Tonight I consolidated 3 separate documents I have relating the story of two young George Brooks men - the individual family tree maker database files for both men; the Brooks Family Will Books.doc, and the George Brooks.doc files.
Information on the older George Brooks who was possibly the man who willed his Revolutionary War land in TN to my Christopher Williams Brooks was also consolidated in the two word files.
I have information stored in multiple locations for two reasons: 1. if I lose one file, that information is stored in a second location; 2. One of the files is simply all about any men named George, with some explanation of the different men. The other file is all about ALL men named Brooks. I use this one so I can see relationships between the individuals and their family members.
I have included an introduction below to the two different George Brooks men of Caswell County. I hope to post my completed files to this blog some day. However, most of my preliminary information was taken from Will and Deed book abstracts by Katherine Kerr Kendall and need to be verified with original documents obtained at the State Archives.
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There were two George Brooks men living in Caswell co., NC in the early 1800s. They were first cousins: George son of Jonathan, born abt 1790 (according to the 1830 Caswell Co census report), and George son of Charles, born 1787. The older George moved to Stokes Co., NC in 1820 after marrying Elizabeth Courts, also from Caswell Co., NC (1820 Stokes Co census report). George and his wife Elizabeth Brooks of Stokes Co. sold 206 acres of land on waters of Hogan’s creek in Caswell Co., NC to Obadiah Nunally on 25 June 1820. This George administered his father's estate in Caswell Co., NC in 1816 before removing to Stokes Co., NC. I believe his mother Sarah remained in Caswell Co., NC. There was an estate record for a Sarah Brooks in Jan 1841, Caswell Co., NC. I believe this to be the widow of Charles and mother of George who removed to Stokes County. George administered her account in 1841-1843. It was a significant account, therefore I believe Sarah to have been a widow. It is possible this Sarah was the wife of George, son of Jonathan; but I don't believe it plausible because this deceased had such a considerable estate. Additionally, there was an elder Sarah Brooks who was tracked on the Caswell County census reports prior to this estate record who fit in as the deceased in these estate records. I have included below all deed and will book entries for both George Brooks and have noted to which George they refer if known. All entries have been included in both George Brooks' family tree files.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Saturday, July 14, 2007
An Elder George Brooks - Caswell Co., NC
An Account of an original Caswell County, NC settler, George Brooks and his possible relation to my ancestor, Christopher Williams Brooks:
1777Caswell County, NC Tax Records, 1777:
Glouster District, George Brooks, 650 Acres, 7 wp, 0 bp
- Where did this 650 acres come from? I did not see a land grant in Caswell, Orange, or Granville County, NC Land Grants. Maybe he bought it from someone in Orange County? Or it came from Lord or Earl Granville? (Caswell Co was formed from Orange Co in 1777)
1779
North Carolina Land Grant, 1779, File no. 444: 300 acres, Entry no. 622 entered 11 Jan 1779; Grant no. 605, issued 13 Oct 1783; Book 53, p. 25; Located on the Middle fork of the South Fork of Country Line Creek
Deed book A, page 144, 1779: State of NC – No. 57, to Elisha Parks, 300 acres on both sides of middle fork of south fork of Country Line Cr adjacent claims of Samuel Kelly, William Gooch, George Brooks, John Anthony, Elijah Mason. 3 May 1779. chain carriers John Anthony, Ransom Atkinson. (Abstracts, p. 9) This 300 acres of land was then sold by Elisha Parks to Thomas Johnston of Culpepper Co (see below). [Note: this was probably taken in March; The date of May was probably a mistake by the abstractor. Subsequent deed information continues to be dated in March.] Source: Caswell Co., NC Deed Books, 1777-1817, Abstracts, Katherine Kerr Kendall, p.9
Deed book A, page 175, 1779: State of NC No. 66 to Henry Williams, 216 acres on branches Shaws, Toms and Stoney Creeks adj William Brown, claims of Arthur Lovings, John Brothers. 3 Mar 1779. chain carriers Wm. Brown and Geo Brooks Jun. (Abstracts, p. 11)
Deed book A, page 296, 1779: Elisha Parks of Caswell Co., NC to Thomas Johnston of Culpepper Co., VA for 1000 lbs, 300 acres on middle fork of Country line Creek adj claims of Samuel Kelly and William Gooch, John Anthony, George Brooks, claim of Elijah Mason, said land granted by NC to Parks 3 Mar 1779 adknowledged. (Abstracts, p. 18)
These deeds provide evidence that there was another older George Brooks who lived in Caswell Co in 1779; since he owned land, he was born at least before 1758 (had to be 21 to own land). Could this be the George Brooks who heired land that he received as a Revolutionary soldier in TN to Christopher Williams Brooks? There was no George Brooks on the 1790 or 1800 Caswell Co., NC census report, so either he died or he moved. (Probably he died because he heired the land to Christopher). The next George is not enumerated until 1830 in Caswell co., NC. He was the son of Jonathan and Ann Lewis Brooks (According to Kay Haden...Charles and Sally Brooks' son George moved to Stokes/Forsynth Co., NC). There are no George Brooks men in the Person Co deed book (1792-1825) or census reports.
TO DO:
Look for references to this George Brooks as a soldier in the American Revolution. Did not have a pension because he probably died prior to the law passed by Congress.
1777Caswell County, NC Tax Records, 1777:
Glouster District, George Brooks, 650 Acres, 7 wp, 0 bp
- Where did this 650 acres come from? I did not see a land grant in Caswell, Orange, or Granville County, NC Land Grants. Maybe he bought it from someone in Orange County? Or it came from Lord or Earl Granville? (Caswell Co was formed from Orange Co in 1777)
1779
North Carolina Land Grant, 1779, File no. 444: 300 acres, Entry no. 622 entered 11 Jan 1779; Grant no. 605, issued 13 Oct 1783; Book 53, p. 25; Located on the Middle fork of the South Fork of Country Line Creek
Deed book A, page 144, 1779: State of NC – No. 57, to Elisha Parks, 300 acres on both sides of middle fork of south fork of Country Line Cr adjacent claims of Samuel Kelly, William Gooch, George Brooks, John Anthony, Elijah Mason. 3 May 1779. chain carriers John Anthony, Ransom Atkinson. (Abstracts, p. 9) This 300 acres of land was then sold by Elisha Parks to Thomas Johnston of Culpepper Co (see below). [Note: this was probably taken in March; The date of May was probably a mistake by the abstractor. Subsequent deed information continues to be dated in March.] Source: Caswell Co., NC Deed Books, 1777-1817, Abstracts, Katherine Kerr Kendall, p.9
Deed book A, page 175, 1779: State of NC No. 66 to Henry Williams, 216 acres on branches Shaws, Toms and Stoney Creeks adj William Brown, claims of Arthur Lovings, John Brothers. 3 Mar 1779. chain carriers Wm. Brown and Geo Brooks Jun. (Abstracts, p. 11)
Deed book A, page 296, 1779: Elisha Parks of Caswell Co., NC to Thomas Johnston of Culpepper Co., VA for 1000 lbs, 300 acres on middle fork of Country line Creek adj claims of Samuel Kelly and William Gooch, John Anthony, George Brooks, claim of Elijah Mason, said land granted by NC to Parks 3 Mar 1779 adknowledged. (Abstracts, p. 18)
These deeds provide evidence that there was another older George Brooks who lived in Caswell Co in 1779; since he owned land, he was born at least before 1758 (had to be 21 to own land). Could this be the George Brooks who heired land that he received as a Revolutionary soldier in TN to Christopher Williams Brooks? There was no George Brooks on the 1790 or 1800 Caswell Co., NC census report, so either he died or he moved. (Probably he died because he heired the land to Christopher). The next George is not enumerated until 1830 in Caswell co., NC. He was the son of Jonathan and Ann Lewis Brooks (According to Kay Haden...Charles and Sally Brooks' son George moved to Stokes/Forsynth Co., NC). There are no George Brooks men in the Person Co deed book (1792-1825) or census reports.
