I've come across references to Madison Co, TN where a Bibby Brooks appeared in 1830. He appears to have come to NC from VA and in 1810, he's back in Charlotte Co, VA. Then, by 1830 he's in TN. All this bouncing around usually makes me suspicious, but the dates all match up. So, it may be the same one that was in Anson Co, NC and therefore, NOT Edmond. So, where Edmond was in 1800 is still a mystery. It WOULD be easier to explain though, if this "Bebby" Brooks in 1800 Montgomery Co, NC was our Edmond. See Edmond “Lilly” Brooks.

Whatever permutation of the family line you subscribe to; there was a period of strife in the Brooks family before the turn of the century. The oldest man, John Brooks “of Va” must have died sometime in the mid-1780’s. Up till that time, he was the head of the family. That role likely passed to his eldest son, John Brooks II (brother of William, served with William in 1770 against the Cherokee with higher rank than William). But, John Brooks II either got sick or became injured before Jan, 1792 when he died. He left a widow, daughter (Yarbrough) and at least two boys behind, John III (almost 18) and Edmond, a bit younger. Apparently, the boys and their mother worked the farm for a time before about 1798. At that point, the mother most likely dies and the boys seek “greener pastures” for themselves. John III seems inclined toward God’s work and goes off to KY to join in on the Cane Ridge Revival in 1801. He marries in NC to Elizabeth Hall before he leaves. Edmond stays in NC a bit longer (“Bebby” Brooks in 1800 census in Montgomery Co, NC) and winds up in Horry Co, SC by 1810. Apparently, he loses his first wife from NC… another loss for these folks. Edmond remarries to Rebecca Sellars in SC.

There is no further reference to John Brooks II’s wife after 1793, so we don’t know exactly what happened to her. She is not in Edmond’s household in 1800. Recently, Jim Brooks of Spartanburg Co, SC has uncovered a Petition of Executors in Anson Co, NC showing a John Brooks dying Jan, 1792. There is also a reference in 1793 to a “Widow” Brooks in John Melchior’s store ledger in Cabarrus County, NC (p.18-1793). There is a note attached to this entry that states “Mr. Harberd Suggs”. William Brooks I also appears in this ledger in 1795. Could this “widow” be the wife of John Brooks who is now (in 1793) passed on? Jim found that the Anson info. contains the names William Brooks and Rebecca Brooks and John Harvert Sugg (John Harberd Sugg?) as co-executors to John Brooks’ will. Is Rebecca John’s wife and the “Widow” Brooks we see the very next year in Melchior’s store ledger? And the Suggs family connection? This is new to me. But Mr. Suggs sure looks related!

John Brooks II, deceased by 1792, appears on the 1790 Montgomery Co, NC census, but not on the 1800 census. Also, the following deeds indicate 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.

13 Dec 1798: Joshua Williams to Humphrey Yarbrough, Sr. , land on Richardson Creek. Land between Joshua and Lee Yarbrough which John Brooks left in his LW&T to Lee Y's wife. (unnamed) Anson Co, NC Deed Book G pg. 175

This map was the original plot taken from early surveys of the Brooks family on the Rocky River. We knew that John Brooks II probably owned the land just west of his father. A recent deed to John Culpeper mentions both John Brooks… the son John Brooks II apparently had the land shown below in a rough drawing of John Culpeper’s property.

John Culpeper’s land was evidently right smack in the middle of John Brooks II’s lands. Notice the curious “finger” of land between the elder John Brooks and his son on the north side of the river. From what I can determine from the wording of the deed, John Brooks II’s land completely surrounded this 75 acre plot of Culpeper’s.

Again, the children of John Brooks II were likely few. The oldest was probably the daughter that married Lee Yarbrough. Another son is probable, according to census records (there is another William Brooks in the Anson area that does well for himself, too). The records show at least two sons of John Brooks II, Edmond (Emond) and John Brooks III. John Brooks III left for the Disciples of Christ revival at Cane Ridge, near Lexington, KY (Rev. Barton Stone's revival occurred in 1801 and attracted more than 25,000 people!) then on to Brown Co, OH by 1804. He probably left NC by the time of Edmond's deed to Charles Coppage in 1798 when his brother, Edmond sold the land deeded to both of them at Cooper's creek. Edmond married in Anson Co, NC and is found in Horry District of SC by 1810, where he married his second wife, Rebecca Sellars.

Children of John Brooks II:

(daughter) Brooks b. before c1785

married Lee Yarbrough and moved to Hickman Co, TN, then Maury Co, TN until after 1822. The family moved on to Clinton County by 1818, then Fayette County, Illinois. Lee apparently stayed in TN until after 1822, then followed his family to Fayette Co, IL by 1824. No record of Lee or his wife is found past 1837.

(son) Brooks b. before 1774 (found in 1790 census record)

this guy could be another William Brooks found in Anson Co, NC. He was born between 1765 and 1784 and did nearly as well for himself as our William Brooks! He is found on page 55 of the Anson Co, NC 1810 census with 11 slaves and a large family! BCBNOTE: I know… what about William Brooks II, right? Well… his family had just started by that time… and he appeared on the same census as well… only he shows no slaves, 3 young girls and 1 young boy (which is right for William II). More on this later, I hope!

John Brooks III. b.11 Mar 1774 NC , d. 31 May 1833 Brown Co, OH

Edmond Brooks b. 1770-80 d. bef 1850

(daughter) Brooks

Rebecca Brooks b. 28 Jan 1790 d. 16 Nov 1853

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

1763 NC Tax List - Anson Co. - listed as "John Jr."(one slave: Nan) with "John Sr." (3 slaves)

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.)

9 October 1769… "John Brooks, Junr." is signer of Regulator's petition (along with Culpepers, Almonds, Ratcliffs, Dumas, and many other early Anson names)

Grant #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? This deed may refer to William Brooks I's son John Brooks since the land used to belong to William. My suspicions about the Jesse Gilbert connection come partly from this deed.)

1790 Census for Montgomery Co, NC: 2 males 16 and older, 2 males under 16 and 4 females

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.