Where Did We Come From?

We have always heard that William Brooks I was born 1736 in Culpeper Co, VA. How do we know this? The only source that I’ve ever seen is Brooks of Union Co, NC, published in 1925 by my grandfather, Rev. E.M. Brooks. Unfortunately, I never knew my grandfather. Having been born 100 years apart, he died long before I was born. So, I never got to speak with him about the family history… especially the accuracy of the family traditions (present in every family). Without solid physical evidence (which is always lacking for this early period in American history), we have only this undocumented family tradition to go on. Rev. Brooks was born in 1861, only 43 years after William’s death and very likely knew some of his children. Certainly, he met the grandchildren. There was his own father, Culpeper Brooks for instance (son of William Brooks II). Ezekiel Brooks, William’s son, we know lived 14 years after Rev. Brooks birth. So, there is a high likelihood that my grandfather would have heard first hand this information from someone who would know. Even with the preponderance of Culpeper’s in old Anson Co, NC (John, Sampson, John Jr, etc), there is still this one fact… Edgar Marcelus Brooks was the closest and earliest family historian we have who could possibly have known with any certainty. I doubt that such a learned man as he would have drawn an inference simply from the presence of the Culpeper family in Anson Co, NC.

With that assumption affirmed, we then look to Culpeper Co, VA for our origins. Now, when we consider our beginning from this part of Virginia, one important fact becomes apparent. Rev. Brooks was told “Culpeper County, Virginia” as our point of origin… from those who would have emigrated from it. Culpeper County was formed in 1749 from Orange County. If our family would have called home by the name of “Culpeper,” then they must have left that area after this date. This timeline also jives with the history of the Great Wagon Road, the path they would have used to get to Anson. The part of this road that extends as far south as Anson County, NC wasn’t opened until 1750 (the branch called the “Georgia Road” opened through neighboring Mecklenburg County, the town of Charlotte beginning in 1750). The country around the modern day towns along the Rocky River in old Anson County where we find our family would have been thick wilderness with little or no habitation.

A major factor in the move southward from Virginia was that, after the defeat of Washington at Fort Necessity in 1754, the emboldened Indians began to attack settlers on the western frontier of Virginia. Settlers also became dismayed when they realized that their hopes of strengthening their land holdings (in trade for military service) in the Virginia colony (home for them) were being dashed in favor of Pennsylvanians. There began a great flood of people moving south to unclaimed territories. Land may or may not have been a factor of great concern to our Brooks. But, most certainly, the Indian troubles at the beginning of the French & Indian War in 1754 were… to these remote people living on the frontier. For more reading on the settlement of Virginia, see Exploring Land, Settling Frontiers

So, the mid 1750’s seems like a likely time for their migration. Our William would have been a teenager at this time, perhaps a young man. He may even have been newly married and brought his wife with him from Virginia. In fact, it seems plausible that most of the Brooks men would have married before they left Virginia since there would have been little expectation of finding a wife in such a wilderness as Carolina. So, let’s assume for the sake of argument that we are looking at a large migration of the family… possibly three or more couples or so, including the head of the clan, John Brooks “of Va” as he was styled in the early records of Anson Co, NC. John may or may not have still had his wife at this point. We don’t know. Only that he, himself was present in Anson. There’s also the possibility that the Brooks may not have left Virginia alone but, rather came to North Carolina with other families, in a mass migration.

Going into the naked wilderness is a daring proposition. “Safety in numbers,” as they say. So far, this picture makes sense.

Going back up to Virginia in 1750, we find few records in the Culpeper County wilderness. At that point, the original territory included what is now Culpeper, Madison and Rappahannock counties. So, a search of all these modern day counties should be conducted. We may want to include the surrounding counties of Fauquier, Orange, Spotsylvania… going further back in time down the whole “Northern Neck” of Virginia, a stretch of territory down the Rappahanock River from the coast. The assumption being that our Brooks would have come from England on the coast and followed the river inland.

Northern Neck of Virginia

Why England you may ask? Brooks is a name found in both England and Ireland and most of America (70%) were Scotch-Irish immigrants. So, why not Ireland? The name “Brooks” is more dominant in England and the Christian names of the family hint at English beginnings. Another assumption, yes. But, like I said before, assumptions are about all we can make here.

As for where they originally arrived in America, the mouth of the Rappahannock sounds like the most likely landing spot. Coincidentally, Middlesex Co, VA (along this bay area) has early records in Christ Church Parish (1669-1785) of a Brooks family with similar naming trends:

William Brooks b. 1676 England m. 1701 Sara ?