TO DO:
Look for references to this George Brooks as a soldier in the American Revolution. Did not have a pension because he probably died prior to the law passed by Congress.
Friday, June 1, 2007
SMITH family vacation
Last week I visited with the SMITH side of my family. My grandfather, Darrel Smith, got me started in genealogy a couple of years ago when he handed me a printed version of his family tree maker file. It was over 100 pages long and went back to the year 600. Darrel has been working on genealogy for almost 40 years now. He caught the genealogy bug from his "Aunt Katie" (Catherine Smith Helms). She had been collecting information for many years and handed a lot of it down to my grandfather, who has handed it down to me. I only came home with one box of papers, but the information contained inside is invaluable.
Many of the papers were family group sheets of my grandfather's siblings' families and cousins, aunts and uncles.
Two of the most important sets of papers were the Civil War pension applications of Richard Smith and Calvin West. The application of Richard Smith told us that his parents were David and Sarah Smith of Tennessee. That's as far as we have gotten on the Smith line.
I hope to be able to review, scan and post these pension applications before the end of the year. They will remain in the box, however, until after the move to Durham.
Many of the papers were family group sheets of my grandfather's siblings' families and cousins, aunts and uncles.
Two of the most important sets of papers were the Civil War pension applications of Richard Smith and Calvin West. The application of Richard Smith told us that his parents were David and Sarah Smith of Tennessee. That's as far as we have gotten on the Smith line.
I hope to be able to review, scan and post these pension applications before the end of the year. They will remain in the box, however, until after the move to Durham.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Flippin - Brooks NC Connections
In an earlier post, I noted that a Dorothy Brookes married Thomas Flippin, 1769, Gloucester Co., VA. They had 3 known children, - Armistead (b. 1770), Jenny (b. 1775), and Thomas Flippin (b. 1773) - who were born in Gloucester Co., VA. and recorded in the Kingston Parish Registry.
Although Dorothy Brooks' parents are not known by me at this time, I believe she is connected to one of the Thomas Brooks families of Gloucester Co., VA and Caswell Co., NC.
The following are Brooks - Flippin references from Caswell Co., NC:
April court 1790 - Henry Flippin, orphan of Thomas Flippin, late of Gloucester Co., VA, chose Thomas Brooks Sen. to be his guardian. Thomas Brooks Jun, attorney, was appointed power of attorney to demand and receive all negroes, money, etc. due said orphan from the estate.
January Court, 1794 - Armistead Flippin reported the inventory of the estate of Thomas Brooks, dec'd.
April Court 1795 - Armistead Flippin purchased items and reported on the sale of items from Thomas Brooks' estate (co-admin. Jane Brooks)
[Note: I am not sure if the Thomas Brooks estates in 1794 and 1795 are for the same person because Jane is only mentioned as co-admin on the later one - To Do: Copy and review estate file of Thomas Brooks, 1794, Caswell Co., NC]
April Court 1798 - Jane Brooks and Armistead Flippin produced an account settlement for the estate of Thomas Brooks, Jun. (listed payments to persons)
Note GS 5/18/07: It is possible that Jane Brooks was the wife of Thomas Brooks and she administered his estate along with Armistead Flippin. Jane was probaby "Jenny" Flippin from the Gloucester Co., VA Kingston Parish Registry, daughter of Thomas Flippin and Dorothy Brookes, born Feb 10, 1775. Kay Haden (khaden at comcast dot net) included this information in the pdf file she sent to me on 5/17/07 on Jonathan Brooks. In her file, she listed Thomas Brooks Jr married Jane "Jenny" Flippin 16 Feb 1791 in Caswell Co., NC. She cited W. Leigh Brooks and IGI as her sources for this information.
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Additional Flippin family references in Caswell Co., are:
Janurary court 1804 - Armistead Flippin is allowed to keep 1 negro named John from the estate of Henry Dixon Jr; The legatees "agreed he shall keep for his share of estate."
Note: Armistead Flippin must be connected to the Dixon family somehow to receive items from his estate.
In 1808, Samuel Flippin purchased items from the estate of Phillip Cox.
Although Dorothy Brooks' parents are not known by me at this time, I believe she is connected to one of the Thomas Brooks families of Gloucester Co., VA and Caswell Co., NC.
The following are Brooks - Flippin references from Caswell Co., NC:
April court 1790 - Henry Flippin, orphan of Thomas Flippin, late of Gloucester Co., VA, chose Thomas Brooks Sen. to be his guardian. Thomas Brooks Jun, attorney, was appointed power of attorney to demand and receive all negroes, money, etc. due said orphan from the estate.
January Court, 1794 - Armistead Flippin reported the inventory of the estate of Thomas Brooks, dec'd.
April Court 1795 - Armistead Flippin purchased items and reported on the sale of items from Thomas Brooks' estate (co-admin. Jane Brooks)
[Note: I am not sure if the Thomas Brooks estates in 1794 and 1795 are for the same person because Jane is only mentioned as co-admin on the later one - To Do: Copy and review estate file of Thomas Brooks, 1794, Caswell Co., NC]
April Court 1798 - Jane Brooks and Armistead Flippin produced an account settlement for the estate of Thomas Brooks, Jun. (listed payments to persons)
Note GS 5/18/07: It is possible that Jane Brooks was the wife of Thomas Brooks and she administered his estate along with Armistead Flippin. Jane was probaby "Jenny" Flippin from the Gloucester Co., VA Kingston Parish Registry, daughter of Thomas Flippin and Dorothy Brookes, born Feb 10, 1775. Kay Haden (khaden at comcast dot net) included this information in the pdf file she sent to me on 5/17/07 on Jonathan Brooks. In her file, she listed Thomas Brooks Jr married Jane "Jenny" Flippin 16 Feb 1791 in Caswell Co., NC. She cited W. Leigh Brooks and IGI as her sources for this information.
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Additional Flippin family references in Caswell Co., are:
Janurary court 1804 - Armistead Flippin is allowed to keep 1 negro named John from the estate of Henry Dixon Jr; The legatees "agreed he shall keep for his share of estate."
Note: Armistead Flippin must be connected to the Dixon family somehow to receive items from his estate.
