Descendants of JAMES BROOKS
Generation No. 1
1. JAMES1 BROOKS was born Bef. 1775 in GEORGIA, U.S.A., and died bef. 1834 and after 1831 in FLORIDA, U.S.A.. He married ANNA (1796?) in GA.
Notes for JAMES BROOKS:
(if the hunch I have is correct), James was born prior to 1775. He mar. between
1795-1807. 1808 1ST son born. definite location in 1820 according to census
records was Washington Co., Georgia. also living in the area was HARRIS BURNEY who was named along with JAMES A. GOFF as heirs to JAMES BROOKS' estate in LEON Co./ JEFFERSON Co., Fla. Located the KEYSTONE GEN. SOC. in Monticello Fla.
Talked with Donna Weihaus the director of the society and also a practicing
lawyer. address is : P.O. Box 50, Monticello, Fla. 32344 (904)997-2559.
The area where JAMES lived in Fla. was typically grown in cotton. Cotton was
harvested and transported down to the sea along the old Plank road. There it was
sold and barrels of salted fish were bought and transported home for the
winter.
In the GA land lottery of 1805 there are 4 BROOKS listed as registered for the
lottery but as not receiving land, EDMUND BROOKS, JAMES BROOKS, JOHN BROOKS, and WILLIAM BROOKS. in order to enter the lottery you had to be a resident of GA for at least 1 year and a U.S. citizen.
JAMES BROOKS is listed in the EXTANT SURVEYOR'S RECORDS in the archives in GA. as receiving a warrant for land in MAY 17, 1784 with the land being next to JOHN HILL and Mr. LAWSON.
There was a warranty deed listed in the Jefferson Co. deed book "A" p. 402
dated Jan 19, 1833. James BROOKS received land in the amount of 240 acres from
James L. Parish for the sum of $635.00 described as follows - E 1/2 SW 1/4 Sec
35 Twp. 3 N range 3 E. W1/2 - NE 1/4 sec 35 twp. 3 N range 3 E, E 1/2 NW 1/4 sec
35 twp. 3 N range 3 East. Wit A.R. HARVEY.
This appears to be the same land that JAMES BROOKS transferred to his son JOHN
M. BROOKS that later was transferred to JAMES R. BROOKS his older bro. who died Feb. 15th 1857 at the age of 49 and NANCY D. BROOKS his 2nd wife sold at auction for $6,000.00 after his death.
Known children of JAMES BROOKS and Lucy ANNA are:
JAMES RUSSELL BROOKS, b. February 19, 1808, GEORGIA, U.S.A.; d. February 15, 1857.
JOHN M. BROOKS, b. 1810, GEORGIA, U.S.A..
NANCY JANE BROOKS. b.1817, d.Nov. 2, 1870
SUSAN A. BROOKS.
Generation No. 2
2. JAMES RUSSELL BROOKS (JAMES1) was born February 19, 1808 in GEORGIA, U.S.A., and died February 15, 1857. He married (1) ELLEN S. GOFF May 30, 1837 in JEFFERSON CO., FLORIDA, U.S.A.. He married (2) ANN (Nancy) D. GRACE February 07, 1850 in THOMASVILLE, THOMAS CO., GEORGIA, U.S.A..
Notes for JAMES RUSSELL BROOKS:
CENSUS 1850 - Nov. 28,1850 JEFFERSON CO., FLA. (Georgia)
397|397|James R. Brooks|42|M| |2700| " |/| | | |
" | " |Nancy D. " |23|F| | | " |/| | | |
" | " |Julia " |11|F| | | Florida | |/| | |
" | " |Elizabeth " |9 |F| | | " | |/| | |
CENSUS 1840 - JEFFERSON CO. FLA. PG.52
James R. Brooks |1 Free white male 30 < 40| 2 free white females < 5|
|1 free white female 20 < 30| 1 free white female 60 < 70|
|2 slave black males < 10| 1 slave black male 10 < 24|
|2 slave black males 24 < 36| 8 slave black females < 10|
|2 slave black females 10 < 24| 1 salve black female 24 < 36|
|1 slave black female 36 < 55| total : 22
number of persons employed in agriculture - 15
Image from the James R. Brooks Family Bible published in 1835
Territory of Florida
Jefferson Co.
