Henry Williams – A Revolutionary War Soldier?

Many researchers of my Henry Williams have indicated that he was a Colonel in the Revolutionary War, citing page 71 of William S. Powell’s book When the Past Refused to Die: A History of Caswell County, North Carolina 1777-1977  (Durham, NC: Moore Publishing Company, 1977) as their source. This is the only source I can find indicating that Henry Williams was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.  I did not find a pension application for him or his widow or heirs in Heritage Quest’s Revolutionary War database.

Maybe Henry Williams was in the Caswell County militia and maybe he was active in that militia during the Regulator Movement (of which William S. Powell also wrote a book about – The regulators in North Carolina: a documentary history, 1759-1776).  However, I do not believe he saw duty during the Revolutionary War.  His brother, Colonel James Williams, was instrumental in the War.  He was living in the 96th District of South Carolina at the time.  In 1780, James Williams travelled to Caswell County, NC to visit his brother. It was there he wrote his will and transferred much of his property and possibly his slaves to his brother’s house for safe-keeping from the Tories. That Henry Williams was at home with his family, instead of away at war also indicates to me that he did not participate in the War.

After James’ death during the Battle of King’s Mountain in October 1780, Henry Williams, his brother and executor of his estate, reported an accounting of $25,000 that had been given to his brother, James Williams from the State of North Carolina to use to raise militia in Caswell County and surrounding counties to fight against the Tories. James’ son John Williams testified that this money was used to rally troops who were taken to King’s Mountain with him.  There is no mention of Henry Williams’ active participation in the rallying or marching of said troops. [Source: Graves, William T., James Williams: An American Patriot in the Carolina Backcountry, San Jose: Writers Club Press, 2002, p. 56]

The Author, William S. Powell, did not provide any sources or a bibliography to his book aforementioned. He did, however, note that all notes, chapter materials, and source material was given to the Gunn Memorial Library in Yanceyville, NC.  I therefore intend to visit this library and review his notes to see what source he used for his list of Caswell men who saw action in the Revolutionary War.

Richard Brooks of Caswell Co., NC (1730-1790)

 

Richard Brooks was born about 1730, probably in Virginia, and died about 1790 in Caswell County, North Carolina.  In his will written October 3, 1789 he mentioned his wife Ann Brooks and his 5 children:

1. William Bird Brooks (c. 1774-after 1830)
2. Elizabeth “Betsey” Brooks (born c. 1789)
3. Francis Armestead Brooks (c. 1781 – after 1860 in Alabama) married James Sheppard
4. John Brooks (c. 1785 – after 1809)
5. Ann Smith Brooks (c. 1770 – c. 1805), married Solomon Graves

Richard Brooks was living in Kingston Parish, Gloucester County, Virginia prior to his removal to Caswell County, North Carolina between 1770 and 1780.  Caswell County was formed from Orange County in 1779.  It is possible, Richard lived in Orange County, North Carolina from 1770-1779 when part of the county became Caswell County.

On December 10, 1754, Richard and Thomas Brooks were listed in a survey to divide land equally between the two men according to the last will and testament of Mr. Jonathan Brooks in Kingston Parish, Gloucester Co., VA. [1]

On April 10, 1770, Richard and his wife _____’s daughter, Ann Smith Brooks, was baptized in Kingston Parish, Gloucester Co., VA [1].  Unfortunately, I did not see a marriage record for Richard Brooks in the Kingston Parish Book. 

Richard’s wife Ann was listed on the 1800 Caswell County, NC census report after he died. She was listed between the ages of 26 and 45, born between 1755 and 1774. This would have made her about 16 years of age at the time of Richard’s daughter, Ann Smith Brooks’ date of birth in 1770 in Virginia.  It is possible Ann Smith Brooks’ mother was someone other than Ann. It is also possible her mother’s maiden name was Smith, for whom she was named after. 

Richard’s will was written in October of 1789 and proved in January of 1790.  His Wife, Ann Brooks’ will was written March 4, 1806 and was proved in January court of 1809.  In her will, she listed her 9 grandchildren, 6 of whom were the children of her son William Bird Brooks and 3 of whom were children of her daughter Frances A (Brooks) Sheppard. Her son in law, Solomon Graves (married to Ann Smith Brooks) was listed as executor. Ann Smith Brooks Graves must have died prior to her mother writing her will in 1806 since she was not listed as an heir.

Richard and Ann Brooks’ son William Bird Brooks settled in Giles County, Tennessee after his parents died. He was married to Sarah Paine in Person County, North Carolina.

Richard and Ann Brooks’ daughter Frances Armistead Brooks Sheppard removed to Butler County, Alabama where they died about 1860.