Children: Jacob b. 21 Nov 1702 d. 1774 Newberry, Craven Co, SC

m. 1724 Elizabeth Warren

The only record found in Middlesex Co, VA for William and Sara Brooks is the birth of Jacob. My speculation is that they moved not long afterward and Jacob's siblings were born elsewhere. 1702 was a period of caution and therefore, “lazy” or slow migration west. Essex Co, VA is the next county west from Middlesex up the river. Many settlers show their earliest presence here. Then, of course with time they would have eventually followed the promises of more land under the “headright” (or improvement) system. They would eventually make it to the Spotsylvania area.

William and Sara were married for only about a year before Jacob's birth, so it's likely he is their oldest child and any siblings were born after 1702… perhaps born in Essex, Caroline and then Spotsylvania Co.’s. Many of them would likely continue west to the more dangerous frontier, as did Matthew Brooks.

1218. Jacob Brooks 1 was born 21 Nov 1702 in Christ Church Parish, Middlesex, Va and was christened Nov 1702 in Christ Church Pa, Middlesex Co., Virginia, America. He died 1774 in Craven Co, Newberry, Sc. Jacob Brooks married Elizabeth Warren on 1724 in , Usa.

1219. Elizabeth Warren 1 was born 1703.

This Elizabeth Warren is the daughter of a Thomas Warren. Information so far links Jacob and Matthew Brooks to two different Elizabeth Warrens, both daughters of Thomas Warrens from the same area... Matthew’s father-in-law is John R. Warren and is not the father of the other Elizabeth. But, John R. Warren has a brother Thomas b. 1644 that could be…

We know they are connected:

Virginia County Records SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY 1721-1800

DEEDS

DEED BOOK A 1722-1729

page 96

March 30, 1725. Thomas Warrin of Spotsylvania Co. to his daughter Rachell Askew, wife of John Askew, a tract of land containing 95 a. on S. Side Middle River in Spts. Co. Witnesses: Austin Ellis, Jacob x Brooks, John x Elson. Rec. Novr. 2, 1725.

Virginia County Records SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY 1721-1800

DEEDS

DEED BOOK C 1734-1742

page 151

Augt. 5, 1740. John Rogers of Drysdale Par., King and Queen Co., of the first part; Edward Pigg of St. Geo. Par., Spts. Co., of the second part; Thomas Gresham of St. Martin's Par., Hanover Co., of the third part, and Robert Johnston and Elizabeth, his wife, and Frances Rogers of St. Mar-garett's Par., Caroline Co., and Thomas Warren, John Winill Sanders, John Warren, William Warren, Samuel Warren and Richard Couzens of St. Geo. Par., Spts. Co., of the fourth part. Whereas John Rogers, Peter Rogers, Edward Pigg, John York and Thomas Gresham, pat. 525 a., part in Caroline and part in Spts. Co., June 16, 1714, since which sd. Peter Rogers and John York departed this life, since which no legal division made, etc., and by several conveyances, and the last wills and testaments of sd. Peter Rogers and John York, sd. Robt. Johnston and Elizabeth, his wife, Frances Rogers, Thomas Warren, John Winell Sanders, John Warren, William Warren, Samuel Warren, and Richard Couzens are possessed of several parts and parcels of said tract, etc., etc. Witnesses: John Askew, Matthew Brooks, John x Paine. Augt. 5, 1740.

The Thomas Warren mentioned in the first deed is Matthew’s father-in-law, but the witness on this deed is Jacob. This at least shows they were in the same neighborhood or community…

Important Consideration for us:

The other Elizabeth Warren, dau. Of Thomas Warren (d. 1750 Spotsylvania) and Mary Elizabeth Hackley, married Matthew Brooks who lived in Spotsylvania County, VA, a parent county of Culpeper. Matthew was born c1711 and could very well be a brother to Jacob Brooks b. 1702. Matthew’s children include David, Mary, Joel, William, Daniel, Matthew, James, Thomas, Jesse & Judith. These are Very familiar names indeed! Many of Matthew’s children wind up in Newberry Co, SC as does Jacob, therefore I believe them related. Whereas Matthew’s children don’t match (exactly) date-wise with our Brooks, they represent a familiar trend in our names. They are certainly of the same generation as our earliest known Brooks.