This Indenture made this the eighth day of March, Eighteen Hundred and
Thirty Two. Between David Y. Farmer of the one part and James Brooks of the
other part each of the county and territory aforesaid. Witnesseth that "David Y.
Farmer hath this day made and delivered to the James Brooks his certain
promissory Note subscribed with his hand and bearing even date with these
presents whereby the said D. Y. Farmer Hath promised to pay the said James
Brooks or Bearer Four Hundred and Thirty Five Dollars on or before the first
day of January Eighteen Hundred and Thirty Three ensuing the date hereof for
value received, now for and in consideration the sum of four hundred & thirty
five dollars by the said James Brooks to the said D. Y. Farmer the receipt
whereof is hereby acknowledged as well as for the better securing this payment
of the aforesaid promissory note, the D.Y. Farmer hath bargained and sold unto
the James Brooks his heirs and asignings a certain tract or parcel of land
being in the County and Territory aforesaid being known and distinguished as the
west half north west quarter of section 35. Township and range north & east
containing 80 acres likewise the east half south west quarter of section 35.
township and Range and North and East containing 80 acres. likewise the east
half northwest quarter of section 35. township and range north and east
containing 80 acres. to have and hold the said bargained promises to the James
Brooks his heirs and assigns to his and their own proper use benefit and behoof
forever and the said D.Y. Farmer for himself, his heirs executors admin. the
said bargained promises unto the James Brooks will warrant and forever defend
against his own claim or the claim of any person or persons what ever provided
nevertheless that if the said D.Y. Farmer his heirs exec. and admin. shall pay
or cause to be paid unto the said James Brooks his heirs and assigns the
aforementioned of four hundred and thirty five dollars on the day and time
appointed payment thereof in the said promissory note according to the tennor of
said note and from henceforth as well this present incentive and the right to
the property there conveyed as the promissory note shall cause determined and be
void to all intentions and purposes. otherwise remain in full force at law.
in testimony where of the said D. Y. Farmer hath hereunto set his hand and seal
the day and year above mentioned.
signed and delivered in presence of
James R. Brooks David Y. Farmer
Nimrod Myatt
JAMES R. BROOKS BECAME THE HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD IN 1833-1834. He was named
guardian of his 2 sisters and bought land near lake Miccosukee. He had slaves
and was listed as a farmer in the census.
Notes for ELLEN S. GOFF:
‚Territory of Florida
County of Jefferson
To any ordained Judge, Justice of the Peace or regular ordained preacher of
the Gospel- - - . Greeting.
These are to permit you to Join together in Holy Matrimony James R. Brooks
and Miss Ellen S. Goff and make your return to the Clerks office as the Law
directs.
Given under my hand at Monticello this 29th day of May 1837
Samuel R. Sessions Clk
I hereby certify that the within mentioned couple was united in holy wedlock as
the Law directs. May 30 - 1837 -
John L. Echy P. E.
Notes for ANN D. GRACE:
ANN D. GRACE is known as Nancy D. Brooks. Signed all documents as Nancy D. Brooks. Probably the dau. of Major Grace of Thomasville, GA. See 1840, 1850 Census, Thomas County, GA for the Grace family
Children of JAMES BROOKS and ELLEN GOFF are:
i. JULIA3 BROOKS, b. August 13, 1838.
ii. ELIZABETH ELLEN BROOKS, b. October 20, 1839; d. June 24, 1863.
Notes for ELIZABETH ELLEN BROOKS:
DIED AT AGE 24. LISTED IN THE 1850 CENSUS FOR JEFF CO. FLA.
iii. SUSAN MARGARET BROOKS, b. December 14, 1841.