In 1808, Samuel Flippin purchased items from the estate of Phillip Cox.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Thomas Flippin & Dorothy Brookes, 1769, Gloucester Co., VA
According to the Kingston Parish Registry of Gloucester Co., VA (later Matthews County):
Dorothy Brookes married Thomas Flippin, Feb. 23, 1769. License. p. 227
- Armistead Flippen, son of Thomas and Dorothy. Born December 12, 1770 and Baptized February 6, 1771. p. 38
- Jenny Flippen, daughter of Thomas and Dorothy. Born February 10 and Baptized April 1, 1775. p. 159
- Thomas Flippin, son of Thomas and Dorothy. Born May 29 and Baptized July 27, 1773. p. 154
Humphry Flippin md Sarah Davis, Nov. 18, 1766. p. 226
- Thomas Flippen, son of Humphry and Sarah. Born August 24 and Baptized September 20, 1767. p. 32
- Sarah Flippin died May 18, 1772. p. 110
Humphry Flippin md. Mary Keys, Sept. 24, 1775. Banns. p. 232
- Nancy Davis Flippin, duaghter of Humphry and Mary. Born June 19 and Baptized July 3, 1776. p. 162
Flippin, Machen, son of John and ________. Baptized January 8, 1775. p. 158
Source: Matheny, Emma R., comp. Kingston Parish Register. Richmond, VA: 1963; A copy of the compilation can be found online at ancestry.com.
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Kingston Parish, Gloucester / Matthews Co., VA
Yesterday I emailed Kay Haden who posted a rootwebs family tree file that included information on the Brooks, Williams, and Holderness families. In her file, she lists Thomas and Mary Blacknall Brooks as the parents of Elizabeth (md. Holderness), George, Charles, and Christopher Brooks (md. Susannah Williams). In her email, she listed the Kingston Parish Registry of Gloucester (later Matthews Co.), VA as her source for the information on George and Christopher Brooks. I found copies of the registry online on ancestry.com. I was able to pull all of the references to the Brook(e)s families, as well I found the connection to the Flippin family.
There were 17 entries for Brook(e)s family members in the Kingston Parish Registry of Gloucester Co., VA (Kingston Parish became Mathews County, VA in 1791). Some of the entries indicate time of birth, marriage, death, and familial relationships. There are two page numbers listed at the end of each entry, the first is the page in Matheny's book; the second page number is the page of the original vestry register.
Thomas Brooks & Mary Blacknall Family:
Thomas Brooks married Mrs. Mary Blacknall, Dec. 16, 1749, by Rev. Richard Locke. License. (3/217)
1. George Brookes, son of Thomas and Mary. Born May 8 and Baptized June 12, 1757. (32/14)
2. _______her Brookes, son of Thomas and Mary. Baptized February 1_, 1755. No page listed.
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George Brooks & Susannah Davis Family:
George Brooks married Susannah Davis, May 18, 1756. (3/221)
1. John Brooks, son of George and Susanna. Born May 8 and Baptized November 15, 1767. (32)
2. Joyce Keeble Brookes, daughter of George and Susanna. Born May 30 and Baptized June 30, 1762. (32/23)
3. Nancy Brookes, daughter of George and Susanna. Born January 20 and Baptized March 13, 1774. (32/156)
4. Susanna(h) Brookes, daughter of George and Susannah. Born April 21 and Baptized June 16, 1765. (32/28)
5. Thomas Brookes, son of George and Susanna. Born February 26, 1757. (32/14)
6. William Brookes, son of George and Susanna. Born October 12 and Baptized December 9, 1770. (32/38)
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Dorothy Brookes & Thomas Flippin Family
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Other miscellaneous Brook(e)s family entries:
Johannah Brookes married Henry Robinson, Nov. 7, 1765. License. (19/225)
Mary Brookes married Thomas Jones, May 12, 1763. License. (224)
Ann Brooks married Christopher Dawson, June 25, 1758. (6/222)
Ann Smith Brooks, daughter of Richard and ______. Born April __, 1770 and Baptized April 11, 1770. (32/37)
Joseph Brooks married Frances Murry Killigrew, Dec. 29, 1754. (3/220)
Source information: Kingston Parish, Virginia Register, 1749-1827 by Matheny, Emma R., comp. Richmond, VA: 1963. Source Location: Ancestry.com & Olivia Raney History Library, Wake Co., NC
There were 17 entries for Brook(e)s family members in the Kingston Parish Registry of Gloucester Co., VA (Kingston Parish became Mathews County, VA in 1791). Some of the entries indicate time of birth, marriage, death, and familial relationships. There are two page numbers listed at the end of each entry, the first is the page in Matheny's book; the second page number is the page of the original vestry register.
Thomas Brooks & Mary Blacknall Family:
Thomas Brooks married Mrs. Mary Blacknall, Dec. 16, 1749, by Rev. Richard Locke. License. (3/217)
1. George Brookes, son of Thomas and Mary. Born May 8 and Baptized June 12, 1757. (32/14)
2. _______her Brookes, son of Thomas and Mary. Baptized February 1_, 1755. No page listed.
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George Brooks & Susannah Davis Family:
George Brooks married Susannah Davis, May 18, 1756. (3/221)
1. John Brooks, son of George and Susanna. Born May 8 and Baptized November 15, 1767. (32)
2. Joyce Keeble Brookes, daughter of George and Susanna. Born May 30 and Baptized June 30, 1762. (32/23)
3. Nancy Brookes, daughter of George and Susanna. Born January 20 and Baptized March 13, 1774. (32/156)
4. Susanna(h) Brookes, daughter of George and Susannah. Born April 21 and Baptized June 16, 1765. (32/28)
5. Thomas Brookes, son of George and Susanna. Born February 26, 1757. (32/14)
6. William Brookes, son of George and Susanna. Born October 12 and Baptized December 9, 1770. (32/38)
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Dorothy Brookes & Thomas Flippin Family
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Other miscellaneous Brook(e)s family entries:
Johannah Brookes married Henry Robinson, Nov. 7, 1765. License. (19/225)
Mary Brookes married Thomas Jones, May 12, 1763. License. (224)
Ann Brooks married Christopher Dawson, June 25, 1758. (6/222)
Ann Smith Brooks, daughter of Richard and ______. Born April __, 1770 and Baptized April 11, 1770. (32/37)
Joseph Brooks married Frances Murry Killigrew, Dec. 29, 1754. (3/220)
Source information: Kingston Parish, Virginia Register, 1749-1827 by Matheny, Emma R., comp. Richmond, VA: 1963. Source Location: Ancestry.com & Olivia Raney History Library, Wake Co., NC
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Caswell Co., NC 1784 Tax List - BROOKS
BROOKS Family
Caswell County, NC
Source: Caswell County NC Will Books 1777 – 1814, and 1814-1843 (Abstracts) by Katherine Kerr Kendall
1784 Tax List
NC State Archives, Book C.R. 020.701.1, Compiled by Henry E. Kendall
St. David’s District:
Thomas Brooks - 810 ac. on Moons Creek, 1wp, 2 bp. (p. 140)
Charles Brooks – 0 ac, 1wp, 0 bp
Nash District:
Artha Brooks – 450 ac. On Bowl’s Branch, 2 wp, 1 bp
John Brooks – 415 ac. On Bols Branch, 1 wp, 0 bp
Tabitha Brooks – 0 ac., 1 wp, 0 bp
(Became Person Co in 1792)
Caswell County, NC
Source: Caswell County NC Will Books 1777 – 1814, and 1814-1843 (Abstracts) by Katherine Kerr Kendall
1784 Tax List
NC State Archives, Book C.R. 020.701.1, Compiled by Henry E. Kendall
St. David’s District:
Thomas Brooks - 810 ac. on Moons Creek, 1wp, 2 bp. (p. 140)
Charles Brooks – 0 ac, 1wp, 0 bp
Nash District:
Artha Brooks – 450 ac. On Bowl’s Branch, 2 wp, 1 bp
John Brooks – 415 ac. On Bols Branch, 1 wp, 0 bp
Tabitha Brooks – 0 ac., 1 wp, 0 bp
(Became Person Co in 1792)
Caswell County, NC Land Grants - WILLIAMS
Henry Williams
File no. 1127, 100 acres, Entry no. 1184, entered 1 Nov 1780; Grant no. 1086, issued 27 Nov 1793; Book 81, p. 258; Located on Nats fork of Country Line Creek.