Incidentally, descendants of Jacob Brooks in Newberry Co, SC live next door to a family of Cardwells, further indicating a Middlesex Co, VA connection.

Jacob and Matthew probably had more brothers and now that they live out in the western frontier, we may never know for sure who they were, especially if they were born west of Middlesex Co. which they likely were. What we can infer is that William and Sara Brooks left Middlesex Co, VA after 1702, traveled west up the Rappahannock River, eventually to the Spotsylvania Co, VA area (then the whole NW corner of the Northern Neck). A William Brooks who lived near Deep Run of Fauquier Co, VA (near border of Culpeper and Fauquier) left a will there in 1767, naming an eldest daughter, Sarah among others… male children were William and Thomas. Thomas had sons William, Thomas and John. This William, grandson of William (d.1767) is found in Culpeper Co. VA in 1778 (see map below). It’s interesting to note that the will mentions son William to “have other plantation”. Just a thought… Most of their descendants would branch off from there, perhaps making their way to Anson Co, NC. BCBNOTE: I’m hinting of course at John Brooks “of VA” being a possible brother to Jacob, Matthew, William and Thomas. He could have left VA in the 1750’s, thus his supposed father, William would not have mentioned him in the will of 1767. Same being true for Jacob and Matthew. Just a thought… again. (I’d like to think of myself as a thinker… J)

From Fauquier Co, VA Wills

Notes for Thomas Warren of Spotsylvania Co, VA:

Virginia County Records SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY 1721-1800

DEEDS

DEED BOOK A 1722-1729

page 96

March 30, 1725. Thomas Warrin of Spotsylvania Co. to his daughter Rachell Askew, wife of John Askew, a tract of land containing 95 a. on S. Side Middle River in Spts. Co. Witnesses: Austin Ellis, Jacob x Brooks, John x Elson. Rec. Novr. 2, 1725.

Listed in the Will of his mother Rachel Warren, written on 11 February 1705

and probated 18 September 1706 in Essex County, Virginia.

Thomas was buried on the homeplace, Mattapon, St. George Parish, Spotsylvania County, Virginia.

Sworn into the Colonial Army 5 August, 1729.

Virginia County Records SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY 1721-1800

DEEDS

DEED BOOK C 1734-1742

page 151

Augt. 5, 1740. John Rogers of Drysdale Par., King and Queen Co., of the first part; Edward Pigg of St. Geo. Par., Spts. Co., of the second part; Thomas Gresham of St. Martin's Par., Hanover Co., of the third part, and Robert Johnston and Elizabeth, his wife, and Frances Rogers of St. Mar-garett's Par., Caroline Co., and Thomas Warren, John Winill Sanders, John Warren, William Warren, Samuel Warren and Richard Couzens of St. Geo. Par., Spts. Co., of the fourth part. Whereas John Rogers, Peter Rogers, Edward Pigg, John York and Thomas Gresham, pat. 525 a., part in Caroline and part in Spts. Co., June 16, 1714, since which sd. Peter Rogers and John York departed this life, since which no legal division made, etc., and by several conveyances, and the last wills and testaments of sd. Peter Rogers and John York, sd. Robt. Johnston and Elizabeth, his wife, Frances Rogers, Thomas Warren, John Winell Sanders, John Warren, William Warren, Samuel Warren, and Richard Couzens are possessed of several parts and parcels of said tract, etc., etc. Witnesses: John Askew, Matthew Brooks, John x Paine. Augt. 5, 1740.

Virginia County Records SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY 1721-1800

WILLS - WILL BOOK B 1749-1759 - page 10

WARREN, THOMAS, Planter, Spotsylvania Co., written Apr. 13, 1749,

probated Dec. 4, 1750. Wit. Robert Huddlestone, Abram Rogers, Barbara

Rogers. Ex. wife, Mary and son, Hackley Warren. Leg. son, Hackley Warren,

95 acres of land which I formerly gave to my daughter Rachel Hasken.

Daughter, Elizabeth Brook; daughter Mary Buford; daughter, Roxanna

More; son, Lancelot Warren. To my wife, Mary Warren, all the rest of my

estate during her life. (Page 56)

The elder Thomas Warren(b-1682-83) died in 1749.

His son Thomas Warren(b-1710) and Jane Lucas removed to Henry

County, Virginia, where Thomas died in 1785.

