William Brooks I of Montgomery Co, NC

The original tombstone marking William Brooks I's grave

Photo by Lori Love!

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, William Brooks I’s son, John Brooks moved to Henry Co, TN and his other son, Joshua James Brooks went to Attala Co, MS. Rev. Brooks was really close for not having a computer and internet access! He published his information in 1925. But, he did have something that we can never have… first hand knowledge from people who actually lived history. Rev. Brooks was born 1861, a time when he could have actually spoken with a son of William Brooks I… Ezekiel Brooks. The Reverend himself was a great-grandson of William. I tend to trust his information quite well… not just because he’s my grandfather! J

The facts are that the Brooks family came to Anson Co., NC thus receiving a grant of land on the Rocky River, part of which would later become Montgomery Co, 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 "of Va"” who shows in a 1763 Anson Tax list and a 1782 Tax list for Montgomery Co, NC as “invalid” seems to have been the elder John and probably the head of the clan. He received 500 acres to William’s 100 acres in 1762. Other deeds were recorded later in 1767 showing a total of 527 acres for William Brooks and 720 for John Brooks. This John Brooks' son, John Brooks Sr. 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 and was the oldest known Brooks in the old Anson Co, NC area:

And, beginning about 1769 or so, we find William Brooks acquiring land in the Island Creek area of (now) Stanly Co, NC, on the Rocky River. Anybody remember this place? Of course! It's the famous Brooks-Hill homestead we all know and love! It's where we find the family cemetery with William I and William II and many, many others. And it's the estate that Ezekiel Marion Brooks sold to Henry W. Hill in 1892 before taking off for McKinney, Texas. Talk about getting away from it all! J

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 (Rebecca Sugg Brooks?), daughter (wife of Lee 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 some 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. “Elizabeth Brooks” was executrix to the will of her father, John Hall in the Anson county records. Edmond stays in NC a bit longer than John and winds up in Horry Co, SC by 1810.

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. The 1793 reference to a “Widow” Brooks in John Melchior’s store ledger in Cabarrus County, NC is all that we have. William Brooks I also appears in this ledger in 1795. The 1792 petition is where we get her possible name of Rebecca. See this Petition from 1792.

Wives of William Brooks? A discussion…

Another question for William Brooks I researchers is… "Who was his wife? Or wives?" Maybe it’s the elusive “Rebecca” from that 1792 petition, though I rather believe that’s John’s wife. Other than that flimsy reference, no name is ever mentioned in any known document. We undoubtedly have the Montgomery courthouse fire to thank for that. Now, William likely has his first child in 1758 while aged 22 years and probably in NC for less than a decade (census records for John Brooks state his birthplace to be “NC” so their arrival there must have been at or before 1758). His first wife may have come with him from VA (if the Brooks arrived in the late 1750’s) or he may have met his wife after arriving in Anson County. If that was the case, what brides would have been available to him at that time? Farmers, especially in the mid-18^th century Carolina frontier, rarely got far away from their own lands and usually married their neighbor’s daughters. And, if they were older men, they often had little choice over their difference in age. So, if William had married at the young age of 22, he had few candidates to choose from. What neighbors did John Brooks and his family have in… say 1757? We know the Culpepers were right next door, even between John “of Va” and his son, John. And John Lee was on land later owned by William Brooks and John Culpeper. Humphrey Yarbrough’s son, Lee married a daughter of William’s brother, John Brooks II. Then, there’s the Gilberts. John Hale Gilbert married Elizabeth Brooks, probably another daughter of John Brooks II. Many Culpepers intermarried with Gilberts. So, the intermarriages were taking place. The question is… Who did William marry?

Were the Gilberts around when William would have married c1757 or so? George Thomas’ website has a thorough examination of the Gilbert presence in Anson Co, NC. The earliest mention is 1779 for Thomas Gilbert, a brother to John Hale Gilbert and Jesse Green Gilbert. This is the earliest recorded presence for Gilberts in Anson. This is the only snag on the “Sarah Gilbert” theory for William Brooks’ first wife. Still, John Hale Gilbert married Elizabeth Brooks c1767. For this theory to survive, we need to find proof that John & Elizabeth Hale Gilbert had some sort of connection to William Brooks c1757. Evidence exists for this connection. So, let’s keep our eye on this one.