Children of JAMES BROOKS and ANN (Nancy) D. GRACE are:
Bill from Dr. Leonard Oct. 1862 to Nancy Brooks wife of James R. Brooks found in the pages of the Family Bible
4. iv. JAMES AUGUSTUS3 BROOKS, b. November 08, 1851, JEFFERSON CO., FLORIDA, U.S.A.; d. January 30, 1913, LAKE PROVIDENCE, EAST CARROLL CO., LOUISIANA, USA.
v. GEORGE BROOKS, b. July 01, 1854.
5. vi. WILLIAM RUSSELL BROOKS, b. March 17, 1855, LEON CO., FLORIDA, U.S.A.; d. April 20, 1911, THOMASVILLE, THOMAS CO., GEORGIA, U.S.A..
vii. MARY BROOKS, b. June 08, 1856.
viii. ELLEN BROOKS, b. 1859.
Notes for ELLEN BROOKS:
THIS IS FROM A NOTE IN THE FAMILY BIBLE. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO READ. THE DATE IS QUESTIONABLE.
3. JOHN M.2 BROOKS (JAMES1) was born 1810 in GEORGIA, U.S.A.. He married ELIZA JANE TAYLOR February 13, 1837 in MONTICELLO, JEFFERSON CO., FLORIDA, U.S.A., daughter of RICHARD TAYLOR.
Notes for ELIZA JANE TAYLOR:
found a reference to Eliza J. Brooks mar. Henry M. HURST Mar. 8, 1855. Jefferson
Co. Marriage records bk C p. 6
Children of JOHN M. BROOKS and ELIZA J. TAYLOR are:
i. RICHARD W. BROOKS, b. 1838, FLORIDA, U.S.A..
ii. JOHN F. BROOKS, b. 1840, FLORIDA, U.S.A..
iii. MARTHA A. BROOKS, b. 1841, FLORIDA, U.S.A..
iv. THOMAS J. BROOKS, b. 1843, FLORIDA, U.S.A..
v. SUSANNAH BROOKS, b. 1848, FLORIDA, U.S.A..
vi. DAVID W. BROOKS, b. 1850, FLORIDA, U.S.A..
Generation No. 3
4. JAMES AUGUSTUS3 BROOKS (JAMES RUSSELL2, JAMES1) was born November 08, 1851 in JEFFERSON CO., FLORIDA, U.S.A., and died January 30, 1913 in LAKE PROVIDENCE, EAST CARROLL CO., LOUISIANA, USA. He married ELIZABETH S. HALL December 10, 1875.
Notes for JAMES AUGUSTUS BROOKS:
JAMES A. BROOKS
LAKE PROVIDENCE, LOUISIANA CHECK THE PROVIDENCE CEMETERY... THE OAKLAND
PLANTATION? K. C. BURNEY OBIT IS KIGIAN C. BURNEY 4-26-1833 - 3-23-1884 ALSO
RUSSELL J. BURNEY 6-19-1858 - 4-23-1918 AND WILLIAM P. BURNEY 1841 - 2-10-1898.
AGE 57. ordered a book about the area. are these the children of HARRIS
BURNEY?
Notes for ELIZABETH S. HALL:
HER PARENTS CAME FROM GEORGIA. She is listed in the census as BESSIE.
Children of JAMES BROOKS and ELIZABETH HALL are:
6. i. JAMES GORDON4 BROOKS, b. April 26, 1885; d. 1934.
ii. JULIA ELIZABETH BROOKS, b. August 10, 1886; d. September 02, 1887.
iii. RUBY BROOKS, b. January 14, 1887, LAKE PROVIDENCE, EAST CARROLL CO., LOUISIANA, U.S.A.; d. July 13, 1895, LAKE PROVIDENCE, EAST CARROLL CO., LOUISIANA, U.S.A..
Notes for RUBY BROOKS:
DIED AS A CHILD ON CARROLLTON PLANTATION JUNE 9TH _____.
BURIED IN PROVIDENCE CEMETERY, LA.
Thomasville Register
5. WILLIAM RUSSELL3 BROOKS (JAMES RUSSELL2, JAMES1) was born March 17, 1855 in LEON CO., FLORIDA, U.S.A., and died April 20, 1911 in THOMASVILLE, THOMAS CO., GEORGIA, U.S.A.. He married (1) FLORENCE J. WILSON November 12, 1878 in THOMASVILLE, THOMAS CO., GEORGIA, U.S.A.. He married (2) MINNIE WILSON July 13, 1899.