File no. 435, 700 acres, Entry no. 728, entered 17 Mar 1779; Grant no. 596, issued 13 Oct 1783; Book 53, p. 21, Located on the waters of Stony Creek.
File no. 37, 127 acres, Entry no. 65, entered 9 June 1778; Grant no. 37, issued 3 Mar 1779; Book 35, p. 37; Located on the waters of Stony Creek.
File no. 66, 216 acres, Entry no. 252, entered 4 Sept 1778; Grant no. 66, issued 3 Mar 1779; Book 35, p. 66; Located on some sm branches of Shaws, Toms, and Stoney Creek.
John Williams
Five land grants entered between 1778-1780
Nathan Williams
File no. 1192, 90 acres, Entry no. 1434, entered -, Grant no. 1154, issued 18 Dec 1799; Book 105, p. 270; Located on the waters of S. Fork of County Line.
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Land Grants for Caswell County, North Carolina BROOKS Families
File no. 1127, 100 acres, Entry no. 1184, entered 1 Nov 1780; Grant no. 1086, issued 27 Nov 1793; Book 81, p. 258; Located on Nats fork of Country Line Creek.
File no. 435, 700 acres, Entry no. 728, entered 17 Mar 1779; Grant no. 596, issued 13 Oct 1783; Book 53, p. 21, Located on the waters of Stony Creek.
File no. 37, 127 acres, Entry no. 65, entered 9 June 1778; Grant no. 37, issued 3 Mar 1779; Book 35, p. 37; Located on the waters of Stony Creek.
File no. 66, 216 acres, Entry no. 252, entered 4 Sept 1778; Grant no. 66, issued 3 Mar 1779; Book 35, p. 66; Located on some sm branches of Shaws, Toms, and Stoney Creek.
John Williams
Five land grants entered between 1778-1780
Nathan Williams
File no. 1192, 90 acres, Entry no. 1434, entered -, Grant no. 1154, issued 18 Dec 1799; Book 105, p. 270; Located on the waters of S. Fork of County Line.
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Land Grants for Caswell County, North Carolina BROOKS Families
Granville Co., NC Land Grants - WILLIAMS
Granville Co., NC Land grants from the State of NC, card catalog:
Daniel Williams
File no. 1036, 420 acres, Entry no. –, entered -; Grant no. 27, issued 4 Nov 1757; Book 14, p. 96; Located on Andrew’s Swamp.
File no. 1037, 292 acres, Entry no. -, entered -; Grant no. 26, issued 4 Nov 1757; Book 14, p. 97; Located on the East side of Andrew’s swamp.
John Williams, entered 1753
Nimrod Williams, entered 1760
Miles Williams, entered 1761
Samuel Williams, entered 1752
William Williams, entered 1762
Daniel Williams
File no. 1036, 420 acres, Entry no. –, entered -; Grant no. 27, issued 4 Nov 1757; Book 14, p. 96; Located on Andrew’s Swamp.
File no. 1037, 292 acres, Entry no. -, entered -; Grant no. 26, issued 4 Nov 1757; Book 14, p. 97; Located on the East side of Andrew’s swamp.
John Williams, entered 1753
Nimrod Williams, entered 1760
Miles Williams, entered 1761
Samuel Williams, entered 1752
William Williams, entered 1762
Caswell County, NC Land Grants - BROOKS
Caswell Co., NC Land grants from the State of NC, card catalog:
George Brooks:
File no. 444, 300 acres, Entry no. 622 entered 11 Jan 1779; Grant no. 605, issued 13 Oct 1783; Book 53, p. 25; Located on the Middle fork of the South Fork of Country Line Creek
Arthur Brooks:
File no. 1062, 149 acres, Entry no. 149, entered 1 Jan 1780; Grant no. 973, issued 18 May 1789; Book 72, p. 63; Located on the waters of Mayo Creek
File no. 8, 640 acres, Entry no. 50, entered 10 June 1778; Grant no. 8, issued 3 Mar 1779; Book 35, p. 8; Located beginning at a post oak on VA line.
File no. 1044, 156 acres, Entry no. 114, entered 1 Jan 1780; Grant no. 1006, issued 18 May 1789; Book 71, p. 239; Located on the Waters of Mayo Creek.
Caswell Co., NC Land Grants for WILLIAMS family
George Brooks:
File no. 444, 300 acres, Entry no. 622 entered 11 Jan 1779; Grant no. 605, issued 13 Oct 1783; Book 53, p. 25; Located on the Middle fork of the South Fork of Country Line Creek
Arthur Brooks:
File no. 1062, 149 acres, Entry no. 149, entered 1 Jan 1780; Grant no. 973, issued 18 May 1789; Book 72, p. 63; Located on the waters of Mayo Creek
File no. 8, 640 acres, Entry no. 50, entered 10 June 1778; Grant no. 8, issued 3 Mar 1779; Book 35, p. 8; Located beginning at a post oak on VA line.
File no. 1044, 156 acres, Entry no. 114, entered 1 Jan 1780; Grant no. 1006, issued 18 May 1789; Book 71, p. 239; Located on the Waters of Mayo Creek.
Caswell Co., NC Land Grants for WILLIAMS family
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
The Parentage of Christopher William(s) Brooks, Part 3
This weekend I visited the NC State Archives and searched for Christopher William(s) Brooks' Father, Christopher Brooks (Sr.) who supposedly married Susannah Williams. I searched the following records for Christopher Brooks Sr:
As a side, I also searched these records for George Brooks, who most researchers believe is the father of this Christopher William(s) Brooks. I did find some references to him here.
- Caswell Co., NC List of Taxables for 1777, 1780, & 1784 , microfilm, Call No. 020.70001
- Caswell Co., NC Index of Recorded Wills, 1777-1926, Volume 1, microfilm, Call No. 020.81001
- Caswell Co., NC Record of Wills, Volumes A, B, C, microfilm, Call No. 020.80001. These records were also abstracted by Katherine Kerr Kendall's "Caswell County, NC Will Books, 1777 – 1814 & 1814 - 1843" which can be searched on ancestry.com
- Caswell Co., NC Loose Papers of Estate Files, Call No. 020.508.080 - On 3/18/2006 I noted that there was a folder for Christopher Brooks, 1782 with Henry Williams as administrator; I can not find copies of these papers; Should be with my Christopher W. Brooks papers from 1840 and 1851. To Do: Locate and copy Christopher Brooks' estate papers from 1782
- Land grants from the State of NC, card catalog: Granville, Caswell, Orange, Edgecombe Counties
- Caswell Co., NC Index to Real Estate Conveyances, Grantors and Grantees, microfilm
As a side, I also searched these records for George Brooks, who most researchers believe is the father of this Christopher William(s) Brooks. I did find some references to him here.