After seeing the Brooks Bridge of History book, and some of the deed information in it, I began to understand that his oldest son was not the son of the wife we see in later census records, who has to have been born c1760. I believe now that John Brooks of Henry Co, TN is the oldest son, born 1758. The wife that we see with William Brooks I in 1810 was too young to have given birth to this boy. Whoever she may be, she obviously was William’s 2^nd wife.

Taking that into consideration, after William’s death in 1818, his son John Brooks and Jehu Gilbert (presumably John Hale Gilbert) were named the guardians over William’s son, Ezekiel Brooks. This kind of hints at a Gilbert connection. Actually, it strongly hints at it. Many researchers have given her the name of “Sarah Gilbert”, possible sister to Jesse Gilbert and John Hale Gilbert. Did she marry a Brooks, brother to her brother’s wife? And was Jesse Brooks named for his uncle, Jesse Gilbert? This is a highly likely scenario. We just need proof of this hypothesis.

William’s 2^nd marriage would have occurred late in the 1770’s. His son, William Brooks II and namesake was born in 1779 and was probably the first child born to his new wife. By this time, William Brooks I has built and moved into a home beside Island Creek in modern day Stanly Co, NC. He has a whole new set of neighbors now. Greens had intermarried with the Brooks on at least two occasions. There were also Morgans, Austins, Gurleys and Phillips in this new neighborhood. Also, the roads were improving at a fast pace and travel between whole counties was becoming easier. Many families of old Mecklenburg Co, NC that later became western Union Co, NC were now only a few miles to the west of William Brooks. This makes our task much harder. The world of William Brooks was growing at a rapid pace and his choice of wife was becoming much more plentiful.

With this in mind, I decided to embark on an old-fashioned method – inductive reasoning. Remarking upon the great number of Lydia Adeline's in the very next generation and down, I got suspicious. Of the children of William Brooks I that had daughters named Lydia were William Brooks II, David Brooks, Joshua James Brooks, and Hester Brooks Carelock. These would all be children of William’s 2^nd wife, not “Sarah Gilbert Brooks”, if that hypothesis is true. Another Carelock: (there's a reference to Moses Carlock's wife, Lydia in Marshall Co, MS now buried at Wesley Chapel Cem… she may be a missing daughter of William Brooks I. They also have a daughter named Lydia Adeline Carlock). There were also four grandchildren of William Brooks I with this name. Those came from families that remained in the Anson Co, NC area. So, there's a strong suspicion in my mind that William’s 2^nd wife was named Lydia or Lydia Adeline.

As to her family name… that's more difficult. We know that William Brooks II was born in 1779. So, they must've married prior to that date. Also, from court records, we learn that William received his first grant in the Island Creek area in 1767. But, he wasn't living there until after about 1770, according to Montgomery Co, NC tax lists and deed information. However, he still had 100 acres on the Anson side of the Rocky River. And he appeared to have sold off some land in the Richardson's creek mouth area in 1774 and possibly in 1775. So, what does all this say? Not much. J Thought I was getting somewhere with this didn't you? Well.. sort of. What it says is that William was in transition at the time of his marriage. His wife's last name could be anything. She could be a Lee, Culpeper, Burleson, Morgan, Austin, Green, Gilbert, Colson… am I leaving anybody out? Until we come across more information, we just won't know.