Jonathon Brooks d. Feb 1686 m. Sarah Mayo

Sarah Mayo, widow of Jonathan Brooks who died in 1686 (buried Christ Church Parish) and whose will was dated May 7, 1686 and witnessed by Valentine Mayo. there was a son of this marriage, Jonathan Brooks born Dec. 4, 1684. Sarah's marriage to John Burk would have been in 1686/89. She had twins:

F. 3. Mayo, born May 22, 1690, appears to have died early.

F. 4. Sarah, born May 22, 1690, baptized June 15, 1690.

On June 5, 1711, Valentine Mayo and his wife Ann (John's last wife) gave 39 acres of land to "our well beloved cuzon Jonathan Brooks," and the land joined that of Thomas Obrissell, deceased; Henry Tugwell; and John Bourk. Valentine had patented the land in 1702 (DB 3, p. 251). This Jonathan Brooks, son of Sarah Mayo and Jonathan Brooks, married Mary Tugwell, born Sept. 20, 1693, the daughter of Henry Tugwell (John's half brother) and Mary Basket. The will of a Henry Baskit, proved Jan. 3, 1720 was witnessed by John Allin (whose father appears to be Richard Allen) and Henry Tugel. Further, in 1686 Thomas Thompson (who knew Jane Burk) imported a John Baskettfield.

Children: Charles b. 12 Aug 1680

Jonathon b. 4 Dec 1684 m. 27 Dec 1708 Mary Tugwell

Children: Henry b. 1 May 1712

Susanna b. 6 Mar 1716

Mary b. 3 Apr 1719

Jonathon b. 6 Apr 1722

William b. 9 Sep 1723

Frances b. 19 Apr 1727

Mayo b. 7 Sep 1733

Mary b. cMay 1686 d. bet. May 11, 1735 and August 5, 1735 m. Powell Stamper

William Brooks m. 6 Nov 1687 Ann Cardwell

Children: William b. May 1690

John b. Feb 1692 (good candidate for John Brooks “of Va”)

Ann b. June 1694

William Brooks d. c1720 m. 2 Sept 1708 Elizabeth Cardwell

Children: William b. 10 May 1712

Elizabeth b. Oct 1714

John b. 23 June 1717 (another possible John Brooks “of Va”)

Humphrey b. 3 May 1720 (references found in Caroline Co, VA)

A somewhat ethereal connection to a “Bebby” Brooks in 1800 Montgomery Co, NC… a “Bibby” Brooks (b. c1735) is found numerous times in records for the French & Indian War where he is said to have survived and lived (later) “in Caroline Co, VA, having died there in 1780 and his eldest son, Humphrey Brooks is his heir.” Could the younger “Bebby” Brooks (b. 1756 – 74) in the 1800 reference be another son of “Bibby”, the veteran of the French & Indian War, and, consequently a nephew of John Brooks “of VA”, come to see NC for himself? “Bibby” is listed in one Aug 1757 reference to be from “Essex Co, 22 (yrs. Old), 5’6”, brown (hair)” and is a “planter” from VA. He is also listed in 1756 to be from “Richmond Co, VA (across the river from Essex), 20 yrs, 5’7”, planter, VA, full face, light hair”. Incidentally, this is a pretty good description of me! J “Bibby” obviously received his land grant from the war when others had not. I’m sure this was due to his distinguished service, having enl. “at Will’s Creek at Battle of the Meadows” on 3 July 1754. He was discharged in 1758. BCBNOTE: This “Bebby” Brooks was listed in the 1800 census as 26-44 yrs old, having three young boys, all under 10 with a wife (16-25 yrs old). He was prob. Born closer to the 1774 end of the date range given for his birth, making him more likely to have been a son of “Bibby” Brooks from Caroline Co, VA since “Bibby” likely had the bulk of his family after the war, or after 1758 and before his death in 1780 at the age of 45.

Another reference to a Bibulous “Bibby” Brooks (mentioned both ways), b. 1750 married to Isabella Ashworth b. 1760 on 9 Feb 1795 in Halifax Co, VA comes from U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900.

Caleb Brooks b. c1700 m1. 24 Sep 1732 Margaret Fox

Children: William b. 27 Jun 1733 (twin)

John b. 27 Jun 1733 (twin… died at birth)

Elizabeth b. 10 Aug 1735

m2. 17 Jun 1735/6 Elizabeth South

Children: John b. 2 Sep 1738

John Brookes m. Priscilla ?

Children: John b. 20 Jun 1717 (another candidate for John Brooks “of Va”)

Thomas b. 11 May 1720