William Alexander Brooks of Chattooga Co, GA

William Alexander Brooks was born 10 Feb 1829 Anson Co, NC to Alexander Brooks and his first wife, Cornelia Borgan. William married in Union Co, NC to Sarah Ann "Sally" Griffin, daughter of Thomas Culpeper Griffin and Nancy Bivens. They were married on 9 Nov 1853. Sarah Ann Griffin was born 10 May 1833. It must have been just after their marriage that they moved to Lee Co, GA. The 1860 census shows them there. From Lee Co, GA, William is recorded as relinquishing his rights to land on the Rocky River to George Turner, "it being the interest laid off to Eliza Brooks." This must have been land that William's father, Alexander left to his second wife, Eliza Morris Allen, widow of Miles Allen. Alexander Brooks died 27 Jul 1853. His land went to his wife, then she must have immediately transferred interest in it to Alexander's sons. The history of this land starts with:

Anson County Deed Book 14, page 271- Date March 1854:

"Alex Brooks Estate to Eliza A. Brooks - widow's dower" Note: Eliza Brooks was dau. of Wm. Morris, she 1st married Miles Allen.. moved to TN where Miles died, she returned to Anson and married the widower Alexander Brooks

William Alexander and Sarah Ann Griffin Brooks had already left NC for GA and weren't around when his brothers had relinquished their rights:

6 Dec 1856 - Anson Co. Deed Book 17, page 323 "Thos. H. Brooks, Cornelius B. Brooks and James G. Brooks of Stanley county to George Turner.... all our title and interest in the land known as the dower of Eliza A. Brooks.

And finally, almost two years later:

Anson County Deed Book 15, page 678 - date Aug. 4th, 1858:

"William A. Brooks of county Lee and state of Georgia to George Turner my interest in land on Rocky River... it being my interest laid off to Eliza Brooks"

Sometime around 1865, perhaps after the war in which William Alexander Brooks served in the quartermaster corps for the CSA, he and his family move to Floyd Co, GA. They are found there in Rome in 1870. Sally's parents and family had moved just east of Chattooga Co, GA in Oostanoula, Gordon Co, GA.

This map of Gordon Co, GA shows Oostanoula where Thomas and Nancy Griffin had moved and also a part of Chattooga Co, GA where William Alexander and Sarah Ann Griffin can be found buried in Farmersville. Farmersville may actually be on this map.. it was just east of Summerville, the county seat. The mountains separating the two counties were very picturesque.. and difficult to drive around. William and his inlaws were not that far apart "as the crow flies" but it took quite awhile to drive south to the road that cut through those mountains where the river branches in this map. It's possible that the road was there in 1895, perhaps just not important enough to include in this map.

Chattooga Co, GA was cut from Floyd and Walker (out of Murray) Co’s in 1838, so William and Sally must’ve made another move.. by 1880, although it wasn’t far… NOTE also that Cobb and Paulding are just to the south of this region… we also find William Brooks III in Cobb around 1830 and Paulding, then Carroll afterwards… many of his inlaws, the Clontz’s can be found in Paulding today.

William Alexander Brooks dies 14 Apr 1899 in Farmersville, Chattooga Co, GA. Sarah did not follow him right away… she died 9 Jan 1916 Farmersville, Chattooga Co, GA. They are both buried in the only town cemetery for Farmersville, GA

BCBNOTE: I had visited the place where William Alexander Brooks and Sarah Ann “Sally” Griffin had settled in northern Georgia… it was a failed town, actually… there were many farms there, but the incorporation was never established and a nearby metropolitan area apparently took the business from the region. So, today, Farmersville is just that… a populated area with farms. To find the cemetery where William and Sally are buried was an adventure, indeed. I had only to ask one gentile old fellow walking his dog along the only “main drag” in “town.” He pointed me across the road and up to the top of a hill where a strand of trees were growing. I asked the people in the nearest home how to gain access. The kind lady told me to simply drive down that drive (she pointed across the yard) and to go through the gate… that I could drive up the hill to the cemetery… she just left me with a mild warning about not letting out her horses J. Once I found the burial spot, I was amazed at the grandeur of the stone… it was multi-teered with carvings.. BROOKS in huge letters and two columns, one above each name. Apparently, at one time, these Brooks were somewhat prominent in the area. The stone itself faced out from the hill in a fashion that caused one to gasp at the beauty of the landscape, looking out over the pasture, with mountains all around. It was beautiful! I gathered up some respect for these hard-working and successful folks. It would’ve made a fine place to retire. If you're interested in finding it, here's the best map I can offer… please go the way I suggest here… I'd hate to lose any cousins out there! J

Children of William Alexander Brooks and Sarah Ann Griffin:

Francis C. Brooks b. 31 Oct 1854 Lee Co, GA d. 16 Jun 1903 Farmersville,

Chattooga Co, GA. She married William H. Barron b. 29 Jan 1848 d. 16 Jun 1896 Farmersville, Chattooga Co, GA

Thomas Alexander Brooks b. 5 Jul 1857 Lee Co, GA d. 19 Jan 1936 Rome,

Floyd Co, GA. He married Dolly Lumpkin 29 Jan 1888 Floyd Co, GA. She was born 5 Jun 1865 GA and died 22 Dec 1945 in Floyd Co, GA. He can also be found on the 1892 Floyd Co. Tax Digest and is listed on 7 Feb 1894 Floyd Co, GA as one of its Registered Voters - from Rome. They lived in Rome at least until 1900.

Nancy Ella Brooks b. Jan 1860 Lee Co, GA. She married a Milliam.

Willie J. Brooks b. 1862 GA (Lee or Floyd Co)

Elsey Ann Brooks b. 1864 GA (Lee or Floyd Co)

Judson Cornelius Brooks b. 26 Dec 1867 Floyd Co, GA d. 11 Feb 1923 Floyd Co, GA

Married Sarah Elizabeth "Lizzie" Franks 7 Oct 1902 Floyd Co, GA. She was born 28 Apr 1870 GA and died 24 Dec 1938 Floyd Co, GA. He is found on the 1900 census records for Chattooga Co, GA, however he is shown on a 1916 list of Practicing Physicians in Floyd Co, GA. He and his family lived in the Armuchee area near Rome.

Charles W. Brooks b. July 1872 GA