There are a lot of similarities with Brooks family names and the Alexanders of Mecklenburg Co, NC. Since William Brooks moved in the direction of Mecklenburg and his sons and daughters have relationships with people from the corner of Mecklenburg and Cabarrus Co, NC where the Clear Creek meets the Rocky River, it is reasonable to assume that he may have met his second wife after moving to his land on Island Creek. The Burleson's also share similar family names with the Alexanders and were also there at the same time. It's mere speculation, yes… but James & Lydia Jones Alexander had a daughter named Lydia who was born 28 Feb 1760 in Cecil Co, MD. She was likely the first daughter of James and Lydia who married in Cecil Co, MD 14 Dec 1757. Son of Martin & Susannah Foster Alexander of Maryland, Dr. James Alexander moved his family to Mecklenburg Co, NC sometime after 1761. The 1790 census for Mecklenburg Co, NC shows numerous Alexanders, including five “Capt”s, 2 “Col”s and four different Ezekiels. It looks like the whole family left Maryland for North Carolina. Lydia was in Mecklenburg Co, NC at the time William might have met her and I haven't found any other marriage for her yet (extensive searches on ancestry.com turned her up… but with no known spouse). So, I'll keep hunting… and hoping. Could turn over the right stone at some point. One thing that struck me after reading that was that there are no other Alexander Brooks in the other Brooks branches, but William Brooks I has a son named Alexander b.1791. This hounddog smells connection! Wuf!

Something we do know about William’s wife, maybe “Lydia Adeline Brooks” is that she was born c1760 and died between 1810 and 8 May 1818 (We know that she was deceased at the time of William's death but alive for the 1810 census). She married William Brooks I c1775 - 78. And, the legend continues…

NOTE: another reference to a wife of William Brooks I comes from a report written by Bessie Carelock Covington Renfrow on the Carelock family tree. It states: "Samuel Carelock Jr. married his stepsister, Hester Brooks." If this is true, then Samuel Carelock Sr.'s widow would have to have been married to William Brooks I and she would have to have been his 2nd or … dare I say it… 3rd wife! I'd like to know where this information came from. Bessie (or anyone who can help), if you read this, please get in touch with me!

Let us get back to it…

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 to the date on his original stone… which only has an "M" for the month!!!) 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 – M8 1818). See Brooks – Hill – Dry Cemetery listings…

William Brooks I and his first wife had the following children:

John Brooks b.c1758 d.1845 Henry Co, TN

William Brooks I and his second wife had the following children:

(daughter) b. 1774-84

William Brooks II b.1779 d.13 July 1846

Jesse Brooks b.c1780

(daughter) b. 1784-90

this daughter might be Lydia, wife of Moses Carlock of Marshall Co, MS. She was born 1785 in NC and Moses Carlock was closely connected to his cousin Samuel A. Carlock Jr. who married Hester Brooks b.c1789. Samuel and Moses together bought land in what is now Union Co, NC. Samuel remained there and Moses moved off.. first to Lawrence Co, AL (there by 1830) and then to Marshall Co, MS where he and Lydia can be found in Wesley Chapel Cemetery in Holly Springs, Marshall Co, MS. Need feedback on this!

Hester Brooks b.c1789 d. 3 May 1849

Alexander Brooks b.1791 d.27 July 1853
Joshua James Brooks b.15 Aug 1793 d. 11 Oct 1869

David Brooks b.1795 d. 1 Aug 1842

Ezekiel Brooks b.1798 d.1870-80

James Brooks b. c1800 d. before April 1829

Elizabeth Brooks b. 1800-10 d. After 1866 Coweta Co, GA

Married c1829 David Gurley, son of James and Lydia Adeline (there’s that name again!) Gurley of Montgomery Co, NC. He was born c1805 in Montgomery Co, NC. The couple also left NC for Coweta Co, GA where David and Elizabeth reared their family until his death in 1864 as result of his service in the Confederacy as part of Co. D, 41st. Georgia Infantry Regiment "Pinion Guards".

James Gurley was a neighbor (and possible son-in-law of William Brooks… Eliz. & David another 1^st cousin marriage for the Brooks?). David Gurley was listed on the 1830 Montgomery Co, NC census living near William Brooks.

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 taken after the Dodd family fixed it up:

Photo by Lori Love!