Richard Brooks was probably the brother of Thomas Brooks and son of Jonathan Brooks of Gloucester County, Virginia.  I believe Thomas and Mary Blacknall Brooks were the parents of my ancestor, Christopher Brooks (1755-1781), along with his siblings, Sarah/Sallie Brooks Holderness, Charles H Brooks, Thomas Brooks Jr., George Brooks and possibly Mary and Jonathan Brooks.

Caswell Co NC Wills – BROOKS

The following original wills are housed at the North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh, North Carolina.  The collection title is “Caswell County, North Carolina Series of Original Wills, 1771-1927″ and the call number is C.R. 020.801.1. The Brooks family wills were contained in the first box of the series (no. 1).  There might have been more Brooks family wills contained in the box written after 1900. I only inventoried those wills written before 1900 (on 10/25/2008).

1. Richard Brookes, dated 1790 (wife Ann)
2. Ann Brooks, dated 1808 (wife of Richard)
3. Thomas Brooks, dated 1855 (wife Martha)

The will of Richard Brookes was recorded in Caswell County, North Carolina Will Book B, p. 321.  This will was abstracted in Katherine Kerr Kendall’s book “Caswell County, North Carolina will books, 1777-1814″ on page 30. (See entry below)

The abstract reads the following:

Richard Brooks (spelled Brookes on original) [actually the "e" is crossed out on the original that I looked at in 2008] – Will – w. 3 Oct 1789. Wife Ann; 4 youngest children William Bird Brooks (under 21), Betsy Brooks, Frances Armstead Brooks, John Brooks; daughter Ann Smith Graves; Exec: wife Ann and son in law Solomon Graves. Wit: W. F. Smith, Israel Barker.

The will of Ann Brooks was recorded in Caswell County, North Carolina Will Book E, p. 379.  This will was abstracted in Katherine Kerr Kendall’s book “Caswell County, North Carolina will books, 1777-1814″ on page 109. (See entry below)

The abstract reads the following:

Ann Brooks – Will – w. 4 Mar 1806. Son William B. Brooks; 9 grandchildren: Wm B. Brooks sons John, Robert, & William and daughters Betsy, Ann, and Joanna; Frances A. Sheppard’s daughters Ann, Betsy, and Polley.  Exec:  son Wm B. Brooks. Wit:  Sol Graves, S. Graves, John L. Graves.

The will of Thomas Brooks includes the following:

Thomas Brooks – Will – written 31 Mar 1855
Wife: Martha Brooks
Children: son William Brooks (under 21), daughters Nicy and Mary Ann.
Exec: Wife Martha Brooks
Wits: Charles G Russell and Byrd D Paylor

There was no estate folder for Richard Brookes at the archives. There are, however, estate folders for the Thomas and Ann Brooks listed above.

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Goals:

1. To copy, scan, and transcribe the wills of Richard, Ann, and Thomas Brooks of Caswell Co., NC from the Archives – update 10/25/08: These 3 wills were copied by the Archives.  4/2/09: Wills were scanned into my computer and info entered into my genealogy software.
2. To copy, scan, and transcribe the estate records of Ann and Thomas Brooks of Caswell Co., NC from the Archives 

Sources:

1. Caswell County, North Carolina Series of Original Wills, 1771-1927, C.R. 020.801.1, North Carolina State Archives.
2. Katherine Kerr Kendall, Caswell County, North Carolina will books 1777-1814. 1784 tax list. guardians’ accounts 1794-1819 and Caswell County North Carolina will books 1814-1843. guardians’ accounts 1819-1847. 1850 & 1860 census mortality schedules powers of attorney from deed books 1777-1880, can be searched online at ancestry.com.

Related Posts:

Brooks family estate records from Caswell County, North Carolina

Children of Jeremiah Brooks of Person Co NC

According to the family tree file of Rosalyn Sumner, Jeremiah Brooks was born about 1773 and died in Person County, North Carolina in 1871. He married Elizabeth Thomas, 18 Mar 1795, Caswell County, North Carolina. 

The children of Jeremiah and Elizabeth Brooks were:

1. David BROOKS b: 1796 in Person County, NC
2. Nancy Woody BROOKS b: 1798 in NC
3. Green BROOKS b: ABT 1800 in NC
4. Hosey BROOKS b: AFT 1800 in NC
5. Susan BROOKS b: AFT 1800 in NC
6. Jane BROOKS b: 25 FEB 1804 in Caswell County, NC
7. Andrew BROOKS b: c 1805 in NC
8. Logan BROOKS b: 1814 in NC
9. Elizabeth BROOKS b: 1822 in NC

Related Posts:

Jeremiah Brooks of Caswell County, North Carolina

Jeremiah Brooks of Person County, North Carolina

Logan Brooks c 1814 Person Co NC

Logan Brooks was the son of Jeremiah Brooks and Elizabeth Thomas of Caswell and Person County North Carolina. He was born about 1814 in Person County, North Carolina.