Monday, April 30, 2007
The Parentage of Christopher William(s) Brooks, Part 2
With all the confusion about who Christopher William(s) Brooks' father was, I started wondering what event occurred that first pointed me in the direction of Christopher Brooks Sr and Susannah Williams as Christopher William(s) Brooks' parents. Here are some details:
Henry WILLIAMS mentioned daughter Susannah RICE in his will written 1785. By that time, Susannah was already remarried to William Higgason RICE. Their Caswell Co., NC marriage bond listed Wm H. Rice and Susannah BROOKS, married 20 Dec 1784. According to the Caswell Co., NC Guardian Accounts, William H. RICE was legal guardian of Christopher Williams BROOKS in 1797; Caswell Co., NC Record Book C, p. 262, October Court 1797: Christopher Williams Brooks orphan in acct. with William H. Rice guardian. Cash paid to George Somers, William Holderness; tax paid for 1795 and 96. (Katherine Kerr Kendall's abstracts of Will Books, 1777-1814, p. 57).
Additionally, when Christopher Brooks Sr died in 1781, there were several court record entries for the administration of his estate:
Henry WILLIAMS mentioned daughter Susannah RICE in his will written 1785. By that time, Susannah was already remarried to William Higgason RICE. Their Caswell Co., NC marriage bond listed Wm H. Rice and Susannah BROOKS, married 20 Dec 1784. According to the Caswell Co., NC Guardian Accounts, William H. RICE was legal guardian of Christopher Williams BROOKS in 1797; Caswell Co., NC Record Book C, p. 262, October Court 1797: Christopher Williams Brooks orphan in acct. with William H. Rice guardian. Cash paid to George Somers, William Holderness; tax paid for 1795 and 96. (Katherine Kerr Kendall's abstracts of Will Books, 1777-1814, p. 57).
Additionally, when Christopher Brooks Sr died in 1781, there were several court record entries for the administration of his estate:
- December court 1781 Susannah Brooks resigned her adminisration of estate of her husband (Christopher Brooks) to her father, Colonel Henry Williams. (Source: Historical Abstracts of the Court of pleas and Quarter Sessions Minutes of Caswell County, Kendall: p.7, Dec 1781)
- Adminstrators Bond in the amount of 500 pounds, dated 4 Dec 1781 signed by Henry Williams and Nath'l. Williams in presence of A. Murphey to bind Henry Williams as Administrator of Christopher Brooks, Deceased. Caswell County March Court 1782 - Inventory of estate of Christopher Brooks returned by Henry Williams, Administrator, and ordered to be recorded. Sold by David Shelton, Sheriff 24 Jan 1782. Buyers included Susannah Brookes, Henry Williams, William Holderness, Nath'l Williams, John Pane, Thos. Brookes.
George Brooks, Supposed Father of Christopher Williams Brooks - Records Search Results
Many researchers believe George Brooks to be the father of Christopher William Brooks, b. 1781. A land grant was issued to George Brooks, Sgt by the state of NC for 1000 acres in Maury Co., TN for Revolutionary War Service. The land grant stated that the land was to be transferred to Christopher Brooks, "heir of George Brooks." Because Christopher Brooks was still a minor, the land grant was then transferred to Henry Williams, whom I believe to be Christopher's grandfather (assuming Christopher is son of Christopher Brooks Sr and Susannah Williams). After Henry Williams died, Elizabeth Williams, his wife and executrix of his estate, sold his interest in this land to Nathan Williams (probably son of Elizabeth and Henry Williams) in 1813.
Today, I searched for George Brooks in the these records at the NC State Archives, 109 E. Jones Street, Raleigh, NC. My goal was to find some hint of relationship to other Brooks family members. Although I did not see mention of any family members, I did find the following records:
1. Caswell Co., NC List of Taxables for 1777, 1780, & 1784 , microfilm, Call No. 020.70001:
2. Caswell Co., NC Record of Wills, Volumes A, B, C, microfilm, Call No. 020.80001. These records were also abstracted by Katherine Kerr Kendall's "Caswell County, NC Will Books, 1777 – 1814 & 1814 - 1843" which can be searched on ancestry.com
Today, I searched for George Brooks in the these records at the NC State Archives, 109 E. Jones Street, Raleigh, NC. My goal was to find some hint of relationship to other Brooks family members. Although I did not see mention of any family members, I did find the following records:
1. Caswell Co., NC List of Taxables for 1777, 1780, & 1784 , microfilm, Call No. 020.70001:
- 1777: Glouster District, George Brooks, 650 Acres, 7 wp, 0 bp - Where did this 650 acres come from? I did not see a land grant in Caswell, Orange, or Granville County, NC Land Grants.
- 1780: I only looked for Christopher Brooks. I don't believe George Brooks was listed.
- To Do: Look up George Brooks in 1780 tax list
- 1784: No George Brooks
2. Caswell Co., NC Record of Wills, Volumes A, B, C, microfilm, Call No. 020.80001. These records were also abstracted by Katherine Kerr Kendall's "Caswell County, NC Will Books, 1777 – 1814 & 1814 - 1843" which can be searched on ancestry.com
- I don't think I looked specifically for George Brooks here; if so, it was a younger George Brooks who is the son of Charles & Sally (Williams) Brooks
- I did not find an older George Brooks in the Will Book abstracts using Ancestry.com's search function either
- Although I did not review the specific folder on this trip, I am fairly certain there were no BROOKS estate folders at the Archives (I inquired in June 2005)
- George Brooks, File no. 444, 300 acres, Entry no. 622 entered 11 Jan 1779; Grant no. 605, issued 13 Oct 1783; Book 53, p. 25; Located on the Middle fork of the South Fork of Country Line Creek
- These records need to be searched again. The Grantors index was indecipherable because the pages copied were too light. To Do: Review Kendall's Deed Abstracts 1777-1817 at the Olivia Raney History Library
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Elizabeth Williams Estate Files 1814
I collected wills and estate records of the Caswell County, North Carolina WILLIAMS family members. The call number of the file box that had loose papers of estate records was:
C.R. 020.508.102.
The first folder I pulled was labelled: "Elizabeth Williams, 1814."
I believe this folder contains estate records of two separate Elizabeths, one who died in 1813 and one who died in 1816. The following information is a summary of the pages enclosed in the folder.
(1) Elizabeth Williams, 1814:
Administrators bond, Nathan WILLIAMS 10 January 1814:
Nathan WILLIAMS, John HENSLEE, and Quintonn ANDERSON are bound onto Solomon GRAVES, chairman of the county court of Caswell in the sum of four hundred pounds to be paid to said chairman Solomon GRAVES, sealed this 10th day of January 1814.