Excerpt from Brooks Bridge of History:

A story was told by a Lawyer Huneycutt at the unveiling service of the monument for William Brooks I and William II, his son. The story was told to give the reason for William I settling in Anson County. William was out hunting and began tracking a bear. He followed the tracks for quite a long way – then found evidence that someone else had killed the bear and carried it home. Since William was a long way from home, he followed the man’s tracks to his house. There he visited the family – a farmer, his wife and children. The man had a number of children, which was common in those days. William fell in love with one of the daughters, soon marrying her. This is a “handed down story” and well could be true.

William’s first home (that we know about) was on rented land in the John Lee’s ford area (which William later bought) after living there – how long? … This was land record #1558 and consisted of 100 acres and the house on the south side of Rocky River, at John Lee’s ford on Richardson Creek, for 25 pounds.

Second house…

The William Brooks I homeplace is still on the original site, one and a half miles below Morgan’s Mill. The mill is now dilapidated, but it was once a very important place, a great flouring mill, furnishing flour for North Carolina counties and upper South Carolina counties; a great meeting place for settlers passing through and those living in that vicinity.

The Morgan Mill road was named by Drury Morgan. He and a neighbor had a verbal battle about naming the road and, evidently Morgan won.

The stately two story house still stands silently and impressively, as though it were standing guard over the cemetery, a few hundred yards from the house. The large hall down through the house catches the summer breezes and the large porch is ideal for relaxing after a long day’s work or for entertaining visitors on Sundays. The old granary is still as it was almost two centuries ago. The house is surrounded by fenced pastures on gently rolling hills. There is an old house, beyond use, in one pasture. It was a home for a son, for tenants or slaves, at a time years ago. The cemetery has many trees, and is fenced with barbed wire.

For a transcript of the family cemetery, go here:

Brooks – Hill – Dry Cemetery

Records for William Brooks I:

Early Anson and Montgomery Tax/Census records:

Anson County formed  1750 from Bladen County

Montgomery County formed 1779 from Anson

Stanly County formed 1841 from Montgomery

Tax Listings:

1763 Tax Listing - Anson County

John Brooks - (from Virginia) 3 slaves

William Brooks - 5 slaves, Sharper, Cesor, Quam, Mol and David Senad

John Brooks - 1 slave, Nan

1780-82 Montgomery County Tax Listing:

John Brooks - Invalid - 100 acres, 3 slaves

William Brooks - 750 acres - 5 slaves (100 acres in Anson)

John Brooks, Sr. 150 acres - 1 slave

John Brooks, Jr. - 900 acres, 4 slaves (100 acres in Anson)

Census:

1784-87 NC Census Records for Montgomery County.

William Brooks 1 male 21-60, 2 males under 21 and 5 females all ages

1790 Montgomery Co, NC census: 3 males 16 or over, 2 males under 16 and 4 females

1800 Montgomery Co, NC census: 1 male 45 or over, 1 male 10-15 (of 10 and under 16), 4 males under 10, 1 female 26-44, 2 females 10-15, 1 female 16 to 25

1810 Montgomery Co, NC census: 1 male 45 or over, 3 males 10-15, 1 female 45 or over, 1 female 16-25, 1 female 10-15, 1 female under 10

Deeds, etc:

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.

Surveys by John Frohock, Survr.:

13 Feb 1767 - George A. Selwyn to William Brooks for "quit-rent" and 15 pounds sterling - to be paid in yearly installments as rent until paid in full. (If payment was not made as contracted, the land went back to the owner). 130 acres (Book H, page 141, Anson County) – N. side Rocky River joining Henry Stoaks beg at Henry Stoks corner on river bank, then along his line N21E44 po. To Stokes corner then So79E200 po. , So.12E80 po. To Hoop Wood tree on river bank.

26 July 1756 – John Hall of Anson Co to Henry Stokes for s30… 150 acres both sides Rocky River … granted to John Hall 25 Feb 1754… John Hall (seal)… wit: Micajah Stokes, Wm. Fielden.