Notes for WILLIAM RUSSELL BROOKS:
THOMASVILLE REGISTER SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 1911
MR. W. R. BROOKS DEAD.
--------
Well Known Citizen Passed away Thursday morning.
--------
The announcement of the death of Mr. W. R. Brooks Thursday morning was a
shock to his many friends in this city. He was suddenly attacked by acute
indigestion and died before a physician could reach his home.
Mr. Brooks was born in Leon co. Fla., Mar 17th, 1854, and was the son of Mr.
and Mrs. Russell Brooks, well known pioneer citizens of this section. He has
been a resident of this county for many years and was widely known and highly
esteemed.
Mr. Brooks was married twice, first to Miss Florence Wilson in 1878, second
to Miss Minnie Wilson in 1899. He is survived by his last wife and two
daughters, misses Minnie and Nanny Brooks, and two sons Joe and Hansell Brooks.
He also leaves one brother J. A. Brooks who is at present a resident of Lake
Providence, La.
Mr. Brooks joined the Methodist church when quite a young man and has during
his life been a faithful and consistent member. His work and good example will
stand as a monument to his memory. In his death the church and community has
lost a staunch friend and coworker.
The funeral was held at the home 2 miles north of the city Friday morning at
10 o'clock, the services being conducted by Rev. G. W. Mathews, Pastor of the
Methodist church. The burial took place at the Wilson Cemetery 5 miles North of
Thomasville after services.
The press joins friends in extending sincere sympathy to the bereaved family
and relatives. May the Father whom he so faithfully served bind their bleeding
hearts and give them comfort.
----MOVED TO THOMASVILLE FROM FLORIDA ABOUT 1880 OR BEFORE.
WEEKLY TIMES ENTERPRISE FRIDAY APRIL 21, 1911
SUDDENLY TAKEN AWAY
---------
Mr. William R. Brooks Attacked with acute indigestion this morning and died a
short time after.
---------
Friends will learn with sincere regret of the sudden death this morning of Mr.
W. R. Brooks, at his home a mile from town this morning. He was well until nine
o'clock, coming from the field to the house at that time. He got better and
passed away suddenly and without warning.
He leaves a wife and four children, Messrs Joe and Hansell Brooks and Misses
Minnie and Nannie May Brooks. He has been a resident of this county since
birth, living near town for over thirty years. He has just passed the
fifty-seventh milestone of life.
The funeral will occur at the Wilson burying ground, five miles from town on
the Irwinville road tomorrow morning at ten o'clock. Rev Matthews officiating.
More About WILLIAM RUSSELL BROOKS:
Burial: April 21, 1911, THOMASVILLE, THOMAS CO., GEORGIA, U.S.A.
Notes for FLORENCE J. WILSON:
1880 CENSUS INDEX - BROOKS WILLIAM
WHITE MALE 25 YEARS OLD BIRTH IN FLA. LIVED IN THOMASVILLE ED.82 SH 60 LINE 48
#637 THOMAS CO.
BROOKS, FLORENCE WIFE AGE 22 BIRTH FLA.
BROOKS, RUSSELL J. AGE 3/12 BIRTH GA.
THOMASVILLE TIMES SAT MAY 21 1898.
IN MEMORIAM.
Died at her home 3 miles north of Thomasville, May 12th, Mrs. Florence Brooks,
wife of W. R. Brooks. She was truly an excellent woman. She was long the
subject of a most painful affliction, but she was never heard to complain or
murmur. She leaves her aged parents, devoted brothers and sisters, a fond
loving husband, and five dear children to mourn their loss.
Notes for MINNIE WILSON:
found a ref to Minnie WILSON mar to Jack JOHNSON MAY 9 1914. Jefferson co.,
Fla. marriage records Bk 3, p. 33
Children of WILLIAM BROOKS and FLORENCE WILSON are:
7. i. RUSSELL JOSEPH4 BROOKS, b. March 10, 1880, THOMASVILLE, THOMAS CO., GEORGIA, U.S.A.; d. March 16, 1959, SAN ANDREAS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A..
ii. JOHN WILLIAM BROOKS, b. July 30, 1882; d. August 03, 1900.