Nathan WILLIAMS has been appointed administrator of all the singular goods and chattels, rights and credits of Elizabeth WILLIAMS dec'd, do make and cause to be made a true and perfect inventory of all singular goods and chattels, rights and credits of the deceased which have or shall come to the hands or possession of the said Nathan WILLIAMS...promises to make a true account and administer according to law...signed and sealed by Nathan WILLIAMS, John HENSLEE, Q. ANDERSON; test A. MURPHEY Clk.
-----------
An inventory of the estate of Elizabeth WILLIAMS, decd, returned to January court 1814, on oath by the administrator, Nathan WILLIAMS, and ordered to be recorded in book F, folio 395 by A. E. MURPHEY, clk:
An inventory of property Elizabeth WILLIAMS Decd leased and purchased of the 15th October 1813:
Two Negro men Viz: Sampson and Jacob
one bed and furniture
two cows and calf
two yewes and lambs
one pewter dish
two pewter basons
1/2 dozen pewter plates
one earthen dish
two earthen pans
two earthen mugs
one black walnut chest
one woman's saddle
one iron pott and one iron skillet
fifty pounds that was willed but not received
returned by me Nathan WILLIAMS, admr.
----------
A list of a sale of the estate of Elizabeth WILLIAMS decd on the 24th day of January 1814, (Ordered to be recorded in book F folio 418, Test A. E. MURPHEY, Clk, April court 1814):
To Elizabeth WILLIAMS:
iron pot, $1.61
iron scillett, $0.71
earthan dish, $0.33 1/3
earthan pan, $0.11
mug, $0.41
walnut chest, $6.00
2 ewes? of lambs, $3.60
cow and calf, $13.30
Negro man Sampson, $101.53
$127.60 1/3
To Charles BROOKS: (Elizabeth WILLIAMS’ son in law)
1 earthen pan, $0.15
1 pewter bason, $2.00
1 pewter bason, $1.00
1 womans saddle, $2.00
1 bed and furniture, $29.00
$34.15
To James GRAVES:
1 small mug, $0.10
1 countepin? $4.00
Cow and calf, $10.25
$14.35
To Zachariah NEAL: (Married Rebecca RICE, dau of Susannah WILLIAMS Brooks and Wm H. RICE)
1 bed quilt, $6.75
$6.75
To Nathaniel L. RICE:
1 pewter dish, $1.10
Sheat?, $2.50
$3.60
To Hosea MCNEILL:
1/2 dozen pewter plates, $3.40
$3.40
To John HENSLEE:
1 Negro boy Jacob, $513.10
$513.10
Total: $702.95 1/3 by Nathan WILLIAMS, Administrator
------------------
The following documents were included in the same file, but probably from another Elizabeth WILLIAMS, possibly the same Elizabeth who purchased items from the estate of Elizabeth WILLIAMS in 1814. This woman died between Jan 1814 and Jan 1816.
(2) Elizabeth Williams, 1816:
Administrators Bond, 8 January 1816, Nathan WILLIAMS, Henry WILLIAMS, and William LEA, bound unto Solomon GRAVES, chairman in the sum of five thousand pounds, in the county of Caswell, this 8th day of January 1816…Nathan WILLIAMS is appointed administrator of the singular goods and chattels, rights and credits of Elizabeth WILLIAMS, decd. Signed and sealed by Nathan WILLIAMS, Henry WILLIAMS, William LEA; A. E. MURPHEY, clk.
Sales estate 12 Jan 1816, (not included in the estate file) of Elizabeth WILLIAMS returned to April Court, 1816 and recorded in Book G, p. 179: Buyers were Henry WILLIAMS, Nathan WILLIAMS, etc., 12 Jan 1816 (Katherine Kerr Kendall's Abstracts of Caswell County Will Books, p. 11).
Sales estate 29 Jan 1816 (not included in the estate file) of Elizabeth WILLIAMS returned to April Court 1816 and recorded in Book G, p. 180, Sales to: George Brooks, William H Rice, Nathaniel L Rice, Sally Brooks, Samuel Fielder, James Shepherd, John Penix, Williamson Rice, Devreu Hightower, Christopher Brookes, etc… 29 Jan 1816 (Katherine Kerr Kendall's Abstracts of Caswell County Will Books, p. 11-12).
Inventory of Property, 7 Apr 1816 (not included in the estate file) of Elizabeth WILLIAMS, decd by N. WILLIAMS adm. returned to April court 1816, and recorded in Book G, p. 168: A memo on Nathan WILLIAMS; bonds on George Brooks, Susannah Rice, Henry WILLIAMS, Benjamin Spencer (this bond is doubtful). 7 Apr 1816 (Katherine Kerr Kendall's Abstracts of Caswell County Will Books, p. 11).
An inventory of account of bonds and cash (Jan Court 1817) found in possession of Elizabeth WILLIAMS dec'd at her death, by Nathan WILLIAMS, adm., returned to court on oath by the administrator and ordered to be recorded, Test Azariah GRAVES, Clk, January Court, 1817. Recorded in book G p. 354, Test A. GRAVES, clk:
Cash on hand: $55.72
one bond on Henry WILLIAMS due 21 Nov 1807, $7.75
one bond on Nathan WILLIAMS due 25 Dec 1815, $89.75
one bond on George BROOKS and Nathan WILLIAMS due Mar 1810 for $200.00
one bond on Susannah RICE due 25 Dec 1815 for $60.00
one account on Benjamin CANTRAL for $2.50
One account on Nathan WILLIAMS for $164.84 & 1/4; total of $580.56 & 1/4;
One note on Benjamin SPENCER due on demand dated 26 Dec 1794 for the sum of 26 pounds, 3 sh., 10 3/4 pence; considered of no value in consequence of insolvency and non residence;
One note on Daniel WILLIAMS due on demand dated 17 Dec 1787 for the sum of 7 pounds considered of no value in consequence of being ______ long since;
The above statement I hereby certify contains all cash bonds and account which I found in the possession of Elizabeth WILLIAMS, decd. Sworn to Nathan WILLIAMS, adm.
--------------------
C.R. 020.508.102.
The first folder I pulled was labelled: "Elizabeth Williams, 1814."
I believe this folder contains estate records of two separate Elizabeths, one who died in 1813 and one who died in 1816. The following information is a summary of the pages enclosed in the folder.
(1) Elizabeth Williams, 1814:
Administrators bond, Nathan WILLIAMS 10 January 1814:
Nathan WILLIAMS, John HENSLEE, and Quintonn ANDERSON are bound onto Solomon GRAVES, chairman of the county court of Caswell in the sum of four hundred pounds to be paid to said chairman Solomon GRAVES, sealed this 10th day of January 1814.
Nathan WILLIAMS has been appointed administrator of all the singular goods and chattels, rights and credits of Elizabeth WILLIAMS dec'd, do make and cause to be made a true and perfect inventory of all singular goods and chattels, rights and credits of the deceased which have or shall come to the hands or possession of the said Nathan WILLIAMS...promises to make a true account and administer according to law...signed and sealed by Nathan WILLIAMS, John HENSLEE, Q. ANDERSON; test A. MURPHEY Clk.