No. 263 - John HALL, 400 Acres, Grant No. 856, Issued February 25, 1754, Book No. 2, Page No. 91. Location: Upper end of an Island in ROCKY River.

No. 895 - Jno. HALL, 400 Acres, Grant No. 856, Issued February 25, 1754, Book No. 10, Page No. 412. Location: Beginning at a black walnut tree on the upper end of an island on ROCKEY River.

19 Feb 1767 - G. A. Selwyn to William Brooks, 108 acres (Book H, page 114, Anson County) – N. side Rocky River and both sides of Island Creek. N12 W 55 po.to a W.O. Thence N40W80 po. To a hickory. Then N33E60 po. To a B.O. Then N71W60 po. Wt 30 po. Crossing Island Creek to a pine, then So31W100 to a pine, then So27E34 po. To a W.O. various courses to Beginning.

15 Feb 1767 - G. A Selwyn to William Brooks, 120 acres (Book H, page 88, Anson County) – S. side Rocky River Beg. Sweet gum partly opposite John Brooks plantation… below mouth of Richardson’s Cr. So69W64 po., N54W94 po, N74W90 po., down courses of Creek to River then with the River to the beginning.

15 Feb 1767 - G. A. Selwyn to William Brooks, 69 acres (Book H, page 101, Anson County) – Both sides Richardsons Creek, WO on bank of cr, then So23W112 po., So68W88 po., BO 36 po. Crossing cr. Then N4W100 po., to Beg.

BCBNOTE: these previous 1767 notations were made in 1767, however the actual grants may have occurred earlier… and probably did.

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

14 Oct 1783 - Grant #956 - For a tract of land containing one hundred acres lying & being in our County of Anson on the south side of Rocky River on both sides of Richardson's Creek. Beginning at an elm standing on the No. bank of sd. Creek and running No. 60 Wt. 52 poles to a stake Between 2 black jacks then So. 30 Wt. 112 poles to a willow oak on the Bank of sd. Creek then down the various of sd. Creek So. 30 Et. 70 poles to a hickory on the Bank of sd. Creek then So. 13 Et. 120 poles crossing sd Creek to a stake then No. 80 Et. 80 poles to a stake supposed to be in Jesse Gilbert's line then with the sd. Gilbert's line No. 13 Wt. 120 poles to a stake on the Bank of sd. Creek then down the various courses of sd. Creek 128 poles to the Beginning granted to William Brooks at Hillsboro the 14th day of Octr. in the eighth year of our Independence & in the year of our Lord 1783. By his Exly. Comd. J. Glasgow, Secy. Alexd. Martin B H p. 961790 - NC Census of Mecklinburg/Montgomery County (3 males b.<1775, 2 males b.1774-90, 4 females, 6 slaves) Salisbury District

16 Nov 1790 – Grants/481/registered – Book B #2, p. 481 State of North Carolina, No. 1032 – To all to whom these presents Shall Come greeting, Know ye that we for and in Consideration of the sum of Ten Pounds for every hundred acres hereby granted paid into our treasury by William Brooks have given and granted and by these presents Do give and grant unto the Said William Brooks a tract of Land Containing one hundred and fifty acres lying and being in our County of Anson Beginning at four hickories on the South bank of Rocky River and runs South fifty-five East one hundred and fifty poles to a pine then North Seventy five East one hundred and six poles to an ash 2 black oaks pointers on the bank of Rockey River then North thirty five West up the river to the Lower End of an Island then to the North bank of Sd. River then with the river up oppersite the Beginning then South fifty five East Crossing to the first Station Including Phillip.s Improvements and a Small Island – at Fayette the 16^th of November in the XV year of our Independence and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Ninety., BY HIS EXCELLY’S COMD. J G LASGOW SECRETARY ALEX. MARTIN

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

26 Feb 1810 – No. 1032 (above 16 Nov 1790) – William Brooks to John Brooks for sum of $500, Jac. Austin, Bryan Austin July Term 1815. Then the within Deed was duly proven in open Court by the oath of Jac. Austin and ordered to be registered. Tod Robinson, Ck.