1840 Person Co., NC Census Report
Logan Brooks, 1m 20-30, 2f < 5, 1f 20-30 [b. bet 1810-1820]
Same page as father, Jeremiah Brooks
Roll 368, p. 292

1850 Person Co., NC Census Report
Lougan Brooks, 36 yo (b. abt 1814), NC
Susan Brooks, 33 yo (b. abt 1817), NC
Martha J Brooks, 10 yo (b. abt 1840), NC
Jeremiah Brooks, 6 yo (b. abt 1844), NC
Ann F Brooks, 3 yo (b. abt 1847), NC
M432_640, p. 223, Image 258

1860 Person Co., NC Census Report
Logan Brooks, 47 yo (b. abt 1813), NC
Susan Brooks, 43 yo (b. abt 1817), NC
Jerrymiah Brooks, 14 yo (b. abt 1846), NC
Emily Brooks, 5 yo (b. abt 1855), NC
Rany L Brooks, 3 yo (b. abt 1857), NC
 M653_909, p. 445

Andrew Brooks, c1805, Person Co., NC

Andrew Brooks was born about 1805 in Person County, North Carolina. He was the son of Jeremiah Brooks and Elizabeth Thomas of Caswell and Person Counties, North Carolina.

1850 Person Co., NC Census Report
Andrew Brooks, 45 yo (b. abt 1805) NC
Sarah Brooks, 44 yo (b. abt 1806), NC
Nancy A Brooks, 20 yo (b. abt 1830), NC
Elijah Brooks, 18 yo (b. abt 1832), NC
Albert G Brooks, 16 yo (b. abt 1834), NC
Elizabeth S Brooks, 14 yo (b. abt 1835), NC
Harriet J Brooks, 11 yo (b. abt 1839), NC
Sarah F Brooks, 6 yo (b. abt 1844), NC
John B Brooks, 3 yo (b. abt 1847), NC
M432_640, p. 423, Image 257;

Jeremiah Brooks of Caswell Co., NC

Caswell County, North Carolina references to Jeremiah Brooks:

 

Caswell County North Carolina List of Taxables, 1777:

Glouster District: Jeremiah Brooks, 126 acres, 4 wp, 6 bp

This probably not the same Jeremiah Brooks of Person Co., NC who was born in 1773; he would not be old enough to be taxed in 1777.

 

Caswell Co Will Book C, p. 164, July Court 1796, Sales estate of John Shearman 10 Nov 1795. By Pemberton Burch, adm. Sales to: Drury Clark, Mrs. Shearman, William Wallis, Jeremiah Brooks, John Burch, William Gallaugher, John Christenbury, Willson Jones, Joseph Neeley, Will Hews. (Kendall’s Abstracts, Caswell Co Will Books, 1777-1814, p. 51)

 Caswell Co Will Book C, p. 423, January court 1800: Sale estate of George Farley by H. Burton and Catharine Farley, exec. Buyers: … Jeremiah Brooks … (Kendall’s Abstracts, Caswell Co Will Books, 1777-1814, p. 67)

 

Caswell Co Deed Book L p. 247, 26 Apr 1800, Henry McMullen of Caswell Co to son John McMullen, for good maintenance of Henry and wife, all lands whereon he now lives. Witnesses: Thos Neely & Jeremiah Brookes. (Kendall’s Abstracts, Caswell Co Deed Books, 1777-1817, p. 207).

 

1800 Caswell Co., NC Census Report: Jera Brooks, p. 117, there was 1m < 10, 1m 16-25, 1m 26-44, 2f < 10, & 2f 16-25; + 0 slaves; Assuming Jeremiah is the oldest male, he was born between 1756-1774. If he is the same Jeremiah listed on the Caswell county 1777 tax list (who had to have been at least 21 years old to be taxed, therefore born before 1756), then he was born probably in 1756; However, this could also be the same Jeremiah Brooks who settled in Person County, North Carolina who was born about 1773. This is the only census report Jeremiah Brooks was on in Caswell Co., NC.

 

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Bibliography:

Kendall, K. K. (1981). Caswell County, North Carolina will books 1777-1814 1784 tax list guardians’ accounts 1794-1819 and Caswell County North Carolina will books 1814-1843 guardians’ accounts 1819-1847 1850 & 1860 census mortality schedules powers of attorney from deed books 1777-1880. Baltimore, MD: Clearfield. (Searchable online at ancestry.com)

 

Kendall, K. K. (1989). Caswell County, North Carolina, deed books, 1777-1817: Abstracts. Easley, S.C.: Southern Historical Press.