-----------
An inventory of the estate of Elizabeth WILLIAMS, decd, returned to January court 1814, on oath by the administrator, Nathan WILLIAMS, and ordered to be recorded in book F, folio 395 by A. E. MURPHEY, clk:
An inventory of property Elizabeth WILLIAMS Decd leased and purchased of the 15th October 1813:
Two Negro men Viz: Sampson and Jacob
one bed and furniture
two cows and calf
two yewes and lambs
one pewter dish
two pewter basons
1/2 dozen pewter plates
one earthen dish
two earthen pans
two earthen mugs
one black walnut chest
one woman's saddle
one iron pott and one iron skillet
fifty pounds that was willed but not received
returned by me Nathan WILLIAMS, admr.
----------
A list of a sale of the estate of Elizabeth WILLIAMS decd on the 24th day of January 1814, (Ordered to be recorded in book F folio 418, Test A. E. MURPHEY, Clk, April court 1814):
To Elizabeth WILLIAMS:
iron pot, $1.61
iron scillett, $0.71
earthan dish, $0.33 1/3
earthan pan, $0.11
mug, $0.41
walnut chest, $6.00
2 ewes? of lambs, $3.60
cow and calf, $13.30
Negro man Sampson, $101.53
$127.60 1/3
To Charles BROOKS: (Elizabeth WILLIAMS’ son in law)
1 earthen pan, $0.15
1 pewter bason, $2.00
1 pewter bason, $1.00
1 womans saddle, $2.00
1 bed and furniture, $29.00
$34.15
To James GRAVES:
1 small mug, $0.10
1 countepin? $4.00
Cow and calf, $10.25
$14.35
To Zachariah NEAL: (Married Rebecca RICE, dau of Susannah WILLIAMS Brooks and Wm H. RICE)
1 bed quilt, $6.75
$6.75
To Nathaniel L. RICE:
1 pewter dish, $1.10
Sheat?, $2.50
$3.60
To Hosea MCNEILL:
1/2 dozen pewter plates, $3.40
$3.40
To John HENSLEE:
1 Negro boy Jacob, $513.10
$513.10
Total: $702.95 1/3 by Nathan WILLIAMS, Administrator
------------------
The following documents were included in the same file, but probably from another Elizabeth WILLIAMS, possibly the same Elizabeth who purchased items from the estate of Elizabeth WILLIAMS in 1814. This woman died between Jan 1814 and Jan 1816.
(2) Elizabeth Williams, 1816:
Administrators Bond, 8 January 1816, Nathan WILLIAMS, Henry WILLIAMS, and William LEA, bound unto Solomon GRAVES, chairman in the sum of five thousand pounds, in the county of Caswell, this 8th day of January 1816…Nathan WILLIAMS is appointed administrator of the singular goods and chattels, rights and credits of Elizabeth WILLIAMS, decd. Signed and sealed by Nathan WILLIAMS, Henry WILLIAMS, William LEA; A. E. MURPHEY, clk.
Sales estate 12 Jan 1816, (not included in the estate file) of Elizabeth WILLIAMS returned to April Court, 1816 and recorded in Book G, p. 179: Buyers were Henry WILLIAMS, Nathan WILLIAMS, etc., 12 Jan 1816 (Katherine Kerr Kendall's Abstracts of Caswell County Will Books, p. 11).
Sales estate 29 Jan 1816 (not included in the estate file) of Elizabeth WILLIAMS returned to April Court 1816 and recorded in Book G, p. 180, Sales to: George Brooks, William H Rice, Nathaniel L Rice, Sally Brooks, Samuel Fielder, James Shepherd, John Penix, Williamson Rice, Devreu Hightower, Christopher Brookes, etc… 29 Jan 1816 (Katherine Kerr Kendall's Abstracts of Caswell County Will Books, p. 11-12).
Inventory of Property, 7 Apr 1816 (not included in the estate file) of Elizabeth WILLIAMS, decd by N. WILLIAMS adm. returned to April court 1816, and recorded in Book G, p. 168: A memo on Nathan WILLIAMS; bonds on George Brooks, Susannah Rice, Henry WILLIAMS, Benjamin Spencer (this bond is doubtful). 7 Apr 1816 (Katherine Kerr Kendall's Abstracts of Caswell County Will Books, p. 11).
An inventory of account of bonds and cash (Jan Court 1817) found in possession of Elizabeth WILLIAMS dec'd at her death, by Nathan WILLIAMS, adm., returned to court on oath by the administrator and ordered to be recorded, Test Azariah GRAVES, Clk, January Court, 1817. Recorded in book G p. 354, Test A. GRAVES, clk:
Cash on hand: $55.72
one bond on Henry WILLIAMS due 21 Nov 1807, $7.75
one bond on Nathan WILLIAMS due 25 Dec 1815, $89.75
one bond on George BROOKS and Nathan WILLIAMS due Mar 1810 for $200.00
one bond on Susannah RICE due 25 Dec 1815 for $60.00
one account on Benjamin CANTRAL for $2.50
One account on Nathan WILLIAMS for $164.84 & 1/4; total of $580.56 & 1/4;
One note on Benjamin SPENCER due on demand dated 26 Dec 1794 for the sum of 26 pounds, 3 sh., 10 3/4 pence; considered of no value in consequence of insolvency and non residence;
One note on Daniel WILLIAMS due on demand dated 17 Dec 1787 for the sum of 7 pounds considered of no value in consequence of being ______ long since;
The above statement I hereby certify contains all cash bonds and account which I found in the possession of Elizabeth WILLIAMS, decd. Sworn to Nathan WILLIAMS, adm.
--------------------
Friday, April 27, 2007
WILLIAMS family, Granville Co., NC
Today I combed through the Granville Co., NC usgenweb files looking for information on the Williams family. My ancestor, Henry Williams, was not from Granville Co.; he was from Caswell Co., NC. However, his father, Daniel Williams lived in Granville Co., NC along with many of Henry's siblings.
Here is what I found:
Here is what I found:
- The wills of Thomas Williams (1761) and William Williams (1763)
- Marriage record of Charles Williams to Hannah Clewall, 23 Feb 1797; This Charles Williams was probably a son of William Williams and is mentioned in his will.
- Revolutionary War Pension files for Samuel F. Williams, son of William Williams, and Solomon Williams.
- History of Granville Co., NC including Judge Henderson and John Williams. This Williams - Henderson connection intrigued me because Daniel Williams married Ursula Henderson.
- Orphan accounts of Granville Co., NC: Elinor Armsby to Daniel and Ursula Williams to learn housewifery, 22 Mar 1759; Samuel Wheeler to James Williams to learn carpentry, 21 Mar 17589.
All of this information was copied and saved to my "Daniel Williams.doc" file.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
WILLIAMS family, Lunenburg Co., VA
In 1757, Daniel Williams, planter, of Granville Co., NC deeded a tract of land consisting of 420 acres in Lunenburg Co., VA to his son, Henry Williams "for love and affection." Henry and his wife Elizabeth lived in Lunenburg Co., VA through 1762. In 1764 Lunenburg Co was divided to form Mecklenburg Co., VA in the south. Henry and Elizabeth Williams were then listed as living in Mecklenburg Co., VA between 1765-1770; therefore this land must have laid in the area that was originally Lunenburg that became Mecklenburg Co., VA in 1764. The Willliams family removed to Orange Co., NC, then Caswell Co., NC about 1770.