Notes for JOHN WILLIAM BROOKS:
SOME MYSTERY SURROUNDS JOHN WILLIAMS' DEATH. HE WAS 18 YEARS OLD When he died AND HIS BROTHER RUSSELL JOSEPH NEVER WANTED TO TALK ABOUT IT.
iii. GLEN GRACE BROOKS, b. September 14, 1884; d. September 15, 1885.
iv. MINNIE GERTRUDE BROOKS, b. June 19, 1888.
Notes for MINNIE GERTRUDE BROOKS:
found a ref to a Gertrude Brooks mar. Abraham Jenkins May 21, 1918 in Jefferson
Co. Marriages bk.3, p. 276 Not sure if it's related.
8. v. MAIMIE NANNY BROOKS, b. September 29, 1890.
vi. HANSELL MERRILL BROOKS, b. August 31, 1894; d. September 25, 1947.
Notes for HANSELL MERRILL BROOKS:
According to ERNEST GLEN FREEMAN, HANSELL was buried in the FREEMAN plot at
LAUREL HILL CEMETERY.
Generation No. 4
6. JAMES GORDON BROOKS (JAMES AUGUSTUS3, JAMES RUSSELL2, JAMES1) was born April 26, 1885, and died 1934. He married (1) Eula Virtee King and had issue Deryl Brooks
(2) Kate Gaines Richey
Notes for JAMES GORDON BROOKS:
at age 25 James Gordon Brooks was still living with his parents and sister
Julia Brooks in 1910.
James Gordon Brooks
Gordon Brooks in a Mercantile Store where he worked after loosing his property in Lake Providence, LA.
Child of JAMES BROOKS and Kate BROOKS is:
i. JAMES ARTHUR5 BROOKS, b. June 23, 1923, LOUISIANA, USA; d. July 12, 1925, LOUISIANA, USA.
Notes for JAMES ARTHUR BROOKS:
FOUND IN CEMETERY LISTING FOR LAKE PROVIDENCE CEMETERY BLOCK 5 SEC 2
7. RUSSELL JOSEPH4 BROOKS (WILLIAM RUSSELL3, JAMES RUSSELL2, JAMES1) was born March 10, 1880 in THOMASVILLE, THOMAS CO., GEORGIA, U.S.A., and died March 16, 1959 in SAN ANDREAS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A.. He married MARTHA ANN WATTS July 17, 1916 in ORANGE, TEXAS, U.S.A., daughter of WILTZ WOODRUFF WATTS.
Notes for RUSSELL JOSEPH BROOKS:
WATTS-BROOKS
______________
Mr. R.J. Brooks Married in Orange Texas, Monday- Wedding Surprise to his
friends. Friends in Thomasville will be surprised to learn of the wedding, Monday, at
Orange Texas of Miss Martha Watts of that city and Mr. R J Brooks of
Thomasville....
(Medical note: he suffered from the effects of Alzheimer's late in his life).
R.J. Brooks family lived in St. Petersburg, FL Aug 29, 1945.
 
Notes for MARTHA ANN WATTS:
MARTHA HAD CHRONIC ASTHMA. She died of heart failure.
Children of RUSSELL JOSEPH BROOKS and MARTHA ANN WATTS are:
9. i. DOROTHY ALLEN BROOKS, b. April 16, 1918. dec'd (second from the left)
Bill, Dorothy, Joe, and Peggy
10. ii. JOSEPH WATTS BROOKS, living
Joe, Cynthia, Martha, and Granddaddy (R.J.Brooks)
11. iii. MARGARET ELIZABETH BROOKS, dec'd
12. iv. WILLIAM RUSSELL BROOKS, dec'd
OBITUARY
William R. Brooks Sr., 76; worked on Pioneer 10 project
By Jack Williams
STAFF WRITER
March 18, 2004
William R. Brooks Sr. took well-deserved pride in the historic Pioneer 10 spacecraft's far-reaching success.
