BROOKS FAMILY HISTORY - Interactive Family Histories

BROOKS FAMILY HISTORY 7-11Brooks (born after 1734), probable son of Richard Brooks (implied by TitheList), is a good candidate for being the author’s ancestor, Robert Brooks (1).The 1750 Tithe List presents one of the best primary documents concerning thepossible ancestry of Robert Brooks (1). This tithe entry implies the followingrelationship to Richard Brooks (of Lunenburg County, Virginia):............Robert Brooks, b. after 1734 (probable son)............Elisha Brooks, b. after 1734 (probable son)Assuming that the Richard Brooks (1750 Tithe List) is the father of RobertBrooks (1), Elisha Brooks becomes a possible sibling of Robert Brooks (1) thatshould be researched for more possible connections to Robert Brooks (1). Severaldocuments can be found involving Elisha Brooks in Lunenburg County, Virginia.According to the book, “The Brooks of Virginia,” Elisha Brooks receivedland from the estate of William Embry in 1759. Land was transferred “to ElishaBrooks that part of the 119 acres that lies on the south side of the south fork ofthe branch that divides our land.” The estate of William Embry also “stated thatElizabeth Brooks was his daughter” - unfortunately this does not match other recordsthat indicate that Frances was the wife of Elisha Brooks. Perhaps, ElizabethEmbry married Richard Brooks, III as it is known that his wife was namedElizabeth (from Louisa County, Virginia deeds). On December 3, 1759, Richardand Elisha Brooks, with consent of their wives, Elizabeth and Frances Brooks,sell for 290 pounds, 448 acres to Edward Dowsing, all of Lunenburg County,Virginia. On June 2, 1760, William and John White sold for 240 pounds, 400acres on both sides of Allens Creek to Elisha Brooks. Also on June 2, 1760,Elisha Brooks sold to Edward Beville for 45 pounds 50 acres on south side ofAllens Creek. Again on June 2, 1760, Frances, wife of Elisha Brooks, releasedher dower rights. On the 1764 Tithe List of St. James Parish, LunenburgCounty, Virginia was Elisha Brooks with four tithes and 200 acres of land. OnMarch 23, 1765, Elisha Brooks, for 355 pounds sold 600 acres being all the landhe then owned on Allens Creek, to John Pughe, signed Elisha Brooks and FrancesBrooks. This documentation establishes that Elisha Brooks resided inLunenburg County, Virginia (the part that later became part of MecklenburgCounty, Virginia) from 1759 to 1765 and that the wife of Elisha Brooks wasnamed Frances. There was also Elisha Brooks whose estate went into probate in1782, with wife Frances Brooks, of South Carolina as Administratix (either 96thDistrict, South Carolina or Edgefield County, South Carolina). This probate informationwas obtained from secondary sources and additional informationmight be obtained from actual probate records. If Elisha and Frances Brooks didmove to Edgefield County, South Carolina, then provides a stronger link to RobertBrooks (1) as most of the children of Robert Brooks (1) moved to EdgefieldCounty, South Carolina.In 1755, the estate of Richard Brooks had David Gentry and Robert Brooks providingsecurity bond for the estate of Richard Brooks. Taking on the financialrisk of this estate would usually be taken on those who had a vested interest inthe estate (sons and son-in-laws). Susannah Brooks was granted the administrationof this estate and probate records indicate that “Richard Brooks, desceased,(was) her late husband.” Susannah Brooks was approved as administratrix of theestate in the December, 1755 court session of Lunenburg County, Virginia. This