 

North Carolina State Archives, Caswell County, North Carolina List of Taxables for 1777, 1780, & 1784, microfilm, Call No. 020.70001.

 

The Will of Daniel Williams, Granville Co., NC (1759)

Here is the will of Daniel Williams of Granville Co., NC. Daniel Williams was married to Ursula Henderson. They were the parents of my Henry Williams of Caswell Co., NC. I found two other Williams wills in Granville Co but I am not sure how they connect if at all to my Daniel Williams family. They are William Williams and Thomas Williams.

Williams, Daniel–wills to wife 3 negroes loaned to her for her lifetime, 12 cattle, one horse, feather bed and furniture, household goods, which I do not give away herafter, and at her death to be equally divided between my seven children: Merya Goodman, Henry Williams, John Williams, James Williams, Joseph Williams, Mary Mitchell, Daniel Williams; to my son-in-law Benjamin Goodman, 200 acres of landing being the land whereon he now lives at Capt. Mitchells line; to son John Williams, 350 acres which I purchased of Richard Bullock; to sons James and Joseph Williams, 800 acres of land in Halifax county, Virginia to be equally divided between them; to son Daniel Williams, 400 acres being land and plantation whereon I now live; to daughter Marya Goodman, for her lfietime, 3 negroes and, at her death, to go to her children; to son Henry Williams, 2 negroes and the use of a mullatto fellow to serve to age 21 years; to son John, 3 n3groes; to son James, 3 negroes; to daughter Mary Mitchell, 4 negroes; to son Daniel, 4 negroes; to my wife Ursula William, I lend for her lifetime 6 sheep, 12 hogs and, at her death, to be divided to my seven children; to my youngest children, James, Joseph, Mary Mitchell, and Daniel Williams, all rest of cattle, sheep, and hogs to divide between them; to son James, a horse and a feather bed and furniture; to son Joseph, a stallion, a feather bed and furniture; to daughter Mary Mitchell, a horse; to son Daniel Williams a horse and a mare, a feather bed and furniture; to son James Williams, land on Anderson swamp containing 400 acres; to son Joseph, land on Hico road and branches of Island creek—400 acres; my executors are to sell my crop of tobacco and pay my debts and to get 8000 ten penny nails and 8000 eight penny nails and give them to James and Joseph Williams and whereas Henry Williams and Marya Goodman have had pewter bought for them, it is my desire that John, James, Joseph, Mary Mitchell, and Daniel are to have pewter bought for them in equal amount by my executors and if any surplus from these sale, to be divided in eight parts for my wife and children; after wife’s death, all that is left to be divided to them.Exrs: my wife, Ursula Williams, John and James Williams

Wts: Luke Waldrup, William Sims

Source: Abstracts Of Granville County, NC, Unrecorded wills, 1746-1771, by Zae Gwynn

Page 64–Nov. 15, 1759–proved Dec. court 1759

Two George Brooks Men of Caswell County

Tonight I consolidated 3 separate documents I have relating the story of at least 3 George Brooks men – two younger and one elder men.  The individual family tree maker database files for the two younger George Brooks men, the Brooks Family Will Books.doc, and the George Brooks.doc files were consolidated into one main document – “George Brooks.doc”.

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 young 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.  The Caswell County Will Books can be searched online at ancestry.com; The deed book abstracts (1777-1817) and (1817-1840) can be found at the North Carolina Olivia Raney Historical Library in Raleigh, NC.
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There were two “younger” George Brooks men living in Caswell co., NC in the early 1800s. They were first cousins: 

1.  George son of Jonathan (and Ann Lewis), born abt 1790 (according to the 1830 Caswell Co census report); Married Sarah?

2.  George son of Charles (and Sarah), born 1787. He 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.

Related post: The elder George Brooks

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: (excerpted from the George Brooks.doc file)

1777
Caswell 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: George Brooks, 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. (Can be found at the Olivia Raney Historical Library, Raleigh, NC)

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 either. 

Could this be George Brooks, son of Thomas and Mary Blacknall Brooks, born 8 May 1757 in Gloucester Co., VA (Kingston Parish Registry)?

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.

Related Posts:

Two younger George Brooks men of Caswell Co., NC

BROOKS family references of Kingston Parish, Gloucester/Matthews Co., VA

Sources:

Kendall, K. K. (1989). Caswell County, North Carolina, deed books, 1777-1817: abstracts. Easley, S.C.: Southern Historical Press. (Can be found at the Olivia Raney Historical Library, Raleigh, NC)

Secretary of State Land Grant Office, Warrants, Plats, etc