Before the craft was launched in March 1972, sending it on a course to become the first manmade space probe to leave the solar system, Mr. Brooks played a key role in preparing its power supply system.
Serving as an aerospace technician on a team organized by the astrophysics department at the University of California San Diego, he wound transformers by hand in working out some of the bugs that stalled the project. 
Mr. Brooks, whose career in electronics spanned three decades and took several twists, died Saturday at a son's Oceanside home of complications from a stroke. He was 76.
Pioneer 10 reached Jupiter in December 1973, sending back close-up images. Nearly a decade later, in June 1983, it passed the orbit of Pluto, which at the time was the farthest known planet from the sun.
The spacecraft continued to send signals received by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Deep Space Network as late as Jan. 22 of last year.
Mr. Brooks left Hughes Vacuum Tubes in Oceanside in the late 1960s to join the UCSD project, which was headed by physicist Walker Fillius. Charged with designing a package to measure the Pioneer 10's radiation belts as it approached Jupiter, Fillius' team faced concerns that the spacecraft would encounter an impenetrable asteroid belt.
By the late 1980s, Pioneer 10 was gathering information on the shape and behavior of the heliosphere, a vast region through which a stream of particles from the sun known as the solar wind extends.
"Dad was very proud to have contributed to the effort and recalled his time at UCSD with great fondness," said Bill Brooks Jr., the oldest of his four sons.
After the UCSD project, Mr. Brooks started a business in his Vista home, manufacturing printed circuits.
"He made almost all of his own fixtures, machines and equipment," Bill Jr. said. "He supplied printed circuits to many San Diego-based companies during the 1970s."
Returning to the corporate engineering world, Mr. Brooks joined Aerospace Inc. in El Segundo, where he worked in research and development until heart problems led to his retirement in 1984.
Mr. Brooks, a native of Thomasville, Ga., moved with his family to Florida as a child. He attended a radio electronics vocational school in Florida, then joined his brother, Joe, in operating a dry cleaning business in San Diego.
In 1950, he left the business to join the Navy, which had been his primary business client.
While in the Navy, Mr. Brooks earned his high school diploma and studied electronics. He was assigned to the destroyer Rowan, which in June 1953 was damaged by a shore battery while on patrol near Wonsan, North Korea.
The Rowan and a sister ship, the destroyer James E. Kyes, destroyed three guns and an ammunition dump during the battle.
Mr. Brooks left active duty in October 1954 and began a civilian career in electronics at Hughes Aircraft in Culver City.
"He was very creative and inventive," Bill Jr. said. "He designed a soda pop bottle sorting machine that he hoped to patent and sell to a large manufacturer, but he was unable to get it to market."
Mr. Brooks held a first-class radio license for many years and repaired two-way radios, stereos and televisions with his technical expertise. He also had been a ham radio operator.
As a longtime Vista resident, he furthered his education at Palomar College, where he studied such subjects as microelectronics, music and human anatomy.
In 1982 he was divorced after 28 years of marriage. One of his projects in retirement was publishing a newsletter for divorced fathers, his family said.
Survivors include daughters, Sharon Smith of Oceanside and Sylvia Pierce of Vista; sons, Bill Jr. of Vista, Mark of Oceanside, David of Oceanside and Ernest of Vista; sister, Margaret "Peggy" Everett of Las Vegas; brother, Joseph W. Brooks of Valle de las Palmas, Mexico; and 14 grandchildren.
A private service was scheduled. Cremation was planned with ashes to be scattered at sea.
Jack Williams: (619) 542-4587; jack.williams@uniontrib.com |
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8. MAIMIE NANNY4 BROOKS (WILLIAM RUSSELL3, JAMES RUSSELL2, JAMES1) was born September 29, 1890. She married FREEMAN.
Children of MAIMIE BROOKS and FREEMAN are:
i. BILLY5 FREEMAN.
ii. ERNEST GLEN FREEMAN.- unknown...
Comments or Questions? - Email me - Bill Brooks
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