Today I searched for Henry Williams in the USGenWeb Lunenburg Co., VA archive files for deeds and court records. Although I did not find any references to Henry Williams, my ancestor, I did find a family record file of Reverend John Williams, that was submitted by JoLee Gregory Spears. Reverend John Williams of Lunenburg Co., VA was a 1st cousin of my ancestor, Henry Williams.
JoLee's family record contained a link to Reverend John Williams and Henry Williams' grandfather, John Williams, the Wealthy Welshman published by Scott K. Williams.
This website was a wealth of information regarding the history of the Williams Family in America. Scott K. Williams' two significant references were the following:
1) "Williams 300 Years of Leadership in America: A History of the Descendants of John Williams of Llangollen, Wales" by Lewis James Williams, 1997. This book can be found at the State Library of North Carolina.
2) The transcript of the Williams Family Bible written by John Drayton Williams, son of Washington Williams, grandson of Gen. James Williams; In 1910 Barbara A. McClung copied John D. Williams' family bible that he wrote in 1845 which she borrowed from William D. Williams, Jr (Greenville, TN). If I'm not mistaking, this transcription by Barbara A. McClung is housed in the Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection at the Knox Co., TN Library and is copied in several rootsweb files online.
I am very excited about all the great publications references I have come across this week on my Williams family. Now I just have to find enough records to prove that Henry Williams is really my ancestor!!! I'm not sure of what the genealogy netiquette of saying this is, but proving that Henry Williams' daughter, Susannah Williams Brooks Rice was married to Christopher Brooks, and that they were the parents of my ancestor, Christopher Williams Brooks, would disprove existing publications listing George Brooks as C W's father.
With a little help from my new-found friend in TN, I hope to solve this mystery soon.
James WILLIAMS, 96th District, SC (con't)
Another To Do:
1. Read Williams Graves' "James Williams, An American Patriot in the Carolina Backcountry"; 2002.
2. Copy the following article which can be found at the NC Genealogy Library (or the Olivia Raney History Library - closed stacks): Madge C. Frink. "Colonel James Williams: A Sketch of a Patriot and the Events Leading to the Battle of King’s Mountain." Daughter’s of the American Revolution Magazine 118 (1984): 644-6.
Update: I could not find this article by Madge C. Frink in volume 118. This source has been cited for other family pages, so this is kind of strange. I did find another volume with an article about James Williams, but MY LIBRARY IS MISSING THAT VOLUME.
Too bad I can't remember where I saw this source cited. I guess I need to keep better blogs :)
1. Read Williams Graves' "James Williams, An American Patriot in the Carolina Backcountry"; 2002.
2. Copy the following article which can be found at the NC Genealogy Library (or the Olivia Raney History Library - closed stacks): Madge C. Frink. "Colonel James Williams: A Sketch of a Patriot and the Events Leading to the Battle of King’s Mountain." Daughter’s of the American Revolution Magazine 118 (1984): 644-6.
Update: I could not find this article by Madge C. Frink in volume 118. This source has been cited for other family pages, so this is kind of strange. I did find another volume with an article about James Williams, but MY LIBRARY IS MISSING THAT VOLUME.
Too bad I can't remember where I saw this source cited. I guess I need to keep better blogs :)
James WILLIAMS, 96th District, SC
In my previous post, I mentioned that my ancestor, Henry Williams of Caswell Co., NC had a brother, Colonel James Williams of the 96th District, SC who died in the Revolutionary War. I received the book I ordered "James Williams: An American Patriot in the Carolina Backcountry" by William Graves in the mail this week to confirm this relationship. Graves' book gives an excellent account of the life of Colonel James Williams and includes familial activities and history based on primary sources of letters, wills, estate, and court records.
The author of this book confirms that my ancestor, Henry Williams, was in deed the brother of Colonel James Williams and says that Colonel James Williams transferred much of his assets, including his slaves, to his brother's house for safe keeping from the Tories shortly before he died (p. 25-27).
Details of his whole estate were recorded in both Caswell Co., NC and in the 96th District, SC. This was a great find. As a side, my ancestor, Henry Williams, was also a Colonel in the Revolutionary War; Henry Williams' great-grandson, Iverson Lea Brooks later became a General in the War between the States.
To Do:
The author of this book confirms that my ancestor, Henry Williams, was in deed the brother of Colonel James Williams and says that Colonel James Williams transferred much of his assets, including his slaves, to his brother's house for safe keeping from the Tories shortly before he died (p. 25-27).
Details of his whole estate were recorded in both Caswell Co., NC and in the 96th District, SC. This was a great find. As a side, my ancestor, Henry Williams, was also a Colonel in the Revolutionary War; Henry Williams' great-grandson, Iverson Lea Brooks later became a General in the War between the States.
To Do:
- Copy the Will of James Williams from the Caswell Co., NC Will folders at the State Archives [If not located, look for will recorded in Caswell Co Will Book A, p. 113, December Court 1780]
- Copy the estate files of James Williams from the loose papers in the estate of James in Caswell Co., NC at the State Archives
- Go through and index the Land Grants issued the Williams family in Granville Co., NC before 1800. - Updated: A summary of Land Grants was posted here.
Monday, April 23, 2007
WILLIAMS family (Caswell Co., NC)
Last week I combed through some more WILLIAMS family entries in Katherine Kerr Kendall's Abstract of Caswell County, NC Will Books, 1777-1843 that is posted online at ancestry.com. I found some correlations between my Henry Williams and his brother James Williams. Henry Williams administered the estate of James Williams who wrote his will in 1780 in Caswell Co., NC, having sought refuge from his home town of 96th District, SC.
Evidently this James Williams was a pretty famous Colonel in the Revolutionary War. Colonel James Williams died at the battle of King's Mountain, Oct 1780 and is buried in Gaffney, SC.
I ordered the book "James Williams: An American Patriot in the Carolina Backcountry" by William Graves hoping to learn more about his family to see if he really was a brother to my Henry Williams.
Evidently this James Williams was a pretty famous Colonel in the Revolutionary War. Colonel James Williams died at the battle of King's Mountain, Oct 1780 and is buried in Gaffney, SC.
I ordered the book "James Williams: An American Patriot in the Carolina Backcountry" by William Graves hoping to learn more about his family to see if he really was a brother to my Henry Williams.
The Parentage of Christopher Williams BROOKS
There are Revolutionary Land records that give 1,000 acres to Christopher Williams Brooks, "heir of Sgt. George Brooks"; This has led researchers to believe that Christopher Williams Brooks was the son of this George Brooks. However, I am trying to prove that this is not the case, that Christopher Williams Brooks is the son of Christopher Brooks and Susannah Williams (dau of Colonel Henry Williams). It is possible that C. W. Brooks was a nephew, and George and Christopher Brooks Sr were brothers. My goal is to find the original land grants to see 1) if it really says "George" and 2) if it indicates a better relationship between George and Christopher Williams Brooks.The TN archives charges $20 to photocopy and mail the land grants. I pinged the TN mailing lists and got some responses - one poster said that the records are microfilmed and are very hard to read. I would hate to pay $20 for something that I could not even read.
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